Victory Road 2025
Date: September 26, 2025
Location: Edmonton Expo Center, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s the last big stop on the way to next month’s Bound For Glory and that means this show is in a rather weird spot. I’m not sure what it is going to mean and hopefully the action is good enough to carry it over the line. The card is only so interesting looking and now we get to see how it plays out. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Zachary Wentz vs. Trey Miguel vs. Cedric Alexander

We get a VERY loud TNA chat and Miguel silences it by superkicking Wentz (ala Shawn Michaels and HHH at the 2009 Survivor Series, which commentary points out). Back in and Wentz’s superkick to Miguel is blocked but Wentz knocks him down anyway. Alexander takes over with some German suplexes and kicks Miguel in the back a few times to quite the reception.

It worked so well that Alexander German suplexes both of them at the same time before covering Miguel for a frustrated two. Back up and Wentz gives Alexander a Sling Blade, followed by Wentz and Miguel giving each other a Sling Blade at the same time. Alexander gets two off a Michinoku Driver but Miguel hits him with the Lightning Spiral into a Muta Lock. Wentz breaks it up with a Swanton though and the UFO Cutter finishes Alexander at 7:58.

Rating: B-. Let three guys go out there and fly around in a fast paced opener. That’s one of those things that will work every time and they pulled it off rather well here. I’m a bit surprised that one of the Rascalz got the pin as you would expect the singles start to win, though Alexander has mainly been around to put others over. Either way, nice start to the show here as they did what they needed to do and got out before they overstayed their welcome.

We continue the Kickoff Show with AJ Francis and the First Class Penthouse. Francis brags about being a famous star and his association with Trick Williams, who he supports because they’re both all about the money. The fans tell him to shut the f*** up but he reminds them that there are children here. Francis takes off his jacket, revealing a Florida Panthers (who beat the Edmonton Oilers in the last two Stanley Cup Finals) shirt.

Francis wants to give us a listen to his new album but gets Matt Hardy (his scheduled guest) instead. That doesn’t work for Francis because he wasn’t ready for Hardy, who says that no one wants to hear Francis. The reality is no one wants to see the Hardys and Team 3D, because it should be First Class in that match. Hardy laughs that off and brings up what the Hardys and Team 3D have done (elsewhere). Meanwhile, the only things Francis has created in wrestling are headaches and boredom. The challenge is on and Hardy is quickly chokeslammed through a table.

Here is the System, who wants to beat up Order 4 right now. Santino Marella comes out to make it so, even as the opener for the show.

And now, the show proper, with no intro video.

The System vs. Order 4

Agent Zero, in his in-ring debut, kicks Myers down to start and sends him flying off a suplex. Myers gets a boot up to stop a charge in the corner and brings in Edwards, who gets cut off just as fast. Zero takes him into the corner and hands it off to the Great Hands for the double standing in the Tree of Woe. Skyler misses a charge into the post though and JDC comes in to clean house. A Falcon Arrow gets two and Hotch is left alone for a double butterfly bomb, setting up Down And Dirty for the fast pin at 4:31.

Rating: C. Well that happened. This is the kind of thing that could have been on the pre-show but maybe they were running low on time or something. Either way, this was about Agent Zero getting to look dominant and they more than covered that, even with the System getting the fast win. Not much of a match here, but Zero got his time and that’s what matters.

Now we get the opening video, which is a pretty basic look at the show.

Here is Ash By Elegance for a chat, with Santino Marella and President Carlos Silva in the ring. Ash is clearly upset and talks about coming here a year and a half ago with a goal. She came here to prove herself but life can throw you some curveballs. That is what happened again and she is no longer able to compete. Therefore, the title is being held up but she knows the locker room will elevate it as she did.

Whether you cheered or booed her (and she knows most of them booed because she was “a stuck up b****.”), the people gave her the best moments of her life. Thank you and she’ll miss you. The title is handed over and the bosses hug her before she leaves to quite the emotional sendoff.

Santino announces that the Knockouts Tag Team Title match has been moved to this week on Impact. Instead, we will have a battle royal, with the last two facing off for the vacant title later tonight. I’m not sure what is going on with Ash, but that did not sound good in the slightest. Hopefully she can come back to the ring one day, but more than that, hopefully she’s healthy and safe.

Knockouts Battle Royal

Xia Brookside, Lei Ying Lee, Kelani Jordan, Jessie McKay, Cassie Lee, Dani Luna, M By Elegance, Heather By Elegance, Jody Threat, La Pescadita

The final two advance to a title match tonight. Luna runs mouth to start and gets beaten down, only to fight the pack off. That lets Luna go after Threat while the IInspiration poses, as they are known to do. The Personal Concierge gets in the ring and throws La Pescadita at the IInspiration, who tosses her out (commentary: “Whoever that was.”).

Threat goes after the Elegance Brand but gets clotheslined out by Luna with a hard shot. Brookside and Lee double team Luna, who throws Brookside out. Lee holds on though and a bunch of people get together to dump Luna. The IInspiration and the Elegance Brand get in a fight of their own…but Jordan and Lee dump all four of them out to win at 4:46.

Rating: C. The match wasn’t much to see, though they do deserve points for getting some sequences together in there. Luna looked like a monster and the ending was at least different. At the end of the day, this was probably thrown together on very short notice and it worked out about as well as could be expected, all things considered.

Post match a brawl is teased but Lee and Jordan show respect instead.

Indi Hartwell, guest referee in the Knockouts Title match, promises to call it right down the line before she wins the title at Bound For Glory.

Nemeths vs. Home Town Man/Matt Cardona

Ryan wants a test of strength with Cardona to start but the boot to the ribs is immediately cut off. Man comes in to kick Nic down in the corner and sends a charging Ryan outside. A jumping elbow gets two on Nic and we cut to the back where Joe Hendry has been attacked. Nic fights back with an elbow and hip swivel before handing it back to Ryan.

Since Ryan is totally inept, Man fights back without much trouble and brings Cardona back in. An Unprettier (with a Chelsea Green shoutout) gets two but Ryan manages a DDT. That doesn’t get him very far as it’s already back to Man, who is caught with a quick Hart Attack. Ryan tries a Sharpshooter…and gets small packaged for the pin at 6:27.

Rating: C+. The Home Town Man is growing on me more and more every week as he’s just goofy fun. Above all else, everyone is in on the joke and it’s working well for what it is. On the other hand you have Ryan, who is becoming one of my favorite people in TNA. He’s just so inept that seeing him getting beaten up is rather funny.

Post match the Nemeths jump Man again and steal his mask but we don’t quite see his face.

Mike Santana is in the concourse and says he’s ready for Ridge Holland tonight before he wins the title at Bound For Glory, because he’s been working to get here for seventeen years. He’s been trying to get to a concourse in Edmonton for seventeen years?

Mike Santana vs. Ridge Holland

Santana wastes no time in hitting a running dropkick into the corner to start fast. Holland is sent to the floor for the big running flip dive, followed by a whip into the steps. Back up and Holland sends him into the apron, followed by a spinning driver for two. Santana’s crossbody out of the corner gives him a breather but Holland is back with something like a northern lights bomb for two.

A quick rolling Buck Fifty is blocked so Santana settles for a Death Valley Driver. Spin The Block is blocked as well so now the rolling Buck Fifty connects. A superplex brings Holland off the top and Santana tries to go with Three Amigos, which is countered into a powerslam. Holland hammers away but walks into Spin The Block to give Santana the pin at 8:00.

Rating: C+. Santana feels destined to win the title at Bound For Glory and it’s nice to see him getting some wins like this to build him up on the way there. That’s all he needs to do, as Santana is clearly getting ready. At the same time, Holland is shut down again, which is kind of frustrating as he still feels like he has potential. Santana winning is good, but there was no one else to take this loss?

Post match Trick Williams comes in and lays Santana out with a belt shot.

Matt Hardy is banged up but cleared.

We recap Moose vs. Mustafa Ali. Their teams are set for war at Bound For Glory and this is the match for the advantage.

Moose vs. Mustafa Ali

The winner’s team gets the advantage in Hardcore War at Bound For Glory. Ali ducks a clothesline to start and bails outside, with Moose throwing him back in. This time Ali chops away, only for Moose to show him how it’s really done. A dropkick sends Ali outside but he slips out of a powerbomb. Ali’s superkick sets up a tornado DDT on the floor and they head back inside where Ali is looking rather cocky.

Moose catches him on top but the chokebomb is countered into a hurricanrana to the floor. Ali hits a big dive but Moose is right back with a clothesline inside. The powerbomb is countered into a Canadian Destroyer to give Ali two but he springboards into a chokebomb to give Moose two of his own. Moose still can’t hit the powerbomb, with Ali reversing it into a suplex this time. Instead Moose goes with the spear for two, as Ali’s foot is in the ropes.

They go outside and Moose charges into a backdrop onto the steps to put him in trouble again. Back in and Ali’s 450 connects, with Moose sitting up in quite the power display. Ali slips out and goes up but gets knocked out of the air. Moose counters a roll into the powerbomb for two as some dancers who came out with Ali get on the apron. One of them hits Moose low and now the 450 can give Ali the pin at 12:27.

Rating: B. Good back and forth fight here, with a bit of a weird inversion of the power vs. speed formula. You don’t often see the heel as the faster guy but it was working here. It’s nice as a preview for the match at Bound For Glory, with the interference giving Moose and the System even more reason to go after Order 4. Match of the night thus far.

Post match the woman who hit Moose low is indeed Tasha Steelz and since the bosses don’t watch the show, that will be fine.

We recap Joe Hendry vs. Eric Young. Hendry is popular while Young is doing his latest “I’m evil and mean and want to hurt people”, with Hendry as his target.

Joe Hendry vs. Eric Young

Before the match, Young talks about Hendry not being available to wrestle so he wins on his own. This is part of the Cleansing, but here is a charging Hendry to start fast. Hendry hammers away and throws Young over the top, followed by more right hands on the floor. Back in and Young gets in a cheap shot to take over, including a running elbow for two. The neck crank keeps Hendry in trouble and it’s off to a more standard sleeper.

Hendry fights up but gets sleepered again, this time with a bodyscissors. That’s broken up and Hendry muscles him over for a suplex, followed by the fall away slam. Young rakes the eyes to break up the Standing Ovation as we keep cutting to the one THE CLEANSING IS COMING sign in the crowd.

Young goes up and, after raking the eyes to knock Hendry down, drops the top rope elbow for two. The Death Valley Driver is broken up so Young hits the piledriver instead for two more. The referee is almost bumped, allowing Young to get in a low blow. Young tries to bring in a chair, but the Northern Armory runs in to cut if off. That lets Hendry hit the Standing Ovation onto the chair for the pin at 11:22.

Rating: C+. Hendry has fallen a good deal in the last few months, which might be due to him getting ready to move over to WWE full time. On the other hand you have Young, who is doing about the same stuff that he has done for a long time now and it’s only so interesting. At the same time, it’s nice to have Hendry get a win, though I’m almost scared of what Young is going to do to keep up with the whole Cleansing thing.

Hendry gets quite the nice ovation as he leaves.

We look back at the TNA invasion this week on NXT.

We look at AJ Francis attacking Matt Hardy on the Kickoff Show.

AJ Francis vs. Matt Hardy

Hardy is banged up but he makes a special announcement: this is a table match. Okey dokey. They go outside to start fast and Hardy sends him into the steps. Hardy is too banged up to stay at it though and Francis puts a table back before sending Hardy into the steps as well. Back in and Francis misses a backsplash, allowing Hardy to get the first table. Said table is put in the corner but Francis is right back, only to miss a charge through the table.

