Impact Wrestling No Surrender 2022 Recap + Review

DATE: February 19, 2022
VENUE: Alario Center (New Orleans, LA)
COMMENTATORS: Tom Hannifan & “The Drama King” Matthew Rehwoldt

No Surrender 2022 features a big ten man tag team main event, as the rogue ROH faction Honor No More takes on Team Impact for the right to stay in the company and continue causing chaos. The World Championship is also on the line as Moose defends against W. Morrissey, and Mickie James puts the Knockouts World Championship on the line against Tasha Steelz, the first-ever winner of the Women’s Ultimate X match.

CHAMPIONS

IMPACT WORLD CHAMPION: Moose
IMPACT KNOCKOUTS WORLD CHAMPION: Mickie James
IMPACT X-DIVISION CHAMPION: Trey Miguel
IMPACT DIGITAL MEDIA CHAMPION: “Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona
IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Good Brothers (“Big LG” Doc Gallows & “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson)
IMPACT KNOCKOUTS WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The IInspiration (Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee)

LINEUP

#1 CONTENDER’S MATCH (X-DIVISION): Chris Bey vs. Ace Austin vs. Jake Something vs. Mike Bailey (***1/2)
Black Taurus vs. JONAH (***3/4)
Eric Young vs. Jay White (***3/4)
Deonna Purrazzo [c] vs. ??? for the ROH WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
Matt Cardona [c] vs. Jordynne Grace for the IMPACT DIGITAL MEDIA CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
The Good Brothers [c] vs. G.O.D. for the IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
Mickie James [c] vs. Tasha Steelz for the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
Moose [c] vs. W. Morrissey for the IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)
Team Impact vs. Honor No More (****1/4)

*****

#1 CONTENDER’S MATCH (X-DIVISION)
“The Ultimate Finesser” Chris Bey vs. “Inevitable” Ace Austin [w/ Madman Fulton] vs. Jake Something vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey

Bailey and Austin shake hands, everyone attacks everyone and Something clears the ring. Something teases taking flight, Bailey stops him and connects with Speedball kicks followed by a double dropkick to Austin & Bey as they charge. Bailey teases flight, Something body blocks him and suplexes him out onto the other two participants (and Fulton). Something soaks in the chants then finally takes flight, taking everybody out with a tope (mostly Fulton). Something squashes Bey in the corner, Austin drops Something with a springboard kick followed by a head wringer for the 1…2…not yet. Austin dodges a strike and rings Something’s bell with a kick, quickly rolling him over for the 1…2…Something kicks out again. Bey kicks Something from behind and drops Austin with a right hand, then launches off Something for a dropkick to Bailey, sending him back to the floor. Bey quickly follows up with a tope con hiro on Bailey, almost overshooting him. Austin cartwheels around Bey on the apron and connects with a superkick, Bailey takes everybody out with a springboard moonsault. Bailey rolls Austin in and connects with a spinning kick in the corner, Something runs in and rolls through a rana attempt and picks him up with a powerbomb, Bey jump kicks Bailey who lands on Austin with a moonsault, Bey follows up with a poison rana on Something and a frog splash on Austin for the 1…2…Bailey breaks it up with a shooting star press! Bailey kicks Bey, Something levels him with a right hand and everybody bails to a corner. Something breaks Bailey in half with a corner spear, Austin and Bailey send Something to the floor with a double superkick. Austin shoves Bailey in the way and Bey catches him with the Art of Finesse for the 1…2…Austin makes the save. Austin clotheslines Bey to the floor, Something catches Austin and brings him Into the Void for the 1…2…3!

Jake Something defeated Ace Austin, Mike Bailey, & Chris Bey via pinfall (7:19)

JON’S THOUGHTS: HELL YEAH. No wasted motion or moments in this one, just move after move from four of the best on the roster. No complaints. Cool to see Something get the win and the title shot, he and Trey Miguel (who was on the PRE SHOW for some reason) are going to tear it up, but man I’m lying in wait for that inevitable Miguel/Bailey match. (***1/2)

–

-Hannifan & Rehwoldt run down the card, which is STACKED. I thought the IInspiration/Influence match was supposed to happen on this show but it wasn’t mentioned.

