COMIC SCHOOL W/ PROFESSOR MIKE - SESSION #1

COMIC SCHOOL w/PROFESSOR MIKE:  SESSION #1


Hey, hey hey, kids!  It's your guy, Professor Mike, ready to dish out some education on some of my favorite books, characters, and storylines from the world of comics.  For those of you who ride Old School...this is a re-introduction into your past, and for those of you on the youthful side of life---or unedcuated---take a seat at your desk, sit up, pay attention, and NO spitwads!  Class is NOW in session!

Today, we're going to take a trip back to the 80's and learn all about the work and effort that went into the series known as The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.  It's one of my favorite collections from those mighty people at Marvel Comics.  Today, we will learn the history of how the series got started, what went into it, and why I feel it's such an important series to know about (and have). 

The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is one of the most important collections in the history of comics.  At the time of its premiere in 1982, neither major comics publisher had gone out of their way to catalog all the weird, wonderful, and super denizens that occupied their publishing empire.  DC Comics up to this point, had been around nearly 50 years, and had garnered A LOT of stories and histories with their characters.  Marvel, having been around for barely 20 years, didn't have as much history as the "Distinguished Competition" across town, but nonetheless decided to turn the comics world on its ear when they decided to go out on a limb, and take on this very arduous project.

Back in 1982, Marvel Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter got the idea in his head about detailing the various persons, places, and things that occupied Marvel's publishing line.  He conceived of the idea, like how they did stats on baseball cards.  He had originally called the idea the Marvel Super-Specifications Handbook (but believe me...what got used was MUCH better than THAT!).  He appointed Writer/Editor Mark Gruenwald to the project, tasking him with fleshing out the statistics and information on everyone in all the Marvel books.  Gruenwald then tapped writers Eliot R. Brown (who was also responsible as the artist/writer for all the weapons portions and entries within the books), Mike Carlin, and Peter Sanderson.  Gruenwald also got inker Josef Rubenstein on the book to ink all the character entries to give the book a solid feel, and really bring out the look of the characters from the various artists who worked on the project as well.  The covers for this series were originally pencilled by Ed Hannigan.  Each cover would feature the characters that were going to be covered in their particular volume, along with a letter on the front cover of the page, designating what part of the alphabet they were at in that particular issue.  Also, it would inform you who was the first entry in the book and who was the last.  Artist Al Milgrom had taken Shooter's original concept for the name, and appropriated it into the name we now know the series as.  

This book was going to be the equivalent of the Encyclopedia Britannica...but for the Marvel Universe instead.  This was the cover for the 1st issue of the original 1982 edition (or "Volume 1"):

As you can see, it's a beautifully penciled wraparound cover by artist Ed Hannigan, with usually one character drawn large enough to be represented as the prominent character featured in the issue.  You can see the letter of the alphabet represented on the cover, and letting you know who was featured in the book.  On the inside cover, you had the table of contents, that informed you of what character was featured on what page, and the artist who penciled the entry.  They'd give some information in a box on the inside cover, as well as credits of the individuals who contributed to the issue.  They had a $1 price tag on them, and they usually were 32 pages in length.  Another reason for the specialty price is because it was a specialty book, and there were no ads.  

This is what a "typical" entry looked like:

Notice that you get a "main pose" of the character.  You get an instant idea of what they're about.  Also, you notice that the typeface of the information is basic, nothing fancy, just simple and to-the-point.  It gets the information across.  You also have a picture of the character in action (normally a panel taken from an issue of whatever comic they appeared in).  In the information part, you get the character's particular statistics:  height, weight, eyes, hair, as well as real name, occupation, birthplace, group affiliation, and a brief origin.  The one thing that also stands out is the "First Appearance" stat, which informs you when the character first made its appearance in a Marvel comic.  Originally, the staff did their best to keep all entries to about 1 page.  However, with all the history they had acquired in their brief 20 year existence, it proved to be more difficult as the series went on.  Some entries HAD to be extended beyond 1 page, and in order to fit what they wanted into the books, often times, there were two entries a page, having to change the format to fit what they wanted to do, the print was smaller, and the characters were penciled smaller.  Some entries did not even have a picture of the character in action.  But nonetheless, the series ran for 20 issues between 1982-1984.  Here's another example of what I mean as the series went on:

 



With Spider-Man's entry here, you get two pages to cover all information about him that you needed.  You also see that his web-shooters were added to his entry, instead of in a separate book at the tail end of this series' run, which they did.  The origins were pretty much a general overview of the character, how and why they came to be, and any information up to the current time.  All in all, it was a terrific series, and a huge success for Marvel.  It was something that had never been done before.  Of course, it DID have its drawbacks.  Some crticized that there wasn't enough information given out, and it limited the writers.  Gruenwald responded by saying it was giving the most up to date information possible, and it was subject to change.  It wasn't a perfect system, but for what they were trying to accomplish, it hit the mark.  It gave the fans an amazing insight into the Marvel Universe---something comprehensive to go to.  But...if you know Marvel...they weren't going to rest on their laurels.


In 1985, The creators went back to work.  But, having learned from their experience the first time around, and taking suggestions from the readers, Marvel expanded on the original series with the 2nd volume entitled The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe:  Deluxe Edition.  This series expanded to 64 pages, was printed on better paper stock, and featured more categories than the previous series such as strength level (because many readers wanted to know WHO was the strongest), adding the weapons to that character's particular entry, thus having to save on devoting an entire issue just to weapons and paraphernalia, and relegated the "origin" category as to what issue that character's origin story was told, which sometimes coincided with their first appearance.  Instead of the "origin" category now devoted to giving a background on the character, they created a "history" category for such a thing.  Writers were allowed to stretch out with certain characters to properly tell their stories.  In other words...there was more space to be devoted to not just the main characters, but to the minor characters and things as well.  The format, for the most part, was fairly the same, although all character "poses" were now relegated into a box, which often times changed color from page to page to help them stand out.  The print wasn't shrunk to a small font, thus making it easier to read.  This also meant that the price went up to $1.50, but it was worth the price.  This is where I first got introduced to the series, having missed the original run.  To say the least...I was blown away.  I had NEVER seen anything like it.  Reading a new issue every month was just as exciting, if not MORESO, than the actual comics these characters and whatnot appeared in. My friends and I would comment on the artwork for the entries, read them over and over, and learn all about them.  It truly was a fun time to be a comics fan.  

The covers of the Deluxe Edition were also wraparound covers, that if you had opened them up end to end...they created a giant Marvel Universe poster.  Most of the series' covers were penciled by John Byrne, but Keith Pollard had taken over in the latter stages.  After the initial 15 issues that encompassed the main core of the Marvel Universe, issues 16-20 were devoted to the "Book of the Dead", collecting all those who had passed on in the Marvel Universe.  The covers looked like this:

This is what an entry had looked like, for the most part, in the Deluxe Edition:

You can see that the print is simple and to the point, no fancy logos or anything.  Several new panels showing the character in action.  The history of the characters were allowed to be more comprehensive (some characters' entries got to be as long as 5 pages!).  It was more expansive than the first,  Of course, there were ALWAYS going to be bugs in the system, and fans were quick to point out any discrepencies, which the editors were always glad to post in the front and back of the inside covers of the issue.  They also used the last half of issued 20 to devote to their Appendix...which was reserved for those people/places/things that weren't deemed big or important enough to garner a main entry in the series.  Again, Marvel set the comics world on its ear, and became the standard bearer for being the "comics encyclopedia".