That doesn’t fit the “offensively drive your opponent through the table” rule though so we keep going, with Hardy wrapping a chair around Francis’ neck. Francis rams the chair into Hardy’s face to escape but takes WAY too long loading up a moonsault. Hardy chairs him down and hits a super Side Effect, meaning it’s time for another table. Back in and Francis hits a spear and grabs Hardy’s title. That’s cut off as Hardy hits a Twist Of Fate into a belt shot. Hardy’s top rope legdrop sends Francis through the table for the win at 9:42.

Rating: C. It felt like a bit of a thrown together match but Jeff Hardy can’t come to Canada in the first place so this is about as good as it was going to get. It’s also a bit of a preview for the Bound For Glory match, which will be even more tableish. The fans were into Hardy so this could have been a lot worse.

We recap the Knockouts Title situation.

Knockouts Title: Kelani Jordan vs. Lei Ying Lee

For the vacant title and Indi Hartwell is guest referee. They shake hands to start and fight over a lockup, which goes to the mat. That’s broken up so Lee grabs a headlock, which is countered with a rather snazzy armdrag. Lee knees her in the face for two before an exchange of rollups get two each.

Back up and more respect is shown as the fans are split between TNA and NXT. Lee’s spinning torture rack faceplant is broken up and Hartwell is almost decked, allowing Jordan to pull on a half crab. With that broken up, Lee snaps off a super hurricanrana to send Jordan crashing down. They slug it out with Jordan getting the better of things but Lee kicks her in the face. A basement dropkick gives Lee two, followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb for two more.

They go outside, with Jordan looking to try a hurricanrana off the apron (I think) but it’s just kind of a crash instead. Back in and Lee pulls her into an STF, with Jordan having to slip out. Jordan kicks her down and gets two off a frog splash. One Of A Kind (split legged moonsault) is loaded up but Jordan lands on Hartwell (despite not doing any actual moonsaulting). Lee’s Thunderstruck connects for a VERY delayed two and they trade some rollups for two more. Jordan is back with a splits Stunner and One Of A Kind is good for the pin and the title at 15:36.

Rating: B-. Much like the battle royal, there was only so much they could do as this had to be set up in a hurry. At the end of the day, another NXT star winning the title isn’t the most thrilling way to go, but at the same time, it feels like Hartwell is all but guaranteed to win the title at Bound For Glory anyway. I can’t imagine Jordan is anything more than a placeholder champion, which is fine enough for the given circumstances.

Post match Ash By Elegance comes out to hold up Jordan’s hand in a nice moment.

We recap Steve Maclin defending the International Title against Frankie Kazarian. Maclin has been champion for months but has been dealing with Kazarian, who decided he wanted the title and doesn’t like Maclin very much, including his military service.

International Title: Steve Maclin vs. Frankie Kazarian

Maclin is defending and they fight over an armbar to start. With that broken up, Kazarian has to escape from a quick KIA attempt. Maclin sends him into the corner for some hard shots to the back and Kazarian is sent outside, where the Scud misses. Back in and a clothesline gives Kazarian two but he charges into what looks like Rock Bottom out of the corner. Kazarian is right back with a cravate and some knees to the face.

A quick facebuster and clothesline get Maclin out of trouble, followed by a Thesz press. The Olympic Slam gives Maclin two and the Jar Headbutt gets the same. Kazarian is tied in the Tree Of Woe but sits up and cuts Maclin off with a cutter in a sweet counter. The chickenwing is blocked but Maclin gets his throat snapped across the top rope.

Maclin gets up top for a superplex into a brainbuster, only to get caught with the slingshot DDT for two. Back up and Kazarian catches him on top, where he gets shoved down. The Jar Headbutt misses again so Kazarian grabs the chickenwing, which is quickly shoved away. Kazarian crashes out to the floor, where the Scud…takes out an invading El Mesias. The distraction lets Kazarian kick the rope into a low blow and a slingshot cutter finishes Maclin at 15:35.

Rating: B. As usual, Kazarian is someone who can wrestle a good match with anyone and Maclin has been getting a lot better in recent months. The Maclin vs. Mesias stuff feels like it’s coming out of nowhere, but Kazarian getting the title is what matters the most. Kazarian has been needing to win something new and this title is about as good as he’s going to do at the moment.

Video on Bound For Glory.

Mickie James and the Beautiful People are going into the Hall Of Fame. Rather earned.

We recap Leon Slater defending the X-Division Title against Myron Reed in the main event. Slater is a fighting champion and Reed won a #1 contenders match. Not much of a story, but this is an interesting choice for a main event.

X-Division Title: Leon Slater vs. Myron Reed

Slater is defending. We get a fairly aggressive handshake to start before Reed starts in on the arm. That’s broken up so they go to a headlock takeover, which is quickly broken up. Reed hits a quick legdrop and Slater is not thrilled with having someone land on his head. Slater is backed into the corner where Reed teases a right hand but stops. Instead Slater hits him in the face and now it’s time to get serious.

Reed is back up with a slingshot monkey flip but Slater breaks up a springboard with a dropkick to the floor. A big slingshot dive drops Reed again and Slater hammers away back inside. Slater hits a middle rope crossbody for one and isn’t happy with the kickout. Back up and a hurricanrana gives Reed two, followed by a slingshot powerbomb for the same.

Reed tries a hanging faceplant but gets reversed, only to nip into Utopia to give Slater another near fall. Slater kicks him out to the floor and hits the big running flip dive, followed by a leg lariat for two back inside. Reed is back up with a suplex over the top though and a Stundog Millionaire drops Slater on the floor. Back in and Reed hits the running diving cutter (that always looks great) to put Slater outside again. A springboard 450 gives Reed two and Slater is banged up. Another cutter lets Reed put Slater on top, where he reverses into a swinging superplex. The Swanton 450 retains the title at 13:47.

Rating: B+. This worked very well, with both guys making the most of their chance in the main event. It’s one of those matches that would have done well at any point in the show but it felt more special here. It was two young, talented wrestlers leaving it out there until one of them got caught with a huge move. Reed looked great in defeat, but Slater is being treated as something very special, as he should be.

Post match respect is shown but here is Santino Marella. He’s very pleased with the match but has a special announcement. At Bound For Glory, Slater will be defending against…Je’Von Evans from NXT. Yeah that’s a big one.

Overall Rating: B-. It’s a good show for what it was, as there was only so much you could get out of this kind of card. At the end of the day, the show felt like a big warmup before Bound For Glory and they could only get so much out of that. The Knockouts Title situation was something that couldn’t be avoided and they did as well as they could have all things considered, but the whole show didn’t feel that important. Even with some title changes, the show felt like something that had to be covered before we got to Bound For Glory, which is only so interesting.

Results
Zachary Wentz b. Cedric Alexander and Trey Miguel – UFO Cutter to Alexander
The System b. Order 4 – Down And Dirty to Hotch
Lei Ying Lee and Kelani Jordan won a battle royal, last eliminating M By Elegance, Heather By Elegance, Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee
Matt Cardona/Home Town Man b. Nemeths – Small package to Ryan
Mike Santana b. Ridge Holland – Spin The Block
Mustafa Ali b. Moose – 450
Joe Hendry b. Eric Young – Standing Ovation onto a chair
Matt Hardy b. AJ Francis – Top rope legdrop through a table
Kelani Jordan b. Lei Ying Lee – One Of A Kind
Frankie Kazarian b. Steve Maclin – Slingshot cutter
Leon Slater b. Myron Reed – Swanton 450

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Impact Wrestling
Date: September 25, 2025
Location: The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s the night before Victory Road, which isn’t exactly looking like the most important show. There is only so much that can be done as we are on the way to Bound For Glory, making Victory Road little more than a glorified pit stop. Hopefully they find a way to spice it up a bit so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap, looking at the System vs. Order 4.

Opening sequence.

Rascalz vs. Leon Slater/Cedric Alexander

Myron Reed is on commentary. Alexander gets taken into the corner to start and a Dream Sequence has him in more trouble. The four way brawl is on as everything breaks down, though we settle into Miguel slugging it out with Alexander. A suplex puts Miguel down and Slater comes in to start on the arm. Miguel slips out of a suplex though and it’s off to Wentz, who gets caught in the wrong corner. A high crossbody gives Slater two but Wentz knees him down to take over.

Miguel’s double stomp gets two and some rapid fire kicks set up the chinlock. Slater is back up with a running cutter and it’s back to Alexander to clean house. The Michinoku Driver gets two but everything breaks down, with Slater hitting a slingshot dive to the floor. Reed offers a distraction though and Wentz Swantons a hanging Slater for two. Alexander is back in to send Wentz outside for a heck of a suicide dive. Slater is able to hit the Swanton 450 for the pin on Miguel at 10:26.

Rating: B-. As usual, TNA knows how to open a show in the right way, as this kind of high flying, fast paced match is always going to be a fun starter. Slater is on his way to a medium title defense tomorrow night and then we get on to whatever his big story is going to be at Bound For Glory. For now, at least we got to see his awesome finisher, which works every time.

Jake Something and Frankie Kazarian are ready to face Steve Maclin and Mr. Anderson tonight. Kazarian is going to take the International Title at Bound For Glory and he mocks Anderson’s catchphrase.

We look at NXT invading NXT on Tuesday.

Earlier today, Eric Young demanded that Santino Marella put him in a match with Joe Hendry. Sure.

Victoria Crawford vs. Jody Threat

Threat grabs a headlock to start, followed by some rapid fire clotheslines in the corner. Crawford is able to send her throat first into the bottom rope and pound away at the back, only to miss a big boot. Threat’s boot sets up a release German suplex…but Tessa Blanchard is back for a distraction. Crawford scores with an ax kick for the win at 4:09.

Rating: C. The match was just a backdrop for Blanchard’s return and a distraction, which is fine as Blanchard is a big deal. Crawford’s return has been good enough and a nice little addition to the division, as she’s far from a top star but at least she’s getting to do something. I’m not sure what’s next in all of this, but I would hope Blanchard gets to do something other than face Gia Miller.

Joe Hendry is ready to face Eric Young, who was his mentor back in the day. Then things changed and now Young wants to get rid of him. Young is the one who has changed and Hendry will teach him a lesson at Victory Road.

The System is ready for the Hardcore War with Order 4 but Moose wants Mustafa Ali at Victory Road, one on one.

Battle Royal

Mara Sade, Matt Cardona, Home Town Man, Mance Warner, Xia Brookside, Lei Ying Lee, AJ Francis, Rosemary, Ryan Nemeth, Killer Kelly

The winner enters the Call Your Shot Gauntlet last and the final one eliminated enters it first. Francis runs his mouth before the bell and threatens Rosemary, who mists him. Everyone else jumps Francis and he’s out first. Nemeth goes to the floor (not out) for some choking and Sade is eliminated. Kelly is out as well and Warner chokes on the Man in the corner. Rosemary gets tossed and Warner clotheslines Lee and Brookside.

The Man loses his Twins jersey but reveals a Timberwolves jersey in a nice touch. Cardona helps him go after Warner, who sends them both to the apron, where Nemeth eliminates them both. Nemeth isn’t done as he tosses Brookside but gets low bridged by Lee. We’re down to Lee vs. Warner, with Lee busting out the martial arts. Warner sends her to the apron though and kicks her out for the win at 6:16.

