Craig Ferriman@MrImpact
Unbreakable was the latest live monthly special on the IMPACT Plus app live from the Esports arena in Santa Ana California in partnership with Championship Wrestling From Hollywood and what a show, PPV quality with so much great content from the return of the legendary Scott Steiner to an excellent X Division Championship match and not forgetting a fantastic main event.
The opening match between PPRay (Peter Avalon & Ray Rosas) vs Double Platinum (Chris Bey & Watts) was a great match although it did start out with some technical difficulties as it started without commentary but a couple of minutes in the sound issue was sorted and then the match really started to take off with some great tag team action. I don’t know much about these two teams apart from seeing Chris Bey featured on Xplosion and of course Peter Avalon who’s now known as one half of the Librarians in AEW and also had a quick run for IMPACT but then he was known as Norv Fernum a man who was EC3’s first opponent in IMPACT.
The match itself was short but strong. Both teams got in offence to keep it pretty even throughout, Bey looked excellent and is someone I’d enjoy seeing as a regular in IMPACT along with Watts who I have heard off but haven’t seen that much of him, but he impressed me in this match. PPRay on the other hand were very entertaining and I think were supposed to be faces in this match, this was probably one of Avalon’s last matches for CWFH given AEW’s tv shows begin soon. PPRay picked up the win after executing a fireman’s carry into a brain buster on Watts, nothing overly spectacular happened in this match but
was a strong opener and a good foundation for what was going to be an excellent show.
Backstage, Sami Callihan had gotten hold of a camera to cut a promo about his upcoming main event match with Tessa Blanchard, The X Division champion Jake Crist pops up and is being very obnoxious since winning the x title he’s changed his look and is clearly going to be an excellent X Division champion. The audio throughout wasn’t that great particularly during the backstage stuff but was still an excellent show.
Straight After was the X Division championship between the champion Jake Crist vs Trey Miguel vs Ace Austin vs Danny Limelight vs Adrian Quest. Although during Limelight’s entrance said his name was “Danny Rivera” Josh Matthews informed us he wanted to be called Danny Limelight. Don Callis would make fun of this claiming Limelight was being a typical Millennial, The Dynamic between Callis and Matthews is very fun to watch/listen too and in my opinion, they’re becoming one the best commentary pairings in wrestling right now.
The match was exactly what you’d expect from the guys flying under the X Division banner with fast action from all guys wanting to show the world just why they want to be X Division champion. Lots of spots from the outsets with all men showing dives to the outside onto their opponents, things broke down into one on one sequences involving everyone in the match at some point. A very unique tower of doom was delivered from Jake Crist who was in a tree of woe position, that lead Quest to hit a phoenix splash from the middle rope onto Trey Miguel. Jake Crist eventually got the win after hitting Danny Limelight with the Ace Crusher. Another excellent match by the X Division and Jake Crist showing the potential to be a great X Division champion and two guys I feel are future champions in Ace Austin & Trey Miguel.
Madison Rayne vs Ayoka Muhara were next up on the card and had an okay match, nothing to really write home about but was still strong from both women. The match was more character based and focused on making Madison out to look like a heel and she’s certainly showing it plus we all know she can be a superb heel with her history as part of the beautiful people and from her partnership with Gail Kim. Muhara had a decent chance to showcase her talents and against a former knockouts champion. She clearly wanted to make the most of her opportunity, the match was put together to get Madison over
and it did just that I’m unsure what the next step is for Madison because she’s not in the knockouts title picture so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Backstage, KO Champ Taya Valkyrie was backstage along with John E Bravo being interviewed by Jimmy Jacobs being asked questions about her match tonight against Havok for the title. There continued to be Audio issues this resulted in an echo and a slight delay on the screen in the arena.
A great technical match was showcased next between Michael Elgin & Eddie Edwards. Until his IMPACT Debut I hadn’t seen much of Big Mike, but I knew who he was because of the weight his name carries from ROH & NJPW but now he’s in IMPACT a lot more people can see just what he can do.
The match was back and forth with both men unable to keep momentum in their favour which allowed the match to be pretty much even throughout. Elgin delivered heavy shots as did Eddie but to make Elgin look like the beast, he is Eddie sold the hell out of the heavy forearms just like Elgin would sell the hard knife edge chops from Edwards. Both guys pretty much killed each other, and their styles complimented the others perfectly, I wish the audio would have picked up the sounds from the vicious shots being laid in but eventually Big Mike would pick up the win. You should definitely check this match if you have time.
Backstage, Rhino cuts an amazing promo not holding back on anything. I’m very happy IMPACT got Rhino and loving this side of the War Machine a lot of swearing took place during this promo and I loved every second of it.
Just before their match began “Little Petey Pump” Petey Williams, “Thicc Mamma Pump” Jordynne Grace and “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner were in the ring and Scott Steiner was given a live microphone. Now whether or not that was a good decision is up for debate but was certainly an entertaining segment and despite the microphone cutting out sometimes I think everyone heard everything the “Big Bad Booty Daddy” had to say including a little nod to the famous “Steiner Math” Promo along with some other things that left Petey visibly shocked despite the fact he may be controversial in today’s wrestling world Scott Steiner is one of the most entertaining and talented wrestlers and is a True Wrestling Icon.
