‘Impact Wrestling: Against All Odds 2021’ PPV Review

Welcome to this review of Impact Wrestling’s Against All Odds 2021 event, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and we have a moose fighting its natural enemy…the f—kin’ Canuck. In this battle for the Impact World Title, hoser shall fight beast in a battle of the best. Canada brings us the super-fight of the year! Shall the Mapled Race keep the gold around the waist of their most fruit-cakish of champions or will the moose, nature’s stupidest creature, attain the glory that it so moosishly seeks? Will this “Cross-Eyed Dip-S—t Of The Forest” topple “The Power-Bottom Prince” himself? Get back, honky cat! Ya bother me! You suck! Big whoop! Wanda fight about it?! I was frozen today! Blow it out your ass! Cheeseburger in paradise! There! I said it! Now I’ll say it twice! Cheeseburger in paradise! There! I’m not a lazy bum like you! Get a job! Against All Odds starts now!

Match #1: Sami Callihan and Tommy Dreamer b. The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson) – Street Fight Match

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

The action immediately spills to the outside in this match with no disqualifications and no countouts! Dreamer and Callihan head to the back to retrieve weapons of all shapes and sizes. Anderson goes low as he drops Dreamer on the steel guardrail. In the ring, Gallows assualts Callihan with a cast-iron pan! The Good Brothers double team Dreamer until he fights back with a cutter to Anderson, followed by a DDT to Gallows. Moments later, The Good Brothers put Dreamer through a table with the Magic Killer! Callihan clobbers Anderson with a baseball bat shot to score the victory.

The Verdict: 7 out of 10

Match #2: Joe Doering (with Eric Young, Deaner and Rhino) b. Satoshi Kojima (with Eddie Edwards)

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Doering puts his strength advantage on display as he slows down the pace in an attempt to wear Kojima down. Kojima builds momentum with his signature flurry of chops to the chest. Kojima hits a flying elbow for two. The match reaches a stalemate after a huge spinebuster from Doering. Rhino attempts to get involved but pays for it as Kojima sends him into the steel ring post! Doering runs through Kojima with the Eraser crossbody for a near fall! Doering still can’t put Kojima away following a Death Valley Driver clothesline combo. The end comes when Doering hits a thunderous spinning powerbomb to win.

The Verdict: 7 out of 10

Match #3: Petey Williams vs. Trey Miguel vs. Ace Austin vs. Chris Bey vs. Rohit Raju – Five-Way Match For The #1 Contendership To The Impact X-Division Championship

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

This match will determine who is next in line for a shot at Josh Alexander’s X-Division Title! The action is fast and furious in the early going as Trey hits a Tope Con Hilo to the floor. Petey and Trey lock in sharpshooters at the same time as they try to break each other’s hold! Rohit connects with a running cannonball in the corner, followed by a double foot stomp to Ace. Rohit is on fire as he hits Trey with the Drive By running knee. Bey almost puts Rohit away following a Torture Rack neckbreaker. Petey hits a jaw-dropping top rope Canadian Destroyer on Ace but Trey breaks the pin! Madman Fulton makes his way to ringside and destroys Ace Austin’s opposition! The referee calls for the bell, ending the match in a no contest.

The Verdict: 7 out of 10

Match #4: W. Morrissey b. Rich Swann

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Morrissey holds the ring in the opening moments of the match. Swann quickens the pace, then dives off the apron to gain control! Swann springboards off the ropes but Morrissey cuts him off on mid-air with a big boot. Morrissey begins to dissect Swann as he dominates him with overpowering offense. Swann uses his speed advantage to create separation, then takes the big man off his feet by driving him into the steel ring post. Swann launches himself off the apron to the floor, crashing into Morrissey’s chest with a 450 splash. Back in the ring, Swann hits another 450 for two. Swann goes for the Phoenix Splash but Morrissey catches him and hits an F5! Swann will not quit following two powerbombs. Morrissey connects with a third running powerbomb to score the victory.

The Verdict: 6 out of 10

Match #5: Tenille Dashwood (with Kaleb with a K) b. Jordynne Grace (with Rachael Ellering)

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Grace locks in a Full Nelson, then takes Dashwood for a spin! Kaleb pulls Dashwood to safety, then helps her pull Grace to the floor behind the referee’s back. Dashwood locks in the Tarantula to do some serious damage. Dashwood attempts her signature running crossbody but Grace catches her and hits a fall-away slam! Grace charges into the corner and hits the Vader Bomb for two! Dashwood hits a top rope crossbody, followed by a hanging neckbreaker for a near fall of her own! Grace puts in a sleeper hold. It appears that Dashwood is unconscious but Kaleb distracts the referee before he can count her out. Ellering drops him on the apron but Grace tells her that she can do this herself. Dashwood rolls up Grace out of nowhere to win the match.

