Impact Rebellion preview: Kenny Omega is destined to make history as a wrestling god

What’s a promotion to do when an outsider wins their world title? We are close to finding out when Impact Wrestling headlines their Rebellion PPV tonight (Apr. 25, 2021) with AEW’s Kenny Omega versus Rich Swann in title versus title.

Let’s run down the storylines with predictions for each contest to get you prepared for the evening.

Rebellion is available on PPV and Fite TV. The show begins at 8 pm ET.

AEW World Championship vs. Impact World Championship: Kenny Omega vs. Rich Swann

After Kenny Omega cheated the AEW World Championship off Jon Moxley, he ran over to Impact with Don Callis to make headlines of the champ showing up on another company’s show. Omega had a yearning to collect more belts, so it was only a matter of time before he went after Impact gold.

Rich Swann’s path has been one of perseverance and resilience. He battled back from a serious ankle injury to reach the top of the Impact mountain. Swann dethroned Eric Young at Bound for Glory to win the Impact World Championship. Swann unified that title with the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by beating Moose at Sacrifice.

Omega and Swann have danced before but never in singles action. Omega and the Good Brothers defeated Swann, Chris Sabin, and Moose at Hard to Kill in January. The teams switched up for Impact’s move to Thursdays when Swann, Eddie Edwards, and Willie Mack defeated Omega and the Good Brothers. Callis actually had to cheat to save Omega from potentially taking the pin. Omega claims those encounters have allowed him to study Swann’s moves and strategy to ensure victory in this title versus title match.

Impact is bringing in the big gun known as Mauro Ranallo for commentary on the main event. Ranallo broke down the keys to victory for each participant.

Omega’s keys include:

• Make his big match experience count
• Target Swann’s right leg
• Fire the Bullet (use the Bullet Club to cheat)
• Go for the V-trigger early and often
• Hit the One Winged Angel

Swann’s key’s include

• Start fast and then go faster
• Disrupt Omega’s rhythm
• Counter the One Winged Angel
• Use strikes to set up the Phoenix splash
• Go for high-risk, high-reward moves

Prediction: Let’s be real. Swann is not winning the AEW World Championship. Omega will collect all the gold.

The real intrigue is if Swann will kick out of the One Winged Angel. That maneuver is one of, if not the, most protected finisher in wrestling today. Taking the hit and staying alive could be Swann’s silver lining for a rematch down the line. Too bad for Swann that I don’t think that will happen. I believe a certain drunk cowboy has the honors of that accomplishment reserved for him.

I will predict that this match will be a dandy. Both men will want to put on a show for the fans that decided to purchase the PPV. With little doubt of the result, they are going to have to work extra hard to make us all forget Omega is the odds-on favorite. And that they will.

Knockouts Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Tenille Dashwood

Tenille Dashwood earned #1 contender status by winning a weapons scramble at Hardcore Justice. On paper, this match has the talent to excel. Unfortunately, the build-up has zero heat whatsoever. Deonna Purrazzo will have to overcome that lack of story to maintain her streak of high-quality title matches.

Prediction: Purrazzo retains. Dashwood will be another notch on Purrazzo’s career résumé. No more, no less. The x-factor could be Kaleb Konley supporting Dashwood. He has been known to provide timely interference to assist Dashwood. Purrazzo is no dummy. I think the Virtuosa will have a game plan to deal with him.

Impact World Tag Team Championship: FinJuice (c) vs. Good Brothers

David Finlay and Juice Robinson came through the Forbidden Door from NJPW to make a name for themselves in Impact. They did so by winning the tag titles off the Good Brothers at Sacrifice. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows had still viewed FinJuice as young boys from their time over in Japan. Those young boys shocked the Good Brothers. Now, a fire has been lit for Anderson and Gallows to be at peak performance.

Prediction: Good Brothers as new champions. With proper motivation from Anderson and Gallows, FinJuice doesn’t stand a chance.

