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An event twenty years in the making! Returns, nostalgia, title changes and more in this event. This week, The Main Event Podcast reviews IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary 2022.

The Factory (QT Marshall and Aaron Solo) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi)

The first action on the Buy In saw The Factory (QT Marshall and Aaron Solo) take on Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi). The action was fairly traditional at first but after QT Marshall delivered the QT Special to the outside, The Factory took over control. Marshall got cocky though and, in mocking his opponent, he allowed the hot tag to Yoshi-Hashi and he got a nearfall with a neckbreaker. He found himself surprised by Aaron Solo, though, and fell victim to a Diamond Cutter from QT. The tag to Goto allowed Bishamon to hit the Ushigoroshi on Marshall and follow it up with the Shoto to Solo to pick up New Japan’s first win of the night.

Jez’s Pick: Bishamon
Dan’s Pick: Bishamon
Winner: Bishamon
Jez 1 – Dan 1

Nick Comoroto vs. Lance Archer

In a late addition to the card, Nick Comoroto went one-on-one with Lance Archer. As Comoroto confronted Archer on the ring apron, the Murderhawk Monster delivered a less than perfect cannonball to begin the match. The pair quickly opened up on each other with stiff chops but the stiffer striking of Comoroto allowed him to take over the contest for a time. Despite being the bigger man, Archer used his athleticism to get back into the match and got a nearfall after a moonsault. Archer went for the Blackout a few times and, on the third attempt, was able to nail it and pick up the win. 

Jez’s Pick: N/A
Dan’s Pick: N/A
Winner: Lance Archer
Jez 1 – Dan 1

Swerve in our Glory (Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee) vs. Suzuki-gun (El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

Next up, Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee took on El Desperado and Yoshinobu Kanemaru. The match began with a proposed test of strength between Lee and Kanemaru but the smaller Kanemaru smartly thought better of it and attacked Lee instead. Desperado and Swerve tagged in and the pace of the match picked up. Desperado took control and so Lee was tagged back in but Suzuki-gun began to systematically target the knee of the Limitless one. Keith was locked in the Figure Four Leg Lock but he used the body of his opponent, Desperado, to break up the hold. Kanemaru tried to capitalise after spitting whiskey in the face of Keith Lee but Lee rallied, hit the Jackhammer and collected a hard fought victory.

Jez’s Pick: Suzuki-gun
Dan’s Pick: Swerve in our Glory
Winner: Swerve in our Glory
Jez 1 – Dan 2

Gunn Club (Billy, Austin and Colten Gunn) and Max Caster (with Anthony Bowens) vs. Yuya Uemura, Alex Coughlin, The DKC, and Kevin Knight

The last match of the Buy In saw the Gunn Club and Max Caster battle Yuya Uemura, Alex Coughlin, The DKC and Kevin Knight from the New Japan L.A. Dojo. Before the match, Danhausen appeared on the screen with a gift for Austin and Colten Gunn – a special Ass Boys entrance music. The Gunns were not fans and took off backstage in search of the Very Nice, Very Evil one. In the ring, Coughlin delivered a huge Fall Away Slam to Billy Gunn and got a near fall on Caster. The L.A. Dojo capitalised on their man advantage, double teaming Billy and Max throughout but after Gunn hit the Fameasser, Caster delivered the Mic Drop and were able to pick up the win. 

Jez’s Pick: Gunn Club and Max Caster
Dan’s Pick: Gunn Club and Max Caster
Winner: Gunn Club and Max Caster
Jez 2 – Dan 3

Man advantage for Blood and Guts – Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara) and Minoru Suzuki (with Tay Conti) vs. Eddie Kingston, Wheeler Yuta, and Shota Umino

The Forbidden Door pay-per-view got underway with Le Sex Gods and Minoru Suzuki taking on Eddie Kingston, Wheeler Yuta, and Shota Umino to determine the man advantage for AEW Blood and Guts. The match kicked off with Wheeler Yuta taking the veteran, Chris Jericho, to school with a succession of slaps and German Suplexes. Yuta locked in the Crossface but, as Sammy Guevara broke it up, all hell broke loose. As the match progressed, Minoru Suzuki and Eddie Kingston met in the middle of the ring and after Kingston’s Machine Gun Chops failed, Suzuki dropped him with a massive forearm. Suzuki continued to wear down Kingston as his teammates kept the other men at bay. With Kingston supposedly neutralised, the action in the ring turned to Jericho and Umino but when Jericho went for the Lionsault, Kingston struck from outside the ring. This allowed Umino to lock in the Walls of Jericho on its owner but Suzuki broke it up. Umino built momentum and took down Minoru and Sammy but that momentum came to a screeching halt with the Judas Effect and Jericho picked up the win to give his team the advantage at Blood and Guts. Later in the night, the Jericho Appreciation Society cornered Shota Umino backstage and Jericho launched a fireball into his face.

