‘IW REBELLION 2021’ Recap + Review – Swann vs. Omega, FinJuice vs. Good Bros

DATE: April 25, 2021
VENUE: Skyway Studios (Nashville, TN)
COMMENTATORS: Matt Striker & D-Lo Brown

Rebellion 2021 features an historic main event as Rich Swann and Kenny Omega put their respective World Championships (Impact & AEW) on the line in a winner take all match. Also on the show FinJuice returns from Japan to defend the Tag Team Championship against The Good Brothers, Major Brothers collide as Matt Cardona takes on Brian Myers, and a whole lot more.

CHAMPIONS

• IMPACT WORLD CHAMPION: Rich Swann
• IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPION: “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo
• IMPACT X-DIVISION CHAMPION: “Inevitable” Ace Austin
• IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: FinJuice (David Finlay & Juice Robinson)
• IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: Fire ‘n’ Flava (Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz)

LINEUP

• Ace Austin [c] vs. TJP vs. Josh Alexander for the IMPACT X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (***1/4)
• Eddie Edwards, James Storm, Chris Sabin, & Willie Mack vs. ??? & Violent By Design (**1/4)
• Matt Cardona vs. Brian Myers (***)
• Fire ‘n’ Flava [c] vs. Jordynne Grace & Rachael Ellering for the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**1/2)
• LAST MAN STANDING: Trey Miguel vs. Sami Callihan (***)
• FinJuice [c] vs. The Good Brothers for the IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (**3/4)
• Deonna Purrazzo [c] vs. Tenille Dashwood for the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP (***)
• TITLE FOR TITLE: Rich Swann [Impact] vs. Kenny Omega [AEW] for the IMPACT & AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (***3/4)

*****

-EARLIER TODAY: Rich Swann and Kenny Omega (w/ Don Callis) arrive at the studio for tonight’s main event. Omega and Callis come alone, Swann is greeted by his friends on the Impact roster.

—

“Inevitable” Ace Austin [c] [w/ Madman Fulton] vs. TJP vs. Josh Alexander for the IMPACT X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

Austin catches Alexander and TJP with kicks, TJP tries a headscissors but Austin lands on his feet and connects with a dropkick. Alexander tackles Austin and goes for an Ankle Lock, Austin rolls him into an Octopus attempt by TJP. Austin charges, both men backdrop him to the floor, TJP sends Alexander to the floor as well with a headscissors, following up with a sliding dropkick on the apron. Austin hops over a leg trip attempt and connects with a kick to Alexander; back in the ring TJP catches the champ with a dropkick and brushes his face with his boot strings. Alexander and TJP get sent to the floor, Austin flattens them both with a Fosbury Flop, landing on his feet. Austin traps TJP with an armbar and tries to give him a papercut, but referee Brian Hebner takes it away from him. Rude. Alexander connects with a pair of German suplexes, Austin tries to elbow out of the third but Alexander traps both arms and finally connects for the 1…2…champ kicks out. TJP prevents Divine Intervention, Austin lights them both up with kicks. Austin sends TJP into Alexander’s arms, TJP connects with a rana. Austin and TJP fight on the buckles, Alexander attacks from behind and connects with a SUPER VERTICAL/BELLY-TO-BACK SUPLEX ON BOTH MEN HELL YEAH. Alexander clears Austin off the apron with a crossbody, TJP sends Alexander out to the floor. Austin heads to the top, TJP trips him up and connects with a clobbering blow followed by the MAMBA SPLASH for the 1…2…Alexander breaks it up with an Ankle Lock! TJP rolls through and counters into a kneebar, Alexander grabs an Ankle Lock on Austin! TJP gets sent to the floor, Alexander keeps the Ankle Lock on Austin but before he can tap TJP runs back in and goes for the Octopus on Alexander. Austin kicks him away and hits a Blockbuster for the 1…2…TJP shoves Austin off to prevent the pin! TJP boot washes Austin and Alexander into the corner followed by a running boot. TJP charges, Fulton trips him up, Austin charges and Alexander catches him, ROLLING SENTON, DIVINE INTERVENTION ON TJP for the 1…2…AUSTIN MAKES THE SAVE! Alexander traps Austin in a grapevine Ankle Lock, TJP breaks it with a Mamba Splash for the 1…2…Fulton pulls TJP off. Austin rolls through an Ankle Lock, sending Alexander into TJP, Alexander surprises Austin with Divine Intervention for the 1…2…3! YESSSS.

