8/20 IMPACT WRESTLING EMERGENCE PPV REPORT: Christian Cage vs. Brian Myers for the Impact World Championship, Cardona vs. Raju, Josh Alexander vs. Jake Something, more

BY DARRIN LILLY, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

PHOTO CREDIT: Impact Wrestling

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...

IMPACT WRESTLING EMERGENCE 2021 PPV REPORT
AUGUST 20, 2021
NASHVILLE, TENN. AT SKYWAY STUDIOS
AIRED LIVE ON FITE TV
REPORT BY DARRIN LILLY, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Commentators: Matt Striker and D-Lo Brown

-Intro video previewing the matches for tonight.

(1) MATT CARDONA (w/Chelsea Green) vs. ROHIT RAJU (w/Shera)

Rohit stalled early. A shoulder tackle from Cardona forced Rohit out of the ring. Fans chanted “Always ready” for Cardona. Cardona caught Rohit with a dropkick then a clothesline over the top rope. The action spilled to the floor with Cardona getting the best of it. Cardona and Shera had a stare down. Rohit stomped Cardona as he got back in the ring. Cardona missed a dive to the outside. Shera attacked Cardona while he was down.

Back in the ring, Rohit stomped Cardona. Rohit threw Cardona out of the ring. Shera clotheslined Cardona. Rohit delivered a series of kicks to Cardona. Rohit had Cardona in a chin lock. Rohit clotheslined Cardona in the back of the head, then put on an armbar. Cardona made a comeback with a neckbreaker. They traded punches. Cardona hit Rohit with a clothesline and booted him on the outside.

Cardona went for a splash, but Rohit got his knees up. Rohit hit a series of moves on Cardona. Rohit missed a cannonball. Cardona landed a boot to Rohit in the corner. Rohit avoided Radio Silence and applied a crossface submission. Cardona got out. Cardona connected with a dropkick from the second rope, followed by a cutter. Rohit went for a pin, but the referee saw that his feet were on the ropes. While Rohit was distracted, Cardona hit the Radio Silence for the pin.

WINNER: Matt Cardona in 12:00.

Shera attacked Cardona after the match. Chelsea got in the ring and got in Shera’s face. Rohit and Shera left the ring and went up the ramp.

(D.L.’s Take: Good back and forth action and the crowd was into it. Good way to start the show.)

-D’Lo and Striker appeared on camera and ran down the matches for the show.

(2) TASHA STEELZ & SAVANNAH EVANS & FALLAH BAHH & NO WAY vs. DECAY (Rosemary & Havok & Black Taurus & Crazzy Steve)

Bahh and No Way entered the ring with a conga line and danced to the ring. Rosemary and Tasha started the action. Fans were loudly chanting for Rosemary. They also chanted “Bite her face off”. Tasha tagged to Evans before they could even lock up. Evans booted Rosemary, who tagged to Steve. Steve bit Evans’ face. Bahh and Steve went at it. Taurus took Bahh down and head-butted him. Bahh got bit in the corner by Rosemary, Havok, and Steve. Fans chanted “Tastes like Bahh”.

Rosemary took another boot from Evans. Evans took control of Rosemary. Tasha punched Rosemary in the corner. Evans slammed Rosemary then missed a leg drop. Tasha tagged back in and stomped Rosemary. Havok made the tag and hit a flurry of moves on Tasha. Tasha and Havok went nose to nose, then exchanged punches. Havok got Evans off her feet, but Tasha ran in and attacked Havok. No Way and Steve had an exchange.

No Way suplexed Steve. Bahh missed an elbow drop. Taurus hit a twisting crossbody block on Bahh. Taurus and Rosemary hit a double spear on Bahh, leading to Taurus getting the pin.

WINNERS: Decay in 9:00.

(D.L.’s Take: A fine match with lots of comedy mixed in. This was the in-ring debut for Evans and she was impressive. The dynamics were a little confusing with the face team of Bahh & No Way teaming with the heel unit of Tasha & Evans.)

