IMPACT 1000 - IMPACT Wrestling recap for September 14, 2023

Jody Threat beats KiLynn King in the BTI Match after KiLynn gets her foot on the rope and Jody pulls it off.

Scott D'Amore introduces everyone to the 1000th episode of IMPACT Wrestling, and talks about how he, Eric Young and Team Canada kicked the first episode off, and now, he could not be prouder to be IMPACT Wrestling President. He calls the next two weeks a combination of the company's past, present and future, then says nobody can talk about IMPACT without talking about the Knockouts Division and its most distinguished alumni, IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Famer Gail Kim, whom he introduces to the ring. Gail Kim thanks everyone in IMPACT from the fans to those in the company for making the Knockouts Division the best women's division in history, as they always been about raising the bar and showing, not talking about, what they are made of. We then see a video package chronicling the history of the IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Division, and as Scott D'Amore says the video package got him right in the heart, The Beautiful People - Angelina Love and Velvet Sky - arrive. Angelina compliments Gail Kim on the video package, then asks if that is really the best of the Knockouts Division that she can show as the two of them were absolutely perfect while everyone else in the video package was ugly just like Gail Kim. Velvet Sky says there were some good clips of them, while the other looked like security cam footage from Walmart or "the before-and-after photos from a dermatologist's office with just the befores." Gail Kim welcomes them back and compliments them on doing what they do best - being rude and obnoxious - before The Beautiful People call her a "before" and wish she did not talk. As Gail says she can do more than talk, the SHAWtourage ("The Quintessential Diva" Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans, Jai Vidal) arrives. Gisele Shaw apologizes to The Beautiful People for Gail Kim being rude to them and apologizes on behalf of the Knockouts Division before welcoming them back, saying there would be no "Quintessential Diva" without them. She says that The Beautiful People paved the way for Knockouts like her to take what they did and improve on it, but Velvet Sky asks what is so great from Gisele's generation when Jordynne Grace shows up. Jordynne says that there are two constants in every generation, and that while there are people like ODB, Tara, Traci Brooks and Gail Kim, there are also some people who are "vapid bitches." "The Virtuosa" Deonna Purrazzo shows up and says she is here to represent her generation, as IMPACT has been in her age since she stepped in and beat Jordynne for the Knockouts Championship. Trinity then shows up, and says that she respects everyone in the ring for paving the way for her in their own ways, then says she is the one currently blazing a trail for she is in her moment and the proof is around her waist. Deonna tells Trinity to come see her when she's a three-time champion, and Gail tells Deonna to come see her when she is a seven-time champion. Suddenly, Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed. After the commercial break, Saeed wants to know who will be the first to be crushed by Awesome Kong tonight. Tasha Steelz suddenly shows up for the first time in some time and says nobody cannot have 1,000 episodes or talk about the history of the Knockouts Division without talking about her. She says the "generation talk" means nothing without "Generation Flava" and that she will be the fifth member of Team Beautiful People along The Beautiful People, Gisele and Deonna. Tasha then says that everyone wants to be the best, but they cannot be the greatest to beat the greatest and that she will be the greatest to beat the biggest when she beats the biggest. Suddenly, Mickie James shows up for the first time in six months. Mickie says she does not have to remind everyone of who she is or what she is done or convince anyone she is the greatest because she is the greatest, and all she can really say is that she is back as the fifth member of Gail Kim's team alongside Gail Kim, Awesome King, Jordynne Grace, and Trinity, which she calls "Team Over." Mickie says tonight may be a celebration of 1,000 episodes of IMPACT Wrestling and a celebration of the history of the Knockouts Division, next week will be a fight, and it will be the greatest fight in Knockouts history.

Backstage, Eric Young celebrates 1,000 episodes with America's Most Wanted ("The Cowboy" James Storm and "Wildcat" Chris Harris). After Director of Authority Santino Marella shows up, Shark Boy accidentally drops a beer bottle and apologizes, and Santino gives Shark Boy the chance to be Deputy Director, which he accepts.

Chris Bey gets Briefcase #3, Crazzy Steve gets Briefcase #1, Yuya Uemura gets Briefcase #4 and Moose gets Briefcase #2 in the first Feast or Fired Match in five years. Near the end of the match, Rhino shows up for the first time in months and Spears Briefcase #2 out of Steve Maclin's hands, causing it to land in Moose's hands on the outside.