The Deluxe Edition ran from 1985-1988.  It was an exhausting undertaking, but they had reason to be proud.  They'd take a little vacation....until 1989.

In 1989, they were back at it with Update '89, and this time around, it was only an 8 issue series, giving an update on a few characters who had gone major changes, but also introduced new characters, and finally gave SOME characters their due with an entry.  The design was still the same, for the most part, but some of the entries had a "full box" surrounding them, or a "small box" , or no box at all in the character profile.  All information remained the same.  The covers for this 8 issue series looked like this:

A different design.  Instead of the characters running in a direction (normally left to right on the cover), this edition featured the characters just standing there against a blank background.  

The entries looked a little like this, with the colored box varying in size from entry to entry.

After this initial series, Marvel decided to scale back, and create a new Marvel Universe that was a notebook style edition, where you could insert character "sheets" into a notebook style.  They were put on card stock, and gave a simplistic 3 poses to the characters on the front, and on the back, you got a bibliography of sorts.  Not extended history, just the general information, and a slew of issues that pointed out various points of interest in the character's history.  This was something I was NOT a fan of.  It took away from the specialness that was the first two editions, and felt like they were just trying to save time.  Or it could've been they were worn out on the project.  (I'd post pics of it, but nah---I just bypass this as not being the "real thing").

The series took some time off after the Master Edition I had just mentioned, and returned in 2004 with a set of special editions devoted to a specific character and their little "universe", or to a team.  They then decided to get re-devoted to the series with another edition in 2005.  By this time, comics had begun to be printed on a better quality of paper, which made the colors pop brighter.  Instead of a "stock image" that they had an artist render, they let the artist have a bit more freedom on an entry, thus giving it more depth and resonance for the entry.  They still provided the same information, as well as a picture of the character in action when possible.  But they also included a "power table" in the entry, much in the same way they were used on the back of their trading cards.  The covers looked something like this:

Entries had a different look...like this:  

And here:

Admittedly, the new style put a different colored bar at the top of the page, with the character's name written on it.  The general stats information was made smaller, with some categories taken out.  And you see for the Thor entry here, the power grid along with the rest of his stats and powers.  The character gets a picture that shows them in a more heroic stance, or with an instance of using their powers.  Also, instead of a table of contents at the beginning of the book on the inside cover, the artist's name is listed at the bottom of the page.  It's not as favorable to ME as far as a layout, but it's a lot closer to the original version than the pull out sheets.

It's been awhile since this edition was posted, and within the last 10 years, Marvel has produced The Marvel Encyclopedia, which is a tabletop book that gives a brief background of the Marvel Universe denizens, along with bigger pictures.  Some get more than one page, others don't.  Either way, it's the culmination of decades of hard work that go back to a crazy idea that was hatched in 1982.  

The original and Deluxe Editions are my favorite...along with Update '89.  They're great reads, and I recommend them to ANYONE looking to get a bigger, in depth idea of the Marvel Universe and it's 58 years of existence.  They can be found in collections at various comic shops everywhere.  They're great collectors' editions.  

So...that's class for now.  Here's your five question quiz for the day:

1.  What is Spider-Man's first appearance?

2.  How many tons can the Thing lift?

3.  Who were the original members of The Avengers?

4.  In the original origin and history of Tony Stark, where was he when he was hit by shrapnel in his heart?

5.  Who was responsible for the covers of the original edition of The Handbook?

Pencils down!  Leave me your answers in the comments below, and we'll see if you're right the next time!  Please subscribe to this page, and pass it along...I'd greatly appreciate it.

Next time:  We go over to the Distinguished Competition, and see what THEY were up to back in 1985....

IMPACT! WRESTLING - January 11, 2019

REVIEW:   IMPACT! WRESTLING – JANUARY 11, 2019:  HOMECOMING FALLOUT

We are BACK!!  Thankfully, with IMPACT’s  deal with TWITCH, we’re able to keep going with our review of IMPACT! Wrestling!  Now on Friday nights, you can expect reviews to happen later on in the evening.  I thank EVERYONE for reading the blog, and viewing my reviews of IMPACT!  It’s a new year, so let’s see what 2019 has in store for us, shall we?!

Tonight…we have the fallout from HOMECOMING.  Johnny Impact is pissed, Killer Kross has a lot to answer for, and Tessa Blanchard is in action as well, and will we see Rosemary make another appearance with Allie making an appearance on the show?

The show begins immediately with the Champ Johnny Impact coming out, saying that Kross’ attack on Taya Valkyrie put her in the hospital.  He’s vowing revenge on Kross.  Just then, Brian Cage’s music hits and he enters the ring.  Cage reminds him that he had Johnny beat, and everyone knows it.  Cage wants a rematch and wants in NOW.  Johnny gets in the face of Cage, and asks him if he wants his rematch right now, and Cage says ‘yes’.  Just then, Kross comes out, calling Johnny an “Imposter Champion”, and tells him that Cage was right…Cage had him beat for a count of 10…so, technically, he beat him 3 times last night.  Kross says that when Taya gets out of the hospital…he’s gonna put right back in there.  Johnny loses it and tries to go after Kross, but Cage pushes him, Johnny lands a superkick on Cage, knocks him down, then leaps out of the ring for a suicide dive on Kross.  Johnny gets back into the ring, and gets clotheslined by Cage.  Kross climbs back into the ring, and stares down Cage…but Kross clothelines him, but to no avail.  Cage gets back up, knocks down Kross.  Kross exits the ring, learning to fight another day.  As for Cage…he lifts up the IMPACT World Title as the crowd cheers…Johnny slowly gets up, and looks at Cage as Cage exits the ring and heads up the ramp.  The show is off to a hot start.

During the break, Johnny is getting checked on, and Cage comes back, demanding his rematch.  Johnny finally says ‘yes’ to the rematch.  He just wants to handle Kross first.  Cage agrees, but warns Johnny NOT to screw him.

We get tag team action next as the Rascalz get to face the Lucha Bros. in action.  Match starts off with Pentagon and Dezmond Xavier gauging each other, until they lock up.  Pentagon manages to get Dez out of the ring.  As Pentagon goes for a suicide dive, Dez grabs him and drops him on the rope.  Action moves back inside, and Pentagon and Fenix working well together, with  a lot of back and forth between Dez, Pentagon, and Fenix.  Being a lucha rules match, there are no tags, and Fenix finally comes in to quell the Razcals’ offense after they hit a bronco buster on Pentagon.  Wentz on the offense against the Lucha Bros. after the break, taking it to them with kicks and high spot moves.  The action moves out of the ring once again, as Fenix and Pentagon landing reverse moonsaults on the Razcals.  Dez is tossed back into the ring, deliver a double kick, and a splash, but just as they go for the pin, Wentz breaks it up.  The Rascalz have Fenix in the corner, delivering kicks, but Pentagon nails Dez with a kick.  Wentz responds, but Fenix lands a slam on Dez, and Pentagon goes to work.  Just as Pentagon is ready to be pinned, Fenix saves the day with a cutter.  Pentagon then grabs Wentz into a piledriver, and Fenix grabs Dez.  Pentagon delivers the finisher, as Fenix hits another cutter.  Lucha Bros. score the win, and give props to the Rascalz at the end of the match.  Good match, lots of action, very lucha style.  The Rascalz proved they can keep pace with the Lucha Bros., and can be a real threat in the tag team division in the future.

