Impact Wrestling: Results, Highlights and Grades for December 17th, 2019

Right before the holiday, Impact Wrestling offers a treat of a show featuring Tenille Dashwood vs. Jordynne Grace and Rich Swann vs. Ethan Page. Plus, World Champ Sami Callihan promises to “expose the truth” about his future Hard to Kill opponent Tessa Blanchard.

Without wasting any time, Impact opens up with Knockouts action. It’s all about Tenille Dashwood vs. Jordynne Grace. The two shake hands respectfully before locking up. Dashwood has a side headlock before Grace reverses with a leg headscissors, then she gets Dashwood in a headlock before Tenille locks in a headscissors of her own.

Grace gets out of it with a clothesline. Another headlock until Dashwood transitions with a wrist lock takeover, until Grace backs Dashwood into the corner. Dashwood tries to recover with a Full Nelson, but Grace breaks out. Series of wrestling waist lock transitions until Grace nearly puts her away with a Grace Pumphandle Driver, but Tenille avoids it with another waist lock.

We transition into some power moves, with Grace hitting a shoulder block and then sending Dashwood off the ropes. Catches Dashwood with a catch and release suplex for a two count. Tenille recovers quickly with a hurricanrana for a one count.

She sends Grace to the apron, where she nails a middle rope neckbreaker for a two count this time. Dashwood hits a series of stomps in the corner before Grace whips her into the opposite side.

Dashwood attempts a big boot, but gets elbowed for her troubles. Grace gets Dashwood in the corner, but Dashwood counters into a Tarantula Lock against the ropes. She then goes for a Double Arm Suplex.

Grace fights out of it enough for Dashwood to settle for a reverse DDT. Dashwood then goes for a Knee Trembler, but Grace goes for a schoolgirl pin for a two count. Dashwood runs at Grace, who reverses with a gnarly spinebuster for a two count.

Grace goes for a Grace Driver, but Dashwood keeps fighting out of it until Grace has no choice but to hit a clothesline.

Back to her feet, Dashwood lures Grace in the bottom corner where she hits a flying forearm. Afterwards, Dashwood hits a Double Arm Suplex for a near fall.

Dashwood goes for a La Magistral pin attempt, but Grace reverses with a crucifix pin for the win.

Grace goes to shake Dashwood’s hand, and Dashwood accepts. They raise each other’s hand before Dashwood leaves the ring for Grace to celebrate. It’s then that the Knockouts Champion attacks Grace from behind. Dashwood runs back in to make the save, sending Taya Valkyrie away.

Winner: Jordynne Grace

Grade: B+

This was surprisingly enjoyable. Figured they had it in them to put on a great match, but I was surprised we got such a mat wrestling centric match, filled with takedowns, transitions. It worked, it was different, and incredibly entertaining. Great chemistry.

Backstage, Moose runs into Rhino. As a man who beat RVD at Slammiversary, Moose says it’s a shame Rhino came up short in his own recent match with Rob Van Dam, as Moose could’ve given him some pointers. He says it’s really a shame that Rhino’s Gore couldn’t do what Moose’s Spear could do.

Of course, this inspires Rhino to Gore the life out of Moose.

Elsewhere, The North approach Willie Mack. They promise they’re not here to jump Mack. They are trying to convince Mack to let his partner, Rich Swann, realize his full potential as a singles star by leaving his side.

Cue Rich Swann who storms out to confront them. The North claim they’re just trying to help, but Swann says the only way Page can help is by going to the ring so they can fight later.

TJP (w/ Fallah Bahh) vs. Daga

Another match that starts with a handshake.

Quickly reach a stalemate after multiple wrestling transitions. Then, a test of strength before Daga locks in a headlock, which TJP turns into a crossface, then wrenching back to his feet. More quick style transitions before TJP dropkicks Daga.

Daga recovers with a leg takedown into a crucifix pin. Daga applies an arm lock and keeps it on tight, which TJP eventually turns into a spinning headscissor. Daga tries to turn it into a pin attempt, but TJP kicks out to lock it back in.

Daga gets out of it again before we get a bevy of wrestling transitions, followed by a double dropkick, then a double kip up before we go to a single commercial break.

