Category: Impact

Reported Reactions, Interest From WWE & Other Promotions With CM Punk On Open Market

With CM Punk’s time in AEW having reached an acrimonious end, many are wondering what is next for the two-time AEW World Champion, with some wondering if he could wind up back at WWE, another promotion, or if he would once again disappear as he did following his WWE departure in 2014. At least a few days removed from his AEW exit, it appears there is some interest in Punk popping up elsewhere.

PWInsider Elite reports that Punk became a topic of discussion within WWE as soon as he was fired, and the response has been pretty divided. While some in WWE look at it as a chance for the promotion to make a lot of money, with one top talent even going as far to endorse the idea, many more were said to be against it and didn’t believe it would happen. However it turns out, Punk joining WWE would be a discussion saved for later, as the promotion is currently focused on finalizing its merger with Endeavor, set to be completed this month. It is also believed that Endeavor themselves would make the call to sign him. Punk had previously worked for Endeavor when he competed in UFC, and is said to have had a good relationship with top Endeavor brass.

As for other promotions, Impact Wrestling was also said to be interested in Punk, though it’s unclear if they would be able to afford him, something considered a potential issue for other promotions that may have interest. As for NJPW, it is believed the promotion wouldn’t pursue Punk, due to their relationship with AEW. It is further believed that Punk was released without a noncompete clause, which would allow him to sign anywhere at any time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 9/31/2023

Tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on AXS TV is all-new. Here are the matches that have been announced for the show:

  • Eric Young vs. Kon
  • Crazzy Steve in Action
  • Jake Something, SANADA, & Frankie Kazarian vs. Moose, Eddie Edwards, & Brian Myers
  • Knockouts Battle Royal to earn a shot at Knockouts Champion Trinity: Alisha Edwards, Masha Slamovich, Killer Kelly, Gisele Shaw, Jessicka, KiLynn King, Jody Threat, Savannah Evans, Vanna Black and Courtney Rush compete

Awesome Kong To Make In-Ring Return At Impact 1000

Awesome Kong will be making her return to in-ring action at the Impact 1000 taping, which takes place on September 9th in White Plains, New York.

You can check out the updated lineup for Impact 1000 below:

* Ultimate X Match: Competitors TBA
* Feast or Fired Match: Competitors TBA
* Team 3D vs. TBA
* Awesome Kong vs. TBA
* Frankie Kazarian & Traci Brooks vs. Eddie Edwards & Alisha Edwards

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1696627472945557793

Report – Major Impact Wrestling Production Changes Are Coming Soon, What’s Going Down?

Impact Wrestling will be making some big changes to its production facilities at Skyway Studios in Nashville, TN, which has caused some changes in their taping schedule.

According to a report from Pwinsider, a talent and crew meeting was held before Monday night’s TV tapings in Toronto, Canada. During the meeting, it was announced that “massive upgrades” will be coming to Impact’s production facility this fall to bring “state-of-the-art production technology and advances.”

Due to the renovation, it will simply not be possible to edit and produce. It is said that the process will take around a month to complete. Additionally, it’ll take a few additional weeks to get the staff used to the upgraded system. Several sister companies are expected to assist with Impact’s production while the upgrades are being completed.

The TV tapings for the remainder of the year will undergo some changes as a result of the upgrades taking place. As far as the near future is concerned, there will be no conventional TV tapings taking place. Instead, the company will be taping TV at live events.

The upgrade process will also include less talents being used in the coming months. Anthem will be paying “day rate” talent for extra days for the rest of 2023 to help make up for the missing days.

Most of Impact Wrestling’s upcoming UK events will be taped for episodes of IMPACT! on AXS TV. Additionally, there will be a new IPWF 80s-style throwback taping in Toronto. That show will take place on November 11th at Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy. Impact Wrestling will also being holding a joint show with Lucha Libre AAA in Mexico in November which will air as an episode of IMPACT! on AXS TV.

The Final Resolution 2023 pay-per-view event will take place on December 9th. The Hard To Kill 2024 pay-per-view event will take place in January in Las Vegas, NV.

Finally, it was added that no talent releases are coming as a result of the schedule changes. The company will go back to using its full roster again in 2024.

Source: eWn

Impact Wrestling Emergence 8/27/2023 (Results)

Countdown to Emergence:

Mike Bailey def. Alan Angels

JOYA (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) def The Good Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch)

Emergence:

Emergence begins with a Ten-Bell Salute in honor of Terry Funk and Windham Rotunda.

No DQ Match:
Eric Young def Deaner w/ Kon

After being attacked backstage earlier today, Taylor Wilde is not cleared to compete in the 4-way Knockouts World Tag Team Title match. Director of Authority Santino Marella makes the announcement that Jody Threat will team with KiLynn King instead.

Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match:
MK Ultra (c) def.. Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans, Death Dollz and KiLynn King & Jody Threat

Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Kenny King (c) def. Johnny Swinger

After the match, King and Jean continue the attack on Swinger until it’s broken up by referees, security and Tommy Dreamer. King superkicks Dreamer and the fight is on once again.

Impact World Tag Team Championship Match:
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) def. SUBCULTURE (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (c) w/ Dani Luna – NEW IMPACT World Tag Team Champions

Back to School Match:
Eddie Edwards def. Frankie Kazarian

After the match, Alisha attacks Kazarian from behind with a kendo stick. Edwards calls Kazarian a disappointment before shattering a picture frame over his head.

IWGP World Champion SANADA def. Jake Something

After the match, SANADA and Jake Something shake hands in a tremendous show of respect.

Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush def Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin & KUSHIDA)

Jordynne Grace returns to IMPACT Wrestling at Victory Road streaming LIVE Friday, September 8th on IMPACT Plus, YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders and FITE.

Impact Knockouts Championship Match:
Trinity (c) def. Deonna Purrazzo – by Submission

After the match, Purrazzo congratulates Trinity on her hard-fought victory.

Will Ospreay returns to IMPACT Wrestling at the biggest event of the year, Bound For Glory, LIVE October 21st on pay-per-view.

Impact Wrestling Emergence 8/27/2023 (Card)

IMPACT Wrestling presents Emergence LIVE THIS SUNDAY, August 27th at 8pm ET on IMPACT Plus, YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders and FITE from the Rebel Entertainment Complex in Toronto. 

The action begins on Countdown to Emergence streaming LIVE & FREE at 7:30pm ET on YouTube, IMPACT Plus (live player) and FITE.

CARD

Impact Knockouts Championship Match:
Trinity (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Josh Alexander & Time Machine vs. Moose, Brian Myers, Bully Ray & Lio Rush

SANADA vs. Jake Something

Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match:
MK Ultra (c) vs. Gisele Shaw and Savannah Evans vs. Death Dollz vs. The Coven

Impact World Tag Team Championship Match:
SubCulture (c) vs. The Rascalz

Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Kenny King (c) vs. Johnny Swinger

Back to School Match:
Frankie Kazarian vs. Eddie Edwards

Pre-show: Mike Bailey vs. Alan Angels

Pre-show: The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler) vs. Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura

Impact Wrestling Preview 8/24/2023

Tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on AXS TV is all-new. Here are the matches that have been announced for the show:

  • Last stop before this weekend’s Emergence PPV
  • Impact Wrestling Champion Alex Shelley vs. Brian Myers
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Taylor Wilde of The Coven
  • Chris Sabin vs. Samuray del Sol
  • ABC vs. The Good Hands
  • Deaner vs. Laredo Kid

Impact Wrestling x NJPW MultiVerse United 2 8/20/2023 (Results)

Pre-Show – Countdown to Multiverse United 2

Joe Hendry, Heath & Yuya Uemura def. Master Wato, Rocky Romero & Ryusuke Taguchi

Impact Digital Media Championship Match:
Kenny King (c) def. Yoshinobu Kanemaru

Multiverse United 2: For Whom the Bell Tolls

X-DIVISION Scramble Match:
Chris Sabin def. YOH, Frankie Kazarian, BUSHI, Kevin Knight, Rich Swann, MAO & El Desperado

After the match, BUSHI blinds Sabin with the black mist

IMPACT (Moose & Eddie Edwards) def. TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr & Shane Haste)

NJPW Strong Women’s Championship Match:
Giulia (c) def.. Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw & Momo Kohgo

After the match, Kohgo blindsides Giulia but gets taken out with a Glorious Driver from the champ.

SOUTH PHILLY STREET FIGHT:
Sami Callihan def DOUKI 

Catch 22 (TJP & Francesco Akira) def TMDK (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita)

Bullet Club (David Finlay, Ace Austin, Chris Bey, Alex Coughlin, KENTA & Clark Connors) def. The World (PCO, Josh Alexander, Tanga Loa, Tama Tonga, The DKC & ELP)

After the match, Bullet Club clears the ring of their adversaries before standing tall.

Lio Rush & Trey Miguel def Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey

After the match, Lio Rush sets his sights on the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship. Takahashi appears to accept his challenge but Bailey is concerned because he believes that opportunity should be his.

Impact World Championship Match:
Alex Shelley (c) def. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Impact Wrestling Preview 8/17/2023

Tonight’s Impact Wrestling on AXS TV.

  • Last stop before Multiverse United 2 this Sunday in Philadelphia
  • No DQ Match: Bully Ray vs. Black Taurus
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. KiLynn King of The Coven
  • The Rascalz vs. Rich Swann and Sami Callihan in the tournament final –  Winners become top contenders for the Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championship
  • Eric Young vs. Kon
  • Moose vs. Kevin Knight

Team 3D Reunion Announced For Impact 1000

Team 3D is reuniting in Impact for the first time since 2014.

Impact Wrestling announced via “Busted Open Radio” on Thursday that Bully Ray and Devon, collectively known as Team 3D, will appear on the 1,000th episode of “Impact” on September 14. The special episode will be taped on September 9 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.

Team 3D has a rich history in TNA/Impact as they were the inaugural TNA World Tag Team Champions in 2007. Devon also became a two-time TNA Television Champion, while Ray is a former two-time World Heavyweight Champion. They were inducted into the Impact Hall of Fame in 2014 before returning to WWE for a year-long run.

They had their last tag team match thus far at a House of Glory event in 2016 to compete in four-way Tag Team Championship match also involving The Hardys, Private Party, and the winning team of Angel Ortiz and Mike Draztik. As The Dudley Boyz, they appeared on WWE programming in 2018 ahead of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame that year. Devon resigned from his WWE producer job this past January, while Ray has been active in Impact again since last October.

In 2021, Devon explained that the two were at different points in their careers considering he was a WWE producer, while Ray remained active in the ring. Earlier this year, Devon clarified that there is no heat between himself and his long-time tag team partner.

Impact 1000 will also feature appearances from Awesome Kong and The Beautiful People’s Angelina Love and Velvet Sky. It remains to be seen what role these legends will play during the momentous episode.

Source: Wrestling Inc.