Kross is interviewed backstage, and vows to destroy Johnny, and rid him of his body.  They have a match in the main event tonight---no disqualification.

Josh Matthews brings out new X-Division Champion Rich Swann, who won the Ultimate X match at HOMECOMING.  Fans chant “you deserve it” to him.  Swann talks about all the sacrifices he made to get to this point in his career, when he’s inturruped by Sami Callahan.  He reminds the crowd of their long history.  Callahan let’s Swann know that he’s got an offer, and better take it.  He pulls out and OVE shirt, and tells Swann to put it on.  And just then, Willie Mack’s music hits, and he runs out, and attacks Sami Callahan.  Rich Swann tries to pull Mack off of Callahan.  He doesn’t want a war between the two.  The refs come in to hold everyone back, but we wonder what did Callahan mean when he invited Swann to “come home”.

This turns into a match between Callahan and Willie Mack.  Both men trade blows, and no one gains the upperhand.  A double clothesline sends both men down.  Callahan then gets up to pound on Mack, but Mack responds with some chops.  Callahan rakes the eyes, and tries to nail Mack, but Mack fights back.  Both men run the ropes and slide out of the ring, but Callahan catches Mack inside the apron, and pounds on him, but Mack again fights back.  Mack escapes the apron, and pounds on Callahan.  Both men outside the ring, and Mack delivers a vicious side slam on the ring apron.  Callahan rams Mack into the ring steps.  Amazed the refs hasn’t issued a countout at this point.  Just then, Callahan climbs back into the ring to beat the count.  Callahan disposes him to the outside again.  Both men battle up the ramp.  Callahan again rakes the eyes, and readies Mack for a pile driver.  He delivers it.  Honestly…if there was a countout to be made, the ref hasn’t delivered one.  Some ref.  Now Callahan gets back into the ring and the ref finally counts.  Mack barely gets back into the ring to beat the 10 count.  Don’t know why…not like the ref was doing a good job of that to begin with.  Both men trade blows again.  Mack is on the offense, but Callahan fires back.  However, Mack delivers a samoan drop, followed by a standing backflip for a pin, but Callahan kicks out.  Mack goes for a pile driver, but Callahan reverses it, delivers a clothesline, and goes for the pin, but Mack kicks out.  Callahan tries to go for a finisher on Mack, but Mack lands a sitting powerbomb, goes for a pin, but Callahan kicks out.  Mack head for the ropes, but Callahan hits a powerbomb and a knee to the face, but can get the pin on Mack.  He nails Callahan in the corner with a rolling back flip.  Callahan goes for the eyes again, but Mack reverses and attempts a pin.  Several reversals result in no pins.  Finally, Mack gets Callahan rolled up, and scores the win with a pin. 

LAX is celebrating their win at HOMECOMING with Konnan by making their coffee “Irish”.  They talk about their big victory at the PPV.  It was the best match of the show, and now they’ll celebrate. We see an interaction between LAX and OVE backstage.  Could be the next challengers for the Tag Team Champions.

Scarlett Bordeaux enters the ring for her strip show.  Clad in a lacy number.  She gets on the mic, and announces that she’ll reveal the winner of her talent search next week.  Now she wants to celebrate the switch to Pursuit Channel.  She was hoping that they’d be edgier.  And just as she counts down to strip, out comes the Desi Hit Squad to stop the strip show.  Gama Singh tells her to save the strip show for  next week when they win the talent contest.  Rohit says that Gama wanted to see her naked.  Gama slaps him for his troubles.  Just as they appeal to Scarlett, out comes Big Poppa Pump.  Scott Steiner comes out and says that the Desi Hit Squad has ruined his night by not allowing the Freaks to let them get their freak on.  The Hit Squad attacks Steiner, but he responds by attacking the Hit Squad on his own.  She interrupts the beat down, and says she plans on giving the crowd a show.  And if they wanted one…all they had to do is ask.  Steiner grabs the chair and sits down as Scarlett does her thing.  She does her dance up the ramp, and Scotty applauds her.  Seeing Big Poppa Pump back is a big surprise.  He looks good, though. 

Tessa Blanchard is up next, and she comes out very no nonsense against a local gal apparently, and dominates her from the outset.  This was a statement match to let everyone know she’s not done with Taya Valkyrie yet.  Easy squash match victory.

McKenzie is interviewing Eddie Edwards.  Eddie says he’s done with Moose, he got his revenge, and ready to move on with the next challenge with Kenny (his kendo stick).  Suddenly, Eli Drake comes out, and asks Eddie whether or not he wants to pick up the hardcore “flag”…especially after what he did to Abyss and Tommy Dreamer.  I think Eli is looking to destroy ANYONE with a hardcore bone in their body---and Eddie seems like he’s next on the list.

We see Dark Allie and Su Yung by a coffin.  Allie talks about how she killed the Bunny, and that she’s not coming back.  And that Rosemary’s return means nothing.  Allie says she doesn’t need the Shadow.  Just then, lighting flashes, and Allie and Su see a message on the coffin:  “One more chance to rejoin the Shadow – R”.  Rosemary is giving Allie a chance to renounce Su…before the Dark War begins.

Main Event time as Killer Kross and Johnny Impact square off in a no DQ match.  This has become a blood feud.  The bell rings, and Johnny is all over Kross, pounding on him.  Kross manages to get up and strike back, but Johnny and him continue to trade blows until Kross delivers a suplex.  Both men continue to trade blows, then Kross delivers Johnny outside.  As Kross goes to continue the offense, Johnny strikes back and gains the upper hand yet again.  Johnny then runs Kross through the guard rail.  He goes to the ring, and pulls up the apron, and grabs a table from underneath.  As Johnny tries to grab Kross for the table, Kross attacks with a chair.  Then he grabs Johnny, puts his head in the folds of the chair, then rams him into the ringpost.  Kross then attacks the referee.  Kross continues the attack, nailing Johnny on the guard rail with an atomic drop, then drills him with the chair.  Fans are chanting “Kill, Kross, Kill”, as he tries to keep his composure, it seems.  But then he drags the steel stairs to the other side of the ring where Johnny is.  Kross then puts Johnny’s head on the stairs, and goes to grab a chair and slam Johnny’s head with it, but Johnny moves, and the pain from the chair allows Johnny to mount a comeback.  He then asks the crowds for chairs, and the crowd starts handing out chairs.  He covers Kross a la Terry Funk.  Then Johnny delivers this moosault with a chair off the steel stairs onto Kross.  But Kross uncovers himself and gets up.  They face off, and they start throwing chairs into the ring.  Both men toss chairs in the ring, hop in, then throw chairs at each other, knocking chairs out.  Johnny then superkicks Kross.  Delivers a semi DDT on the chair, and Kross sits in the chair, taunting Johnny to give it to him…Johnny then delivers a superkick with a chair to the face.  Kross smiles.  Johnny now throws more chairs on Kross, hits him  a couple of more times.  Just as Johnny goes for Starship Pain, Moose comes out, tosses Johnny onto the table.  Johnny’s hurt.  Moose tosses him into the ring, and Moose gets him into a chokelock, and Kross wins the match as Johnny passes out.  After the bell, he holds onto the submission hold…then finally breaks it.  Moose and Kross hug and celebrate in the ring as the show goes off the air.  Fairly brutal match with some moves I thought would’ve REALLY caused some damage NEITHER of these guys would’ve gotten up from.  But it secures the new story going forward. 