Jez’s Pick: Le Sex Gods/Suzuki
Dan’s Pick: Le Sex Gods/Suzuki
Winner: Le Sex Gods/Suzuki
Jez 3 – Dan 4

ROH World Tag Team Championship and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship – FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (c-ROH) vs. United Empire (Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb) (c-IWGP) vs. Roppongi Vice (Trent Beretta and Rocky Romero)

The first battle for gold was for a lot of gold in the winner take all match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship and IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with FTR, United Empire and Roppongi Vice all looking to walk out with it all. The match began with frequent tags between all the teams but the first advantage, or rather disadvantage, came when Dax Harwood was taken away from the ring to investigate a shoulder injury. This allowed Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb to make tags between themselves and isolate Cash Wheeler. Reluctantly, Wheeler tagged in Trent Beretta and Roppongi Vice were able to wrest control of the match from United Empire. Wheeler tagged back in and the beatdown resumed but Dax Harwood made his way back to the ring for the save. FTR and Roppongi Vice started to work together, at times, to deal with the much larger Cobb and O-Khan but once they succeeded in taking out United Empire, FTR hit Bigg Rigg and pinned Rocky Romero to retain the ROH Tag Titles and become the NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.

Jez’s Pick: FTR
Dan’s Pick: FTR
Winner: FTR
Jez 4 – Dan 5

AEW All-Atlantic Championship – PAC vs. Miro vs. Malakai Black vs. Clark Connors

The next match was to crown an inaugural AEW All-Atlantic Champion with Clark Connors, Pac, Malakai Black and Miro all vying for the crown. In the early going, Connors and Miro went to war followed by old rivals PAC and Malakai Black. After Miro violently dealt with Connors, he argued with Black as to who would get the opportunity to fight PAC. Miro got the better of the exchange but when he lined up a Superkick on the Bastard, he instead ate a kick of his own. Black set up a table at ringside and put Miro through it after help from PAC and the ringpost. Once Miro was back in the ring, a Stack Superplex was delivered with PAC at the bottom and God’s Favourite Champion followed it up with The Accolade. PAC was about to tap but Black filled Miro’s face with the Black Mist. Black locked the Cross Arm Breaker on Connors put PAC interrupted it with the Black Arrow and followed it up with the Brutaliser, which forced Connors to tap out.

Jez’s Pick: Miro
Dan’s Pick: Malakai Black
Winner: PAC
Jez 4 – Dan 5

Bullet Club (El Phantasmo and The Young Bucks) with Hikuleo vs. Dudes with Attitudes (Darby Allin, Sting and Shingo Takagi) 

Next up was the Trios Tag Team match with Bullet Club taking on the new Dudes with Attitudes. Before the match, Sting’s music played but he did not enter. However, once the Young Bucks and Phantasmo had made their entrance, Sting appeared and took down the Bullet Club with a dive from the top of the entrance tunnel. As the match began, this translated into initial dominance by Sting and Co but the Young Bucks took down Darby Allin with a big dive outside the ring. What followed was a series of heavily built up Dermus Removers… make of that what you will… and the Club triple teamed Allin in the corner. Shingo Takagi took the momentum back for his team before Sting tagged in, nailed some Stinger Splashes and was about to lock in the Scorpion Death Lock until Hikuleo jumped to the apron for the distraction. The Bucks Superkicked Sting and he no-sold it but, later on, a triple Superkick did the job. With El Phantasmo alone in the ring, Shingo delivered Last of the Dragon to pick up the win for his team.

Jez’s Pick: Bullet Club
Dan’s Pick: Bullet Club
Winner: Dudes with Attitudes
Jez 4 – Dan 5

AEW Women’s World Championship – Thunder Rosa (c) vs. Toni Storm

The next match was the AEW Women’s World Championship match with Toni Storm challenging Thunder Rosa for the belt. The opening portion of the competition was extremely technical with a lot of mat based wrestling and submissions from both ladies. The match then became progressively more aggressive with both women laying in slightly unsporting shots to each other. The champion went on the offensive and secured a couple of nearfalls on Storm but she grew frustrated that she couldn’t put her challenger away. This continued despite a Death Valley Driver and a Fire Thunder Driver from Rosa but after she delivered Dustin Rhodes’ Final Reckoning, she was able to pick up the win and retain her Women’s World Championship. 

Jez’s Pick: Toni Storm
Dan’s Pick: Toni Storm
Winner: Thunder Rosa
Jez 4 – Dan 5

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship – Will Ospreay (c) vs. Orange Cassidy

Attention then turned to the battle of Orange Cassidy and Will Ospreay for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. Cassidy began the match with his hands in his pockets which immediately drew the ire of the Brit. Ospreay got cocky as he began to wear down Cassidy and soon took exception to the boos of the Chicago crowd. He continued to put on a wrestling exhibition as he beat down Orange but all of the offense he could muster was not enough to put the challenger down for three. When Cassidy once again put his hands in his pockets and delivered his trademark kicking offense, this got under the skin of Ospreay and he started to make mistakes. Will went for the Osscutter but Cassidy stepped away from it before countering into a Stundog Millionaire and following up with the Michinoku Driver for a nearfall. Ospreay surprised Cassidy with a Spanish Fly and followed up with the Cheeky Nandos Kick. Orange followed this up with a surprise of his own and hit the Beach Break but he too only got a two count. The pair exchanged insanely close nearfalls until Ospreay hit the Stormbreaker and finally pinned Cassidy to retain the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. After the match, Ospreay and Aussie Open continued the beatdown of Orange Cassidy but he was saved by Roppongi Vice and… Katsuyori Shibata!

