Impact recap & reactions: Chris Harris returns for James Storm’s 1,000th match

Impact Wrestling (Mar. 30, 2021) featured Kenny Omega brawling with Rich Swann, a mystery talent tease, Jazz putting her career on the line, a heel turn among Knockouts friends, and “Wildcat” Chris Harris returning to the Impact Zone in honor of James Storm’s 1,000th match with Impact.

James Storm has put major time in with TNA and Impact Wrestling. His credentials include 8-time NWA World Tag Team Champion, 7-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, 1-time King of the Mountain Champion, 1-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, and the most matches in the promotion’s history. Storm’s 1,000th match was set up with Eric Young as the opponent.

Storm’s evening started with a surprise. Chris Sabin and Jake Something brought a blast from the past to reveal Chris Harris in the house. America’s Most Wanted were reunited. Storm dedicated his match to Bob Ryder.

Young felt that Storm was too far gone after so many matches that the Violent by Design message could not reach him. The disease made Storm lost to the purity of truth. Young will show Storm that this world belongs to VBD.

When it came time for the main event, Young was joined by Joe Doering, Deaner, and Rhino. Storm was flanked by Sabin, Jake, and Harris. Storm picked up momentum toward the finish with an Eye of the Storm spinning crucifix toss.

Young kicked out and rallied with a neckbreaker and flying elbow drop. That wasn’t enough to keep Storm down. A duel of fisticuffs culminated with a lungblower by Storm. Deaner hopped onto the apron take the referee’s focus away from the pinfall. That led to both squads brawling on the floor. Young tried to take advantage with his hockey mask, however, Harris anticipated the hijinks. Wildcat clobbered Young. Back in the ring, Storm superkicked EY for victory.

America’s Most Wanted stood tall with Sabin and Jake by their side as Storm celebrated success, although, it appears that this rivalry is far from over. Young believes he is better, stronger, and faster than Storm. Young issued threats from the red-light district. He will live forever. Storm will not.

Let’s rocket through the rest of the show from beginning to end.

Matt Striker and D’Lo Brown were on commentary.

Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz defeated Havok & Nevaeh. The tag champs found their groove when Steelz hit a cutter on Nevaeh. Fire ‘n’ Flava took out Havok with a thrust kick and swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker from Hogan followed by a frog splash from Steelz. Hogan secured the pin.

Heel turn! After the match, Nevaeh was disappointed about the loss, but it appeared the duo was still on the same page as friends. When Havok turned her back, Nevaeh attacked. Spear with ground and pound to send her message that she is not the weak link. Nevaeh hit a flatliner to the real weak link of the team.

Jazz beat up Susan during an interview with Deonna Purrazzo.

Sami Callihan defeated Larry D. Callihan used a modified piledriver in the ropes to win. Afterward, Acey Romero smashed Callihan. Trey Miguel was not around to repay the favor from Sami’s save from last week. Commentary played it as mind games by Callihan applauding Trey for passing a test.

A FinJuice highlight package played from their NJPW tour. Kenny Omega, Don Callis, and the Good Brothers watched from their locker room. Omega and Callis teased the Good Brothers about losing the tag titles, then a secret plan was hatched by Omega.

Callihan approached Trey. He wants to mentor Trey to harness anger and get to the next level. Callihan proposed standing side by side to carry Impact into the future. Callihan will wrestle XXXL next week hoping Trey joins him as his partner.

Brian Myers defeated Suicide. The most professional wrestler took control with a hammering clothesline for victory.

After the match, Myers declined Matt Cardona’s challenge. Myers sees Cardona as just trying to get the rub off him.

Tommy Dreamer booked Jazz versus Deonna Purrazzo for Hardcore Justice on April 10. Since the Knockouts Championship was on the line, Jazz needed to offer something of value. She chose her career. Title versus career is the stipulation.

Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone returned for a paid commercial to promote Dynamite. The takeaway line was Khan claiming he controls the wrestling world as the forbidden door to Omega’s dates.

Callis and Omega visited Swinger’s Palace casino to place a $20,000 bet on Omega defeating Rich Swann at the Rebellion PPV on April 25.

Ace Austin & Madman Fulton defeated TJP & Josh Alexander. The finish involved miscommunication. As Alexander was in progress for a rolling fireman’s carry slam, TJP tagged himself in for a mamba splash. TJP went for the cover, but Alexander shoved him off thinking he himself was the legal man. TJP and the referee explained the blind tag. Alexander was forced to exit the ring. In the commotion, Austin scored a roll-up victory on TJP. The losers argued after the bell.

Callis and Swann talked trash leading to a physical confrontation. Omega and the Good Brothers rambled in with visible hands to beat up Swann and Willie Mack. Eddie Edwards evened the odds to set up a trios main event for Impact’s move to Thursday starting April 8.

A mystery vignette teased a new wrestler coming soon. Hints point to Taylor Wilde.

Rohit Raju and Hernandez defeated Fallah Bahh and Shera on the BTI pre-show, so Raju suggested a team name of Indian Latin Xchange. Hernandez stated his financial demands to keep the partnership going.

Tommy Dreamer booked a #1 contender scramble with weapons for the Knockouts at Hardcore Justice on April 10. Dreamer tried to coax Su Yung out of Susan.

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Congratulations to James Storm. 1,000 matches is no small feat. It was cool watching Impact pull out the surprise of Chris Harris to march with his old mate. I did not see that coming at all. Now that the sides are even, I’m curious to see if Harris will be back in action soon. Hardcore Justice seems like an appropriate show for this feud to escalate into serious violence.

Sami Callihan recruiting Trey Miguel seems odd, but I’ll give it time to play out. Trey does need to work on turning his emotional outbursts into toughness instead of a whiny child. I assume he’s supposed to be the good guy, however, he has yet to engage my rooting interest in this story. Could a double turn be in the mix? Trey has been a babyface so long that perhaps it is time to unleash the dark side. I don’t think Callihan would be salvageable as a face so quickly, but a tweener run could reinvigorate his Impact career.

Remember that Impact will be switching nights to Thursdays, starting next week on April 8.

We’ll close with a countdown honoring James Storm’s greatest moments in Impact.

5. America’s Most Wanted vanquish Triple X - TNA Turning Point (Dec. 5, 2004)
4. King of the Mountain Gold - Impact Wrestling (Aug. 4, 2016)
3. Storm betrays Harris - TNA Impact! (Dec. 14, 2006)
2. Revenge on Bobby Roode - TNA Bound for Glory (Oct. 14, 2012)
1. Storm becomes World Champion - Impact Wrestling (Oct. 29, 2011)

This moment didn’t make the list, but it sure is amusing. Enjoy Storm riding a motorized cooler around the ring.

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

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