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Hardcore Justice (2021)

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Hardcore Justice (2021)
Promotional poster
PromotionImpact Wrestling
DateApril 10, 2021
CityNashville, Tennessee
VenueSkyway Studios
Attendance0 (behind closed doors)[Note 1]
Impact Plus Monthly Specials chronology
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Hardcore Justice chronology
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The 2021 Hardcore Justice was a professional wrestling event produced by Impact Wrestling. It took place on April 10, 2021 at the Skyway Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, and aired exclusively on Impact Plus.[1] It was the twelfth event under the Hardcore Justice chronology, the first to be held since the 2015 event, and the first purchase-only event since the 2012 event.

Nine matches were contested at the event. In the main event, Violent By Design (Eric Young, Deaner, Joe Doering and Rhino) defeated Team Dreamer (Eddie Edwards, Rich Swann, Willie Mack and Trey Miguel) in an eight-man Hardcore War match. In other prominent matches, Deonna Purrazzo successfully retained her Impact Knockouts Championship against Jazz in an Old School Rules Title vs. Career match, where Jazz had to retire from in-ring competition, and Tenille Dashwood won a Weapons match to become the number one contender for the Knockouts Championship.

Hardcore Justice garnered mixed reviews from critics, praising the three-way tag team opening bout, the Knockouts title match, and the Hardcore War main event, but were critical of the show's length and stale hardcore stipulations.

Production

Background

Hardcore Justice is an annual professional wrestling event produced by Impact Wrestling. In 2005, it was originally introduced as a pay-per-view (PPV) event held by Impact Wrestling (then known as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, TNA). The first event was held in May 2005 and from 2006 to 2012, they have all been held in August. The event was known as Hard Justice until 2010. In 2013, TNA dropped Hardcore Justice as a pay-per-view event after announcing only four pay-per-view events would take place through the year and it was retained as a special episode of TNA's weekly broadcast of Impact!.[2]

On the Impact! following Sacrifice, Tommy Dreamer came into the office of Impact Executive Vice President Scott D'Amore, saying that Impact has a problem with their Impact World Tag Team Championship being held hostage outside of the promotion for a month. D'Amore stalled him and then reminded him of the upcoming Hardcore Justice event on Impact Plus, and he let Dreamer book the card for the show.[3]

Storylines

The event featured professional wrestling matches that involved different wrestlers from pre-existing scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers portray heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.[4]

On the March 23 episode of Impact, Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defeated Jazz in a non-title match, with interference from Susan.[5] The following week on Impact, while Purrazzo and Susan were having an interview, Jazz attacked Purrazzo and Susan. Jazz would later go to Tommy Dreamer, demanding that she get her hands on Purrazzo. Dreamer would have the two booked for Hardcore Justice, but before that, talked about how he and Jazz used to be in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and how they used to have Ultimate Jeopardy matches in ECW. As a match where all participants wager something, Dreamer asked Jazz to put something at stake, while Purrazzo put her championship on the line. Jazz proclaimed that she is willing to put her career on the line for the title, officially making it a Title vs. Career match.[6][7]

On the March 30 episode of Impact, Dreamer held a meeting of various knockouts, announcing a weapons match for Hardcore Justice, with the winner receiving an opportunity for the Impact Knockouts Championship at Rebellion. Alisha Edwards, Havok, Jordynne Grace, Rosemary, Susan, and Tenille Dashwood were announced as participants.[6][7]

On the March 23 episode of Impact, Eddie Edwards kicked The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) out of the locker room, seeing how their friendship with AEW World Champion Kenny Omega, did not make them "one of the boys". Just as they were about to leave, they encountered Decay (Black Taurus and Crazzy Steve), who mocked how The Good Brothers lost both their tag team titles and the respect of the locker room.[5] On the April 8 episode of Impact, a match between Black Taurus and Doc Gallows was scheduled for Hardcore Justice.[8][9]

It was announced that Hardcore Justice will also play host to a Hardcore Blindfold match between Jake Something and Brian Myers.[8] Myers has been wearing an eyepatch since January after a match with Fallah Bahh, saw him being "poked" in the eye.[10] On the April 8 episode of Impact, Myers attacked both Something and old friend-turned-enemy Matt Cardona, where he accepted Cardona's offer for a match at Rebellion, but not before pushing Something into the steel steps, which had clipped his eye.[11] The Hardcore Blindfold match, essentially a blindfold match with hardcore rules, was scheduled not long after.[8]

