Impact Wrestling Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction, Highlights from January 6

The final stop on the road to Impact Wrestling's Hard to Kill pay-per-view brought a showdown between Deonna Purrazzo and Mercedes Martinez, a heavyweight hoss battle between Jonah and Jake Something, and a six-Knockouts tag team match between the women who will compete in Saturday's historic Ultimate X match.

Which competitors built momentum coming out of the broadcast and which feuds added new chapters ahead of their culmination at the weekend?

Find out now with this recap of the January 6 broadcast.

Ahead of the first-ever Knockouts Ultimate X match at Hard to Kill, the six women involved did battle to kick off the night's action as Lady Frost, Chelsea Green and Tasha Steelz battled Digital Media champion Jordynne Grace, Rachael Ellering and Rosemary.

The latter trio dominated the action early, targeting the egotistical Steelz. A tag to Lady Frost allowed the newcomer to explode into the bout before wiping the field out with a moonsault from the top rope.

Back in the ring, Green delivered an Unprettier to score the pinfall victory. The unlikely teammates stood tall to close out the segment.

     

Result

Green, Frost and Steelz defeated Grace, Ellering and Rosemary

     

Grade

C+

      

Analysis

This probably had a little more steam in it, but it was a fun preview of the first-time match that will take place Saturday night.

Frost really shined, and Steelz made sure she remained prominent by working the majority of the match for her team as her overconfidence refused to allow anyone else to steal the spotlight.

The talent involved should ensure the Ultimate X match lives up to expectations, while the diverse styles and backgrounds of the performers will make for interesting chemistry and interactions.

At this point, Steelz, Grace or Green figure to be the favorites to emerge victorious.

Jonah will battle former world champion Josh Alexander at Hard to Kill Saturday night and warmed up for that contest by squaring off with Jake Something.

Something rocked Jonah, taking him off his feet. Back from the break, the super-heavyweight gained control, but it was short-lived. The Aussie was wiped out by his opponent on the ramp.

After withstanding a strong offensive by Something, Jonah flattened him with a middle rope splash for the win.

After the match, Alexander hit the ring and took the fight to his foe. Jonah broke free of an ankle lock but security rushed the ring. The combatants broke free of their restraints and continued their battle.

Jonah again got the best of The Walking Weapon, driving him through a table with his trademark splash.

     

Result

Jonah defeated Something

       

Grade

B

    

Analysis

The match with Something was a physical battle between two big, young heavyweights. 

Something is a hidden gem, the type of performer who is going to make some company a lot of money one day. Hopefully, sooner rather than later because he has all of the tools to succeed.

Jonah is about to take the industry by storm and should tear the house down Saturday against Alexander in a bout with a ton of potential to be an early Match of the Year for Impact.

If Impact or any other promotion in the industry is smart, this will not be the last time these two do battle.

The post-match activities, which saw Jonah send an emphatic message to Alexander ahead of their encounter, was a great bit of booking and makes the Aussie look seemingly unstoppable ahead of the PPV.

Masha Slamovich made short work out of Sandra Moon in her debut match in Impact.

The Russian put her outmatched opponent away with a Northern Lights Bomb for the pinfall victory.

Earlier Thursday, Gia Miller interviewed Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green. While Cardona was uncharacteristically quiet, Green said Impact may have a power couple on its hands because she is sure her partner will be the next world champion.

      

Result

Slamovich defeated Moon

    

Grade

A

    

Analysis

In her first contracted appearance on Impact, Slamovich steamrolled a young star and sent a message to the entire Knockouts roster.

The 23-year-old has the look, in-ring intensity and aggression to succeed and the fact that her debut was a major part of the hype for this week's show suggests Impact officials see big things for her in the future. And rightfully so.

The promo from Green put over everything that awaits her and her husband this weekend at one of the company's premiere PPV events.

Knockouts champion Mickie James joined Matt Striker and D'Lo Brown on commentary as Deonna Purrazzo battled Mercedes Martinez in somewhat of a dream match for fans of women's wrestling.

The Virtuosa attacked her opponent prior to the bell and dominated the match's first half. Martinez fought back but the alert former Knockouts champion targeted the left arm in hopes of applying her devastating Fujiwara armbar. 

The double-tough Martinez fought back again, setting Purrazzo up for a superplex, but she fought out and delivered a double axe handle to the exposed arm to continue her attack. Martinez finally escaped the grasp of her opponent and delivered a short DDT for a near-fall. 

Purrazzo recovered and tapped Martinez out for the hard-fought victory before staring down James to put heat on their Texas Deathmatch at Hard to Kill.

     

Result

Purrazzo defeated Martinez

       

Grade

B+

       

Analysis

This was a superb match between one of the great trailblazers in women's wrestling (Martinez) and arguably the best in the business today (Purrazzo). The psychology and pacing were great, and Impact gave the women the time necessary to have a match befitting the dream pairing.

James was solid on commentary, giving fans a taste of what they can expect Saturday night, including her mind games. 

The Knockouts champion and The Virtuosa had one of the best matches of 2021 in Impact at Bound For Glory in October. With the Texas Deathmatch stipulation, things should be more violent and appropriate for the blowoff to their rivalry.

Johnny Swinger found himself isolated from his teammate, Hernandez, and forced to fight from underneath against former X-Division champion Ace Austin and the massive Madman Fulton.

The veteran did that by tagging Super Mex into the match and giving his team an opportunity at victory.

The teamwork of Austin and Fulton proved to be too much, though, as The Inevitable launched himself off his partner's back and onto Hernandez for the win.

As Swinger backed up the ramp afterward, Austin and Fulton used chairs to attack the arm of Super Mex and leave him writhing in pain.

         

Result

Austin and Fulton defeated Swinger and Hernandez

       

Grade

C+

        

Analysis

This wasn't about a match or getting fans to believe Hernandez and Swinger stood a chance against their opponents. This was all about establishing an edgier, more dangerous side of the heels. It worked, too.

Austin and Fulton aren't content to chase titles or wins...they are hell bent on dishing pain to anyone stupid enough to share the ring with them.

Hernandez, one of the decorated stars of Impact, found that out the hard way. Coming out of Hard to Kill, it will be interesting to find out who is next.

With the advantage in Saturday's Hardcore War at stake, Karl Anderson and Heath were forced to go it alone after referee Brian Hebner sent Eric Young, Doc Gallows, Deaner, Joe Doering, Willie Mack, Eddie Edwards, Rhino and Rich Swann to the backstage area early on.

Anderson dominated the match as the commentary team put over his countless accomplishments in professional wrestling. Heath executed a gutsy comeback but his opponent cut him off, put him down and scored the win.

After the match, Violent By Design and Gallows hit the ring and beat down Heath before Rhino, Mack, Swann and Edwards made the save. A brawl ensued, acting as the final hype for Saturday's PPV.

         

Result

Anderson defeated Heath

     

Grade

C

     

Analysis

The match itself was nothing special, despite solid efforts from both participants. It was, however, the backdrop for the show-closing brawl that put over what is sure to be hardcore chaos Saturday.

This was a showcase for a revamped tag team division, but it also felt like an excuse to get a bunch of former world champions on the card without anything else of note for them to do. That's not always a bad thing, especially considering the talent and their expertise in hardcore battles.