Impact recap & reactions: Sami Callihan and Eddie Edwards will fight forever

Impact Wrestling (Jan. 5, 2021) featured the Hard to Kill card taking shape, Kenny Omega getting violent, as well as Sami Callihan and Eddie Edwards getting even more violent.

Let’s run it down quickly from beginning to end.

Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne were on commentary.

Crazzy Steve defeated Ace Austin, Blake Christian, & KC Navarro in a four-way. This bout was a warm-up heading into the Super X Cup tournament at Genesis on January 9. Steve used Navarro’s body on a Death Valley Driver to smash the other two in the corner, then Steve connected on a flying DDT to pin Navarro.

Sami Callihan represents chaos to give the world a reality check. Fans want to believe in the fairy tale of Eddie Edwards as a hero, but the bad guy will win in the end. Callihan then threatened Alisha Edwards.

Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone returned for another AEW commercial. Khan had harsh words for the parasitic Don Callis. Khan pooh-poohed Callis’ claims of being responsible for the creation of AEW.

Kenny Omega was maxing and relaxing in his bus with Callis and the Good Brothers. They were confident at being able to defeat Rich Swann and the Motor City Machine Guns at Hard to Kill on January 16.

Cody Deaner had a new look when joining Eric Young and Joe Doering. Deaner shaved his head and trimmed his beard. Young put Deaner into his spot for the next match.

Cody Deaner & Joe Doering defeated Cousin Jake & Rhino. Cody low-blowed Jake and won with a DDT.

After the match, the bad guys continued the beating. Tommy Dreamer ran in for the save and challenged them to Old School Rules at Hard to Kill.

Matthew Palmer plans to survive three minutes in the ring with Moose, so the whole world will know his name.

Acey Romero was still searching to clear Larry D of attempted murder charges. Romero probed Johnny Swinger for information. The Swingman suggested Romero check out the Knockouts.

Deonna Purrazzo was in the ring proclaiming her greatness. Out came Taya. Purrazzo has been impressive, but she has never faced La Wera Loca. Purrazzo rubbed her success in Taya’s face. Taya’s time has come and gone. It is now the age of the Virtuosa. Taya countered by saying she will become two-time champ in la era de la wera. Purrazzo backed away. No fisticuffs took place.

Rohit Raju forgave Chris Bey for weaseling his way into the X-Division title match at Hard to Kill. Together they hatched a plan for unmasking Manik to reveal TJP and get him tossed out of the championship contest. Rohit and Bey found TJP, who claimed he doesn’t get along with Manik. When TJP exited, Bey noticed that TJP has the same tattoos as Manik.

Tenille Dashwood tried to poach Rosemary away from Taya as a tag partner. Rosemary was not interested and knocked on Kaleb Konley’s forehead.

Havok & Nevaeh defeated Jordynne Grace & Jazz in the Knockouts tag tournament semifinals. Havok was the hossiest hoss of the bunch and pinned Jazz on a Tombstone piledriver. Grace pouted about losing and went to the back without her partner. The winners will advance to face Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz in the tournament final at Hard to Kill.

Rich Swann, Chris Sabin, and Alex Shelley had enough of Omega and his boys taking charge of the place. They hatched a scheme to go on the offensive, but it failed miserably. Omega and the Good Brothers beat them down.

Grace apologized to Jazz for leaving. Grace respectfully challenged Jazz to a match at Genesis.

Deonna Purrazzo and Kimber Lee checked with Father James Mitchell about eliminating Su Yung. Mitchell achieved that, but it got a little tricky when trying to covert her to Susie. Instead, a third persona emerged known as Susan. She appeared to be a drab woman of business.

Matthew Palmer survived Moose’s 3-minute challenge. Moose pummeled Palmer with ease until Willie Mack distracted Moose in the final seconds. Palmer was considered the winner, since he wasn’t defeated by Moose inside the time limit.

Ethan Page was in a therapy session with the Karate Man. Page did not appreciate Karate Man’s suggestions. A Kumite challenge was made for Hard to Kill.

Sami Callihan and Eddie Edwards fought to a no contest. The main event was supposed to settle the score. All it did was escalate into madness. The two brawled violently on the floor. Inside the ring, they were both gouging each other’s eyes. They knocked over the referee, so he gave up on the insanity and threw the match out.

That didn’t stop the two from continuing their fight. Edwards picked up a bat with bad intentions. Sami saved himself by using the big screen to show Alisha Edwards trapped in a cage. Eddie ran to save his wife. Ken Shamrock attacked Eddie, then Sami wrapped barbed wire on his head. That led to a Barbed Wire Massacre match for Callihan and Edwards at Hard to Kill.

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That appeared to be one of the better episodes of Impact Wrestling in recent memory. I enjoyed the progression of the storylines. The Hard to Kill lineup looks strong. I like that Barbed Wire Massacre is very appropriate in the feud for Sami Callihan versus Eddie Edwards and not just an excuse to get hog-wild with violence. I do fear for their own safety. It’s not like one more match will stop the bad blood. However, maybe the idea is to bleed them dry, much like leeches sucking out disease. Probably not though. These two will be fighting forever.

This episode also had a bunch a great little moments. My top three are Johnny Swinger being a sleaze, the introduction of Susan, and Joe Doering’s coat.

It reminded me of Rohit Raju’s glorious getup.

Rohit Raju

Share your thoughts on Impact Wrestling. What was your favorite match? Who stole the show?

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