Josh Alexander defeated Ace Austin [c] & TJP via pinfall to win the IMPACT X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP (11:14)

• Great way to open the show. Not a dull moment in this one and I absolutely LOVE that Josh Alexander is the one who picked up the win. After Ethan Page left it felt like he was in danger of getting lost in the shuffle until his contract ran out and I’m VERY glad that isn’t happening. So much fun, TJP and Austin got the high spots while Alexander got to throw them around the ring and show off his wrestling prowess. There’s a reason Impact always opens their PPVs with the X-Division. (***1/4)

—

-Striker and Brown run down tonight’s card and announce that Eric Young is injured but has selected a replacement to team with his Violent By Design brothers. Cut to Young and his group talking to someone off-camera; he isn’t “ready for the truth” yet but this is an opportunity to step up. Hmmm.

—

Eddie Edwards, “Cowboy” James Storm, Chris Sabin, & Willie Mack vs. ??? & Violent By Design (Joe Doering, Rhino, & Deaner) [w/ Eric Young]

Young leads VBD out and points them towards the ring, opting to stay on the stage and watch since he’s injured. The mystery partner is revealed to be…W. Morrissey (FMA Big Cass)! Noice.

Edwards and Sabin quick tag as they work Rhino’s left arm over. Rhino escapes with an eyerake, Deaner tags in and runs into a release overhead belly to belly suplex. Mack tags in and only gets a one-count for the first pinfall attempt of the match, Storm tags in and Deaner lays into him with rights. Storm counters a hip toss with a full-on throw across the ring. Morrissey gets the tag and knocks Storm off the buckles and to the floor with a big boot, then clears the other three off the apron as well as an insult to injury. Deaner tags back in and rapid-fire stomps Storm, baiting Edwards into the ring so he can get a choke in as well. Doering gets the tag, Storm ducks a clothesline but gets flattened with a running crossbody for a two-count. Storm catches a charging Rhino with an elbow and running neckbreaker. Deaner gets the tag but so does Mack, who knocks Doering and Morrissey off the apron. Mack drills Deaner with a rolling slam followed by a legdrop and sit-out spinebuster for the 1…2…Deaner gets the shoulder up. Sabin tags in but Deaner fights off the double team attempt, hitting a running knee to the gut on Sabin. Sabin and Edwards take Morrissey and Doering out with splashes on the floor. Mack belts Rhino with a forearm. Morrissey breaks up a pinfall attempt and WRECKS everyone with right hands, then tags himself in but gets sent to the floor. Morrissey trips Sabin off the apron, Storm hits a cannonball on Rhino, Doering drills Edwards with a lariat, Mack wants to take flight but runs right into a forearm. Deaner stumbles to the top buckle, Sabin stuns him and SUPERPLEXES HIM ONTO THE OTHER SIX GUYS. Everybody dead. Mack stuns Doering out to the floor, Morrissey re-enters the ring and DRILLS HIM with a big boot and an East River Crossing for the 1…2…3!

1. Morrissey & Violent By Design defeated Eddie Edwards, James Storm, Chris Sabin, & Willie Mack via pinfall (10:07)

• Chaotic as expected (or BY DESIGN, GET IT), Morrissey looked a little lost here and there but carried himself well. It’s really cool to see him overcome his problems and come back looking arguably better than he did in WWE. I hope he sticks around for a bit…maybe not in VBD since they already have a big guy but to do something. One day Impact will add Willie Mack to a match NOT to take the loss. (**1/4)

Morrissey continues attacking Mack after the bell but finally calms down and accepts the victory. Is he Violent By Design? I mean aren’t we all, maaaaaan.

—

Matt Cardona vs. “The Most Professional Wrestler” Brian Myers

You all knew this was going to happen the SECOND Cardona showed up in Impact. Myers has finally ditched the eyepatch so he’s back to 100%. Cardona has some spiked shoulder pads, like a bony Road Warriors thing.

