Impact Wrestling Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction, Highlights from October 28

Impact Wrestling delivered its best episode of television in the last month, hot on the heels of a Bound For Glory pay-per-view that changed the face of the company for the foreseeable future.

New world champion Moose addressed the Impact faithful five days after his controversial title victory. What did former champion Josh Alexander have to say, or do, in retaliation for Moose ruining his childhood dream?

How did new X-Division champion Trey Miguel fare as he defended his title against the world-renowned Rocky Romero?

What would new Knockouts champion Mickie James and tag team champions The IInspiration be up to after their Bound For Glory triumphs?

Find out with a red-hot broadcast, headlined by a dazzling main event between Chris Sabin and "The Inevitable" Ace Austin.

After calling his shot and cashing in a guaranteed title shot on Josh Alexander to win the Impact Championship at Bound For Glory, just moments after The Walking Weapon's emotional victory, Moose kicked off Thursday's show.

Before he could speak, Eddie Edwards hit the ring, looking to avenge Alexander. Moose fended him off before resuming his promo.

"It doesn't matter how elite you are. It doesn't matter what tribe you're chief to. It doesn't matter if you're the boss, the man, a woman, a king, the queen...it doesn't matter what day you hold a title. Hell, you can add a new day to the week. I'm still the greatest champion in all of professional wrestling," he bragged.

Moose vowed to do anything to keep the title before Alexander hit the ring. The former champion took him down and pounded away, but Moose escaped. Minoru Suzuki entered the Impact Zone next and took exception to Alexander turning his back on him. The two brawled until security hit the ring and separated them to close the segment.

Grade

A

Analysis

Moose cut a phenomenal promo, taking shots at champions across the wrestling world and claiming superiority to all of them. Alexander showed the appropriate amount of intensity after having his lifelong dream stolen from him on the grandest stage in Impact Wrestling, and if that wasn't enough, Suzuki arrived to put an exclamation point on the segment.

The impending Alexander-Suzuki match will be physical and should be fantastic. Most importantly, it will put over Alexander's toughness and grit as he prepares to chase a title that should be his.

At Bound For Glory, Trey Miguel achieved his dream of capturing the X-Division Championship by defeating El Phantasmo and Maclin in a three-way dance. Thursday, he defended against New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Rocky Romero, who made his presence felt in the Call Your Shot battle royal last Saturday.

Miguel dealt the first blow, landing a moonsault plancha on the floor. Romero recovered during the break and worked the left arm of the champion as he seized control of the bout. At one point, the challenger tried for an armbar, but Miguel fought out, showing incredible strength, and delivered a sit-out powerbomb to create separation.

The champion delivered Meteora, but Romero countered into a single-leg crab. The challenger upped his intensity, but Miguel delivered a brainbuster and followed with the Meteora for the pinfall victory and successful title retention.

After the match, Maclin corner speared the champ and left him lying in a heap. 

Result

Miguel defeated Romero to retain

Grade

B+

Analysis

What a match!

This was the perfect example of how you set the tone for a title reign. Not only did Miguel look great by beating an established and respected wrestler, he did so by coming from behind and outwrestling said competitor.

The attack by Maclin set him up for a championship program and gives focus to a division that hasn't always benefited from it. The feud, like the match with Romero, will put Miguel in the position to succeed as champion. Based on his abilities, he will hold up his end of the bargain between the ropes. 

After a tense backstage confrontation, Rachael Ellering battled Tasha Steelz while respective partners Jordynne Grace and Savannah Evans watched from ringside.

Ellering attacked from the opening bell, but Steelz slowed her momentum and took control. The Queen of Strong Smile fought her way back into the contest, though, and scored the win with an opportune rollup.

Result

Ellering defeated Steelz

Grade

C+

Analysis

It was nice to see Ellering take the spotlight after a few months of hanging in the background. The match with Steelz was solid, if unspectacular, but kicked off what appears to be a tag team rivalry with Grace against Steelz and Evans.

