Victory Road 2023 Full Preview
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Who will walk the road to victory? Find out when IMPACT Wrestling presents Victory Road LIVE TONIGHT, September 8th at 8pm ET on IMPACT Plus, YouTube for IMPACT Ultimate Insiders and FITE from the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. Tickets are on-sale now at Ticketmaster.com
At Emergence, Josh Alexander, KUSHIDA and the Motor City Machine Guns were well on their way to conquering Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers and X-Division Champion Lio Rush – that was, until Steve Maclin made his shocking return and goaded Alexander into a wild brawl. After all, it was Maclin who called Alexander a coward in the presence of his son during the leadup to their IMPACT World Title match at Rebellion, which was eventually called off due to Alexander’s injury. But now, Alexander has a chance at revenge when he goes one-on-one with Maclin in a heated grudge match at Victory Road.
Trinity remained the Knockouts World Champion when she submitted Deonna Purrazzo for a second time in the epic main event of Emergence. Less than one week later, a new #1 Contender was crowned as Alisha Edwards outlasted – or should we say outsmarted – 9 other Knockouts in a star-studded Battle Royal. After retreating underneath the ring, Alisha reappeared during the final moments and was declared the winner. With the opportunity of a lifetime in her possession, will Alisha become Knockouts World Champion for the very first time at Victory Road? Or will Trinity continue to glow over the Knockouts Division?
After dethroning SUBCULTURE in a blockbuster matchup at Emergence, the Rascalz are your new IMPACT World Tag Team Champions . But as the fallout began on IMPACT!, Zachary Wentz found himself in a singles bout with Chris Sabin, following a verbal altercation between the Rascalz and the Motor City Machine Guns. While IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley neutralized Trey Miguel at ringside, Sabin triumphed over Wentz in spectacular fashion. With that victory, the Motor City Machine Guns have earned an opportunity at the IMPACT World Tag Team Titles, as they look to capture the gold for a 4th time.
When the news dropped that Jordynne Grace would be making her highly-anticipated return at Victory Road, Deonna Purrazzo accused her of stealing the spotlight from the first-ever all-female Knockouts World Championship main event at Emergence. We now know that less than two weeks later at Victory Road, Grace and Purrazzo will renew hostilities in the continuation of one of IMPACT Wrestling’s greatest rivalries. Just a few months ago at Rebellion, Purrazzo triumphed over Grace to win the vacant Knockouts World Title. Can Grace avenge that loss and jumpstart her return with a boost of momentum?
Earlier this summer, IMPACT Wrestling fans watched in horror as Bully Ray and Steve Maclin lit PCO on fire in the bowels of Atlanta’s Center Stage. Just when it seemed as though PCO had been taken out once and for all, the “French-Canadian Frankenstein” rose from the ashes and made his shocking return just one month later. Since then, Bully Ray has been on the run and has been able to narrowly escape PCO’s wrath, even if it meant abandoning his so-called allies, Moose and Brian Myers. But at Victory Road, there will be no more running for Bully Ray when he battles PCO in a match where absolutely Anything Goes.
This year’s Slammiversary event played host to the high-risk, high-wire spectacle known as Ultimate X as KUSHIDA defeated 5 other competitors to earn a shot at the coveted X-Division Championship. Recently on IMPACT!, KUSHIDA revealed that he would be enacting his championship opportunity at Victory Road, and a showdown with the brash X-Division Champion, Lio Rush, was made official. With history in both IMPACT and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, tensions are about to boil over with the X-Division Title on the line.
Despite a valiant effort from Johnny Swinger, Kenny King was able to escape Emergence with his Digital Media Championship intact. But after the match, King looked to add insult to injury as he joined forces with Sheldon Jean for a 2-on-1 assault on Swinger – that is, until Tommy Dreamer came to his aid. Just days later on IMPACT!, Dreamer and King were involved in an emotional verbal altercation which, after King accused him of stealing his spot on the roster, culminated with Dreamer putting his career on the line for a shot at the Digital Media Title. Is Tommy Dreamer’s legendary career about to end? Find out at Victory Road.
At Emergence, MK Ultra survived a physical four-way match to leave the Rebel Entertainment Complex with their Knockouts World Tag Team Titles intact. But just days later on IMPACT!, Gisele Shaw and Savannah Evans made a statement when they eliminated both Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly from the Knockouts #1 Contenders Battle Royal. Following their impressive performance, Shaw and Evans have earned another shot at the gold, this time in a traditional tag team contest.
During a deeply-emotional interview with Tom Hannifan, a new side of Crazzy Steve was revealed when he brought up his troubled past, leading to an assault on the IMPACT broadcaster. Now Steve has vowed to decimate the unholy alliance that was once him and Black Taurus as the former friends go head-to-head at Victory Road. It was Taurus who halted Steve’s sickening attack on Mike Bailey when Steve targeted his eyes with the use of a fork.
The action begins on Countdown to Victory Road streaming LIVE & FREE at 7:30pm ET on YouTube, IMPACT Plus (live player) and FITE. Catch up on everything you need to know heading into the big event and witness exclusive matchups you won’t see anywhere else!
IMPACT Wrestling’s tag team division is, without a doubt, more competitive than ever. Before the Rascalz and the Motor City Machine Guns face off with the IMPACT World Tag Team Titles on the line, two top duos will look to move up the rankings ladder when Moose and Brian Myers battle ABC.
After being left off the card for Victory Road, Alan Angels took to social media to voice his displeasure. Taking matters into his own hands, Angels has issued an open challenge for Countdown to Victory Road in hopes of making a statement. Who will answer the call for a match against “The Celestial” one?
