Category: Impact

Impact Plus Streaming Service Launch Announced: Benefits For Ordering PPVs With It, First Live Event, More

Impact Wrestling today announced the launch of Impact Plus, which will replace their existing Global Wrestling Network streaming service. The video-on-demand (VOD) service will feature live monthly premium specials, instant access to their 3,000-plus hour library including past pay-per-views, original series, reality shows and documentaries, exclusive events from international promotional partners and historical content from old territories.

The service is now available on all major OTT platforms and devices, including online at plus.impactwrestling.com, iOS and Android, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. A premium subscription will be priced at just US $7.99 per month with a 30-day free trial for new members. Annual subscriptions will also be available for US $71.99.

Impact’s four major annual pay-per-view events will be available to purchase on the service. Fan who purchase a pay-per-view event on Impact Plus will also receive three months of free access to Impact Plus with each purchase.

The first live Impact Plus special, Code Red, will take place this Sunday, May 5 at 8:00 p.m. ET in partnership with House of Glory. The show will be headlined by Johnny Impact & Taya Valkyrie vs. Eddie Edwards & Alisha Edwards.

Impact sent out the press release below regarding the service:

IMPACT Wrestling Launches IMPACT Plus Subscription Video-on-Demand Service with Live Monthly SpecialsAnthem Sports & Entertainment’s IMPACT Plus service will be powered by Leading Video Solutions Provider Brightcove

TORONTO – IMPACT Wrestling today announced the launch of IMPACT Plus, a multi-platform digital subscription video-on-demand (VOD) service featuring live monthly premium network specials, instant access to the 3,000-plus hour IMPACT Wrestling library, groundbreaking original series, reality shows and documentaries, exclusive events from international promotional partners and historical content from old territories. The 17-year library from IMPACT Wrestling includes every classic pay-per-view event and features household names in professional wrestling such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, Mick Foley, Booker T, Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode and many more.

Beginning today, May 1, IMPACT Plus is available on all major over-the-top (OTT) platforms and devices, including web at plus.impactwrestling.com, iOS and Android, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV. A premium subscription will be priced at just US$7.99 per month with a 30-day free trial for new members. Annual subscriptions will also be available for US$71.99.

“Anthem Sports & Entertainment is proud to partner with Brightcove on the development and launch of IMPACT Plus, the latest evolution of IMPACT Wrestling’s subscription video-on-demand service,” said Ed Nordholm, EVP of Anthem Sports & Entertainment and president of IMPACT Wrestling. “As our subscriber base has grown, we have established the need for a more robust back-end technology, while looking to enhance our user experience and content offering. Starting this Sunday, we will be delivering a live premium event every month exclusively for IMPACT Plus subscribers.”

Brightcove is the leading global provider of powerful cloud solutions for managing, delivering and monetizing video experiences on every screen. A pioneering force in the world of online video since the company’s founding in 2004, Brightcove’s award-winning technology, unparalleled services, extensive partner ecosystem and proven global scale have powered video solutions for thousands of companies in over 70 countries.

The first live IMPACT Plus special – Code Red – takes place this Sunday, May 5 at 8:00 p.m. ET in partnership with House of Glory. Emanating from NYC Arena in Queens, NY, Code Red will feature top IMPACT Wrestling stars. The confirmed matches include:

* Johnny Impact & Taya Valkyrie vs. Eddie Edwards & Alisha Edwards
* Michael Elgin vs. Willie Mack
* LAX (Santana & Ortiz) vs. oVe (Dave & Jake Crist) vs. New York Wrecking Krew (Smoothe Blackmon & Chris Seaton)
* Rich Swann vs. Ace Austin vs. Trey vs. Smiley vs. Evander James vs. Mantequilla – HOG Crown Jewel Championship
* The Rascalz (Dez & Wentz) vs. The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander)
* Tessa Blanchard & Violette vs. Scarlett Bordeaux & Sonya Strong
* Moose vs. Ken Broadway

IMPACT Wrestling’s four major annual pay-per-view events, including Slammiversary and Bound For Glory, will also be available to purchase on IMPACT Plus. Anyone who purchases a pay-per-view event on IMPACT Plus will also receive three months of free access to IMPACT Plus with every pay-per-view purchase.

Legacy subscribers to IMPACT Wrestling’s Global Wrestling Network service will be migrated to IMPACT Plus.

Users will also have free access to episodes of the weekly flagship show IMPACT!, as well as new weekly episodes of Xplosion and other original digital content featuring top professional wrestling stars, including IMPACT World Champion Brian Cage, Johnny Impact, Rob Van Dam, Eddie Edwards, Sami Callihan, Moose, Michael Elgin, the high-flying X-Division and the Knockouts, including Taya Valkyrie, Tessa Blanchard, Jordynne Grace, Rosemary, Madison Rayne and Su Yung.

