3/17 IMPACT WRESTLING TV REPORT: Machine Guns vs. Jay White & Chris Bey, Rhino vs. Steve Maclin, Josh Alexander vs. Matt Taven, more

IMPACT WRESTLING TV REPORT
MARCH 17, 2022 (RECORDED)
LOUISVILLE, KY AT OLD FORESTER’S PARISTOWN HALL
AIRED ON AXS TV
REPORT BY DARRIN LILLY, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Announcers: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

-An “In Memory of Scott Hall” graphic aired.

-Recap video of last week.

(1) MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs. BULLET CLUB (Jay White & Chris Bey)

Shelley and Jay started the match.  Shelley offered a handshake, but Jay put up the Too Sweet and laughed.  Shelley aggressively chopped Jay, then Jay chopped Shelley.  The MCMGs double teamed Jay and sent him out of the ring.  Sabin and Bey faced off next.  Bey did a leapfrog and connected with a solid dropkick.  The MGMG double teamed Bey and Sabin knocked Jay off the apron.

Shelley and Sabin worked on Bey’s arm.  MCMG gave Bey a double kick.  Sabin put Bey in a submission.  Jay tried to break it up, but Shelley put Jay in the hold too.  Sabin took Bey to the mat, but Jay stomped Sabin to break it up.  The action spilled to the floor.  Sabin hit a dive on Jay and Bey.  Back in the ring, Sabin dropkicked Jay off the apron.  Jay recovered and pulled Sabin off the top rope.

Bey did a flipping dive over the top rope onto the MCMG on the floor.  The fans chanted “Too Sweet”.  Jay raked Shelley’s eyes.  Jay suplexed Shelley, then put him in a chinlock.  Bey chopped Shelley.  Shelley fought his way out of the corner.  Bey knocked Sabin off the apron.  Bey did some acrobatic moves on Shelley.  Sabin and Jay tagged in and had an exchange.

Sabin backdropped Jay and dropkicked a flying Bey.  Sabin hung Jay upside down in the corner.  Shelley dropkicked Jay.  All four wrestlers fought in the ring with the MCMG getting the best of it.  Sabin gave Jay a tornado DDT for a two count.  Jay suplexed Sabin into the corner.  Bey gave Sabin a running elbow and did a dive to Shelley on the outside.  Bey gave Sabin a flying crossbody block.  Bey gave Sabin a neckbreaker for a two count.

Shelley legwhipped Bey.  Jay got legwhipped by Sabin.  Shelley gave Bey and Jay a DDT at the same time with Sabin’s help.  Sabin gave Bey a neckbreaker as Shelley dove on him.  Sabin pinned Bey just as Jay tried to break up the pin.  Jay argued with the referee, but the bell rang and the MCMG music played.  Replays showed that it was a close call. [c]

WINNERS: The Motor City Machine Guns in 14:00.

(D.L.’s Take: This one lived up to my high expectations and it was excellent.  The MCMG were as crisp as ever.  Jay White and Chris Bey are both really great.  The action was so fast, it was almost tough to keep up with.  A fine match and I was surprised it wasn’t saved for the main event).

-Highlights of the previous match aired.  Hannifan and Rehwoldt were shown at ringside.  They plugged the matches for the evening.

(2) RHINO vs. STEVE MACLIN

Anthony Carelli (a.k.a. Santino Marella) joined the commentary team.  Maclin kicked Rhino at the bell and they started brawling.  Maclin kicked and chopped Rhino in the corner.  Rhino fought back with chops and punches.  Rhino charged into Maclin and knocked him to the mat.  Rhino punched Maclin.  [c]

Rhino still had the advantage coming out of the break.  Maclin made a comeback and snapped Rhino’s neck over the top rope.  Maclin gave Rhino a series of punches.  Maclin choked Sabin over the middle rope.  Maclin dropped a series of elbows on Rhino.  Maclin chopped Rhino.  Rhino made a comeback, but Maclin cut him off.  Maclin put Rhino in a chinlock.

Maclin missed a splash from the ropes.  Rhino clotheslined Maclin.  Maclin gave Rhino a back suplex and got a two count.  Rhino suplexed Maclin.  Maclin gave Rhino a gore for the win.

WINNER: Steve Maclin in 10:00.

(D.L.’s Take: The commercial took a nice chunk out of the match.  It was a standard match, but hard hitting.  It was a surprise to see Maclin win clean and using Rhino’s finisher).

-The IInspiration joined Kaleb on a sofa backstage.  They summoned someone to give him water.  Cassie said she knew Kaleb was trying to throw the belt to her during the title change at Sacrifice.  The IInspiration said they knew he would do the right thing next time.  [c]

-Backstage, Rhino was in pain after his match.  Heath asked what happened.  Heath said they were good as a team and they made a promise to win the tag team titles.  Rhino agreed that they are better together and should go after the tag team titles.  They bumped fists and were hyped up.

-Hannifan and Rehwoldt were shown at the ringside table.  They introduced Brian Myers at a commentary table next to them.  Myers had two different figures of himself on the table.