–Eric Young talks about how he’s earned everything he’s got, and when it’s all said and done he’ll be known as the best performer the business has ever seen. Young says he’s willing to die for his reputation and asks Jay White what he’s willing to do for his.

–

Black Taurus [w/ Crazzy Steve] vs. JONAH

JONAH wears a bull’s skull around his neck during his entrance, crushing it under his boot to play some mind games. He…he knows Black Taurus isn’t a real bull right?

JONAH and Taurus shove each other, JONAH grabs a wristlock, Taurus counters out with a flip and pair of rights. Taurus charges, JONAH doesn’t budge. Taurus tries again, JONAH absorbs it and poses. Taurus surprises JONAH with a kick, JONAH easily shoves off a Thesz Press attempt and clotheslines him to the floor. Taurus escapes a slam and sends JONAH into the post, quickly rolling back in so he can take the big man off his feet with a splash. JONAH rolls Taurus back in to create separation, Taurus quickly drops him once again with a corkscrew suicida. Back in the ring JONAH goes on the offensive, throwing him around the ring and connecting with a headbutt. JONAH grabs a waistlock, Taurus breaks out and stuns him with a jawbreaker but runs right into a back elbow. Taurus counters a splash with a pair of boots and sends JONAH into the opposite corner with a shotgun dropkick. Taurus hits a reverse sling blade then finally brings him down with a crucifix bomb for a near-fall. JONAH follows Taurus into the corner and connects with a splash, Taurus connects with a headbutt, JONAH responds with a bodyblock. Taurus sends JONAH into the middle buckle, hits a 619, then follows up with a twisting senton from the top for the 1…2…JONAH kicks out! Taurus goes for a superplex, JONAH dumps him to the canvas with a gorilla press and follows up with a flying Thesz Press into a powerbomb for the 1…2…Taurus kicks out, JONAH levels him with a lariat and flattens the bull with a Tsunami for the 1…2…3.

JONAH defeated Black Taurus via pinfall (8:07)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Big boys beating the sh*t out of each other. My favorite genre of pro wrestling. Good mix of power and flight, loved that crucifix bomb from Taurus to JONAH especially. (***3/4)

–

–Gia Miller interviews the victorious Jake Something, asking if he’s got what he takes to become the new X-Division Champion. Something shrugs how how RUDE that question is, saying he can’t wait to face Trey Miguel, who interrupts initially hyping Something but he doesn’t think he can be beat. Ace Austin and Madman Fulton show up to throw shade at Something and Miguel, leading to a tag team match for next Thursday’s Impact. Word.

–

Eric Young vs. “Switchblade” Jay White

Good Brothers enlisted the help of Violent By Design to take out the threat of The Bullet Club, which hasn’t gone as anyone has planned. Now the leader of VBD takes on the leader of the BC for the first time ever. Young is initially flanked by Deaner & Joe Doering on the stage but marches to the ring solo, prepared to win this match by himself.

White tackles Young, Young tackles back after White escapes a headlock. White lights Young up in the corner with chops, Young dodges a splash and lays into him with stomps and forearms. White sends Young to the floor and works the back over using the apron. Back in the ring Young counters a whip and sends White shoulder-first into the middle buckle. Young hangs White with a Dragon Sleeper from the middle buckle, White battles back with a running European uppercut into a twisting suplex for the 1…2…Young kicks out. Young fights off a Blade Runner attempt. White changes gears into more chops and stomps in the corner. Young flips out of a suplex attempt and drills White with a DDT, following up with a discus clothesline and HIGH ANGLE Death Valley Driver for the 1…2…White kicks out. White drops to one knee and attacks Young’s braced-up knee to escape a Piledriver attempt. Both men reset and trade chops, Young winning as White falls out to the floor. White wants to try again and they go back to throwing bombs, Young once again winning the shootout to the jeers of the crowd. Young climbs the buckles, White trips up his footing. Young bites White to prevent a superplex attempt, following up with a flying elbowdrop for the 1…2…White kicks out! White quickly counters a Piledriver with a backdrop, Young charges and White drills him with a uranage for the 1…2…Young kicks out.

