I can never remember if I do a preview for this show or not, but it’s undoubtedly TNA’s biggest show of the year so it deserves some attention. Throw in its connection to WWE via the NXT crossovers and the show is going to be special. There are some NXT stars appearing on the card and that should make for some interesting situations, even if the main event feels easy to predict. Let’s get to it.

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

This was thrown together just before the show and that’s kind of the best fit for it. While the titles are still important enough, it isn’t like there is much in the way of a division fighting over them. In other words, it’s the same problem that has plagued these things for years. The IInspiration won the titles rather soon, and in theory that should mean something for this match.

I’ll go with the champions retaining the titles here, as there isn’t much of a reason to put them back on the Brand so soon. Unless the title change was only for the sake of getting the IInspiration, and that didn’t need to be the case, I can’t imagine such a fast title reign. The titles stay in place here, even if there aren’t exactly many teams who can come after them at the moment.

Call Your Shot Gauntlet

We’ll get this one out of the way early, mainly because we only know a handful of the people in the match. There are going to be twenty all together, but there are less than ten announced thus far. That is going to make things tricky, as one of those names is some kind of social media person. We don’t quite know much about the match and that leaves a lot of this in the dark.

Based on the people involved in the match, I’ll go with….geez I guess Mance Warner, who is in the final spot. Odds are this is going to wind up with someone who isn’t listed yet (Tommy Dreamer is all but guaranteed to be involved) but based on who is there, I can’t picture Nic Nemeth or Joe Hendry getting the win. Either way, just please don’t do the cash-in on the main event, unless the cash-in is failing.

Gia Miller vs. Tessa Blanchard

I have no idea why this is on the show. I get the story and everything, but you have a star like Blanchard and she’s fighting an interviewer who isn’t even a regular wrestler outside of TNA? In theory this is at worst some kind of punishment for Blanchard, but it feels like something that should be on Impact at best. Here we are though, and I’m still trying to get my head around it.

There is no reason to think that Miller is winning here (and TNA is absolutely insane if she does) so I’ll go with Blanchard taking it. This is one of those matches that almost needs to have some kind of interference or shenanigans to make it work, because otherwise we could be in for a near disaster. Blanchard needs to win and do something else or just get out of the company, as I have no idea why this is happening.

International Title: Frankie Kazarian(c) vs. Steve Maclin

I didn’t even realize this was on the card and that’s kind of telling about what it means. Kazarian took the title from Maclin not very long ago and we’re getting a rematch, which isn’t a bad idea at all. It isn’t like Kazarian has had the time to set something up with a new challenger so having him in there against a former World Champion is fine. Maclin has done well in his own right recently so this should be good.

Much like the Knockouts Tag Team Titles, I don’t see a reason for the title to change hands so quickly, so I’ll take Kazarian retaining. Odds are he cheats to win here, possibly with someone coming out there to help put Maclin down. It’s going to be a good one as both guys are more than solid in the ring and that’s a positive thing to have on any card, which is why it’s here.

TNA/NXT Tag Team Titles: Hardys(c) vs. Dudley Boyz

It’s a tables match (dubbed One Final Table) and…yeah if we just have to do this. I get the nostalgia aspect and all that jazz, but dang it’s hard to get my head around the idea that this is the best we have for the Tag Team Titles. Then again, it’s not like TNA has ever had any issue with pushing the Hardys WAY too hard so here we go one more time, as the clock is turned WAY back to the year 2000. In New York. In the WWF.

There is pretty much no reason to believe that this is going to be anything other than the Hardys retaining so I’m going to go with the most logical option. It’s going to be violent and probably bloody, but at the end of the day, it’s not likely that the Dudleys, who aren’t even a regular team anymore, are going to win the titles from two big time promotions. Just let them do their nostalgia deal here and move on with the Hardys retaining.

The System vs. Order 4

This is Hardcore War, which is basically WarGames without the cage. These teams have put together a nice story as I want to see them fight, which is a good sign. I’m not sure how much I need it to be hardcore, but it does feel like something that belongs on a show like Bound For Glory. What does hurt it though is that one team feels like it is on the decline while the other is on the rise and that’s what brings us to the result.

I don’t see much of a reason to believe that the System is winning here so I’ll take Order 4 to go over. This is the kind of match where Agent Zero could get some nice shine while Ali gets the win, which should make for a good moment. I’m hoping that they get to go insane here, as otherwise it’s not exactly going to be the most thrilling match, even with Order 4 winning.

Knockouts Title: Kelani Jordan(c) vs. Indi Hartwell

This is another match that feels rather thrown together, mainly due to the issue of Ash By Elegance being taken out of the picture out of nowhere. Jordan has been tossed into the spot and that’s about as good as they could have gone. Well granted it might have been better to put a TNA star into the spot instead, but I guess they’re going for the idea of a Knockout saving the title. Ignore that it’s from a not so evil champion.

So of course I’ll take Hartwell to win the title here. Even if she isn’t the most thrilling star to see out there a lot of the time, she’s the one that TNA seems to be going with at the moment, which means we’ll be seeing her get the title. Jordan is little more than a filler, and unfortunately that doesn’t leave much in the way of drama about what is likely happening here.

X-Division Title: Leon Slater(c) vs. Je’Von Evans

This is one of those ideas that pretty much sells itself. Here we have two incredibly talented wrestlers getting to go out there and go nuts for however long. It’s something that TNA has made work for years and that is what we are likely going to be seeing again here. Evans is someone that WWE clearly wants to push and Slater is someone who TNA is already giving quite the spot, so this should be a blast.

