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This is the 2nd half of the Impact 1000 celebrations. We are at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY.
The action begins with an exclusive match on BTI.
Knockouts World Tag Team Championship Match - MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) vs Death Dollz (Courtney Rush & Jessicka)
Jessicka hits Masha with a pair of snap suplexes to gain control of the match. The Death Dollz deliver a series of strikes to MK Ultra, ending with double Bionic Elbows. Moments later, Masha launches herself off the apron, taking out Jessicka on the floor. Courtney hits Masha with an Exploder suplex but it sends Masha into the corner, allowing Kelly to tag into the match. Kelly goes on the attack with a series of clotheslines to Courtney. Jessica hits a running crossbody on Kelly, followed by a splash in the corner. Courtney locks in a Sharpshooter but Kelly is able to make it to the bottom rope. Jessicka almost puts Kelly away with a running leg drop. Kelly spikes the Death Dollz, then makes the tag to Masha. The pace quickens as Masha hits Courtney with a Saito suplex for two. Jessicka hits an assisted sit-down powerbomb on Masha but Kelly breaks the pin. Masha connects with the Snow Plow on Jessicka to win.
A great match to start. It’s a shame that this was on BTI rather than the main card, but if it is a stacked show, then a good match obviously has to be bumped down to BTI. I absolutely love these two teams and they work very well together. Very happy that MK Ultra remain the Knockouts Tag Champions. Grade C+
The 1000th Episode Celebration continues now.
Match 1: Ultimate X #1 Contenders Match - Ace Austin vs Zachary Wentz vs Rich Swann vs Alan Angels vs Mike Bailey vs Samuray Del Sol
Zachary takes out Angels with a dive over the top. Samuray hits a springboard senton to the outside, colliding with three of his opponents. Rich crashes into everyone with a step-up corkscrew. Ace is the next to fly with Soar to Glory. Samuray, Angels and Mike hit triple Moonsaults off the steel truss to the floor.
Zachary hits Rich with a top rope cutter. Angels and Mike exchange strikes on the top of the truss with Mike gaining the upper-hand. Mike and Samuray race across the cables. Angels and Zachary start shaking the cables, causing Samuray to lose his grip. Rich spikes Zachary with a Poison Rana. Angels sends Rich crashing down to the mat. Zachary blinds Rich, Samuray, and Ace with his spray paint. Angels goes low on Mike, allowing him to retrieve the X and win.
A brilliant opener for the main show. I love Ultimate X matches. They definitely had a great selection of talent in this one. It's great to see Alan Angels getting the win and becoming the number 1 contender for the X-Division Championship. Grade B
Backstage Segment:
Alan Angels is backstage with his newly won X. He says that he will not only be the front man of Impact Wrestling, but he will also be the front man of the X-Division. Angels says that he is not going to hold onto the X for weeks, but rather he will challenge Chris Sabin for the X-Division championship next week.
Match 2: Fox Box Rules - Dirty Dango w/Alpha Bravo vs Jake Something
This match is contested under “Fox Box” rules. That means there will be a 10 minute time limit with a display on screen, just like the first episode of Impact. Chase Stevens will serve as a judge for the match in the event of a time limit draw.
Dango narrowly avoids an early attempt at Into the Void from Jake. Dango uses Alpha Bravo as a shield but Jake perseveres and hits a powerslam on the floor. Back in the ring, Jake hits a clothesline for two count. Jake charges into the corner but Dango side steps, sending Jake crashing into the turnbuckle. Jake bounces back with a series of clotheslines, followed by a spear in the corner. Jake knocks Dango off the apron. Alpha Bravo accidentally hits Dango with the flashlight. Jake is able to capitalise on this, hitting Dango with Into the Void to pick up the win.
An OK match. I think this one was just more for the nostalgia purposes of the “Fox Box”. Having Jake Something winning this one was the best option. Grade D
Backstage Segment:
Steve Maclin is backstage. He says that Rhino cost him his briefcase in Feast or Fired. Maclin says that he is going to end Rhino’s career. Rhino runs in and Gores Maclin. Santino Marella says that Rhino has gone too far. Rhino says that Maclin tried to end his career, so what happens now is all on Maclin.
Match 3: Eric Young w/Scott D’Amore vs Kenny King w/Sheldon Jean
Sheldon Jean attacks Eric Young from behind causing Kenny King to be disqualified.
Well, that was pointless. Grade N/A
After the “match” Scott D’Amore gets into the ring, coming to Eric Young’s aid. He hits Sheldon Jean in the back with a hockey stick. The Deputy Director of Authority, Shark Boy, comes out and turns this match into a tag team match.
Match 3a: Team Canada (Eric Young & Scott D’Amore) vs Kenny King & Sheldon Jean
The bell rings and Team Canada get blindsided by The Design (Kon & Deaner) causing another disqualification.
Again, completely pointless. Grade N/A
Once again, Shark Boy comes out and turns this into an 8 Man tag team match. He brings out America’s Most Wanted (James Storm & Chris Harris) to join forces with Eric Young & Scott D’Amore.