On the April 8 episode of Impact, Tommy Dreamer booked an eight-man tag team Hardcore War featuring himself and three men of his choosing (revealed as Eddie Edwards, Willie Mack, and Impact World Champion Rich Swann) against Violent By Design (Eric Young, Deaner, Joe Doering, and Rhino).[8][9][12] The rules of Hardcore War are as follow:

  • Two men start alone for five minutes
  • Every two minutes, a new man appears from alternating teams
  • The match cannot end until the final man has entered
  • After all eight men have entered, the match is won by pinfall or submission
  • There are no disqualifications

Reception

Jack Irene of 411Mania reviewed the event and gave it a 5 out of 10. He wrote that: "[T]his show was not my favorite. Despite the quality opener and main event, this show dragged and while feeling different from other IMPACT Plus events, got stale quickly. It wasn't a complete miss with everything Johnny Swinger touching being great, some decent hardcore action, and fresh matchups. This show met my expectations, and not in a very good way."[13] Bob Kapur of Slam Wrestling gave praise to the three-way tag team opener, the Purrazzo-Jazz Knockouts title match and the Hardcore War main event, but felt the rest of the show "fell flat – or worse, was just plain bad." He gave the event 2 out of 5 stars, saying: "With highlights coming few and far between, this was a disappointing offering by Impact. Scrapping this show entirely and instead just focusing energies on the Rebellion PPV in two weeks would have been a better idea."[14] Darrin Lilly of Pro Wrestling Torch called it: "Yet another good Impact Plus special. This was quite the prelude to WrestleMania. Nothing was too newsworthy but there was good action throughout. The show was highlighted by Jazz's retirement match, Johnny Swinger's antics, the Cardona/Myers angle, the Knockouts weapons match, and the main event. Good effort by all."[15]

Aftermath

On the April 15 episode of Impact!, Eddie Edwards and Willie Mack were in the ring, addressing their loss to Violent By Design (VBD) at Hardcore Justice, and called them out for a challenge and accused them for attacking Tommy Dreamer during the show. VBD came out and Eric Young explained to Edwards that he had nothing to do with Dreamer being laid out prior to Hardcore War. VBD then surround the ring to attack Edwards and Mack, but Chris Sabin and James Storm arrive to chase them away. As VBD retreat up the ramp, Storm challenges them against the men in the ring to a match at Rebellion.[16][17] After the show, Impact announced that the eight-man tag team match will take place at the event.[18]

On the April 15 episode of Impact!, a retirement ceremony was held for Jazz but was interrupted by Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions Fire 'N Flava (Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz), leading to an improptu non-title match where Jazz teamed with Jordynne Grace to defeat Fire 'N Flava. Following the ceremony, Impact EVP Scott D'Amore berated Fire 'N Flava backstage and booked them to defend the tag titles against Jazz and Grace at Rebellion, but Jazz chose to honor the previous match stipulation and told Grace that she will find a new tag team partner for her at Rebellion.[16][17] The following week, Grace defeated Hogan by disqualification and was beaten down by her and Steelz, but was saved by the debuting Rachael Ellering, confirming her as Grace's tag team partner.[19][20]

On the April 15 episode of Impact!, Sami Callihan called out Trey Miguel, congratulating him for his work at Hardcore Justice and asks that he join him. Miguel refused and Callihan revealed that he took out Tommy Dreamer, ensuring that Miguel got a spot in the Hardcore War main event. Callihan extends his hand to be shaked but Miguel attacks him instead, with Callihan taking out Miguel with an exploder suplex onto a chair. As Callihan walks up the ramp, Miguel gets to his feet.[16][17] After the show, Impact announced that Callihan and Miguel will fight each other in a Last Man Standing match at Rebellion.[18]

Results

No.Results[21]StipulationsTimes[22]
1Josh Alexander and Petey Williams defeated TJP and Fallah Bahh, and Ace Austin and Madman FultonTriple threat tag team match[8]13:42
2Shera defeated HernandezChairly Legal match[8]9:03
3Doc Gallows (with Karl Anderson) defeated Black Taurus (with Crazzy Steve)Singles match[8]8:59
4Matt Cardona defeated Johnny SwingerMystery Crate match7:56
5Sami Callihan defeated Sam BealeSingles match[8]4:02
6Jake Something defeated Brian MyersHardcore Blindfold match[8]5:17
7Tenille Dashwood defeated Alisha Edwards, Havok, Jordynne Grace, Rosemary, and Su YungWeapons match to determine the number one contender for the Impact Knockouts Championship[7]9:35
8Deonna Purrazzo (c) defeated JazzOld School Rules Title vs. Career match for the Impact Knockouts Championship[7]12:46
9Violent By Design (Eric Young, Deaner, Joe Doering and Rhino) defeated Team Dreamer (Eddie Edwards, Rich Swann, Willie Mack and Trey Miguel)Eight-man Hardcore War match[8]20:28
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match

