IMPACT Wrestling 1-28-20
From Mexico City, Mexico
Available on AXS TV
By Dylan Hager
Happy Tuesday! It is time for this week's IMPACT Wrestling!
We start with a look back at what happened last week with Ace and Taya vs Tessa and Trey.
Josh Alexander vs Vikingo
Ethan Page is at ringside with Josh. Josh uses his power and size to gain the early advantage, but Vikingo's speed and agility quickly evens the fight. Vikingo misses a dive to the floor. Josh takes advantage and works over Vikingo in the corner. Vikingo goes for an armbar, but Alexander slams him to the mat. Josh hits a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Vikingo comes back with a springboard clothesline, and he follows up with a dive to the floor. Vikingo hits a second moonsault off the second row of guardrails, and he lands a moonsault on Page. Vikingo hits running knees in the corner and a 450 splash, but Josh is out at two. Josh counters a rana with a powerbomb onto his knee.Josh takes Vikingo up to the second rope, but Vikingo counters with a rana. The two exchange near fall rollups. Alexander goes for a tiger bomb, but Vikingo counters with a rollup for the win. Winner: Vikingo Very good opener. A lot of back and forth action. Hope we see more of Vikingo in IMPACT.
Taya is interviews by Gabby backstage. Taya says Jordynne has no business being in the #1 contenders match tonight.
Moose cuts a promo backstage calling out Rhino. Moose is going after Rhino when he is finished with Taurus.
Josh and Don preview what is left to come tonight. We'll have Moose vs Taurus, Jordynne Grace vs Kiera Hogan vs Madison Rayne, and Eddie Edwards vs Michael Elgin in match #1 of their best of five series.
The Rascalz vs Murder Clown and Pagano
Wentz and Murder start off. Murder Clown hits a press slam,
but Wentz uses his speed to gain the advantage. Dez and Pagano come in. Pagano
hits an inverted slingshot suplex and a neck breaker. Pagano lands a series of
strikes, but Dez answers with strikes of his own. Double team in the corner
from the Rascalz. They go for a dive but Murder Clown trips them up. Pagano hits a dive
onto both Rascalz. The luchadors double team Dez. Pagano works over Wentz in the corner, and they hit a double team powerbomb blockbuster. Murder Clown hits a 619. Wentz stops Clown up
top. The Rascalz hit a superplex. Wentz and Dez both comes off the top on Murder Clown for the win. Winners: The Rascalz Solid match. Rascalz in line for a title shot?
Big Mike promo backstage. He says he claims Eddie tapped at Hard to Kill. Mike says he's going to beat Eddie in three straight matches, and use the trophy to become World Champ.
Moose vs Taurus
Taurus pinned Moose last week in a triple threat. Very even open to the match as they exchange holds and strikes. Taurus lands a dive to the outside. On the outside, Moose sends Taurus into the ring post. Back in the ring, Moose works over Taurus in the corner. Moose takes plenty of time to taunt Taurus. Taurus trips up Moose and hits a 619. Taurus picks up the pace of the match. Taurus lands a series of strikes and, and they both land headbutts. Moose his the No Jackhammer Needed for the win. Winner: Moose Rhino sneaks in after the bell, and hits Moose with a Gore. Pretty good match. I like the triple threat last week better, but Moose and Taurus are always fun to watch.
Eddie promo backstage. He says it doesn't matter how many matches they have in the series, he'll win the series and be on his way to championship gold.
This week's IMPACT Plus Moment of the Week is Cowboy James Storm vs Kurt Angle from Genesis 2012.
Gabby backstage with Joey Ryan. He addresses what RVD said about him last week. Joey says that Rob feels threatened, and Katie wants to touch it.
#1 Contenders Match: Madison Rayne vs Kiera Hogan vs Jordynne Grace.
