Two days before IMPACT Wrestling heads to Chicago for Bound for Glory, they make a pit stop in South Bend, Indiana for Prelude to Glory, a live special on the IMPACT+ App. It’s a full card with all hands on deck, as many of Bound for Glory‘s top participants take in some action in some warm-up match-ups. It kicks off a three day weekend of IMPACT events being broadcast, followed up on Saturday with the Midwest indie showcase All Glory live for free on Twitch.
Johnny Swinger vs. Fallah Bahh
Former ECW, WWE and WCW Superstar Johnny Swinger is back in IMPACT Wrestling, this time rocking an 80’s throwback gimmick. It’s been six years since Swinger last appeared for IMPACT, and years since his last big run in 2004. But he’s kept up in the US and Canadian indies and now returns looking to be in great shape. He’s taking on a mountain of man in Fallah Bahh. Bahh hasn’t had much ring time of late, since his short feud with Moose over the summer. He’s being prepped by TJP somewhat the past few weeks, so perhaps a new alliance is coming.
Jessicka Havok vs. Elayna Black
Even Father James Mitchell is losing control of Havok these days, as the demonic powers of the darkness consume her – she nearly “killed” Su Yung several weeks ago. Havok is now gunning on getting the Knockouts Championship (which she held previously back in 2014) and on Friday, she’ll look to make an example out of Elayna Black, a young rising star out of Chicago who competes for RISE Wrestling, Zelo Pro Wrestling, and other Midwest promotions.
Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs. Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju & Mahabali Shera)
Since the return of Mahabali Shera to IMPACT and him joining the Desi Hit Squad stable, the team has finally shown some promise after being more of a comedy act the past two years. They’re coming off a big trios win last week against The Rascalz, and they’ll be looking to ride that momentum when the duo of Shera and Rohit Raju face off against the tandem of Rich Swann and Willie Mack. Swann and Mack have had singles success as well – Swann is a former X-Division Champion – but together are coming off two huge wins over LAX (in their final IMPACT match) and The Rascalz. Swann & Mack will be looking for a victory as they head into Bound for Glory with a shot at The North‘s IMPACT Tag Team titles.
Street Fight: Ace Austin vs. Eddie Edwards
Over the past few months, Ace Austin has been a master of subterfuge, seducing Aleisha Edwards away from the corner of her husband, Eddie Edwards. The maniacal Eddie has been gunning for Austin since, but is so far 0-2 against IMPACT’s ring magician – he lost by DQ in Mexico this past September and then lost to Austin again last week in a ladder match qualifier for the X-Division Ladder Match at Bound for Glory. The third installment of the feud will go down on Friday in a Street Fight, and with Kenny the Kendo Stick a legal weapon in the match, Edwards will be looking to finally get his revenge.
Sami Callihan vs. Dezmond Xavier
Sami Callihan is gearing up for a shot at Brian Cage‘s IMPACT World Heavyweight Championship on Sunday, all the while keeping an eye out for his now bitter rival, Tessa Blanchard. He’s sending two of his boys from oVe against both Cage and Blanchard elsewhere on the card, and as a warm-up for Sunday, he’s facing off against The Rascalz’ Dezmond Xavier. The Rascalz have had some big losses of late, so a strong showing from Xavier against Callihan could be the fire they need to get back in the title hunt.
Tenille Dashwood, Jordynne Grace & Rosemary vs. Kiera Hogan, Taya Valkyrie & Madison Rayne
A huge six-woman Knockouts tag team match at Prelude to Glory, as Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie and her Bound for Glory challenger Tenille Dashwood lead two teams against each other. Dashwood is joined by two women who would love another show at the gold, in Jordynne Grace and Rosemary, while Valkyrie is joined by Keira Hogan and Madison Rayne. IMPACT’s Knockouts Division is arguably the strongest women’s roster in pro wrestling right now, and these six are sure to put on a great fight.
Brian Cage & Tessa Blanchard vs. oVe (Jake Crist & Madman Fulton)
Tessa Blanchard has had problems with Sami Callihan and oVe for months now, and that feud continues at Prelude to Glory when she faces the tag team of X-Division Champion Jake Crist (who she’ll be facing on Sunday in the Ladder Match) and Madman Fulton. Her partner against the two is the man facing oVe’s leader, Sami Callihan, this Sunday to defend his World title, Brian Cage.
Michael Elgin & The North (Josh Alexander & Ethan Page) vs. Noamichi Marufuji, Rhino & Rob Van Dam
A huge 6-man tag team as the Canadians unite to face some wrestling legends. IMPACT World Tag Team Champions The North (Ethan Page & Josh Alexander) team up with fellow Canadian Michael Elgin in a match that will set the stage for both their matches on Sunday. Elgin is well versed in Japanese wrestling and at Bound for Glory, he’s facing Pro Wrestling NOAH Ace Noamichi Marufuji. At Prelude to Glory on Friday, the 3x GHC Heavyweight Champion is teaming up with ECW legends Rhino & Rob Van Dam, who will be facing off against The North on Sunday in a triple threat with Swann & Mack for the IMPACT Tag Team titles. This will be a hard-hitting contest, as all six men like to get rough.
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. To watch Prelude to Glory, make sure to subscribe to Impact+