While I could see a slight chance of Evans winning here, I’ll take Slater to retain. TNA has lost more than enough to NXT over the course of their time together so there isn’t much of a reason to believe it will happen again here. It’s a match that should be all kinds of fun and they should be flying all over the place until Slater hits that awesome Swanton 450 to retain.

TNA World Title: Trick Williams(c) vs. Mike Santana

Here’s where we get to the biggest issue: I see a grand total of no reason to believe that Williams has any kind of a chance here. Williams has been the champion for a few months now and the idea has been that TNA needs to get the title back from the NXT invader. That’s where Santana comes in, and the fact that he has been built up so well makes it feel even more likely.

This very well might be the easiest pick on the card, as I can’t imagine that TNA would manage to screw this up two years in a row. Much like last year with Joe Hendry, Santana is ready to become the top star in the company and that is why we should be seeing a title change. Just go with what it needs to be and make the whole thing into a big happy ending for everyone involved. Unless they end with the Hardys again, which very well may be the case.

Overall Thoughts

I’m liking the show well enough, but as usual, it’s going to depend on how the two longer form matches go. In this case that means the gauntlet match and the Hardcore War, which could wind up being long and dull as they have been in the past. If we get the big happy ending of Santana winning the title though, it should work out well enough, as the card looks pretty good. Just make it more about TNA than NXT and everything should be fine.

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

NXT
Date: October 7, 2025
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

THEY’RE HERE! Granted they’ve been here for the last few months, but tonight is the big showdown between NXT and TNA. We have four matches between the two of them, including a pair of Survivor Series matches, a regular title match and a winner take all Tag Team Title match. I’d call that a loaded show so let’s get to it.

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

The opening video looks at the origins of both NXT and TNA while talking about how this seemed impossible for years. Then TNA showed up here and the fight was on, with tonight’s show being set up.

TNA Tag Team Titles/NXT Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Darkstate

Title for title and yeah the fans still know the Hardys and the Dudley Boyz are in the crowd. All four members of Darkstate run in for the brawl though and are quickly dispatched by the Hardys but they’re right back up. Shugars and James are sent to the back though and it’s Lennox getting taken down with the Spin Cycle for an early two. A Poetry In Motion clothesline hits Lennox but Griffin gets in a cheap shot.

Darkstate can’t get a double clothesline right and Griffin manages to miss a legdrop despite Jeff not moving. Booker: “Did he miss that?” Jeff dodges another one (at least on purpose this time) and knocks Griffin down, allowing Matt to come back in. A few rooms of the house are cleaned but Lennox knocks him down again as we take a break.

We come back with Lennox hammering on Jeff and throwing in a jumping splash. Griffin chokes on the rope but Jeff fights up and hits a better Whisper In The Wind to take them both down. The tag brings Matt back in to clean house and a Plot Twist gets two. Everything breaks down and Matt slips out of a Doomsday Device, setting up the Twist of Fate to Lennox. The Swanton gives Jeff the pin and the titles 10:48.

Rating: C. There were some rough spots in there but the Hardys getting to add yet another title to their incredible resume is hardly a stretch. They likely won’t hold them that long and (probably) get to be double champions heading into Bound For Flory. Darkstate will likely get a rematch and maybe even get the belts back. For now though, this is a nice result as TNA needed to win something for a change.

Team NXT vs. Team TNA

NXT: Jacy Jayne, Lola Vice, Jaida Parker, Sol Ruca
TNA: Kelani Jordan, Cassie Lee, Jessie McKay, Mara Sade

Survivor Series rules and Jordynne Grace is guest referee. Jayne knocks Kelani down to start so it’s off to Vice, who gets taken down by the IInspiration. Sade comes in and has to be saved from a double suplex. Everyone comes in and they have the big staredown into the big brawl. They head outside and Ruca hits a dive, followed by another one from Kelani as we take a break.

We come back with Sade dropping a knee and it’s back to Jayne for a middle rope flipping splash. Parker drives McKay into the corner and stacks Lee on top of her for the hip attack. Sade breaks it up and totally overshoots a moonsault, with her hands grazing Parker. A Falcon Arrow gives Parker two as Kelani breaks it up with a top rope splash. Everything breaks down again and we get the parade of knockdowns until Sade drops Parker for the pin at 12:50. Ruca is up with Sol Snatcher gets rid of Sade at 13:02 and we take another break.

We come back again with Vice cleaning house with the kicks, plus the running hip attacks. Lee and Vice trade missed kicks to the head until Vice hits the spinning backfist for the pin at 17:00. A triangle choke makes McKay tap at 17:10 with Kelani not being able to make the save. We’re down to Kelani vs. Jayne/Ruca/Vice but the Lee and McKay pull Ruca and Vice down. Kelani hits One Of A Kid for a rather delayed two on Jayne, leaving Kelani to argue.

Jayne’s rollup gets two more and she hits a nasty kick from the apron to Kelani on the floor. Jayne seems to have hurt her foot as Vice tags herself back in, so Kelani shoves them together. An Angle Slam gives Kelani the pin on Vice (with the ring announcer being confused about it being an elimination rather than the final pin) at 20:18. Ruca comes in and gets planted down, allowing Kelani to go up top, where Ruca kicks her in the head. A super Spanish Fly plants Ruca but a 450 hits raised knees. The Sol Snatcher kind of connects but Jayne tags herself in to get the final pin on Kelani at 23:09.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure if the TNA stars are nervous or what but it’s been a pretty sloppy night. At the same time, it’s not a good sign when the final four women in the match are all from NXT, as it doesn’t quite make the TNA women look good. Grace wasn’t much of a factor but she’ll probably be going after Jayne soon enough. Either way, nice long match here, with the ending being a logical way to go.

Matt Cardona comes in to see Ava and doesn’t mind that he made Josh Briggs mad. Briggs comes in, doesn’t see Cardona, and gets a match with him next week. Briggs leaves and Cardona says he loves this place.