Young elbows White to stop a half & half suplex, so White reassesses and sends Young crashing to the canvas with a Saito suplex. Action moves to the apron, White drops Young face-first to the HARDEST PART OF THE RING with a Flatliner-ish. White breaks the count and goes for a German suplex, Young fights him off and gets White in a fireman’s carry but White escapes by going after the eyes. White tries the same thing, Young goes after the eyes, and CONNECTS WITH A PILEDRIVER ON THE APRON, both men crashing to the floor. Young recovers enough to roll White into the ring and cover for the 1…2…WHITE KICKS OUT. Young goes for another Piledriver, White counters with a backdrop and counters a sunset flip with a roll-up for the 1…2…YOUNG KICKS OUT. Young rolls White up, feet on the ropes, for the 1…2…WHITE KICKS OUT. White drops Young on his head with a half & half suplex followed by the BLADE RUNNER for the 1…2…3!

Jay White defeated Eric Young via pinfall (12:11)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Young and White beat the sh*t out of each other and it was tremendous. White really had to dig deep to get through Young, who looked every bit the monster he was in 2020 as World Champion, and they had me buying into some of those near-falls at the end. This show rules so far. (***3/4)

–

–Ace Austin and Madman Fulton stop “Speedball” Mike Bailey before he leaves the arena. Austin asks Bailey to be his partner on Thursday (FULTON IS RIGHT THERE), Bailey says he’s not looking to be a tag team wrestler right now. Austin reminds Bailey he needs the right people watching his back in Impact, Bailey says he doesn’t want to get in the way of Austin and Fulton’s dynamic. Austin tells Bailey Something & Miguel were talking trash off-camera and they should give this a try, finally Bailey agrees to shut him up.

–”The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo makes her way out for the open challenge, Rehwoldt shutting Hannifan up so her entrance can happen uninterrupted. What a guy. Her challenger is revealed to be Miranda Alize, who I will admit I’ve never heard of until now. Apparently Rok-C beat Alize to become the ROH Women’s World Champion back when that company was a thing. Purrazzo raises both belts, Alize chooses the ROH Women’s Title of course.

–

“The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo [c] vs. “The Lucha Baddie” Miranda Alize for the ROH WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Purrazzo and Alize trade holds, Alize rolls her up for a two-count and they reset, the Virtuosa giving her a sarcastic round of applause. Alize goes for the Miranda Rights but Purrazzo quickly slips out and they reset once again. Alize dropkicks Purrazzo in the knee and side of the face, then sends her all around the ring with various armdrags and a rana, forcing the champ out of the ring, Alize following up with a tope suicida. Back in the ring Purrazzo escapes a Fireman’s Carry and drops Alize with a pump kick. Purrazzo goes to work, drilling Alize with a lariat for two-count and tying up the Lucha Baddie in a surfboard and bending her in unnatural positions. Purrazzo works the spine with a series of knees, Alize rolls her up for the 1…2…Purrazzo kicks out, Alize with another roll-up for the 1…2…Purrazzo kicks out again and connects with a big ol’ boot to the face. Alize gets sent to the apron and flies back in with a basement rana that spikes Purrazzo’s skull into the canvas. Alize and Purrazzo trade running elbows, Alize brings Purrazzo into the corner and connects with a series of strikes followed by a running forearm shiver and running knee for the 1…2…not yet. Purrazzo surprises Alize with a suplex for the 1…2…Alize kicks out. Alize stuns Purrazzo with a ripcord knee and locks in the Miranda Rights, Purrazzo rolls through into a roll-up for the 1…2…Alize kicks out. Alize misses a Shining Wizard, Purrazzo locks in the Venus de Milo which Alize quickly taps out to. Didn’t even get to fully lock that in.

