This Friday, Oct. 7 will be IMPACT’s annual Bound for Glory pay-per-view. At the time of this writing as a preview, there are three confirmed Knockouts matches with Knockouts also included in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet bout.
The card reads as follows:
Call Your Shot Gauntlet – Gisele Shaw is one of 20-names confirmed
Mickie James vs. Mia Yim
VXT (c) vs. Death Dolls (w/Rosemary) – Knockouts World Tag Team Championship
Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Masha Slamovich – Knockouts World Championship
The Call Your Shot Gauntlet is an intergender bout with implications for the winner receiving a future title shot of their choosing. It has been in place since 2019 and this will be the fourth year in a row it has been presented. Knockouts have been included each year but one has yet to win. So far, at the time of this writing, only one name has been announced and that is Gisele Shaw.
Mickie James vs. Mia Yim
The first Knockouts Match we are going to discuss is Mickie James vs. Mia Yim. James is currently in her “Last Rodeo” which means she will continue to have matches up until she can get back to the Knockouts World Title. If she loses any matches along the way or fails to recapture the title she will go home and retire.
Yim will definitely be James’ biggest opponent thus far in this journey. So far, Hardcore Country has defeated Hyan, Raychell Rose, and Gisele Shaw.
Predictions –
Colby: I’m so glad this match is taking place on pay-per-view. Mia Yim is a major opponent, in my opinion, in the midst of Mickie’s Last Ride. The rumor mill says Mia’s short-term deal with IMPACT is up after this match, but I hope they are able to extend it. IMPACT just feels like home for Mia. With that being said, there’s little doubt surrounding the winner of the match as Mickie still has a ways to go in this farewell tour. I hope they steal the show. Prediction: Mickie James
Nick: There’s no doubt that this match won’t be good, but James losing already just doesn’t add up. Plus with Mia’s deal with IMPACT being up, it is unclear what the future holds for her. Mickie will definitely make it to the title eventually, but who will be the one holding it at that time is the question. Prediction: Mickie James
VXT (c) vs. Death Dolls (w/Rosemary) – Knockouts World Tag Team Championship
Next up is the Knockouts World Tag Team Championships. VXT will be defending against the Death Dolls (Jessicka & Taya Valkyrie). Chelsea Green and Deonna Purrazzo have only been champions since August and have one title defense under them against Jordynne Grace & Mia Yim. The Knockouts tag team division has suffered some big hits over the past several months by losing some teams. These two teams are very familiar with each other as VXT took the titles from Valkyrie and Rosemary. Now with Havok‘s new persona as Jessicka could that win back the tag titles for the newly named Death Dolls?
Predictions –
Colby: It appears that Chelsea having septum surgery may have resulted in less ring time for the current tag champs. That, and maybe the fact that there aren’t any real tag teams outside of the ones competing in this match. Nevertheless, I’m enjoying the Taya/Jessicka/Rosemary storyline, which I’m sure will only escalate here no matter the result. I’d like to see VXT continue their run, as well as some major developments on the babyface side. It’s time for someone to turn on the group, and a loss for Taya/Jessicka will do just that. Prediction: VXT
Nick: In my personal opinion the tag team division is hurting and needs some new competitors and quickly. With that being said, it just doesn’t seem right for VXT to lose yet. IMPACT has had a history so far with short title reigns for the tag team division but this one wouldn’t make the most sense to have Green and Purrazzo drop yet. The only exception I can see to them losing is the notion of Purrazzo’s contract with IMPACT! coming to an end soon (without confirmation that she has re-signed) and Cheslea working without a contract. Prediction: VXT
Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Masha Slamovich – Knockouts World Championship
Lastly, we have the Knockouts World Championship. The one match on the card has more of a storyline and focus built into it. Since Masha Slamovich joined IMPACT as a Knockout she has successfully defeated every opponent and has dominated and destroyed the Knockouts roster. Starting with enhancement talent and then picking off the signed roster one by one. After becoming the number one contender by defeating Purrazzo she is now staring at the gold. But Grace won’t be an easy champion to defeat.
Leading up to this the two played some Pick Your Poison as they chose each other’s opponents. Grace had to take out Max the Impaler at Victory Road while Slamovich had an incredible Monster’s Ball bout with Allie Katch.
The two will have a contract signing on the go-home episode of IMPACT! tonight on Oct. 6 to give the final push before tomorrow’s event.
Predictions –
Colby: IMPACT has done a solid job of building up Masha over the last year. From her debut at Knockouts Knockdown 2021, to defeating Deonna Purrazzo and Allie Katch in main events recently—Masha is ready to challenge for the top prize. Jordynne has been a great standard bearer of the Knockouts division this summer, but the rise of Slamovich seemingly makes the champion the underdog. Do I believe Masha is ready to be champion? Yes. Do I think she will win here? I’m going to side with the underdog for this one. Grace has had an incredible year. It’s not time for her reign to end just yet. Prediction: Jordynne Grace
Nick: Grace losing the title so quickly would be a slight surprise to me, but not fully based on who she is going against. Masha has to take this right? The build-up towards this has been so lengthy but on the other hand, how long will the undefeated streak continue? Personally, I am going to give it to Slamovich because it just seems right to me. Prediction: Masha Slamovich
There you have it, this year’s Bound for Glory card. The show being on a Friday is interesting, but we will see how that goes.
Check back in with Diva Dirt for more news and results from the Knockouts of IMPACT!
