Knockouts Knockdown is now in the books for the year and it was a fantastic showing by IMPACT. For the first time since 2016, an all-women’s event came to our screens. The event included Mickie James and Veda Scott on commentary, Melissa Santos as ring announcer, and all-female referees.
The event started with some words from Gail Kim and Lexie Fyfe and a 10-bell salute for Daffney who the world lost when she passed away on Sept. 1. Taylor Wilde paid tribute to Daffney later on in the night in a video as well.
A big portion of the event included an eight-woman tournament which showcased all rounds to grant one woman a future Knockouts Championship match as well as a trophy. Mercedes Martinez became that woman as she defeated Tasha Steelz in the final match.
The tournament results were as follows:
First Round –
Rachael Ellering defeated Lady Frost
-Rachael hits a Black Hole Slam for the pin
Chelsea Green defeated Renee Michelle
-Chelsea delivers the Unprettier for the pin
Mercedes Martinez defeated Brandi Lauren
– Mercedes executes an Avalanche Dominator to get the pin.
Tasha Steelz defeated Jamie Senegal
– Tasha hits a cutter prior to a crucifix bomb to get the pin.
Semi-finals –
Mercedes Martinez defeated Rachael Ellering
– Mercedes hits a fisherman’s driver into a guillotine for the submission.
Tasha Steelz defeated Chelsea Green
-Tasha hits a frog splash for the pin.
Finals –
Mercedes Martinez defeated Tasha Steelz
– Mercedes executes an Avalanche Dominator to get the pin.
It was not announced when Martinez will get her title opportunity, but it will be after Bound for Glory. She will face the winner from Bound for Glory whether it be the current Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo or Purrazzo’s opponent at that event, Mickie James.
Other results from the event are as follows:
Purrazzo had a Pick Your Poison match in which Mickie determined her opponent. Her opponent was Masha Salmovich who is one to watch on the indie scene and was a standout at NWA EmPowerrr in August. After an extremely competitive match, Slamovich verbally submits as she is locked in the Venus de Milo by The Virtuosa.
Purrazzo will be picking a match for James as a Pick Your Poison match for her prior to their meeting at Bound for Glory. This was part of Gail Kim’s decision after Scott D’Amore created a no-contact clause between the two of them.
A Monster’s Ball Match took place as a Four-way match between Jordynne Grace, Kimber Lee, Alisha, and Savannah Evans. This match was dedicated to Daffney who, along with Taylor Wilde. were the first Knockouts to appear in this type of match.
This match had it all and once the thumbtacks came out was the beginning of the end. Kimber and Alisha received the brunt of the thumbtacks and it would be Alisha who took the pin from the winner of the match, Savannah.
The last match and the main event of the night was for the Knockouts Tag Team Championships. Decay was defending their titles against The Influence. Havok and Rosemary walked in as champs and they walked out as champs.
IMPACT aired the PSA in support of Tag Me In United. A worldwide wrestling effort to unite and normalize the discussion on mental health. Diva Dirt is partnering with this initiative and posted about this effort when it launched on Friday. You can click here for more details.
Other moments to note include:
Awesome Kong was announced as the next inductee into the IMPACT Hall of Fame. You can read the details here.
The IInspiration [The IIconics] are coming to IMPACT Wrestling at Bound for Glory. You can read the details here.
What did you think of Knockouts Knockdown? Do you think this should become a yearly event once again? Discussion below!