Jez’s Pick: Will Ospreay
Dan’s Pick: Will Ospreay
Winner: Will Ospreay
Jez 5 – Dan 6

Zack Sabre Jr. vs. TBA

The next match was full of intrigue as Zack Sabre Jr would face off against the newest member of the Blackpool Combat Club, the debuting Claudio Castagnoli. The man formerly known as Cesaro struck fast at the bell, delivering a European Uppercut and a Gotch Neutraliser to get a very close nearfall. Sabre tried to recover outside the ring but Castagnoli kept on the offense and used the guard rails to continue the beating. Sabre caught Claudio in the ropes and delivered a pair of submission moves to wear down the vertical base of the debuting Swissman. He followed this up with some manipulation of the arms and hands of Castagnoli and got under the skin of his opponent with insulting kicks and slaps. Claudio delivered an insult of his own, laying in a Big Swing on his third attempt. The pair traded big shots that they invited from one another until Claudio laid in a gigantic Lariat and followed it up with the Recoil to pick up the win in his AEW debut.

Jez’s TBA: Jonathan Gresham
Dan’s TBA: Claudio Castagnoli
Jez’s Pick: TBA-Claudio Castagnoli
Dan’s Pick: TBA-Claudio Castagnoli
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli
Jez 6 – Dan 8

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship – “Switchblade” Jay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Adam Cole

In the first World Championship match of the night, Jay White defended the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Adam Cole, “Hangman” Adam Page and Kazuchika Okada. At the start of the match, White and Cole checked out and, after a handshake, Page and Okada were set to begin the match but they were jumped by White and Cole after their fakeout. The pair teamed to Suplex “Hangman” on the ramp and chop raw the chest of Okada in the ring. The double teaming continued until Okada was able to take care of Cole and White momentarily, sending them over the guard rail and following up with a crossbody. It wasn’t long after this that Cole turned on “Switchblade” and the fight was on between the two. This allowed the champion to be isolated and after two Buckshot Lariats, Okada had to break up the pin to keep the match alive. Okada went for the Rainmaker on Cole but he countered it and fell to the mat. This allowed Jay White to return to the ring, hit the Blade Runner on Okada and pin the prone Adam Cole to retain his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.

Jez’s Pick: “Hangman” Adam Page
Dan’s Pick: Jay White
Winner: Jay White
Jez 6 – Dan 9

Interim AEW World Championship – Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi

In the main event, Jon Moxley and Hiroshi Tanahashi went one-on-one to determine an Interim AEW World Champion. The match began fairly technically but when Tanahashi played the air guitar in celebration, this pissed off Moxley and the match became more physical. When the match spilled to ringside, Moxley put Tanahashi through a table with a Urinagi. Back in the ring, Tanahashi was able to lay in boots on Mox and this busted him open. He followed it up with a dive from the top turnbuckle to the outside of the ring. As the blood flowed heavily from Moxley’s skull, Tanahashi hit Aces High and High Fly but Mox kicked out and rolled over into the Bulldog Sleeper Hold. The Ace escaped not only this but another deep Sleeper Hold but the Death Rider from Mox was enough to keep Tanahashi down for three and become the Interim AEW World Champion. After the match, the Jericho Appreciation Society came to the ring to get a head start on Blood and Guts but after Mox’s teammates came to the ring, they fought off J.A.S. and stood tall in the middle of the ring.

Jez’s Pick: Hiroshi Tanahashi
Dan’s Pick: Jon Moxley
Winner: Jon Moxley
Jez 6 – Dan 10

Final Rating

Dan awards 3.5 out of 5 No Longer Forbidden Doors
Jez awards 3 out of 5 No Longer Forbidden Doors

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This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.

An event twenty years in the making! Returns, nostalgia, title changes and more in this event. This week, The Main Event Podcast reviews IMPACT Wrestling Slammiversary 2022.

IMPACT Digital Media Championship – Rich Swann (c) vs. Brian Myers

The opening contest took place on the preshow and had Bryan Myers face Rich Swann for the IMPACT Digital Media Championship that Bryan Myers was holding on to for funsies. Got it? Good. Myers tried to use his superior size and strength to take control of the early portion of the match but Swann used his quickness to send Myers scurrying from the ring. Not all went to plan for Swann in this regard as Myers used the ringside area to take over and dominate Swann on the pairs’ return to the ring. After hitting a huge spear and an Edge-E-Cution style DDT, Myers got a pair of nearfalls but Swann stayed in the match and after hitting the 450 Splash from the middle rope, the Digital Media Champion was able to retain his title and finally gain possession of his belt.

Jez’s Pick: Rich Swann
Dan’s Pick: Rich Swann
Winner: Rich Swann
Jez 1 – Dan 1

Reverse Battle Royal – Participants TBA

Sixteen competitors including names from IMPACT’s history took part in the Reverse Battle Royal, next. David Young and Johnny Swinger entered the ring together, followed by Chris Bey and Steve Maclin. As we watched Mike Jackson deliver the oldest old school in history around the ringside area to Mahabali Shera, Bhupinder Gujjar, Chase Stevens and Shark Boy make it into the ring, bringing the total to seven. Shera finally escaped the clutches of the 72 year old Jackson, and climbed into the ring to become the eighth. After the bell, Chase Stevens was quickly eliminated by Shera. Chris Bey and Steve Maclin fought on the ring apron, having climbed over the top rope to get there and after Bey hit a Cutter on the apron, both men crashed to ringside and were eliminated. Gujjar and Shera were eliminated by old teammates David Young and Johnny Swinger who then turned their attention to Shark Boy. The pair laid boots into Sharky before Swinger quickly eliminated his former partner. With the over the top rope action over, Swinger and Shark Boy fought and Sharky hit the Stunner and pinned Swinger to win the match.