Deonna Purrazzo [c] defeated Miranda Alize via submission to retain the ROH WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (7:25)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Another showcase for Purrazzo as she continues being the unofficial queen of the Knockouts division. Or maybe it’s official who knows. Match was pretty good, the ending seemed rush as Alize tapped before the full submission got locked in but hey maybe it hurt JUST THAT MUCH or something. (***)

–

–Gia Miller interviews the music group Chapel Hart, who performed the National Anthem to open the show. Mickie James shows up to congratulate them on killing it, Chelsea Green joins in on the love and tells her she’s got her once she’s done with Tasha Steelz. After this everyone is going out to PARTY.

–

“Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona [c] vs. Jordynne Grace for the IMPACT DIGITAL MEDIA CHAMPIONSHIP

Cardona failed to win the Impact World Title at Hard to Kill so he targeted the Digital Media Championship instead, cheating to beat Grace and dubbing it the Digital Media WORLD Championship for ego reasons. He is the current NWA World Heavyweight Championship, however, so he HAS done it but we don’t talk about Bruno. Technical difficulties abound with the house lights not coming up during the showcase of the title, forcing Hannifan to vamp for a sec until they figure it out. LIVE TV FOLKS.

Cardona offers a handshake, Grace attacks instead, connecting with a knee and countering a suplex into a roll-up for a two-count. Cardona runs into a back elbow, Grace grabs a backpack sleeper bringing Cardona to one knee. Grace lets go, Cardona blocks a clothesline but not a backfist and Grace follows up with a deadlift suplex for the 1…2…Cardona kicks out and rolls to the floor, trying to walk out of the match. Grace doesn’t let him, connecting with forearms to bring him back to ringside. Grace charges, Cardona puts the ref between them and sends the back of Grace’s head into the turnbuckles via hair pull. Cardona suplexes Grace into the corner, her legs bouncing off the buckles. Grace fights out of a fireman’s carry, Cardona blocks an O’Connor so Grace rolls through and this time gets it for the 1…2…Cardona kicks out, Grace uses the rebound to connect with a sliding lariat. Cardona charges, Grace connects with a spinebuster for the 1…2…Cardona kicks out! Cardona counters a corner splash with double knees and follows up with a missile dropkick and RE-BOOT, not hesitating like he did the first time they wrestled. Grace crawls out of the corner, Cardona hits a SECOND Re-Boot for the 1…2…Grace kicks out and Cardona can’t believe it! Grace counters Radio Silence with a pop-up into the buckles, double knees to the back, and a running elbow that sends the champ to the floor. Cardona grabs a chair, Grace kicks it into his face and tries to use it but the ref takes it away and Cardona rolls her up for the 1…2….Grace kicks out, Cardona drops her with a lunging clothesline. Cardona flips off the camera and grabs the chair; he scares off the ref and charges but Grace catches him flush with a low-blow…WHICH GETS HER DISQUALIFIED.

Matt Cardona [c] defeated Jordynne Grace via DQ to retain the IMPACT DIGITAL MEDIA CHAMPIONSHIP (8:00)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Much better than their first match now that Cardona got that “can I hit a lady?” nonsense out of his system. Cardona engineering the DQ was pretty great as well; no matter what happened in that situation he was going to retain but getting the winner’s share of the purse is icing on the cake. I did not hate this. Some people thought it shouldn’t have been on the main card since it’s the Digital Media Title but I’m watching this on one of their digital media outlets so I’ll let it slide. (**3/4)

An angry Grace attacks Cardona with the chair after the bell, Cardona makes a hasty retreat with his Digital Media Championship.

–

–Gia Miller interviews Tasha Steelz about tonight’s title match, Savannah Evans carrying the giant red X and staring daggers. Steelz brags about pinning James during Thursday’s tag team match, saying it’s just a preview of what’s going to happen tonight. The interview is cut short by a commotion in the back; the cameraman rushes over and sees a laid out Eddie Edwards, Chris Sabin screaming for someone to help.