Rating: C. It’s nice that they kept this quick and Warner as a threat to win the whole thing is a nice way to go. He’s the kind of villain who could do a lot of evil with the contract, though him winning is probably a long shot. This was hardly a good battle royal, but at least they kept it from taking up too much of the show for the sake of two people moving on to another battle royal.

Mickie James and the Beautiful People are going into the Hall Of Fame. Yeah that’s fair.

We get a rather jumpy video on Mike Santana’s road to Bound For Glory. He has never given up and this is everything to him. We hear from what appears to be his daughter, who wants him to win.

Here is Santino Marella to introduce the Hardys and Team 3D for the Final Negotiation. In a show of respect, Team 3D lets the Hardys go first. Matt talks about how these might be the best teams ever and we get an exchange of praises. If the Hardys want to be the best ever though, they need to beat Team 3D. We get a quick TLC flashback, with D-Von saying he and Jeff are never hanging from a ladder again “you crazy son of a b****.”

Jeff references Edge and Christian and Bully brings up the Dudley Boyz before saying the Hardys need Team 3D. That’s fine with Matt, who wants the losers to shake the winners’ hands and say they’re the best of all time. The Hardys are even willing to put up the title, with Santino Marella making it official…but Bully says no. The fans want tables so Bully talks about losing in a tables match at the 2000 Royal Rumble. That has always bothered them so we’ll do it again in a tables match. The contract is ripped up as all we need is a handshake. Well good, as that contract wouldn’t have had any of the details they just established.

Mustafa Ali, with Order 4, is tired of the System and the team is ready for both Victory Road and Bound For Glory. Ali recaps the rules of a Hardcore War and suggests that the match at Victory Road determines who has the advantage in Hardcore War. The System comes in for the staredown.

Victory Road rundown.

Frankie Kazarian/Jake Something vs. Mr. Anderson/Steve Maclin

Anderson doesn’t have a mic dropping in from the ceiling so Maclin gets a chair and lowers one to him for his introduction (I chuckled). Maclin and Kazarian start things off but Kazarian hands it off to Something instead. A shoulder and forearm to the back of the head have Maclin down and now it’s off to Kazarian, who gets to face Anderson for a nice reaction. Some forearms and a backdrop have Kazarian down so Maclin comes back in to take care of Something. The villains take a breather on the floor until Maclin pulls Kazarian back inside.

We take a break and come back with Anderson fighting his way out of trouble so Maclin can come back in. The spear misses Something in the corner though and Kazarian takes Maclin down on the floor. Back in and Something chinlocks Kazarian but he’s back up with a clothesline for the breather. Anderson comes in to clean house, including a Green Bay Plunge for two on Kazarian.

The Mic Check is blocked but Fade To Black is reversed into the Mic Check, with Something making the save. Kazarian gives Anderson a Backstabber into the Flux Capacitor for two, with the fans getting way into the kickout. Maclin is back in to clear out the villains as everything breaks down. Another Mic Check drops Something and KIA pins Kazarian at 16:41.

Rating: B-. I wasn’t expecting much here and it wound up being a pretty nice main event. The fans were into what Anderson was doing and having him back for a one off match is a fine idea. He’s a legend around here so it was a nice short term return. Kazarian feels very likely to win the title at Bound For Glory too, so at least the story is getting some attention, even with Kazarian losing here.

Overall Rating: C+. This did what it could to make Victory Road look more important, but the show is little more than a preview for Bound For Glory. The action here was ok, but it was mainly just filler as the two major shows were set up. That only makes for a somewhat interesting episode, though at least it did accomplish its main goals.

Results
Leon Slater/Cedric Alexander b. Rascalz – Swanton 450 to Miguel
Victoria Crawford b. Jody Threat – Ax kick
Mance Warner won a battle royal last eliminating Lei Ying Lee
Mr. Anderson/Steve Maclin b. Jake Something/Frankie Kazarian – KIA to Kazarian

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Impact Wrestling
Date: September 18, 2025
Location: The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re coming up on Victory Road, which is going to have its work cut out for it with Bound For Glory coming up just a month later. That show is going to get the big focus so Victory Road is only going to mean so much. The big story this week will be focusing on the Tag Team Titles as the Nemeths are getting a shot at the Hardys. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We get another promotion for the Minnesota charity shirt. Still nothing wrong with that.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Mustafa Ali vs. Brian Myers

The rest of Order 4 and the System are both here. Myers slugs away to start and quickly knocks him out to the floor. We get the big staredown between the teams on the floor and Ali hits a big suicide dive. Back in and Myers hits his implant DDT but John Skyler offers a distraction, meaning the top rope elbow misses. Ali gets a rollup for the pin at 2:35.

Post match the teams get in a brawl and we get the big Moose vs. Agent Zero showdown. Zero drops him with a headbutt but Moose pops back up and they have to be held out. Santino Marella comes out to make a Hardcore War at Bound For Glory.

The Nemeths are ready to get the Tag Team Titles back because it’s not a ladder match.

The Personal Concierge suggests to Dani Luna that she could get a Bound For Glory title shot if she just takes out Indi Hartwell tonight. Luna thinks about it.

We look at the set up of Oba Femi vs. Trick Williams for the NXT and TNA World Title.

ODB is here.

Judas Icarus vs. Eric Young

Travis Williams is here with Icarus, who jumps Young to start fast. Icarus runs him over but Young hits an elbow to the face (with the lights seeming to dim) and is back with a gutwrench powerbomb. The piledriver is blocked though and Icarus makes the comeback, with a frog splash connecting for two. Something like a Blue Thunder Bomb gets two and they go up, with Young biting the face to knock him down. Young drops a top rope elbow for two and loads up the piledriver but here is Joe Hendry for a distraction. Icarus grabs a rollup for the pin at 5:11.

Rating: C. This was a big win for Icarus but it’s the kind of win that is more credited to Hendry than anything else. This feels like it might be one of the last big feuds for Hendry around here and that’s not exactly the best feeling. At least Young hasn’t been doing the Cleanse or whatever he was threatening us with before as I don’t think I could take another thing like that.

Post match Young knocks out the referee.

Victoria Crawford is back with her talk show, Mentor U, with guest Jody Threat. Crawford brings up Gia Miller, who interrupts and threatens Tessa Blanchard again. That doesn’t work for Crawford, who doesn’t like the profanity.

The Rascalz are happy with Myron Reed for going after the X-Division Title and let off some steam. And smoke. Santino Marella pops in and…has a cookie?

IInspiration/Masha Slamovich vs. Elegance Brand

Slamovich and Heather start things off, though Heather needs a quick spank to get her into the ring. Everything breaks down and the Brand is kicked down and sent out to the floor as we take an early break. We come back with the Brand getting to take turns on McKay in the corner, with Heather getting to stomp away.

The running corner dropkick gets two and Heather grabs the chinlock. McKay kicks her way out and brings in Slamovich to clean house, including an assisted DDT to make Heather DDT M. Lee goes after M but Ash throws…something in Lee’s eyes so M can get a rollup for the pin at 9:31.

Rating: C+. The match was a nice back and forth effort, with Slamovich being protected before she gets a title shot against Ash By Elegance. The other four are just doing their usual things and that’s not the most exciting stuff. It feels like the Brand could be a big deal for a long time to come, as they certainly seem to be in the right place at the moment.

Here is Frankie Kazarian for the King’s Speech and now it’s time to make this city focus on a King rather than a Prince. His guest this week is…himself, as he is ready to become the next International Champion. That’s not all though as he has another guest in the form of Mr. Anderson of all people. Anderson calls this home and he is happy to be back in a TNA ring for the first time in nine years.

Kazarian brings up Anderson’s military career but thinks Anderson seems like a coward. He asks what branch Kazarian served in but Kazarian brings up Anderson’s family being here. Would Anderson’s mother and kids be ok with seeing Kazarian give Anderson a beating? Kazarian keeps talking trash until Anderson goes after him, with Jake Something running in to take Anderson down. Steve Maclin makes the save. This is a good way to use a company legend and it was a nice surprise.

Dani Luna vs. Indi Hartwell

Hartwell jumps her to start fast and sends Luna out to the floor. Back in and Hartwell tries to send her to the floor but gets hit in the face. A suplex sends Hartwell down again and Luna adds another to keep Hartwell in trouble. Hartwell fires back with some elbows but gets dropped with a clothesline. Hartwell is up for the real comeback and knocks Luna outside, where Luna comes up with a chair to the ribs for the DQ at 5:31.

Rating: C. This only got so much time and the ending was more about Luna getting to hurt Hartwell rather than beat her. At the same time, I really don’t get the appeal of Hartwell, who feels like a rather generic star. She’s in for a huge title match at Bound For Glory and that could be the start of a rather uninspiring title reign.

Post match Luna wrecks her with the chair.

Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside talk about being great friends and dub themselves the Angel Warriors.

Mike Santana vs. AJZ

AJZ runs his mouth on the way to the ring and Santana Spins The Block for the pin at 31 seconds.

Santana calls out Trick Williams before their match at Bound For Glory but NXT’s Ridge Holland runs in to lay him out.

Tag Team Titles: Nemeths vs. Hardys

The Hardys are defending and Matt Cardona is on commentary. The Nemeths start fast and get sent outside with an early double clothesline. We take an early break and come back with Nic cutting Jeff off as Ryan grabbing Jeff’s leg. Jeff misses the Whisper In The Wind and Ryan comes in to pound on Jeff a bit. Nic’s chinlock doesn’t last long so he fires off the elbows, including the big jumping version.

Jeff finally fights up and hits a Whisper In The Wind to take them both out for a breather. The diving tag brings in Matt to clean house, including the powerbomb out of the corner for two on Nic. The middle rope elbow to the back of the neck drops Nic again but he’s right back with a Fameasser for two. Ryan’s DDT into Nick’s top rope elbow gets two more so Ryan tries to grab the belt. Cardona cuts that off and the Twist Of Fate into the Swanton retains the titles at 11:56.

Rating: B. This was a good match between the teams who work well together, though we’re coming up on the Hardys vs. the Dudleys one more time. That’s going to be a rather different kind of match and the nostalgia is going to have to carry them a long way. I’m not sure what is next for the Nemeths, as they seem to be ready to go after Cardona, who is going to need a partner.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t a great show, though the main event did help it a lot. It doesn’t help that TNA seems to be building towards Bound For Glory more than Victory Road, which really feels like a nothing stop. Thankfully we’ll be done with that next week and ready to move on to the big show, but it isn’t making these shows much easier.

Results
Mustafa Ali b. Brian Myers – Rollup
Judas Icarus b. Eric Young – Rollup
Elegance Brand b. IInspiration/Masha Slamovich – Rollup to Lee
Indi Hartwell b. Dani Luna via DQ when Luna used a chair
Mike Santana b. AJZ – Spin The Block
Hardys b. Nemeths – Swanton to Ryan

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Impact Wrestling
Date: September 11, 2025
Location: The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re back to the taped format here as Victory Road is coming up pretty soon. That show is going to be tricky enough as it is little more than a pit stop on the way to Bound For Glory next month. It’s going to be difficult to get some interest going, but maybe they can have a good idea or two. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a September 11th graphic.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Moose vs. AJ Francis

Hold on though as here is Order 4, with Mustafa Ali to watch. Ali shakes Francis’ hand and sits in on commentary and Moose is up with a dropkick to start fast. They go outside with Francis getting in a shot of his own and sending Moose into the apron. We take a break and come back with Moose grabbing a suplex and they go outside.

Francis cuts off a charge with an apron bomb for two, followed by a running knee in the corner. Moose uses the power of fist pumps to come back and a spinning high crossbody drops Francis. The spear misses for Moose though and Francis hits one of his own for a near fall. The Secret Service’s distraction doesn’t make much of a difference, as Moose is right back with a spear for the win at 9:27.