(3) BHUPINDER GUJJAR vs. LARRY D

Larry charged Gujjar in the corner.  Gujjar put Larry in a headlock.  Myers gave commentary and said that Larry D was on the Buddy Rose Blow Away Diet.  Gujjar took out Larry’s legs and gave him an elbow drop.  Raj Singh walked to ringside.  Larry attacked Gujjar while Gujjar was distracted.  Gujjar made a comeback but Larry gave him a running elbow for a two count.

Larry put Gujjar in a chinlock.  Gujjar fought out, but Larry took him to the mat.  Larry clotheslined Gujjar to the mat.  Larry punched Gujjar and raked his eyes.  Larry chopped Gujjar to the mat.  Larry punched Gujjar in the corner and whipped him into the corners.  Gujjar came back with a Sling Blade and a backbreaker.  Gujjar gave Larry a running knee and a Samoan Drop.

Larry made a comeback and stomped Gujjar for a two count.  Larry backdropped Gujjar to the apron.  They battled on the top rope.  Gujjar pushed Larry off the ropes then gave him the flying spear for the win.

WINNER: Bhupinder Gujjar in 6:00.

After the match, W. Morrissey charged to ringside and chased off Myers, who ran to the back.  In the ring, Singh raised Gujjar’s hand.  Gujjar angily pushed Singh to the mat and to the outside.  Morrissey powerbombed Singh through the Myers announce table.

(D.L.’s Take: A short match, but it was actually better than I expected.  Larry was impressive in his return to Impact.  He lost weight and had new ring gear.  Larry was on offense for most of the match, so we still haven’t seen a large amount of Gujjar’s offense).

-Mike Bailey was warming up backstage.  Ace Austin and Madman Fulton approached.  Ace bragged about qualifying for the X Division match last week.  Ace said that Bailey would qualify next week.  Ace said Rebellion was where he got his first big win.  Ace said that Bailey would have his back in the X Division match when he won the title.  Bailey said one of them would walk out as champion and he walked away.  Ace asked Fulton if that was a threat. [c]

-Honor No More promo.  Vincent, Kenny King, and Matt Taven addressed Josh Alexander and said that things have changed since he left.  Alisha Edwards walked in.  She called Taven delusional if he thought he could beat Alexander.  Eddie Edwards told Honor No More to let him handle this and they walked off.  Eddie asked if Alisha had chosen Impact.  She said she held out hope he would walk down the right path.  He asked her if it occurred to her that Impact was going down the wrong path.

(4) DEONNA PURRAZZO (c) vs. GISELE SHAW vs. LADY FROST — Ring of Honor Women’s and AAA Reina de Reinas Title match

Hannifan noted that Moose had until the end of the show to sign the contract for Rebellion or he would be stripped of the title.  Hannifan plugged the upcoming Impact Wrestling trading cards.  Both of Deonna’s titles were on the line in this match.  All three wrestlers fought to start the match.  Deonna and Shaw knocked Frost down and out of the ring.  Deonna and Shaw locked up.  Deonna took Shaw to the mat.

Shaw put Deonna in a headlock.  Shaw took Deonna to the mat with a headscissor.  Frost caught Shaw with a crossbody block.  Frost dropkicked Shaw.  Shaw clotheslined Frost.  Deonna charged Shaw and went shoulder-first into the corner.  Shaw and Frost squared off and punched each other.  Shaw got a two count on Frost but Deonna broke it up.  Deonna put Frost in an armlock.

Frost put Deonna in an armlock at the same time.  Shaw got to the ropes to break both holds.  Frost kicked Deonna.  Shaw gave Frost a back suplex and got a two count.  Frost kicked Shaw in the head and followed with a cannonball.  Deonna back suplexed Shaw and Frost at the same time.  Frost superplexed Deonna.  Frost rolled up Shaw for a two count.  Shaw superkicked Frost for a two count.

Frost kicked Shaw to the mat.  Frost gave Shaw a blockbuster off the top rope.  Deonna gave Frost the Queen’s Gambit piledriver and got the pin.

WINNER: Deonna Purrazzo in 6:00.

(D.L.’s Take: I really liked this match.  They all worked really well together and the action was so fast paced.  All three wrestlers were impressive, but I thought Frost stood out in the match).

-Gia Miller interviewed Josh Alexander.  He said he would make an example of Matt Taven to make sure Honor No More wouldn’t get in his way again.  He said after tonight’s match he would concentrate on his title match against Moose at Rebellion.  He noted that Moose still needed to sign the contract and would probably do it in the most dramatic way possible.  Alexander vowed to win the title at Rebellion. [c]

-A clip was shown from BTI of the Good Brothers challenging Violent By Design for a rematch next week.

-Scott D’Amore was backstage with the Good Brothers.  Scott granted the Good Brothers their rematch next week.  Doc Gallows said a lot of teams could learn from them.  Scott said the match would be a lumberjack match and said the winners of the match would defend the belts in an 8-team elimination match at Rebellion.

(5) JONAH vs. ZICKY DICE

Jonah grabbed Dice by the hair and knocked him to the mat.  Jonah climbed to the top rope and splashed Dice for the win.

WINNER: Jonah in seconds.