–

The Good Brothers (“Big LG” Doc Gallows & “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson vs. Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) for the IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Lots of BULLET CLUB LORE for this one. Anderson & Tonga helped found the original Bullet Club way back in the halcyon days of 2013 so their history stretches back near a decade. Anderson & Gallows were the original big bad team of the Bullet Club before leaving for the States, giving Tonga and his brother Loa the chance to become the new dominant team of the group as the Guerrillas of Destiny starting in 2016. Both teams represent different eras of the group and after years of squabbling they’re finally doing battle with one another…on an Impact Plus event. Pro wrestling is crazy.

Bell rings and the bombs start going between Anderson and Tonga. Tonga wins the shootout and works Anderson over with corner jabs and stomps. Action moves to the floor as all four brawl, Anderson throwing Tonga into the post while Loa hits a Superman forearm to the back of Gallows’ neck. Back in the ring Anderson and Tonga trade slaps and forearms, Tonga levels Anderson with a clothesline. Loa tags in and drives Anderson into the corner, connecting with shoulders to the midsection. Anderson rakes the eyes and finally gets the tag to Gallows. Gallows and Loa trade rights, Loa clotheslines Gallows in the corner, Gallows escapes a Samoan Drop by raking at the face. Tonga tags in, Gallows goozles mid-splash and connects with a slam. Good Brothers work on wearing Tonga down, Tonga tries to escape a chinlock but Gallows throws him to the canvas and goes back to it, wrenching it even tighter. Tonga escapes with a jawbreaker, Gallows connects with an uppercut, Tonga responds with a spinkick, Anderson quickly tags in to prevent a tag but gets dropped with a clothesline.

Loa gets the tag and bowls Anderson over with shoulder tackles, stopping to knock Gallows off the apron with a right hand. Loa reverses a whip and connects with a hip toss neckbreaker-ish, Tonga tags back in and G.o.D. hit an inverted 3D for the 1…2…Gallows makes the save. Good Brothers take control, hitting an inverted 3D of their own for the 1…2…Tonga kicks out! Tonga escapes the Magic Killer, Loa spears Gallows, Anderson drills Loa with a spinebuster, Tonga and Anderson block each other’s Gun Stuns then Tonga finally connects and all four bodies lay on the canvas trying to get back into it. Tonga drills Anderson with a rolling Death Valley Driver followed by a SUPERFLY SPLASH for the 1…2…ANDERSON KICKS OUT. Chris Bey shows up to unnecessarily get involved, distracting the ref as Gallows & Loa clothesline one another out to the floor. Loa gets in Bey’s face, Gallows attacks from behind and drills him with a chokeslam, Bey pretending to be shocked. Jay White rolls into the ring and HITS TONGA WITH A BLADE RUNNER, Good Brothers take advantage and hit the Magic KIller for the 1…2…3.

The Good Brothers [c] defeated G.o.D. via pinfall to retain the IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (12:18)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Okay match with a lot of Bullet Club drama at the end that’ll be hit or miss with people. I don’t give much of a sh*t about the BC but I found it interesting enough I guess. Feels like the real match should’ve been just Tama Tonga & Karl Anderson but since they’re in tag teams it had to involve everybody. (**1/2)

White looks at the fallen Tama Tonga and holds up a TOO SWEET. Bey joins in as do THE GOOD BROTHERS who are apparently part of the group once again. I’m sure Violent By Design isn’t going to be happy about this.

–

-Impact Plus’ next event is Sacrifice, which will happen live on March 5th from Louisville, KY.

–

Mickie James [c] vs. Tasha Steelz [w/ Savannah Evans] for the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

James and Steelz lock up, neither woman letting go as they roll to the floor. Finally James shoves her away and rolls in, opening the ropes and inviting her opponent back in. Steelz finally gets back in and they lock knuckles, once again jockeying for position and showing off their neck strength as they bridge. Steelz takes James to the canvas with a heel trip and keeps the shoulders down for the 1…2…James escapes and connects with a running kick into a splits for the 1…2…Steelz kick out. Steelz shoves James to the apron, James responds with a shoulder to the apron, Steelz sends her flying to the floor with a springboard dropkick. Steelz superkicks James and mocks her husband “NICHOLAS” for making her stay home. This angers James who connects with a series of forearms and a neckbreaker. James rolls Steelz in, Steelz rolls back out and James chases her back in; Steelz distracts the ref and Evans pulls James out, throwing her into the post.

