'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Welcome to the final IMPACT Wrestling before their next major event, Sacrifice. We still had a few matches to set up and some contracts to sign, which meant we had a lot of brawling to get to.
Scott D'Amore also had two huge announcements that would not only affect the world title scene in IMPACT Wrestling in a major way but shake the foundations of both IMPACT and AEW in the near future.
As exciting as all that was, the real entree of the night was Ace Austin and Chris Bey in an incredible X-Division match. Those two are the future of IMPACT Wrestling and put on a phenomenal contest near the end of the night.
Before we get to that, let's kick things off with some Knockouts action.
Tasha Steelz w/Kiera Hogan vs. Jazz w/Jordynne Grace on IMPACT Wrestling
The IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Tag Team Champion feigned respect for Jazz, taunting the living legend. Jazz caught her with an arm drag right out of a lock-up, leaving Steelz a little frazzled. Rolling to the floor, Steelz and Kiera Hogan tried to think up a game plan.
Tasha eventually got a handle on things, catching Jazz with a beautiful jumping neckbreaker for a surprise near fall. She kept Jazz in the corner, doing her best to keep her from firing up.
Some taunting, though, left Steelz open for Jazz, who made it out to the middle of the ring. Steelz caught her with a falcon arrow and locked in a modified crossface.
Jazz quickly escaped and battered Steelz with a series of strikes, leading to a big Samoan Drop. An STF locked in, forcing the submission victory for Jazz.
Results: Jazz defeated Tasha Steelz via submission on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: B-
At IMPACT Wrestling Sacrifice, Grace and Jazz will challenge Fire N Flava for the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. Can they overcome the sheer brute force of Jazz and Thick Mama Pump?
Speaking of the Knockouts, ODB will challenge for the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Championship at Sacrifice. Tonight, though, she had her eyes on Susan, aka "Karen."
Trey Miguel found his student Sam Beale backstage, the guy that Sami Callihan walked away with last week. The Draw talked him into challenging The Rascal to a match, stating that Callihan claimed Miguel didn't have the passion.
Miguel said no initially but vowed to teach Beale a very valuable lesson. But was this what Callihan wanted all along?
Rohit Raju and Mahabali Shera vs. Chris Sabin and James Storm on IMPACT Wrestling
The former IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion Rohit Raju battled Chris Sabin in the opening, with both stars going right to full gear. When Sabin brought in James Storm, the tag team specialists battered Raju with some tandem strikes.
Storm wanted Mahabali Shera, though, sending Raju into his corner to bring the big man in. Storm looked to brawl with him, but struggled to keep up with the powerhouse of the former Desi Hit Squad.
A running boot nearly kicked Storm's head off. Luckily, Storm managed to sneak a tag out to Sabin, allowing the multi-time IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions to bring the big man down. During the break, though, Shera and Raju regained the upper hand.
After several minutes of punishment, Sabin tagged out to The Cowboy, with the big man of the team laying waste to Shera and Raju. An inverted atomic drop and spinebuster combination nearly got the win. Storm brought Sabin back in for the windmill tornado DDT, getting another close call.
Shera and Raju seemed to finally set Storm up for the win, but both men began arguing over who would get the pin. Thanks to that, Sabin was able to take out Shera while Raju was hit with the lungblower from Storm. Sabin followed up with the Cradle Shock for the 1-2-3.
Results: Chris Sabin and James Storm defeated Rohit Raju and Mahabali Shera via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: B
Decay found Reno scum and XXXL arguing backstage, and told Acey Romero and Larry D to scram. They challenged Adam Thornstowe and Luster the Legend to a match at IMPACT Wrestling Sacrifice, looking for a sacrifice of their own.
Former IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Eric Young continued to berate Deaner for failing to beat Cousin Jake. However, VBD was interrupted by James Storm and Chris Sabin, who tried to stick up for Deaner. Unfortunately for them, Deaner was the one to begin the assault on them, leading to a three-on-two beat down.
Brian Myers sat down with IMPACT Wrestling Co-VP Scott D'Amore, demanding that Eddie Edwards' contract be terminated. He promised to sue the company should that not happen, which D'Amore was willing to do. However, he found a better way to get Myers and Edwards to settle their beef -- a Holds Harmless Match at IMPACT Wrestling Sacrifice.
Trey Miguel vs. Sam Beale w/Sami Callihan on IMPACT Wrestling
Sam Beale laid into Trey Miguel, landing some stiff shots on his trainer. Miguel was initially uninterested in attacking Beale but eventually rocked him with a running dropkick. The Hourglass was quickly locked in, forcing Beale to tap out in no time.
Results: Trey Miguel defeated Sam Beale via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: D
After the match, Miguel rushed Sami Callihan. The lights went out, and when they came back up, Callihan spiked Beale in the middle of the ring with the Cactus Special.
Chris Sabin and James Storm cut a promo on their long-time IMPACT Wrestling/TNA friend Eric Young. They thought that they were close, but that's clearly not true. To kill a snake, you must cut off the head. At IMPACT Wrestling Sacrifice, they'll take on Deaner and Joe Doering.
Jake Something came in, vowing to be in their corner and promising to keep Eric Young out of the action.