Back from break, Daga and TJP are trading chops and uppercuts in the corner until TJP unleashes a hurricanrana off the top of the opposite corner, leading into a dropkick out of the ring.

Perkins rolls Daga back in and hits a springboard senton for a two count. Then, an arm lock into a modified arm trapped rear naked choke. Daga makes it back to his feet, but TJP pumps his breaks by snapping Daga’s arm back.

Eventually, Daga is able to mount a comeback spot, which includes a big ole sunset flip from the outside to the inside for a two count. He then puts TJP into a powerbomb position, but Perkins gets out of it. Daga quickly recovers with a bevy of offense, including a senton for a two count.

He puts Perkins back into a powerbomb position for a Tiger Bomb, but TJP reverses. Counter after counter until both men are down.

Back to their feet, they trade forearm strikes and uppercuts until TJP nails a hurricanrana into an armbar. Daga struggles to reverse with a deadlift powerbomb before TJP locks in an Octopus Stretch, but Daga turns it into a Half Crab.

TJP rolls him up for a two count before both men hit a double clothesline. Back to their feet, Daga hits a series of stomps and kicks for a two count. Daga goes to the top, TJP tries to run up for a suplex off the top, but Daga pushes him off. TJP runs back up for a superplex, but Daga blocks it.

Finally, TJP nails the superplex, but holds onto it to nail a deadlift Detonation Kick for a two count. He spins it into his TJP Clutch leg lock. Daga nearly gets the bottom rope before trapping his arm into a modified Crossface, forcing Daga to tap out.

Immediately after the match, Desi Hit Squad attack TJP and Bahh after the match, but Daga is able to dropkick them away. However, the third member of Desi Hit Squad, the massive Shera, returns to chokeslam Daga. As their manager, Gama, hits the ring, the stable celebrate over the broken babyfaces.

Winner: TJP

Grade: C-

This match kind of dragged to me, to be honest. Chemistry wasn’t bad and the mix of fast high flying action mixed with technical prowess was interesting from both parties. I just don’t think either of these guys are high enough on the totem pole to justify such a long match, especially with no real stakes on the line. And I say that as a big Daga fan. Lost interest fast.

Elsewhere, Brian Cage finds RVD making out with his girlfriend in a closet. Van Dam mentions they’re wrestling each other at Hard to Kill. RVD wishes Cage good luck, but RVD isn’t worried because he knows how to reverse his own moves.

Rob Van Dam and Katie Forbes address the “ladies, gentlemen, and wrestling fans” of the crowd

RVD says he’s not sure why he’s got so much attention recently, but he’ll take advantage of it since wrestling fans have such a short attention span.

While all eyes are on him, RVD says he wants to take a stand for giving every wrestler the crowd has seen tonight their entire moveset, claiming they all ripped off his moves. He particularly singles out his Hard to Kill PPV opponent, Brian Cage.

He says this is a dream match for Brian Cage, who is “the biggest RVD mark of all.” Cage comes out and the two brawl, until Cage takes RVD down with a clothesline. Cage goes for an F5 until Forbes low blows Cage. RVD capitalizes with a leg drop. RVD teases a Van Terminator, but refuses to entertain the “marks.” Instead, he just kicks the chair into Cage’s face.

Grade: B-

The “Everyone stole my moves!” schtick is starting to get old, but Katie Forbes is slowly proving to be a great asset in RVD’s heel role. She really makes him hateable in many ways and was used perfectly tonight. Just as the build towards Cage vs. RVD was perfectly built.

“Suzie” runs into Rosemary while looking for James Mitchell backstage. Rosemary speculates that Father James may be hiding her memory from her. Mitchell runs in on cue, urging to Suzie that Rosemary is not her friend and they need to stay away from each other.

Havok runs in to choke the life out of Rosemary, briefly allowing Suzie’s memory to surge off and it appears, briefly, Suzie turned back into Su Yung. That was … interesting. Genuinely love how this whole storyline is playing out.