James beats the count and connects with a rana out of the corner, Steelz drops her with a pump kick as she charges in, and Steelz covers arrogantly for the 1…2…James kicks out. Steelz tries again, this time with more intent, for the 1…2…James kicks out once again. James connects with jabs and connects with a series of clotheslines. James comes off the top with a seated senton, riding Steelz down for the 1…2…Steelz kicks out! Evans climbs the apron, James dazes her with a Mick Kick and Steelz connects with a cutter on James. Chelsea Green runs out to back James up, clearing Evans from the apron, James almost gets sent into Green but stops, then THROWS STEELZ INTO GREEN and rolls her up for a bridging O’Connor and the 1…2…3!

Mickie James [c] defeated Tasha Steelz via pinfall to retain the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (10:28)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Good match with some nonsense at the end, but nonsense that I assume sets up James’ next opponent. Steelz is really f*cking good and I hope she gets a proper title run somewhere, even if it doesn’t end up being in Impact. (***)

–

–Gia Miller interviews Steve Maclin, Rhino, & Chris Sabin about the attack on Eddie Edwards. Maclin says they’re sick of Honor No More’s crap, Rhino insinuates that it could’ve been Maclin due to Edwards questioning his loyalties, Rich Swann comes in and says Edwards is not medically cleared to compete but he’s got a replacement: the returning Willie Mack. Heck yeah, missed you sir. Sabin rallies the troops and says it’s time to do this for IMPACT WRESTLING. Also HELL YEAH.

-After a Moose/Morrissey hype video Hannifan reminds everyone that Willie Mack is replacing Eddie Edwards in the main event, then it’s revealed that Brian Myers (wearing a tie over his t-shirt and leather vest) has joined the commentary team to save the show. Rehwoldt tells Myers to watch his pronouns, pal. HA.

–

Moose [c] vs. W. Morrissey for the IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Moose & Morrissey initially teamed up to get to the World Championship but Moose turned on Morrissey to win the Call Your Shot battle royal at Bound For Glory, becoming champ later that night. Morrissey immediately set his sights on Moose but came up short in a triple threat match last month at Hard to Kill. Now after weeks of being dodged, Morrissey has his one-on-one shot against the champ. Myers tries to break Rehwoldt during Moose’s entrance, calling it “Vaudevillain-like”. Good sh*t, pal.

Moose screams and runs into Morrissey, who doesn’t budge. This quickly turns into a WAR as the two throw bombs at each other. Moose and Morrissey run at each other with clotheslines, taking three shots before they both go down (Rehwoldt happily exclaiming “BIG MEATY MEN SLAPPIN’ MEAT” so many references). Moose surprises Morrissey with a spear then hits another but Morrissey rolls to the floor before he can be pinned. Instead of winning by countout, Moose rolls Morrissey back in. Morrissey makes him pay for it, sending Moose back to the floor and throwing him full force into the barricade. Morrissey breaks the count and once again throws the champ into the barricade. Ref checks on the champ. Morrissey tries another whip, Moose blocks it and puts him through the timekeeper’s table with a ura nage. Moose pulls Morrissey to his feet and throws him full force into the post, the challenger’s head bouncing off the steel. Moose rolls in then back out to break the count again. Moose tells the cameraman to get out of his way, Morrissey surprises him with a big boot and a BQE on the apron! Back in the ring Morrissey goes for another BQE but Moose counters with a rana (!) and follows up with a corner dropkick. Moose and Morrissey light each other with chops, Moose dropkicks Morrissey and Morrissey turns Moose inside out with a lariat. Moose slips out of a BQE, ducks a clothesline, and connects with another Spear for the 1…2…Morrissey’s arm is under the rope so the ref stops the count.

