Category: Impact

Impact Wrestling & NJPW Announce Joint Show On WrestleMania Weekend

Impact Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced today that they will co-produce a show on Thursday night, March 30, at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles. The following was sent out:

IMPACT Wrestling & New Japan Pro-Wrestling Announce Major Co-Produced Live Show, Set For Thursday, March 30th in Los Angeles

“Multiverse United: Only The STRONG Survive” Will Feature Must-See, Cross-Promotion Dream Matches

“Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Will Ospreay Expected To Be A High-Energy, Action-Packed Match of the Year Candidate

IMPACT Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling will co-produce a major live pro wrestling show on Thursday night, March 30, at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles with megastars from both promotions in-action and numerous first-ever dream matches confirmed.
 
The show, Multiverse United: Only The STRONG Survive, will air live on pay-per-view on fite.tv, starting at 8 p.m. PST.
 
IMPACT World Champion Josh Alexander steps into the ring at Multiverse United against KUSHIDA, while “Speedball” Mike Bailey battles Will Ospreay in the co-main event that will be a nonstop fight for bragging rights.
 
The Bailey-Ospreay battle is their fifth-ever one-on-one contest and the first since August 2022, with their first-ever back in 2015. “Will Ospreay is the best professional wrestler in the world, after me,” Bailey said. “So, this will be the best professional wrestling match of the year.”
 
Alexander is the longest-reigning IMPACT World Champion and also was half of the decorated tag-team The North that is the longest-reigning IMPACT World Tag Team Champions. KUSHIDA is a 6-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a 2-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion (with Time Splitters teammate Alex Shelley). KUSHIDA is a 2-time winner of the prestigious Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
 
Also confirmed for Multiverse United: NJPW’s Jeff Cobb battles former IMPACT World Champion Moose. IMPACT stars confirmed for the dual promotion spectacle: reigning X Division Champion Trey Miguel, Ace Austin and Chris Bey, plus most of the Knockouts. NJPW will be represented at Multiverse United by KENTA, Rocky Romero, Minoru Suzuki, Clark Connors, Kevin Knight, Fred Rosser and many others.
 
Tickets for Multiverse United start at $60 and go on-sale THIS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, starting at 10am EST. Front-row seats and the coveted balcony seats are $350 each – and those prized, limited VIP seats are perk-filled, including an exclusive event t-shirt, commemorative ringside photograph, and more! For tickets, go to highspots.com
 
“We are very excited for this unique collaborative event that brings together two of the best wrestling companies in the world,” said IMPACT Wrestling executive vice-president Scott D’Amore. “Since NJPW returned to AXS TV just over a year ago, we have been looking at ways to expand our working relationship between the two brands. Multiverse United on March 30th at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles is the first of many exciting collaborations between IMPACT and NJPW.”
 
NJPW representative director Takami Ohbari said, “New Japan Pro-Wrestling and IMPACT have been a winning combination on AXS TV, and now fans get to see these two companies share the same ring in person. I personally cannot wait to see what arises from this special card, and I can guarantee fans will experience a historic event the likes of which they’ve never seen before.”
 
The IMPACT Wrestling/New Japan Pro-Wrestling relationship began in 2005 with Jushin Liger facing Samoa Joe at BOUND FOR GLORY. In 2006, Hiroshi Tanahashi faced AJ Styles at FINAL RESOLUTION and New Japan fielded Team Japan for the 2006 World X-Cup. 
 
IMPACT was involved in New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom events from 2008 to 2011, with such legendary matches as Kurt Angle vs. Yuji Nagata, Abyss vs. Manabu Nakanishi, and Giant Bernard and Tomko vs. The Steiner Brothers. Other stars who have participated in IMPACT/New Japan matches, including the Motor City Machine Guns, Kevin Nash, Masahiro Chono and Tomohiro Ishii, among others. The 2011 Wrestle Kingdom featured a World Championship title defense by Jeff Hardy against Tetsuya Naito. 
 
In 2021, NJPW tag team FinJuice arrived in IMPACT Wrestling, as well as Jay White, Satoshi Kojima, Minoru Suzuki, the Guerrillas of Destiny, and others.
 
IMPACT star Ace Austin competed in NJPW’s 2022 Best of the Super Juniors. Ace Austin and Chris Bey made the finals of the 2022 NJPW Super Junior Tag League and the Motor City Machine Guns are the reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.