Jez’s Pick: PCO
Dan’s Pick: Steve Maclin
Winner: Shark Boy
Jez 1 – Dan 1

Ultimate X match for the IMPACT X Division Championship – Ace Austin (c) vs. Kenny King vs. Mike Bailey vs. Trey Miguel vs. Andrew Everett vs. Alex Zayne

The pay-per-view kicked off with one of IMPACT’s signature matches – the Ultimate X match for the Impact X Division Championship. The defending champion, Ace Austin, used his cane to weaken his opponents as the match began but soon the ring cleared. Alex Zayne and Mike Bailey tried to climb the ropes which brought others back into the ring to drag them down. Ace fought with Trey Miguel and others on the ring apron but Miguel took him down with a kick to the face and a neckbreaker. Speedball Mike Bailey took out a group with a version of Ultimo Weapon from the cables before being the meat in a Stack Superplex sandwich that took out all competitors except for Zayne and Miguel. Miguel delivered a Canadian destroyer from the top rope to take out Zayne and went for the gold, but he was joined in the middle of the X by Kenny King, Ace Austin and Mike Bailey. King and Miguel went down, Andrew Everett joined the fight but he was soon dropped back down again by a Hurricanrana from Bailey. Bailey dropped Austin from the cables with swift kicks to the face and sternum before climbing to the top of the X and retrieving the belt to become NEW X-Division Champion.

Jez’s Pick: Ace Austin
Dan’s Pick: Ace Austin
Winner: “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Jez 1 – Dan 1

IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship – The Influence (Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood) (c) vs. Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie

The Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship was on the line as the champions, The Influence, took on the team of Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie. Valkyrie started the match off with a quick nearfall to Rayne but Rosemary tagged herself in and the tension between the challengers continued to build. Intervention from outside the ring allowed Rayne to take control of the match for her team and feed Rosemary back to Dashwood who dominated Rosemary in the middle of the ring. Valkyrie returned to the ring to break up a pinfall attempt and the challengers delivered tandem Spears that gave them a nearfall. The pair kept on, though, and after Valkyrie tossed Dashwood out of the ring, Rosemary hit the As Above, So Below on Rayne and pinned her to win the IMPACT World Tag Team Championships for her team. 

Jez’s Pick: Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie
Dan’s Pick: The Influence
Winner: Rosemary and Taya Valkyrie
Jez 2 – Dan 1

Monster’s Ball – Sami Callihan vs. Moose

The next match was Monster’s Ball with Moose taking on Sami Callihan. After being released from isolation backstage, Callihan jumped Moose at the top of the ramp and the match began. The pair fought around ringside and the weapons came out with the Death Machine opening up on Moose’s skull with baking trays. Moose retaliated with a trash can lid and bust Sami open, before taking a hotdog and bottle of water from the crowd to try and overcome being locked away for the last 24 hours. Moose continued his dominance, slamming Callihan on the ring apron multiple times before turning about and putting him through a table. Back in the ring, Moose went for a Spear but Sami caught him with a trash can. Callihan collected a door covered in barbed wire from under the ring and tried to put Moose through it. Moose escaped doom momentarily but, after stumbling on the top rope, he was instead launched from the top turnbuckle and through the timekeeper’s table at ringside. Callihan brought thumbtacks into the ring but caught the worse end of them, being Sky Highed onto the pile before being dragged around the ring to collect them in his back. Moose went for the kill with a Spear but Callihan caught him and delivered a Death Valley Driver through the barbed wire door to pick up a very close nearfall. Moose continued to refuse to die, kicking out of one Cactus Driver 97 before doing the same after a Powerbomb to an upturned trash can and a second Driver. However, a swift strike with a barbed wire bat and a third Cactus Driver 97 finally kept Moose down for a three count, awarding the win to Sami Callihan.

Jez’s Pick: Sami Callihan
Dan’s Pick: Sami Callihan
Winner: Sami Callihan
Jez 3 – Dan 2

IMPACT World Tag Team Championship – The Briscoes (Jay and Mark) (c) vs. The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson)

In the Impact World Tag Team Championship match, The Briscoes defended against The Good Brothers. The match began with a brawl between the four men in the ring but spilled to ringside and up the ramp. When the match made it into the ring, the teams continued to play fast and loose with the rules but frequent tags almost allowed Gallows and Anderson to take control with the Magic Killer but Jay Briscoe saved the match with a Spear to Anderson and the match continued. The Good Brothers continued to maintain control of the match and when The Briscoes went for a Doomsday Device, Mark was pushed from the top rope into a Gun Stun from Anderson. The challengers followed this up with a Magic Killer to Jay to pick up the win and take home their third IMPACT World Tag Team Championship to the Bullet Club. After the match, America’s Most Wanted came to the ring to provide the beers to the drinkin’ and fightin’ party and the six men collected together to share a beverage.

Jez’s Pick: The Briscoes
Dan’s Pick: The Briscoes
Winner: The Good Brothers
Jez 3 – Dan 2

Before the battle of IMPACT Originals against Honor No More, IMPACT honoured the original voices of TNA, Mike Tenay and Don West. An emotional current team of Tom Hannifan and Matthew Reiwoldt then encouraged donations for Don West’s battle with lymphoma.