The Honor No More music played and PCO was rolled out on a stretcher.  PCO rose up off the stretcher and walked to the ring.  Fans chanted for PCO.  Jonah and PCO squared off in the ring and exchanged punches.  Security ran out to break it up.  Fans chanted “Let them fight”.  Both wrestlers broke loose and continued to fight.  Jonah was taken to the floor.  PCO climbed to the top rope and dove on a pile of security guys on the floor.  Jonah stood at the top of the stage with a wide-eyed expression. [c]

-Footage from last week of Mickie James performing in concert and being attacked by Tasha Steelz.  Gia Miller interviewed Mickie James and Chelsea Green.  Gia said Mickie would face Tasha in a Street Fight next week.  Mickie said she would give Tasha an ass-kicking.  Chelsea said that Mickie needed her in Mickie’s corner next week.  Mickie said she was grateful, but Chelsea was hurt right now.  Mickie said it wasn’t worth it and she wouldn’t forgive herself if Chelsea got hurt again.  Mickie said she wanted to face Chelsea once she regained the title.  Mickie told Chelsea to just trust her.  Chelsea nodded.

(6) MASHA SLAMOVICH vs. ARIE
Arie offered a handshake, but Masha suplexed her.  Masha charged Arie in the corner and missed.  Arie came back with punches.   Masha gave her a spin kick, followed by more kicks.  Masha gave Arie a brainbuster for the win.

WINNER: Masha Slamovich in 1:00.

(D.L.’s Take: Another impressive squash for Masha).

-Gia Miller interviewed Zicky Dice.  He talked about losing to Jonah.  He said that he had a lot going for him but there was one hole in his game: maybe he sucks as a wrestler.  He said there had to be some type of dojo or a place for him to learn.  Gia suggested a wrestling school.  He agreed and walked off. [c]

-An “ad” ran for Swinger’s Dungeon.  Johnny Swinger offered to pass on his knowledge to the next generation.  He said this is the place where fantasies come true.  Lance Storm appeared and said he had never been to Swinger’s Dungeon and doesn’t endorse it.  A list of trainers scrolled by, including “Dr. D” David Schultz, Frank the Butcher, and One of the Colossal Kongs.  Swinger said Swinger’s Dungeon was especially popular with the intergender tag teams and a couple walked by in towels.  A guy walked by in a mask and Swinger said that a bunch of Demolition mizarks were there.  Hannifan and Rehwoldt appeared on camera and were silent.  The plugged the matches for next week:

• The Good Brothers vs. Violent By Design
• Tasha Steelz vs. Mickie James

They also plugged the Good Brothers vs. The Briscoes at Multiverse of Matches in Dallas and the upcoming episode of NJPW.

(7) JOSH ALEXANDER vs. MATT TAVEN

Maria Kanellis joined the commentary team.  Alexander had the early advantage.  Taven kicked, punched, and chopped Alexander.  Taven suplexed Alexander.  After an exchange, Alexander came back with a chop and punches.  Taven dropkicked Alexander.  Taven chopped Alexander.  They battled on the top rope.  Taven dropped Alexander’s arm over the top rope and dropkicked him into the railing on the outside. [c]

Taven had the advantage coming out of the break.  Alexander made a comeback with suplexes.  Taven gave Alexander a twisting neckbreaker.  Taven went for a moonsault, but Alexander got his knees up.  Alexander made a comeback and backdropped Taven.  Alexander knocked Taven to the mat and stared at Maria at the table.  Alexander gave Taven a Northern Lights Suplex.

Alexander chopped Taven.  Taven gave Alexander a Blue Thunder Bomb.  Alexander German Suplexed Taven three times.  Taven gave Alexander the Just The Tip knee strike.  Taven and Alexander exchanged strikes.  Alexander gave Taven a crossbody block to the floor.  Fans chanted for Alexander.  Taven rolled up Alexander for a two count.  Alexander put Taven in an ankle lock.

Taven reached the ropes to break the hold.  Taven snapped Alexander’s arm on the ropes.  Alexander superplexed Taven.  Alexander gave Taven the C-4 Spike for the pin.

WINNER: Josh Alexander in 17:00.

(D.L.’s Take: A solid main event.  A good win for Josh on his way to the title match.  Honor No More continues to lose momentum though).

-Moose was shown arriving at a house and getting out of a car.  He walked up to a door holding an envelope.  It was Josh Alexander’s house and his wife answered the door.  Moose said since the Anthem offices were closed, he was asking a favor of her and asked if she could drop off the contract in the morning since they were right down the street.  Alexander’s son was scared and held onto his mother’s leg.  Moose talked to him nicely and said he was his dad’s friend from work.  He told the kid to tell his dad that Moose said hi.  Moose then walked out as the show went off.

FINAL THOUGHTS:  After last week’s talk-heavy show, this edition was heavy on in-ring action.  The matches were really good, highlighted by the Motor City Machine Guns vs. Bullet Club.  Even the short matches were good, such as Deonna Purrazzo vs. Gisele Shaw vs. Lady Frost and Bhupinder Gujjar vs. Larry D.  There was a good use of short squashes as well.  A good show from top to bottom.  The closing angle was very effective and everyone played their part well.