North American Title: Mustafa Ali vs. Ethan Page

Page is defending. They fight over wrist control to start and Ali spins him around into a backslide for two. The rolling neckbreaker into a standing moonsault gives Ali two so Page bails out to the floor. The chase is on and Page gets in a cheap shot as we take a break. We come back with Ali hitting a sunset bomb, which seems to shock him more than anyone else. Page crotches him on top and one heck of a pump kick gives Page two, with Ali bridging out to leave Page stunned.

Ali’s tornado DDT gets two and he goes up top, only to miss the 450. A hurricanrana and superkick have Page in trouble and the Twisted Grin is countered into a rollup for two. Page is sent outside for a VERY hard suicide dive, sending both of them over the announcers’ table. Ali goes up again but gets his foot caught in a microphone cord, allowing Page to shove him down to the floor. That’s enough to set up the Twisted Grin to retain the title at 14:02.

Rating: B+. This was a heck of a match as Ali knows how to leave it all in the ring when he’s given the chance. I’m glad that they let him be the good guy version of himself as it works so much better in the ring. I didn’t think the title would change hands, but at least the loss came after an awesome performance from both.

El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. wants Ethan page but Lexis King interrupts and says there is NO doctor named Wagner anywhere in Mexico. King thinks it’s Tavion Heights under the mask and Heights pops up behind him.

The NXT women’s team is technically happy with their win but Zaria comes in to still not be happy. Ruca apologizes for Zaria not being on the team and says they’ll be Women’s Tag Team Champions. Blake Monroe comes in and says Zaria will never be champion if Ruca holds her back. Monroe suggests she’s coming for the Women’s North American Title.

Team NXT vs. Team TNA

TNA: Mike Santana, Frankie Kazarian, Moose, Leon Slater
NXT: Ricky Saints, Trick Williams, Myles Borne, Je’Von Evans

Survivor Series rules again and Joe Hendry is guest referee. Kazarian and Williams start things off with Williams slugging away and hitting a big dropkick. Borne comes in for a neckbreaker and everything breaks down with Borne hitting a big flip dive to the floor. Back in and Borne hits a flipping neckbreaker but walks into a slingshot cutter to give Kazarian the elimination at 2:21.

We take a break and come back with Kazarian working over Evans and getting mad at Hendry’s count. Slater comes in and gets beaten up by Williams, who throws his jersey away before chopping Slater in the corner. That’s broken up and Santana comes in for the Bound For Glory preview…but Williams tags Evans in instead. Evans is up with the flip dive but Moose pulls him out of the air. A hurricanrana sends Moose flying but Slater rolls Evans up for the pin at 11:21.

It’s 4-2 and we take another break, coming back with Williams fighting back against Moose. Williams won’t tag so Saints has to do it for him to kick Moose in the head. Slater comes in with a Blue Thunder Bomb and Saints goes for the tag…but Williams drops to the floor and walks out. That leaves Saints alone, but he reverses Kazarian’s crossface chickenwing into a rollup for the pin at 17:50.

Slater’s frog splash gets two on Saints and he hits a running dropkick in the corner. The Swanton 450 (as cool as it sounds) hits raised knees though and Saints pins Slater at 19:03. Moose comes in to take over and hit a backsplash but Saints fights back again. It’s back to Santana to kick away at Saints, followed by a belly to back faceplant for two. Everything breaks down and Moose spears Santana by mistake for a rather near fall. Spin The Block misses and Moose gives Saints a powerbomb. Spin The Block finishes Saints at 22:49.

Rating: B. Well the ending was a bit surprising, but TNA had to win here after losing the women’s match. I was worried about Saints pinning another TNA star after he pinned a pair of champions in less than two minutes but Santana kicking out was the right way to go. Williams leaving Bad News Brown style is perfectly fitting for him and Saints went down fighting before losing to TNA, so it all made sense.

Ava and Santino Marella are in the back and Ava invites some Knockouts to be in next week’s battle royal for the #1 contendership to the NXT Women’s Title. Marella accepts to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The show felt big, though I was waiting for some huge moment to end the show and it just never happened. This isn’t the ending to the story and it makes enough sense as it keeps a lot of fresh talent coming into NXT. I liked the show well enough and it lived up to the hype, with Bound For Glory getting enough of a boost as well. Good show, though it could have been better with some kind of a big angle or moment.

Results
Hardys b. Darkstate – Swanton to Lennox
Team NXT b. Team TNA last eliminating Kelani Jordan
Ethan Page b. Mustafa Ali – Twisted Grin
Team TNA b. Team NXT last eliminating Ricky Saints

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

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Impact Wrestling
Date: October 2, 2025
Location: Edmonton Expo Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re done with Victory Road and that means a few new champions, including Frankie Kazarian as the new International Champion. The biggest news is that we have a new Knockouts Champion in the form of NXT’s Kelani Jordan as Ash By Elegance was forced to vacate the title. Let’s get to it.

Here is Victory Road if you need a recap.

Long Victory Road recap.

Santino Marella tells Mike Santana that he can’t touch Trick Williams outside of being physically provoked.

Opening sequence.

Here is Frankie Kazarian for the King’s Speech. There are a bunch of people coming for his title so he’s ready to fight. First though, he’s ready to wait here for his standing ovation. Kazarian talks down about various other champions before bringing out new Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan.

Kazarian tells her about how evil the other Knockouts can be and suggests that Jordan is a fluke. Jordan lists off what she’s done but Kazarian says he doesn’t like the NXT stars as champions. That includes Trick Williams, who wouldn’t have beaten Kazarian. Cue Williams, who wants some respect on his name.