IMPACT Wrestling Preview 2/2/2023

All-New IMPACT! tonight at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • Sami Callihan and The Design vs. Josh Alexander, Rich Swann, Frankie Kazarian & Yuya Uemura
  • Ace Austin & Chris Bey vs. KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight
  • Savannah Evans vs. Gisele Shaw
  • Crazzy Steve vs. Sheldon Jean
  • Kenny King vs. Johnny Swinger

IMPACT Wrestling Preview 1/26/2023

The stakes are high on an all-new IMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • Moose vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan vs. Rich Swann vs. Rhino vs. Chris Sabin in a Golden Six Shooter for a shot at the Impact World Championship at No Surrender
  • IMPACT Knockouts Tag Team Championship: Death Dollz (c) vs. Gisele Shaw and a partner
  • X Division Championship: Trey Miguel (c) vs. Mike Jackson
  • Matt Cardona and Brian Myers vs. Ace Austin and Chris Bey

Impact Wrestling Preview 1/19/2023

The fallout from an earth-shattering Hard To Kill begins on an all-new IMPACT! Tonight at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders.

  • New IMPACT Women’s Champion Mickie James kicks off IMPACT
  • Mickie James, Jordynne Grace & Frankie Kazarian vs. Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans & Bully Ray
  • Pit Fight: Kenny King vs. Mike Bailey
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Ashley D’Amboise
  • Killer Kelly vs. Taylor Wilde
  • Steve Maclin vs. Dirty Dango
  • Interview with Tommy Dreamer

BTI will feature The Design vs. Yuya Uemura & Delirious

IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill 1/13/2023 (Results)

Countdown to Hard to Kill

– Six-Man Scramble: KUSHIDA def. Angels, Yuya Uemura, Mike Jackson, Bhupinder Gujjar, and Mike Bailey.

– IMPACT X-Division Championship: Trey Miguel (c) def. Black Taurus

Hard to Kill

– The IMPACT roster pays tribute to Don West.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1614066354633555969

– IMPACT World Championship Full Metal Mayhem Match: Josh Alexander (c) def. Bully Ray. During the bout, Tommy Dreamer returned to help Josh Alexander, and Josh’s wife, Jenn Alexander also got physical. Jenn low blowed Ray and hit him with a Dudley Dog.

– Mickie James is visited by Tara and Raven both of whom wish her well in the main event.

– IMPACT World Tag Team Championship 4-Way Elimination Match: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) (c) def. Heath & Rhino, Major Players (Matt Cardona & Brian Myers), and Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)

– Frankie Kazarian announced that he officially signed with IMPACT.

– IMPACT Digital Media Championship: Joe Hendry (c) def. Moose when Santino Marella was revealed to be the new Director of Authority and restarted the match after Moose had won the championship by nefarious means.

– IMPACT Knockouts Number One Contenders Match: Masha Slamovich def. Deonna Purrazzo, Taylor Wilde, and Killer Kelly

– Falls Count Anywhere: Steve Maclin def. Rich Swann. Raven was on commentary for this.

– Eddie Edwards def. Jonathan Gresham. – After the match, thunder and lightning echo throughout Center Stage as PCO appears in the ring. PCO attacks Edwards with the shovel that Edwards used to bury him in the Las Vegas desert. PCO lays him out with the chokeslam and stands tall.

IMPACT Knockout’s Championship vs. Mickie James’ Career: Mickie James def. Jordynne Grace (c)

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1614108014667087873
https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1614118190975692803

IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill 1/13/2023 (Card)

IMPACT Wrestling presents Hard to Kill 2023 live from Atlanta Georgia on Friday, January 13th. The pre-show starts at 7:30 pm eastern with the main card starting at 8 pm eastern. The pre-show will be available on YouTube and the main card will be on pay-per-view and FITE.

CARD

  • IMPACT World Championship Full Metal Mayhem
    Josh Alexander (c) vs. Bully Ray
  • IMPACT Knockout’s Championship vs. Mickie James’ Career: Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Mickie James
  • IMPACT World Tag Team Championship 4-Way Elimination Match: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) (c) vs. Heath & Rhino vs. Major Players (Matt Cardona & Brian Myers) vs. Bullet Club (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)
  • IMPACT X-Division Championship: Trey Miguel (c) vs. Black Taurus
  • IMPACT Knockouts Number One Contenders Match: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Masha Slamovich vs. Taylor Wilde vs. Killer Kelly
  • IMPACT Digital Media Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Moose
  • Falls Count Anywhere: Steve Maclin vs. Rich Swann
  • Jonathan Gresham vs. Eddie Edwards
  • Scott D’Amore’s temporary replacement to be named
  • Countdown to Hard to Kill – Six-Knockouts Tag Team Match – The Death Dollz (Rosemary, Taya Valkyrie & Jessicka) vs. Savannah Evans, Tasha Steelz, & Gisele Shaw (w/ Jai Vidal)
  • Countdown to Hard to Kill – Six-Man Scramble – Angels vs. Yuya Uemura vs. Mike Jackson vs. Bhupinder Gujjar vs. Mike Bailey vs. KUSHIDA

IMPACT Wrestling Preview 1/12/2023

It’s the last stop on the road to Hard To Kill. Don’t miss a loaded IMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders!

