Brian Cage’s Pyrrhic Victory
The new Impact World Champion is off to a rough start.
When I asked if Johnny Impact would pull the plug on The Machine, it was simply a catchy headline.
I didn’t intend it to be foreshadowing.
If you haven’t watched Rebellion yet, Brian Cage dominated Johnny Impact for several minutes in their Impact World Championship match this past Sunday. The challenger overpowered the champion to the point that I was getting flashbacks to Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena at SummerSlam 2014. After months of running roughshod through the roster, it appeared that Cage winning the big one was a foregone conclusion.
But then the action spilled onto the ramp. Desperate to curb Cage’s momentum, Impact delivered a Spanish Fly from the ramp to the floor. As both men crashed to the concrete, a sickening thud reverberated throughout the Rebel Complex.
SPANISH FLY OFF THE RAMP BY @TheRealMorrison! #IMPACTRebellion https://t.co/300sbiAYyo pic.twitter.com/AsA8hholOd
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) April 29, 2019
In that moment, Cage was obviously hurting, more so than anyone expected. He moved slower and his offense was limited from his usual repertoire of breathtaking maneuvers. Despite his wounded condition, The Machine powered through interference from Johnny Bravo and Taya Valkyrie, eventually dropping Impact with the Drill Claw to win the world title.
The celebration was short-lived as Michael Elgin appeared, fresh off a run in New Japan. He stared the new champion down, pointed to his title and then powerbombed him. More damage done to Cage’s bruised back.
Later that night, the company announced on Twitter that Cage had been rushed to the emergency room.
Not how I wanted or ever imagined this incredible night would end. I’ve chased this moment and have dreamt about this my entire life. And to have this be the outcome, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t break my heart. pic.twitter.com/Ogj7lD7L0x
— Brian Cage (@MrGMSI_BCage) April 29, 2019
It was a devastating start to a championship reign that many fans had been clamoring for since Cage entered Impact Wrestling last year. Looking like a real-life Avenger, Cage had already dazzled the wrestling world with his surprising agility in performances on Lucha Underground, House of Hardcore and other promotions throughout the United States. He quickly tore through the Impact roster, racking up a winning streak that included sending EC3 and Bobby Lashley out of the company. At Slammiversary last July, he defeated Matt Sydal for the X-Division Championship, a title he would never be beaten for. As per company tradition, Cage proceeded to surrender the belt for a world title shot against Impact at Homecoming this past January.
He got screwed then, and even though he won on Sunday, it felt like he got screwed again. “April 28th, 2019 was going to be the first time I have ever been a legit world champion,” Cage posted on Instagram. “To finally be the guy a company wants to invest in and see heading the front line. I’ve been ready, willing and able for quite a while now, and have been asked so many times why nobody has ever pulled the trigger? IDK, but @impactwrestling finally was. Better late than never, and I couldn’t wait for last Sunday.
After a hot start, John would end up giving me a Spanish fly off the stage and onto the floor. Instantly my back lit up and my right leg went numb. I was terrified. And as feeling came back I hoped the pain would subside. After pushing through and trying to force it, I knew it wasn’t going away. The amount of pain I was in was unbearable. And the feeling of not having strength or ability to move was disheartening, terrifying and emotionally devastating. I lied there looking up off the mat, telling myself ‘this is it Brian, this is supposed to be you’re night. Everything you’ve worked for.’ I pushed through the pain to do what I could and make it happen. It’s not what or how I wanted and I knew my momentous occasion would be a let down. I wanted tears of joy, not tears of pain and what now.”
Luckily, that doesn’t seem to be the case as Cage appeared on Busted Open Radio the next day to update the world on his condition.
EXCLUSIVE: New @IMPACTWRESTLING World Heavyweight Champion @MrGMSI_BCage gave @davidlagreca1 & @bullyray5150 an update on what landed him in the hospital after winning the championship at #IMPACTRebellion last night. pic.twitter.com/mtr0Z3Sr2O
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) April 29, 2019
It remains to be seen when he’ll return to action, perhaps as early as this weekend’s TV tapings in Philadelphia. If that’s the case, he’ll have a slew of challengers ready to test how healthy he truly is. Elgin has already taken a crack at the new champion, so we know he’ll be on the lookout. Plus, Moose is fresh off a victory at Rebellion having vanquished The Rascalz, and is probably ready to move on to a new challenge. You can’t forget Killer Kross, either.
And then there’s the former champion – Johnny Impact. His reign lasted six months, which is lengthy these days, but certainly not long enough for arguably the face of the company. If Impact was to cut Cage’s reign short, it would be a huge blow to the latter’s career. But Impact’s recent change of character is still fresh, and he never seems out of place in the main event.
“I’m thinking about it like I’m just letting him borrow it,” Impact told The Wrestling Estate. “He’s not keeping it for long. Winning is difficult, but keeping it is even harder. Brian Cage is no pushover and I would love the chance to face him while he’s all messed up still.”
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