X-Division Championship: Ace Austin (c) vs. TJP vs. Josh Alexander

These three have been dancing in the X-Division exchanging wins over each other. The most important was Ace Austin taking the title from TJP at Sacrifice. The athleticism and creativity of all involved makes this a strong candidate to steal the show.

Austin, TJP, and Josh Alexander may not be alone. Madman Fulton always accompanies Austin for his matches. That means TJP may have Fallah Bahh by his side, and Alexander will crunch the numbers for Petey Williams to make it fair.

Prediction: Austin retains. The champ always has a trick up his sleeve.

Knockouts Tag Team Championship: Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz (c) vs. Jordynne Grace & Rachael Ellering

Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz rudely interrupted Jazz’s retirement speech, so EVP Scott D’Amore booked a tag title match as punishment. Jazz decided to honor her word and retire, however, she did have someone in mind to fill her spot as Jordynne Grace’s partner. That surprise was revealed when Rachael Ellering ran in to save Grace from a beatdown at the hands of Fire ‘n’ Flava.

Prediction: Fire ‘n’ Flava retain. Tag team experience and chemistry of the champs will be the difference-maker. Strategy will be speed versus power. Hogan and Steelz know exactly how to exploit weaknesses to their advantage.

Last Man Standing: Sami Callihan vs. Trey Miguel

When Ken Shamrock was suspended indefinitely, Sami Callihan was left alone to his own devices. Callihan had been working to make Shamrock channel his World’s Most Dangerous Man rage to become relevant again.

The Rascalz exited Impact when their contracts expired. Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz found a new home in NXT. Trey Miguel was conspicuous by his absence. He ended up returning to Impact as a surprise.

Callihan noticed a new attitude within Trey and desired to mold him into greatness. To control anger and harness it into passion was the pathway to success that has eluded Trey this far. Trey wasn’t interested in accepting assistance from the despicable Callihan. When Trey officially turned down The Draw, Callihan snapped into violence. The only problem was that Trey would not stay down. Thus, Last Man Standing was booked.

I would remiss not to mention Trey’s training montage. TRAINING MONTAGE!

Prediction: Callihan stands. This story is too complex for Trey to triumph so soon. Trey will learn a tough lesson in defeat.

Eric Young, Joe Doering, Deaner, & Rhino vs. James Storm, Chris Sabin, Eddie Edwards, & Willie Mack

Eric Young’s Violent by Design are a bunch of goons dishing out pain to the Impact roster. Enough was enough and Impact’s veterans took a stand against the fearsome foursome. One piece of intrigue will be the participation of Young. Impact does bulk taping sessions for TV, and this match was made before it was discovered that Young tore his ACL. That means Violent by Design will have a surprise new member or they will be short-handed.

Prediction: Team Impact for the win. I don’t think Young will have time to rush a new ruffian into induction for his crew. It will be 3 versus 4. Doering and Rhino have the power to prevail, but Impact’s group is all top level competitors. Those Impact veterans will secure victory.

Brian Myers vs. Matt Cardona

Ka-boom! The Major Brothers have exploded. When Matt Cardona showed up in Impact, Brian Myers took exception as Cardona trying to ride his coattails. Myers’ paranoia has led him to believe Cardona is trying to steal his spotlight. Cardona reluctantly accepted this contest in the hope that it will clear the air to get the frustration out of their systems.

Prediction: Cardona is always ready to win. Onward and upward. Be ready for the dream match of Cardona versus Omega.

Get in the mood for Rebellion with Impact’s countdown of wildest Last Man Standing matches.

5. Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles - TNA Hard Justice (Aug. 10, 2008)
4. Eric Young vs. Bobby Roode - Impact Wrestling (Mar. 13, 2015)
3. AJ Styles vs. Bully Ray - TNA Slammiversary - (June 12, 2011)
2. Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell - TNA Slammiversary (June 2, 2013)
1. AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels - TNA Destination X (July 8, 2012)

Check back with Cageside Seats for live results. Rebellion begins at 8 pm ET on PPV and Fite TV. Until then, let us know your predictions.

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