IMPACT Homecoming Review - July 31, 2021

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

Matthew Rehwoldt and Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo def. Hernandez and Alisha Edwards in a Homecoming King & Queen Tournament Quarterfinal Match

It would have been cool to get the married couple of Alisha and Eddie in the tournament, but obviously Eddie was busy with W. Morrissey later in the show. Vignettes have been airing since Slammiversary teasing the arrival of Rehwoldt, but him being named Purrazzo's partner was a surprise. I figured it would be Steve Maclin because of how he and Purrazzo are an item in real life, but this made more sense. This was a solid opener with the right team advancing.

Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green def. Petey Williams and Jordynne Grace in a Homecoming King & Queen Tournament Quarterfinal Match

Cardona and Green have been on a roll since Green's return to IMPACT, so there was no reason to believe they were losing here. Despite that, I liked the team of Williams and Grace given their connection to Scott Steiner and I thought they had quality chemistry. This was the best of the quarterfinal matches and had the most wrestling. Post-match, Maclin showed up and attacked Williams. I don't watch Before The Impact, so I didn't know what that was about, but it's a good first feud for Maclin.

Tommy Dreamer and Rachael Ellering def. Brian Myers and Missy Hyatt in a Homecoming King & Queen Tournament Quarterfinal Match

Myers' partner was a mystery coming into this show, and in storyline, he left it up to Sam Beale to figure out. Beale ultimately introduced Hyatt, which was uncertainly expected. Hyatt wasn't dressed to compete because, as she said herself, she's not a wrestler. The "you still got it" chants when she tagged in were pretty funny, though. This wasn't a match to be taken seriously, but it was fun while it lasted. Dreamer and Ellering paying tribute to The Road Warriors with their face paint was a nice touch.

Decay (Crazzy Steve and Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion Rosemary) def. Fallah 'N Flava in a Homecoming King & Queen Tournament Quarterfinal Match

Calling the team of Fallah and Tasha Steelz "Fire 'N Flava" was genius. Kiera Hogan didn't come out to ringside with them, likely because Hogan is on her way out and tension was teased between her and Steelz on Thursday's edition of IMPACT! Wrestling. There was plenty of intergender wrestling in this match, more than the others on this show, but the crowd was into it. I know Black Taurus contended for the Impact X-Division Championship later in the show, but I'm a little surprised he and Havok didn't compete in the tournament as well on the other side of the bracket.

Deaner def. Willie Mack

If these teams were going to continue feuding, then why give away the tag team match on IMPACT! Wrestling and do a singles match between a member of each team on the live special? That felt like backwards booking to me, along with the babyfaces winning the tag team match and the heels getting one over on them here. It was a big win for Deaner, but Mack probably shouldn't be losing to him. If anything, the loss further establishes him as a stepping stone. Maybe a heel turn is coming? The match was well wrestled, if nothing else.

Matthew Rehwoldt and Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo def. Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green in a Homecoming King & Queen Tournament Semifinal Match

I fully expected Cardona and Green to go all the way, so the fact they lost here (not to mention in clean fashion) was somewhat shocking. Once again, Rehwoldt and Purrazzo worked well together, which was impressive considering they aren't a couple like Cardona and Green and therefore don't have that automatic chemistry. It must have been cool for Green and Purrazzo to mix it up considering they're really good friends and hopefully we get to see them go one-on-one at some point. I applaud Cardona for putting over his fair share of people since coming to IMPACT. Yes, the current GCW Champion was pinned by the former Aiden English, but this was taped before he won that championship.

Decay (Crazzy Steve and Impact Knockout Tag Team Champion Rosemary) def. Tommy Dreamer and Rachael Ellering in a Homecoming King & Queen Tournament Semifinal Match

This featured more shenanigans, and while I would have preferred a more straightforward approach, this was still an entertaining encounter. The crowd clearly dug it and that's all that matters. Decay are obviously more of a duo than Dreamer and Ellering are, so them winning was the correct outcome. This definitely wouldn't have been the same without fans in the crowd, so they helped big time by bringing the energy.

Impact X-Division Champion Josh Alexander def. Black Taurus

Although Taurus was a random contender for the title, I'm not complaining, as I was looking forward to this contest and they delivered. Taurus has largely been a background player in Decay up to this point, but the guy is a blast to watch in the ring and can hang with just about anyone. As for Alexander, he's been killing it left and right with a variety of opponents these past few months. The championship was never in jeopardy of changing hands (hence why the crowd was quiet until the end), mind you, but I enjoyed this for what it was.

Matthew Rehwoldt and Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo def. Decay (Crazzy Steve and Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champion Rosemary) to Win the Homecoming King & Queen Tournament

Decay are awesome and all, but it made way more sense for the heels to take the crowns here. It was an excellent way for Rehwoldt to debut and it keeps Purrazzo's momentum rolling. It also fits her Virtuousa character perfectly. This was a well-worked match with the crowd once again enhancing my enjoyment of it by being invested in the action. They were given an ample amount of time and made the most of it. I'm curious if Rehwoldt will be permanently paired off with Purrazzo or if this was a one-time thing. 

Eddie Edwards def. W. Morrisey in a Hardcore Match

I feel like I've seen plenty of hardcore matches lately, so while this a bit tame in comparison, they gave it a hell of an effort and utilized their fair share of weapons around ringside. Edwards sold well for Morrissey's offense and was explosive as always. Morrissey was impressive in his own right and it was quite the war on the whole. Edwards needed a meaningful win eventually, so I honestly didn't mind that Morrissey suffered his first loss here. I'm sure he'll bounce back and go back to destroying people. This hardly hurts him assuming he'll remain a monster.

Overall Show

The Homecoming King & Queen Tournament was basically what WWE's Mixed Match Challenge should have been a few years ago. The talent were enjoying themselves and the fans had fun with it. This was easily the least newsworthy Impact Plus event they've done this year, but it wasn't intended to be anything too extraordinary coming off Slammiversary. If you missed Homecoming, you didn't miss much, but they filled the three hours well and it was a nice little show for what it was. The matches were all entertaining and Rehwoldt had a better debut than I was expecting, so it was a worthwhile event. Deaner vs. Mack was the only match I probably would have done without.

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