8 Ups & 5 Downs From Impact Wrestling (Jan 7)

Ups...

8. Staking Her Claim

When she returned to Impact a few weeks ago, it seemed as if ODB's comeback was going to be nothing more than a one and done appearance, even if she did manage to score a pinfall victory over the longest-reigning Knockouts Champion in history, Taya Valkyrie. However, one half of the final Knockouts Tag Team Champions is indeed back for a longer period of time, at least until Hard to Kill.

Not only is she back, but ODB is quickly establishing herself as a huge name in the knockouts division once again, as she scored a second pinfall over 'Wera Loca' in six knockouts tag team action this week. She, Jordynne Grace, and Tenille Dashwood were victorious over Valkyrie, Madison Rayne, and Kiera Hogan, with ODB planting the champ into the mat with the BAM followed by a Vader Bomb from 'Thicc Mama Pump'. Confusingly, Grace then tried to cover Valkyrie - despite not being the legal participant - only to be tossed through the ropes by her own partner, as ODB took the pin.

This was very nearly given a Down due to the ending, but upon further thought, it deserves to be an Up. Up until now, ODB and Jordynne Grace had more or less been on the exact same page heading into Hard to Kill, something that was bound to change since they both have the same goal for the 12 January event. Now, Grace has a reason to target ODB as well as Valkyrie. Even though she wasn't actually the legal person at the time of the match's conclusion, Jordynne could've been the one to pin the Knockouts Champion instead of ODB but instead, it's ODB who has the two back to back victories over the champion.

Very intriguing developments as we head into the three way Knockouts Championship match.