Elsewhere backstage, Taya Valkyrie tries to recruit her “friends” Kiera Hogan and Madison Rayne to help her against Dashwood and Grace. They are reluctant to agree, until the champ promises that if she’s still champion after Hard to Kill, she’ll grant both Hogan and Rayne title shots.

Rich Swann (w/ Willie Mack) vs. Ethan Page (w/ Josh Alexander)

Lockup to start. Page with a headlock. Swann sends Page to the ropes eventually leads to a dropkick. Swann bounces one-half of the Impact Tag Champs into the corner turnbuckle before nailing the 10 punch spot, then a chop.

Swann snapmares him down before kicking him into the back. Swann then tries to run at Page, but Alexander grabs Swann’s foot from the outside. Page capitalizes with a thumb to the eye.

Mack gets on the apron to call out the heels cheating, which inadvertently distracts the ref from more cheating. Behind the ref’s back, The North hit an assisted Impaler DDT. Page makes the cover for a two count.

Page is in control until Swann briefly goes for a roll up. Swann kicks out before getting clotheslined, sending an aggressive All EGO back in control with stomps in the corner.

Eventually, Swann is able to mount a comeback, including his signature cartwheel moonsault for a two count. Swann climbs to the top, but gets distracted by Alexander until Page punches Swann in the face before pulling him off the top to hit a Neutralizer (yes, the one Cesaro does) for a two count.

Page sets up a Razor’s Edge, but Swann nails a series of kicks to the head before setting up a 450 Splash. Page evades it before hitting a big shoulder tackle. The bad guy climbs to the top before getting blocked by Swann. Swann goes for a superplex and gets blocked. Instead, Page scoop slams Swann off the top rope and hits a Swanton for a two count.

Page climbs to the top again, only to get hurricanrana’d off the top. Page then rolls to the outside where Swann sets up a tope dive,

Page punches Willie Mack, who gets goaded into chasing Page into the ring and clotheslines him to cause a DQ. Page raises his own hand with a smile on his face as Mack and Swann argue outside the ring.

Winner (by DQ): Ethan Page

Grade: C+

This had the opposite effect of Daga vs. TJP where Page and Swann were high enough on the totem pole to warrant a longer match, but this seemed surprisingly shorter. Could’ve gone a little longer, but good chemistry with plenty of memorable spots nonetheless.

Really digging the story elements their introducing between Mack and Swann as well. It’s interesting, and has me really interested to see how it plays out at Hard to Kill in 2020.

Backstage, Moose finds Rhino and goes for a Spear, but gets countered and the two brawl before being separated by security.

Joey Ryan vs. Acey Romero

Right before the match, Johnny Swinger hits the ring to join the commentary table.

After the bell, Ryan stuffs his lollipop and baby oil down his tights, daring Romero to “touch it.” Romero refuses, but he does goes for a lockup, backing Ryan into the corner before Ryan pushes him away.

Romero hits a reverse atomic drop, but “it” hurts Romero more than Ryan. What does hurt Ryan is a running crossbody. He follows up with a fireman’s carry, but Ryan wiggles out. But the shove into Romero’s belly causes Romero to fall face first into “it.” Of course, “it” just hurts Romero.

Ryan pulls out the lollipop and tries to jam it down Romero’s throat, but instead incapacitates the ref by jamming it in his mouth. While the ref is out, Swinger runs in and tries to get Romero to touch “it,” but since Swinger’s “it” is just a fanny pack, it produces no effect.

However, Ryan uses the distraction to get Romero to touch the real “it” and flips the big man with “it.” Ryan then puts his lollipop in Romero’s mouth and hits Sweet Tooth Music for the win.

Winner: Joey Ryan

Grade: B

Perfect amount of time. Amusing comedy match that was exactly what it needed to be.

Tessa Blanchard is interviewed about if she’s worried about Callihan “exposing him,” but she’s not. She feels like Callihan is worried if he’s still resorting to mind games.

She thinks he’s worried because he knows at the Hard to Kill PPV on Jan. 12, she is going to beat him for his title. Not because of her gender, but simply because she’s the better wrestler. She’ll be watching Callihan’s promo tonight closely.

Ace Austin vs. Petey Williams

The X-Division Champion locks in a headlock on the X-Division legend to start. Williams sends Austin off the ropes and takes him down with a back elbow.

