Impact Wrestling kicked off the AXS TV era in a big way Tuesday night. The show ended with a major title change, as challenger Sami Callihan defeated Impact World Champion Brian Cage.
The two competed in a no disqualification steel cage match that saw the action pour out into the ringside area. Near the end of the match, Callihan attempted to put the champion away with multiple piledrivers. Cage, however, was able to kick out.
The end of the match came after Callihan delivered a devastating avalanche piledriver from the second rope. He was finally able to secure the pinfall, claiming the Impact World Championship as his own.
This marks the first time Callihan has won the title. Cage had held the belt since April at Impact’s Rebellion event.
Here are some highlights from the bout:
Tessa Blanchard Confronts The New Champ
Following the three count, Callihan found his championship celebrations cut short as he was confronted by Tessa Blanchard. The two have previously faced each other, having headlined Impact’s Slammiversary pay-per-view in July. Callihan came away with the victory that night.
Blanchard’s confrontation appears to tease a future championship feud between the two.