Impact recap: Knockouts are popping with intergender action, undead army, fighting hamburger, more!

Impact Wrestling (Sep. 2, 2021) featured Tommy Dreamer competing for a world title shot, former NWA TV champ Zicky Dice appearing in the Impact Zone, W. Morrissey forming an alliance, and the Knockouts division with a boatload of happenings.

The Knockouts division is popping right now. The show kicked off with an intergender trios bout. Taylor Wilde, Jordynne Grace, & Rachael Ellering teamed to take down Tenille Dashwood, Madison Rayne, & Kaleb Konley. Konley was the whipping boy throughout. Wilde planted him with a tornado DDT.

WIlde finished the job with a bridging German suplex to win. When the numbers were fair, the Influence went down in defeat.

Staying in the intergender wrestling tip, Chelsea Green had no fear stepping up to Rohit Raju and Shera. Green was standing up for her man, Matt Cardona. Green gave Rohit five across the face.

Green also backhanded Shera, which led to a leg lariat from Cardona. When Green tried for an Unprettier on Rohit, he escaped to blast her with a jumping knee. Green collapsed to the mat for Rohit to win the tag match.

Impact put two intergender matches on their show, and each had a distinct flavor. It was a good mix of butt-kicking to Konley and Green biting off more than she can chew. The different stories keep the novelty of intergender wrestling feeling fresh.

Last week, Su Yung and Kimber Lee stole Brandi Lauren’s soul. This week, they revealed that some steals are for collecting while some souls are for converting. Lauren is now part of Yung’s undead army.

That was a terrifying twist. One undead bride is creepy enough. Now, there are three. The Impact Zone may never be the same again.

In the wackiest moment, Tasha Steelz disguised herself as a horse hamburger to sneak attack Rosemary. Steelz blended into No Way Jose’s conga line then hit a Codebreaker to the unsuspecting tag champ. Steelz suckered Havok into a chase up the ramp as a setup for Savannah Evans to deliver a forearm shot.

Steelz is doing everything in her power to jump the tag team contenders line. All that is left is for Decay to demand a match for payback, with the titles on the line.

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

This episode was dedicated to the memory of Daffney.

Matt Striker and D’Lo Brown were on commentary.

Deonna Purrazzo was successful in retaining the Knockouts Championship at NWA Empowerrr, then she ambushed Mickie James at NWA 73. The Virtuosa and the Drama King can now focus on the future. Trey Miguel is in the Drama King’s sights.

Tommy Dreamer was ready for his chance to earn a world title shot. In past history, Dreamer actually won the ECW belt in a three-way with Christian Cage and Jack Swagger. Christian pointed out that he didn’t take the pin. Dreamer volleyed back that he hopes to repeat that success again at Victory Road.

Crazzy Steve & Black Taurus defeated Fallah Bahh & No Way Jose. Steve pinned Bahh on a jumping DDT.

W. Morrissey formed an unexpected alliance with Moose. Even though Morrissey dislikes Eddie Edwards and Sami Callihan, he still has a tiny bit of respect for them. Edwards and Callihan don’t pretend to be friends. They admit they hate each other. Morrissey appreciates that honesty. Moose walked in agreeing with Morrissey’s talking points. Moose made clear that he will stab anyone and everyone in the back over the world title, but he shares common enemies with Morrissey. Moose proposed a partnership to deal with those goons.

Steve Maclin is coming for Petey Williams, and there will be MAYHEM!

Moose was in the ring to call out Edwards. Moose was annoyed that Edwards wants to be a hero. He will show that the hero won’t save the day. Edwards arrived, and fisticuffs broke out. Edwards had the advantage with a kendo stick. Morrissey ran out to shove Edwards into a spear from Moose. Morrissey crushed Edwards with a powerbomb.

No Way and Bahh declined knowledge of Steelz’s plot. TJP interrupted to speak with Bahh about having a new tag partner. They were still cool, and No Way was too. TJP talked them into heading over to Swinger’s Palace casino.

Eric Young locked Rhino in the darkness to eliminate the sickness as punishment for failure. Rhino yelled out at the end, “Help me!”

X-Division Championship: Josh Alexander retained against Jake Crist. Alexander issued an open challenge to any former X-Division champ. Crist answered the call as a surprise return. Alexander earned the pin on Divine Intervention.

Afterward, Alexander spoke of being in the conversation of greatest X-Division champion. Sabin came out as an 8-time X-Division titleholder. He challenged Alexander to defend the belt at Victory Road. Done and done.

Brian Myers’ open call for new proteges was answered by unworthy candidates. Myers cut down to just Manny Lemons and Zicky Dice remaining.

Good Brothers yucked it up about powerbombing Willie Mack through a table. Rich Swann ran out with a chair to clean house. Referees and security separated the skirmish. Backstage, Swann was granted a Bunkhouse Brawl against Karl Anderson next week.

Ace Austin defeated Tommy Dreamer. If Dreamer won, then he would have been in the world title match at Victory Road to make it a three-way. Dreamer had momentum on a cutter, but Madman Fulton dragged Ace’s foot under the ropes to break the pin. Dreamer took matters into his own hands to DDT Madman on the floor. As Dreamer re-entered the ring, Ace struck with the Fold finisher to win.

The Victory Road main event will be Christian Cage versus Ace Austin for the Impact World Championship on September 18.

---

This episode of Impact Wrestling had lots of cool little moments. Zicky Dice, Tasha Steelz in a hamburger outfit, Su Yung building an army, the theatric vignette for Violent by Design, Chris Sabin challenging Josh Alexander, and Steve Maclin’s intense promo. The one thing that excited me most was W. Morrissey joining forces with Moose. It’s only a matter of time before that partnership combusts. Moose said it himself that he is not to be trusted. It should be fun while it lasts, and even more fun if they ever square off in singles action.

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

---