Impact Wrestling was back in their usual timeslot on Tuesday nights this week. This week’s show was the go-home edition for Sunday’s Hard to Kill PPV.
The show was headlined by Moose & Rob Van Dam teaming up against Brian Cage and Rhino. Impact this week would also feature a special look at the Hard to Kill main event of Sami Callihan vs Tessa Blanchard.
Impact Wrestling Results (Jan. 7)
- Michael Elgin defeated Eddie Edwards
- the Desi Hit Squad defeated TJP, Fallah Bah & Daga
- Havok defeated Rosemary
- ODB, Tenille Dashwood, & Jordynne Grace defeated Taya Valkyrie, Kiera Hogan & Madison Rayne
- Brian Cage & Rhino defeated Moose & Rob Van Dam
Here are 8 takeaways from Impact Wrestling 1/7:
A Special Look At Sami Callihan vs Tessa Blanchard At Hard To Kill
One of the biggest world championship matches in Impact Wrestling’s recent history takes place Sunday at Hard to Kill. Blanchard debuted with Impact Wrestling in the spring of 2018 and has steadily risen up the rankings ever since. Hard to Kill will be the 3rd time Callihan and Blanchard have met on Impact Wrestling. Callihan has won the first two.
A special look at both Sami Callihan and Tessa Blanchard aired this week on Impact Wrestling.
ODB Steals Win From Jordynne Grace
At Hard to Kill, both ODB and Jordynne Grace have a chance to win Knockouts gold from Taya Valkyrie in a triple threat match. This week on Impact, ODB stole the pin on Taya away from Jordynne Grace. After Grace had delivered a second-rope Avalanche drop to the champion she was thrown out of the ring by ODB who then got the pin on Taya herself.
If OBD does the same thing on Sunday, she’ll walk away as the new Knockouts Champion.
Brian Cage & Rhino Defeat Rob Van Dam & Moose
The night’s main event previewed 2 upcoming matches on Sunday’s PPV. Brian Cage will face Rob Van Dam in a dream match and Rhino and Moose will go one-on-one as well.
Rob Van Dam appears to be no longer doing his more popular moves as he does not want to give the fans what they want. He acted as though he was going to deliver Rolling Thunder at one point but then decided against it. Moose, however, attempted his own 5-star frog splash during the match, missed, and was promptly Gored by Rhino. Cage then hit Moose with a clothesline and pinned him to pick up the win for his team.
Havok Beats Rosemary As James Mitchell Continues To Manipulate “Suzie”
Father James Mitchell has been shown in backstage vignettes recently along with “Suzie” who appears to be the memory-restricted Su Yung. Rosemary has been attempting to stop Mitchell from continuing his association with Suzie.
This week on Impact, Mitchell locked Suzie in a closet while he accompanied Havok to the ring for her match against Rosemary. Suzie wandered to the ring during the match, however, prompting Mitchell to attempt to cover her ears and eyes. This distracted Rosemary who was then put in a tombstone piledriver by Havok for the win.
Johnny Swinger Put Somas In Joey Ryan’s Water
Swinger was shown backstage this week attempting to put Somas in Joey Ryan’s water bottle. Swinger was caught in the act by Tommy Dreamer and attempted to lie his way out of it. He told Dreamer it was his water bottle and he was just putting his medication in his water. Dreamer asked Swinger to drink the water to prove there was nothing too terrible in there but Swinger was reluctant. Dreamer then showed Swinger a kendo stick and Swinger took a big gulp from the Soma-infused water.
Later in the show, Swinger was shown passed out backstage. Joey Ryan and Petey Williams then debated drawing on his face with a sharpie. Swinger and Ryan will face each other next week in single’s action.
Michael Elgin and Eddie Edwards Don’t Wait Until Hard to Kill
The show opened up this week with a brawl already in progress ringside between Eddie Edwards and Michael Elgin. Edwards said they don’t have to wait until Hard to Kill and an impromptu match between the two was booked.
Elgin would win the match with an Elgin bomb but these two will square off once again when Impact presents Hard to Kill on Sunday. The stipulations will be bigger on Sunday as well. Later in the show, Josh Matthews revealed that when Elgin and Edwards meet on the PPV, Edwards’ “Call Your Shot” trophy will be on the line.
The Desi Hit Squad defeated TJP, Fallah Bah & Daga
TJP and Fallah Bah joined forces with Daga this week in trios action against all 3 members of the Desi Hit Squad. Callis noted on commentary how well the Desi Hit Squad worked together under the guidance of the Great Gama Singh. Teamwork may have helped the faction but in the end, it was the brute strength of Mahabali Shera who would win the match with a power-bomb on TJP.
Hard To Kill On Sunday
Impact Wrestling presents its first PPV of 2020 Sunday night. The lineup for the show is below:
- Impact World Championship
Sami Callihan (c) vs Tessa Blanchard - Knockouts Championship
Taya Valkyrie (c) vs Jordynne Grace vs ODB - Impact Tag Team Championships
the North (c) vs Willie Mack & Rich Swann - X-Division Championship
Ace Austin (c) vs Trey Miguel - Brian Cage vs Rob Van Dam
- Michael Elgin vs Eddie Edwards
- Ken Shamrock vs Madman Fulton
- Moose vs Rhino