IMPACT Wrestling continues to present new episodes of IMPACT! Wrestling on AXS TV this Tuesday night, as the company launches a new tournament to announce the new #1 contender to Tessa Blanchard‘s IMPACT World Heavyweight Championship. Shortly after the tournament was announced last week, Moose withdrew from the tournament as it was for a “second-class championship” and his spot was filled by a new, hungrier Rohit Raju. The first two tournament matches go down on Tuesday night, plus two big matches in the Knockouts division (including an in-ring debut and a return) and Moose “defends” his TNA World Heavyweight title.
Kylie Rae vs. Tasha Steelz
Kylie Rae has been on a hot streak since officially joining the IMPACT Knockouts division earlier this spring, with wins over Cassandra Golden and Keira Hogan. She returns to action on Tuesday night in singles competition where she faces one of the top prospects in women’s wrestling in Tasha Steelz. Steelz is making her first return to IMPACT since appearing in a Knockouts Battle Royal last May on IMPACT TV, but she’s kept busy. She’s appeared for Ring of Honor on multiple events last year, and since making her debut at NWA Into the Fire, she has been a regular part of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA)‘s women’s division as well. She last faced Melina on NWA Powerrr in February. Should be an exciting contest between two of the brightest young stars today.
TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Moose (c) vs. Suicide
While IMPACT Wrestling management has refused to sanction the return of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship as an official title in IMPACT, Moose is hearing none of it. He withdrew from the #1 contenders tournament to focus on his new “championship”. He unofficially defended it in triple threat action at IMPACT Rebellion and will “defend” it again on Tuesday night against Suicide, who returned to IMPACT this past March. Moose looks to continue his success against former TNA stars, having faced the likes of Hernandez, Petey Williams, Kid Kash, and Chase Stevens in recent weeks.
Jessicka Havok vs. Kimber Lee
Jessicka Havok was a guest on Madison Rayne‘s talk show segment last week, where she was being interviewed about the debuting Neveah from a few week’s back. But before she could really give a proper answer, Madison Rayne unveiled another new Knockout from Havok’s past to head to IMPACT in Kimber Lee. The former CHIKARA Grand Champion and reigning SHIMMER Champion is making her IMPACT in-ring debut on Tuesday against her old nemesis from the indies.
IMPACT Wrestling World Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, First Round: Hernandez vs. Madman Fulton
Two matches in the #1 contenders tournament for the IMPACT World Heavyweight Championship, both with drastically different styles. This one features two giant monsters who will engage in a battle of the big men to create their path towards a World title opportunity. Hernandez returned to IMPACT a few weeks ago with the TNA: One Night Only special, and has remained with the company since. Hernandez is a 7x tag team champion in TNA/IMPACT, most famously alongside Homicide as part of the original LAX, but has failed to capture singles gold in IMPACT. He’s facing another big brawler in oVe‘s Madman Fulton. Fulton has been particularly enraged since Sami Callihan turned on the stable amidst the group’s recent struggles and taking his aggression out on someone like Hernandez could lead to a violent match between two of the biggest men in IMPACT.
IMPACT Wrestling World Championship #1 Contenders Tournament, First Round: Rohit Raju vs. Trey Miguel
While the first match in the #1 contenders tournament will be a battle of giants, the second one is sure to be an athletic and aerial assault. The Rascalz‘ Trey Miguel was originally scheduled to face the group’s old rival Moose in the first round, but following Moose’s withdrawal from the tournament, it was announced last week that Rohit Raju would be taking his place. Normally, a member of the Desi Hit Squad wouldn’t cause much of a stir in emotion, but Raju looks hungrier now that he has in his entire time with IMPACT, and he seemingly revealed the break up of the Desi Hit Squad, stating “there is no more Desi Hit Squad, only the Desi Hitman”. For those who have seen Rohit Raju compete on the US indie circuit as Hakim Zane, they are aware of what an energized Raju can do, where he’s the reigning AAW Heritage Champion and Glory Pro Midwest Territory Champion. Don’t be surprised if the new look “Desi Hitman” pulls off a victory en route to a character redemption.
.@DashingChrisBey is stirring the pot, @HakimZane has something to prove, TNA World Heavyweight Champion @TheMooseNation and SO much more coming your way TUESDAY at 8/7c on @AXSTV! #IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/fmsV7Lwtyy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2020
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