Impact Genesis preview: How much pain can Willie Mack take?

Impact Wrestling has a stacked PPV in Hard to Kill with the Kenny Omega trios bout on January 16, but first things first. Impact is putting on a special event tonight (Jan. 9, 2021) at 8 pm ET for the Impact Plus app. Genesis will feature an I Quit match, a Knockouts dream hoss fight, and the Super X Cup tournament. Let’s break it down.

I Quit: Moose vs. Willie Mack

Moose is a complicated fellow. Unable to attain the Impact World Championship, he took matters into his own hands by proclaiming himself to be the TNA Heavyweight Champion. Moose was successful in various unofficial title defenses. After battling EC3, Moose learned how to control his narrative. That narrative has led him to focus on Rich Swann and the Impact strap.

Willie Mack is not a complicated fellow. He didn’t appreciate Moose sassing his best friend in Swann. Moose responded with a cheap shot attack to Mack in the parking lot. That forced Mack to take the issue to the ring.

Unfortunately, Mack hasn’t fared too well in this feud. He technically won the first contest, but that was a cheap DQ when the referee reversed the original decision. Moose had dominated, won, then continued the assault after the bell. The second contest was no DQ. Moose was victorious in that match when the referee saved an unconscious Mack. Willie wanted one more chance without the referee determining his fate. Thus, the I Quit match.

There is no question in my mind that Moose will win. His trajectory points toward Swann in a PPV main event. I’d be absolutely shocked if Mack reigned supreme. The real question for this match is how much pain can Mack take. He is one tough hombre. You have to be if you willingly decide to compete against dragons, time-traveling cosmonauts, gods, and other various oddities in Lucha Underground. It took a curb stomp through a cinder block for Cage to put Mack down at Ultima Lucha.

For that reason, I’m expecting something brutally dangerous by Moose to finish this fight.

Jordynne Grace vs. Jazz

Jordynne Grace needed a partner for the Knockouts tag title tournament, so she phoned in a request to a former two-time WWE Women’s Champion. Enter Jazz.

Jazz had been content to ride off into the sunset for retirement, but the idea of one last shot at glory brought her back. Their plans were spoiled after losing clean to Havok and Nevaeh in the semifinals.

Grace respectfully asked Jazz for the honor of competing against her in a dream match. Jazz accepted, so here we are. Get ready for hoss action from these two powerhouses.

There is one potential story twist to keep an eye on. Grace appears to be somewhat of a sore loser. After the tournament defeat, she ditched Jazz to exit to the back alone. A similar incident occurred when Grace teamed with Alisha Edwards in a losing effort. I think Grace will play it straight up during the match with Jazz. If Jazz wins, then it would not surprise me if Grace reacts with violence afterward.

Super X Cup tournament

Tournaments are always cool. X-Division athleticism is always cool. That means the Super X Cup tournament should be cool.

First round matchups include:

• Ace Austin vs Suicide
• Daivari vs Cousin Jake
• Crazzy Steve vs Tre Lamar
• KC Navarro vs Blake Christian

Ace Austin should be considered the favorite based on career success so far in Impact. Crazzy Steve is riding in with momentum after winning a four-way against Austin, KC Navarro, and Blake Christian on the latest episode of Impact Wrestling.

Prediction time!

I’m rolling with Moose, Grace, and Daivari. The reason I’m choosing Daivari is because I want wrestling worlds to collide. During MLW’s latest broadcast, Daivari was revealed as the Contra Unit’s newest soldier. It would be neat to see Contra collect accolades in Impact. Hail, Contra!

Tune in to the Genesis special event at 8 pm ET tonight on the Impact Plus app. In the meantime, get hyped by watching a countdown video of the 5 greatest X Cup finals in Impact history.

5. Team AAA vs. Team NWA (Juventud Guerrera vs. Jerry Lynn) - NWA-TNA PPV #81 (Feb. 11, 2004)
4. Dezmond Xavier vs. Taiji Ishimori - Impact Wrestling: Destination X (Aug. 17, 2017)
3. Chris Sabin vs. Juventud Guerrera - NWA-TNA PPV #61 (Sep. 3, 2003)
2. Kaz vs. Volador Jr. vs. Naruki Doi vs. Daivari - TNA Victory Road (July 13, 2008)
1. AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe - TNA Sacrifice (Aug. 14 2005)

Drop your predictions for Genesis in the comments. Which match do you most have your eye on?