Impact Wrestling (Feb. 18, 2020) kicked off their tapings from Las Vegas with The North suffering a setback, the Mack and Pack Connection getting reps, Eddie Edwards staying alive in the best-of-5 series with Michael Elgin, and Ace Austin one-upping Tessa Blanchard.
Let’s blitz through the results.
TJP defeated Josh Alexander. Ethan Page and Fallah Bahh were ringside, but neither got involved. A very solid match. Alexander hit power moves, while TJP was crafty with speed. The finish was creative. It began when TJP dropped down for a roll-up. Alexander kicked out then transitioned into a sitting rear naked choke. TJP rolled over the top to pin Alexander for the win while still in the choke.
Johnny Swinger felt that the Mack and Pack Connection needs timing and rizeps. Mack had a think and agreed with Swinger. Swinger could smell the chemistry in the air.
Michael Elgin thought it was similarities that brought Eddie Edwards and himself together. He was wrong. It was their differences. Edwards must have a hard time sleeping since he often has to justify his questionable actions. Elgin sleeps fine. He does what he does without hesitation. Elgin will win the best-of-5 series 3-0.
Willie Mack defeated Johnny Swinger. This singles match was not what Swinger had in mind for reps. Swinger got in more offense than I was expecting. Mack won after a stunner and a frog splash.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️#IMPACTonAXSTV @Willie_Mack pic.twitter.com/uQsCfhpZFw
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 19, 2020
Madison Rayne defeated Mazzerati. Rayne started with a promo. She complimented Jordynne Grace on becoming Knockouts Champion. As a philanthropist, Rayne will due her duty to develop the Knockouts division by offering a Golden Opportunity open challenge. Rayne won by kicking Mazzerati off the turnbuckles then hitting a rolling cutter.
Cross Rayne gives @MadisonRayne the victory. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/NaoiZNy1HM
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 19, 2020
The Knockouts title means everything to Jordynne Grace. It is the pinnacle of her career. She will be a fighting champion and won’t run from anyone.
John E. Bravo made a video to commemorate Taya’s title run.
.@JohnEBravo1st produced this touching, emotional tribute to @TheTayaValkyrie. #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/6TyblCMh0t
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 19, 2020
Cut to Taya berating Bravo behind closed doors. Taya is going to get the title back.
Katie Forbes was frustrated with social media haters. RVD soothed her feelings by making fun of those subhuman trolls that live in the sewer, then they smooched. RVD pointed out Daga and how he beat him at Hard to Kill. Daga stepped up to fight backstage, but RVD said a match for next week.
Tommy Dreamer was with Trey Miguel and Tessa Blanchard. He compared Trey to Rey Mysterio as someone with moves that totally blows him away. Dreamer compared Tessa to a company he used to work with that was overcoming obstacles to change the business. Tessa spoke about Ace Austin. There will be no titles on the line for their match at Sacrifice. May the better man win. That man just might be a woman.
Match 3: Eddie Edwards defeated Michael Elgin. Elgin was leading 2-0 in their best-of-5 series. Elgin was more dominant, but Edwards wouldn’t quit. For the finish, Elgin countered Edwards into a super powerbomb. Elgin picked Edwards up for a second powerbomb, but Edwards escaped for a roll-up to win.
.@TheEddieEdwards WINS!
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) February 19, 2020
It's now 2-1 and the reverse sweep is on! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/XcCHG1b4a1
That makes the score 2-1 in favor of Elgin.
Rhino defeated Dave Crist. Moose was on commentary. Jake Crist was ringside to help his brother. It didn’t matter. Rhino gored Dave to win.
Havok walked in. Susie transported behind her then disappeared. A message was written on the locker for Havok saying her time has come.
Chris Bey is coming soon to debut in Impact.
ICU hacked into the broadcast to flash their graphics.
Ace Austin & Reno Scum defeated Tommy Dreamer, Trey Miguel, & Tessa Blanchard. For the finish, Trey did a corkscrew outside the ring onto all the bodies below. Trey rolled Ace back into the ring. As Trey was entering, Ace kicked the rope up into Trey’s nether regions. Ace connected on the Fold to win.
TJP vs Josh Alexander was the best match on the show. TJP continued his streak of cool matches. Michael Elgin vs Eddie Edwards was also good. I’ve now seen five one-on-one encounters between those two, and they keep putting on entertaining fights. That said, the finish was kind of underwhelming with Edwards using a roll-up counter to steal the win. If Edwards gets his rump kicked again in match 4 but pulls out a win, I probably won’t be very eager for match 5. Edwards needs to up his offense to appear more competitive.
Impact is holding their Sacrifice show this Saturday (Feb. 22) on their Impact Plus app. Here is the card as advertised:
- Tessa Blanchard vs Ace Austin
- Moose vs Rhino
- Daga vs Jake Crist
- Knockouts Championship: Jordynne Grace vs Havok
- Tag Team Championship: The North vs Rascalz
- Johnny Swinger vs Joey Ryan
- Madman Fulton & Dave Crist vs Larry D & Acey Romero
- Willie Mack vs Jay Bradley
It will be interesting to see who wins the main event. With no titles on the line, I would think that puts Tessa as the booking favorite. A win wouldn’t give her the X-Division belt and clog up that scene as double champ. But if Tessa is going to win, then why wouldn’t Austin get a title shot for the Impact Championship? Perhaps Austin will get the upset to extend the feud.
Havok vs Grace is a curious decision for Grace’s first title defense. Havok being undefeated piques my interest in the match, however, there has been zero build to it. That would be a crummy way for Havok to go down for the first time.
What was your favorite moment from this episode of Impact? Is the best-of-5 series with Elgin and Edwards holding your attention? Do you like the Sacrifice card? What are your predictions for those contests?