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Impact Sacrifice Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 13
March 14, 2021Impact Sacrifice Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from March 13
History was made Saturday night as Impact Wrestling presented Sacrifice, a live event special with a blockbuster main event pitting Impact world champion Rich Swann against TNA world champion Moose, with both of their titles at stake.
Adding higher stakes? The unified champion will then battle Kenny Omega in a Winner Takes All Match at Rebellion in April.
That contest headlined a show that saw the company's most coveted championships up for grabs.
Which stars emerged victorious, who built momentum en route to the upcoming spectacular and was it Swann or Moose who etched his name into the history books with a career-defining victory?
Find out with this recap of Saturday's event.
Decay vs. Reno Scum
Sacrifice kicked off with tag team action pitting Decay's Black Taurus and Crazzy Steve, accompanied by Rosemary, against Reno Scum's Adam Thornstowe and Luster the Legend.
Decay dominated the early moments of the match until Luster and Thornstowe downed Taurus, with the latter delivering a picture-perfect double stomp and senton. A standing moonsault continued the veteran heels' momentum.
Taurus finally created separation and made the tag to Steve, who exploded into the match and teed off on Thornstowe, dropping him with a flatliner. He fought out of a fireman's carry and tagged Taurus back into the match.
The action broke down, climaxing with Rosemary spitting green mist in Luster's eyes and Taurus pinning Thornstowe following a fisherman's driver for the hard-fought victory.
Result
Decay defeated Reno Scum.
Grade
C
Analysis
Decay is the perfect opening match act for Impact Wrestling.
And that is not an insult by any means. In the Attitude Era, The Godfather was WWE's go-to in that opening slot because he was an over character who could bring a certain charisma and energy to the show. Decay is Impact's Godfather.
Steve and Rosemary have been around for a long time, have been consistently over as part of that group, and recently added the physically impressive Taurus to freshen things up.
The match itself was formulaic, sure, but it gave viewers a taste of things to come. And most importantly, the right guy went over in Taurus earning the win for his team.
A fun, energetic, and inoffensive start to the show with solid work by both teams.
Havok and Nevaeh vs. Tenille Dashwood and Kaleb
Trying to re-establish their dominance in tag team action after doubts nearly led to their breakup, Nevaeh and Havok battled Tenille Dashwood and her social media manager, Kaleb, in Mixed Tag Team match action.
Nevaeh and Havok overpowered the opposition early, but Dashwood and Kaleb worked over Nevaeh to wrestle control of the bout in their favor. The heels cut off the ring from Nevaeh, grounding her and preventing her from tagging in the fresher Havok.
Havok tagged into the match and unleashed hell, running over Kaleb and working with Nevaeh to down Dashwood.
With Havok momentarily and inadvertently distracting the official, Kaleb reversed a Nevaeh rollup, allowing Dashwood to steal the win.
Result
Dashwood and Kaleb defeated Havok and Nevaeh.
Grade
C-
Analysis
There wasn't much to this one. Nor was there meant to be.
This was a match designed to get us to the finish, with Havok accidentally providing the distraction that cost Nevaeh the win. Certainly, there will be questions about the future of the team. Will it lead to an irreconcilable breakup, or is there still hope of a permanent reunion?
It is the sort of undercard storyline Impact is great at putting together, highlighting everyone on its roster and giving them all something to do, even when they are not at the forefront of their division.
James Storm and Chris Sabin vs. Violent By Design
"Cowboy" James Storm and Chris Sabin may have been cornerstones of Impact Wrestling's long history, but they found themselves on the defensive Saturday night when they battled Violent By Design's Joe Doering and Deaner in tag team action. Jake Something, a familiar foe of VBD, accompanied Storm and Sabin, while Eric Young watched his proteges from ringside.
A big double clothesline by Doering ended the early offensive by Storm and Sabin and put Cowboy on the defensive. The heels beat down the beer-drinking badass until a hot tag to Sabin turned things around for the babyfaces.