Match 3b: 8 Man Tag Team Match - Team Canada (Eric Young & Scott D’Amore) & America’s Most Wanted (James Storm & Chris Harris) vs Kenny King, Sheldon Jean & The Design (Deaner & Kon)
Sheldon rakes the eyes of James. James comes back with a Slingblade to Kenny. Chris hits Kenny with a Bulldog for a two count. Scott jumps off the second rope and drops a closed fist on Deaner’s head. Deaner distracts the referee, allowing Kon to clothesline Eric from the apron. Eric picks Kon up on the shoulders and spikes him with a Death Valley Driver. Eric makes the tag to James as he brings the fight to Sheldon. James gets two for one on Kenny and Sheldon. Sheldon shuts down James’ momentum with a leg lariat for two. Eric soars with a top rope elbow drop on Sheldon but it’s not enough. Kenny catches Eric with a Blockbuster. Kon knocks Scott off the apron. Kon squares off with Chris as the two men exchange strikes. James takes out Deaner with the Last Call. Scott hits Sky High on Sheldon, followed by a Piledriver from Eric to win.
For all the build this match had with the DQ finishes to the other matches, this wasn’t as good as it probably should have been. I think I had too high of expectations going into it because of the false starts to the other two matches. It was good to see America's Most Wanted compete again though, so that was a bonus. Grade C-
Feast or Fired Results:
This segment is hosted by Busted Open Radio’s Dave LaGreca. Dave asks the briefcase winners what they want to see when they open their briefcases. Yuya Uemura, Chris Bey & Moose all say they want a tag team title shot. Crazzy Steve says that he wants a heart, liver or lungs. Crazzy Steve is the first to open his briefcase, displaying a Digital Media Title opportunity. Moose opens his briefcase, displaying an Impact World Championship opportunity. Chris Bey opens his briefcase, displaying a Tag Team Championship opportunity. Yuya says “no champions”, opens his briefcase revealing “Fired”.
Match 4: Josh Alexander vs Trey Miguel w/Zachary Wentz
Josh catches Trey in mid-air and hits a high German suplex on the neck. Zachary confronts Josh at ringside, allowing Trey to capitalise with a dive over the top rope. Zachary gets involved once again as he trips up Josh from the outside. Trey hits a double stomp for a two count. Josh turns Trey inside out with another German suplex. Trey counters the C4 Spike into a handspring kick for two. Trey picks Josh off the top with a pair of head scissors. Trey soars with the Meteora but Josh transitions into an Ankle Lock. Trey sends Josh tumbling to the outside where Zachary delivers a knee strike behind the referee’s back. Alex Shelley comes out and neutralises Zachary at ringside. Josh hits Trey with the C4 Spike to win.
A really good match. The best match of the night so far. There is a lot brewing here between Josh & Alex, hopefully this will lead up to an excellent match between the two. Trey is always a great competitor. Grade B+
After the match, Josh sarcastically thanks Alex for his help. Josh says that he could have used that help last week or at Emergence. Alex says he did it to hurt the Rascalz, not to help him. Josh says that he will get the World Title back at Bound for Glory.
Backstage Segment:
Mike Bailey is in the locker room, Jonathan Gresham comes in and asks if Mike is OK. Jonathan wants to make his way back up to the top. Mike says that he has the perfect match for him, Bailey vs Gresham.
Backstage Segment:
John Skyler asks the Rascalz when would be a good time for the Good Hands to get their tag team title opportunity as they had a deal, because without them, the Rascalz would not be champions without them. Chris Bey comes in with a camera to record John Skyler revealing that the Good Hands and the Rascalz had a deal. Chris Bey says that he now has the briefcase for a tag title opportunity. John Skyler says that means nothing. While this is happening, the Rascalz quietly sneak out of the room.
Main Event Match: 10 Knockout’s Tag Team Match - Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, Trinity, Jordynne Grace & Mickie James w/Raisha Saeed vs Deonna Purrazzo, Tasha Steelz, Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans & Angelina Love w/Velvet Sky
Trinity hits Angelina with the running splits. Angelina fights out of the corner but Trinity takes her down with a clothesline. Jordynne hits Gisele with back to back powerslams, followed by the Juggernaut Jackhammer. Gisele inadvertently takes out Savannah with a wind-up kick. Mickie launches herself off the top, connecting with a seated senton on Gisele. Mickie slaps Tasha across the face. Mickie is headed to the top but Tasha pushes her down. Savannah is grounding and pounding Mickie but it’s only a momentary advantage as Mickie bounces back with a neckbreaker. Gail squares off with Deonna as she connects with a springboard crossbody. Gail gets two for one as she takes out both Deonna and Gisele with innovative offence. Velvet gets involved on the outside, blindsiding Gail out of nowhere.
Back in the ring, Gail locks in a modified Octopus submission on Gisele. Both Deonna and Gail are down in the middle of the ring following in-sync crossbody attempts. Kong enters the match and immediately goes on the attack.
Kong is about to Chokeslam Savannah when she’s jumped by Deonna and Angelina. Trinity and Mickie work together to neutralise them. Jordynne uses Gail’s body as a weapon as she spins her around and collides with Savannah. Gail launches herself off the top rope, taking out everyone with a crossbody on the floor. In the ring, Kong Chokeslams Gisele, then puts her away with the Implant Buster to win.
A great Knockout’s match. A beautiful blend of past and present Knockouts. You would not be able to tell that some of these women have not been in a ring for a while. There didn’t seem to be missteps between them. Grade B
After the match, Angelina Love hits Jai Vidal with a Botox Injection and Velvet Sky places a paper bag over his head.
Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, Trinity, Mickie James and Jordynne Grace all stand tall in the ring as Impact goes off the air.
Overall, a good episode of Impact. There definitely were some bits that could have been condensed down (looking at you all those DQs leading to different matches). But I am glad that the 1000th episode celebration went over 2 episodes so as to not have to cut out anything, as all these wrestlers, past and present, deserved their moment.
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