Rating: C+. This was about having two big guys beat each other up, with Francis rapidly turning into a decent power guy. He’s figured out a lot in recent months and that’s nice to see. Moose is probably on his way to something with Mustafa Ali, or Order 4 as a whole though, and that’s an intriguing prospect.

Post match Moose challenges Ali to a match but doesn’t get an answer.

The System is ready to take out the Nemeths.

The Rascalz are back together in the Tree House and they want to win some titles. Then the smoke starts up and they can’t figure out Jake Something’s name.

Joe Hendry vs. Eric Young

Young comes to the ring with the Northern Armory and makes his usual threats, allowing Travis Williams to jump Hendry. We get the opening bell, which apparently signals false advertising as Young isn’t in the match.

Joe Hendry vs. Travis Williams

Hendry fights back and hits a suplex but Young offers a distraction. Williams’ running knee gets two but a springboard tornado DDT is blocked. The fall away slam sends Williams flying and an AA into the Standing Ovation finishes for Hendry at 3:16.

Rating: C-. I’m really not big on the false advertising like that but it’s something that happens in wrestling. Odds are Hendry vs. Young takes place at Victory Road, which I’ll take over having to hear about The Cleanse or whatever it is this time. I’m sure we’ll see more about it sooner than later, but for now at least Hendry got to show off a bit.

Post match Hendry bails from Young and Judas Icarus. Young yells at the Armory and drops them with two piledrivers apiece.

We look back at Frankie Kazarian beating Matt Cardona last week, thanks to Ryan Nemeth.

Cardona tells Ryan to put his nose in Cardona’s business again.

Here is Victoria Crawford, who has her own podcast. Her first guest is Gia Miller, with Crawford yelling at her over getting Tessa Blanchard suspended. Miller blames Blanchard for her own actions and Crawford made it worse, with threats of violence ensuing. Jody Threat runs in to break it up, with Crawford bailing to leave Miller fuming.

Jake Something vs. Zachary Wentz vs. Trey Miguel vs. Myron Reed

The inner gets an X-Division Title shot against Leon Slater, on commentary, at Victory Road. The Rascalz all bail outside to start before coming back in for a triple dropkick. Something shrugs that off and takes them all down. The Rascalz send him outside for a dive before we get a three way rollup exchange. Miguel punches Wentz down but Something is back in to run through everyone.

Wentz is powerbombed onto Reed for two but the Rascalz are back with a triplebomb out of the corner. The Rascalz slug it out until Something is back with Into The Void for two on Miguel. Wentz is back up with the UFO Cutter to Something but Miguel pulls him out. That leaves Reed to 450 Something for the pin at 8:08. Reed’s shocked face is great.

Rating: B-. I can go for the idea of mixing things up here as they didn’t go with the idea of the one different person wins. While Reed doesn’t seem to have much of a chance at winning the title, it’s very nice to see someone fresh getting a shot. That’s a smart thing to do and hopefully they can make the match part of it work in a few weeks.

Jake Something is in the back when he runs into Frankie Kazarian. Despite the loss, Kazarian offers him a spot by his side as Kazarian wins the International Title. Does he want to finally be…..something?

Heather By Elegance vs. Jessie McKay

Their partners are here too. Heather stomps away in the corner for two to start and we’re already in a chinlock. McKay fights up and sends her into the corner for some running knees, followed by a big boot. The Press Release (Gory Special) is loaded up but the Personal Concierge offers a distraction. Heather grabs a rollup and M grabs her feet for the pin at 3:10.

Rating: C-. There is only so much you can do with this kind of time but at least they did a smart finish by having the Elegance Brand cheat. That’s where everything tends to go with them so everything made sense. The IInspiration isn’t exactly inspiring lately, but it’s not like they have much else to do around here.

Post match Cassie Lee gets in to check on McKay and gets jumped. Cue Santino Marella to make the match.

Cassie Lee vs. M By Elegance

M tries to run but gets thrown back inside for the opening bell. A running big boot in the corner drops Lee for two and M’s snap suplex gets two more. Another big boot gets another near fall and we hit the double arm crank. That’s broken up so Lee can make the clothesline comeback into a Codebreaker for two. Heather gets in a cheap shot but McKay takes her out, leaving Lee to hit a swinging suplex for the pin at 5:07.

Rating: C. Slightly better match here, partially because they had a little bit more time to put it together. I’m not wild on having the two teams split like this but at least the ending could set the IInspiration up for something. It’s a basic way of going, though if you want the IInspiration to look strong, just have them sweep the night.

Steve Maclin talks about standing side by side in the Marines and now Frankie Kazarian is coming after him. That’s fine with Maclin, who isn’t getting through.

The Elegance Brand complains to Santino Marella about the upcoming title match against Masha Slamovich. Marella agrees and makes it No DQ with Indi Hartwell as guest referee. Oh and the IInspiration gets a Knockouts Tag Team Title match at Victory Road.

We recap the recent TNA issues on NXT.

Mike Santana is coming through the crowd for a match but Trick Williams jumps him from behind. Security breaks it up.

Nemeths vs. System

Nic and Myers start things off and go to the mat, with Nic getting two off a quick rollup. A dropkick sends Nic out to the apron and it’s Edwards coming in to send him into the corner. Everything breaks down and the System clears the ring as we take a break. We come back with Edwards fighting out of trouble and handing it back to Myers.

Ryan actually drops him so Nick can hit a top rope elbow, with Edwards making the save. The chinlock doesn’t last long and it’s back to Edwards to pick up the pace. A quick Fameasser gives Nic two and they’re both down. The Danger Zone is blocked and Edwards grabs a Blue Thunder Bomb with Ryan making the save. Cue Order 4 for a distraction, allowing Nic to hit a superkick into the Danger Zone for the pin at 12:44.

Rating: B-. If you want the Nemeths to be built up for their title rematch, this is the kind of win that they need to get. It wasn’t exactly a classic, but the Nemeths got to capitalize on the Order 4’s interference which should give us more between Order 4 and the System. Nice job of setting up two stories at once here.

Post match the Nemeths say they’re getting the title rematch next week so here are the Hardys to chase them off to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The show did a nice job of setting things up for Victory Road, though the action itself was only so good. The main event worked well enough but the rest was a good deal of quick stuff to keep the show moving. Victory Road is coming together well enough and that’s what matters the most, with the show in just a few weeks.

Results
Moose b. AJ Francis – Spear
Joe Hendry b. Travis Williams – Standing Ovation
Myron Reed b. Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel and Jack Something – 450 to Something
Cassie Lee b. M By Elegance – Spinning suplex
Nemeths b. The System – Danger Zone to Edwards

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Impact Wrestling
Date: September 4, 2025
Location: The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re coming up on victory Road and the show is not likely to include Trick Williams defending the World Title. Williams is instead doing one of those things about this not being a safe working environment, which went about as well as you could expect. The show is in just over three weeks and Mike Santana is going to need something to do there. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a nice moment as some of the bigger names on the roster are on the stage, with a moment of silence for the victims of a recent shooting in Minneapolis. TNA is releasing a special shirt with 100% of the proceeds going to the school where the shooting took place. That’s very cool to see.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Santino Marella to get things going. He calls Trick Williams a liar and gets to finish last week’s announcement: Mike Santana is challenging Williams for the World Title at Bound For Glory. This brings out a rather happy Santana, who promises to bring the title back to TNA. Williams can hide behind his fancy words and contracts, but Santana can just come see him in NXT.

Mara Sade and the Hardys aren’t happy with Order 4 and are ready to take them out tonight.

Moose says Mike Santana is the man to bring the World Title back to TNA. Santana appreciates it but AJ Francis shows up, mocks Moose, and gets challenged to a match next week. Francis mocks Santana about Trick Williams’ lawyers and leaves.

Here is Ryan Nemeth for a chat. HIS BIG BROTHER is back tonight but here is Matt Cardona to interrupt. No one cares about Nemeth’s big brother, because he sucks. That’s enough for Ryan to get annoyed and then run off.

Matt Cardona vs. Frankie Kazarian

Cardona starts fast with the flapjack to send Kazarian outside, which sets up the dropkick through the ropes. Ryan Nemeth gets in a cheap shot from the floor and we take a break. We come back with Kazarian grabbing a chinlock but Cardona pops up for some running clotheslines.

Cardona knocks him into the corner but Kazarian gets outside before the Reboot. Nemeth offers a distraction though and Kazarian grabs the slingshot cutter for two. Cardona’s spinebuster gets two more but he has to hit Radio Silence on Nemeth. That’s enough for Kazarian to grab Fade To Black for the pin at 10:56.

Rating: C+. This was more about Nemeth getting on Cardona’s nerves and costing him the match, which is a fine way to go. Nemeth is at his best when he’s out there annoying people, as he’s only good for so many things. Kazarian continues to get built up for Bound For Glory season and it might be time for him to win the International Title.

Post match Kazarian talks about how he wants the World Title and on the way there, he might try to win the International Title. That kind of a title shouldn’t be held by a jarhead like Steve Maclin, but rather someone like him.

The IInspiration are very interested in tonight’s Knockouts Tag Team Title match.

Here is the Elegance Brand to welcome Ash By Elegance, the new Knockouts Champion. The rest of the team has some gifts for them: a commissioned portrait, bottles of champagne with her face on them and…well that’s it apparently. Ash says she is the Knockouts savior and doesn’t think Masha Slamovich could do this. Cue Slamovich, who really doesn’t seem to agree. Slamovich comes in for the brawl but gets beaten down, with Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside running in for the failed save attempt. The IInspiration makes the real save. Slamovich gets to wreck the portrait. Fine way to advance two stories.

Mustafa Ali promises to go after anyone who tries to stop Order 4, including the System.

Dani Luna vs. Indi Hartwell vs. Jody Threat

Luna is knocked to the floor to start, leaving Threat to clothesline Hartwell. Back in and Luna is sent outside again but comes back in to knock Hartwell off the top. Luna plants Threat and drops Hartwell again, only to get in a slugout with Threat. Hartwell is back up for the clothesline comeback and drops an elbow for two on Luna. Threat is back up with a driver for two on Luna before going to the apron for a slugout with Hartwell. Luna is kicked out to the floor and Threat trades rollups with Hartwell, only for Hartwell to get the pin at 7:13.

Rating: C+. The Hartwell push is upon us and that’s going to get her to Bound For Glory. Other than that, you have the continuing issues between the former Spitfire and…yeah it’s still hard to get interested in them. The team was only so interesting in the first place and it’s not getting much better to see them feuding. Luna going evil is at least something though.

Post match Luna lays both of them out.

We look back at Eric Young laying out Joe Hendry last week.

Here is Hendry for a chat. Hendry says he can be here anywhere in the world but he’s right here in Minneapolis and seems to pay a bit of tribute to the school shooting victims. After that, he moves on to Eric Young, who he needs to deal with right now. Cue Young and the Northern Armory, with Young saying there is a state of emergency in wrestling. Hendry needs to be cleansed so he challenges Young to a match right now. Young says we’ll do it next week, which is where the cleanse begins. Yeah sure. Just don’t let Young talk. Or be around here.

Leon Slater hears about the Rascalz being cleared. He wants to remind people what the X-Division Title is all about and Santino Marella seems to approve.

Here’s what’s coming at Victory Road and Bound For Glory.

Trick Williams says he doesn’t owe TNA anything and isn’t showing up anytime soon.