IMPACT Originals (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Frankie Kazarian, Nick Aldis, and TBA) vs. Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, PCO, and Vincent)

Special guest ring announcer Christy Hemme then introduced special guest commentator Scott D’Amore and then the participants Honor No More and the IMPACT Originals – Frankie Kazarian, the Motor City Machine Guns, Nick Aldis, and Dixie Carter? No, Dixie wasn’t in the match but she did introduce the true fifth member of Team IMPACT, Davey Richards. The bell rang, the fight was on and the Motor City Machine Guns teed off against The Kingdom, Taven and Bennett. Frequent tags on both sides brought several different men into the ring and we nearly got the battle of The Wolves between Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards but Edwards tagged out. The action continued to come thick and fast in the match with neither team really gaining an advantage for too long. After Shelley and Taven dived from the ring and took out the majority of the other men, The Wolves once again met in the middle of the ring and this time the fight was on. Both men tore strips from each other with kicks and strikes before Richards torqued the knee of Edwards with a Dragon Screw on the ropes. Davey followed this up with a reverse Figure Four Leg Lock on Edwards and Taven tried to intervene but he was placed in an Anklelock for his troubles. With Richards administering two submissions, Alex Shelley locked the Border City Stretch on Mike Bennett, Nick Aldis put Vincent in the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf and Kaz and Sabin tried to take care of PCO but the French Canadian Frankenstein fought them off and broke up all of the submissions. Maria Kanellis tried to interfere but she was dealt with by TNA Original, Traci Brooks, who was at ringside to support her husband, Frankie Kazarian. Brooks was caught by PCO and saved by Frankie, who hit the Flux Capacitor and got a nearfall. Kenny King then came to the ring but was dealt with by D’Lo Brown. Chris Sabin hit the Cradle Shock on PCO and, with Brian Hebner down at ringside, Earl Hebner made his way into the ring, revealed a referee shirt and made the count to award the victory to the IMPACT Originals. 

Jez’s Pick: IMPACT Originals
Dan’s Pick: IMPACT Originals
Winner: IMPACT Originals
Jez 4 – Dan 3

Throughout the night, we had several appearances or video messages from IMPACT Wrestling’s past. First up, TNA original Scott Hudson interviewed the IMPACT Original team and IMPACT’s first interviewer Goldilocks interviewed Gail Kim. We also had special messages from “The Icon” Sting, Kurt Angle and “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles.

Queen of the Mountain match for the IMPACT Knockouts World Championship – Tasha Steelz (c) vs. Chelsea Green vs. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Mia Yim
Special Guest Enforcer: Mickie James

The first in a double main event was the Queen of the Mountain match for the Impact Knockouts World Championship with Tasha Steelz defending against Chelsea Green, Deonna Purrazzo, Jordynne Grace and Mia Yim. As the bell rang, the group looked to team up on the champion, but Steelz escaped the ring and started to set up tables with the help of Savannah Evans. When Steelz returned to the ring, she was caught by Chelsea Green and pinned. She then spent two minutes in the penalty box with her partner in crime Savannah Evans, thanks to the intervention of special enforcer Mickie James. Yim and Grace teamed up on Purrazzo but neither woman allowed the other to get a pinfall to become eligible. When Steelz was released from the penalty box, Mickie James barred Savannah Evans from ringside and sent her packing. As she was on her way out, Chelsea Green fought with Steelz but found herself surprised by Yim who pinned Green to become eligible to hang the title belt. Yim tried to climb a ladder but she was taken down by Steelz with a messy looking Cutter. Steelz was then submitted by Purrazzo to become eligible and teamed with Green to take Grace out of the match. Green and Purrazzo then climbed the ladder to try and place the belt but the ladder was pushed over and the pair went crashing through tables at ringside. Inside the ring, both Grace and Steelz pinned Yim to become eligible and fought for the right to place a ladder. Grace then pinned the champion to send her to the penalty box and climbed the ladder to hang the title and become the IMPACT Knockouts World Champion.

Jez’s Pick: Deonna Purrazzo
Dan’s Pick: Tasha Steelz
Winner: Jordynne Grace
Jez 4 – Dan 3

IMPACT World Championship – Josh Alexander (c) vs. Eric Young

In the main event, Josh Alexander defended the IMPACT World Championship against Eric Young. The early part of the match saw a good measure of traditional lockups and tests of strength but EY soon looked to get under the skin of the Walking Weapon and things became more vicious. Alexander stayed focussed though and used the offense of IMPACT’s past to wear down Young, including a Kurt Angle style moonsault and Samoa Joe-esque Powerbomb nearfall into a Boston Crab. Not to be outdone, Eric Young pulled out a few classics of his own, getting a nearfall with Jeff Jarrett’s Stroke and another with Abyss’ Black Hole Slam. Alexander hit a Styles Clash and locked Young in an Anklelock but as EY tapped, Deener threw powder into the eyes of referee Brian Hebner and he did not see the submission. The hits kept on coming as while Alexander was distracted by Deener, Young snuck up with a guitar and broke it over the head of the IMPACT World Champion. When this only netted a nearfall, Young peeled back the ring padding and delivered a Piledriver to the exposed wood underneath but once again Alexander refused to quit. The Walking Weapon fired up and paid one last homage to Samoa Joe with the Urinagi from the corner before delivering his own C4 Spike to the wood and pinning Young to retain his IMPACT World Championship. 

