Impact Turning Point 2021 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights

The top prize in Impact Wrestling was up for grabs Saturday night in Nevada as Moose battled longtime foe Eddie Edwards in a Full Metal Mayhem match in the main event of Turning Point.

The match headlined a show that saw every title in the company up for grabs. Mickie James defended the Knockouts title, and The Good Brothers put their tag team gold on the line against Bullet Club's Chris Bey and Hikuleo.

Did any of the titles switch hands, or were the champions able to retain their status among the best in the business?

Find out with this recap of Saturday's pay-per-view extravaganza.

Originally slated to battle Decay's Crazzy Steve and Black Taurus, FinJuice hit the ring for a showdown with replacement opponents Rohit Raju and Raj Singh.

The former tag team champions started hot, frustrating the opposition before Raju and Singh managed to cut down David Finlay and isolate him from partner Juice Robinson. A hot tag sparked the comeback, which featured Finlay wiping out The Mocha-Skinned Manimal at ringside before joining his partner in putting away Singh for the victory.

Result

FinJuice defeated Raju and Singh.

Grade

C

Analysis

Considering Impact was still advertising Robinson and Finlay against Steve and Taurus as late as 8:30 p.m., this was not at all bad for a match that came together at the last minute.

Raju was fantastic, as he typically is, and FinJuice provided the energy late. The outcome should not have been in doubt, but it is still disappointing that Raju isn't involved in something more meaningful, such as competing against Rich Swann later in the show.

The newest Impact Wrestling title, the Digital Media Championship, was up for grabs in the night's next match as Jordynne Grace defended against Chelsea Green.

Thicc Mama Pump and the Hot Mess engaged in counter-wrestling early, with neither competitor showing an ability to maintain a consistent advantage. Grace delivered a gorilla press slam, sending her opponent crashing to the mat. A hard forearm added to the challenger's punishment.

Green fought back, delivering a stomp that nearly earned her the title. When Grace answered with a Michinoku Driver, it looked like she had delivered the blow that would retain her title. Instead, Green kicked out at two.

The champion returned the favor, kicking out of a Gory Special. She would later deliver the Grace Driver for the pinfall victory.

Result

Grace defeated Green.

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was a solid match with a couple of dramatic near-falls.

Grace and Green have some great chemistry and bring a ton to the Knockouts division. For now, they helped legitimize a title still in its infancy with a match that saw the fans divided in their allegiance to the competitors.

If the reaction to Green were any indication, Impact officials are going to have to find more for her to do because she should be on television more consistently and involved in something of significance, even if that is an actual feud with Grace.

Former X-Division champions Chris Sabin and Ace Austin battled in the official opening match of the Turning Point pay-per-view, with Madman Fulton standing imposingly at ringside in support of the latter.

Austin weathered the early storm presented by Sabin to seize control of the match. The resilient former world champion fought back, though, outwrestling The Inevitable. Austin absorbed and advanced, meeting Sabin for a double kick spot that left both men down in the center of the ring.

The back-and-forth continued, with Sabin taking Austin down with a superplex from the top rope. Austin tried for one of his own but wound up caught in the Tree-of-Woe. Sabin delivered a corner dropkick and sent Austin into Fulton at ringside.

A distraction failed to benefit the heels, as Sabin caught Austin in an attempt at The Fold and put him away with the Cradle Shock for the pinfall victory.

Result

Sabin defeated Austin.

Grade

B

Analysis

Raise your hand if you expected Sabin and Austin to have a great match.

Two of the best wrestlers on the roster were given free rein to have a 15-minute bout. They delivered, setting the tone for the rest of the show with a competitive match that highlighted Austin even in defeat and provided Sabin another PPV victory.

Where the outcome leaves Austin moving forward remains to be seen, but both he and Sabin are cornerstones of the product and will find ways to remain relevant.

Matches like this will make that easier.

Rich Swann battled VSK in singles competition, a replacement for Brian Myers, who was unable to compete.

VSK worked over the former world champion early on, but Swann fought back with a Rolling Thunder splash for two. VSK proved neither the match nor his opponent was too big for him, regaining momentum.

