Welcome! I hope you enjoyed the holidays since my last IMPACT Wrestling Report. A lot has happened since then, including the announcement about my first-ever book, which is going to be two books about the 20-year history of TNA/IMPACT Wrestling! Genesis, the first IMPACT Plus exclusive event of 2021, took place this last Saturday, and tonight is the final episode of IMPACT Wrestling on the road to this Saturday’s Hard To Kill PPV.
Books: 20-Year History of TNA/IMPACT Wrestling
The biggest announcement in the IMPACT Wrestling world since the dawn of the new year is my book project! Make sure to read the full announcement here for all of the details. And keep checking this new page I set up for all things related to my book project. Over the following months, I will continue to update this page as a way to provide you with a behind-the-scenes look at what inspired these books, who I’m interviewing for the project, and how it’s progressing. This is massive project, but it’s also an exciting one. Every week I’m astounded by the new conversations I’m having, and I know all of this work will contribute to the first comprehensive historical documentation of one of professional wrestling’s most important and influential promotions. Thank you for joining me on this journey. The feedback from fans and those associated with the company has been tremendous, and I can’t wait for you to read these books in the years to come.
Genesis
I love that IMPACT Wrestling embraces its history by branding IMPACT Plus events with the names of iconic TNA PPVs from the past, like Victory Road, Turning Point, and Genesis. Last Saturday we were treated to the first IMPACT Plus exclusive event of the year, Genesis, and it was spectacular!
I love tournament wrestling, so seeing the return of the Super X Cup was a refreshing change of pace. Growing up, I remember watching the WWF King of the Ring PPVs, when the event itself was predominantly comprised of the tournament matches. In later years the King of the Ring got watered down to the point where they only included the semi-final and final matches on the PPV, and, eventually, it was moved to TV where it died an agonizing death. I’m glad IMPACT made the bold move to include all seven matches of the tournament on Genesis. That’s exactly the way a tournament is supposed to be watched and enjoyed — not in small pieces, but in its entirety.
The high-flying action of the Super X Cup tournament featured IMPACT mainstays and new talent, and all of them put on feats of athleticism that inspired awe and admiration. I especially enjoyed the video packages leading into the matches, providing me with background on the combatants. This was especially useful for the fresh faces I wasn’t familiar with.
Ace Austin came out on top, after tuning in three stellar performances in one night. He took home the trophy by besting Blake Christian, the newcomer who impressed me the most during this tournament. By winning the Super X Cup Ace Austin made it clear that he’s a force to be reckoned with and that his future is paved with success.
The match of the night for me was Jazz taking on her protege, Jordynne Grace. These two women left it all in the ring and stole the show in the process. They are the perfect reflection of IMPACT Wrestling being the first major U.S. promotion where women’s wrestling was taken seriously many years ago. Since then, it has blossomed into what we see in WWE and NXT. Rather than rest on its laurels, IMPACT continues to innovate with epic matches like this one. Jazz proved that she can still hang with the best of them, and Jordynne made it clear why she’s one of the best and brightest in the business. I congratulate them both for putting on my favorite match of the year so far.
The main event of the evening was an “I Quit” match between Moose and Willie Mack, and — wow! — these two didn’t hold anything back. As Chris Bey has pointed out, IMPACT has held numerous events where wrestlers of a diverse background are either vying for the top prize or being featured in the main event. This match is continuing that trend, and I love it! I wish more wrestling promotions did the same thing. Moose and Willie Mack are two of the greatest wrestlers in the world of pro wrestling and they deserve this kind of attention. I’m happy to say that both of them took advantage of this opportunity in a big way, by delivering a pulse-pounding match bursting with passion and excitement. It was the perfect way to end this stellar IMPACT Plus exclusive event.
Final IMPACT Wrestling Before Hard To Kill
Tonight is a big night! It’s the final IMPACT Wrestling before this Saturday’s Hard To Kill PPV. What fallout will there be be from this past weekend’s Genesis event? What new details will be revealed about Hard To Kill? And what type of chicanery will AEW World Champion Kenny Omega be up to with his cohorts? All of these questions and more will be addressed tonight on IMPACT on AXS TV, so make sure to tune in!
Watch IMPACT!
- USA: Tuesdays at 8pm EST on AXS TV & Twitch
- Canada: Tuesdays at 8pm on Fight Network & Twitch
- UK: Wednesdays at 10pm on FreeSports & Wednesdays at 3am on IMPACT Plus
Wrestle Week & Hard To Kill
This week is unlike any other. It’s Wrestle Week on AXS TV! It all kicks off tonight with IMPACT on AXS TV, followed by This Is Hard To Kill on Thursday, Bad Ass Movie Night with The Good Brothers on Friday, and the Countdown to Hard To Kill on Saturday. If there was ever a week to be a fan of IMPACT Wrestling, it’s this one!
I haven’t bought a PPV since the 1990s — yes, that’s right! But I’ve been so enamored by IMPACT Wrestling as of late that I need to watch Hard To Kill live. I also want to support this great company for the amazing work they are doing. Back in 2002, Jeff Jarrett, his father, Jerry Jarrett, and the late, great Bob Ryder founded this wrestling promotion to provide fans with an alternative to WWE. Nearly 20 years later, the company is poised to launch itself to heights it hasn’t seen in more than a decade. And I firmly believe that 2021 is the year of IMPACT Wrestling. That’s why it’s so important that I — and you! — order and watch Hard To Kill. And don’t forget about the virtual FanFest taking place earlier in the day, where you get a variety of perks and quality time with your favorite IMPACT wrestlers. I look forward to taking it all in on Saturday because not only is IMPACT Wrestling Hard To Kill, it’s hard to beat!