Sabin delivered a fisherman buster to Deaner, and Storm added a top-rope elbow drop. Moments later, the heels answered, with Doering bowling over the Motor City Machine Gun before Deaner added a headbutt. Sabin kicked out to the dismay of his opponent and Young.
A referee bump occurred, and both Young and Something got involved. Still, in the closing moments of the match, Sabin was in a position to earn the win when Rhino hit the ring and wiped out his fellow Michigander with a Gore.
Deaner picked up the pinfall victory from there, and it appears The Man Beast had joined Violent By Design.
Result
Violent By Design defeated Storm and Sabin.
Grade
B-
Analysis
The match was the best of the night thus far, thanks in large part to the developing chemistry between Deaner and Doering, not to mention the veteran presence of their opponents.
For a 39-year-old competitor who has undergone countless knee surgeries, Sabin moves faster and more fluidly than most wrestlers you will see on television. He is fantastic, a great worker whose talent between the ropes has never been in question.
The twist involving Rhino was a nice touch, especially given his history with VBD, and it should make for some interesting television in the coming weeks.
Even more so when Heath returns to the ring, ready to avenge the beating by the group.
Hold Harmless Match: Eddie Edwards vs. Brian Myers
The rivalry between "The Most Professional Wrestler" Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards culminated Saturday in a Hold Harmless match, meaning no one involved was at fault for any injury incurred during it.
Myers weathered the Edwards storm early, wearing him down and working him over with a ground-based attack, sometimes adding a trash can lid to beating. Myers introduced a street sign and steel chairs to the festivities, looking to punish Edwards. The former world champion used the weapons against him, delivering a superplex that drove Myers into a pile of chairs.
Edwards retrieved a table from under the ring and set it up on the arena floor. Before he could use it, he dove through the ropes at an interfering Hernandez, only to find himself in the massive grip of Big Mex. Matt Cardona made the save and pounded away at the big man, leaving Edwards to focus on his opponent.
Myers suckered in his opponent, driving him into the edge of the table. He delivered a flatliner on the entrance ramp. Edwards caught him up top, though, and delivered a backpack stunner off the apron and through the aforementioned table.
As Myers attempted to use a load up his elbow pad for an assisted Roster Cut, Edwards blasted him with a trash can lid, followed with an underhook powerbomb, to put down the artist formerly known as Curt Hawkins with a loaded Boston Knee Party for the win.
Result
Edwards defeated Myers.
Grade
B
Analysis
Edwards put away the rivalry with Myers in time for a higher-profile role on the upcoming Rebellion pay-per-view.
As a former world champion, he gave Myers his first real program in Impact and helped elevate The Most Professional Wrestler in the process. Myers is headed toward a much-hyped grudge match with former tag team partner and best friend Cardona, a spot that suits him at this point in his Impact run.
This was a hard-hitting match with great spots, including the backpack stunner that had to do as much damage to Edwards' tailbone as it did to Myers. The finish was a nice play on Myers using the same foreign object to win as he has in the past. Kudos to the competitors for remembering and incorporating in this one.
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match: Jordynne Grace and Jazz vs. Fire N Flava
The Knockouts Tag Team Championship were up for grabs next, as Fire N Flava's Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz defended against Jordynne Grace and Jazz.
The challengers set the pace early as Grace overpowered both opponents. The champions turned the tide, momentarily grounding Grace and working her over. A tag to the veteran Jazz saw the Hall of Fame-worthy competitor tee off on the opposition, only for Hogan to catch her with shoulder to the midsection.
From there, the heels re-established control by working over the former WWE women's champion.
A tag to Grace saw Thicc Mama Pump tear into Hogan, rocking her with a corner back-elbow. Steelz saved the day with a splash from the top rope and then added an ugly double stomp to help Hogan to a near-fall.