_________________________________________________________________________________

Overall, this show was not bad to kick off the post HOMECOMING shows, and their debut on Pursuit/Twitch.  Not any real drag in it, and it got right down to business in a hurry.  Unlike RAW, IMPACT is doing a decent job of juggling as many storylines as possible, giving them all their time on the show, and not overexposing their talent.  Not everybody needed to be in the ring, a lot of the segments were short, but moved their stories along, and it felt like a nice pace, time wise.  The promos weren’t dragged out, and we got a few good matches out of it.  The Lucha Bros/Rascalz match was very entertaining, showing that the tag team division in IMPACT has a leg up on WWE.  The Rascalz showed they could hang with the luchadores, and will be title contenders in the future.  Willie Mack/Sami Callahan was a good match, with both men displaying their abilities.  And Johnny Impact proved he could hang in a gimmick match with Killer Kross.  Many may sell Johnny short, but the man can go if given a platform to strut his stuff. 

So, what do we take away from this post HOMECOMING episode:

-          Taya was hurt (probably kayfabe) in Killer Kross’ attack on the husband and wife champions.  We’ll get an update next week.  But also regarding the Knockouts Champion, Tessa Blanchard said she was not done with Taya yet, and is due a rematch.

-          Johnny has A LOT on his plate.  The World Champion not only has to deal with his former buddy Brian Cage down the road in a rematch, but Killer Kross has made it personal with Johnny…looking to destroy him once and for all---just to prove a point.  Moose interfering in the match means that he could possibly be inserting himself into the title picture.  And we can’t forget Cage.  Will he help Johnny put down Kross and Moose, or just wait for them to utterly demolish Johhny, then circle the body like a buzzard and pick the bones. 

-          Sami Callahan isn’t done with Willie Mack OR Rich Swann as yet.  Now…what’s the deal with Swann and Callahan.  For weeks, Swann has warned Mack about not facing Callahan and the OVE, because he’s been down that road.  He couldn’t tear them apart tonight, and it makes you wonder if he’s just going to wash his hands of it all, or help his buddy down the road. 

-          Eddie Edwards went hardcore to defeat Moose at HOMECOMING, and came out the other side, ready to face new challenges.  Seems like it didn’t take long, as Eli Drake showed up, warning Eddie about bearing the flag of the Hardcore Style.  Eli is STILL looking to eliminate hardcore wrestling at all costs.  He took care of Tommy Dreamer and Abyss---is Eddie Edwards next?

-          After their victory over the Lucha Bros….what’s next for LAX?  It seems like OVE is going to insert themselves into the conversation, what with the verbal altercation in the back tonight.

-          Is Scott Steiner sticking around?  And…could HE be the “winner” of Scarlett Bordeaux’s talent search?  Curious as to who she’s chosen…we’ll find out next week.

-          Allie says she killed the Bunny, and she’s never coming back.  They know the Demon Assassin is back, and won’t rest until she claims victory in the Dark War.  Dark Allie got her warning tonight.  Both Dark Allie and Rosemary are set on a collision course.  Su Yung isn’t safe, either, as Rosemary owes her as well.  Kiera Hogan AND Jordynne Grace could play a big part in this war before it’s said and done. 

Alright guys….it’s good to be back!   Please subscribe and pass it around!  Don’t be afraid to leave your comments below, I know I’D appreciate them! 

Until next week! 

THE X-NATION - JANUARY 7, 2001: DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE SHOW

Today would've been David Bowie's 71st birthday.  The man we knew as Ziggy Stardust & The Thin White Duke not only blazed his own trail musically---never allowing himself to be pigeonholed into one singular category, but he changed the essence of his character over the course of his career...constantly reinventing himself for a new audience.  And while this incredible artist is no longer with us, I feel it a sacred duty every year to honor the memory of him by playing his music, and losing myself in his world.  And what a world it was!  So, I dug back through my radio archives, and dug up this "Birthday Bash" of mine from 2001, airing the day before his birthday.  So, I pass along to YOU---a musical dedication and journey into one of the greatest rock stars EVER.  And if you're SMART---you'll pick up some of his music to own for yourself...I can GUARANTEE you'll not be disappointed.  With that in mind...I present to you yet another "classic" X-Nation show:


KKSM-AM 1320 PRESENTS:  THE X-NATION - JANUARY 7TH, 2001:  DAVID BOWIE BIRTHDAY BASH

HOUR 1

SPACE ODDITY

THURSDAY’S CHILD

VELVET GOLDMINE

UNDERGROUND (From Labyrinth)

STARMAN

UNDER PRESSURE (w/Queen)

WORKING CLASS HERO (Tin Machine)

THE HEART’S FILTHY LESSON

SUFFRAGETTE CITY

MOON AGE DAYDREAM

HOUR 2

DIAMOND DOGS

BLACK TIE/WHITE NOISE

DJ

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL SUICIDE

YOUNG AMERICANS

CHILLY DOWN (From Labryinth)

VIDEO CRIME (Tin Machine)

I’M AFRAID OF AMERICANS (w/Trent Reznor)

SCARY MONSTERS (AND SUPER CREEPS)

HEROES

THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD

  

HOUR 3

JUMP THEY SAY

LITTLE WONDER

TIN MACHINE (Tin Machine)

I KNOW IT’S GONNA HAPPEN SOMEDAY

AS THE WORLD FALLS DOWN

WHAT’S REALLY HAPPENING?

HOLY! HOLY!

JOHN, I’M ONLY DANCING

MAGIC DANCE (From Labyrinth)

LIFE ON MARS

CAT PEOPLE

HOUR 4

CHANGES

ASHES TO ASHES

FAME

FASHION

BLUE JEAN

CHINA GIRL

JEAN GENIE

LET’S DANCE

REBEL REBEL

MODERN LOVE

DANCING IN THE STREET (w/Mick Jagger)

THE PRETTY THINGS ARE GOING TO HELL

ZIGGY STARDUST

(C) 2001, 2019 X-Nation Productions

IMPACT! WRESTLING - HOMECOMING PREDICTIONS

IMPACT! WRESTLING - HOMECOMING PREDICTIONS



IMPACT! Wrestling kicks off their 2019 in grand fashion as they head home to The Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee where it all got started for their first huge PPV show of the new year.  The show will take place tomorrow, January 6th, and I'm going to give my predictions on this show. So, let's get to it!