Order 4 vs. Mara Sade/The Hardys

Matt takes Hotch down into the corner for a legdrop from Jeff (in all….kind of pink). Everything breaks down and Matt and Sade hit a double DDT to the three villains. Sade stays in to beat up Steelz before Jeff elbows Hotch. A distraction lets Agent Zero grab Jeff for a distraction but gets ejected. That’s enough for Hotch to get in a cheap shot though and some elbows have Jeff in trouble as we take a break.

We come back with Jeff coming in to clean house, with Matt grabbing the Side Effect on Skyler. A Whisper In The Wind takes out the Hands but a slingshot spear drops Matt. Sade gives Steelz Finish Her and hits a moonsault (with Lita pose, which is at least a bit awkward with Matt there) to Skyler. Jeff adds the Swanton for the pin at 10:01.

Rating: C+. The Hardys aren’t going to have trouble against the Great Hands, but Sade has gone from pretty much nothing to a nice hand in the span of a few weeks. That’s not bad at all and I could go for seeing what she can do. The match was nothing out of the ordinary, though the Litasault was a nice little tribute, even if Sade isn’t quite that kind of a star.

Post match the Nemeths are back to take out the Hardys and Nic superkicks Sade. Well that’s a heel move.

Overall Rating: B-. Nice enough show here, with the tribute at the beginning being a very sweet moment. What mattered the most was starting the push towards the two upcoming big shows. I’m curious to see where things go for both of them, and now at least the cards are coming together. There wasn’t much in the way of wrestling here, but what we got was certainly passable. Maybe it was a bit odd for them as a live edition, but things should be back to normal next week.

Results
Frankie Kazarian b. Matt Cardona – Fade To Black
Indi Hartwell b. Jody Threat and Dani Luna – Rollup to Threat
Mara Sade/The Hardys b. Order 4 – Swanton Bomb to Skyler

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Impact Wrestling
Date: August 28, 2025
Location: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

The road to Bound For Glory continues but we still have a side trip at Victory Road. That show is starting to come together and now we get to see some more of the card coming together. It could take some time to get everything ready, though there have been at least a few seeds already planted. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Mike Santana/Steve Maclin vs. AJ Francis/Trick Williams

Maclin facebusters and clotheslines Williams to start before it’s off to Santana. That makes Williams think twice and everything breaks down fast. Santana hits a big flip dive to the floor and we take an early break. We come back with Maclin striking away at Francis, including an Angle Slam.

Williams offers a distraction though and Francis gets in a slam off the top to take over. Williams hammers away before Francis grabs a chinlock. Maclin is back up with a dropkick though and Santana comes in to clean house. The Death Valley Driver gets two as everything breaks down. Williams knocks Francis to the floor by mistake though and the Trick Shot is reversed into a rollup to give Santana the pin at 12:20.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of match that can go a long way to setting up the title match, likely at Bound For Glory. Santana getting to save the title from the evil invader is a fine way to go, and we very well could be in for a great moment if that’s where it goes. Maclin and Francis were just kind of there, but at least they kept things moving.

Post match Williams shoves Santana, who beats him up again.

Leon Slater and Cedric Alexander are ready to go after the Tag Team Titles tonight.

We look back at Eric Young threatening Myron Reed with the cleanse.

Eric Young vs. Myron Reed

Zachary Wentz is here too. Reed knocks him down to start and grabs a slingshot Stunner to send Young outside. A suicide dive connects and Reed hammers away back inside. Young manages a Death Valley Driver but a Stundog Millionaire gets Reed out of trouble. A slam puts Reed back down but Young misses a moonsault. Reed’s slingshot legdrop knocks Young out of the ropes but he’s right back with a powerslam. Young threatens the referee so Wentz gets on the apron, which allows Young to get in a low blow. The piledriver finishes Reed at 5:56.

Rating: C+. There are not enough words to describe how little I want to see Eric Young’s latest “I’m here to fix everything about TNA and get rid of the bad people” deal. I’m not sure why that’s something they keep going back to but it seems like we’re getting it again. Heck it wouldn’t stun me if Sami Callihan is some big surprise for Young’s upcoming team.

We look at Dani Luna snapping last week.

Luna talks about being done coming in second and it’s time to be different.

Ash By Elegance is very proud of winning the Knockouts Title at NXT Heatwave and wants a massive celebration. Next week.

Fatal Influence vs. IInspiration

McKay takes Nyx down to start and the IInspiration score with stereo kicks. It’s already off to Henley for a knee to Lee and a double flapjack gets two. Lee gets out of a Muta Lock and it’s back to McKay as everything breaks down in a hurry. Henley is tossed outside and the Idolizer finishes for McKay at 6:23.

Rating: C. Fatal Influence has gotten something out of these matches as it’s smart to have the NXT stars getting more reps in different places. It wouldn’t stun me to see them getting a quick run with the Knockouts Tag Team Titles, as they fit the requirements well enough. On the other hand you have the IInspiration, who have just been kind of there since returning, though they’re still decent enough in their roles.

Trick Williams calls in help to deal with Mike Santana.

Here is Ryan Nemeth to say that his BIG BROTHER will be back next week. Alisha Edwards and Eddie Edwards interrupt, with Alisha saying Eddie is here to shut him up.

Eddie Edwards vs. Ryan Nemeth

Edwards punches away in the corner to start and an overhead belly to belly sends Nemeth outside. Alisha gets in a slap of her own but Nemeth manages to hammer away on the way back inside. Nemeth takes him down and drops some elbows but Edwards is back up. A missed charge hits the post though and Nemeth grabs a chinlock. That’s broken up but the Backpack Stunner is blocked. Edwards settles for a tiger bomb and the Boston Knee Party finishes at 5:40.

Rating: C. I can go for Nemeth as an annoying putz who loses in spots like this and keeps running his mouth because he thinks his brother can get him out of trouble. He’s also good for someone like Edwards to beat, as Edwards is well suited for what he’s doing. He and Alisha work well together on screen too, which shouldn’t be the biggest shock.

Indi Hartwell is upset at last week’s attack at the hands of Dani Luna. Santino Marella pops in to say that due to the attack, Hartwell is getting a #1 contenders match with Jody Threat next week but Luna comes in to say she should be in for that as well. Works for Hartwell, and the match seems to be set.

We get some stills of Joe Hendry beating the Miz at WWE’s European house show.

Eric Young says the cleanse is coming…and has attacked Joe Hendry. Oh sweet goodness just get on to his lame World Title feud (if Santana wins, Young is going to get a pay per view title shot) so we can move on to anything else on the show.

Mara Sade vs. Tasha Steelz

Order 4 is here with Steelz. Sade grabs a fireman’s carry and drops her to start but Order 4 grabs Sade’s foot for a distraction. Steelz gets in a choke and then a reverse chinlock, which is broken up rather quickly. A middle rope dropkick puts Steelz down but Order 4 offers another distraction, allowing Steelz to hit a middle rope Russian legsweep. Sade shrugs that off and hits Finish Her (or tries to at least as it didn’t look great), only to go after Order 4. Rather than covering, Sade goes after Order 4, which lets Steelz hit a cutter for the pin at 5:48.

Rating: D. To say this was rough would be an understatement, as I’m not sure what they were trying near the end but it really didn’t work. It doesn’t help that they had Order 4 getting involved three times in a match that didn’t even last six minutes. Really weak stuff here, which is surprising as both have done far better before.

Post match Order 4 goes after Sade, with Agent Zero blasting her with a clothesline. The Hardys run in for the save.

Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Cedric Alexander/Leon Slater

The Hardys are defending. Jeff forearms Alexander to start but gets taken into the corner for the tag to Slater. We get a quick show of respect before Slater kicks Jeff in the face. It’s off to Matt for the double elbow and we take an early break. We come back with Jeff jawbreaking Slater and bringing Matt in to slug away on Alexander. Matt sends Alexander into the buckle and then does the same to Slater.

The Plot Twist into a splash gets two on Alexander with Slater making the save. The Swanton 450 misses so the Hardys try a Plot Twist on Slater, who reverses into a cutter on Matt. Slater leg lariats Jeff but the Swanton 450 misses. A Downward Spiral hits Jeff but Matt is back in with the Twist of Fate, setting up the Swanton to retain at 10:36.

Rating: B-. Good enough main event here, even if it was the champions defending against a team without much history working together. The Hardys are gearing up for the match against Team 3D, though there is no guarantee that will be for the titles. For now though, it’s nice to see the Hardys getting another win, as they’re still more than good enough to hang in the ring.

Here is Trick Williams, with his lawyer, to discuss being attacked by Mike Santana. Williams calls this a crime scene and he isn’t defending his title for 50 days. Cue Santino Marella to say Williams will defend his title at Bound For Glory. The lawyer tries to yell at Marella and gets Cobraed to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. This wasn’t their strongest show, but it did have some good parts. They’re clearly setting the stage for Bound For Glory, though we’re going to have to get through some other parts on the way there. Now just get the rest of that stuff ready and the show should work out well. I mean, assuming you launch this Eric Young stuff into the sun once and for all.

Results
Mike Santana/Steve Maclin b. AJ Francis/Trick Williams – Rollup to Williams
Eric Young b. Myron Reed – Piledriver
IInspiration b. Fatal Influence – Idolizer to Henley
Eddie Edwards b. Ryan Nemeth – Boston Knee Party
Tasha Steelz b. Mara Sade – Cutter
Hardys b. Cedric Alexander/Leon Slater – Swanton to Alexander

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Impact Wrestling
Date: August 21, 2025
Location: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re done with Emergence and the big story coming out of the show is Trick Williams defeating Moose to retain the World Title. That means NXT is still in control of two major TNA titles as we get closer to Bound For Glory. That show is going to start getting set up sooner than later so let’s get to it.

Here is Emergence if you need a recap.

We open with a long Emergence recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. Williams brags about his success and says he is carrying two brands at the same time…and Mike Santana interrupts. Santana asks how many people are tired of hearing Williams run his mouth. He gives Williams credit for his success, but promises to spin the block and win the World Title.

Williams turns down the challenge (assuming there was one) but here is Santino Marella to make the match…but Williams apparently has a contract saying he doesn’t have to defend the title for fifty days. Williams insults Santana’s family so Santana chases him off. Simple way to stretch things out to Bound For Glory.

Mustafa Ali, with Order 4, is tired of being pushed around by the System so it’s time to fight back.

Post break, Trick Williams is in the back with AJ Francis. Santino Marella comes in and says that Williams might not have to defend the title, but he can be in a tag match against Mike Santana and a surprise partner.

We look at Je’Von Evans beating Trick Williams on NXT, plus Fatal Influence beating the Elegance Brand.

Knockouts Gauntlet Match

For a future Knockouts Title shot. Xia Brookside is in at #1 and Killer Kelly is in at #2. They crawl around at each other to play the mind games and Brookside grabs a headlock. That’s broken up so Kelly gets a headscissors, which earns her a kick out of the corner. An elbow to the back gets two on Kelly but she’s back with knees to the neck. A running forearm to the neck sets up a chinlock but Brookside Stunners her way to freedom. Brookside can’t get a super sunset flip so she settles for the Brooksie Bomb for the pin 5:52.

Dani Luna is in at #3 and, after a break, Brookside starts working on the arm. That’s broken up and Luna gets two off a northern lights suplex. The sliding clothesline takes Brookside down again but she sends Luna into the corner. The Broken Wings misses though and Luna kicks her down, setting up the Lunar Landing for the pin at 11:38.