Jez’s Pick: Josh Alexander
Dan’s Pick: Josh Alexander
Winner: Josh Alexander
Jez 5 – Dan 4

Final Rating

Dan awards 3.5 out of 5 IMPACT Originals
Jez awards 3.5 out of 5 IMPACT Originals

Search for The Main Event Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts from. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all of the new content coming from The Main Event Podcast!

This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.

A busy weekend of action from the sports entertainment company culminates in the Hell in a Cell premium live event from Chicago, Illinois. The card is topped by a titular match between Seth “Freakin” Rollins and “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes. It wasn’t a packed card but it had its moments! Join Jez and Dan to break it all down on The Main Event Podcast.

As the show opened, Corey Graves alerted us to an ongoing injury situation involving Cody Rhodes. He said that the commentary team would keep us informed as the night progressed. Wouldn’t just telling us whether the main event is happening achieve that? Classic WWE.

RAW Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch

Anyway, the opening contest was the Triple Threat Match for the RAW Women’s Championship with Bianca Belair defending against Becky Lynch and Asuka. As the match began, all three women tried to take control but after Belair and Asuka double teamed Lynch, she left the ring and we had our first one-on-one between the former two. Gotta love triple threat turntaking. The majority of the in-ring action in the early part of the match was between Belair and Asuka but Lynch occasionally got in the mix when the moment was opportune. This changed when Becks took out Asuka and instead we got Lynch and Bianca one-on-one. Asuka returned to the ring and the champion did well to avoid attacked from both of her challengers, showed off her strength and gained some nearfalls. Lynch surprised Belair with the Manhandle Slam but Asuka broke up the pinfall attempt. Belair went for the K.O.D. but Lynch interrupted it and threw the EST from the ring. Lynch delivered the Manhandle to Asuka but as she was about to pin the Empress, Bianca returned to the ring, threw Becky from it and pinned Asuka to retain her RAW Women’s Championship.

Jez’s Pick: Bianca Belair
Dan’s Pick: Bianca Belair
Winner: Bianca Belair
Jez 1 – Dan 1

2-on-1 Handicap match – Bobby Lashley vs. Omos and MVP

Next up was the 2-on-1 Handicap match with Omos and MVP facing off against Bobby Lashley. Before the match, Cedric Alexander tried to gameplan with MVP and Omos but he was told in no uncertain terms that his involvement with MVP was done and to move on. As the match got underway, Omos toyed with Lashley but this raised the ire of the All Mighty. Lashley fought well but found himself overwhelmed at times by the big man, including being driven through the ring barricade by Omos. Lashley beat the ten count and got back into the ring. Cedric Alexander came to the ring and, with the distraction, Lashley speared Omos from the ring. Lashley locked the Hurt Lock on MVP and he tapped to award the victory to the All Mighty.

Jez’s Pick: Lashley
Dan’s Pick: Lashley
Winner: Lashley
Jez 2 – Dan 2

Before the next match, Jimmy Smith set the record straight about Cody Rhodes rumoured injury. He confirmed that Cody had torn his pectoral muscle but that he would still compete in Hell in a Cell with Seth Rollins in the main event.

Ezekiel vs. Kevin Owens

In the next match, Kevin Owens went one-on-one with Ezekiel. Elias? Damien Sandow? At the bell, KO continued to accuse Ezekiel of being a liar. Zeke surprised Owens with a knee to the face and followed up with a Diving Elbow but was only able to get a two count. The pair then fought at ringside and Ezekiel was launched into the ringpost by Owens, drawing blood. KO systematically picked apart Ezekiel but struggled to keep him down for three. Ezekiel tried to get back into the match and went for his knee/elbow drop combination again but Owens knocked him down, delivered the Stunner and pinned Ezekiel while shouting Elias into the camera to get the 1-2-3.

Jez’s Pick: Ezekiel
Dan’s Pick: Ezekiel
Winner: Kevin Owens
Jez 2 – Dan 2

Finn Balor, AJ Styles and Liv Morgan vs. The Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley)

The Six Person Mixed Tag Team Match was the next contest with The Judgment Day taking on the Bulle… Sorry. Taking on the team of Finn Balor, AJ Styles and Liv Morgan. The match began with a brawl between all of the competitors but settled down to be a fight between the women, Morgan and Ripley. Ripley dominated with a headbutt but when Liv got fired up, Ripley tagged in Damian Priest, which forced Finn Balor into the match for the first time. The Judgment Day isolated Balor but the Prince stayed alive enough to get the hot tag to AJ Styles. Styles got a nearfall on Edge and went for the Styles Clash but Ripley caused a distraction that interrupted it. Styles delivered the Phenomenal Forearm instead but Priest dragged AJ out of the ring during the cover. Balor tagged in and went for the Coup de Grace but Rhea Ripley got in the way. This allowed Edge to deliver the Spear and pick up the win for The Judgment Day.

Jez’s Pick: The Judgment Day
Dan’s Pick: The Judgment Day
Winner: The Judgment Day
Jez 3 – Dan 3

No Holds Barred match – Madcap Moss vs. Happy Corbin

Up next was the No Holds Barred battle between Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss. It didn’t take long for the match to spill up the ramp and Happy Corbin bounced Moss off the titantron with impunity before the pair battled back to ringside. Corbin allowed himself to be distracted by the crowd, teasing them with tables and threatening to throw Madcap over the barricade but this didn’t cost him any momentum and he continued his assault of Moss with a steel chair. Corbin placed the chair over the neck of Madcap and launched him into the announce table. He then collected the larger part of the ringsteps and set them up in the ring but this is where things went awry for Happy, as Madcap reversed momentum and delivered a Fallaway Slam against the steps. Moss placed a chair over the head of Corbin, slammed the steps on to it and pinned Happy Corbin to pick up a measure of revenge over his former employer.

