Impact Wrestling Review – April 6, 2023
Kicking off this week’s Impact with a video focused on Josh Alexander requiring surgery and having to relinquish the Impact World Title. Tom Hannifan noted that Kushida’s Hoverboard Lock might have led to Alexander’s injury. Scott D’Amore gave updates on Alexander’s surgery.
Tag Team Match
Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. TMDK (Bad Dude Tito & Shane Haste)
TMDK attacks Motor City Machine Guns early on. Motor City Machine Guns dumps TMDK to ringside and hit them with stereo dives. Bad Dude Tito hits Chris Sabin with a powerbomb. Shane Haste hits Alex Shelley with a cannonball in the corner. TMDK cut the ring in half on Shelley with tags and an isolation offence. Shelley managed to hit Tito with an STO.
Shelley hits Haste with a dragon screw to tag in Sabin. Sabin hits Haste with a missile dropkick and hit Tito with a PK. Shelley hits Haste with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Haste hit Sabin with an inverted suplex. Shelley drags Haste to ringside. Shelley held open the ropes so Sabin could hit TMDK with a suicide dive.
Sabin hit Tito with a hurricanrana. Sabin hit Haste with a cutter. Motor City Machine Guns hits Tito with their Muta Lock dropkick combo. Shelley set up Haste with a Crucifix Driver then Sabin got a jackknife on Haste to get the win.
Winners: Motor City Machine Guns
Motor City Machine Guns walks into Impact World Tag Team Champions at the Gorilla Position. Ace Austin reminded Motor City Machine Guns about their upcoming Impact World Tag Titles match at Rebellion. Sabin wanted their match to be an Ultimate X match. Bullet Club agreed to the stipulation.
Eddie Edwards & Kenny King were chatting in the locker room. Edwards asked King if he could have his back later on when he wrestles PCO. King pointed out that Edwards didn’t have his back at Sacrifice and that he’s tired of being Edwards’s crash test dummy. King said he has bigger plans for his own career later on in the show. King told Edwards that if he needs help ask whoever ran PCO over with the car.
X Division Title #1 Contenders Match
Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham
Match starts off with a hand shake then after a lock up, both men went into technical chain wrestling. Both men had a shoving match in the corner. Jonathan Gresham did a fake out into a dropkick on Mike Bailey. Bailey hits Gresham with rapid kicks and dumps him to ringside. Gresham & Bailey respectfully had a reset in the middle of the ring. Bailey & Gresham took each other out with stereo crossbody blocks then we go to a commercial break.
After the break Bailey hits Gresham with kicks. Gresham avoided a standing shooting star. Gresham and Bailey tangled each other up. The referee separated both men after Gresham grabs the ropes. Gresham & Bailey traded chops in the center of the ring. Bailey no sold chops to the chest. Gresham no sold roundhouse kicks. Gresham hits Bailey with a Lionsault and suicide dive. Gresham rolls up Bailey for a two count.
Bailey got a two count off Gresham. Gresham put Bailey in a Figure 4. Bailey managed to reverse the pressure but Gresham used his core to get back into Figure 4 position. Both men took turns trading pressure after rolling around the hold was broken when both men tumbled to the ground. Bailey & Gresham both almost accidentally hit X Division Champion Trey Miguel at the announce table. Bailey hits Gresham with a triangle moonsault. Miguel left the announce table and hit both Gresham & Bailey with a slingshot dropkick to invoke the no contest.
Winner & #1 Contender To The X Division Title: No One (No Contest)
After the match Miguel put the boots to both men. Miguel was about to spray paint both men but Gresham & Bailey recovered. Miguel backtracked up the ramp.
The Design & Sami Callihan were chatting at a random stairwell. Deaner reiterated that he was putting Sami through an initiation. Deaner said he’s surprised that Sami has made it this far in the 7 deadly steps. Deaner said that Callihan proved himself in step 6 when he took a beating like a man but he then turned around to cost them a match against Time Machine.
Callihan said he didn’t cost them the match but he sacrificed himself. Deaner said that sacrifice might be a ploy. Angels said he thinks that Callihan is trying to fool them. Callihan said they can all move on or move to step 7. Deaner said that to pass step 7, Callihan needs to prove that there is no authority in his live other than The Design. Sami wondered how he was going to do that? Kon told Callihan to figure it out.