SAMI CALLIHAN v. WILLIE MACK - Sami Callihan has been one angry human being as of late, and him and the OVE have been trying to establish themselves as THE faction in IMPACT!  Callihan was responsible for costing Willie Mack a chance at the Ultimate X match, when he interfered in Mack's qualifying match against OVE member, Jake Crist.  Mack wanted revenge earlier, but his buddy Rich Swann warned Mack that getting into a feud with Callihan was a bad idea.  Mack came in to save the day for Rich Swann last week, but Swann tried to hold him back.  This week, Mack wasn't going to be held back, and he and Callihan mixed it up a little, and Callihan got the best of him.  Mack won't allow that to happen again, as this match was set up in the final show before the PPV.  Callihan will have the OVE members at ringside, make no mistake.  I can see Rich Swann playing a bit of a role in this match before too long to even the odds.  I look for Mack to take his pound of flesh back against the unhinged Callihan.  WINNER:  Willie Mack

ALLIE & SU YUNG v. KIERA HOGAN & JORDYNNE GRACE - Su Yung has been an extremely dark cloud enveloping the Knockouts Division, and she claimed the soul of the once bubbly Bunny, Allie.  Allie's journey into the Undead Realm helped save her former friend Kiera Hogan, but came at a price:  herself.  She is now the desciple of the Undead Bride, and she has shown her dark side by turning on her former friend and ally, Kiera Hogan.  The evil combo looks to end the Girl On Fire, and continue their dark journey back to the top of the Division.  Hogan tried to save her friend, but failed.  Now, she must defeat her lost friend, and end Su's destructive path.  A vicious attack by the dark duo after Allie's win over her former friend this week brought out none other than Thick Momma Pump herself---Jordynne Grace.  Grace had apparently seen enough of Su & Allie's antics to insert herself into this feud.  I'd be watching for Su's Undead Bridesmaids in this match to provide interference, but I feel that Kiera & Jordynne will prove to be too much for the Deadly Two, and will score the victory.  The feud will be FAR from over, because I STILL feel that, at some point in this match, we WILL see the return of The Demon Assassin - Rosemary.  They've been gone for some time, but look for the Demon to return, and begin the "Dark War" that they've been talking about for weeks.  WINNER:  Kiera Hogan & Jordynne Grace

EDDIE EDWARDS v. MOOSE (Falls Count Anywhere) - This blood feud has reached its zenith, as these two former friends are now the bitterest of enemies.  Moose turned his back on Eddie months ago to hook up with Killer Kross & Austin Aries.  Eddie has vowed revenge, but lost the last time he and Moose locked horns.  Eddie's spent time in a mental institution, where he got advice from the former ECW icon, Raven.  Eddie escaped and has been dogging Moose relentlessly, and exacted just a SMIDGEN of retribution this past week.  Now, these two have the chains off, and it's a Falls Count Anywhere match.  So, expect this match to go all over the arena, both men using anything and everything in sight.  Not sure if Eddie's wife, Alisha will try to stop Eddie from killing Moose--or HIMSELF--- for that matter, but do believe these two men will beat the living hell out of each other.  This is the match that HAS to have a payoff to end the feud.  I expect that Eddie will get his due, and Moose will get his comeuppance, but BOTH men will be damaged coming out of this.  Eddie's crazed unpredictability and willingness to risk life and limb will prove to be too much for Moose.  WINNER:  Eddie Edwards

ELI DRAKE v. ABYSS (Monster's Ball Match) - Eli Drake has been a vocal opponent of the old ECW style of wrestling...the hardcore style.  For the last few months, he has taunted the legend Abyss, Tommy Dreamer, and even Raven.  He believes he's a part of a dying breed of wrestler, and wants to bring what HE believes is "real wrestling" back.  He feels the hardcore style and hardcore type matches are destroying wrestling, and even went so far as to try and sue IMPACT! Wrestling for what HE called an "unsafe work environment".  Now he has to face the monster Abyss in what is called a "Monster's Ball Match".  If I'm correct, this is a hardcore style, no-holds barred match.  Not only has Abyss been looking forward to shutting Drake up, Drake will now have to contend with Tommy Dreamer AND Raven chilling out in the crowd, as they look forward to watching Eli's destruction.  Make no mistake, Drake CAN and WILL sink to every low level he can to win this match, but I don't see him getting past Abyss on this one---and don't be surprised if you see BOTH Dreamer and Raven getting in some serious shots to shut the former IMPACT! Champion up.  WINNER:  Abyss

ULTIMATE X MATCH (For the X Division Title) - This is a fatal 4-way to determine just who will be the next X-Division Champion in the wake of Brian Cage enacting "Option C" a couple of months ago to challenge Johnny Impact for the World Title, thus vacating the X-Division Championship.  4 men qualified for this match:  Jake Crist, Ethan Page, Rich Swann, and Trey Miguel.  All 4 of these men are very capable of becoming the champion, and will have to battle each other with the strap hanging high above the ring, with cross-ropes going in an "X" style above to make the belt a bit more challenging to obtain.  Page will try to tap into his "3rd eye" to gain the gold, Swann is the high flyer, Trey is young and talented, also a high flyer and risk taker, and Crist is the power and rage.  I can see this match getting messy...especially if the other members of OVE insert their noses into the match to help Crist win, and we certainly can't forget Willie Mack possibly helping out Swann, Matt Sydal is Page's mentor, and the other members of Trey's team, the Rascalz.  I'm hoping this match will be spared the potential interference from all other parties, and we can see these 4 men put on a quality match.  In the end, though, I feel it's Rich Swann's time to shine, as he's shown improvement since joining the IMPACT! roster.  He's a capable man to hold the gold, and 1 on 1 with these other men would provide him with contenders to come for awhile.  He is, by far, THE most talented wrestler of the bunch, so I feel his experience and ability to take huge risks will net him the belt at the end of the night.  This match HAS the potential to steal the show, as long as the interference is either VERY limited, or preferably not at all.  WINNER & NEW X-DIVISION CHAMPION:  Rich Swann

THE LUCHA BROS. v. LAX (IMPACT! Tag Team Championship) - It's a "family" affair, as the two top teams in the IMPACT! Tag Team Division lock it up for what I feel will be THE match of the night.  These two teams are both at the top of their games, and will have the chance to steal the entire night from EVERYONE.  LAX and the Lucha Bros are both on equal footing, and a match made by LAX for what they felt was respect for their "brothers".  However, Konnan--who's been guiding LAX to the top---was NOT pleased that they threw the challenge to Fenix and Pentagon.  Fearing that it would tear the "family" apart, he went on to list the past wrestlers he trained who ended up destroying each other, and breaking the "family" apart.  LAX refused to listen, and Konnan looks to have washed his hands of the affair, so it looks like LAX is now on their own.  This "family" has gotten chippy lately, and it has resulted in Pentagon feeling that he was disrespected.  Now, the battle lines are drawn, and it's time to get it on.  Expect A LOT of lucha action in this match.  Lots of high spots, suicide dives, and both teams pulling out everything in the pockets to find out who's the champion at the end of the night.  Not sure if Konnan will come out to either interfere, or try and stop the match before both teams destroy each other.  However---I see Pentagon and Fenix bringing it enough to finally ascend to the throne.  They're getting a hard push, so I feel they're going to walk out the new champs.  But....I know that this will NOT be the end of this rivalry.  They WILL have a rematch.  But for this show...the Lucha Bros, pull off the upset and walk out with the gold.  WINNER (And new Tag Team Champions):  The Lucha Bros.