Grace flattened Hogan and scored a close two-count off a facebuster. Moments later, she set Hogan up for the Muscle Buster, but the fire of the tag champions fought out and, with some help from Steelz, delivered a fisherman buster for the pin-fall victory.
Result
Fire N Flava defeated Grace and Jazz.
Grade
C+
Analysis
This was shorter than most probably would have expected but featured some solid action and another great performance by Grace. But we have come to expect that.
She is one of the most talented performers in the locker room and a competitor who could easily win the Knockouts title tomorrow and be believable in that role. She's great as champion or challenger and brings a spark to her in-ring work that few can replicate.
Fire N Flava was great here, showing off the talent that made them the team hand-picked to bring back the Knockouts Tag Team Championship.
If there was one downfall, it was the minimal usage of Jazz. Her involvement was kept to the minimum, and while that was almost certainly done to limit the exposure of her weaknesses at this point in her career, one would have liked to see her emphasized more here.
X-Division Championship Match: TJP vs. Ace Austin
Super X Cup winner Ace Austin challenged TJP for the X-Division Championship in the night's next encounter.
Austin controlled the pace at one point, but TJP fought back and put the challenger on the defensive. He rocked Austin with a big corner boot, but Austin responded and set up for The Fold.
The champion dropped to the mat, collapsing. The referee checked on TJP, backing up the challenger. When he gave the all-clear, Austin hoisted TJP off the mat. He teased a finisher but the champion countered and applied the kneebar.
Austin fought toward the ropes and Madman Fulton attempted to help him reach them. Instead, TJP pulled his opponent back to the center of the ring. Austin finally made it to the ropes.
Moments later, TJP tried for the Detonation Kick but Austin countered, only to find his way back into the kneebar. TJP released the hold, dropped Austin and tried for the Mamba Splash. Austin took advantage of the referee's position, slowing the champ's momentum.
Austin delivered a double stomp and followed with The Fold for the win and the title.
Result
Austin defeated TJP to win the title.
Grade
B+
Analysis
This was a great match, thanks to obvious in-ring chemistry between the competitors. The counters, reversals, submission attempts and final, match-sealing sequence all made for a wildly competitive contest that saw the right competitor go over.
Austin is the future of Impact Wrestling. He is one of the best young wrestlers in any company and should hold a championship of some sort. It was, after all, as recently as June that he was in the world title hunt and a favorite to leave that month's Slammiversary with the gold.
TJP was a solid champion whose in-ring work was never in question. Given the strength of this match, perhaps a series with Austin is the right way to go for both him and the long-term success of the division.
Knockouts Championship Match: ODB vs. Deonna Purrazzo
Deonna Purrazzo may have entered Sacrifice with the Knockouts Championship, but to remain that way, she would have to defeat a former champ and building block of the division, ODB.
Despite an early onslaught by the challenger, Purrazzo recovered and targeted her opponent's left arm, obviously setting her up for the cross armbar.
ODB powered out, though, slamming The Virtuosa off the top rope. She traded rights and lefts with the champ before delivering consecutive shoulder blocks. She added a powerslam for two.
The challenger looked for the Dirty Dozen, but Purrazzo blocked. She quickly applied the Venus de Milo submission, forcing a tap-out from out of nowhere for the win.
Result
Purrazzo defeated ODB to retain.
Grade
C
Analysis
It was cool to see ODB back in an Impact ring given how important she is to the history of the company. Her involvement kept things fresh and created a unique matchup. With that said, she was never going to hang move-for-move with Purrazzo.
The Virtuosa is a star, one of the best female wrestlers on the planet and the 2020 Impact Wrestling Wrestler of the Year. She is one of those measuring-stick workers, a performer against whom others are compared.
For WWE, she's the one who got away.
She is the centerpiece of women's wrestling in Impact, one of its legit stars, and should have won this.