A cutter, followed by the Phoenix Splash from the middle rope, put away VSK as Swann earned the hard-fought victory.

Result

Swann defeated VSK.

Grade

C+

Analysis

Swann and Myers will have their inevitable blowoff, but this was a fine enough match en route to that encounter.

VSK was allowed to shine for a bit before Swann got his stuff in and scored the win.

It still feels like a fall from grace for Swann, who started the year as world champion but has seen himself fall down the card to the point that he was feuding with Myers in a thrown-together program.

He has earned better than that. Hopefully he can work his way back up the card.

Matt Cardona hoped to prove to the world that he was ready and deserving of world title contention Saturday. To do so, he had to beat the massive and unforgiving W. Morrissey. He did not fair well, as Morrissey overwhelmed and physically dismantled him.

A missile dropkick sparked a comeback. Dodging a charging Morrissey allowed him to follow with two Broski Boots, but he still found himself in the grasp of his opponent before being driven into the ring apron.

Cardona finally delivered Radio Silence, but a referee bump prevented him from picking up the win. Moose emerged from the locker room and delivered Lights Out to the Long Island Broski, which allowed Morrissey to win.

Result

Morrissey defeated Cardona.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was a much better match than it may have looked on paper thanks to the unwavering effort of Cardona and a Morrissey driven by contract negotiations and the search for a big-money deal.

The referee bump and appearance by Moose set up a scenario wherein Morrissey may involve himself in the night's Full Metal Mayhem main event, helping the champion to retain his title.

Given their history, it is at least a creative decision that makes sense.

Moose costing Cardona the match would seem to suggest the former WWE United States champion may be in line for a world title shot sooner rather than later.

The Knockouts Tag Team Championship was up for grabs in the night's next match, as The IInspiration's Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee defended against Decay's Rosemary and Havok.

The challengers let out weeks of frustration, as they attacked the champions prior to the bell and fought them to the floor and then through the ringside area. The heels eventually downed Havok, working her left arm and wrist as they sought to retain their titles.

Havok made the tag to Rosemary, who exploded into the match for her team, driven to regain the gold. She proved a major problem for the champions, both of whom found themselves on the receiving end of her arsenal.

The champions teamed up to deliver a sunset flip powerbomb, driving Rosemary on the floor. The resilient and resourceful champions retained the titles when McKay used the ropes for extra leverage in her rollup on Havok.

Result

The IInspiration defeated Havok and Rosemary.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The IInspiration are so clearly motivated to prove themselves as wrestlers in a way McKay and Lee were not allowed to at the previous stop. It shows in every performance, and this was no different.

The work on Havok's arm was great, and the underhand manner in which they retained the titles sets up the potential for the continuation of the feud. It remains to be seen whether that is the direction management wants to take things, but it is a viable option.

One thing is for sure: The champions are stars, and Impact has done a great job of treating them like it. 

Steve Maclin and Laredo Kid challenged Trey Miguel in a three-way match for the X-Division Championship next.

It was Maclin's size and strength advantage that allowed him to take control early and often. Kid and Miguel battled through it, including an avalanche Spanish Fly from the former.

Late in the contest, Maclin delivered Mayhem for All on Kid. Miguel interrupted his pinfall with a Meteora for the title.

After the matt, Matt Striker and D'Lo Brown highlighted that Maclin's shoulder was off the mat, which will help protect him as the company proceeds with an eventual showdown between him and the X-Division champion.

Result

Miguel defeated Kid and Maclin.

Grade

C+

Analysis

The chemistry between Miguel and Kid was wild, and using the straightforward Maclin to bring the hard-hitting offense and strength advantage was a nice touch. The result was a solid match that may have exceeded expectations.

Still, the big money is in the champion defending against Maclin, and no arbitrary application of a random X-Division challenger changes that.

Mickie James may be more decorated and celebrated, but the Knockouts champion found herself overwhelmed by Mercedes Martinez early on.

James, always a resilient competitor, fought her way back into the match and felled her opponent with the DDT.