Williams brings up Mike Santana, but gets interrupted by Matt Hardy, who talks about why this company is on fire. Kazarian brings up how Jeff Hardy isn’t allowed in Canada but here is Leon Slater to defend his mentors. Jordan talks about herself instead so here is Indi Hartwell, to say she’s a different kind of challenger. Cue Santino Marella to try and calm things down. And make a six person tag, with Santana on commentary.

Frankie Kazarian/Trick Williams/Kelani Jordan vs. Indi Hartwell/Matt Hardy/Leon Slater

Mike Santana is on commentary. Hartwell and Jordan trade rollups for two each to start before Kazarian comes in. Hardy works on his arm and it’s off to Slater to hammer away in the corner. The women are already back in as we hear about TNA vs. NXT Showdown. Some knees to the back set up a bodyscissors on Hartwell, which doesn’t last long as Hartwell brings in Slater. Some running kicks in the corner put Williams down but he’s back with a full nelson as we take a break.

We come back with Kazarian hitting Williams by mistake, allowing the tag back to Hardy. The Side Effect gets two on Williams but Kazarian comes back in. Kazarian can’t get the chickenwing, instead having to settle for a slingshot cutter to Slater. Hartwell shoulders Kazarian down though and hits a top rope elbow as everything breaks down. Kazarian knocks Williams into Santana so the beatdown is on, with Slater hitting a big running flip dive to take Kazarian out. The Swanton 450 gives Slater the pin at 12:56.

Rating: B-. Slater’s rise continues and that is rather nice to see. The guy is one of the most talented stars in the company and he is holding up when it comes to the bigger challenges. You don’t see that very often, though I’m not quite sold on seeing the new champion take a fall less than a week after winning the title.

The TNA Showdown teams, plus some other stars, come out to the stage, with Tommy Dreamer getting to do the big pep talk.

Video on Mara Sade (Or “Kay…Mara Sade.” according to Kelani Jordan this week on NXT).

We look at the big TNA vs. NXT brawl earlier this week.

Angel Warriors vs. Kat Von Heez/Ava Lawless

Lawless pulls Lee by the hair to start and it’s already off to Brookside as everything breaks down. Stereo right hands in the corner have Heez and Lawless in trouble and it’s off to Heez for a big legdrop. Brookside fights out of Lawless’ chinlock as everything breaks down. Thunderstruck sets up an assisted Brooksie Bomb for the pin on Heez at 4:06.

Rating: C. Just a step above a squash here and that’s how you get a new team over. The Warriors aren’t anything revolutionary but I can go with actually building up a new team to come after the titles. Just let them do this again a few more times and they’ll be set, as it isn’t like there is much of a division in the first place.

Joe Hendry is happy with beating Eric Young when Santino Marella comes in to make Hendry vs. Young next week, No DQ.

We get another Mike Santana video as Amazing Red (TNA legend) talks about all of the people who have paved the way for him to get here. He has faced disappointment after disappointment and now Santana needs to succeed. Trick Williams has come into his house and it’s time for Santana to fight back for all of them.

Nic Nemeth vs. Hometown Man

Ryan Nemeth is here too and offers an early distraction so Nic can take over. Man fights back but gets neckbreakered down, allowing Nic to drop the elbows. Some choking on the ropes lets Nic go after the mask, which triggers a comeback. A dropkick and running elbow set up Sliced Bread #2 for two on Nic, with Ryan putting a boot on the rope. Man dives onto Ryan and gets his mask back from Victory Road but he walks into a superkick. The Danger Zone gives Nic the pin at 4:19.

Rating: C. That’s Man’s first loss and it’s not exactly a terrible moment to lose to one of the biggest stars in the company. The same thing has happened to a bunch of people on the roster and there is a good chance that this continues for a few more weeks. Man’s deal isn’t exactly high concept stuff, but it’s working well enough.

Post match the beatdown is on but Matt Cardona makes the save. Where was he five minutes ago?

Gia Miller has allowed Tessa Blanchard’s suspension to be lifted and now they’re fighting at Bound For Glory. Miller doesn’t even care if she wins or loses, as long as she gets to beat Blanchard up. That’s the best they have for Blanchard at the biggest show of the year?

Tasha Steelz vs. Alisha Edwards

Their respective stables are here too. Edwards hammers away to start but Order 4 offers a distraction. Steelz chops her around and pounds Edwards down into the corner. A Falcon Arrow and superkick give Steelz two each and it’s time for everyone to argue on the floor. In the melee, Steelz gets a kendo stick but Edwards takes it away. One good shot and a Pedigree finish Steelz off at 4:23.

Rating: C. This was a good example of “it was exactly what it needed to be” as they gave us a nice preview of the Hardcore War at Bound For Glory. You don’t often see Edwards getting in the ring but she can handle herself in there and what little time she got here went well. They’re setting this story up well and that’s a promising sign.

Post match the brawl is on again.

Tessa Blanchard talks about helping Gia Miller, who stormed off and went to train with Mike Jackson. She’s fine with beating Miller up again.

Knockouts Tag Team Titles: IInspiration vs. Elegance Brand

The Brand is defending. McKay clotheslines Heather down to start and Lee quickly comes in for a double hiptoss. Heather sends her into the corner though and it’s off to M for a running boot to the face. Lee hurricanranas her way out of the corner and stomps away on Heather as everything breaks down.

Stereo corner clotheslines allow the IInspiration to pose but Heather sends Lee into the corner. It’s back to M to stomp away and a suplex gets two as we take a break. We come back with M’s running backsplash getting two but McKay breaks away. Thankfully M is right there to pull Lee off the apron, meaning there’s no tag just yet.