TAYA VALKYRIE v. TESSA BLANCHARD (w/Special Guest Referee Gail Kim), (Knockouts Division Championship) - This heated rivalry goes back to Bound For Glory, when Taya had squared off with Knockouts Champ Tessa Blanchard for the Championship, and Tessa used a referee distraction AND the ring apron to score a win over Wera Loca.  Taya then called the Champ out, saying she couldn't beat her again, and that she has to cheat to win.  Tessa fell for the bait, and they had a rematch a couple of months later.  Tessa, fearing she would lose to Taya, slugged the referee to get herself disqualified.  The next couple of weeks, we see Tessa harrassing the officials, and after a tag match in which she tapped out to Taya, she not only tried to injure Wera Loca, she also strangled one of the officials again, and that was enough for former Knockouts Champ and icon, Gail Kim.  Tessa was not pleased by Gail's insertion into her business.  A 3rd match had been booked for this PPV, and THIS time, Gail Kim is the Special Guest Referee, to ensure that Tessa doesn't try to attack the officials just to escape with the title.  I expect this match to be intense, with Taya trying to get Tessa into her new submission finisher, which she had her tap in a few weeks ago.  Not sure if Gail will have to insert herself into the match at some point to ensure that Tessa stays on the level, but I know BOTH these women will put on a show.  Taya has power and her submission finisher, and Tessa has a serious of moves that can change the direction of ANY match in a hurry.  I look for some ref distraction, that will also incapacitate Gail Kim just enough to ensure Tessa Blanchard escapes with the Championship yet again.  Tessa has been a great talent for the Knockouts Division, and to take the title off her NOW, I feel would be a mistake.  I'd like to see her run just a little longer with the belt, generate some more heat, and THEN have a match where she will finally lose the title.  But for now, Tessa's ring savvy will allow her to remain champion in this match.  WINNER (And still Knockouts Champion):  Tessa Blanchard

JOHNNY IMPACT v. BRIAN CAGE (IMPACT! World Heavyweight Championship) - The Survivor with many names puts his prestigious World Title on the line against this friend and former X-Division Champion, Brian Cage.  Cage exercised "Option C' and gave up his X-Division Title for a crack at Impact's World Title.  These two have mutual respect, but after a miscommunication in a tag match this last week, where Cage unintentionally superkicked the Champion, a war of words started, then a donnybrook broke out.  Not even the locker room could separate these two, so the emotions will run high this match.  Johnny will bring his aerial assault and speed to the ring, and Cage will bring his power, speed, and intensity to the mat.  It's a contrast in styles that should be able to provide a good match.  If the brawl at the end of the go-home show was any indication, it will be a pretty good Main event.  But lurking in the shadows is Killer Kross...who tried to get Johnny to enlist his services, because he's been trying to feed to the Champion that Cage is unpredictable, and he should watch himself.  I have a feeling that Kross WILL interfere, and ONE of two things are going to happen:  Cage will turn heel and align himself with Kross, or 2.  Kross will interfere, but it will be all for naught.  At the end of the night, you just put the belt ON Johnny, and as good as Cage is...I just can't see him being "The Guy" for the IMPACT brand.  It will be a tough test, but I feel Johnny retains at the end of the night.  But Kross WILL make his presence known.  His feud with Johnny is just starting to heat up---and that's where I see them going with this.  Cage might factor into it as well.  But in the end...Mr. Impact WILL be the lone Survivor.  WINNER (and still World Champion):  Johnny Impact



Okay gang..that's MY predictions on HOMECOMING...so let's see what happens tomorrow in Nashville.  IMPACT! needs a good show to start off the year right...as well as when their programming starts on their new network--The Pursuit Channel--on January 11th.  I feel this is a make-or-break year for the promotion.  It NEEDS solid ground, it NEEDS to have higher ratings, and make sure they're telling quality stories, and providing solid wrestling action.  Their time slot...10pm Eastern Time on Friday night is not ideal, and may not get what they need ratings wise.  But I am wishing the best for all involved for IMPACT to have a good show.  

Thanks for checking out the blog...subscribe and leave comments!  I'd appreciate it!  

Until next time!

IMPACT! WRESTLING - January 3, 2019

REVIEW:  IMPACT! WRESTLING – January 3, 2019:  Go-Home Show Before Homecoming.

Welcome to 2019, and what changes have happened since we last convened on this page.  First and foremost, IMPACT has found a new home on the PURSUIT CHANNEL.  Starting next week, January 11^th, at 10 PM Pacific Time, IMPACT will begin its run on their new network.  And that means BAD NEWS for me and you.  I, sadly, do not have the Pursuit Network, and thus, this will be the last regular blog review for the show.  I know, I know…it sucks.  Sucks for ME, too.  I’ve begun to find things about the show that I enjoy, and was hoping that with the talent available, they could become more successful.  This is the 4^th network that IMPACT has been on in 4 years.  Not a good sign for a promotion that’s trying to compete with the likes of Ring of Honor, WWE, MLW, and the soon-to-be All Elite Wrestling.  They have really good talent----just not always used properly.  This seems like a make-or-break year for IMPACT, and I would like to see them succeed, but they have A LOT of work to do. 

But as I have said, this is more than likely the last regular show I’ll review.  I have appreciated all of you for stopping by this blog and allowing me to voice my opinion about this show, and this promotion.  However, I WILL do a blog that will be my predictions for HOMECOMING, and maybe a review of that show, but we’ll see.  Outside of that, I thank you all for dropping by this blog---but I have several other shows I review, and I hope you check them out as well.  I’d be eternally grateful.  Subscribe, and I’ll be your buddy forever! 

