Jordynne Grace is the new Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion. Here are five possible challengers for her.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Jordynne Grace brought an end to the record-setting 377-day title reign of Taya Valkyrie in Impact Wrestling. Grace earned the right to challenge Valkyrie for the Knockouts title two weeks ago when she beat both Kiera Hogan and Madison Rayne in a triple threat match to be named the number one contender, pinning Rayne in the middle of the ring with the Grace Driver.
The match – which was filmed on January 18th, 2020 during the company’s South American tour in Mexico City, Mexico and aired on a delay – saw Grace put an end to the Impact and AAA Reina de Reinas champion Valkyrie following a series of high impact moves from Valkyrie. This series of moves included a Road To Valhalla on the entrance ramp before she returned to the ring, allowing the ref to begin his count. Which was broken by Grace at a count of nine.
Grace secured the win when Taya was goaded into spearing John E. Bravo. This lead Grace to deliver a back body drop from the top rope opening Valkyrie to a Grace Driver in the center of the ring after and finally putting an end to Grace’s nearly two-year losing streak to Valkyrie in singles competition.
With a new champion comes new opportunities for the rest of the division’ as well as new and exciting matchups for fans. We have compiled a list of five active members of the Knockouts Division who we want to see challenge Jordynne Grace for her title.
1. Kiera Hogan
She is one of the two individuals whom Jordynne Grace defeated to earn her right to challenge for the Knockouts title. Kiera Hogan is the easy choice for the first title defense in Jordynne Grace’s young reign. Hogan is, like Grace, still relatively new in her IMPACT career having debuted for the promotion in the same month in 2018.
However, unlike Grace, it did not seem to take the IMPACT office much time to see the benefit of having a performer like Hogan in their ranks as she made her television début in a Knockouts title match against Laurel Van Ness (NXT’s Chelsea Green).
She is wildly talented in-ring as well as on the mic and a program between the Hogan and Grace could be a huge draw to the current product. Especially if they highlight the history with Jordynne Grace as they have faced off 15 times in their tenure with Impact Wrestling, and Hogan has only ended up on top twice.
The shine around Hogan has, admittedly, worn thin just a bit over the last few years but she is still an incredibly talented young performer who could easily have a Gail Kim style career in IMPACT, and it could all kick off with a definitive victory over the current champion.
2. Su Yung
Who doesn’t love a seemingly unbeatable monster facing off against a dominant champion? Su Yung the demon bride has recently made her return to IMPACT after being reborn as Suzie for several weeks and seems eager to return to her homicidal ways hanging Father James Mitchell from a noose during a backstage segment this week.
With her in-ring return coming sooner than later. It is only a matter of time before she establishes her self, again, as one of the most dominant women on the IMPACT roster. Su, as a rule, has never actively sought after the championship.
She’s a good monster. She’s there to spoil the night for others. Not necessarily to gather gold for herself. Until now. With her recent stint as Suzie as the backdrop, we now know that somewhere deep inside a human being. And human beings are fallible. They lust after power and accolades.
Maybe now that Father Mitchell has been dealt with for now. Suzie begins to fight against the animalistic urges of Su. Maybe we see them come together for a common goal. Maybe they choose to exact their collective will on the Knockouts roster from the top of the mountain. Maybe having a monster at the head of it all is what’s best for business.
3. Rosemary
Speaking of dominant monsters, Rosemary has had a career resurgence as of late. From her appearance at the monsters ball during Slammiversary XVII to signing a contract of protection with the former champion and finally reawakening the undead bride Su Yung. Rosemary has had a hand in the biggest storylines seen in the Knockouts division in 2019 and that does not seem likely to change in 2020.
Rosemary has not held the Knockouts title since losing it in her inaugural reign to Sienna (NWA’s Allysin Kay) at Slammiversary XV.
She has, however, been active in the championship picture since dropping the title in 2017, challenging for the title five times in the last three years, coming up just short each time. She has not looked weak in defeat though and always seems to be right on the cusp of retaining that which has eluded her.
2020 may yet prove to be her year and Jordynne Grace may just be a champion she can beat. They have only met four times in both their tenures with the company and each time Rosemary has escaped with the win. Why would the result be any different just because there is a title around Jordynne’s waist?
4. Jessicka Havok
Jessicka Havok made her triumphant return to Impact Wrestling in the lead up to Slammiversary XVII appearing at the side of Father James Mitchell. Havok, who had not been seen in an IMPACT ring since TNA: One Night Only in 2015, if you opt to omit the then-thought-to-be -one-time dream match between Havok and Taya Valkyrie during the IMPACT/Pro Wrestling REVOLVER super show in 2018. Which saw Valkyrie secure the pinfall.
She made her official return to IMPACT in June 2019 at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City accompanied by Father James Mitchell and a then seemingly docile Su Yung. Immediately staking her claim to the IMPACT Knockouts title and inserting herself into the Monsters Ball match taking place at that year’s Slammiversary which saw Taya fight off Su Yung and herself with the begrudging assistance of Rosemary.
Also on that card, Albeit in a pre-show capacity, was current Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace. Who competed in a two on one handicap match with Kiera Hogan and Madison Rayne. Just under one year later and 1 quarter of the co-main event could be challenging for the Knockouts title against 1 third of the pre-show and it might be the most anticipated match of the year in IMPACT.
5. Tenille Dashwood
Now I know what you’re thinking, “Is Tenille Dashwood even in IMPACT anymore?” To that, I say good question and turn your attention to the Online World of Wrestling IMPACT roster updated for 2020 which lists Dashwood as an active competitor.
Although she has not appeared on IMPACT television since the January 7th episode in a 6 woman tag match along Jordynne Grace and ODB which saw them go over Taya Valkyrie, Madison Rayne, and Kiera Hogan.
Her absence is certainly conspicuous but not without possible justification as a lingering shoulder injury has previously cut short her time with not only the WWE as Emma but her return to the indie scene as the female contingent of Juice Robinson’s Lifeblood stable in Ring of Honor.
While the sample size has been small over the last several years it cannot be argued that, when healthy, she is one of the most talented young performers on the wrestling scene today. The wily veteran could put together a hell of a program with the still relatively new Grace and re-establish herself as the premier Australian export in Professional Wrestling today.