  • Josh Alexander and Bully Ray will participate in a digital face-to-face
  • Mike Bailey vs. Anthony Greene
  • Heath vs. Brian Myers
  • Savannah Evans vs. Rosemary
  • Deaner invites Sami Callihan to join The Design. Callihan must have his head shaved as part of an initiation ceremony.
  • Joe Hendry, Jonathan Gresham & Rich Swann vs. Moose, Steve Maclin & Eddie Edwards

IMPACT Announces Hall Of Famer Raven For Hard To Kill And This Weekend’s TV Tapings

IMPACT Wrestling has announced that IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Famer Raven will appear at this Friday night’s Hard to Kill pay-per-view, and this weekend’s television tapings.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1613266343666524178

IMPACT Wrestling Preview 1/5/2023

Just eight nights away from Hard To Kill, don’t miss an all-new IMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on AXS TV and 8:30pm ET on YouTube for IMPACT Insiders!

  • Impact Wrestling Tag Team Champion Chris Sabin vs. Matt Cardona.
  • The debuting Anthony Greene vs. Black Taurus.
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Taylor Wilde.
  • Jonathan Gresham vs. Jack Price

Former TNA/IMPACT Wrestling Broadcaster Don West Passes Away

Don West, who was one of the most colorful personalities of the past two decades in wrestling, has died after his battle with cancer.

Long-time friend and colleague Mike Tenay relayed the news on Friday afternoon that West had passed away due to brain lymphoma.

West initially revealed his diagnosis in June 2021 with the wrestling world supporting West through a Go Fund Me campaign. Months later, it was reported that West’s cancer was in remission. Sadly, it returned in late 2021.

Professional wrestling was hardly West’s first act as a celebrity as he carved out a niche for his boisterous hosting skills with the Shop at Home network as one its lead pitchmen. His irreverent excitability became his calling card and led to West being impersonated by Will Ferrell on several episodes of Saturday Night Live in the late ‘90s.

After leaving the Shop at Home network, West got involved in sports radio and landed on Vince Russo’s radar, who became the conduit to West eventually dabbling into wrestling when NWA TNA launched in June 2002. Throughout the time period, he continued hosting a show on SportsRadio 560 in Nashville through 2008.

West was part of the initial three-man booth with Mike Tenay and Ed Ferrara, which would quickly become a two-man team with Tenay and West and was the synonymous team for the brand throughout its early years.

West was unpolished and drew mixed reviews throughout his early days in TNA but over time, his infectious personality became a hallmark of the broadcast. A famous call of an Amazing Red match saw West leap onto the broadcast booth shouting, “Go Red Go” and was a major shift in Red’s popularity in the promotion and a turning point for West among his fanbase.

Given his background of selling memorabilia, it was a natural role for West to become the show-closing pitchman to hype the following Wednesday’s pay-per-view lineup in the same way Excalibur handles the upcoming lineups on AEW broadcasts.

West was a regular partner with Tenay as TNA moved from weekly pay-per-view events to its Fox Sports Net show in 2004 and moved to Spike in October 2005 and went with monthly pay-per-views, away from the weekly format from its inception.

In 2009, TNA made the call to break up the popular broadcast team and was met with a lot of negativity with Taz taking the place of West when he left WWE and joined the company. They shot an angle with West turning heel and cutting a scathing promo on Tenay, which was excellent given West’s lack of experience shooting wrestling angles or cutting promos but it was a diminishing role for West, who was best served as a broadcaster rather than a manager.

West held various roles on and off camera in TNA until leaving the company in 2012 and taking a role with the Wenatchee Wild hockey team.

West was brought back to IMPACT in early 2017 as part of the promotion’s merchandise department and was part of the commentary team for Slammiversary that year.

West was a native of Chicago and married his wife Terri in 1992.

Don West was 59 years old and we send our condolences to Terri and all of those affected by West’s passing.

Source: PostWrestling