A big boot gets two on McKay and it’s off to the double arm crank. That’s broken up and the tag brings in Lee to clean house. Lee’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets two on Heather but M is there with a superkick to give Heather two of her own. The Personal Concierge gives Heather some champagne, which goes into M’s face by mistake. The Idolizer gives the IInspiration the titles back at 14:17.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have much of a choice here, as there was little reason to keep the Elegance Brand together after Ash went away. The IInspiration are a great example of a team who can give the titles some stability before they drop them down to another team. If nothing else, this shows that the IInspiration still has it rather than living off their past successes, which was rather needed.

Overall Rating: C+. In theory all sights should be set on Bound For Glory but that is only going to happen after Showdown next week. That makes for a bit of rushed build, though the stuff with NXT will give TNA even better exposure. They need to get to the Bound For Glory build exclusively though, which hopefully will be the case next week.

Results
Leon Slater/Matt Hardy/Indi Hartwell b. Frankie Kazarian/Trick Williams/Kelani Jordan – Swanton 450 to Kazarian
Angel Warriors b. Kat Von Heez/Ava Lawless – Heaven Sent to Heez
Nic Nemeth b. Hometown Man – Danger Zone
Alisha Edwards b. Tasha Steelz – Pedigree
IInspiration b. Elegance Brand – Idolizer to M

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:

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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: 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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Emergence 2025
Date: August 15, 2025
Location: Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s another big show and in this case we’ve got someone else trying to bring the World Title back to the company. The main event is Trick Williams defending the World Title against Moose, which should make for a good power match. Other than that, we have the Tag Team Titles on the line as the Hardys defend against the Rascalz. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Indi Hartwell vs. Rosemary

And we’re not in a good place to start as we get a graphic saying “lost signal”. We do see the opening bell and Hartwell hammers away, only to get bitten in the head. The feed keeps glitching and we come back to see Rosemary holding the Upside Down. Rosemary crushes her in the corner and we’re lost signaled again until Rosemary can hit a DDT. Hartwell makes the comeback but the signal goes away again, coming back Hartwell dropping a top rope elbow. Rosemary fights up and tries the mist but cue Dani Luna to cut it off. The Hurts Donut gives Hartwell the pin at 5:34.

Rating: C. The signal issues messed with the match a bit but there is only so much that can be done about that. Hartwell beating Rosemary is another big step for her and it would not surprise me to see Hartwell getting a title shot either at Victory Road or even Bound For Glory. I’m not sure where this leaves Rosemary, but the fact that she returned and then lost so soon is really not a good sign.

Kickoff Show: Home Town Man vs. Ryan Nemeth

Before the match, Nemeth insults the city so Man comes out with some local radio hosts. He’s ready to fight like his childhood hero, Cal Ripken Jr., and hammers away to start, including some running knees in the corner. Nemeth is back with a dropkick though and we get in the hip swiveling. The feed keeps cutting up as Nemeth pulls him out of the corner and grabs a chinlock. Man fight sup with a swinging slam and the airplane spin into a TKO gets two. Nemeth’s DDT (ala Nic) gets two but he pulls Man out of the corner and gets rolled up for the pin at 5:48.

Rating: C. This was exactly what you would have expected it to be, as Nemeth isn’t going to win anything important on his own and the Home Town Man is as easy of a reaction as you’re going to get. It’s a case of “don’t overthink things” and they did it as well as could be expected. Nice enough addition here, as Nemeth losing is always worth a look.

And now, the show proper.

The opening video is a basic look at the show’s bigger matches. Not exactly riveting stuff there but it doesn’t need to be.

X-Division Title: Leon Slater vs. Cedric Alexander

Slater is defending. Some grappling goes nowhere so Slater goes after the leg, sending Alexander straight to the rope. Slater kicks him in the face and they head out to the apron, where Alexander snaps off an STO to take over. Slater gets dropped on the apron and a Michinoku Driver gives Alexander two. Alexander kicks him down for two more and a German suplex cuts off Slater’s comeback attempt.

A hard whip into the corner gets two and Alexander is looking frustrated. Some right hands in the corner start to fire Slater up and he comes out with a clothesline. Slater starts going after the leg again and a high crossbody gets two. Alexander is right back with a kick to the head and brainbuster.

They go up top and Alexander’s superplex is reversed into a swinging superplex. Alexander raises the knees to block the Swanton 450 though and they trade rollups for two each. Slater sends him outside for the big flip dive over the corner but Alexander is right back with a Spanish Fly. Alexander tries a rollup but gets reversed into a Styles Clash (nice touch from Slammiversary). The Swanton 450 retains the title at 14:29.

Rating: B. Yeah of course this was good, as Alexander is a more than competent hand and Slater has figured out a style that works for him. That dive over the corner and the Swanton 450 always look great and it was made even better by having him out there against a seasoned veteran. TNA might have something special with Slater and they seem to know it, which is a great sign. Also, the feed issues seem to have been solved so that’s a nice bonus.

Respect is shown post match.

We run down the rest of the card.

Trick Williams and First Class are ready to win their matches tonight.

Matt Cardona vs. Mustafa Ali

Order 4 is here with Ali. Feeling out process to start with neither getting very far. Cardona’s clothesline into a flapjack drops Ali but he slips out of a suplex attempt. Instead Cardona sends him outside and takes out Order 4 before posting Ali. Back in and the middle rope dropkick connects but Tasha Steelz offers a distraction, allowing Ali to grab a hanging DDT to the floor.