-Violent By Design promo. Eric Young talked about the sickness creeping in again. He said that Joe Doering showed last night how tough he was against Doc Gallows. He said they have re-emerged and the World Tag Team Titles belong to them.

(3) PETEY WILLIAMS vs. STEVE MACLIN

They brawled in the aisle to start the match, then took the fight to ringside. Petey got a leaping DDT on Maclin. Petey dropkicked Maclin on the outside then dove on him. Petey fought Maclin on the ramp. They fought around ringside. Maclin powerbombed Petey on the ring apron. Maclin suplexed Petey on the floor. Back in the ring, they battled back and forth. Maclin punched and kicked Petey. Petey rolled Maclin up for a two count, but Maclin quickly rebounded with a clothesline, slaps, and punches.

Maclin continued to dominate. Petey fought back with punches. Petey got a Russian Leg Sweep on Maclin. Petey connected with a running knee. Maclin hit a double underhook backbreaker. Petey made a comeback. Maclin hung up Petey in the corner and charged him. Petey had Maclin in a sharpshooter, but Maclin bit his wrist to get out of it. Maclin used a low blow, followed by a suplex to get the pin.

WINNER: Steve Maclin in 10:00.

(D.L.’s Take: It was good to see Maclin against better competition, after doing squash matches since his debut. These two worked well together and had a good match. Maclin showed good intensity and Petey is always solid.)

-Gia Miller interviewed Taylor Wilde. Taylor talked about her history with Madison Rayne and said she was ready for tonight.

-Video package about the Taylor Wilde feud with Tenille Dashwood and Madison Rayne.

(4) TAYLOR WILDE vs. MADISON RAYNE (w/Tenille Dashwood & Kaleb with a K)

Wilde and Rayne locked up to start the match. Wilde got the best of the exchanges. Rayne regrouped on the floor. Wilde hit a dive on Kaleb. Back in the ring, Rayne had the advantage. Taylor made a comeback with clotheslines. Taylor hit a bridging suplex but Kaleb interfered. Tenille interfered behind the referee’s back, leading to Rayne rolling up Wilde for the pin.

WINNER: Madison Rayne in 8:00.

(D.L.’s Take: It was cool to see Madison Rayne back in action. The match was short, but what we saw was good. This feud looks to continue.)

-Gia Miller interviewed The Good Brothers. Doc sold his injuries from his match with Joe Doering. Anderson said they would show why they are the best team in the world. Doc said his shoulder hurts, but there’s a chip on it. He said they would get the Magic Killer for the win.

-Video package about the wrestlers in the #1 contenders match.

(5) MOOSE vs. ACE AUSTIN (w/Madman Fulton) vs. CHRIS SABIN vs. SAMI CALLIHAN

This match was to determine a new number one contender for the Impact World Title. All four men fought at the start. Sami and Ace battled in the ring. Sami put Ace in a Death Valley Driver to the corner. Sami kicked Fulton on the outside. Moose booted Sami to the floor. Moose and Sabin squared off in the ring. Sabin chopped Moose and got him with a superkick. Moose threw Sabin over the top rope onto Ace and Sami.

Ace hit a dive to the outside on his three opponents. Moose powerbombed Ace on the ring apron. The action returned to the ring, with Moose in control. Sabin dropkicked Moose off the top rope, followed by a dive to the outside on Sami and Ace. Sabin DDT’d Moose. Ace got offense on Sabin and Moose. Ace got a neckbreaker on Sami. Sami got a piledriver on Ace for a two count. All four wrestlers fought in the ring and exchanged moves. At one point, all four wrestlers were down. The fans chanted “This is awesome”.

Sabin and Sami exchanged chops. Sami got a piledriver on Sami. Moose slammed Ace twice. Sami hit Moose with a chair. Ace rolled up Moose and pulled his tights to get the win.

WINNER: Ace Austin in 11:00.

(D.L.’s Take: Fun match with good action throughout. Ace will add some fresh excitement to the title picture.)