Taya joins Josh on Don on commentary for this match. Hogan and Madison double team Jordynne to start the match. Jordynne gets an edge. She hits a draping DDT on Hogan and slams Madison on top of her. Grace clotheslines both of her competitors. Madison breaks up a pin, and they go back to double teaming Grace. They go for a suplex, but Grace suplexes both Hogan and Madison. Grace hits a series of slams on both of them. Jordynne goes up top, but she is cut off by Madison. Both Madison and Hogan go for a pinfall, but Ref Mike Posey refuses to count the double pin. Grace puts both of them in a submission, but she lets it go. The heels come back with a series of kicks that sends Jordynne to the outside. Madison and Hogan argue over who has to go get Jordynne. Grace drops Madison on the apron and hits the Grace driver on Hogan for the win. Winner: Jordynne Grace So Jordynne will be getting another shot against the Champ. Will Taya continue her record setting reign, or will Grace finally win the title?!
Ace Austin promo backstage. He talks about beating Trey twice. He says he is done with Trey and focusing on Tessa.
Swinger approaches Mack backstage. Swinger is still trying to become Mack's tag partner, but Mack is having none of it.
TJP is backstage with Bahh. I think they said TJP vs Vikingo is happening next week? That will be fun!
Reno Scum vs Daga and Dr. Wagner Jr.
Wagner's son is at ringside for this match. Daga and Thornstowe start the match. They go back and forth, and Daga hits a rana. Luster and Dr. Wagner both tag in. Luster uses his power advantage to gain the advantage. Wagner counters and tags in Daga. Daga and Wagner double team Luster. Thornstowe takes out Daga on the outside. Thornstowe tags in and gets a two count on Daga. Scum double teams Daga. Daga uses his speed to make a comeback with a series of kicks, but Luster comes in to take out Daga. Daga hits a DDT and makes the hot tag. Wagner comes in and takes out both members of Reno Scum. Daga lands a dive onto Luster. Wagner hits a driver on Thornstowe for two. Daga tags back in, but Scum gain the advantage. They hit a double team for a two count. Wagner sends Luster to the outside and hits a diving cannonball. Daga hits his finish on Thornstowe for the win. Winners: Daga and Dr. Wagner Jr. Madman Fulton and the Crist brothers run down and attack Daga and Wagner after the match. Short, decent enough match. Not bad, but nothing special.
Rosemary approaches Susie backstage. Rosemary talks Susie into a friendly exhibition next week. Seriously, I love this storyline! Main event time!
Match #1 in the best of five series: Michael Elgin vs Eddie Edwards
These guys have had several great matches lately. The match starts with some chain wrestling that leads to a stalemate. Eddie targets the left leg of Elgin. Eddie goes for a single leg crab, but Elgin gets out. Eddie locks on a STF, but Elgin gets to the rope and escapes to the outside. Eddie hits a suicide dive, but Elgin gains the advantage on the floor. Elgin slams Eddie into the guardrail as we go to a commercial break. Back from the break, Elgin lands a big forearm, but Eddie comes back with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Elgin goes up to the middle rope, but Eddie lands a backpack stunner for two. Eddie goes to a Boston Crab and straight into a STF. Elgin powers out of the submission. Eddie lands a forearm and goes for a tiger bomb, but Elgin counters and drops Eddie on his head. Elgin lands a series of clotheslines in the corner. Elgin lands a series of German suplexes and a sliding forearm for two. The two exchange strikes. Eddie lands a big lariat and a Tiger Bomb for two. Eddie sets Elgin up on the top rope and goes for a rana, but Elgin counters with Death Valley Driver for two. Elgin goes straight to a crossface. Elgin lands a series of elbows to the head and locks the submission back on. Eddie is out, and the ref calls for the bell. Winner: Michael Elgin So Elgin leads the series 1-0. Another solid match, though probably not as good as their match at the ppv or on the first IMPACT of 2020.
Overall this was a good not great episode. No Tessa, Sami, or RVD, and of course Swann is still out with his injury. Unless I missed something, the only matches announced for next week was TJP vs Vikingo and Rosemary vs Susie.