With a Tessa Blanchard and Taya Valkyrie clash for the Knockouts title imminent at Impact’s inaugural “Homecoming” PPV, the women’s rivalry boiled over at the company’s Las Vegas TV tapings. Blanchard, Valkyrie and their feud played an integral role in the three-day filmings, the last scheduled before Impact’s Jan. 6 return to its original home in Nashville.
On the second night, Blanchard and “Big Money” Moose faced Valkyrie and husband Johnny Impact, the company’s reigning World Champion, in mixed tag team action. Night 3, however, saw the Knockouts titleholder snap!
All hell broke loose when “The Diamond” attacked Valkyrie after her match with Ray Cray (debuting Rachel Bostic). Blanchard turned her fury to a referee, refusing to yield to other refs or Impact officials. Screaming that none of the men could lay a hand on her, a returning Gail Kim answered the call!
The seven-time Knockouts champion quickly sent the champ scurrying toward the back. Kim, looking as fit as any time in her career, then posed with the challenger as fans cheered.
During an in-ring segment filmed later, the champ and challenger traded barbs about Taya’s husband and Blanchard’s worthiness as champion. Cattiness quickly took a backseat to Josh Mathews’ announcement, however, of a special stipulation added to their “Homecoming” match.
When the women meet at the first PPV of the year, Impact management has named Kim as special guest referee! Blanchard, needless to say, was furious, but “La Wera Loca” seemed only too happy to get a fair shake at the belt.
The addition of the retired Hall-of-Famer to the mix decidedly adds new dimensions to one of Impact’s most hotly-contested rivalries. Kim, an integral behind-the-scenes player in the Knockouts division again steps into the PPV spotlight in a role which has potentially high-stakes implications for the outcome.
Will Blanchard again prove “Undeniable” or will multiple-time AAA Reina de las Reinas champ Valkyrie finally capture the title which has thus far eluded her? Only time — and perhaps Kim — knows.
Catch Impact’s “Homecoming” special, emanating from The Asylum in Nashville, TN, Jan. 6 on PPV.
