IMPACT Wrestling on AXS TV: Results, Highlights and Grades for Dec. 3

Taya Valkyrie vs. ODB

Main event time!

Staredown to start until Taya knocks ODB down with a forearm. Sends ODB into the corner until ODB bursts out with a series of strikes. ODB is still strong as ever as she picks Taya up for a fallaway slam, slamming Taya out the ring.

Taya’s manager, John E. Bravo, steals ODB’s flask, only for ODB to pull him to the apron and force him to drink out of it. He does and he likes what he tastes. ODB then shoves Bravo’s face into he chest.

Taya tries to take advantage of the distraction, but Taya gets caught with a flapjack from ODB. ODB pulls Taya to the top rope, but Taya wiggles out to hit a dragon whip of the top rope. She followed up with a knee on ODB into the ropes, for a two count.

ODB mounts a comeback with a series of closed fists, then attempting a running corner clothesline only for Taya to get out the way and respond with a hip attack. Two count.

Taya locks in a Regal Stretch as the fans cheer ODB on towards a comeback, but to no avail. But eventually, ODB grabs the bottom rope. Taya follows up by teasing a bow and arrow stretch, but instead stomps ODB’s head into the mat. She taunts ODB for coming back while stomping her and tossing her head into the turnbuckle.

Taya puts ODB on the top rope, but ODB fights out of it by slamming Taya’s head into the turnbuckle and diving off the top with a meteora of sorts. Comeback spot initiated, featuring a Bronco Buster and a sip of her flask.

Bravo begs for another sip of the flask, but ODB doesn’t give it up. Taya pushes ODB into her manager and yells at him for getting drunk off the flask. He’s so drunk he poses on the ramp with the title, only for Jordynne Grace to hit the ramp, snatch the title from Bravo and pose with the belt herself.

This distracts Taya long enough for ODB to sneak a big win with a roll-up. Grace and ODB share a flask to send us off the air with a celebration.

Winner: ODB

Grade: C+

In many ways, this felt like an interesting culture clash pitting the best Knockout of the division today against the most beloved Knockout from IMPACT’s past 10 years ago, but the match didn’t offer much more than that. Though it had it’s moments and since ODB’s isn’t as much of an active competitor as she used to be. Been awhile since she’s been in the ring so we shouldn’t expect the kind of wrestling clinics or barnburners she used to put on.

Just expect a nice, fun nostalgia trip (if you’re an old school, long time IMPACT viewer) and enjoy the ride.

Overall Grade: B-

Not a perfect show, no, but not a bad one. When the action was mediocre, it was disappointing, but when it was good, it was practically great.