Notes

  1. ^ The event was held without a paying audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

References

  1. ^ "Hardcore Justice Will Be Served on IMPACT Plus". Impact Wrestling. March 16, 2021. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "News: TNA Impact Wrestling Announces Major Changes To 2013 Pay-Per-View Strategy". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on January 12, 2013. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  3. ^ Moore, John (March 17, 2021). "3/16 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Sami Callihan vs. Trey Miguel, Impact Tag Champions Juice Robinson and David Finlay vs. Team XXXL in a non-title match, Mahabali Shera vs. Rohit Raju, 12-Knockouts Tag match, Sacrifice fallout". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  4. ^ Grabianowski, Ed. "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Moore, John (March 23, 2021). "3/23 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Kenny Omega and Don Callis return, Ace Austin vs. TJP for the X Division Championship, Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jazz in a non-title match, Karl Anderson vs. Eddie Edwards". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Moore, John (March 30, 2021). "3/30 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of AEW Champion Kenny Omega's appearance, James Storm vs. Eric Young, Knockouts Tag Champions Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz vs. Havok and Nevaeh in a non-title match, Ace Austin and Madman Fulton vs. Josh Alexander and TJP, Suicide vs. Brian Myers". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d IMPACT Wrestling Staff (March 30, 2021). "Career vs Title & #1 Contender Weapons Match Official for Hardcore Justice". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 8, 2021). "Dreamer Adds to Extreme Lineup for Hardcore Justice". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  9. ^ a b Powell, Jason (April 9, 2021). "4/8 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Powell's review of Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers vs. Rich Swann, Willie Mack, and Eddie Edwards, Sami Callihan and a partner vs. Team XXXL, Alisha Edwards, Nevaeh, and Tenille Dashwood vs. Havok, Jordynne Grace, and Rosemary, Deaner vs. Chris Sabin". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  10. ^ Moore, John (January 19, 2021). "1/19 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of the Hard To Kill fallout edition with AEW surprises, Jordynne Grace and Jazz vs. Kimber Lee and Susan, Eric Young vs. Rhino". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  11. ^ Beaston, Erik (April 8, 2021). "Impact Wrestling Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 8". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  12. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 10, 2021). "Tommy Dreamer Reveals Team for Hardcore War". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  13. ^ Irene, Jack (April 10, 2021). "Irene's Impact Wrestling Hardcore Justice Review 4.10.21". 411Mania. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  14. ^ Kapur, Bob (April 10, 2021). "Violent by Design, Jazz's final match highlight a very soft Hardcore Justice". Slam Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  15. ^ Lilly, Darrin (April 11, 2021). "4/10 IMPACT Wrestling Hardcore Justice 2021 Report: Purrazzo vs. Jazz, Matt Cardona in action, big eight-man tag main event, more". Pro Wrestling Torch. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c Moore, John (April 15, 2021). "4/15 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of Kenny Omega and Rich Swann press conference for the AEW Championship vs. Impact World Championship match at Rebellion, Jazz's retirement ceremony, TJP vs. Josh Alexander, Brian Myers and Matt Cardona in pick your poison matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  17. ^ a b c IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 15, 2021). "IMPACT! on AXS TV Results – April 15, 2021". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  18. ^ a b IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 15, 2021). "Sami vs Trey Last Man Standing & Huge 8-Man Tag to Take Place at Rebellion". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  19. ^ Moore, John (April 22, 2021). "4/22 Impact Wrestling TV Results: Moore's review of the Rebellion go-home show featuring Eric Young vs. Eddie Edwards, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Crazzy Steve and Black Taurus, Tenille Dashwood vs. Susan, Kiera Hogan vs. Jordynne Grace, Shera vs. Jake Something". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Archived from the original on July 30, 2023. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  20. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 22, 2021). "Rachael Ellering Revealed as Jordynne Grace's Partner for Rebellion". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 6, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  21. ^ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (April 10, 2021). "Hardcore Justice on IMPACT Plus Results". Impact Wrestling. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  22. ^ "Impact Wrestling Hardcore Justice 2021". Cagematch. October 4, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2023. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
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