Austin attempts a springboard kick, only to get reversed with a hurricanrana. Williams off the top, but Austin comes back with an arm drag off the top rope. Just as Williams quickly hits a Codebreaker, then a dropkick to the back.

Williams goes for a Sharpshooter, but Austin rolls to the outside. Instead, Williams hits a hurricanrana to the outside. Before we go to commercial break, Austin nails a superkick off the apron.

Back from break, Williams and Austin brawl into the corner, but Austin keeps the advantage with clubbering blows to the corner. Williams tries to comeback with a German suplex, but Austin lands on his feet and takes Petey down.

He grabs Williams’ arm, threatening to slice his hand with a card, but Williams turns it into a roll up. Austin kicks out, but can’t avoid a German suplex transitioned into a tilt-a-whirl side Russian suplex.

Austin avoids a Canadian Destroyer attempt and hits a Bang a Rama for a near fall. He sets up The Fold afterwards, but Williams catches him for another Destroyer attempt, only for Austin to shove Williams into the corner.

Williams finds himself on the top rope, but Austin hits an unusual springboard back into the ring before climbing to the top, where Williams attempts a Canadian Destroyer off the top, only to be reversed. Austin goes for another odd move, only to be countered. Another series of counters until Austin hits The Fold for the win.

Austin grabs the mic to say that he dedicates tonight’s win to “the sexiest woman alive,” Trey’s mom, who is nowhere in sight and neither is one-third of The Rascalz.

Winner: Ace Austin

Grade: C

Somewhat of an odd match on Austin’s part. Not sure if he was working sloppy or if he botched a lot, but a lot of his move attempts came off as very odd. Still, Williams (as always) had a good performance and did his best to make the young champ look like a million bucks.

Backstage, Trey catches Ace Austin threatening to break his neck if Austin mentions his mom again. Austin makes another wise crack about his mom, until Trey slaps him and pummels him before being pulled off by security. I’m slowly loving this feud to be honest. Certainly excited for a match between these two.

Impact World Heavyweight Champion Sami Callihan “exposes” Tessa Blanchard

The Impact Champion and oVe leader marches to the ring with purpose before demanding a mic. The self-proclaimed “Draw” says he’s ready to expose Tessa Blanchard as a phony, just like the fans in attendance and the fans watching at home (that one hurt, Sami).

He says he’s sick of hearing her name, but on Jan. 12, when they make history as the first ever World Championship intergender main event, he doesn’t think they should bring gender into this. He just sees this as another match because he would slap, spit on, and piledrive that woman as he would any other man.

“In 2019, intergender wrestling is just pro wrestling.” Oddly progressive promo from the heel so far.

Sami Callihan says Blanchard was given every opportunity in the world to succeed after being fathered by Tully Blanchard and raised by Magnum T.A. Alternatively, he scratched and clawed his way to the top by himself and did not need his “daddy” to ever get him a tryout via a telephone call.

Furious, Blanchard hits the ramp, but Madman Fulton blindsides her. oVe double team Blanchard until Ken Shamrock comes out to even the odds. But because Shamrock’s injured ribs are wide open, Madman dominates him as Blanchard and Callihan brawl to the back and outside the arena near a tour bus. Callihan is choking Blanchard all over the place.

Blanchard dives onto Callihan from inside of a truck and into moving traffic. Callihan then bites at Blanchard’s face before running away. She chases after him and gets kicked in the gut before refs break them up.

Grade: B+

This loses points because I expected something a little less predictable than Callihan calling out Blanchard’s legacy (when they said “expose,” I expected exposing secrets or something), but the brawl was awesome and the Callihan promo was awesome, so I can’t complain. Great way to close out a somewhat disappointing episode.

Overall Grade: C+

Impact in-ring action wasn’t as on par as it usual is (apart from a stellar opener), but there were a lot of interesting storyline developments that get me excited for Hard to Kill. Arguably a forgettable show for the most part when it comes to actual wrestling, but promo-wise, and in terms of character development, story progression, and PPV advertising, I’m excited for the PPV and that’s good enough for me.