After the bout, former Knockouts champion Deonna Purrazzo interrupted the current titleholder's celebration, dropping her and evoking the rematch clause for Hard to Kill in January.

Result

James defeated Martinez.

Grade

B-

Analysis

Martinez looked strong here, calling on her years of experience in a high-stakes, prominent title match. No one expected her to leave with the title, but simply performing up to the moment, against another woman who has seen and done it all over the course of her career, would have been good enough.

It was. Now, it will be interesting to see what Impact officials do with Martinez. Is she signed long term? If so, will she remain in a crowded title picture or wait her turn for another championship opportunity? 

We will find out shortly.

The Good Brothers' Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows put the Impact World Tag Team Championship on the line against Bullet Club's Chris Bey and Hikuleo in the penultimate match of the night.

Looking not only to retain their titles, Anderson and Gallows sought to stick it to two members of a faction they once were part of. They were able to do just that late.

Bey set up Anderson for the Art of the Finese, but an alert Gallows hung him up, allowing Anderson to pin a stunned Bey for the win.

Result

The Good Brothers defeated Bullet Club.

Grade

C

Analysis

This was fine, but it has been difficult to invest in anything Anderson and Gallows have done of late because The Good Brothers appear to be in a holding pattern. They have not done much of note and haven't evolved or grown. But they have been in the tag title picture since Day 1.

Until a team steps up that forces change or evolution in the champs, we will get adequate matches against talented teams but more of the same from a personality and character standpoint.

Their match with Bullet Club, given their rich history in the faction, was a major letdown because their past was glossed over.

Before the night's main event, free agent Jonah (formerly Bronson Reed in NXT) sent a message loudly and clearly to Josh Alexander, attacking the former world champion and leaving him spitting blood.

Moose and Eddie Edwards then met in a Full Metal Mayhem match for the Impact world title. The fans in Nevada serenaded Edwards, rooting for the heart and soul of the company to dethrone the egotistical heel.

Early on, the former friends unloaded on one another with devastating strikes. It escalated quickly, with Edwards backdropping the champion over the top rope and through a table. The challenger added a tope suicida for good measure.

Moose turned the tide in his favor by slamming the challenger on the entrance ramp. He set up for a powerbomb off the apron and through a table, but Edwards countered with a Death Valley Driver on the apron.

The champion returned the favor, delivering the powerbomb on to the apron. A second powerbomb, this one through the timekeeper's table, followed. He wrapped a chair around Edwards' head and sent him throat-first into the ring post.

The combatants climbed a ladder, from which Edwards delivered a sunset flip powerbomb into another, cracking it in half. The result was a two-count from the official, as pinfalls and submissions were the only way to win.

Edwards wrapped a chain around his knee and caught Moose coming in with a spear attempt. He kneed away at his opponent and delivered a Tiger Driver, but Moose recovered and delivered a powerbomb into a ladder. Eddie answered with a Boston Knee Party for two.

After a barrage of kendo stick shots from each competitor, and with both men down, W. Morrissey made his way to the ring. He beat down Edwards and held him up for Moose to deliver the Lights Out spear. Matt Cardona emerged to make the save and fought Morrissey at ringside.

Edwards exposed the wood of the ring and looked for the Tiger Driver. Moose fought out. After some teases, the champ delivered a low blow and flattened Edwards with a uranage on the wood. One last spear won Moose the match.

Result

Moose defeated Edwards.

Grade

A

Analysis

This was a wild and chaotic main event that established Moose as the world champion and the top heel in the company. Edwards was the perfect opponent for him here, putting him through the wringer with several punishing spots before selling his offense and making the world champ look like a devastating force.

The involvement of Morrissey and Cardona keeps them in the picture too. Any instance in which there is a hot main event scene, with multiple competitors challenging for the title, only strengthens the champion by proxy.

Speaking of which, Jonah's surprise appearance and merciless beatdown of Alexander only adds to the title scene. He steamrolled the top babyface in the company and sent a message to the rest of the locker room in doing so.

Suddenly, a portion of the roster that had questions about its depth looks as strong as any.