IMPACT Wrestling will begin airing on AXS TV in October, with its flagship weekly show premiering on October 29.
Last week, we learned that Anthem Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of IMPACT Wrestling, had purchased a majority stake in AXS TV, practically confirming that IMPACT would have a new television home after spending the past few months on the Pursuit Channel and getting most of its viewership via live Twitch streaming.
On Tuesday, AXS and IMPACT revealed details of that partnership, one which will result in televised professional wrestling being available in the United States Mondays through Fridays for the foreseeable future.
IMPACT programming will debut on Tuesday, October 1, while its weekly, original show — titled IMPACT! — will make its premier on October 29. Per IMPACT and AXS’ press release,
"“Leading up to the debut of its flagship weekly show IMPACT! on October 29, AXS TV will showcase IMPACT Wrestling’s critically acclaimed pay-per-view events of 2019, broadcasting each of Homecoming (October 1), Rebellion (October 8) and Slammiversary XVII (October 15) in their entirety and hosted by Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore and the voice of IMPACT Wrestling Josh Mathews. Finally, on October 22, THIS IS IMPACT! will serve as a launchpad for the promotion’s AXS TV debut, featuring a preview of the weekly series, profiles on IMPACT Wrestling’s biggest stars and exclusive non-televised matches from BOUND FOR GLORY, IMPACT Wrestling’s biggest pay-per-view event of the year to be held on Sunday, October 20 in Chicago.”"
There could be no better time for IMPACT to find a wider audience via its new home. Pro wrestling is headed into a boom period in October. In addition to WWE Monday Night Raw on Mondays, WWE’s SmackDown Live moves from the USA Network and Tuesday nights to FOX and Friday nights in the first week of the month.
BREAKING:@AXSTV Launches #IMPACT Wrestling Tuesday Nights At 8pE/5pP With Debut Specials Starting October 1 & ‘IMPACT!’ Premiere On October 29https://t.co/zjxMUmpAGV pic.twitter.com/PvoMokBovs
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 24, 2019
That week also sees WWE’s NXT being a full, live two hours on USA on Wednesdays, running against All Elite Wrestling Dynamite on TNT (also live and two hours). Beyond Wrestling’s live streaming show on IWTV also returns that Thursday. That left just Tuesday wrestling-less. Now, that spot has been filled by IMPACT! AXS has also been airing New Japan Pro Wrestling and Women Of Wrestling on Saturday nights. Options are not lacking for any pro wrestling fan.