Then their opponents for the night Gentleman Jervis, Dick Meyer and Ryan Taylor made their entrance. I love Gentleman Jervis he’s very entertaining and have wanted to see him working with Impact in some capacity for a long time.
Ryan Taylor and Petey started things off and things started of technical which was excellent form both. Taylor had a great showing in this match as did every other member of his team, Jervis bought the comedy which I don’t have a problem with I think as long as it’s entertaining, I’ll watch. Some of the highlights for me was Jervis giving Grace a flower, Petey with the Canadian destroyer and of course Scott Steiner would climb the top rope up to Ryan Taylor and deliver a FrankenSteiner. After which all 3 members of the pump family would put their opponents in a Steiner Recliner and all 3 would tap out. This match did have some sloppy moments from Scotty but given his advancing age and surgeries he looked pretty much the same as he did in his first TNA run but this match was clearly for nostalgia and it certainly delivered.
Backstage a pre-taped segment between Reno Scum and one of the other teams in their match later Mack & Swann who were playing video games.
Then it was time for the knockout’s championship match between the champion Taya Valkyrie and Jessica Havok and with John E Bravo in the corner of the champion some shenanigans were sure to take place and they did. Whilst Havok was dominating the champion Bravo climbed up on the Apron to distract the death machine allowing Taya to make her comeback but it wouldn’t be long till the challenger regained control and started going to work on the champion. Bravo would get involved once again but Havok pulled him into the ring and delivered a chokeslam to Bravo. Moments later Taya rolled outside and got herself deliberately counted out to retain her title which is excellent heel work from “WERA LOCA”, but she hasn’t escaped Havok yet as Josh and Don announced Taya will be facing Havok again next week on IMPACT.
Backstage, Moose was being interviewed by Jimmy Jacobs who has been on screen quite a lot in this new role as a backstage interviewer. Moose put out an excellent promo about his match against Rhino next and Moose showed he’s got everything a world champion should have.
Speaking of A Moose vs A Rhino their match was next and was a hard-hitting heavyweight clash. It was a match I was looking forward to seeing and it certainly delivered. Rhino continues to be over huge wherever he goes and is met by loud chants of GORE!!! From everyone. This was slow paced and very story driven but it was certainly not a bad match, there was a ref bump during the match which allowed moose to low blow the War machine followed by a spear but only a 2 count as Rhino got his shoulder up. After another few moments Rhino would Gore Moose for the win.
Just before the main event the IMPACT world tag team championships where on the line as the North defended against Reno Scum and Mack & Swann in a solid tag team match with many different styles clashing together All 3 teams where excellent and looked like they could have won the titles but The North would hit one of their signature double team moves on Adam Thornstowe of Reno Scum for the win. It’s great seeing Scum back in IMPACT they seemed to have had bad luck in their first run when Adam Thornstowe picked up an injury which lead to the pairs release a few months later. I hope this is the start of a legit run as a tag team for Willie Mack and Rich Swann, and The North remind me of old school tag teams Like the Enforcers and the Bulldogs just great in the ring and know how to win.
Backstage, Jimmy Jacobs gets a few words with Tessa Blanchard in Guerrilla and she is simply focused on proving to everyone why she’s one of the best in the business.
The Main Event was A Number one contenders match for the IMPACT World Championship between to of the hottest stars in IMPACT Tessa Blanchard vs Sami Callihan. This Match had so much potential history attached to it in that should Tessa Blanchard she’ll be the first female wrestlers to compete for the companies’ top prize. The closest anyone has come as was we all know was the late great Chyna who became WWF Intercontinental Champion. The Match started pretty slow as both stood in their corners staring each other down until Sami stepped forward, I’ve always been a fan of both and want to see both as world champion but last night I was fully behind Tessa Just like the rest of the crowd they wanted to see Tessa win. However, Sami had other Ideas and out came Jake Crist who distracted the referee and after Tessa punched him off the apron, he slid his X Division title into Callihan which lead to Sami defeating Tessa and becoming Number 1 Contender. oVe were about to attack Tessa until Tommy Dreamer ran down to save Tessa with a Kendo Stick in hand causing Sami & Jake to retreat.
Tommy asked for a Microphone and would put Tessa over as Someone who embodies the passion and hardcore style of ECW. The Show would end with Tessa & Tommy standing tall and the crowd chanting “Thank You Tessa”.
That was another IMPACT Plus special done and it was probably the best one yet, everyone gave their all and despite the audio issues it took nothing away from a spectacular show. If you haven’t seen Unbreakable, I cannot recommend it enough and you should absolutely get the IMPACT Plus App and keep an eye on IMPACT because they get stronger with every show they do, that makes me proud to be an IMPACT Wrestling fan