Jez’s Pick: Madcap Moss
Dan’s Pick: Madcap Moss
Winner: Madcap Moss
Jez 4 – Dan 4

WWE United States Championship – Theory (c) vs. Mustafa Ali

In championship action, Theory defended his United States Title against Mustafa Ali. Early in the match, the two locked up and engaged in traditional wrestling. Outside the ring, Theory launched Ali into the ringpost and took over the momentum of the contest. Theory wore down Ali in the middle of the ring but with the help of the hometown Chicago crowd, Ali fought back into the match, countered A-Town Down and locked Theory in the STF. The US Champion reached the ropes and so Ali went for the kill with the 450 Splash but, unfortunately for him, Theory moved and chopped the legs out from under the challenger. Theory successfully delivered A-Town Down on his second attempt and pinned Mustafa to hold on to his championship.

Jez’s Pick: Theory
Dan’s Pick: Theory
Winner: Theory
Jez 5 – Dan 5

Hell in a Cell match – Cody Rhodes vs. Seth “Freakin” Rollins

The main event was the Hell in a Cell Match with Seth “Freakin” Rollins taking on the ailing Cody Rhodes. Continuing the mind games he had employed throughout their entire rivalry, Seth Rollins came to the ring in Dusty Rhodes polka dots. When Cody took off his jacket, the extent of his injury was revealed as Cody’s chest bore a deep purple bruise. As the match began, Cody defended his right side as he fought off Rollins and used quick offense to keep The Architect at bay and even delivered an early Disaster Kick and Cody Cutter. As Cody locked Rollins in the Figure Four Leg Lock, Rollins reached out and under the ring and collected a Kendo Stick, which he used to torment The American Nightmare’s torn pectoral muscle. Rollins continued the assault with lashes from a custom polka dot weight belt while wearing Rhodes’ ring jacket. Seth placed Cody on a table in the middle of the ring and went for a Frogsplash but Rhodes moved aside and Rollins went crashing through the table. Rhodes collected a bullrope from under the ring, put it on his good arm and demanded that Rollins put it on too. Cody got some offense in with the rope but Rollins got the better of the exchange and continued his assault on Rhodes. Seth put Cody through a table but, against all reason, Rhodes kicked out. Starting to show frustration, Rollins got a Sledgehammer but Cody avoided it and delivered a Pedigree for a two count. Cody chased Rollins with the sledgehammer but this allowed Rollins to deliver the Stomp. Rollins, however, only got a two count as well. Cody fought valiantly out of Rollins attacks, delivered three Cross Rhodes and punctuated his offense with a sledgehammer to the skull of Rollins to finally bring the match to a close and pick up the clean sweep over Seth “Freakin” Rollins.

Jez’s Pick: Cody Rhodes
Dan’s Pick: Cody Rhodes
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Jez 6 – Dan 6

Final Rating

Dan awards 3.5 out of 5 Horrific Pectoral Bruises
Jez awards 2.5 out of 5 Horrific Pectoral Bruises

Search for The Main Event Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts from. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all of the new content coming from The Main Event Podcast!

This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.

For the third time in its NXT lineage, WWE presented the In Your House Premium Live Event from the WWE Performance Centre in Orlando, Florida. In the main event, Bron Breakker defended the NXT Championship against Joe Gacy, with the stipulation that if Breaker was disqualified, he would lose the championship. Join Jez and Dan for the complete rundown of the event, and more, on The Main Event Podcast.

Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, and Troy “Two Dimes” Donovan vs. Legado del Fantasma (Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde) (with Elektra Lopez)
Losing team joins the winning team’s stable

The opening bout of the premium live event saw The Family – Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, and Troy “Two Dimes” Donovan – take on Legado del Fantasma – Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde – with the stipulation that the losing team would have to join the winning team’s stable. Before the match, the referee was encouraged to search the ring for foreign objects and he found Tony D’s crowbar hidden behind the ring steps. The match began with the fast paced stylings of the underlings from each team before the kings of each stable, D’Angelo and Escobar, tagged in and handled their business in the ring for the first time. Later in the match, when Santos went for a move on the top rope but he was pushed off and crashed into the ring. Del Toro and Wilde returned momentum back to Legado before things broke down and both teams secured weapons. Joaquin Wilde knocked out Stacks with a crowbar but when Tony D found Escobar’s brass knuckles and used them to take out Wilde. Stacks was shoved, unconscious, onto Wilde and the referee made the count, consigning Legado del Fantasma to the service of The Family.

Jez’s Pick: The Family
Dan’s Pick: The Family
Winner: The Family
Jez 1 – Dan 1

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship – Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) (c) vs. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter 

The next contest was the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship match with Katana Chance and Kayden Carter challenging the champions, Toxic Attraction. Before the bell, Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne jumped their challengers but this backfired when Chance and Carter gained the advantage. The challengers fought well after the bell but the cheap tactics of Toxic Attraction allowed the champions to make frequent tags and isolate Katana from Kayden. Later in the match, Carter was able to take out Jayne with a Cutter on the ring apron which the challengers followed up with a double team manoeuvre to achieve a two count. From outside the ring, though, Jacy Jayne struck Kayden Carter which allowed Dolin to drop her on her head with a German Suplex and pick up the 1-2-3.