Rosemary is in at #4 and, again after a break, she knocks Luna outside. Back in and Rosemary bites the fingers, followed by a sliding forearm for two. Luna knocks her down again though and hits a quick Lunar Landing for the pin at 15:02. Indi Hartwell is in at #5 and after the customary break, she strikes away and grabs an armbar.

Hartwell cranks on the arms and they trade rollups until Hartwell gets the pin at 19:03. Luna wrecks Hartwell after the fall though and leaves her laying, so here is Jody Threat in at #6 to break it up. Threat calms Luna down…and gets decked for the DQ to give Threat the title shot at 22:55.

Rating: C+. The Knockouts division is in a weird place at the moment as it doesn’t really feel like there is any fire to the whole thing. Indi Hartwell is ok enough, but the former Spitfire members fighting each other isn’t much of a top story. I’m guessing someone gets to step up at Bound For Glory and take the title back from Jacy Jayne’s evil NXT clutches, but who is the big hero? Slamovich?

Post match Luna destroys Hartwell with a chair until security breaks it up.

The IInspiration want the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. Fatal Influence come in to mock them and declare themselves the better team, leading to bickering.

Jody Threat says she doesn’t want the title shot this way but Dani Luna comes in and they argue as well.

Here is Ryan Nemeth to say his BIG BROTHER will be back in two weeks.

Frankie Kazarian vs. Jake Something

Something starts fast and backdrops him down, followed by a knock out to the floor. Kazarian gets dropped onto the apron and a powerslam gives Something two back inside. A clothesline gets Kazarian out of trouble and the springboard spinning legdrop gets two. Back up and Something plants him down for two and a sitout powerbomb connects for the same. Kazarian seems to have managed to get the turnbuckle pad off and Something misses a charge into the exposed buckle, setting up the Fade To Black for the pin at 5:45.

Rating: C+. It’s pretty clear that Kazarian is coming for (and likely winning) the International Title so putting him over the previous #1 contender is a fine way of getting him closer. Kazarian really needs to win something as he has mainly been living off of that one battle royal win last year and that title shot has already gone. Giving him something else, like the International Title, would fix the problem.

Mara Sade is painting when the Hardys come in. She says they inspired her to paint at Slammiversary and of course Jeff Hardy is interested so they’re off to see some art.

Cedric Alexander sits down next to Leon Slater and admits Slater was the better man at Emergence. For now though, he’s gotten the two of them a tag match next week against the Hardys.

Steve Maclin will be Mike Santana’s partner. Works for Santino Marella.

Here is Jacy Jayne for a chat. She brags about her success and doesn’t think anyone can come close to her level. This is her company and she’s walking out of NXT Heatwave with both belts. Cue Ash By Elegance to interrupt and she is LIVID, ranting about how Sunday should be about the two of them, not Masha “Slamab****.”. Cue Slamovich, who calls them Brittney Spears and Evil Katy Perry, so she’s winning the title on Sunday. And that’s that.

Order 4 mocks Mara Sade’s painting when the Hardys and Sade come in. The villains say it’s hideous but Sade says she’s going to get a match with Tasha Steelz. Matt Hardy calls Steelz something censored and Order 4 leaves, with Jeff revealing that it’s a paining of the Hardys logo. The Knockouts division needs some fresh blood so why not give Sade something to do?

Eric Young comes up to Myron Reed and tells him to pick a side, because he’ll be gone when Trey Miguel is back. Zachary Wentz comes in and apparently will face Young soon. Young says a cleanse is coming. Sweet goodness can we cleanse this place from Young and his big ideas?

Matt Cardona/The System vs. Order 4

Myers and Skyler lock up to start with Myers stomping away in the corner. Cardona comes in with a Russian legsweep before it’s right back to Myers, who is driven into the corner. Everything breaks down and Moose powerbombs Hotch onto the other villains on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Cardona fighting out of trouble to hand it back to Moose for the house cleaning. Everything breaks down and the middle rope chokebomb gets two on Ali. Cardona adds a top rope elbow but the Great Hands make the save. Ali is back up with the dives but gets dropped by Moose. A triple superkick cuts Moose off and he gets sent into the steps. Cue Tasha Steelz to go after Alisha Edwards, which draws out Eddie Edwards, but Agent Zero cuts him off. Back in and a low blow cuts Myers off, setting up the Favor for the pin at 10:10.

Rating: B-. I like the idea of Order 4 getting the big push as the top heel stable, as the System’s face turn is going well enough. They need competition though and Order 4 is about as good as it gets. The villains playing the numbers advantage makes good sense and we could be in for a heck of a hoss fight when Moose faces Agent Zero.

Post match the big beatdown is on with Ali loading up a chair but JDC runs in with a chair of his own for the save. Agent Zero lays JDC out though and Moose is held back to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. The problem here is we have a long way to go before Bound For Glory but the build to the show is already on. You can see where a lot of this is going (and that’s fine) but it’s going to be a long road to the show. This show was something like looking at the picture on a puzzle box, as you know what the end goal is going to be, but the building process is just getting started.

Results
Jody Threat won a Knockouts Gauntlet match last eliminating Indi Hartwell
Frankie Kazarian b. Jake Something – Fade To Black
Order 4 b. Matt Cardona/The System – Favor to Myers

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Impact Wrestling
Date: August 14, 2025
Location: Thomas M. Ryan Center, Kingston, Rhode Island
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s the night before Emergence so this week is likely going to be about setting things up for the pay per view. The big story coming out of this week’s NXT saw Trick Williams turn his back on his partners, including #1 contender Moose, allowing Darkstate to win an eight man tag. That is likely going to require some revenge so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Moose has been attacked in the back and the System hits the ring. They call out Trick Williams and First Class so it’s six man tag time.

First Class/Trick Williams vs. The System

The brawl is on in the aisle with the System getting the better of things. We settle down to Edwards crushing Swann in the corner and handing it off to JDC. Swann gets taken down but he kicks JDC out to the floor to take over for the first time. Francis’ chinlock doesn’t last long so it’s Williams coming in for a flapjack. Another chinlock goes on, followed by a bearhug from Francis. JDC suplexes his way out of trouble though and it’s off to Myers for an implant DDT to Swann. Everything breaks down and Swann gets a rollup with feet on the ropes to pin Myers at 6:12.

Rating: C+. That’s what this needed to be, with the System still finding their footing as good guys and Swann getting to steal a win to reestablish himself. Swann is a former World Champion but he’s been gone for so long that some people might have forgotten that he can hang at this level. Myers and JDC exist to lose for the System so this was hardly some big upset either.

We run down the rest of the card.

Myla Grace/Harley Hudson vs. Dani Luna/Indi Hartwell

Hudson can’t take Luna over with a headlock to start but Luna can easily power her down. A choke doesn’t work for Hudson either so she sends Luna into the corner for some running knees to the face. Luna powers them away again though and it’s off to Hartwell to clean house. The Hurts Donut finishes Grace at 3:40.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one, though Grace and Hudson are at least getting a chance to establish themselves as something. They still have a long way to go, but they have a bit of an identity as the rookies. Eventually they’ll need to win something, but we’re a long way off before they’re anything close to a failure.

Respect is shown post match but Rosemary pops out of the crowd to mist Hartwell.

We look at Order 4 costing Joe Hendry a match against Mustafa Ali last week.

John Skyler vs. Matt Cardona

Order 4 is here with Skyler. Cardona takes him into the corner to start but a distraction from the floor lets Skyler drop Cardona outside. Back in and the chinlock doesn’t last long but Tasha Steelz blocks the Reboot. Instead Cardona hits Radio Silence for the win at 2:19.

Post match Order 4 jumps Cardona and Mustafa Ali comes out to send Agent Zero out for the big beatdown.

Jody Threat and Dani Luna check on Indi Hartwell but get in an argument.

Matt Cardona is looking for Mustafa Ali and seems ready to face him at Emergence.

We look at a three way being set up for the Knockouts Title, with Jacy Jayne defending against Masha Slamovich and Ash By Elegance.

Here is Santino Marella for a Knockouts tag team summit. This brings out the Elegance Brand, Lei Ying Lee/Xia Brookside, IInspiration and Fatal Influence, with the Brand bragging about their abilities. Brookside promises a beating for everyone and Fatal Influence promises to show NXT’s superiority. Tension is teased and the brawl breaks out in a hurry, with dives taking out security. Pretty basic stuff here.

Rosemary isn’t happy with Indi Hartwell strolling in here so she made Hartwell as blind as Hartwell seems to be.

Steph de Lander and Mance Warner are annoyed at being suspended for having some personal time in Santino Marella’s locker room last week. Nothing is keeping him out of TNA.

Eric Young vs. Mike Santana

The Northern Armory is here with Young. Santana gets jumped from behind to start and gets sent outside. The Armory gets in some cheap shots so Young can hammer away in the corner, followed by a hard whip for two. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Santana fights back and hits an enziguri, followed by the rolling Buck Fifty for two of his own. Young shoves him off the top though and hits a top rope elbow for two. Young misses a clothesline off the top though and Spin The Block finishes for Santana at 5:31.

Rating: B-. Short and to the point match here, which is the best way to go as Santana can get a win over a name. They didn’t need to let this go long as Santana got everything he needed out of it by overcoming the odds to win. Now just get Santana where he belongs on the pay back to the World Title.

Post match the Armory jumps Santana but Sami Callihan makes the save.

We look at the TNA action on NXT, including Joe Hendry getting a win and Trick Williams costing his partners the eight man tag against Darkstate.

Here is Frankie Kazarian for the King’s Speech. Kazarian brings out Jake Something and Steve Maclin (facing each other at Emergence) as his guests and this isn’t likely to go well. They go face to face but Kazarian keeps telling them to keep from fighting, which has Maclin telling him to shut up. Maclin goes after Kazarian but walks into Into The Void. I’m not sure if he will, but I could go for Something winning the title.

Emergence rundown.

Sami Callihan says he’s done if he doesn’t win at Emergence. Eddie Edwards comes in to say he wants the real Callihan to come out one more time.

Rascalz/Cedric Alexander vs. Leon Slater/Hardys

Alexander wrestles Slater down to start before Reed comes in for a Fameasser in the ropes. Slater kicks him in the head though and brings Matt in to take over on Reed’s arm. Jeff gets in a few shots of his own, allowing Slater to hit a clothesline for two. The ten rams into the corner have Reed in more trouble but he gets over to Wentz. Slater gets taken down again, with Wentz firing off some elbows to the chest for two. Jeff comes in for a quick Poetry In Motion and grabs a chinlock on Wentz as we take a break.

We come back with Matt getting taken into the corner so Wentz can grab a front facelock. That’s switched into a regular chinlock but Matt fights out without much trouble. A superplex drops Wentz and Jeff comes back in to take over on Alexander. Whisper In The Wind (though not a clean one) gets two and it’s Slater coming back in to plant Reed. We hit the parade of knockdowns and the good guys grab a string of Twist of Fates (or Twisting Stunner from Jeff because he’s weird).

It’s too early for the Swanton so instead Alexander gets splashed by Jeff. Slater’s crossover splash gets two with the Rascalz making the save. The Rascalz hit dives on the floor and Salter nails a big dive over the corner. Back in and Alexander avoids the Swanton 450 and grabs the Lumbar Check for the pin at 17:28.

Rating: B. I can always go for the “take two matches and put them into a six man” style and they did well with it here. Alexander is a good first challenger for Slater as he’s going to be completely fine in the ring and help make Slater look good. At the same time, the Hardys are getting ready for their big match against Team 3D, meaning the titles might actually be in jeopardy as they have bigger things going on.