-Gia Miller interviewed Brian Myers with Sam Beale. Myers talked about Christian Cage’s “Out Work Everyone” shirt. He talked about his own “The most professional wrestler shirt”. He said the only thing he’s been missing in his career is the world title. He said Christian would walk away tonight without his world title.

-Video package focusing on Josh Alexander.

(6) JOSH ALEXANDER (c) vs. JAKE SOMETHING- Impact Wrestling X Division Title Match

After some initial action, Alexander took Jake to the mat, but Jake used his power to escape. Fans chanted “Walking Weapon”. Alexander went for an ankle lock, but Josh powered out. Jake charged Alexander in the corner. Alexander suplexed Jake and connected with a knee drop. Alexander stomped and punched Jake. Jake fired up but Alexander cut him off with a back elbow. Jake took Alexander down with a running splash.

The action went to the floor and they traded punches and chops. Alexander kicked Jake coming back in the ring. Jake caught Alexander on the outside and gave him a Death Valley Driver on the floor. Fans chanted “This is awesome” and “This is Something”. Jake punched Alexander. Jake got a two count, but Alexander reached the ropes. They traded punches. Jake suplexed Alexander and got a two count. Alexander made a comeback. Both wrestlers exchanged punches. Alexander got ten German suplexes on Jake. Jake kicked out at two after a pin attempt.

Jake backdropped Alexander. Alexander went for the ankle lock but Jake kicked him off to the floor. Jake hit a big dive over the top rope to the outside on Alexander. In the ring, Jake got a Falcon Arrow suplex on Alexander. Fans chanted “X Division”. Alexander landed a clothesline to the back of Jake’s head and a slam. Jake got a belly-to-belly suplex on Alexander. Jake clotheslined Alexander, then charged him in the corner.

Alexander took Jake to the mat and got him in an ankle lock. Jake reached the ropes to break the hold. Alexander booted Jake to the outside. Alexander hit a piledriver to Jake on the ring apron. Jake beat the count to get in the ring. Alexander took the straps down on his singlet. Jake powerbombed Alexander. Alexander recovered and got the piledriver on Jake for the pin and the victory.

WINNER: Josh Alexander in 18:00.

Alexander and Jake shook hands after the match.

(D.L.’s Take: Alexander’s streak of good X Division matches continues. This was an excellent back and forth match and really picked up at the end. Jake was a unique X Division challenger due to his size and he really shined. It’s good to see him in higher profile matches.)

-Gia Miller interviewed Deonna Purrazzo and The Drama King, Matthew Rehwoldt. Rehwoldt said that Trey Miguel was trying to live out a childhood dream by teaming with Melina. Deonna said tonight was her night, which is unfortunate for Melina. She said it was just a preview for what would happen at NWA Empower. The Drama King predicted a victory.

-Video package on the Deonna/Drama King vs. Trey Miguel/Melina feud.

(7) TREY MIGUEL & MELINA vs. MATTHEW REHWOLDT & DEONNA PURRAZZO

Melina did the splits to get in the ring. Trey attempted to do it and failed. Melina and Deonna started the match. Fans chanted for Melina. Another chant started for Deonna. Melina had Deonna in an armlock. Trey came off the ropes to maintain the armlock on Deonna. Rehwoldt tagged in. Trey used his speed and dropkicked Rehwoldt. Trey slammed Melina onto Rehwoldt. Melina had Rehwoldt in a front face lock. Melina fought out of the corner, but Deonna pulled her hair.

Rehwoldt charged Melina in the corner. Deonna tagged in and got the advantage. Rehwoldt interfered behind the referee’s back. Fans chanted for Melina. Deonna had Melina in a wrist lock. Rehwoldt had Melina in a chin lock and taunted her. Rehwoldt prevented Melina from making a tag. Deonna punched Melina and took her to the mat. Melina finally made the hot tag to Trey, who ran wild on Rehwoldt. Trey went to slam Melina onto Rehwoldt, but Rehwoldt moved. Deonna and Rehwoldt double teamed Melina. Melina made a comeback on Deonna.

