Impact notes: Mickie James injured, Taya Valkyrie written off

In a surprise announcement following Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV, Knockouts Champion Mickie James will miss Friday’s Sacrifice due to an undisclosed injury.

The promotion announced the news on Twitter, saying they would give an update and address the situation during the streaming special from London, Ontario, Canada.

James was set to face former champion Jordynne Grace in a rematch from January’s Hard to Kill.

On Thursday, James teamed with Tommy Dreamer against Bully Ray and Masha Slamovich and James was accidentally hit by a Grace spear post-match. It’s unknown if they will use that as a storyline reason for the injury.

As of this writing, James hasn’t commented on social media about the situation.

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As expected following last Thursday’s Knockouts Tag Team title loss, Taya Valkyrie was written off TV Thursday in a most unusual fashion.

In a backstage segment, Valkyrie was trying to distract Jessicka away from a casket she found in the back searching for The Coven who won the titles last week from Valkyrie and Rosemary.

A hand then reached out from the casket and dragged the screaming Valkyrie inside. As Jessicka ran away for help, the casket closed and that was that.

Valkyrie signed a deal with AEW and debuted last week on Dynamite in Winnipeg. She took to social media Thursday to thank the fans and Impact:

It’s the second time Valkyrie has been written off as prior to her signing with WWE and heading to NXT, she was sent to jail for shooting John E. Bravo in another memorable storyline.

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Impact provided more details about their live show next Thursday on AXS TV that will act as a preview for their co-promoted PPV with NJPW called Multiverse United.

In addition to the previously announced Josh Alexander vs. KENTA match, it was revealed next week’s show will also feature the Impact debut of Miyu Yamashita and a never-before seen match between Will Ospreay and Homicide.

Ospreay was pulled from next Friday’s PPV due to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Hiroshi Tanahashi in his match with Mike Bailey.

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Josh Nason
Josh Nason

Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.