The double staredown ends the show.

Overall Rating: B-. While Emergence only feels so important between Slammiversary and Bound For Glory, this show did a good job of building it up. Oddly save for the World Title match, which was mainly touched on earlier in the week on NXT, the card got a solid boost here. Emergence could be a good show, and this week had a lot to do with making that work.

Results
First Class/Trick Williams b. The System – Rollup with feet on the ropes to Myers
Dani Luna/Indi Hartwell b. Myla Grace/Harley Hudson – Hurts Donut to Grace
Matt Cardona b. John Skyler – Radio Silence
Mike Santana b. Eric Young – Spin The Block
Cedric Alexander/Rascalz b. Hardys/Leon Slater – Lumbar Check to Slater

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Impact Wrestling
Date: July 24, 2025
Location: Ryan Center, Kingston, Rhode Island
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re done with Slammiversary and that means we should be in for something interesting. The big story coming out of the show was that Trick Williams retained the World Title against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana. As a result, Hendry and Santana are going to be facing each other in a singles match this week. Let’s get to it.

Here is Slammiversary if you need a recap.

We open with an In Memory graphic for Hulk Hogan.

Long Slammiversary recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Santino Marella, who wants the TNA World Title back. He’s coming for the NXT North American Title but here is Masha Slamovich to interrupt. She wants her rematch for the Knockouts Title next week so Marella signs off on the request. Cue the System to interrupt as Slamovich leaves. Eddie Edwards talks about getting rid of Darkstate and he’s not going to let outsiders coming in to take over. They’re willing to go to war for TNA and be the soldiers.

Moose talks about facing Leon Slater, who made him remember why he loves this place as he earned the X-Division Title. They all want to take out Trick Williams, who comes out to interrupt, along with First Class. Williams thinks Moose must be stupid because Williams took out Average Joe Hendry and Mike Santana. Moose is ready to fight but here is Order 4 to interrupt instead. Mustafa Ali says they’re the real best faction in TNA and that’s enough to start the brawl with the System as we take a break. That set up a few things at once, with the System wanting to fight the NXT stars being a fine way to go.

In the back, Santino Marella makes Brian Myers and Matt Cardona against the Great Hands for later tonight.

Here is the Personal Concierge to mock Rhode Island and then introduce the Elegance Brand.

Elegance Brand vs. Iinspiration/Mara Sade

Sade is formerly known as Jakara Jackson in NXT. Heather and McKay start things off but Heather wants to stand on M’s back to even the heights. Instead everything breaks down and the Elegance Brand is sent outside for some dives. We take a break and come back with Lee in trouble and getting sent into the wrong corner.

M puts Heather on her shoulders for a splash onto Lee’s back before choking her on the rope. Lee manages a clothesline though and it’s off to Sade to clean house. Heather gets flipped off the ropes onto Sade for two but a quick Idolizer gives McKay the pin on Heather at 11:07.

Rating: C+. This could have been worse and keeps the IInspiration as the likely challengers to the titles. They’re about as good as any option that TNA has at the moment so I’ll take it over nothing. Sade came in and did well enough and it’s not like there isn’t room for her as another name in the Knockouts division.

Mike Santana has nothing to say about Slammiversary.

Indi Hartwell is happy with her win at Slammiversary when Dani Luna interrupts. Victoria Crawford comes in to voice her displeasure with both of them and a match seems to be made. Hartwell and Luna are more than a bit confused.

Eric Young, with the Northern Armory, says he is the only one who can see the truth.

Here is Leon Slater for a chat. Slater thinks it’s crazy that he won the title and is now the youngest X-Division Champion in history. He puts over Moose for showing him respect, but he wants to talk about AJ Styles. Slater wants to bring the title back to its roots of speed, but for now, he wants the Hardys out here.

Matt is very happy with Slater and Jeff says this is the Hardy Soul Train. Cue Steve Maclin to interrupt, who isn’t happy with the invaders coming in and taking their titles. You have all of these champions here, plus him, and it is up to them to hold the line against outsiders. Works for the champs. Again, simple and to the point here.

Mance Warner vs. Jake Something

No DQ and Steph de Lander is here with Warner. Something charges to the ring to start fast but gets hit in the face with a trashcan lid. Warner starts swinging various weapons but gets knocked to the floor, where he cuts off Something’s dive. Back in and Warner sets up four open chairs but gets powerbombed down for a quick near fall.

De Lander offers a distraction though and Warner superplexes Something through the chairs. The sledgehammer is brought in but only hits chair, allowing Something to knock him down. The thumbtacks are poured out on the floor and a suplex drops Warner onto them. Into The Void finishes for Something at 6:11.

Rating: C+. Not a bad match here, though it was kind of a short way to go for something with that many weapons. In theory it’s for the sake of keeping Warner in her comfort zone, but hopefully it lets Something feel like a bigger deal. He’s needed the chance to do so for a long time, but it won’t matter if there is no follow up to the match.

We look at Santino Marella challenging Ethan Page for the NXT North American Title for next week.

Here are Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence for a chat. Jayne is proud of her win and she is ready for you to think of her when you think of the Knockouts Title. She insults most of the roster and promises to be champion for a long time because she always gets the last laugh.

Great Hands vs. Matt Cardona/Brian Myers

Cardona shoves Hotch down to start and it’s a Russian legsweep/STO combination to give Myers two. Hotch bails from the threat of the Roster Cut so Myers takes both of them down at once. Cardona is in with an Unprettier for two so Tasha Steelz offers a distraction. Alisha Edwards cuts her off but a member of the Secret Service comes in to chokebomb Cardona, giving Skyler the win at 3:05.

Rating: C. They barely had enough time to get going here but this was all about whomever the new monster is going to be. It makes sense to add someone of that size to the team, especially if they’re going to be fighting the System in the near future. Not much of a match here, but it served a purpose.

Joe Hendry vs. Mike Santana

Frankie Kazarian tries to sit in on commentary but Matthew Rehwoldt has him thrown out. We do get a handshake to start before Hendry powers him into the corner. They fight over a wristlock but neither can get very far so it’s time for a standoff. An exchange of headlocks leaves them staring at each other again until Santana elbows him down. A backsplash connects for Santana and we take a break.

We come back with Hendry winning a slugout but having to block the rolling Buck Fifty. Santana gets in a knockdown, only to walk into the fall away slam. The Standing Ovation is blocked so Hendry settles for an Angle Slam for two instead. Back up and the rolling Buck Fifty sets up a top rope splash to give Santana two of his own. They get into an exchange of rollups until Santana gets the pin at 13:55.

Rating: B-. This felt like something of a passing of the torch match and that’s what Santana needs. I’m still hoping that Santana walks out of Bound For Glory with the World Title, which would be the right way to go. Hendry losing clean is a big deal, but if he is going to be starting to wrap up his time in TNA, it might be something you see more frequently.

Respect is shown again to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The best thing about this show is that it felt like we were starting some new stories which had been planned out. They’re leaning into the idea of TNA wanting to fight off the intruders and that is a fine way to go. It very well could be leading to a big blowoff at Bound For Glory which would be a good way to wrap up the biggest show of the year. We’re still a long way off from there, but it does seem like they’ve got an idea this far out.

Results
IInspiration/Mara Sade b. Elegance Brand – Idolizer to Heather
Jake Something b. Mance Warner – Into The Void
Great Hands b. Matt Cardona/Brian Myers – Chokebomb to Cardona
Mike Santana b. Joe Hendry – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Slammiversary 2025
Date: July 20, 2025
Location: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s one of the biggest shows of the year for TNA and they’re in a major arena. In this case we have a main event about TNA getting the World Title back from behind NXT lines as Joe Hendry and Mike Santana go after Trick Williams. Other than that, we have a four way tag team ladder match for the titles, because we must ladder. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Knockouts Tag Team Titles: IInspiration vs. Elegance Brand

The Elegance Brand, with the Personal Concierge and M By Elegance, is defending. McKay shoves Heather into the corner for the stomping to start and the IInspiration gets to do their double pose. Heather gets in a cheap shot though and Ash comes in to hammer away. The handspring elbow in the corner connects and a running dropkick gets two.

McKay fights out of the corner though and it’s Lee coming in off the tag. A fisherman’s suplex gives Lee two and a top rope hurricanrana sends Ash flying. The superplex gets two more, with M putting the foot on the rope. Lee hits a big dive off the top but Heather breaks up the Idolizer. A cheap shot from M sets up Rarefied Air to retain the titles at 8:43.

Rating: C+. They weren’t out there very long but it was an energetic match with the champions retaining. As much as the titles would seem to have been made for the IInspiration, it’s too early for the Elegance Brand to lose the titles. Good enough match too, with a simple story that didn’t overstay its welcome.

Here is the Northern Armory, with Eric Young insulting the New York crowd (with no subtlety whatsoever). He is sick of the Home Town Man and issues an open challenge so here we go.

Kickoff Show: Eric Young vs. Home Town Man

Man backdrops him to start and hammers away in the corner but Young gets in a hot shot onto the turnbuckle. Young rips off Man’s Islanders jersey and we hit the chinlock. That doesn’t last long as Man fights up and makes the clothesline comeback. Young knocks him off the top though and the top rope elbow gets two. We pause for Young to yell at some fans, allowing Man to backdrop his way out of a piledriver and cradle Young for the pin at 4:05.

Rating: C. See, this is the kind of gimmick that can work well. It might not work for a long time, but I’ll absolutely take this over TNA trying to make me care about Cody Deaner’s career prospects. This is a goofy, fun thing where the fans are in on the joke and there is nothing wrong with that.

Kickoff Show: Real1/Zilla Fatu/Josh Bishop vs. Steve Maclin/Jake Something/Mance Warner

This is a mini-invasion deal, as Real1 and company are from Fourth Rope Wrestling. Real1 does the same catchphrases he’s used for ten years now and introduces his partners. Warner and Fatu strike it out to start with Fatu knocking him down, only to miss the top rope splash.

Maclin comes in to strike away and Fatu’s splash hits Bishop by mistake. Real1 gets caught with the running shoulder in the Tree Of Woe but Bishop gives Maclin a chokeslam. We hit the parade of dives until Warner hits something by mistake. Real1 hits Eat Defeat to pin Something at 2:54. Sweet goodness I could go with never seeing Real1 again.

And now, the show proper.

Brianna Laughlin (I believe Tommy Dreamer’s daughter) sings the National Anthem.

The opening video starts with a brief history of the promotion before looking at what we’re getting tonight.

Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander

Order 4 is here with Ali. They take their time to start with Ali getting in an armdrag, followed by a flipping exchange of arm cranking. A big exchange of chops sees Alexander kicking him into the ropes, followed by a German suplex on the floor. The Secret Service offers a distraction though, allowing Ali to hit a big dive.

Back in and Ali misses the 450, plus a charge into the corner. Ali is fine enough to go up top, where Alexander super Falcon Arrows him onto the pile at ringside. Back in and Ali DDTs him, only to miss a standing moonsault. Alexander misses a shot of his own, allowing Ali to grab a Sharpshooter. That’s broken up so they head back outside, where Ali gets backdropped HARD onto the steps.

The chase is on, with Jason Hotch getting in a DDT to cut Alexander off. Back in and the 450 gives Ali two, complete with the big shocked kickout face. Tasha Steelz gets in the ring to yell at the referee and is promptly ejected. Ali rolls into a cutter from Alexander, who suplexes him into the corner for a nasty landing. The Lumbar Check gives Alexander two but cue Steelz with a chair (How is this not a DQ?), earning herself a Lumbar Check. Ali hits a quick 450 for the pin at 14:30.