Backstage, Gia Miller interviews Chris Sabin. Sabin admits he admires Lio Rush for taking advantage of every opportunity he has gotten in IMPACT and making the most of them, yet he does not respect how he has been an overall bad guy to do it. He says that this will end tonight when he beats him, makes history and forges a legacy.

The Desi Hit Squad - Rohit Raju and Champagne Singh - are in the ring. Rohit asks the fans are going to have a celebration without them, and asks them to name a tag team who has done more for IMPACT than them. Bully Ray shows up to the Team 3D theme and brings Brother Devon with him, and this starts a match.

Team 3D (Bully Ray and Brother Devon) beat The Desi Hit Squad (Rohit Raju and Champagne Singh) in their first match in seven years. After the match, Rohit Raju gets a Bully Bomb through a table.

Backstage, "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander runs into a very rude Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz) who are eating pizza and making a mess in the hallway. Alexander throws Trey's bag across the hall when Trey says Alexander is ten pounds lighter without championship gold, and takes it as a challenge, aggressively telling Trey he should not be a problem for him now that he is ten pounds lighter.

"The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander heads to the ring. After Alexander mentions what he has done in IMPACT Wrestling, he says that sometimes he has to pinch himself, because after over 21 years, he has always been an IMPACT fan. He says his 15-year-old self who discovered IMPACT would never have believed that he is celebrating 1,000 episodes or standing in an IMPACT ring as the man who never lost his IMPACT World Championship. As Alexander says that he has to make that right, Alex Shelley shows up in a suit and tie and heads to the ring. Shelley tells Alexander that the title is not his anymore and that if anybody is going to celebrate 1,000 episodes around here, it will be him. He also says "You're welcome" to Alexander for the hard work he himself has put in so that Alexander can make a living in IMPACT.Alexander thanks Shelley for everything that he has done and states that nobody was happier than him when he won the World title while watching from home, but Shelley asks Alexander if he is a bigger fan for him or a bigger mark. Alexander says he has always been a fan, but says the more Shelley talks, the more that the saying that one should not meet their heroes comes true, and says Shelley should thank him for taking the fall so that he could be World Champion. Alexander admits that Shelley has been in IMPACT longer than him and has more experience than him, but reminds Shelley that he could not beat him for the World Championship. Shelley says he is a different man now and so is Alexander, then says he is the main character now and that Alexander is a side-quest. He says that he wants that rematch, as it will prove to both of them that he is the better man. Alexander says he wants this match and that they can do this anywhere, then both men are attacked by The Racalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz). Alexander and Shelley fend them off at first, but Shelley walks away when Alexander is attacked again.

Backstage, Deputy Director of Authority Shark Boy confronts The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz) as they laugh about what they have just done and puts Trey Miguel in a one-on-one match with "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander next week. Director of Authority Santino Marella shows up and congratulates Shark Boy on a job well done when all of a sudden, Kenny King and Sheldon Jean show up angry, and Kenny King wants his Digital Media Championship match against Tommy Dreamer. Santino says that cannot be done, and puts Kenny King in a match with Eric Young next week.

Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks beat Eddie and Alisha Edwards in a mixed tag match after Traci Brooks hits Fade To Black on Alisha. The match is Traci's first in an IMPACT ring in twelve years. After the match, Kazarian says it has been a great night celebrating 1,000 episodes of IMPACT, but there is much more to celebrate. We then see a video package where Traci Brooks is announced as an inductee into the IMPACT Hall of Fame at Bound For Glory. Kazarian and Brooks celebrate in the ring with their son Rebel.

Backstage, Gia Miller interviews Lio Rush. Lio Rush says Chris Sabin is shook because of what he did to him at Slammiversary, then says he is not worried about Sabin. He says that if Sabin wants to make history, he will give him a shot at trying to do the impossible in beating him, then tells him to stay prayed up because he is coming in hot like he always does.

Backstage, we hear from Tommy Dreamer. He says he cannot explain the emotions from Victory Road, as it is all about creating for one's self and for others, and after all the doom and gloom he has been through, he cannot thank the fans enough. He says he will defend the Digital Media Championship against anyone and anywhere, as professional wrestling should be fun.

Chris Sabin beats Lio Rush to become a ten-time IMPACT Wrestling X Division Champion! Nineteen years after main eventing the first ever episode of IMPACT, Sabin also main events the 1,000th episode. After the match, members of the IMPACT Wrestling locker room celebrate with Sabin.

Here's tonight's post-show!

Here are tonight's must-see moments!