Impact Tag Team Title Match: FinJuice vs. The Good Brothers
New Japan Pro-Wrestling's FinJuice (David Finlay and Juice Robinson) sought to win the Impact Wrestling World Tag Team Championship—and the respect of their opponents—as they battled The Good Brothers.
The challengers proved problematic for the champions early, but Anderson pulled Robinson off the top rope, with his head crashing into the turnbuckle on the way down. From there, The Machine Gun joined Doc Gallows in beating the second-generation competition down.
Finlay tagged in Robinson and Juice uncorked a series of jabs. He rocked Anderson and Gallows, turning the tide of the match in his team's favor.
At one point, Gallows rocked him with a knee and added a spinebuster moments later but could not put away the challenger.
Robinson and Finlay deposited Gallows on the floor and then turned Anderson inside out with the Doomsday Device for the win and the titles.
Result
FinJuice defeated The Good Brothers to win the titles.
Grade
B+
Analysis
This was the best match on the card and The Good Brothers' best performance since joining the company last summer.
Anderson and Gallows busted their asses here, meshing extremely well with Robinson and Finlay. They dominated but left the slightest opening for the challengers to fight their way back in and, ultimately, score the win and titles.
An easy story to tell would be that The Good Brothers' exploits in All Elite Wrestling with Kenny Omega forced them to take this match too lightly and underestimate the competition. As a result, they lost. Then there was the blatant disrespect they showed FinJuice, former young boys in NJPW, which came back to haunt them.
Whichever direction Impact takes from a storyline perspective, it was nice to see the company take the risk and put the titles on Robinson and Finlay, potentially setting up a title rematch at Rebellion.
Title Unification Match: Rich Swann vs. Moose
History was made in the main event of Saturday night's show, a title unification match pitting Impact world champion Rich Swann against TNA champions Moose.
Swann stunned his larger opponent early, repeatedly driving him into the steel post. Moose slowed things down and used his power advantage, outmuscling his opponent and driving the air from him as he forced him to the mat.
Driven by the desire to hurt his opponent, Moose introduced a steel chair and wedged it in the corner. He tried to drive Swann into it, but the referee stopped him. The TNA champion opted for a fallaway slam instead. On the floor, he sent Swann into the guardrail.
Moose continued to punish Swann, completely overwhelming him. He applied an abdominal stretch, driving his elbow into the exposed ribs of his opponent. Swann bit his opponent's fingers, forcing the break. Moose cut him off with a gutbuster.
The fight headed up top, where Swann tried for a hurricanrana. Moose momentarily fought out, but Swann finally fought him with it anyway.
The competitors engaged in an exchange of strikes before Swann tried for the cutter. Moose caught him with a boot to the back. Swann then proceeded to catch Moose coming off the top rope with said cutter for a two-count.
Swann added a middle-rope 450 splash, but Moose kicked out.
Again, the fight headed to the top rope. Moose caught Swann, but the Impact champion fired off a series of right hands and knocked him down. Moose recovered, ran the ropes and delivered a fallaway moonsault slam for two.
Moose set up for a spear but ran into the turnbuckle. Then again. The third time, he crashed into the chair but shook it off. One last blind charge into the corner ended with Swann delivering a crucifix pin for the win and the titles.
Result
Swann defeated Moose to retain the Impact title, win the TNA title.
Grade
A
Analysis
Swann vs. Moose was the one match on this entire card that needed to deliver. It did—exponentially.
The pair had undeniable chemistry, with some strong storytelling to boot.
Here was Moose, physically dominant for most of the match. Even when he missed, repeatedly, he knew he could still rush the corner for the spear attempt. The last time, though, Swann used his opponent's overconfidence against him and scored the win off a simple wrestling move.
It was storytelling 101 executed to perfection.
Swann won the match, the titles and now has a shot at redemption as he battles the man who disgraced him at Hard to Kill: Kenny Omega. The build to that match should be something special and help heighten Impact's stature in the wrestling world.
Something the company deserves.