IMPACT Wrestling AXS TV Premiere Oct. 29: Results, Highlights and Grades

Brian Cage (c) vs. Sami Callihan – Steel Cage Match – IMPACT World Heavyweight Championship

Main event time!

Brian Cage makes a B-line for the ring, but Calihan dropkicks the steel cage door into Cage’s face. Cage retaliates by hitting a powerbomb against the cage, grazing his face, then slamming the heel back first into the steel ring post. He attempts it once more, but Callihan wiggles out and pushes Cage away. He locks himself inside, but Cage climbs the Cage to clothesline Callihan and officially start the match.

Attempts a powerbomb, but Callihan wiggles out. Bounces the bat he brought to the ring across Cage’s face, busting him open. He then stomps Cage’s head into the steel cage, then headbutts The Machine, right before biting Cage’s bloody forehead and raking his eyes.

He continues getting the heat on Cage against the, um, cage, but Cage screams and spits at Callihan begging for more. Callihan runs at Cage, but Cage gets right out of the way. Callihan misses Cage, but runs head first into the steel cage. Both men are down.

Back to his feet, Cage superkicks Callihan, who retaliates with a pump kick to Cage, who hits a knee to Callihan. He goes for a discus clothesline, but Callihan hits a slap. He hits a series of punches and kicks, then a running clothesline for a two count.

He hits a Piledriver, but Cage kicks out at one. Callihan runs right into a Pop Up Powerbomb, then a Buckle Bomb. He attempts the Drill Claw, but Callihan rolls him up for a near fall. Series of kicks, then three back to back Piledrivers. After four Piledrivers altogether, Cage still kicks out. Near fall with a “Fight forever!” chant in the background.

He attempts a fifth, but Cage reverses with an Alabama Slam, then a Discus Clothesline. The challenger kicks out.

They take their fight to the top rope. One headbutt after another to each other. Callihan with an enzigiri before hitting a gnarly top rope Piledriver for a one … two … THREE! We have a new IMPACT World Champion and his name is Sami Callihan!

Almost immediately after, his long time foe Tessa Blanchard hits the ring. The two staredown to send us off the air.

Winner (And NEW!): Sami Callihan

Grade: B

Nutty match that highlights this intense feud. Great stuff, great execution.

Overall Grade: B

A few bumps here and there (mostly in the first hour) but the second hour is filled with great stuff. Even the few bumps in the first hour can’t discredit some of the good stuff we saw in it, namely the opener between Marufuji and Alexander.

The AXS TV Era is off to a great start so far.