For more information, visit http://www.impactwrestling.com and plus.impactwrestling.com.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Brian Cage Talks Injury At Impact Rebellion, If He’ll Be Out Of Action

Impact Wrestling announced after last night’s Rebellion PPV the new Impact World Champion Brian Cage was rushed to the emergency room after sustaining an injury during his match against Johnny Impact. Earlier today, Cage joined Busted Open to give an update after taking a spanish fly from the ramp down to the floor.

“Right when we hit, I’m rolling and the pain shoots down through my leg,” Cage said. “It’s a feeling I’ve never had before in my life. I’m instantly thinking, ‘ruptured disc or whatever. My back is f—ed, I’m going to have to have surgery or something.’ Then I’m thinking, ‘Maybe it’ll go away,’ and just trying to enter the ring after that moment, I’m bleeding and what not.

“Rolling into the ring, turning my hip over hip and trying to get up, I felt like there was no strength there and the pain shot down my leg again, and I’m like ‘crap.’ But it felt almost a little bit better, so maybe it will subside here in a second, like a flash thing. Then I think was in the corner and I evaded Johnny, and there was no movement, like, I couldn’t. I felt so slow and robotic in my mannerisms and movement because of the pain.”

Cage then said he shouldn’t be out of action for long as he was diagnosed with severe inflammation and a bone bruise. At worst, a small fracture, but there’s not much he can do for that aside from rest.

“Yeah it doesn’t look like I’m going to be out,” Cage said. “[The Doctor] goes, ‘I think you’re going to be fine, you have severe inflammation and a bone bruise, there could be a small fracture there. I would like to rule that out, however, if there is a fracture, I don’t seeing it being any major fracture. Even then, you can’t do much more for that, just err on the side of caution.'”

You can listen to the full clip below.

Sources: Wrestling Inc. and Busted Open Radio

Michael Elgin Made His Impact Debut Last Night At Rebellion

Last night at Impact Wrestling’s Rebellion pay-per-view, Brian Cage defeated Johnny Impact for the Impact World Championship.

After the match, Michael Elgin made his Impact debut to confront Cage. Cage held up the title and told him anytime. Elgin punched him in the face, hit a spinning powerbomb and held the title for a moment. Elgin had finished up with NJPW on April 1.

As noted, Brian Cage was rushed to the hospital afterwards.

Impact Wrestling Announced New Streaming Service

Impact Wrestling announced its new streaming platform, Impact Plus, which will be available on May 1. The service will feature the promotion’s library as well as exclusive events. This service will replace their current GWN streaming service. More information will be out next week.

Brian Cage Rushed To Emergency Room After Impact Rebellion Match

Last night, Impact Wrestling announced Brian Cage was rushed to the emergency room after winning the Impact World Championship against Johnny Impact at Rebellion.

According to PWInsider, Cage suffered a legit injury, most likely to his back. The injury happened after Cage was on the receiving end of a spanish fly from the ramp down to the floor. After that spot, Cage moved very slowly throughout the match, although he was able to finish it and then take a powerbomb afterwards by the debuting Michael Elgin.

Cage tweeted out a photo of him at the hospital and commented on his night.

“Not how I wanted or ever imagined this incredible night would end,” Cage wrote. “I’ve chased this moment and have dreamt about this my entire life. And to have this be the outcome, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t break my heart.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling “Rebellion” Results 4/28/19

Six-Pack Scramble: Petey Williams vs. Jake Crist vs. Aiden Prince vs. Ace Austin vs. Cousin Jake vs. Eddie Edwards – Winner: Ace Austin

Josh Mathews and Don Callis talked about Impact Plus, a new streaming service for the promotion, which will have the promotion’s library along with new events.

Rohit Raju (with Gama Singh & Raj Singh) vs. Scarlett Bordeaux (with Fallah Bahh) – Winner: Scarlett Bordeaux

The Rascalz (Dez, Wentz & Trey) vs. Moose & The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander) – Winners: Moose & The North

Impact Knockouts Championship: (C) Taya Valkyrie vs. Jordynne Grace – Winner: Taya Valkyrie 

Backstage, Melissa Santos asked Gail Kim what made her decide to come back in the ring to face Tessa Blanchard. Kim says even though she enjoyed her current role, she says Blanchard wouldn’t listen to her and she’s doing this to teach Blanchard a lesson in respect.

