A new No. 1 contender was crowned in a huge Battle Royal in the main event of this week's Impact Wrestling, as Brian Myers outlasted 19 other competitors to earn a championship opportunity against either Kenny Omega or Christian Cage.

That monumental upset headlined a show that also saw Jay White and Chris Bey send a message loudly and clearly to FinJuice, Kiera Hogan's final appearance (for now) and the return of a former Knockouts champion.

Tenille Dashwood (with Kaleb) vs. Taylor Wilde

The months-long rivalry between Taylor Wilde and Tenille Dashwood came to a head Thursday night when the Knockouts Championship contenders battled in singles competition, with the latter accompanied to ringside by social media manager Kaleb With a K.

Wilde left Dashwood reeling early and often but repeated interference by Kaleb allowed Dashwood to deliver a draping DDT through the ropes for a near-fall. She controlled the match from there, grounding her opponent for several moments before the fiery babyface fought her way back into the match. 

Kaleb tried to use hairspray on Wilde, causing a distraction for both the competitor and the official. From out of nowhere, Madison Rayne returned and sent the babyface into the turnbuckle. Dashwood delivered the Spotlight Kick for the pinfall victory.

Result

Dashwood defeated Wilde

Grade

C+

Analysis

We don't often get to see a lengthy women's match kick off the show like this, so it was a nice change of pace. 

Dashwood was really good, reminding fans that there is a skilled worker behind the self-absorbed facade. She was, after all, one of the revolutionaries in the WWE women's movement. Wilde, conversely, was her typically solid self and really hasn't lost much at all, despite another lengthy layoff.

What worked best about this segment was the angle at the end, with the return of Rayne as Dashwood's tag team partner. The company had teased the idea of Tenille finding a partner for months, to no avail. Now, she has someone she can team with to chase the Knockouts tag titles.

Josh Alexander vs. Daivari

X-Division champion Josh Alexander entered the Impact Zone to chants of "Walking Weapon" as he prepared for a non-title match against Daivari. Jake Something, the top contender to Alexander's title, watched from a distance as the competitors waged war.

Daivari reminded fans why he is a former X-Division champion himself as he systematically worked over The Walking Weapon. Alexander seized an opening, though, and uncorked a trio of German suplexes. From there, he added the C-4 spike piledriver for the win.

After the match, Something interrupted the victor's celebration and engaged him in a staredown.

Result

Alexander defeated Daivari

Grade

C+

Analysis

For a match that was supposed to be a showcase for Alexander, Daivari got a ton of offense in. That's not a bad thing by any means, if only because it strengthens the division. Still, it was somewhat surprising to see him dominate the match before Alexander threw him around and scored the pin.

The showdown between Alexander and Something is destined to be a physical, hard-hitting match that only serves to further elevate an evolving division. A meaner, nastier edge out of Something would do wonders for him and, potentially, get him to a level that reflects his talents.

Kiera Hogan Calls Out Tasha Steelz...But Gets Someone Much Worse

Kiera Hogan hit the ring after last week's betrayal at the hands of Fire 'N Flava partner Tasha Steelz and wasted little time calling her out.

Instead, Su Yung appeared and sent the face-painted Kimber Lee to the ring to attack her. She downed Hogan with the Mandible Claw before dragging her kicking and screaming to the locker room.

A pre-taped promo from Kenny Omega and Don Callis promised that the legacy of Impact Wrestling will remain around The Belt Collector's waist following Friday's edition of Rampage.

Grade

B

Analysis

As the potential write-off of Hogan from Impact, this worked. She has a long history with Yung, but it also helped establish Lee's new and darker persona. It's only a matter of time before Yung and Lee are challenging for the tag titles, presumably against Havok and Rosemary.

The Omega and Callis promo was great stuff from an arrogant champion whose hubris will ultimately cost him—perhaps as soon as Friday's Rampage against Christian Cage.

