Impact Wrestling (Apr. 15, 2021) featured Jazz officially retiring, Trey Miguel paying the price for declining Sami Callihan’s offer, and Kenny Omega slapping Rich Swann during a press conference.
The headline moment was Jazz wrapping up her wrestling career in the Impact Zone. She wanted to win the Knockouts Championship so bad that she put her career on the line against Deonna Purrazzo at Hardcore Justice. Unfortunately for Jazz, Purrazzo won fair and square. That meant Jazz was forced into retirement. Impact gave her the spotlight to close her career with class.
Jazz was scheduled for a retirement speech, so Scott D’Amore instructed Deonna Purrazzo and Susan not to interrupt.
Jazz came out with Jordynne Grace by her side. Jazz thanked the Impact family for welcoming her with open arms in her first time working with the company. She appreciated them for allowing her to go out with a bang. Jazz was then interrupted by Fire ‘n’ Flava.
Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz mocked Jazz. Good riddance and have a good life. Grace took over to set them straight. If they don’t shut up, then Grace will shut them up. A referee came out to declare an impromptu tag match was made by D’Amore.
Jazz and Grace smashed the Knockouts tag champs in a quick contest. Jazz shined in the end with a sitdown powerslam to pin Hogan.
Jazz finished her speech to officially retire. She thanked the fans for their love and support. The locker room emptied to cheer Jazz.
Backstage, cameras caught up with Jazz. She appreciated Grace giving her a call to resume her career in tag action during the Knockouts tag title tournament. Jazz thanked Impact for giving her the opportunity.
Also backstage, D’Amore was angry with Fire ‘n’ Flava for sticking their nose where it didn’t belong. Since they lost, D’Amore ordered a rematch for the titles at Rebellion. Jazz heard what went down, but she is a woman of her word. She will honor the retirement stipulation. Jazz is done. That doesn’t mean Grace can’t be in the match. Jazz has the right person in mind to fill her spot as Grace’s partner.
Let’s rocket through the rest of the show from beginning to end.
Matt Striker and D’Lo Brown were on commentary.
Josh Alexander defeated TJP. TJP flew for the mamba splash, but Alexander caught him for an ankle lock. The two men did the dance of counters with Alexander coming out on top with a Tiger Driver ‘98 to win.
The mystery vignette played confirming what we already assumed. Taylor Wilde is coming to the Impact Zone.
Karl Anderson defeated Crazzy Steve. Luke Gallows, Rosemary, and Black Taurus were ringside. After a distraction by Gallows, Anderson hit a crushing spinebuster on Steve for victory.
Little Petey Pump did Steiner math at Swinger’s Palace casino. He rambled off odds for the X-Division Championship match between Ace Austin, TJP, and Josh Alexander at Rebellion on April 25.
Eddie Edwards and Willie Mack called out Eric Young’s Violent by Design for a fight. Young denied any involvement in beating up Tommy Dreamer before Hardcore War at Hardcore Justice. Since Edwards and Mack asked for a scuffle, VBD gave it to them. James Storm and Chris Sabin ran in to even the odds. Storm proposed an 8-man tag for Rebellion on April 25.
Tenille Dashwood debuted her new talk show, All About Me. It was backstage on the set for Madison Rayne’s old talk show. Dashwood was joined by Kaleb Konley. Gia Miller was the guest host. As #1 contender, Dashwood is confident she will win the Knockouts Championship at Rebellion. Her influence started the women’s wrestling revolution. Dashwood has not become champion yet in Impact, so now is the time. She has wrestled Purrazzo outside Impact, and Purrazzo has never beaten her.
Matt Cardona and Brian Myers participated in a Pick Your Poison competition. They were allowed to choose each other’s opponent. Cardona went first to pick Jake Something.
Brian Myers defeated Jake Something. Myers passed the challenge with his Roster Cut clothesline.
For Myer’s choice, the lights went out. Lights on and Sami Callihan attacked Cardona.
Sami Callihan defeated Matt Cardona. Callihan prevailed with a piledriver for victory.
With that business finished, Callihan turned his attention to Trey Miguel. He wanted an answer from Trey about a mentor relationship. Callihan was impressed with Trey’s passion as a replacement for Tommy Dreamer in Hardcore War at Hardcore Justice. Trey should thank Callihan for being put in that position, since Callihan was the one to attack Dreamer. Callihan wants to teach Trey to harness his passion into success and rule Impact together. Trey vehemently declined. Callihan reacted with violence. Trey refused to stay down from chair attacks and an exploder suplex onto an open chair.
It was later announced that Callihan versus Trey is scheduled for Rebellion for Last Man Standing.
Tag champs FinJuice had a message for the Good Brothers. They have enjoyed the Good Brothers troubles lately, but they do understand how dangerous Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows can be. FinJuice has been on a roll during their tour with NJPW. They will prove winning the Impact titles was no fluke in the rematch at Rebellion.
The main event segment was a press conference for the title versus title bout between AEW champ Kenny Omega and Impact champ Rish Swann at Rebellion. D’Amore and Tony Khan guaranteed that there will be a winner to collect all the gold. The conclusion was Omega slapping Swann then fisticuffs breaking out.
Three cheers for Jazz. Impact played that scene well. They allowed her to say her piece with respect and honor. It was nice to see Jazz go out on top in a quick spur-of-the-moment match before her official retirement. The locker room applauding Jazz is one of those touches that enhanced the emotion.
Jazz’s choice to be Jordynne Grace’s partner is a complete mystery to me, but I would love to see Thunder Rosa walking through the forbidden door. Jazz and Rosa have the connection of running a wrestling school together as trainers, with Rodney Mack. If not Rosa, my next guess would be Taylor Wilde. I don’t know if any personal connection exists with Jazz, however, it would put Wilde in a popping position for her return to Impact. Jazz’s stamp of approval could be important for fans that never saw Wilde’s first run in the Impact Zone.
Two closing notes. First, Havok defeated Nevaeh in singles action during the BTI pre-show. This feud deserved to be showcased on the main program. Since it wasn’t, perhaps the feud is not over.
Second, I got a chuckle out of Impact suggesting that John E. Bravo being shot during his wedding to Rosemary has a direct correlation to his original turn in supporting John Morrison and Taya.
Share your thoughts on Impact Wrestling. What was your favorite match? Who stole the show? Who do you think will be Jazz’s pick to partner with Jordynne Grace?