Impact notes: Knockouts title match, Killer Kelly returning, next week’s lineup

Impact Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace has her challenger, date and location set for her next title defense.

Mia Yim won a no. 1 contender’s match over Deonna Purrazzo Thursday to earn the shot at Grace at Emergence on Friday, August 12th. Grace came out afterward and shook Yim’s hand in a sign of respect.

Grace regained the title at last month’s Slammiversary in the first-ever Queen of the Mountain match and successfully defended it against former champion Tasha Steelz at last Friday’s Against All Odds. Yim is looking for her second reign as champion as she previously won the TNA version under her former name of Jade.

Killer Kelly returning

After nearly two years away, Killer Kelly is returning to Impact. She made her presence felt during a vignette Thursday and is “coming soon.”

Kelly has two Impact matches under her belt, last teaming with Renee Michelle in a losing effort in the Knockouts Tag Team title tournament in 2020.

She wrestled just three indie matches in 2021 and in October, she announced she was taking the rest of the year off to address health issues. Her next match will be her first this year.

Next week’s lineup

Five matches were announced for next Thursday’s Impact which includes the continuation of two rivalries that lasted most of the last month.

Impact World Champion Josh Alexander will team with the Motor City Machine Guns to take on Violent By Design’s Eric Young, Joe Doering & Deaner.

Deaner and Doering were looking for Alexander backstage Thursday and ran into Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin. A brawl ensued, Alexander showed up, and the match was announced later on. Alexander has wins over all three VBD members in June.

In a clash of former Knockouts Champions, Mickie James will face Chelsea Green with Deonna Purrazzo banned from ringside.

In an eight-man tag team match that also is continuing a recent feud, Honor No More’s Eddie Edwards, Kenny King, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett will take on Bullet Club’s Good Brothers, Ace Austin & Chris Bey.

In a pair of singles matches, Steve Maclin will face James Storm while Masha Slamovich takes on Tenille Dashwood.