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Johnny Impact On Having Don Callis In His Corner, IMPACT Wrestling Potentially Going For More ‘Supernatural’ Elements

Johnny Impact On Having Don Callis In His Corner, IMPACT Wrestling Potentially Going For More ‘Supernatural’ Elements

Posted: May 9th 2019 By: Bill Pritchard

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Johnny Impact ahead of last weekend’s IMPACT Wrestling TV tapings at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. I asked Johnny about his working relationship with Don Callis, who in a recent broadcast of Figure 4 Daily talked about their working relationship back in WWE, and how he considered Impact a world championship caliber athlete back then. Johnny says Callis’ remarks are meaningful, and he thinks not winning the WWE World Championship during his tenure may have actually benefitted him in hindsight, as it allowed him to stay hungry and not grow complacent:

“Don has got a great mind for the business, and hearing him say that about me—I’ve heard similar things that he said about me—it means a lot. He really has a very specific view of the business, a very comprehensive view of the business. He’s got an old school mentality, but because he’s part of the active creative team at IMPACT, his old school psychology is not outdated. It’s constantly being updated because he’s dealing with current talent and a lot of what he said was true. I thought I should have won the title a long time ago, and I’ve won plenty of titles, just never the WWE World Championship, but ultimately, maybe it was for the best. Sometimes when you get what you want your motivation is lessened, and I guess that never happened to me because I hadn’t had that [opportunity] yet. I stayed hungry for so long that when I got to IMPACT I was still hungry before I got here, I was still working on leveling up my physical abilities, my psychology. It felt really good to win the IMPACT World Championship and it also feels good to have Don in my corner and to have a good working relationship with him. It’s meant a lot.”

In addition, Johnny also spoke about Lucha Underground’s uncertain future, and the potential for another promotion like IMPACT Wrestling to adopt more supernatural or theatrical storylines if the promotion does not return. Johnny said he’s not sure if pushing things too much in that different direction would work for IMPACT, but praised some of the more unique approaches that we’ve seen in the past few weeks and months with LAX and oVe:

“That’s a tricky question because I do love Lucha Underground, and I don’t know if it’s going to come back for a season five. I do know that the door is not completely closed, but as time goes on, it’s starting to seem less and less likely. As far as if I’d like to see IMPACT become a little more supernatural with elements of fantasy and darkness? I don’t know, because IMPACT is its own unique brand and Lucha Underground is its own unique brand. The stuff that LAX has been doing is fantastic. The stuff with oVe also, in its own way is not exactly what Lucha Underground was because it’s different thematically, but in a sense creatively it’s new and fantastic and fun to watch. I feel like as opposed to becoming similar to Lucha Underground, I would like to see IMPACT push the boundaries further in the way that oVe, LAX are creatively treated. That’s not a bad thing, but pushing it too far for IMPACT might be a mistake. [That might work] in Lucha Underground world, but IMPACT seems a little more grounded in reality.”

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title

Week of Sun 06-14 to Sat: 06-20

  • 06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat (substituting for Se7en) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Title
  • 06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Title
  • 06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Title
  • 06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Pastor Brent def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Living Hope Title
  • 06-14 2025 Skylar Slice became the WAH Womens Champion
  • 06-14 2025 Military Express (Sgt. Todd & Sgt. Hartman) def. Speeding Bullet (Mike Gunnz & Stephen Nitro) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-14 2025 Scotty Rose def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-14 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Scotty Rose for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Title
  • 06-15 2024 Cade Fite became the TIW No Pressure Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Ozzy Hendrix & Adrian Vega def. The Voiceless Society (Tyler Watts & E-Bone) for the CAPW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-15 2024 The Gatekeeper def. Rick Russo for the EPW All-American Title
  • 06-15 2024 Trench Blythe became the EPW International Champion
  • 06-15 2024 Malachi def. Kevin James Sanchez for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Title
  • 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
  • 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Title
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
  • 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Title
  • 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Title
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Titles
06-17
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th Today!
  • Talos Jun 17th Today!
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th Today!
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th Today!
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Phantom Star Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Don Kent Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • X-Storms Jun 25th
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th
  • D. K. Bradley Jun 26th
  • Jax Samuel Jun 26th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • Paul Rodriguez Jun 26th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
  • Jason Kirby Jun 27th
  • Reckless Jun 27th
  • Ignition Jun 27th
  • Kuda Jun 27th
  • Doc Hearon Jun 28th
  • John Tidwell Jun 28th
  • Claire Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
  • Kenny Mack Jun 28th
  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • Boris Malenko Jun 28th
  • Bill Dromo Jun 28th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th
  • Kenneth Caine Jun 30th
  • Terry Funk Jun 30th
  • Ed Lewis Jun 30th

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