Rating: B. These two work very well together and they had a hot opener here, lack of a DQ at the end aside. I’m not sure what is next for Alexander, but it’s nice to see Ali get a nice win. Order 4 needs something to do, but at least Ali got some momentum after having issues with the team.

We run down the card.

Joe Hendry is ready to get the World Title back.

The System/Matt Cardona vs. Darkstate

Darkstate runs in for the brawl before the bell and everyone gets in a fight. JDC uses a chair and, after the Sabu point, hits a big flip dive. They get back inside to officially start, with Myers planting Shugars but missing a charge into the corner. Griffin rakes Myers’ eyes across the top rope and hands it off to Lennox to keep up the beating. It’s off to James for a chinlock but Myers fights out and hits a spear.

Cardona comes in to clean house, with the Reboot hitting Shugars for two. The middle rope triplebomb plants Cardona for two but Shugars gets powerbombed out of the corner. A top rope elbow into Down And Dirty gets two and they all brawl. Radio Silence hits Shugars, followed by the Boston Knee Party to give Edwards the pin at 6:44.

Rating: C+. And that’s how Darkstate loses their first match. I’m really not sure what the thinking is behind that but they did at least lose to some of the bigger names in TNA. Still though, kind of a weird way to go, with something of a makeshift team beating the invaders in a pretty short match.

We recap Tessa Blanchard vs. Indi Hartwell. They were friends years ago but Hartwell says Blanchard has change. Fighting is ensuing.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Indi Hartwell

Victoria Crawford is here with Blanchard. They start with a chase and Blanchard gets in a baseball slide, only for a stomp on the apron to be blocked. Back in and Blanchard starts in on the leg before kicking Hartwell in the face for two. Blanchard goes up top but takes too long, allowing Hartwell to come back with a superplex.

The knee is too banged up for her to capitalize though and Blanchard is back up. The slugout goes to Hartwell, who fires off some clotheslines and a boot to the head. Blanchard gets planted for two but the Hurts Donut is broken up. A superkick sends Hartwell to the floor for a running flip dive but she breaks up the buzzsaw DDT.

Blanchard is right back with a tiger driver for two, only to miss Magnum. Now the Hurts Donut can connect for two but Blanchard catches her on top with a super cutter. Magnum gets two so Blanchard yells a lot, only to get caught with the Hurts Donut for the pin at 15:34.

Rating: C+. Not a bad match, but Hartwell going over Blanchard feels wrong on a variety of levels. Hartwell is trying but she’s not on Blanchard’s level and it’s rather obvious when they’re in the ring together. Maybe this is more of Blanchard’s punishment after her absence, though I’m not sure what’s enough to make up for such a loss.

Post match Blanchard jumps Hartwell and takes out Gigi Miller for a bonus. In the back, Santino Marella ejects Blanchard from the building.

The Elegance Brand is happy with their win but the IInspiration comes in to yell a lot.

We recap Jacy Jayne vs. Masha Slamovich, title for title. The idea is Jayne is a huge underdog but that was the case when she won the NXT Women’s Title in the first place.

TNA Knockouts Title/NXT Women’s Title: Masha Slamovich vs. Jacy Jayne

Winner take all and the rest of Fatal Influence is here with Jayne. Slamovich sends her throat first into the ropes to start before taking out Jazmyn Nyx on the floor. Fallon Henley offers a bit of an assist though, with Slamovich going into the post. Back in and some knees to the back set up a chinlock from Jayne but Slamovich drops down onto her for the break.

Some running shots in the corner stagger Jayne for two and Slamovich drives her into another corner for the same. They go up top and Slamovich blocks a sunset bomb attempt. Jayne’s running knee gets two so the rest of the team gets on the apron. Jayne hits a belt shot for two but she misses a Cannonball in the corner. Slamovich’s running boot to the face connects but Fatal Influence gets up.

Here are Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Lee to even the score (this would have been a cooler moment if their names hadn’t been listed on Slamovich’s chyron at the beginning of the match) but the referee goes down. Slamovich hits the Snow Plow but there is no referee for the count, meaning the replacement referee gets a very delayed two. They trade rollups for two each before the Rolling Encore (discus forearm) makes Jayne a double champion at 12:38.

Rating: B-. It makes perfect sense, as there is something about having the unstoppable champion get stopped by someone in over their head. That’s something that has worked for years and it worked again here, with Jayne getting to look like a star again. Slamovich is going to be fine, though I’m not thrilled at the idea of Indi Hartwell as the possible Knockouts savior.

Naturally this is the darkest hour ever for TNA as Jayne is presented with the title.

Eric Young yells at the Northern Armory.

The company has set a new record for highest North American attendance. Nice job.

We recap the X-Division Title match. Leon Slater wants to become the youngest champion ever while Moose wants to become the longest reigning champion of all time. This has been set up for a few months now and it should be a good a good one.

X-Division Title: Leon Slater vs. Moose

Moose, with his old school theme, is defending. Slater slugs away to start but gets choke bombed out of the corner for two. They go outside with Slater’s hurricanrana being blocked but he’s able to send Moose into the steps. Back in and Slater can’t hit a torture rack bomb, instead being sent hard into the buckle.

The release Rock Bottom drops Slater again and they go to the apron. Another chokebomb is countered into a hurricanrana and a powerbomb is countered into another hurricanrana. Slater takes him out with a bit flip dive but the pop up powerbomb drops Slater inside. Slater’s clothesline doesn’t so much so Moose blasts him with a discus lariat. Back up and Slater gets in a hard clothesline of his own but Moose crotches him on top.

The spear gives Moose two but he misses another into the corner. Slater manages the torture rack slam into a spear of his own, followed by the Swanton 450 for two. A springboard is speared out of the air to send Slater outside, where he hits a Code Red. Back in and a Swanton into another Swanton 450 gives Slater the pin and the title at 15:27.

Rating: B. Good action with a good story and that’s all you can ask for most of the time. The idea here was Slater getting to win the big one and that has been set up for the last few months. Slater gets the big win on the major stage and that is the best possible outcome. Moose had held onto the title, but Slater sound up being different, which is the way it should have gone.

Post match Slater celebrates with his family before Moose puts the title on him in a rare show of respect. With Moose gone, AJ Styles comes out to an absolute hero’s welcome (with Slater running around in circles). Styles asks if TNA missed him and talks about his history here. He says Slater earned it and says people like Slater make Styles love this business. Styles lists off some great X-Division wrestlers and says the division is in good hands before announcing Slater as the new champion. That’s as awesome of a rub as you’ll get.

The Home Town Man is in the crowd.

We recap the four way ladder match for the Tag Team Titles. The idea here is that the Hardys aren’t sure if they have it anymore and need to prove themselves one more time. The other teams are basically window dressing.

Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Rascalz vs. First Class vs. Nemeths

The Nemeths are defending in a ladder match so they throw ladders in to start fast. The Hardys take one of them away and start to clean house, with every non-Hardy team being dropped. For some reason the Hardys go up at the same time, with Francis shoving it over for a crash onto the top rope.

Francis World’s Strongest Slams Reed onto the ladder but Navarro gets on Francis’ shoulders, allowing Wentz to hit something of a Doomsday dropkick. Francis gets crushed with a ladder and Reed hits his diving cutter to the floor. Wentz dives through a bridged ladder at ringside and Francis is pulled off the ladder so the Hardys can double team him down.

The Nemeths break it up and climb at the same time, with the Rascalz making the save this time. The big ladder is sat up and Francis climbs up for a moonsault down into a big crash. First Class goes up and are promptly shoved over for a crash onto the bridged ladders outside.

Jeff hits a Swanton onto the Rascalz on more bridged ladders but these don’t break (though the Rascalz might), so Jeff goes up and does it again. With nothing else working, Jeff grabs a remote control and a rope ladder drops down (because of course). The Nemeths go up and crash down, with the Hardys giving them stereo Twists of Fate with chairs around their necks. Jeff climbs up to get the titles at 16:46.

Rating: B-. They had some unique spots here, but there was a grand total of no reason for this to be a ladder match. It felt like they were doing one for the sake of giving the Hardys another moment, which has been done to death. We’re not that far removed from the Hardys’ most recent title win either, so it isn’t like this is some big impactful win.

Post match, here is Bully Ray of all people and I instantly do not like where this is going. Ray praises the Hardys and puts over their history together. He wants to do it one more time at Bound For Glory and the match seems to be made. For the life of me this makes my head hurt.

Santino Marella announces that Tessa Blanchard has been suspended indefinitely. With that out of the way, the Busted Open Radio hosts make their main event predictions, but Frankie Kazarian interrupts. Kazarian thinks he should be in the main event but instead he’ll sit at ringside for commentary.

We recap the main event. Joe Hendry lost the World Title to NXT’s Trick Williams. This sent a bunch of people into a quest to get the title back in TNA, with Hendry and Mike Santana getting their shot tonight.

TNA World Title: Joe Hendry vs. Mike Santana vs. Trick Williams

Williams is defending and Santana gets rapped to the ring. That’s not good enough for Williams, who has a Harlem gospel choir singing him to the ring. Williams runs his mouth to start so the other two beat him up for a trip out to the floor. Santana flips out of Hendry’s wristlock but Hendry wins an exchange of shoulders.

Spin The Block doesn’t work for Santana and Williams is back in to hammer away in the corner. Santana is sent outside and Williams gives Hendry a release Rock Bottom for two. Williams guillotines Hendry, who powers out with a suplex for the breather. Back in and Santana strikes away but Williams cuts off the Cannonball. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Hendry is back in for a powerbomb/Blockbuster combination.

Santana is sent outside and Hendry gives Williams the Standing Ovation, only for Kazarian to pull the referee out. Santana dives onto Williams but Hendry drives onto both of them. We pause for Williams to be helped up, leaving Santana to Cannonball Hendry. Back up and Hendry hits an AA into the Standing Ovation for two but Santana is back with a pair of Spin The Blocks. That’s enough for Williams to pop slide back in, dumb Santana, and steal the pin to retain at 13:16.

Rating: B-. It might not make sense, but I’m really not surprised. TNA has a tendency to have what feels like a layup for a big moment and then not deliver on it, which was the case again here. The match itself was fairly good, but I could go without seeing the “and then someone steals the win” finish to a triple threat for a long time. Odds are Williams loses the title in the main event of Bound For Glory, but dang that feels like a long way off.

Overall Rating: B-. The action was mostly good, but outside of Slater’s title win, this was a rough night to be a TNA fan. NXT is dominating the title picture right now and other than Slater, we’re heading for the Hardys vs. the Dudleys. It’s not a bad show, but dang they better have something to make the fans happy on the way to Bound For Glory, because that’s a long way off. Just give us something to be happy about, as otherwise it’s killing the mood.

Results
Elegance Brand b. IInspiration – Rarefied Air to Lee
Home Town Man b. Eric Young – Rollup
Real1/Zilla Fatu/Josh Bishop b. Steve Maclin/Jake Something/Mance Warner – Eat Defeat to Something
Mustafa Ali b. Cedric Alexander – 450
The System/Matt Cardona b. Darkstate – Boston Knee Party to Shugars
Indi Hartwell b. Tessa Blanchard – Hurts Donut
Jacy Jayne b. Masha Slamovich – Rolling Encore
Leon Slater b. Moose – Swanton 450
Hardys b. Nemeths, Rascalz and First Class – Jeff pulled down the titles
Trick Williams b. Joe Hendry and Mike Santana – Spin The Block to Hendry

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