Two weeks after winning the X-Division title at Bound for Glory, Frankie Kazarian will relinquish the title on tonight’s Impact on AXS.
The reason: he is exercising option C which gives the champion the right to hand over the title in exchange for a World title shot. The date and location for his match with current champion Josh Alexander, in addition to what’s next for the X-Division title, will be revealed tonight.
The Tag Team titles will be on the line as The OGK (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) will defend against Heath & Rhino. Bennett & Taven made their surprise debut for AEW last Friday on Rampage.
ECW legends Bully Ray & Tommy Dreamer will reunite Thursday against Bullet Club’s Chris Bey & Ace Austin.
Two former Impact World Champions will battle as Rich Swann takes on Eric Young while in a clash of former Knockouts Champions, Mia Yim goes up against Taylor Wilde.
Joe Hendry makes his anticipated return to Impact Thursday against Jason Hotch.
Dirty Dango vs. Johnny Swinger headlines the pre-show.
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BTI Preshow
As the bell ran for the match, Tom Hannifan let us know that Swinger and Dango faced off once before in a match on a TNA weekly PPV in 2004 with Dango teaming with Kevin Matthews against Swinger and Simon Diamond.
Dirty Dango defeated Johnny Swinger (w/ Zicky Dice)
This was a nothing match, with Dango and Swinger doing lots of comedy. Dango did several a Manhattan and Atomic drop on Swinger before kicking the ropes into Swinger’s… swing area? In any case, this was funny. Swinger tried to load his boot, by the look of it before stomping Dango in the corner.
Dango and Swinger threatened each other with double axe handles, and had a stand off for about a minute, and it ended with Dango taking the shot after convincing Swinger to not do it. This match really shouldn’t have this many words to recap it, but I’m laughing so hard watching it, that I have to. Zicky Dice accidentally hit Swinger with a fanny pack right in front of the referee and Dango hit a falcon arrow for the pin.