Impact Wrestling live results: Chris Sabin vs. Frankie Kazarian, Tag Team title match
After their previous match got hijacked by Honor No More, veterans and rivals Chris Sabin and Frankie Kazarian will run it back in the main event of Thursday’s Impact on AXS.
Thursday is the go-home for Friday’s Against All Odds special on Impact Plus.
Impact Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers will defend against PCO & Vincent of Honor No More. This will be a preview of Friday’s five-on-five with HNM vs. Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, James Storm and two mystery partners.
In non-title action, new Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace will face Savannah Evans ahead of her Friday title defense against former champion Tasha Steelz.
The winner of tonight’s Steve Maclin vs. Laredo Kid vs. Chris Bey vs. Trey Miguel match is expected to face new X-Division Champion Mike Bailey on Friday.
Ace Austin and Alex Zayne will go head-to-head in singles action while Gisele Shaw takes on Rosemary. If Shaw wins, she is expected to replace injured Madison Rayne in The Influence’s eventual Knockouts Tag Team title rematch against Rosemary & Taya Valkyrie.
The BTI pre-show will see Digital Media Champion Rich Swann take on Raj Singh.
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Rich Swann defeated Raj Singh (w/Shera) in a non-title match on the BTI pre-show
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The opening video recapped last week’s dominance by Honor No More and both members of The Briscoes being injured and unable to compete at Against All Odds.
-Backstage, America’s Most Wanted and The Good Brothers were discussing a “bad idea” and followed it up by greeting Honor No More’s PCO. After attempting to make PCO realize that he wasn’t appreciated by HNM, Vincent interrupted and led PCO away.
Trey Miguel defeated Chris Bey, Laredo Kid & Steve Maclin in a 4-Way match to receive a X-Division title match at Against All Odds
After an initial stalemate, Maclin was outnumbered and taken down by all three of his opponents. After Maclin was sent to the outside unceremoniously, Miguel and Kid battled in the ring before Maclin returned and began using his power to wipe out both men.
Miguel attempted a comeback but missed a corner dive and was caught up in a tree of woe before Maclin saw the opportunity and caught him in the crosshairs. Bey and Kid attempted to get back into the match but Maclin’s power was proving too much for all three of his competitors as current X-Division champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey was watching on backstage.
With Maclin’s opponents frustrated, Bey and Miguel decided to team up against him and managed to gain the upper hand by knocking him off the ring apron after Trey landed a hurricanrana. Miguel attempted to then go after Bey but was instead met by a quick kick to the face by Bey before Kid launched himself like a torpedo to the outside, further wiping out Miguel and Maclin too.
Not satisfied, Bey landed a springboard moonsault to the floor on all three of his competitors before tossing Kid back inside. Bey missed the Art of Finesse and Kid rolled him up for a two count. Kid began mounting a comeback but Bey landed a cutter but could only manage a two count as Miguel broke up the fall.
Miguel got sent to the outside but Bey couldn’t capitalize. Miguel failed to land a Meteora from the top rope but after he quickly collected himself, he nailed a running Meteora from the corner to get victory and land himself a shot at the X-Division title tomorrow night at Against All Odds.
-A promo aired featuring Raven and the upcoming Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match at Against All Odds between Moose and Sami Calihan tomorrow night.
Gisele Shaw defeated Rosemary (w/Taya Valkyrie)
Before the match, Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood of The Influence joined commentary.
The match began and both women attempted to gain the upper hand but with neither willing to budge, Rosemary decided to take a bite of her competition and Shaw soon found herself on the outside of the ring as The Influence barked that this was Gisele’s chance to prove herself to them.
Back from commercial and it’s all Shaw on the inside of the ring, landing a massive clothesline and rocking Rosemary. Shaw continued to capitalize, keeping Rosemary at bay and stepped outside to showboat in front of Rayne and Dashwood. Shaw continued her assault inside of the ring until Rosemary was finally able to avoid a running knee on the ropes and then began an assault of her own.
Action began going back and forth and Shaw was able to land a cutter for a two count while Rosemary followed up with an inverted ddt for a two count as well. The Influence then left commentary and as Rayne focused on Rosemary, Valkyrie stepped up to her before being knocked into the ring post by a sneaky Dashwood.
A concerned Rosemary looked on and then attempted to hit Shaw with a spear but Gisele met her with a solid knee to the face and it was lights out for one half of the Knockouts world tag team champions as Shaw got the 1-2-3.
After the match, Shaw and The Influence laid a further beatdown on Rosemary as Shaw was seemingly welcomed into the group.
-Backstage, Gia Miller was with Mickie James. Miller asked her about her upcoming match tomorrow night at Against All Odds and before James could say too much, she was interrupted by Chelsea Green and Deonna Purrazzo. Green and Purrazzo stated that James was narcissistic and James attacked them both before Mia Yim arrived to even the odds.
-Backstage, Rosemary was digging into the purse of Taya Valkyrie before happily finding a pendant. Rosemary then recited some latin before “Father” James Mitchell appeared. Rosemary questioned Mitchell on the whereabouts of Havok and Mitchell stated that he wasn’t sure she wasn’t coming back to this world.
Jordynne Grace defeated Savannah Evans (w/Tasha Steelz) in a non-title match
The bell rang and Evens immediately used her power to trap Grace in the corner. It wasn’t long however as Grace mounted a small comeback before being chokeslammed on the ring apron on the outside after being distracted by Steelz.
Both women are back inside the ring and Evans had Grace up in the air in a chokehold before failing to land a double underhook suplex. Grace decided she was done with Evans and after finally gaining the momentum she had been seeking, nailed Evans with a Muscle Buster for the victory as a frustrated Steelz looked on in this short and sweet match.
