IMPACT Wrestling Hard to Kill: Results, Highlights and Grades

IMPACT Wrestling Hard to Kill sees Sami Callihan defend his World Title vs Tessa Blanchard. Among other title matches, Taya Valkyrie defends the Knockouts Championship against both Jordynne Grace and ODB.

Following a gnarly video package, IMPACT Wrestling Hard to Kill opens with oVe’s Madman Fulton (w/ Jake and Dave Crist) taking on former NWA Champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Ken Shamrock.

Ken ducks a high knee. Madman evades a low kick. Ken kicks at the mid-section, sending the big man to his knees. Madman with a takedown, but Ken turns it into an ankle lock until Madman gets to the ropes.

Madman follows up with a sleeper hold variation attempt, but Shamrock blocks it. Madman runs at Shamrock with a big boot, but Ken ducks it and Madman gets tangled in the ropes. Shamrock punches at his head on the ropes until Madman reverses one into a triangle armbar against the ropes.

Shamrock gut kicks at Madman, sending him outside. 55-year old Shamrock nails a suicide dive, but Madman catches him in mid-air in a powerslam position. Ken wiggles out to hit a gutwrench release German suplex.

Then, he punches Jake Crist in the face before sending Madman back in. Madman is on his knees until Shamrock kicks him in the face. Dave Crist pops up on the apron until Ken punches him down. Both oVe members get ejected. This distracts Ken long enough for Madman to take advantage.

With one hand, Madman lifts Ken off the ground for a chokeslam. Teases another one, but Ken punches his way out. Ken locks in a hanging kimura lock. Madman breaks the hold with a pin attempt, but his shoulder is visibly broken/popped out of place.

Ken advises for the ref to stop the match, but Madman rips his shirt into a sling and promises to keeps going. Ken expresses his concern still. Madman puts the “thumbs up, thumbs down” hand signal up before nailing a one armed powerbomb, which Shamrock quickly transitions into an armbar, forcing the injured Madman to tap out.

Winner: Ken Shamrock

Grade: C+

This match really exceeded my expectations. Took awhile to get going, but when it got going, it was enjoyable and I loved the blimey out of that finish. Madman Fulton looked like a million bucks at the end.

We then get recap footage from last Friday’s Bash at the Brewery show, where Rich Swann suffered a leg injury. Swann is out for tonight’s match, Willie Mack is without a partner, and tonight’s Tag Team Championship match is up in the air for now.

Ace Austin (c) vs. Trey – X-Division Championship

Trey’s mom, Mrs. Miguel, is at ringside for this.

Both men charge at each other at the start. Trey with an aggessive spear takedown. Chases Austin out and back into the ring. Kicks Austin back out. Trey goes for a dive, but evades a kick attempt from Austin.

Another dive attempt, but Austin ducks and clobbers Ace in the back. Ace tries to toss him back in, but Trey kicks him instead and hits an apron moonsault. Drop toe hold by Austin into the apron.

Back in the ring, Austin clotheslines him back out before hitting a Spaceman Plancha. Picks up Trey for a forearm. Trey slaps him in the ear. Heavy forearms by Ace before hitting a suplex on the floor. Attempts to toss Trey into the steel steps, but Trey jumps on only to get pushed onto the barricade, right in front of Trey’s mom. Ace then back chops Trey in front of his mom before tossing him back in the ring for a two count.

Ace pounds on Trey until he dodges a series of clotheslines, convincing Austin to superkick him for a near fall. Follows up with a series of back suplexes until Trey lands on his feet. Ace eventually chop blocks Trey’s leg, then twists that leg under the bottom rope.

Puts Trey in the corner, where he hits a series of kicks and shoulder blocks. Then a big wheel kick before hitting the Bang-A-Rama for the one … two … NEAR FALL!

Austin pretzelizes Trey into a unique Boston Crab before slicing his fingers with a card. Two count. Deadlift full nelson attempt, but Trey breaks out for a double foot stomp to the back. Trey’s ready to hit his comeback spot.

Eventually climbs to the top rope as fans chant “Trey! Trey! Trey!” Austin evades it, but Trey follows up with a reverse suplex, into a Dragon Sleeper. Austin fights out of it, but can’t find an advantage before Trey hits a springboard flat liner for a near fall.

Austin is in the corner. Trey runs at him, but Austin blocks with a head to the stomach. Follows up with a springboard kick for a two count. Seats Trey on the top rope, but Trey slips out for a Cheeky Nandos kick.

Trey climbs to the top again, but Austin hits the ropes to cost Trey his balance. Austin hits a gnarly hurricanrana off the top, followed by his Fold finisher for the win.

Trey walks to the back in defeat, but Austin flirts with Trey’s mom at ringside, leading Trey to run down and attack Austin. Reno Scum run out to pull back Austin while The Rascalz hold back Trey. Clearly, this feud is not over.

Winner: Ace Austin

Grade: A

Holy cow, that match was wild. Gonna be a hard one to follow up. Not just for the rest of the night, but the rest of the year. Early match of the year candidate if you ask me. One of the more aggressive X-Division matches I’ve ever seen. Great combo of story driven fighting alongside high octane lucha things.

ODB is interviewed backstage. She thanks the fans for donating to get her a new food truck, but says 2019 was a hell of a year for her. She promises to kick off 2020 in style by surprising everyone and becoming a five-time “Knocked Up Champ. Boom!”