Myers flips Cardona off, Cardona lays into him with rights. Myers escapes the ring to avoid the running boot and drops Cardona throat-first across the top rope. Cardona flips through a suplex attempt and counters into a neckbreaker. That was pretty great. Myers puts one of the ringside folk in between him and Cardona, causing hesitation, and Myers drops him back first across the guardrail. Myers continues to go to work on the spine, pulling back with a chinlock. Cardona escapes with a jawbreaker, Myers trips him up to remain in control, following up with a pair of elbowdrops for a two-count. Cardona thumbs at Myers’ once-”injured” eye and comes off the middle buckle with a missile dropkick, leading to a string of comeback offense. Myers escapes the Reboot once more, sliding out to the floor, Cardona switches angles and hits him through the ropes instead. Cardona follows up with Radio Silence on the ramp, hurting himself as much as his opponent. Cardona rolls Myers in, Myers rolls back out then trips Cardona to the floor when he tries to follow him out. Myers spears Cardona on the floor, BOUNCING OFF THE CONCRETE, then rolls Cardona in for a flying elbowdrop for the 1…2…Cardona gets the shoulder up. Myers counters a sunset flip with a package for the 1…2…Cardona kicks out and connects with a Hot Mess (Unprettier) for the 1…2…MYERS KICKS OUT. Cardona counts a charging Myers with a pair of knees, Myers blocks a Radio Silence and Cardona lands awkwardly on his leg, buckling to the canvas. A pair of officials come out to check on Cardona, Myers decides to help him up…AND LEVELS HIM WITH A CLOTHESLINE! Myers sets Cardona up and it’s a ROSTER CUT for the 1…2…3.

Brian Myers defeated Matt Cardona via pinfall (9:41)

• I didn’t expect a lot from this one but was pleasantly surprised. Solid match here between two guys who know each other better than anyone, I loved Myers finding all the angles to stay on top. The injury at the end and Myers wrecking Cardona with the Roster Cut anyway ruled. Brian Myers’ Impact run has kicked ass. (***)

—

–Gia Miller interviews AEW Prez Tony Khan, flanked by Tony Schiavone, Jerry Lynn, and referee Aubrey Edwards. Khan announces that Edwards will referee tonight’s main event, Impact official Scott D’Amore comes in with Brian Hebner and they make it a match with TWO referees.

—

Fire ‘n’ Flava (Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz) [c] vs. Jordynne Grace & Rachael Ellering for the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Jazz is revealed to be Grace and Ellering’s manager for the match. Quick turnaround on a manager’s license, especially in a pandemic. Grace & Ellering are making their debut as a team, they look great on paper AND they’re color coordinated so I like them already.

Ellering outwrestles Steelz to start, Hogan tags in and gets trapped in a wristlock. Hogan counters into a side headlock, Ellering lifts her off her feet with just her neck and rams her into the corner. Grace tags in and connects with a sidewalk throw for a two-count. Grace throws Hogan around, Steelz runs interference and Hogan catches Garce with a superkick for a two-count. Steelz tags in, Fire n Flava hit a double superkick followed by a double suplex, Steelz covers for the 1…2…Grace gets a shoulder up. Steelz unloads on Grace in the corner and trips her up, Hogan tags in and connects with a sliding kick and covers for the 1…2…Grace kicks out. Fire n Flava take turns stomping Grace, Hogan accidentally kicks Steelz and Grace drills Hogan with a spinebuster. Ellering gets the tag and immediately belts Hogan with a jumping back elbow and a right hand to Steelz. Ellering drills Hogan with an STO followed by a legdrop for the 1…2…Hogan kicks out. Grace tags in and splashes Hogan across Ellering’s knees for the 1…2…Steelz spears Ellering into the duo to break up the pin. Fire n Flava connects with stereo missile dropkicks, Hogan covers Grace for the 1…2…Grace kicks out! Grace counters a double suplex attempt with one of her own and tosses Steelz to the apron. Steelz hops over Grace, Grace backdrops Steelz to the floor WHO HITS A CUTTER ON ELLERING ON THE WAY DOWN. Grace follows up with a tope suicida and Hogan hits the challengers with a flying crossbody from the top buckle. Jeez. Ellering tags in, Steelz pulls Grace to the floor and hits a crucifix bomb. Hogan superkicks Ellering, Ellering connects with a forearm and a sitout suplex driver for the 1…2…3!