-A promo aired on the legend of Joe Doering in All Japan Pro-Wrestling and what his challenge means to Josh Alexander and the Impact world championship tomorrow night at Against All Odds.
-Backstage, Gia Miller is with a busted up Impact world champion Josh Alexander. Alexander reflects on his victory over Eric Young at Slammiversary before we are greeted to unseen footage of the other members of Violent By Design laying a beatdown on Josh after the show ended. Alexander then focused on his match tomorrow night at Against All Odds and pondered whether we would see Eric Young make an appearance during his Impact world championship match against Doering.
The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) (w/James Storm) defeated Honor No More (PCO & Vincent) (w/Eddie Edwards, Kenny King, Maria Kanellis, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) to retain the World Tag Team titles
Anderson and Vincent started things off and Anderson was all fury until Vincent made the tag and PCO began dominating the match with his pure power. Vincent is tagged back in and commentary reminded us that Vincent was the one that reanimated PCO.
Vincent nailed Anderson with a flatliner for a two count before PCO was tagged back into the match. PCO landed a massive splash in the corner before nailing Anderson with a flying leg drop from the top rope. PCO setup Anderson on the ring apron and then nailed the de-animator but could only manage a two count before tagging Vincent back in.
Vincent followed PCO’s offense with a chinlock before Anderson was finally able to land a spinebuster and make the tag to Gallows. Doc ran a house of fire and quickly tagged Anderson back in and attempted to hit the Magic Killer but failed as PCO made the save.
Vincent, seeing this was his opportunity to capitalize, headed up to the top rope and attempted to nail a swanton but missed. Anderson seized the opportunity and rolled up Vincent to get the 1-2-3 as The Good Brothers remained world tag team champions.
After the match, Honor No More attacked The Good Brothers and James Storm before Chris Harris hit the ring. After a staredown between HNM and Harris, Heath came on scene equipped with steel pipes and Honor No More soon found themselves on the receiving end of a beatdown. After HNM were sent flailing from the ring, a frustrated Storm was seen questioning the antics of Harris.
-Backstage, The Good Brothers, America’s Most Wanted and Heath shared some words for Honor No More and their match tomorrow night at Against All Odds. Chris Harris stated that he was their number five before James Storm questioned his decision. Harris stated that he was in the best condition physically and mentally that he’s ever been and tomorrow was his time to be involved. Storm agreed and stated that they began together so they’re going to end together.
Ace Austin (w/Chris Bey) defeated Alex Zayne
Before the match began, commentary announced that Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin of the Motor City Machine Guns will face Austin and Bey tomorrow night at Against All Odds.
The match began and Austin immediately took off to the outside. Zayne chased him and soon found himself on the defense before managing to land a leaping hurricarana to Austin who was seated on the top rope.
Back from commercial and Austin was in control after sending Zayne into the ring post during the break. After Austin failed to slow things down, Zayne landed a series of moves including a flipping leg drop to the back of Austin’s neck to gain momentum.
Zayne headed to the top rope but Austin managed to roll away and started gaining momentum of his own, landing a series of kicks before attempting to hit The Fold but failed.
As a concerned Bey looked on with both men down, both men were back on their feet at the count of eight before Austin retreated to the outside. Zayne nailed both men on the outside with Moonsauce but before he could capitalize, Bey distracted him while Austin tied up the referee. When Zayne returned to the ring, a hungry Austin nailed Zayne with The Fold for the victory.
Chris Sabin (w/Alex Shelley) defeated Frankie Kazarian
Before the match began, Traci Brooks is seated ringside and acknowledged by commentary. We are also informed that Brian Hebner, who is the referee in tonight’s main event, is celebrating his final match in Pro-Wrestling.
#ThankYouBrianHebner
It was back and forth as expected when the bell rang but this was everything Impact wrestling stood for and stands for. These two men helped put Impact on the map and they are main eventing tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling…
Think about that for a second.
Kazarian began focusing on his size and power and Sabin was in trouble territory as Kaz started breaking down Sabin’s body before Chris was able to begin a short comeback.
Once again, it was back and forth and neither man is gaining much of an advantage as Kazarian had landed Sabin on the top rope, and failed to capitalize and Sabin failed to capitalize.
Kazarian landed a northern lights suplex for a two count followed by a tornado ddt. Kazarian then nailed a cutter from the outside but only managed a two count. Sabin followed it up with the Cradle Shock but only a two count as well as a disgruntled Sabin looked frustrated.
Sabin headed to the top rope but Kazarian bumped the ropes and Sabin was singing soprano. Kaz followed it up with a superplex and while he looked to gain momentum, Sabin locked him into a pin attempt but could only manage a two count.
Both men were now going to toe to toe and Sabin nailed Kazarian with Hail Michigan. Sabin, seeking a huge victory over his Impact alumni, picked Kaz up over his shoulders, executed the Cradle Shock and solidified his status as one of the GOAT’s of Impact Wrestling.
Final Thoughts:
I use to download the weekly TNA shows back in the day just to be able to watch their product here in Canada.
Here on Thursday, June 30th, 2022, it amazes me that I just watched a main event on Impact! Wrestling featuring Chris Sabin and Frankie Kazarian.
I once had the honour of driving Sabin from London, ON to Collingwood, ON and back for an Independent show here in Canada back in 2006. It’s been 16 years and Sabin is as gifted now as he was back then. Kaz too.
Against All Odds takes place tomorrow night and the announcement tonight of the Motor City Machine Guns taking on Ace Austin and Chris Bey has the definite ability to steal the show. The same can be said with “Speedball” Mike Bailey defending his X-Division title against Trey Miguel and Josh Alexander defending the Impact world title against AJPW legend Joe Doering.
Do yourself a favour and go out of your way to enjoy Against All Odds tomorrow night!
And to my fellow Canadians…
Happy Canada Day tomorrow!