The talent is such that the matches should be good, and a ton of fun, but one can't help but feel like the competitors are on a treadmill, destined to fit the same spot in the Knockouts division, despite Grace becoming the first Digital Media champion.

Backstage, Gia Miller attempted to interview new Knockouts tag team champions The IInspiration (Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee) but was shut down prematurely and ordered out of the room after the duo vowed to dominate the division.

In the Impact Zone, Heath battled Violent By Design's Joe Doering, just days after reuniting with Rhino at Bound For Glory.

The former one-man rock band withstood the punishing offense of the massive Doering before the action broke down, and the referee called for the bell. Rhino hesitated to fight Eric Young, who feigned injury and allowed the heels to regain control of the situation. Young revealed he was healthy and joined Deaner and Doering in beating down the babyfaces, ending with a piledriver on Heath.

Result

No contest

Grade

C+

Analysis

Violent By Design may not have Rhino anymore, but it has Young back and healthy, making the faction as dangerous as it has been in some time.

Young re-enters the squared circle in time to enhance the feud with Rhino and Heath, which would have limited legs with only Deaner and Doering available to battle the babyfaces.

Is the feud the most dynamic use of the heels? Probably not, but it does allow Heath and Rhino to have a higher-profile feud than they may otherwise have in a company where the roster is suddenly stacked.

New Knockouts champion Mickie James entered the Impact Zone to a thunderous ovation and said that while she knows Deonna Purrazzo has a title rematch waiting, no one has seen or heard from her since Bound For Glory.

She had a front-row seat for Knockouts Knockdown and is excited about the potential matchups that await her. This brought out The Influence's Madison Rayne, along with Kaleb. Rayne insulted James and criticized her for playing in any playground that would take her. Meanwhile, Rayne has been busy cultivating a division that is world-class.

She pitched a match for next week between the two of them, which James accepted. Kaleb threatened to "knock the stupid smile" off the champion's face, only to eat a big slap to the face as James stood tall.

Grade

C

Analysis

It was nice to see James fired up, and Rayne is a great heel, but this feels like a retread rather than something fresh. It could be a one-and-done match, but it still feels like something out of the Knockouts division circa 2011 rather than a forward-moving contest.

The good news is the match should be good. Both women know each other well and are talented wrestlers. 

The question will be whether anyone challenges in the coming weeks to get the most out of James' star power and the rub she has to give to a generation of young and talented competitors.

One of the most talented young wrestlers in the world (Ace Austin) battled one of the most decorated in Impact Wrestling history (Chris Sabin) in a competitive main event Thursday.

A back-and-forth start gave way to Austin targeting the left arm of his opponent, complete with a papercut between the fingers of the former world champion. Austin's overconfidence cost him, opening the door for a Sabin comeback.

Austin fought out of Cradle Shock, but Sabin rocked him with a back elbow. Austin answered with a springboard kick to the head for two. Sabin recovered and delivered a jumping DDT for his own near-fall. 

Later, Madman Fulton interfered on behalf of Austin but ate a big kick to the face. Sabin back body dropped Austin into his muscle, then rocked his opponent with a kick. Fulton again interfered, dropping Sabin and Austin delivered The Fold for the pinfall victory.

The commentary team put over next week's main event (Alexander, Edwards and Matt Cardona vs. Moose, W. Morrissey and Suzuki) while Austin celebrated his win.

Result

Austin defeated Sabin

Grade

B+

Analysis

For a show that accomplished everything it wanted to from a storytelling standpoint, this was a great no-frills wrestling match to end the night. Sabin and Austin are uber talented and can deliver every night, regardless of the opponent. Put them together and you're going to have a good-to-great match every time. 

Austin is the brightest young star on Impact's roster, perhaps even more so than Josh Alexander. He has all the makings of a star who will be atop the company for years into the future, carrying the brand on his back. You put him with Sabin, a guy who has done everything in the company, and you are setting him up for success.

It was a great way to end the show, with some solid heat via the interference of Fulton in the closing moments.