Jordynne Grace & Rachael Ellering defeated Fire ‘n Flava [c] via pinfall to win the IMPACT KNOCKOUT TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (9:24)

• Steelz damn near died on the backdrop to the floor, I sincerely hope she’s okay that was GNARLY. I enjoyed this one a lot, Grace & Ellering felt like natural tag team partners and worked together well. I am a little concerned that the one established team in the division had to lose the belts to one that JUST started but you do what you gotta do when the division is so empty. Excited to see Grace & Ellering continue to gel. (**1/2)

—

LAST MAN STANDING
Trey Miguel vs. Sami Callihan

Miguel stuns Callihan with a pair of running dropkicks, Callihan catches him in mid-air and THROWS HIM OUT TO THE FLOOR LIKE A BAG OF TRASH GODDAMN. Miguel gets to his feet, Callihan slams him again and demands the ref count. Miguel gets to his feet and sends Callihan into the post, following up with a Sliced Bread #2! Callihan gets up at 5, Miguel psyches Callihan out and connects with a hurricanrana through the ropes and into the barricades. Miguel tells Callihan to stay down and charges out with a tope suicida but Callihan dodges and he hits NOTHING BUT STEEL F*CK. Three minutes in and Miguel’s already taken a match worth of hard bumps. Callihan rolls out a production box and charges, Miguel misses that but gets powerbombed on top anyway. Callihan grabs a chain out of the box and whips Miguel with it, Miguel grabs him by the mandible but gets his ears boxed to stop it. Callihan grabs the wrench and SHOVES IT IN HIS MOUTH, Miguel screaming bloody murder. Callihan throws chairs into the ring, Miguel gets up at the count of 8 and Callihan throws a chair at his skull to send him back down. Callihan slides a table in the ring as Miguel uses the production box to get back to his feet. Callihan rolls Miguel into the ring and rests him on a pile of chairs. Callihan misses a wrench shot, Miguel connects with a Scorpion Kick and slams Callihan into the chairs. Miguel sets the table legs up and they try to suplex each other onto the legs, Miguel hits a forearm, CALLIHAN SLAMS MIGUEL ON THE TABLE LEG AND BENDS IN HALF. Godddddamn. 

Miguel gets to his feet in a corner where a chair is wedged between the buckles, Callihan throws another chair at his skull and he crumples to the canvas. Callihan unwedges the chair and throws it at Miguel’s head then sets the table up proper. Callihan gouges the eyes, FLYING PILEDRIVER INTO THE TABLE WHICH DOESN’T EVEN BREAK BUT THE LEGS ARE BENT. Damn man. Both get to their feet, Miguel rolls to the floor and Callihan sets up the ring steps and grabs a SECOND table from under the ring. Miguel blocks a powerbomb attempt and sticks his thumb in Callihan’s eye. Callihan stops a suplex by GRABBING THE BAWLS and connects with a piledriver on the edge of the steps. Callihan puts Miguel under the steps and sits on top as the ref counts. Miguel crawls out from under the ring (apparently he slid under at some point) and connects with a CUTTER THROUGH THE TABLE. Ref gets to 9, Miguel gets up, Callihan collapses and MIGUEL WINS.

Trey Miguel defeated Sami Callihan (15:24)

• Miguel took some NASTY bumps in this one and I gotta respect it. That was some intense sh*t he put himself through. Match was a brutal affair, no blood but some cool spots, but those two tables barely cooperating kinda killed the buzz (that last spot fell flat for me). Glad Miguel got the win though, excited to see what he does going forward. (***)

—

–Gia Miller interviews Impact World Champion Rich Swann. Swann admits Don Callis got into his head a bit in the beginning but now that the time is upon him there’s not one mind game that will stop him from proving he’s the best. Swann says this is the biggest of his career but it’s also the biggest match of Kenny Omega’s career (uhhhh no). Swanna says they aren’t in Omega’s house tonight, they are in Swann’s and if Omega thinks for one second he’s going to let his Impact brothers down he’s got another thing coming. Swann vows to bring the fight to Omega all night long. Good stuff.