The chinlock goes on back inside until Cardona suplexes his way to freedom. Ali hits his rolling neckbreaker for two but Cardona hits a faceplant. A DDT gives Cardona two but Radio Silence is countered into a sitout powerbomb for two. Cardona fights up again and drops Ali, which draws in Order 4. They’re cut off as well but Ali hits a Helluva Kick into a 450 but Cardona reverses into a crucifix for the pin at 9:43.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure about this one, as Ali had all of his help and still got pinned clean. Yeah Cardona is a big name, but that doesn’t mean he should be beating someone at Ali’s level under these circumstances. I keep waiting for Ali to break through to the next stage but with results like this, it might be a bit before it happens.

Post match Agent 0 comes in to lay Cardona out but the System makes the save.

First Class vs. The System

Myers elbows Swann down to start and works on the arm. A dropkick puts Swann down and Edwards comes in for the chops in the corner. Swann is tossed over the top but gets caught by Francis. Myers has to go outside and save Alisha Edwards, allowing Swann to post him. Back in and Francis’ big boot gets two and Swann’s moonsault gets the same.

Myers manages to knock Francis down though and Edwards comes in to…actually get splashed in the corner almost immediately. Edwards comes out with a Blue Thunder Bomb to Swann but Francis cuts him off with a headbutt. Edwards manages a quick suplex though and the System Overload is loaded up. Hold on though as cue Order 4 for the brawl, with Edwards hitting a suicide dive. Agent 0 chokebombs him onto the apron though and Francis’ chokeslam is good for the pin at 8:35.

Rating: C+. See, this is more what I was expecting from Cardona vs. Ali. The villains won here because they played the numbers game, with the System not being able to overcome it. Either way, I could go for the System vs. Order 4, though it would be nice if either side was winning a bit more to set that up.

We recap Sami Callihan vs. Mike Santana. Callihan has been falling apart as of late and isn’t sure if he has it anymore. Santana, who gets along with Callihan, wants the old version of him back for their match.

Mike Santana vs. Sami Callihan

If Callihan loses, he’s retiring and Joe Hendry comes out for commentary as a bonus. Callihan says he’s done if he loses, but what if we make it a street fight? Santana is in and we’re ready to go. They both try their finishers to start but settle for a double clothesline. Callihan Stunners him to the floor and follows, with Santana popping back up for an Asai moonsault.

A backdrop on the ramp cuts Santana off and it’s time for the weapons to be brought in. This includes a poster to cut Santana’s finger and mouth but Santana is fine enough to dropkick him out of the air. Callihan is back up with a staple gun to the chest and a Cactus Driver 97 gets two. Another one gets the same but Santana sends him into a chair in the corner. The Cannonball connects to give Santana two and the rolling Buck Fifty gets one. Spin The Block gives Santana the pin at 11:15 (with Callihan seemingly screwing up the kickout).

Rating: C. The street fight aspect only added so much here as Callihan’s career seems to come to an end. At the end of the day, that only means so much around here as Callihan hasn’t meant much in a good while. Having Santana be the one to retire him is enough of a boost for Santana, but the match wasn’t exactly worth seeing.

Post match Callihan leaves his boots in the ring and walks off. He heads to the back for some applause but Eric Young yells at him. Joe Hendry gets in his face and tensions are high.

We look at Home Town Man beating Ryan Nemeth on the Kickoff Show.

Ryan says HIS BIG BROTHER is coming back and they’ll get their rematch for the Tag Team Titles.

Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Elegance Brand vs. Fatal Influence vs. Xia Brookside/Lei Ying Lee vs. IInspiration

The Brand is defending but before the match, Lee is presented with a new contract. There are all kinds of people at ringside too so this has quite the mess potential. McKay and Henley start things off but M tags herself in, only to get double teamed by the IInspiration. Nyx and Heather come in, with Heather getting caught in a double flapjack as the rapid tags continue. The IInspiration beat up Henley but McKay gets put in a bow and arrow for a top rope double stomp from Heather.

Brookside and Lee come in to beat up M until the Brand double teams her instead (this is as all over the place as it sounds as people are switching places every few moments). Nyx gets caught in Lee’s spinning faceplant and the seconds get in a big brawl in the ring. That’s good for a mass ejection before Brookside and Lee hit dives to the floor. The Tower Of Doom is broken up so it’s a superplex to leave everyone down. A string of knockdowns sets up a belt shot to McKay so M can retain the titles at 11:25.

Rating: B-. This was getting good at the end but there were so many people doing so many things at once that it was more of a big mess for the most part. The champs retaining is fine, even if it means them going over almost the entire division at once. I’m not sure who is going to take the titles from them, but it isn’t like there is a ton of competition in the first place.

We look at Indi Hartwell beating Rosemary on the Kickoff Show.

Hartwell wants the Knockouts Title and thanks Dani Luna for helping her, but she has this.

We recap Jake Something challenging Steve Maclin for the International Title. They’ve been brawling so it’s time for (basically) a street fight.

International Title: Steve Maclin vs. Jake Something

Something is challenging, there are no countouts or disqualifications, and Frankie Kazarian is on commentary. Maclin has his special face paint on so he…grabs a headlock to start. They go outside in a hurry to slug it out, with Maclin sending him into the steps. Back in and Maclin hits a running knee into Jar headbutt for two. A double clothesline leaves both of them down and they slug it out.

Something gets clever by stepping on Maclin’s foot so he can’t move and then hitting him in the face. An Angle Slam knocks Something outside but he knocks the Scud out of the air. Into The Void connects on the floor and Something powerbombs him onto the steps. They go up the aisle and Maclin sends him off the stage for a big dive. Back in and Maclin ties him in the Tree Of Woe but Something manages to choke him while upside down. That’s clever but broken up rather quickly, with Maclin hitting the three shoulders. KIA retains the title at 12:22.