Another AEW ad played on IMPACT Wrestling, with Tony Khan highlighting the AEW Revolution PPV. Christian Cage debuted for the company, Scorpio Sky won a shot at the TNT Championship, and more. He and Tony Schiavone promoted an exciting episode of Dynamite before digging into Kenny Omega for failing to build the exploding ring correctly.
Scott D'Amore had The IMPACT Wrestling Tag Team Champions and FinJuice backstage, looking to sign the contracts for the bout at Sacrifice. The Good Brothers and their opponents shared drinks before signing, looking to out-drink one another before putting pen to paper.
FinJuice held the last shot, splashing it in their opponents' faces before they came to blows. Of course, a contract signing ended in a brawl. This is wrestling; what did you expect? They'll face off at IMPACT Wrestling Sacrifice this Saturday.
Ace Austin w/Madman Fulton vs. Chris Bey on IMPACT Wrestling
This match-up between two former IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champions was something fans had been waiting for since it was announced. Ace Austin pulled out a chair, leaving a seat for his monstrous partner to take. In the ring, the feeling-out process began.
Austin brought Chris Bey over with a northern lights suplex, leading to a short running knee. Bey blocked a double underhook suplex, but after a series of knees to the gut, Austin was able to bring him over for a two-count. Bey sent Austin to the floor for a wrecking ball dropkick and tope con hilo.
The Ultimate Finesser tried to get Madman Fulton to strike him for a DQ win, but Fulton was able to hold himself back. Austin took advantage of that time, rocking Bey with that handstand apron kick of his. A Fosbury Flop followed up, leaving Bey disoriented.
The double springboard roundhouse nearly turned Bey inside out, giving Austin another near fall. Bey responded by throwing a series of kicks at Austin, tricking him for a Code Red. The Ace of IMPACT Wrestling's X-Division kicked out and planted Beyfor a springboard floating senton.
A kicking combination dazed Bey but was rocked with a back elbow. They avoided each other's big strikes, leaving Bey up top for a big dive. Before he could, Austin struck with a rolling heel kick. Bey was shook but blocked the superplex. They fell to the apron, with Ace taking the nastiest fall, before we cut to break.
When we came back, both men were struggling to get to their feet. Bey won a punching trade, as Ace looked like he was completely out. However, he was playing possum and caught Bey with a running roundhouse kick. A springboard twisting Fameasser planted Bey for the two.
Bey managed to rock Ace with the flying clothesline but failed to hit the Art of Finesse. He was able to spike Austin with the VerteBeyker, though, and was half a second shy of the win. Another Art of Finesse was countered, setting Bey up instead for a slingshot DDT. The Art of Finesse failed a third time, as Ace Austin quickly scrambled to the floor, unable to even stand.
At this point, Fulton got involved. However, IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champ TJP came out to the ring, distracting Ace and his monster. This allowed Bey to counter The Fold with a cutter. The Art of Finesse finally connected, allowing Bey to get the win.
Results: Chris Bey defeated Ace Austin via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling
Grade: A+
After the match, TJP went to Swinger's Palace to collect money on the bet that Chris Bey would win. However, IMPACT Wrestling's Walking Weapon Josh Alexander came in to berate TJP for not taking any of this seriously and promised to be the next man in line after IMPACT Wrestling Sacrifice.
Former IMPACT Wrestling X-Division Champion Rohit Raju was furious with Mahabali Shera backstage, stating that the big man owed him and had no right in trying to steal the spotlight. Shera went off, launching Raju into the wall and exclaiming he didn't owe him anything.
ODB vs. Susan on IMPACT Wrestling
Susan wanted to prove herself against ODB but was flustered when the four-time IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion caught her with a big elbow. Some chops in the corner left Susan in agonizing pain. ODB followed up with a bronco buster before hitting a big fallaway slam.
Back from a commercial break, Susan took over with an eye poke. It wasn't enough, though, and ODB followed up The Dirty Dozen with a flying Thesz Press. Susan kicked out, looking for a sleeper. ODB shook her off but left Susan in the perfect place to empty her flask. ODB was furious and picked Susan up for The Bam.
Results: ODB defeated Susan via pinfall on IMPACT Wrestling.
Grade: B-
IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo and The Crown Jewel Kimber Lee rushed the ring, trying to weaken ODB before Saturday. Jordynne Grace and Jazz rushed in to make the save before quickly being assaulted by Fire N Flava.
Moose was in the ring with the official IMPACT Wrestling TNA World Championship. Scott D'Amore was backstage with a mystery man, holding a contract, when he was called out by Mr. IMPACT Wrestling himself.
D'Amore came out and brought out IMPACT Wrestling World Champion Rich Swann with him. At IMPACT Wrestling Sacrifice, Moose and Rich Swann will face off in a Title vs. Title Match. The winner would be crowned the undisputed world champion, but their work wouldn't be done there. After all that, the winner would go to IMPACT Wrestling Rebellion, where they'd face AEW World Champion Kenny Omega in a Title vs. Title Match!
The man D'Amore was talking to backstage? It was The Invisible Hand Don Callis. He was seen talking to Omega on the phone, claiming that everything was going according to plan.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
