With Impact Wrestling scaling back on actual PPVs while they work on rebuilding the brand, they’ve created monthly special events with a PPV feel and PPV quality matchups in its place, such as last months Genesis. The trend continues tonight with a stacked card for Impact Crossroads that sees all championships being defended. Here’s a run down of tonight’s special event.
Handicap Match: OvE (Dave & Jake Crist) vs. Bobby Lashley
After last week's vicious attack @TheEddieEdwards is out of Crossroads. @fightbobby will have to go it alone vs. oVe. https://t.co/rHrHAEZgdc has the full story.
MORE: https://t.co/IzkbkZARkT pic.twitter.com/OWQB70tbT4
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) March 5, 2018
Originally, this was supposed to be a tag team grudge match, with Ohio Vs. Everything‘s Crist Brothers (Dave & Jake) facing off against Eddie Edwards & Bobby Lashley. But following OvE leader Sami Callihan‘s baseball bat to Edwwards’ face last week, Lashley is now in a handicap match against the minions of Callihan. Lashley has the power to take on two smaller wrestlers, but the wild card will Sami Callihan himself. A third pair of hands – and currently “the world’s most dangerous wrestler” – could be enough to put Lashley down like Edwards.
Knockouts Championship Match: Laurel Van Ness (c) vs. Allie
Laurel Van Ness’ reign as Knockouts Champion has been a “hot mess”, including her attempt to marry her title belt last week on Impact, before Allie came out to object. After being groomed by former Knockouts Champion Gail Kim and encouraged by Demon Bunny pal Rosemary, Allie is determined to take the title from Van Ness and tonight could be just that moment.
Impact World Tag Team Championship Match: LAX (Santana & Ortiz) (c) vs. The Cult of Lee (Trevor Lee & Caleb Konley)
With their feud against OvE on hold, LAX has a new thorn in their side and it’s the re-energized Cult of Lee, lead by 3x X-Division Champion Trevor Lee and his protégé Caleb Konley. Two different style teams, with the high flying athleticism of Cult of Lee challenging the hard hitting duo of Santana and Ortiz. Two great teams in the early stages of a feud, regardless of the outcome, this fight is far from over.
Impact Grand & X-Division Championship Match: Taiji Ishimori (X-Division Champion) vs. Matt Sydal (Grand Champion)
Not just a Champion vs. Champion matchup, it’s also a title vs. title, as X-Division Champion Taiji Ishimori puts his title on the line against Grand Champion Matt Sydal and his own title. Ishimori has been a stand out star in the X-Division as part of the alliance with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan, and the 3x GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion and 6x GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion is just getting his feet wet in North America. Matt Sydal has come back to Impact a changed man and with his new mystery spiritual advisor backing him, he’s already claimed one title. With two athletic specimens like these two, this could easily be the match of the night.
Impact World Championship Match: Austin Aries (c) vs. Johnny Impact
A PPV worthy main event worthy of any promotion, “The Belt Collector” Austin Aries puts his Impact World Heavyweight Championship on the line against another of the busiest men in pro wrestling. Johnny Impact (who also wrestles as Johnny Mundo in Lucha Undergound and AAA, as well as being the former John Morrison in the WWE) has become one of the indies best well rounded performers in the past few years. There’s no doubt Johnny will be a World Champion again soon, but Aries is on too much of a momentum right now.