Rating: B. This was the match I was looking forward to the most on the card and they didn’t quite get over the hump from good to something even better. It was a hard hitting fight and Maclin got something of the win, though Something losing yet another high profile match isn’t a good sign. Either way, Maclin vs. Kazarian seems likely, probably with Kazarian taking the title at Bound For Glory.

Post match Maclin praises Something but gets in an argument with Kazarian, telling him “any time”.

Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Rascalz

The Hardys are defending. Matt and Wentz fight over wrist control to start with Matt running him over with a shoulder. Some dropkicks put Matt down though and it’s off to Jeff vs. Reed. Another dropkick connects with Jeff so Matt makes a blind tag, giving us a four way standoff. We settle down to Matt doing his ten rams into the turnbuckles but Wentz kicks the Hardys into each other. It’s back to Reed for a kick to the head and a slingshot Fameasser for two on Matt, followed by the chinlock.

Matt isn’t having that and comes up with a Side Effect, allowing Jeff to come back in. Jeff’s top rope superplex hits Reed but Wentz drops a frog splash, only for Matt to hit a top rope elbow and leave everyone down. The Hardys are back up but Poetry In Motion is cut off. A slingshot Codebreaker/top rope double stomp to the back combination gets two on Jeff, who blocks the diving cutter to the floor. The Twist Of Fate on the floor drops Reed and the Swanton retains the titles at 11:54.

Rating: B-. I actually wasn’t sure how this was going to go as the Hardys have the Dudleys waiting on them at Bound For Glory. That doesn’t necessarily have to be for the titles so the belts felt like they were in jeopardy here. The match itself worked as the Hardys were playing the veteran roles here and didn’t try to keep up with the much faster, younger team. That’s all they can do these days as it’s more about being cunning and smart, which can still make for some fine matches.

It’s time for First Class Penthouse. They both put over Maryland (Swann’s hometown and where Francis went to college) but their real success was when they left. Cue the Baltimore Ravens mascot but the System comes out to back him up. Alisha Edwards does her catchphrase until Francis cuts her off. That’s good for a slap and Francis ends the show.

We recap Moose challenging Trick Williams for the World Title. Williams is the invader and Moose is trying to bring it back. Simple, but logical.

TNA World Title: Moose vs. Trick Williams

Williams is defending and seems to have some Harlem Heath inspired gear while Moose is the hometown star. They shove each other around to start and Moose isn’t having any of Williams’ chops. The fight heads outside, where Williams reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. Williams sends him into the steps and chops away in front of Moose’s family.

Back in and Moose hits a quick crossbody, only to be sent crashing into the corner. The front facelock keeps Moose down but he’s back up with some hard chops. Williams mocks Moose’s fist pump deal and gets planted with a release Rock Bottom. The backsplash and pop up powerbomb give Moose two each but Williams is back with an AA for two of his own.

Moose catches him on top with a superplex but Williams pops up with a regular suplex. The spear connects, with Williams wisely heading outside. Moose loads up another spear, which is countered with a backdrop through the announcers’ table. Back in and the referee gets bumped so another spear gives Moose no count. Williams is back up with a Trick Shot for two so he hits two more for the retaining pin at 16:48.

Rating: B-. This was running uphill as there was a grand total of no reason to believe that Moose was taking the title. Williams is all but destined to lose the title at the biggest show of the year to give TNA their big win in the battle with NXT so Moose was just the next victim here. They had a nice power match and didn’t go too long, but yeah this was never in doubt.

President Carlos Silva has to present Williams the title. Some Hollywood Hogan guitaring takes us out.

Overall Rating: B. For a show with very little in the way of drama or wondering who was going to win most of the bigger matches, I had a nice time with this one. It’s a show where very little of note happened, but it clears some of the way before we get to Bound For Glory (with only Victory Road in the way). Good show here, and now we get to move on to the really big stuff.

Results
Indi Hartwell b. Rosemary – Hurts Donut
Home Town Man b. Ryan Nemeth – Rollup
Leon Slater b. Cedric Alexander – Swanton 450
Matt Cardona b. Mustafa Ali – Crucifix
First Class b. The System – Chokeslam to Edwards
Mike Santana b. Sami Callihan – Spin The Block
Elegance Brand b. Fatal Influence, IInspiration and Lei Ying Lee/Xia Brookside – Belt shot to McKay
Steve Maclin b. Jake Something – KIA
Hardys b. Rascalz – Swanton to Reed
Trick Williams b. Moose – Trick Shot

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 31, 2025
Location: Thomas M. Ryan Center, Kingston, Rhode Island
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re continuing to see the rise of Mike Santana, who beat Joe Hendry last week in probably the biggest win of his career. Other than that, we’re getting ready for Emergence, which is one of the last stops on the way to Bound For Glory. The shows are going to need some work and we might find out some of those developments this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

X-Division Title: Cedric Alexander vs. Jason Hotch vs. Leon Slater

Slater is defending and Hotch has Order 4 with him. Alexander wrestles them both down at the same time (that’s impressive) but Slater kicks him in the head. Back up and Alexander drops both of them, including a running kick to Hotch’s head. A Falcon Arrow gets two on Slater but Hotch German suplexes both of them. Hotch drops both of them with a middle rope moonsault to the floor, only for Slater to come back with a hanging Twist Of Fate. The Swanton 450 finishes Hotch at 4:05.

Rating: C+. Good, fast paced opener here with Slater getting to show what he can do in a more traditional X-Division match. Slater got his big moment and Slammiversary and it’s probably going to be a big before he had a next major challenger. This was a nice filler on the way to whatever that happens to be.

Post match Alexander and Slater have a staredown.

Masha Slamovich is ready to get the Knockouts Title back.

Cedric Alexander comes up to Leon Slater and a singles match is teased.