Jez’s Pick: Toxic Attraction
Dan’s Pick: Toxic Attraction
Winner: Toxic Attraction
Jez 2 – Dan 2

NXT North American Championship – Cameron Grimes (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes (with Trick Williams) 

The quest to #GetItBack was on next when Carmelo Hayes challenged Cameron Grimes for the NXT North American Championship. The fast paced stylings of both men led to a few stalemates and nearfalls in the early part of the match and the pair passed the momentum back and forth for the majority. Hayes started to build an advantage after delivering a DDT to the ring apron but, once back in the ring, Carmelo was unable to keep the champion down. Trick Williams got involved from the outside of the ring but Grimes fought back and delivered a Springboard Spanish Fly type move to get himself back into the contest. Grimes kicked Hayes in the face from the ring apron and got a nearfall after a Spinout Urinagi. Trick Williams got involved again but ate a Cave In for his troubles but this distraction was enough to launch Grimes into the ringpost and deliver a Leg Drop from the top rope, pick up the win and #GetItBack. 

Jez’s Pick: Carmelo Hayes
Dan’s Pick: Cameron Grimes
Winner: Carmelo Hayes
Jez 3 – Dan 2

NXT Women’s Championship – Mandy Rose (c) vs. Wendy Choo

It was time to see if dreams would become reality next as Wendy Choo dreamed of becoming the NEW NXT Women’s Champion at the expense of the reigning, defending champion, Mandy Rose. During the introductions, Choo tried to launch a teddy bear at Rose which drew the ire of the champion. When the match began, Rose continued her dominance, verbally berating Choo as she wore her down with a number of submissions. Choo built a small amount of momentum but Rose put a quick and sudden stop to it with a Spinebuster on the ramp. Rose went for the kill with a knee in the corner but Choo used her body cushion to block the blow. The champion destroyed the pillow and threw it into the crowd but this allowed Choo to surprise Mandy with a Sleeper Hold. Choo went for a top rope manoeuvre but Rose threw her down and delivered a Running Knee to retain her Women’s Championship. 

Jez’s Pick: Mandy Rose
Dan’s Pick: Mandy Rose
Winner: Mandy Rose
Jez 4 – Dan 3

NXT Tag Team Championship – Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) (c) vs. The Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed and Julius Creed)

Up next was the NXT Tag Team Championship match with The Creed Brothers challenging Pretty Deadly. The pressure was on for the Creeds because if they did not win the match, they would be out of Diamond Mine. As the match began, Brutus Creed dominated Kit Wilson with his amateur wrestling ability. Julius tagged in and continued where his brother left off, manhandling Elton Prince with the same skill. The Creeds had complete control of the match for the majority until Pretty Deadly were able to drop Julius Creed on the ring steps with a double team manoeuvre and finally build some offense of their own. This only lasted while they were able to isolate Julius and his weakened back and so when Brutus got into the match, he delivered a Cannonball from the top rope and achieved a nearfall. Elton Prince tried to slip the title belt to his partner but Julius intercepted it and returned it to the referee. Julius then went to the top rope, delivered a Shooting Star Press and followed it up with a Basement Clothesline to become the NXT Tag Team Champions for the first time.

Jez’s Pick: Creed Brothers
Dan’s Pick: Pretty Deadly
Winner: Creed Brothers
Jez 5 – Dan 3

NXT Championship – Bron Breakker (c) vs. Joe Gacy
If Breakker is disqualified, he will lose the championship

The In Your House main event saw Bron Breakker defend the NXT Championship against Joe Gacy with the stipulation that if Breakker was disqualified, he would lose the title. During the introductions, Gacy did his best to rile up the champion by slapping him as he held up the championship belt. Breakker started the match aggressively but held his composure enough to not take things too far and be disqualified. Bron’s holding back could have been the reason that Gacy was able to take control of the match, though, and he started to wear down the champion with a Senton on the ring apron and submissions in the middle of the ring. Bron Breakker pulled out every stop he could inside the rules and took back control by dropping Gacy from the ring apron and diving over the top rope to crush him at ringside. Frustrated, Gacy channelled his best Eddie Guererro and after striking the mat with a chair, tossed it to Breakker and dropped in order to try and force a disqualification. This almost worked but another referee came to the ring to set the score straight. Breakker continued his dominance, knocking Gacy from the ring apron and through the announce table at ringside. Back in the ring, Gacy once again handed Breakker a chair and invited him to use it. Bron handed it to the official but was low blowed while the referee was distracted. With yet another chair, Bron hit one of Gacy druids. Breakker then delivered a Spear to Gacy and finished things off with the Shoulder Press Slam to retain his NXT Championship. 

Jez’s Pick: Bron Breakker
Dan’s Pick: Bron Breakker
Winner: Bron Breakker
Jez 6 – Dan 4

Final Rating

Dan awards 3.5 out of 5 Destroyed Body Pillows
Jez awards 3.5 out of 5 Destroyed Body Pillows

Search for The Main Event Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts from. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all of the new content coming from The Main Event Podcast!

This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.