Morrissey recovers and connects with the BQE for the 1…2…Moose’s foot is under the bottom rope! Moose goes for a superplex, Morrissey fights him off but Moose quickly HOPS BACK UP TO THE TOP ROPE AND CONNECTS WITH THE SUPERPLEX HOT DAMN. Moose kips up (after the mic picks up him saying he’s about to) and hits another Spear to Morrissey, this time pulling him to the center of the ring for the 1…2…3.

Moose [c] defeated W. Morrissey via pinfall to retain the IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (12:20)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Good match, Moose doing his big man athletic sh*t is entertaining. He might have gotten too used to working with the X-Division guys though because there were times it felt like he was moving too fast for his opponent which killed some of the impact. I don’t mean to discredit Morrissey though, not in the slightest; he was damn good here as well. That man EARNED this chance and made it count, and I hope he keeps hanging around for awhile. (***1/4)

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Team Impact (Chris Sabin, Rhino, Steve Maclin, Rich Swann, & Willie Mack) vs. Honor No More (Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, Vincent, PCO, & Kenny King) [w/ Maria]

Honor No More have been causing havoc in Impact since their surprise debut at Hard to Kill, much to the chagrin of everybody including actual ROH employees. This match was made as a put up or shut up: if Honor No More wins they can stay in Impact Wrestling but if they lose they’re banned. Honor No More come out as a cohesive unit while Team Impact all come out to their own theme songs before heading to the ring. I DON’T LIKE THEIR CHANCES.

Chaos ensues before the bell even rings, everyone pairing off and battling around the ring while the ref sorta shrugs his shoulders. I get it, he probably doesn’t get paid enough to deal with that sh*t. Maclin tosses Bennett into the ring and the bell rings, officially starting the match, both men trading RIDICULOUS chops. Bennett tackles Maclin, Maclin responds with a forearm and they continue trading shots. Maclin escapes Bennett’s grasp and belts him with a back elbow. Sabin tags in, Bennett escapes the corner and makes the tag to Taven. Taven and Sabin float over one another, Sabin connects with a corner crossbody. Sabin blocks a right with a kick and comes off the buckles with a rana. Swann tags in, Taven drops him with a spinning leg lariat. Vincent tags in and connects with a European uppercut. Swann counters a suplex with a knee strike and cartwheels over a monkey flip, connecting with a dropkick to The Horror King. Okay that’s a cool nickname. PCO tags in and the crowd gets REAL pumped up. PCO absorbs kicks then counters one into a Dragon Screw Legwhip. Rhino gets the tag and it’s BIG BOY TIME. PCO and Rhino trade all of the chops and absorb clubbing lariat forearms. PCO bites Rhino and connects with a kick, Rhino drops PCO with a clothesline. Mack tags in, PCO pulls him into a short-arm clothesline and King tags in on the HNM side. Mack ducks a clothesline, King catches him with what was supposed to be a spinning heel kick but ended up being a spinning hip attack. Either way OUCH. Mack ducks a pair of clotheslines and bowls him over with a shoulder tackle followed by a dropkick.

Team Impact work King over in their corner, quick tags as they get their shots in. King swings at Maclin, Maclin catches him and connects with a ura nage backbreaker for the 1…2…not yet. Sabin tags in and connects with a dropkick as Maclin holds King in place for the 1…2…King kicks out. Look at Steve Maclin getting along with people now, good for him. Maria gets in the way to stop a PK to King, Bennett and Taven double team Sabin and Taven hits Just the Tip but King doesn’t get the pin. Taven tags in proper and connects with a backbreaker. Sabin fights off Taven & Bennett, hitting a kick/DDT combo to the OGK. Swann tags in and knocks King & PCO off with kicks. Vincent tries to help but gets accidentally kicked by Taven. Swann continues the offense, sending Taven into Bennett with a hurricanrana from the top buckle. Swann tries a cannonball from the apron but Honor No More catches him and Vincent flattens him with a double stomp. That RULED.