Trey Miguel, Jonathan Gresham & Mike Bailey were all bickering in front of Santino Marella & Dirty Dango about Miguel’s next X Division Title defense. Marella calmed them all down and told Miguel that his attack backfired now Miguel has to wrestle Bailey & Gresham in an elimination match to defend his title at Rebellion. Marella also said it was going to be an elimination match.
Dango offered to help all 3 men because he said he has a lot of experience in 3 ways. Dango said he meant 3 Way matches. Trey walked off disgusted. Gresham said that Dango is sounding a bit weird. Dango said he’s been in the gym practicing his Jits.
Jody Threat vs. Tara Rising
Jody Threat puts Tara Rising in an armbar early on. Threat then put Rising in a side headlock. Threat whips around Rising and hits her with strikes in the corners. Threat nails Rising with lariats in the corner. Rising punched Threat which she no sold.
Threat rallied with clotheslines and hits Threat with a draping Meteora. Threat hits Rising with a German Suplex then F416 for the win.
Winner: Jody Threat
Santino Marella & Dirty Dango were backstage. Scott D’Amore went to check on the injured Marella. Marella said he’s a bit foggy now. Dango said that The Design put the hit out on Marella. D’Amore said that assumption makes sense because The Design mentioned how they were coming after authority. Dango said he let everyone down as the assistant dictator of authority. D’Amore said that it’s Director not dictator and that no one assigned Dango as an assistant.
Dango said he was born to be the assistant dictator of authority. Dango said since Santino in injured, he’s now in charge of Impact. D’Amore said he’s in charge since he’s the president of Impact Wrestling. Dango said he wants to wrestle The Design along with his best friend Joe Hendry. D’Amore said even with 2 men The Design have a numbers advantage. Marella cut in. He said he’s accumulated so many injuries over his long career. He said he looks in the mirror and asked himself who he is and what remains of who he was.
Marella noted that his son Marco will be in the crowd at Rebellion and he wants to show him how to stand up for himself. Marella said he may be 75% of what he was but that’s fine because he was a C student in high school. Marella said he’s going to remind people about who he is. Marella said it would be him,Joe Hendry & Dango vs. The Design at Rebellion. Dango was fired up and tossed his shirt at D’Amore before leaving with Marella. D’Amore shook his head and said that Impact didn’t even hire Dango.
Gia Miller interviewed Tasha Steelz about how she returned at Sacrifice before Steelz could cut her promo, Gisele Shaw walks up, alongside Jai Vidal & Savannah Evans, and took exception to Steelz making her return at the expense of her at Sacrifice. Shaw said that Steelz didn’t take care of the problem because she’s still standing. Shaw said Evans upgraded by leaving Steelz in favor of her. Steelz challenges Shaw to a match next week. Shaw said that Steelz might be biting more than she can chew
6 Man Tag Team Match
The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch) & Bully Ray vs. Darren McCarty,Yuya Uemura & Tommy Dreamer
John Skyler & Tommy Dreamer starts the match off as Dreamer dominated early on, leading to Jason Hotch tagging in. Hotch ate a Bionic Elbow from Dreamer. Yuya Uemura tags in and gave Hotch a hip toss and a few elbow drops. Skyler tags in and took a few armdrags from Uemura. Dreamer tags in and hits Skyler with a neckbreaker.
Uemura tags in and hits Skyler with an elbow drop. Bully Ray gave Dreamer a cheap shot when he tags in. The Good Hands & Bully cut the ring in half on Dreamer. Bully taunted Dreamer & Darren McCarty. Bully kept mentioning Dreamer’s kids to Dreamer. Dreamer fired up with a kick and DDT. Skyler & McCarty tags in. McCarty took out The Good Hands with lariats. McCarty gave Hotch a Thesz Press. McCarty dumps The Good Hands to ringside. Uemura hit The Good Hands with a dive.
McCarty demanded Bully enter the ring. Bully teased a face off but ducked out to ringside. Hotch tried to blindside McCarty but took a punch to the gut. McCarty hits Hotch with a Stunner for the win.
Winners: Darren McCarty,Yuya Uemura & Tommy Dreamer
After the match Kenny King ran out to attack Dreamer. Masha Slamovich also ran out to attack Dreamer. Frankie Kazarian & Killer Kelly ran out to help Tommy dispose of Team Bully. Team Dreamer stood tall.