—

FinJuice (David Finlay & Juice Robinson) [c] vs. The Good Brothers (“Big LG” Doc Gallows & “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson) for the IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

Finlay controls the wrist of Anderson, Robinson tags in and slams Finlay on top of Anderson for a one-count. Robinson drills Anderson with a belly-to-back suplex, Finlay tags in and drops a double ax across Anderson’s arm. Robinson brings Anderson to the mat with a snapmare, Finlay hits a sliding European uppercut for a two-count. Anderson backs Finlay into the corner, Gallows gets the tag but misses a corner splash and FinJuice continue using their speed to maintain offensive control. Gallows goozles FinJuice, FinJuice escapes and hit a double bulldog for a one-count, Finlay grabs a front chancery but Gallows escapes with a wristlock into a right hand. Anderson tags in and hammers on Finlay with rights, Finlay fights out of the corner with forearms, Anderson tosses him out to the floor. Ref gets distracted, Gallows levels Finlay with a pump kick. Gallows tags in and continues ruining Finlay’s day with a series of strikes, including a spin kick to the side of the head straight out of a lame 80s action movie (I mean this as a compliment), before slowing things down with a rear chinlock. Gallows breaks the hold to rain down pointed elbows before reapplying the chinlock. Finlay tries to break out, Gallows buries a knee to the midsection and throws him into the corner. Finlay kicks Gallows away and connects with a flying European uppercut.

Anderson gets the tag first, Finlay escapes a back suplex attempt and makes the tag to Robinson who buries elbows into both Good Brothers. Senton to Anderson, splash to Gallows, A HIGH FIVE TO D-LO BROWN. I love it. Robinson connects with a series of jabs and a heel kick, followed by a corner clothesline and CANNONBALL for the 1…2…Anderson kicks out JUST in time. Finlay tags in, FinJuice clear Gallows from the apron and hit a running kick/Russian legsweep combo for the 1…2…Anderson kicks out again! Gallows makes the save for another pinfall attempt, FinJuice clear him from the ring with a double clothesline. Gallows shoves Finlay off the top buckle, Anderson hits Robinson with a neckbreaker, Gallows re-enters the ring and splashes Robinson in the corner, INVERTED 3D for the 1…2…Robinson kicks out! Finlay spears Anderson to prevent the Magic Killer, Robinson surprises Gallows with an inside cradle for the 1…2…3!

FinJuice [c] defeated The Good Brothers via pinfall to retain the IMPACT WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP (10:30)

• Good match! FinJuice kicked ass here, outsmarting and outwrestling The Good Brothers once again to retain. I’m sure the Good Brothers will eventually get their win back but to be honest I hope FinJuice hangs onto the belts for a long time. I can’t really think of anyone besides Gallows & Anderson who can defeat them, at least anyone who’s an Impact homer. Maybe an AEW team but I kinda hope that doesn’t happen. (**3/4)

—

–Gia Miller knocks on Kenny Omega’s door, looking for some final words leading into the main event, but Don Callis answers instead. Callis says Omega is busy getting ready but he’s here to wax poetic. Callis brags about changing the landscape of pro wrestling and says he already knows how it’s going to turn out tonight. Callis congratulates Rich Swann on getting him out of his head, all he has to worry about is the GREATEST PRO WRESTLER IN THE WORLD. Callis says he and Omega are closer than blood while Swann’s family are just “wrestlers in the back”, the lowest form of people. Callis says he had a vision of this day 27 years ago, and they will execute on his vision tonight. 

• It’s a shame Don Callis never got to wrestle on a mainstream stage, that man could’ve talked his way into at least one big PPV main event. What a promo.

—

“The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo [c] [w/ Kimber Lee & Susan] vs. Tenille Dashwood [w/ Kaleb with a K] for the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP

Dashwood controls early with a wristlock, Purrazzo spins through to counter, Dashwood sweeps the legs and covers, Purrazzo bridges up and rolls her up with a crucifix for a one-count, Purrazzo goes for the Fujiwara Armbar but Dashwood gets to the ropes and heads to the apron. Dashwood catches Purrazzo with a neckbreaker over the middle rope and rolls her up for the 1…2…Purrazzo kicks out but Dashwood catches the ankle and covers again for the 1…2…not yet. Purrazzo picks Dashwood up with a Venus De Milo-style submission and releases to try and send her into the buckles…but they’re a little too far so Striker & Brown have to awkwardly cover. Eh they can’t all be winners. Dashwood rolls her way out of a straitjacket and they trade running forearms, Purrazzo connects with a mule kick and kneelift, Dashwood rebounds off the ropes and delivers a beautiful lariat. Dashwood dodges Purrazzo in the corner and tortures her with a Tarantula followed by a flying crossbody for the 1…2…Purrazzo kicks out! Dashwood and Purrazzo trade waistlocks, Purrazzo buries a forearm to the back of the head and connects with a pair of German suplexes. Dashwood escapes a third German with rapid-fire elbows and a butterfly suplex into the corner (not hitting the buckles either) followed by a corner crossbody. Dashwood hits a second crossbody and covers for the 1…2…Purrazzo kicks out. Dashwood traps Purrazzo in a Muta Lock, Purrazzo almost taps but Lee and Susan climb the apron to distract the ref. Kaleb pulls Kimber off, Dashwood slaps Susan and Kaleb catches her. Lee throws Kaleb into the post, Purrazzo rolls Dashwood up for the 1…2…Dashwood kicks out, Purrazzo catches her with a pump kick. Purrazzo heads to the top, Dashwood dodges a falling headbutt and connects with the Spotlight, SNAPPING PURRAZZO’S HEAD BACK, for the 1…2…Lee and Susan pull her off. Dashwood gives receipts to Lee and Susan, Purrazzo hits a rolling Exploder and brings Dashwood to the mat with a Fujiwara, Dashwood rolls her way out. Purrazzo and Dashwood trade forearms, Purrazzo brings her to the mat with a snapmare, Dashwood kicks her away but Purrazzo comes charging back with another pump kick followed by the Queen’s Gambit for the 1…2…3.

Deonna Purrazzo [c] defeated Tenille Dashwood via pinfall to retain the IMPACT KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP (9:50)

• A few of the spots didn’t land as expected but this match was REAL hard-hitting and it was awesome to see Dashwood get a serious match for once. She looked great in defeat while Purrazzo continued her dominance. (***)

Lee and Susan attack Dashwood until the returning Taylor Wilde shows up to make the save. Purrazzo escapes, letting Lee and Susan get beaten up by Wilde. A NEW CHALLENGER HAS ENTERED THE MATCH. 

—

-Striker and Brown announce upcoming Impact specials, including a new Impact Plus special Under Siege in May and Slammiversary in July. The Slammiversary video includes clips of Samoa Joe, Chelsea Green, and I think Mickie James. All released from WWE, all have their no compete clauses ending in July. Hmmmmmmm, interesting.

–Mauro Ranallo and his BIG HAIR join Striker & Brown on commentary. I missed this motherf*cker, I don’t care if y’all don’t agree.

–Aubrey Edwards from AEW and Brian Hebner are both announced as the officials for the main event, as discussed earlier. Don Callis steals the mic from Penzer to handle the introduction of KENNY BY GAWD OMEGAAAAA.

—

TITLE FOR TITLE
Rich Swann [Impact] [w/ Eddie Edwards & Willie Mack] vs. Kenny Omega [AEW] [w/ “The Invisible Hand” Don Callis & The Good Brothers] for the IMPACT & AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Feeling out process to start, Omega drops Swann with a tackle and steps on his back, Swann charges and Omega hides in the ropes to prevent retaliation. Omega slaps Swann and once again hides in the ropes. Omega calls for a test of strength, Swann kicks him instead and grabs him a side headlock. Omega with a leapfrog, Swann slaps him and sends him to the floor with a dropkick. Swann follows up with a dropkick to the floor followed by a corkscrew splash off the middle buckle, Swann landing on his feet. Swann rolls Omega in and connects with a STIFF kick to the spine off the snapmare. Omega counters a splash with a pair of knees and follows up with a belly-to-back suplex. Swann crawls to the apron, Omega pulls him to the floor and connects with a belly-to-back on the apron, Impact exec Scott D’Amore shown watching somewhere in the studio. Omega backdrops Swann to the apron, Swann tries to do the handspring cutter but LANDS ON HIS HEAD and he crumples to the floor. Omega immediately goes on the attack with a buckle bomb and a…neckbreaker over his knee for the 1…2…Swann kicks out! Omega goes after Swann’s neck, wrenching at the chin to bend it in unnatural positions. Tony Khan, Tony Schiavone, and Jerry Lynn are shown watching at ringside, Omega jaw jacking with them as he continues offensive control, bending Swann over his knee and covering for the 1…2…Swann kicks out. Omega lays into Swann’s spine with forearms, Swann catches him with a back elbow followed by a series of forearms. Swann hits a step-over kick followed by a frog splash for the 1…2…Omega kicks out! 