Either way…with all of that out of the way, this was the go-home show prior to HOMECOMING, which is happening on Sunday, January 6^th.  We got the two IMPACT Championship combatants teaming up against the high flying Lucha Bros., Kiera Hogan must face her former friend, the new Dark Allie, and Eli Drake gives his Stately address…

The show kicks off with Rich Swann & Willie Mack, and The Rascalz facing off against Ethan Page, Matt Sydal, and the OVE in a 10 man tag team match.  I’ll say this for IMPACT---they don’t waste about 30 minutes of airtime for long overbloated promos…they get right to it.  Mack is especially looking forward to this match because he’s got a score to settle with OVE after they cost him a chance to head to Ultimate X at HOMECOMING.  The Rascalz are the ones taking the early offense to Jake Crist.  This is a good forum to see just how good ALL of these guys are.  They keep the early advantage of Callahan, using quick tags and fast offense, with a couple of high spots, including a bronco buster.  Eventually, all ten men enter the ring, and it becomes a free-for-all.  Bodies start falling out of the ring, battling with each other.  Callahan then lands a vicious lariat to Tre Miguel to stem the tide and get the advantage.  They head outside, and Miguel lands a hurricanrada on Callahan, Crist then lands a suicide dive, then everyone gets their shot at the bodies outside, including Mack.  Zack Wentz then lands a dive on the outside. Dez then lands an incredible tiger drop OVER the rope and onto the crowd.  Crist then grabs Miguel and lands a Cutter ONTO the bodies on the outside.  Okay…everybody’s gotten their high spots in…let’s get the action BACK into the ring here!  Back from the break, and the match has slowed down as Callahan starts working over Tre Miguel.  The teamwork for the OVE side come in as Crist comes in to work Tre over, then tags out to Sydal.  Sydal continues the offense.  Tre throws a few forearms to get some offense, but Sydal lands a spinning side slam.  Tre gets the hot tag to Rich Swann, and he goes to work, clearing everyone in the ring.  Page comes into the ring to try and land a bulldog, but Swann blocks it, lands a superkick, then goes for a 450, and the pin, but Sydal makes the save.  Dez Xavier is now in the ring, and starts clearing everyone, but Page lands a nasty neckbreaker that sends Dez out of the ring.  Willie Mack comes in and it’s him and Page going at it.  Page and Swan battle on the top turnbuckle, but Page throws him onto the others outside the ring.  Jake Crist now in, and he tries to pull off a move on the top rope, but Mack lands a Stunner, and gets the pin.  However, Callahan attacks Mack after the match with a baseball bat, and OVE are going to attack him with a chair.  Callahan lifts Dave Crist up, while Jake Crist has Mack on his shoulders.  They then land a Cutter onto the table, taking out Mack.  Rich Swann comes in to save Mack, and Callahan has the bat---but then decides to take OVE out of the ring.  This isn't over between OVE and Willie Mack, that’s for sure. 

We get the backstory for Eddie Edwards and Moose, recounting their history prior to their Falls Count Anywhere match at HOMECOMING.

We next get Eli Drake, who requested time to rap with the audience, and to say his thing to Abyss just before their Monster’s Ball match Sunday.  He’s out with an oar, recounting what he did to Joseph Park and Tommy Dreamer.  And saying that Aybss has been NOWHERE to be found.  He’s complaining about how he now hast to be in this Monster’s Ball match.  He still throwing shade at IMPACT Management.  But he plans on putting an end to Abyss.  He says he will beat Abyss by going hardcore…the thing he hates…in order to prove that he’s great at everything, and beat them at their own game.  Tommy’s music hits and he comes out with a chair, hops into the ring, and they go at it.  Drake swings at Dreamer, but he hits the chair, and the oar flies out of his hand.  Dreamer then hits him with the chair, and drops him with a DDT.  All of the sudden, Raven appears!  He and Dreamer have words, and Drake tries to induce them into a fight, knowing the history between Raven and Dreamer.  But both of them nail Drake with two right hands, and Drake rolls out of the ring.  Dreamer and Raven stand in the ring.  Both will be watching Sunday as Abyss takes on Drake. 

Gama Singh is in the ring dedicating the upcoming match with the Desi Hit Squad against Fallah Bahh and KM to Scarlett Bordeaux.  Both teams have tried to impress the seductress over the last few weeks.  Just to add to the festivities, Scarlett makes her appearance to watch the match. There have been 12,000 submissions to her contest to find talent to manage.  The bell barely rings when the Desi Hit Squad attacks Fallah Bahh and KM.  They get a couple of tags and a little offense, but Bahh recovers a little bit, but not enough as Singh’s son goes to work and Bahh.  Raj and Rohit work a double team on Bahh to keep him away from KM.  They continue until Bahh fights back and gets the hot tag to KM.  KM comes in, and both get their offense in, and Bahh lands his big booty to score the pin.  He looks at Scarlett, and says something to her.  Obviously, she’s seen enough, and heads backstage.

The Lucha Bros. are in a pre-recorded promo, talking about how LAX is weak now that Konnan is gone, and that they broke the line of respect when Santana pushed Pentagon.  They said that this will NOT be a friendly fight on Sunday.  I’m telling you right now…THIS is going to be the match of the night.

Dark Allie makes her way to the ring with Su Yung by her side as the now soulless one faces her former friend in Kiera Hogan.  I gotta say this:  Hogan has a TREMENDOUS look.  Like her outfit, love her hair…it’s a great gimmick.  Anyway, Kiera goes right after Allie with a flurry of kicks and forearms. She tosses Allie into the corner, and she lays in the offense with some dropkicks and a couple of knee smashes.  She goes to the ropes to get to Allie, but Allie moves out of the way, and Kiera suicide dives onto Su Yung outside the ring.  Kiera is then taken back into the ring, and Allie aggressively goes to work on her former best friend.  Allie lands some kicks into the corner, drags her out for a pin, but Kiera kicks out.  Then she slaps herself.  Her and Kiera then trade blows, and Kiera gets the offense back, but can’t put Allie away.  Allie eventually lands the codebreaker to score the win.  After the match, Allie and Su go to work on Kiera some more, but Jordynne Grace comes out and destroys both Allie and Su Yung, saving Kiera Hogan.  Thick Momma Pump has now entered the fray.  And we STILL have the Demon Assassin’s essence still floating about this rivalry. 

We get a promo for the Knockouts Championship between Taya Valkyrie and Tessa Blanchard.  That’s going to be the 2^nd best match on the card Sunday…book it!  After that, we have Trevor Lee busting into the IMPACT Management offices, demanding to be on TV, saying he busts his butt week in and out.  They say he’s a great worker, but that’s not enough for him.  He doesn’t care WHO they throw at him, he just wants to be on TV.

LAX cut a promo where they talk about Konnan, and when he wasn’t there, they went on a losing streak, but that they were able to pick each other up.  They go on to say that Konnan tells them the old war stories about the family falling apart because they got too competitive.  They feel they’ll do it themselves.  They’re ready for January 6^th.  This is THE match on this card, I’m telling you.

Trevor Lee comes out for his match, and he gets…KILLER KROSS!  Kross comes into the ring and just starts laying waste to Trevor Lee.  You can see Kross enjoying himself as he continues to beat him down.  He gets him into a suplex, and locks him into a chicken wing like lock to score the submission and the win.  He then demands the mic, and wishes Johnny Impact good luck.  He hops out of the ring, and grabs the time keeper, telling him he’s going to do what Kross wants.  Kross grabs a cinderblock from under the ring and has the timekeeper hold it up against Lee’s face has Kross delivers a bare handed blow to the block, smashing it against Lee’s face.  The camera then closes in on Kross, telling John to be ready.  I have a feeling he’s going to stick his nose in the Main Event on Sunday.  Lee is in need of medical help. Not the way I’d say Trevor Lee wanted to end his IMPACT tenure, but it is what it is.