A Josh Alexander vignette aired. It focused on Alexander’s record setting reign as Impact World Champion.
Pictures were shown of Jordynne Grace at a bodybuilding competition. Tom Hannifan noted that Grace won the competition in Atlanta.
A replay was shown of Deonna Purrazzo winning a Fatal 4 Way Match to earn a Knockouts Title shot at Rebellion.
The show cut to Deonna Purrazzo cutting a promo in a dark room. Purrazzo said she her past 18 months have been a roller coaster. She said she went from being a 4x Knockouts Champion and Knockouts Tag Team Champion with her best friend to having nothing. Deonna said nothing is bad for some but for The Virtuosa it’s a blank canvas, allowing for creativity. Deonna said she came to Impact with that same blank canvas and proved she is limitless.
Purrazzo said she doesn’t know if she’s going to just face Grace or face Mickie James too. Purrazzo said Grace has never beaten her. Purrazzo said she hasn’t beaten James though. Purrazzo said she’s going to start a new age of the Virtuosa when she becomes the new Knockouts Champion
Eddie Edwards vs. PCO
PCO dominated the early punch exchange. Eddie Edwards turned the tables with an eye poke. PCO drags Edwards to the top rope and hit him with a Frankensteiner then we go to a break.
After the break Edwards worked on PCO with methodical offense at ringside. PCO blocks a Tiger Driver with a backdrop. PCO no sold a belly 2 belly suplex and hits Edwards with a lariat. Edwards brawls with PCO on the top rope and hit him with a superplex. PCO zipped down his jacket and dared Edwards to chop him. Both men traded fighting spirit chops. Edwards pressured PCO to the corner. PCO came back by pressuring Edwards with chops.
PCO dumps Edwards to ringside. PCO ran the ropes and hit Edwards with a suicide cannonball. PCO chokeslams Edwards on the apron as we go to a another break.
After a another break PCO hits Edwards with a DDT. PCO hits Edwards with a De animator on the apron. PCO went for a Stinger Splash, but Eddie tossed the referee into PCO’s path. PCO hits Edwards with a Scorpion Death Drop. PCO went for a PCO sault but Alisha Edwards ran out and begs PCO not to attack Edwards. Alisha hits PCO with a kendo stick. Eddie gave PCO a buckle bomb and underhook suplex. Edwards hits PCO with Boston Knee Party for the win.
Winner: Eddie Edwards
After the break PCO flopped a bit and recovered then PCO chases The Edwards to the back. PCO tried to catch up to Eddie’s car, but they drove off.
The camera focused on Josh Alexander’s locker room. Hannifan noted that the next segment will be Josh Alexander formally relinquishing the Impact World Title
Scott D’Amore was the moderator in the ring. Kushida & Steve Maclin were also in the ring. D’Amore talked about how great the title reign of Josh Alexander was and how it was coming to an end. D’Amore then hyped up Kushida vs. Steve Maclin for the vacant Impact World Title. D’Amore then called for Alexander to relinquish the Impact World Title. Josh Alexander made his entrance.
Alexander’s wife Jade Alexander carried their son Jett to the ring. Jade was crying. D’Amore said this is the least enjoyable moment he’s shared with Alexander due to the circumstances. Alexander soaked in Walking Weapon chants. Alexander was choked up and said he loves the crowd. Alexander said wrestling is all about opportunities. He said he’s seen wrestlers quit before they get an opportunity and he’s seen other get countless opportunities and not make the most out of it.
Josh said he’s had grinded 14 years on the Canadian Independent scene grinding for an opportunity. Alexander said D’Amore slaps on his chest a contract for Impact 4 years ago. Alexander said ever since then, he’s never looked back. Alexander said he busted his ass, taken risk, burned the candles on both end. He said all he wanted to do is pay D’Amore and The Impact fans back for the opportunity he was blessed with. Alexander said as talented as he may be, his work ethic is what separates him from the rest.
Alexander said he stands here as the longest reigning world champion in the company’s history. He said he eclipsed AJ Styles, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, Sting, and many others. He said he stands above them all as the best. Alexander was sobbing at this point. Josh said he’s circled this week’s Impact on the calendar a long time ago because Canada is where he was raised and given a chance to become one of the best wrestlers in the world.