Omega LIGHTS Swann up with a chop and a series of axhandles to the back, Swann powers through and responds with chops of his own. Omega comes back with a flurry of forearms, Swann drives him into the canvas with an STO then takes him to the mat again with a flying headscissors. Omega climbs the buckles, Swann catches him with a kick followed by a jumping hurricanrana for the 1…2…Omega kicks out. Omega pulls Swann off the buckles and heads to the top himself, Swann meets him there but Omega stuns him with JUDO CHOPS and headbutts, leading to a flying powerbomb attempt but Swann counters into a backdrop that Omega takes ALL ON HIS HEAD. Swann follows up with a Frog Splash for the 1…2…OMEGA KICKS OUT. Omega catches a kick and kicks Swann that sends him flying into the corner, following up with a DOCTOR BOMB for the 1…2…Swann kicks out again! Omega catches Swann with a V-Trigger, Swann escapes the One-Winged Angel, Omega connects with a leg lariat to the back of the neck. Omega measures Swann, V-TRIGGER IN THE CORNER. Omega puts Omega in an electric chair from the middle buckle, Swann slips out and kinda turns it into a roll-up for the 1…2…OMEGA KICKS OUT! Ooof bad luck on that one. Swann with a superkick, Omega with a V-Trigger and a snap Dragon Suplex! Omega mean mugs and hits ANOTHER snap Dragon Suplex. Omega sets up for the third, Swann escapes and counters with a cutter! Swann goes for a back handspring cutter, Omega moves Brian Hebner in the way and THE REF IS BUMPED. 

Omega nails Swann with a lariat as Aubrey Edwards checks on Hebner. Omega introduces a chair, Edwards pulls it out of her hands which makes everybody mad, including Callis. Swann connects with a back handspring cutter and cradles Omega for the 1…2…OMEGA COUNTERS for the 1…2…SWANN KICKS OUT. Omega fires up, Swann dodges a V-Trigger and connects with a spin kick and MICHINOKU DRIVER for the 1…2…OMEGA KICKS OUT. Swann lands on his feet off a Phoenix Splash attempt, Omega stuns him with a V-Trigger and an electric chair into a bridging German for the 1…2…Swann kicks out, Omega hits a JAY DRILLER for the 1…2…SWANN KICKS OUT AGAIN! Omega hits A REAL F*CKING STIFF V-TRIGGER, pulls a kneepad down and hits a SECOND V-TRIGGER, Swann falls to avoid the third attempt. Omega taunts Edwards and Mack with Swann’s near-lifeless body and FINALLY HITS THE THIRD V-TRIGGER RIGHT IN THEIR FACE. Omega picks Swann up, Swann battles back with jabs, Omega hits a knee, Swann connects with a vertical suplex. Swann gets Omega in position but MISSES THE PHOENIX SPLASH, Omega hits a running V-Trigger and THE ONE-WINGED ANGEL for the 1…2…3!

Kenny Omega [c] defeated Rich Swann [c] via pinfall to retain the AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP and win the IMPACT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP (22:58)

• Okay they got me, I totally thought they were going to f*ck finish it with the two ref thing but they ended up going right down the middle. Well-played, you jerks. Omega vs. Swann had that big fight feel, with Ranallo killing it on commentary, the two beating the everloving sh*t out of each other. Those V-Triggers looked nasty and caused me to scream at the TV at least twice. They didn’t land everything they wanted to, there was a lot of awkward moments and pacing, but overall I thought this was really good. Omega won clean as a sheet, but Swann hung in there as best he could and didn’t look too bad in defeat, even though it was pretty obvious he was a step below Omega’s calber through the whole thing. We are in uncharted territory folks, I have no idea what happens from here. Maybe the X-Division Title becomes the big deal belt for a bit while Omega handles business in his actual company? Who knows! (***3/4)

Edwards and Mack check on Swann as Omega poses with all of his championship belts.

*****

FINAL THOUGHTS

Rebellion is a damn good show from top to bottom, with every match delivering in some way be it action or a talent debut. Omega/Swann lived up to the hype bestowed upon it and they had a banger of a main event, an unsurprising finish that leads to a world of possibilities. I genuinely don’t know where we go from here and honestly that’s kind of exciting. Maybe AEW will finally f*cking mention Impact Wrestling on their show and Impact gets something legitimate out of this whole deal.

• MATCH OF THE NIGHT: Rich Swann vs. Kenny Omega
• MOMENT OF THE NIGHT: Omega wins the Impact World Title, changes the wrestling landscape. This is going to be…something!