Melina got a two count on Rehwoldt. Deonna attacked Melina from the outside. Rehwoldt rolled up Melina and got the pinfall.

WINNERS: Deonna Purrazzo & Matthew Rehwoldt in 10:00.

(D.L.’s Take: Basic tag match, but the fans were really into it. Most of the match was Melina selling.)

-Gia Miller interviewed Christian Cage. Cage said he works well under pressure. He said he’s been in Myers’s position before and this is the chance to change his fortunes, but it won’t happen tonight. He said Myers would find out he’s not on Cage’s level.

(8) THE GOOD BROTHERS (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) (c) vs. JOE DOERING & RHINO (w/Eric Young & Deaner) vs. RICH SWANN & WILLIE MACK- Impact Wrestling Tag Team Title Match

Doering and Doc exchanged punches to start the match. Doc sent Doering to the floor. Mack tagged in and slid into Doering on the floor. Back in the ring, Mack kicked Doering. Doering suplexed Mack. Rhino tagged in. Mack and Swann double teamed Rhino. Doc and Swann battled. The Good Brothers tagged in and out to keep the advantage on Swann. Doering slammed and elbow dropped Swann. Rhino stomped and punched Swann. Doering booted Swann.

Swann made a comeback on Rhino, but Rhino cut it off with a thumb to the eye. Anderson knocked Mack off the ring apron. Anderson put Swann in a leg lock. Swann kicked Anderson and finally made the hot tag to Mack. Mack hit a series of moves on Doc and Anderson. Swann did a flip on Doering on the outside. Mack hit a stunner on Anderson. Rhino knocked Mack off the top rope. Rhino fought with Doc but got rolled up by Anderson for the pinfall.

WINNERS: The Good Brothers in 11:00.

Violent by Design stayed in the ring afterwards and were upset at losing.

(D.L.’s Take: Solid tag team action. The end hinted at dissension between Violent By Design.)

-D’Lo and Striker appeared on camera to discuss the main event.

-Video package focusing on Brian Myers and Christian Cage.

(9) CHRISTIAN CAGE (c) vs. BRIAN MYERS (w/Sam Beale)—Impact Wrestling World Title Match

Dave Penzer made the in-ring introductions. Fans chanted for Cage. Cage and Myers wrestled on the mat. Myers regrouped in the corner after another exchange. Myers took over with a series of punches and stomps. Cage caught Myers with a kick. Cage charged, but Myers bailed out of the ring. Cage and Myers fought at ringside. Cage threw Myers back in the ring. Cage chased Beale, who ran into the ring steps. Myers attacked Cage from behind.

Myers had the upper hand when the action returned to the ring. Myers had Cage in a chin lock. Cage battled back with punches. Myers tripped Cage from the outside. Myers stomped Cage and put him in a chin lock. Myers connected with a kick to the head and a DDT for a two count. Myers missed an elbow drop. Cage and Myers exchanged punches. Cage landed a series of punches in the corner as the fans counted along. Cage hit a dropkick off the ropes.

Cage stayed on the attack. Cage dropkicked Beale off the ring apron. Myers caught Cage with a spear and got a two count. Cage got a tornado DDT for a two count. Cage caught Myers with a spear, followed by the Killswitch for the win.

WINNER: Christian Cage in 12:00.

(D.L.’s Take: The result was never really in doubt, but it was an enjoyable match. A Christian vs. Ace Austin feud is next and should be fun.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: Solid show from top to bottom. Not the most newsworthy show, but the in-ring action was good. The best matches were Josh Alexander vs. Jake Something and Christian Cage vs. Brian Myers. You can always count on the Impact Plus specials to deliver a fun night of entertainment.


CATCH-UP: 8/19 IMPACT WRESTLING TV REPORT: Christian Cage addresses becoming world champion, Melina vs. Lauren, final Emergence hype, more

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