Well Knockouts fans, be sure to strap yourselves as I welcome you to this week’s bittersweet edition of Impact Write-Up.
After a long week of Impact Wrestling news ranging from a new UK television deal and departures of wrestling stars Drew Galloway, the Bennetts, the Broken Hardys and, of course, Jade, we have made it to what is being referred to as the last episode under the “TNA/Dixie Carter” era.
Despite some of the unfortunate news, we are still treated to a strong Knockouts match this week as Rosemary is set to defend to her Knockouts title against Jade, literally, one last time in a Last Knockout Standing match!
Our Knockouts title match, rightfully, kicks off this week’s show! The challenger makes her entrance first but the champion isn’t even able to make it to the ring when she comes out, as Jade goes straight for an attack. She meets Rosemary halfway through the entrance ramp, leading to an early brawl that ends with Jade ramming Rosemary’s head to the ring apron and hitting a suicide dive. Jade tosses Rosemary in the ring, setting up for a packaged pile driver but Rosemary counters it out.
Rosemary scoops Jade up for the Red Wedding finisher but Jade counters this with a German Suplex. A second drop German Suplex from Jade puts Rosemary down for a six second count but the champion manages to get to her feet before the count of ten. Jade hits a running dropkick that sends Rosemary to the outside and tries to land another suicide dive only to be stopped halfway when Rosemary strikes a strong right elbow shot.
Still on the outside, Rosemary begins to fish for weapons from under the ring where she finds a kendo stick and trash can to toss inside the ring. The weapons aren’t used right away though, as Rosemary looks to wear Jade down first by shoving her head to a turnbuckle, hitting a running forearm and applying a hanging choke hold. With some damage now inflicted, Rosemary picks up the trash she brought in and swings it over Jade’s head.
The blows send Jade to a corner – setting up for the perfect chance for Rosemary to hit a top rope cost-to-coast dropkick. Acting referee Early Hebner begins his ten count and nearly makes it seven when Jade gets back to her feet. Rosemary picks up the nearby trash can and goes after Jade again but the challenger is ready this time, stopping Rosemary with a kick to the midsection.
It’s now Jade’s turn to grab a weapon to attack Rosemary with and she opts to use a kendo stick to strike the back of Rosemary repeatedly. Jade follows up with a running kick to Rosemary that puts the champion down for the count of six. Almost immediately after Rosemary gets up, she is knocked back down when Jade lifts her up and powerbombs her onto the trash can! The maneuver nearly gives Jade the win but Rosemary gets back to her feet at the count of nine.
Rosemary manages to take back control of the match after blinding Jade with a mist attack after Jade went for a top rope attack. The champion successfully connects her Red Wedding finisher that keeps Jade down for nine seconds. When the first Red Wedding doesn’t give Rosemary the win, she hits a second one… this time on the outside floors! With the help of ring apron and some strong endurance, Jade stays alive to keep this match going.
Rosemary is in disbelief and charges after Jade but crashes to a ring post when Jade dodges out the way. Still blinded by Rosemary’s mist, Jade, conveniently, comes across a water bottle to rinse her eyes but also gulps some of that water to throw a mist of her own to Rosemary! A blinded Rosemary is then lifted and powerbomb onto the steel steps!
The brutal attack isn’t enough to keep Rosemary down. She crawls back up to her feet by using the steel steps causing t this battle to continue from the entrance ramp. From the entrance ramp, Jade sets Rosemary for a powerbomb but Rosemary blinds Jade with a mist for a second time in this match. A frantic Jade tries to clear the mist from her eyes but Rosemary gets to her, hitting a Red Wedding on the ramp that puts Jade away for the ten count to retain the Knockouts title.
Brandi Rhodes also makes an appearance to try and bring some stability to her husband Cody as he continues to lash out against Moose in an all out brawl that takes a whole locker room and not-so security guards to break up. But hey, at least we got to see Cody vigorously toss Josh Matthews around! THANK YOU CODY!!!
Finally we take a trip down memory lane to recap Allie’s entire Cinderella storyline that came to a conclusion after last week’s wedding segment. I seriously have watched that entire segment like five times already!
Of course, everyone wants to know how Laurel Van Ness is feeling after being dumped on national television. Mckenzie Mitchell accidentally finds Laurel in a dark and empty room. She’s still wearing her wedding dress, drinking out a champagne bottle and muttering about her father spent so much on the wedding that was never meant to be.
Mckenzie tries to cheer Laurel up by saying that there are plenty of other fishes in the sea (we’ve all heard that line before) but Laurel ignores this and instead yaps on about her hatred for Braxton Sutter and Allie.
Thoughts: Out of all the matches of the #RedVsBlue series, I have to say this match was my favorite. I loved the physicality that these two have brought out in each other whenever they’ve competed. Props to Jade for really selling that first blind mist attack and to Rosemary for taking the bumps that she did.
While there was some lack of story in this feud, the one thing I appreciated (and will truly take away) from it was how refreshing these two made the Knockouts division again. After a year long of lackluster matches and hot-potato title reigns, Jade and Rosemary were two new names that brought out some great matches and helped elevate the value of the Knockouts Championship in a short period of time.
On a personal level, having met Jade a few times already, her departure from Impact is the one I’m most sadden about. I think Jade is an incredible talent who really began to shine on TV once she broke free from her Dollhouse persona. It’s disappointing, in a way, knowing that we’ll never see Jade get some redemption against Rosemary after losing to her three times and that Gail‘s high praises of Jade being the new face of the Knockouts division will just fade away.
Still, the fan in me is very grateful for Jade’s time in Impact and I wish her nothing but the best in whatever comes next for her.
As far Laurel goes, well with Maria’s departure I worry that she (along with Sienna) will get lost in the shuffle now. I do hope that this heartbroken bride character is dropped quickly and she turns into a vengeful seeking woman against Allie and Braxton. Allie is at a peak right now as the biggest babyface in the Knockouts division, so I’d like to think Impact would want to capitalize on that after months of dedication to the character.
What did you think of this week’s episode of Impact? What has been your favorite match between Jade/Rosemary? What do you think is in store next for Laurel? Let us know in the comments below!