Impact X-Division Championship – oVe Rules: (C) Rich Swann vs. Sami Callihan (oVe is barred from ringside) – Winner: Rich Swann via Submission

Melissa Santos talks with Tessa Blanchard and tells her what Gail said about teaching Blanchard a lesson in respect. Blanchard is tired of hearing about that, she knows about respect and talks about her family’s achievement in pro wrestling. Blanchard says she respects what Kim has done, even before there was an evolution. All of that went away though when Kim costed her the Knockouts Title. Blanchard said Kim is going to learn a lesson regret. Tully Blanchard suddenly shows up and says he’ll be at ringside to watch her match and tells his daughter to continue walking her own legacy. “You beat Gail Kim,” Tully says before heading off.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Gail Kim –Winner: Tessa Blanchard via Submission

Post-match, Blanchard goes out and hugs her Dad. He says to go back in and shake Kim’s hand. Blanchard goes in, looking like she’ll beat up Kim so more, but they shake hands. Kim gives her a hug, says some words to her, and Blanchard cries. Blanchard raises up Kim’s hand and heads to the back. Crowd with a “Thank You, Gail!” chant as she celebrates a little bit before heading to the back.

Impact World Championship (Special Guest Referee Lance Storm): (C) Johnny Impact vs. Brain Cage – Winner and new Impact World Champion: Brian Cage

Post-match, Michael Elgin makes his Impact debut. He confronts Cage, the two jaw a bit before Elgin punches him and hits a spinning powerbomb. Elgin holds the title for a moment before laying it on Cage and heading it to the back.

Impact Slammiversary will take place on July 7 in Dallas, Texas.

Impact World Tag Team Championship – Full Metal Mayhem: (C) Lucha Bros vs. LAX – Winners and new Impact World Tag Team Champions: LAX

Post-match, Konnan checks on everyone and talks with both teams. He asks them if they are going to squash this. Both team end up hugging and raises up their arms. The Impact locker room empties out to give respect to the two tag teams. LAX celebrates.

Impact Wrestling “Rebellion” Card 4/28/19

Sunday, April 28th from the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. IMPACT Wresting Presents Rebellion LIVE on Pay Per View. (Available on traditional pay-per-view and on FITE) 8pm ET/5pm PT

Below is the card:

Impact World Championship (Special Guest Referee Lance Storm): (C) Johnny Impact vs. Brain Cage

Tessa Blanchard vs. Gail Kim

Impact World Tag Team Championship – Full Metal Mayhem: (C) Lucha Bros vs. LAX

Impact Knockouts Championship: (C) Taya Valkyrie vs. Jordynne Grace

Impact X-Division Championship: (C) Rich Swann vs. Sami Callihan

The Rascalz (Dez, Wentz & Trey) vs. Moose & The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander)

Scarlett Bordeaux vs. Rohit Raju

Impact Wrestling Preview 4/26/19

Scheduled for tonight’s Impact airing on Pursuit, Twitch and FightNet.

* The Deaners debut

* Rich Swann goes to oVe Compound

* Killer Koss vs. Willie Mack

* Rosemary in action

* Ace Austin in action

* Brian Cage & LAX vs. Johnny Impact & Lucha Bros

Mahabali Shera Rejoins Impact Wrestling Roster

Impact Wrestling has brought back a former face of the company. Mahabali Shera rejoined the company after being recently released by WWE, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Shera was a member of the Impact Wrestling roster from 2015 to 2017. He was utilized well in their attempt to gain an audience in India but did not win any titles with the company. His last appearance with the company was an Xplosion match against Trevor Lee in November of 2017. His biggest push was during the World Heavyweight Title Series back in 2015, although Shera didn’t win.

While in WWE, Shera competed under the name Amanpreet Singh in NXT. He was only used during live events.

The former Ring Ka King World Heavyweight Champion is expected to appear during Impact’s upcoming Rebellion PPV TV tour.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Signs Key IMPACT Wrestling Backstage Personnel

When a new company like All Elite Wrestling comes along, wrestlers jumping from one company to another make big headlines. However, those behind the scenes have sometimes just as big an impact as a new main eventer. According to PWInsider, longtime backstage producer Keith Mitchell will no longer be working for IMPACT Wrestling, as he’s signed a full-time deal with All Elite. In his place recently, Kevin Sullivan and Michael Vedder are heading up production, with Vedder directing shows.

IMPACT is already feeling the sting of a number of recent departures towards WWE. On-screen voice of the company Josh Matthews is taking on the load of the burden, filling in for Sonjay Dutt’s duties since he left for Stamford.

Source: WrestleZone