The Verdict: 7 out of 10

Match #6: Fire ‘N Flava (Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz) (c) b. Kimber Lee and Susan – Impact Knockouts Tag Team Championships Match

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Kimber fakes an injury in the opening minutes of the match, allowing Susan to rake the eyes of Tasha. Kimber gains control with a roundhouse kick. Kimber locks in the Lotus Lock to begin wearing Tasha down. Tasha creates separation with a Hurricanrana, then makes the tag to the fiery Kiera! Susan gets caught with a flurry of boots in the corner but it’s not enough for Kiera to put her away. Fire ‘N Flava hit a double team assisted suplex on Kimber for two. Susan connects with a Superplex on Tasha. Kimber soars through the air and hits a Swanton on Kiera for another near fall! Fire ‘N Flava put Susan away with a swinging neckbreaker, followed by a Frog Splash to retain their titles.

The Verdict: 7 out of 10

Match #7: Violent By Design (Deaner and Rhino) (c) (with Eric Young) b. Decay (Black Taurus and Crazzy Steve) – Impact World Tag Team Championships Match

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Decay overwhelm Deaner from the opening bell, causing him to retreat to the outside and consult VBD’s leader, Eric Young, for advice. Rhino takes over and gains the advantage from Taurus. Moments later, Deaner tags back in but gets caught with a springboard crossbody from Taurus. Steve hits Deaner with a neckbreaker for two. Steve stays on the attack as he spikes Deaner with a tornado DDT! Deaner finally turns the tide with a running knee, followed by a sitdown powerbomb. Taurus quickens the pace with a pop-up Samoan Drop. Steve hits Deaner with a Swanton for a very close near fall. Young distracts the referee from ringside. Steve is perched on the top but Rhino trips him up! Deaner connects with the Deaner DDT to win the match and retain the IMPACT World Tag Team Titles.

The Verdict: 7 out of 10

Match #8: Deonna Purrazzo (c) b. Rosemary – Impact Knockouts Championship Match

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Purrazzo is in a world of trouble as Rosemary quickly hits the Slingblade, then locks in the Tarantula on the ropes. Rosemary deals out more punishment as she hits a suplex on the unprotected ramp! Purrazzo traps Rosemary’s arm inside the ring post, then kicks her arm into the steel! Purrazzo targets the arm of Rosemary as she sets up for her signature submission, the Fujiwara Armbar. Rosemary has an opportunity to catch her breathe following a double clothesline. Purrazzo fights out of a submission attempt from Rosemary, then locks in Venus De Milo but Rosemary gets to the ropes. Purrazzo takes off Rosemary’s knee brace but it’s not enough to stop her from connecting with the spear for two! Purrazzo hits a pump kick, followed by the Costa Nostra piledriver to retain the Knockouts Title.

The Verdict: 7 out of 10

Match #9: (Main Event) Kenny Omega (c) b. Moose – Impact World Championship Match

The following is courtesy of impactwrestling.com:

Moose tosses Omega across the ring into the corner turnbuckles. Moose attempts a powerbomb but Omega counters into a Hurricanrana. Omega hits a swan dive over the top rope to the floor. Omega takes Moose off his feet but not for long! Omega misses a Moonsault, allowing Moose to connect with one of his own. The fight spills to the outside where Moose crashes and burns as Omega sidesteps and sends him into several steel chairs. Omega begins to chop Moose down as he targets his shoulder. Omega locks in an armbar but Moose fights out of it and plants Omega back-first onto the mat. Moose connects with Go To Hell off the second rope but Omega kicks out at two! Omega comes back with the V-Trigger but this time, it’s Moose who barely kicks out! Omega attempts another V-Trigger but Moose counters into a thunderous ripcord lariat! Moose appears to be injured, prompting AEW’s ringside physician to check on him. Moose will not quit and the match continues. Omega is perched on the top when Moose leaps up and sends him flying with a Spanish Fly! Moose charges for the Lights Out spear but Omega uses the referee as a shield! While the referee is down, Omega’s allies and AEW World Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks, attack Moose with a series of superkicks! Omega capitalizes and hits the One-Winged Angel to score the victory and retain the IMPACT World Title.

The Verdict: 8 out of 10

Final Verdict: 7/10

This show was middle-of-the-road no matter where it was on the drive. You’d think that the act of letting the dog off the leash that is Pay Per View would actually lead to some slack in the lead for the pup to at least get some exercise. Nine matches made up this card and yet only the main event felt like it belonged on PPV. Omega and Moose worked well together. A nice rhythm was struck upon as the fight thrust on. Zac Efron: Did you say strap-on? Me: No. ZE: Damn it! Me: Pavarotti used to sing about his dick. Omega worked hard to sell Moose as a big-time ass-kicker. Moose played his part well and felt like a strong contender. There was a little too much brawling on the outside for my taste and for the referee to do their job correctly, but that’s Omega for you. Moose worked hard in the main event. Omega looked good. Hey…not bad. The rest of these matches were solid bouts that didn’t ruin the fun on the way to the big duke-a-roo. By and by, this was not spectacular, but it was not feeble or weak. I had fun. Okay. I’ll see you next time.