Two matches have been added to HOMECOMING:  Willie Mack will take on Sami Callahan, and Kiera Hogan & Jordynne Grace will take on Allie & Su Yung.

Main Event time as The Lucha Bros. make their way to the ring to face Johnny Impact and Brian Cage.  I don’t know WHY you have two men who are going to face off WITH EACH OTHER be stuck in a tag match on the go-home show before the PPV.  Just stupid.  But that seems to be rampant throughout wrestling no matter WHAT promotion you work for.  The match begins, and Fenix tries to get Cage off his feet, but no avail.  No way Fenix OR Pentagon can get The Machine off his feet.  Cage goes to work on Pentagon, and has him on his shoulders when Johnny gets the blind tag, and goes to work himself.  Johnny and Pentagon trade moves until Pentagon lands a backstabber on Impact.  Pentagon slows the match down and starts to inflict pain on Johnny.  Fenix tags in, and continues the offensive flurry.  Johnny is out of the ring, and Cage comes in, only to be met with a Cutter by Fenix.  Pentagon then suicide dives outside onto Johnny.  Johnny recovers, and lays the offense on Fenix, then hits a moonsault outside on Pentagon, Cage, and Fenix. 

Fenix and Cage are battling in the ring.  Fenix goes for a hurricanrada, but Cage catches him and powerbombs him.  Blind tag by Johnny, and Cage isn’t impressed.  Johnny lands a Spanish Fly, and goes for the pin, but Pentagon breaks it up.  All four men are in the ring, and it becomes a superkick fest until Cage nails Johnny with a clothesline by accident.  This allows the Lucha Bros. to set up their finisher for the win.  Lucha Bros. roll into HOMECOMING for their match against LAX, while Johnny and Cage will now put their friendship aside.  Johnny asks what the hell happened, and Cage tries to explain to him that it was not intentional.  They get into each other’s faces, and as Cage looks to leave, Johnny grabs him, and a brawl is on!  The refs try to break it up, but they get cleared of the ring by the two combatants.  Security eventually comes in to try and separate the two.  Cage powers his way through to get to Johnny, and the melee continues.  They are all over each other, and eventually the locker room comes out to try and break it up…but Johnny leaps off the top rope for a spinning dive onto the resf of the locker room, but the fight rages on as the show ends.

 ________________________________________________________________________

This show was an alright show for a go-home.  I would NOT have put Cage and Impact in a tag match with them having to face each other just a mere few days away from a PPV.  But it’s formulaic, and it means that something breaks down in the match, and we get a donnybrook prior to the Main Event at the PPV…just kind of takes the steam out of the match, you know?  But the match between Cage & Johnny vs. the Lucha Bros. wasn’t bad.  The 10 man tag was a tad sloppy, with far too many high spots happening far too early in the match.  I don’t know who booked this, or who the agent was laying out the match, but it wasn’t as solid as it could have been.  I will say this:  The Rascalz are NOT a bad team.  They show promise.

I have a feeling that Allie & Kiera’s story was far from finished.  While I STILL keep expecting Rosemary to return and the “Dark War” to begin, Jordynne Grace inserting herself into the mix is interesting.  It gives Kiera a VERY powerful ally, and someone I don’t think either Allie or Su Yung REALLY wanna deal with.  Make no mistake, though---I’m still holding out hope that now that this match is signed for the PPV, I expect Rosemary to make an appearance.  Long overdue for the Demon Assassin to return.

The feud between Willie Mack & Sami Callahan has just begun.  I expect OVE and Swann & Mack to be at war with each other for a bit.  It’ll also give these two teams a chance to climb the ladder for an eventual title shot down the road.

Desi Hit Squad looked fairly good against KM & Fallah Bahh.  Both are trying to impress Scarlett Bordeaux…not sure EITHER team did much if she walked out just after the match.

Will Konnan show up for the match between LAX & The Lucha Bros.?  Will he try to prevent another part of the family breaking up?  Or is he just done?

Was nice to see Raven and Tommy Dreamer make an appearance and teach Eli Drake a lesson.  Fans obviously didn’t forget the legendary feud between the two legends as chants of “ECW” emanated through the crowd. 

Trevor Lee---ouch.  Not a way I would’ve wanted my tenure at IMPACT to end---to get utterly destroyed by Killer Kross in a huge squash match AND take a cinderblock to the face.  But he’s now a free agent, and I have a feeling that his talents will land him somewhere---either ROH or MAYBE All Elite Wrestling.  I still feel that Kross will play a part in the Main Event on Sunday.  I think his feud with Johnny is far from over.  There’s still more story to tell there.

Nothing on the Ultimate X this week, but we did get a promo for the Knockouts Championship, as well as a promo for Eddie Edwards & Moose.  I will say this:  IMPACT is a tad smarter than WWE, in making sure it spreads its time for talent around.  We don’t need to see EVERYBODY every week.  And they’re not thrown into ridiculous tag matches or some nonsense like that.  Tessa & Taya said their thing, Eddie & Moose need to be kept apart until Sunday.  That’s good!  It gives more weight to these matches come Sunday.  So, with that in mind…we now have the final lineup for Sunday’s PPV—HOMECOMING.  Here’s the rundown:

IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:  Brian Cage v. Johnny Impact (C)

KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP:  Taya Valkyrie v. Tessa Blanchard (C) **GAIL KIM – Special Guest Referee

IMPACT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:  The Lucha Bros. v. LAX (C)

ULTIMATE X MATCH (For the X-DIVISION TITLE):  Ethan Page v. Rich Swann v. Jake Crist v. Trey Miguel

NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH:  Eddie Edwards v. Moose

MONSTER’S BALL MATCH:  Eli Drake v. Abyss

Kiera Hogan & Jordynne Grace v. Allie & Su Yung

Willie Mack v. Sami Callahan

8 matches seems like a pretty stacked enough card.  And as I predict…the biggest match of the night—to ME, anyway---is going to be the Lucha Bros. and LAX.  I expect this match to be exceptional.  Both teams are two of the best in the business, and will lay it on the line come Sunday night.  Taya v. Tessa I expect will be pretty good as well.  My sleeper match will be the Ultimate X match…I expect some crazy ass stuff to happen in that match.  But overall..seems like a solid card.  I’ll post a blog within the next 24 hours, giving my predictions on who will win.  So keep an eye out for that.

Well…this is the last regular episode of IMPACT! I’ll get to cover for your guys, what with the switch to the Pursuit Network, and I’m not able to get the streaming service as yet, but I will work on it.  Until then, I’ll just have to possibly give you updates on what’s going on, without going into full reviews…just to keep you guys in the loop as to what’s happening in the promotion.  Anyway, I thank you for checking THIS blog out during its short little run, and subscribe to my blog, and pass it around to the others.  I’d be extremely grateful.  And don’t be afraid to leave comments…good or bad, as long as you keep it civil, we’re cool. 

COMING UP:  HOMECOMING Predictions!