Taven covers with his feet on the ropes but gets caught so it’s a no go. King tags in and plants Swann with a spinebuster for the 1…2…Swann kicks out. Bennett tags in and continues the offense, knocking all of Team Impact from the apron and hitting Swann with a brainbuster for the 1…2…Swann kicks out but Sabin was close just in case. OGK double team Swann, Taven hits a Blue Thunder-ish Bomb for the 1…2…Mack makes the save. Vincent tags in and drills Swann into the canvas for the 1…2…Sabin makes the save. PCO squashes Swann in the corner and connects with a DDT for the 1…2…Swann kicks a shoulder up. New Orleans shows PCO all the love as he slows things down with a nervehold. PCO charges, Swann moves and HE CRASHES AND BURNS TO THE GROUND AFTER GODDAMN LANDING ON HIS HEAD. PCO gets RIGHT BACK UP ANYWAY and rolls in to tag Bennett. Mack gets the tag as well and he’s all offense on Honor No More, clearing Vincent and King from the apron. OGK get splashed and dropped with a double clothesline. Mack goes after PCO next with a forearm shiver and cannonball, Mack picks up Bennett and Swann hits a flying neckbreaker, Mack covering for the 1…2…Taven breaks it up. Mack heads to the top, Taven superkicks his legs out and OGK connect with the Proton Pack for the 1…2…Sabin makes the save!

Maclin gets the tag and puts Vincent in a tree of woe and connects with a spear, PCO gets a blind tag and connects with a legdrop on Maclin. King tags in and clears Swann out with a Chin Checker. Rhino eats kicks from both Vincent and King, King hitting Rhino with a legdrop for the 1…2…Sabin makes the save. I don’t know who’s legal anymore, man. Maclin saves Sabin and charges at King who dodges and Maclin takes the ref out with a spear to the floor. King wipes out Maclin, Sabin wipes out King, Taven hits all three with a swan dive, Swann drops Taven with a somersault splash. Bennett spears Mack on the apron, OGK lays Mack & Swann across the apron and PCO HITS THEM BOTH A DEANIMATOR WHICH LOOKED F*CKING BRUTAL. OGK then pull them out further and Vincent takes them both out with Redrum. Everybody throws bombs at everybody else, PCO takes everybody out with a PCOsault!

Rhino sets Bennett up for a Gore but Maria gets in his way. Taven rolls in to jaw jack, and out comes Eddie Edwards who scares OGK away! Edwards grabs Maria and sets her up for a Gore but HITS RHINO WITH THE KENDO STICK ON HIS WAY IN WHAT THE F*CK. Swann asks Edwards what he’s doing, Edwards hits him and then everybody else with the kendo stick. King covers Rhino, Edwards brings the ref in and yells at him to count which he reluctantly does for the 1…2…3.

Honor No More defeated Team Impact via pinfall (23:14)

JON’S THOUGHTS: Start to finish a tremendous and chaotic brawl where you could FEEL the hatred between the two. They really made it feel like a battle for the soul of the company and I was into every second of it. The ending, with Impact darling Eddie Edwards joining Honor No More, ended the match on a surprising note and an even better cliffhanger for the shows going forward. I won’t say it’s on the level of some other heel turns in pro wrestling but for Impact it’s a pretty big deal because they never shut up about how he’s the heart and soul of the company. Now Impact has no heart or soul and Edwards is back home with Ring Of Honor folks. Tremendous sh*t, this Honor No More thing has hooked me way more than I expected. (****1/4)

Edwards celebrates with Honor No More, ripping the Impact Wrestling patch off his vest, as the show concludes.

*****

FINAL THOUGHTS

No Surrender 2022 is an excellent show, with every match mattering and no real low points. All the title matches delivered in one form or another, and the main event was 25 minutes of clusterf*ck that felt like a real fight to the death that I loved. Eddie Edwards turning his back on the company that he’s called home for what feels like almost a decade now (I’m probably way off) was a nice shocker to end the show, Honor No More winning in more ways than one. Just an enjoyable night of pro wrestling, the streak continues for Impact.

MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Team Impact vs. Honor No More
MOMENT OF THE NIGHT: Eddie Edwards turns on Impact Wrestling, joins Honor No More. Honorable mention to Rehwoldt and Myers trying to outgoof each other on commentary, though doing it during a World Title match was poor timing.