FinJuice vs. Jay White and Chris Bey

The rivalry between David Finlay and "Switchblade" Jay White wrote its latest chapter Thursday as Finlay and Juice Robinson battled White and Chris Bey in a blockbuster tag team match.

The babyfaces unloaded a flurry early, but the heels turned the tide in their favor by isolating Robinson and cutting him off from his partner.

Robinson eventually created separation and made the tag to Finlay, who exploded into the ring and teed off on White, with their rivalry taking center stage in the contest. Bey entered the match for his team and quickly found himself on the receiving end of tandem offense by FinJuice.

Finlay took White over the top rope, then joined Robinson for a Doomsday Device on Bey. White made the save with a steel chair and sent it sailing into the face of Finlay. He added a Blade Runner on the chair before gleefully taunting his unconscious rival with the NEVER Openweight Championship.

Result

FinJuice defeated White and Bey via disqualification

Grade

B+

Analysis

White and Finlay are going to tear the house down at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Resurgence next week. The intensity in their in-ring interactions should translate to a tough, physical and hard-hitting match with NJPW gold on the line.

As for the match this week? It was a fun, energetic tag team match that fans will hope to see again soon. FinJuice is such a great babyface team, and White and Bey showed solid chemistry for what was only their second time competing together.

Give us a rematch, with a definitive finish, please.

Matt Cardona vs. John Skyler

Backstage, Gia Miller interviewed Melina Perez, only for Knockouts champion Deonna Purrazzo to interrupt. The Virtuosa aired a video of her training with Invicta Fighting Championships competitor Alesha Zappitella. Melina responded by announcing she will be in action next week.

A pre-taped promo from Christian Cage, with interviewer Alex Marvez, aired. Cage ran down his history with Impact and what it gave him. He vowed to bring the title back to the company after Rampage.

Matt Cardona arrived in the Impact Zone for a match with John Skyler.

Cardona dominated early but Skyler fought back and, following interference from Rohit Raju and Shera, scored a huge upset off a schoolboy roll-up.

Result

Skyler defeated Cardona

Grade

C

Analysis

Skyler is a respected indie worker who has appeared for both WWE and All Elite Wrestling over the course of his carer.

A win over Cardona may not mean much for the former Zack Ryder, but it is a huge televised feather in the cap of Skyler, who is talented enough to have a lot more of them if someone takes a chance on him.

The finish sets up a feud between Cardona and Raju, which could make for some entertaining TV, if nothing else. 

No. 1 Contender's Battle Royal

Participants: Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Sam Beale, Sami Callihan, Moose, Ace Austin, Madman Fulton, Fallah Bahh, Chris Sabin, No Way, W. Morrissey, Rhino, Deaner, Rich Swann, Willie Mack, Suicide, Johnny Swinger, Hernandez, Petey Williams

The top contender to Kenny Omega (or Christian Cage) and the AEW world title was decided in the main event of this week's show as 20 competitors waged war in a huge Battle Royal.

Recognizing the threat W. Morrissey posed to them, the field teamed up to eliminate the big man. Violent By Design’s Deaner and Rhino paired off with Swann and Mack, leading to the elimination of all four of those competitors.

Moose dumped Edwards late, then booted Callihan off the apron. As the former NFL star appeared to be rolling, familiar foe Sabin applied a sleeper. With neither man balanced, Brian Myers emerged from out of nowhere to eliminate both and score the unexpected victory.

Result

Myers won

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a fun Battle Royal, which isn't something that can always be said about this particular match type.

The stories within, the feuds featured and the spots that culminated with Myers' surprise victory helped elevate this beyond the audience's wildest dreams.

Myers winning was a great touch. He has been a bright spot for the company since his arrival and is someone from outside of the normal crop of characters. While no one really believes he can capture the Impact world title from Omega or Christian, it serves as a reward for his willingness and ability to reinvent himself and help bring Sam Beale to his level as the company looks to the future.

Do not be surprised if the interactions in this match have a long-reaching effect on Impact for the foreseeable future.