Alexander noted that a torn triceps took away his opportunity to wrestle in front of his home crowd. Alexander said while he’s out indefinitely, he gets to go back to where it began. Josh said he gets to be an Impact fan again, and watch Impact alongside his son Jett. Josh then hyped a new Impact World Champion being crowned at Rebellion. Alexander noted that Kushida is one of the most ruthless wrestlers in the world.
Alexander said he knows first hand how dangerous the Hoverboard lock is and that the hold can make Maclin tap out. Josh then told Maclin that he really wishes that Maclin could fight him 1 on 1. He said he’s been following Maclin ever since he kicked down the doors in Impact. Alexander said as ruthless as Maclin is that doesn’t mean he’ll be World Champion but we’ll find out at Rebellion. Alexander laid out a challenge to Kushida & Maclin and said he hopes to regain the Impact World Title he never lost.
Josh said he was going to keep his chin up in the center of the ring and respectfully relinquish the world title. Josh tried to hand Scott the title, but Josh’s son Jett jumped in and stole the Impact World Title. Jett ran to his crying mom with the title. The crowd showered Jett with new champ chants. Alexander got on his knees and talked his son into giving him back the Impact World Title. Alexander handed the Impact World Title to D’Amore to relinquish the Impact World Title.
Maclin said now that all the soap opera bullshit is done, Scott needs to just hand Maclin the Impact World Title. He said he’s been obsessed with the Impact World Title from day 1 and Alexander has been ducking him forever. Maclin said that Alexander fears him and this injury is just a way out. Maclin told Jett that he was going to teach Jett a lesson. Alexander took off the arm brace. D’Amore got in Maclin’s face and backed down Maclin, yelling that Maclin is heartless by provoking Alexander in front of his family.
D’Amore said that it’s Maclin who’s being a coward. D’Amore noted that Maclin could have got a Impact World Title shot before because Alexander always gives out open challenges. D’Amore noted that Mike Bailey & Bobby Fish took the challenge. D’Amore said Alexander gave Maclin a Impact World Title shot 2 weeks ago but Maclin tucked tail and ran like a Coward son of a b*tch. D’Amore said the only way Maclin is getting the Impact World Title is if he wins. D’Amore said he supposed to be unbiased but he hopes Kushida wins. D’Amore reminded Maclin that Kushida made Maclin’s ass tap out.
Maclin said he may have tap out but he did it for a reason. He said nothing was on the line, and he was trying to stay healthy unlike Alexander. He said it’s all strategy. He said he’s not going to be prideful like Alexander and stay in the Hoverboard Lock like an idiot. Maclin said at Rebellion you’re looking at the next Impact World Champion. Maclin got in Kushida’s face and called him a speed bump. Kushida put Maclin in the Hoverboard Lock, but Maclin rolled to ringside. Kushida hit Maclin at ringside with a flip dive. Kushida posed with the Impact World Title to close out this week’s Impact.
Next Week’s Impact
Tasha Steelz vs. Gisele Shaw
Hardcore War Advantage Match
Kenny King vs. Frankie Kazarian
Tag Team Match
Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry & Dirty Dango vs. The Design (Sami Callihan & Angels)
Knockouts Tag Team Champion Taylor Wilde vs. Jessicka
Rebellion Card (April 16th)
Impact World Title Match
Steve Maclin vs. Kushida
Knockouts Title Match
Mickie James (c) vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Deonna Purrazzo (If James is clear it be a Triple Threat Match If not clear then it be Grace vs. Purrazzo for the Title)
10 Person Tag Team Hardcore War Match
Team Bully (Bully Ray,John Skyler,Jason Hotch,Masha Slamovich & Kenny King) vs. Team Dreamer (Tommy Dreamer,Yuya Uemura,Frankie Kazarian,Killer Kelly & TBD)
X Division Title Triple Threat Elimination Match
Trey Miguel (c) vs. Mike Bailey vs. Jonathan Gresham
Impact World Tag Team Titles Ultimate X Match
Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
Knockouts Tag Team Titles Match
The Coven (Taylor Wilde & Kilynn King) (c) vs. Death Dollz (Rosemary & Jessicka)
6 Man Tag Team Match
The Design vs. Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry,Dirty Dango & Santino Marella