Indi Hartwell/Dani Luna vs. Arianna Grace/Jody Threat

Grace and Luna start things off with Grace spinning around and posing. That means a headlock takeover from Luna as Victoria Crawford, who apparently put the match together, comes out to watch. Grace fights up and brings Luna into the corner for the tag to Threat. A running crossbody puts Luna down and she misses a charge out to the floor. Back in and Grace stomps Luna down but the tag brings in Hartwell to stomp away. It’s quickly back to Threat, who walks into the Lunar Landing to give Luna the pin at 6:24.

Rating: C. While I hope that Hartwell and Luna aren’t slotted into a team, I’m not sure what any of these four have going on at the moment. Hartwell is coming off a big win at Slammiversary, but I can’t quite picture her as anything more than a challenger of the month for the Knockouts Title. The other three are just kind of there, which isn’t the brightest sign for their futures.

Jake Something wants the International Title. Steve Maclin comes in for the staredown.

Rascalz vs. Nemeths

The Nemeths try to jump them from behind but get cut off and sent to the floor. We settle down to the Nemeths taking over on Reed with Ryan elbowing him down for two. Nic’s chinlock doesn’t last long so he grabs a neckbreaker instead. Reed manages a Stundog Millionaire to escape and it’s off to Wentz to pick up the pace. Nic sneaks in a superkick from the floor to give Ryan two but Reed’s running diving cutter takes him down. Wentz Spiral Taps Ryan for the pin at 6:15.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have time to do much here but the Rascalz getting into the title picture isn’t a bad idea. The Hardys need someone to come after the belts before they face Team 3D at Bound For Glory (because that’s a thing) and the Rascalz could work well. It’s not like the Nemeths felt like they were a long term option as a top team anyway.

Post match the Nemeths say they didn’t get pinned to lose the titles so they want their rematch. Ryan mocks Rhode Island and that brings out the Home Town Man, who says these people are beautiful. The Nemeths try to say he’s really….and Home Town Man turns it into his theme song. The brawl is on and the mask is ripped off, but security covers his face with a towel. Eventually the Rascalz make the save.

Frankie Kazarian is tired of the lack of respect around here and wants to talk to company president Carlos Silva.

Here is Mike Santana for a chat. Standing in the crowd, Santana says that with everyone watching, he lost at Slammiversary. He has lost before and it makes him fight even harder. Santana walks to the ring and talks about seeing his daughter crying after his loss. As upset as he was, he had to be a dad and tell her it would be ok. Mark his words: he will be World Champion. Dang this is working and he needs to win the title.

Knockouts Title: Jacy Jayne vs. Masha Slamovich

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is defending. They trade some fast rollups for two each to start and it goes so well that they keep going until Slamovich hits a running clothesline. Fatal Influence gets in a cheap shot though and Jayne adds a running knee from the apron. A running neckbreaker gives Jayne two and she grabs a chinlock. Slamovich fights up….and here is Ash By Elegance to jump her from behind for the DQ at 3:30.

Rating: C-. This didn’t have time to do anything but the point was to get rid of the contractually obligated rematch and set up something new for the future. As usual, Jayne doesn’t really have much of a chance in a one on one fight, but that’s the point of her run. It’s going to make her eventual loss feel that much more important and it could happen anytime she is in the ring, which is a nice twist.

The rest of the Elegance Brand gets in to argue with Fatal Influence. Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside run in to clear the ring.

KC Navarro is still injured and AJ Francis is NOT happy with him.

Ash By Elegance and Masha Slamovich have to be held apart. Santino Marella gives Ash a Knockouts Title shot next week, with the winner defending against Slamovich. Marella says these women drive him crazy.

Video on Mara Sade, who has an athletic background and wants to mix it up with looking fabulous. This is more individual attention than she got in her time in NXT.

Here is Order 4 for their victory rally. Mustafa Ali complains about the outsiders coming here to take their titles and now it is time to change. He introduces the new monster security guard as Agent Zero but the fans do not want to see Ali as the World Champion. Ali makes the mistake of insulting Joe Hendry, who is immediately there to interrupt.

Hendry mentions Ali having a secret service, but there are no secrets around here. This includes some footage of John Skyler, whose face is shown on a Wrestling Buddy. “Skyler” ate pizza, bought a Joe Hendry shirt, and used a Mustafa Ali shirt to clean himself off. Ali vs. Hendry is set for next week. I can absolutely go with Ali getting a bigger, more prominent role.

Earlier this week, Sami Callihan was asked about his future. Moose was right when he said Callihan wasn’t the same man he once was. Callihan needs to prove himself, so he wants a match with Mike Santana. If he can’t win there, he might be done for good.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

The System vs. Trick Williams/AJ Francis

Alisha Edwards and the still injured KC Navarro are here too. Francis kicks at Edwards to start but Moose comes in to send Williams and Francis to the floor. We take a break and come back with Francis hitting Moose with a running knee. Moose suplexes his way out of trouble though and it’s off to Edwards for a hard suicide dive.

Williams takes over on the floor though and Edwards gets taken into the wrong corner. The chinlock doesn’t last long and Edwards fights out of the corner, setting up a Blue Thunder Bomb to Francis. Moose comes back in to clean house as everything breaks down. Navarro crutches Williams by mistake and Moose spears Williams for the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C+. That’s a nice way to set up the title match at Emergence, despite it being strange to see the System as good guys for a change. I’m not sure if they’re full on heroes yet, but Moose going after the title for the sake of TNA isn’t a bad way to go. I can’t imagine it’s the title change, but it works as a stepping stone from Emergence until Bound For Glory.

Overall Rating: C+. This show started getting things ready for Emergence and now we have a few weeks left to fill in the rest of the gaps. The action was good enough for some nice matches, though that wasn’t exactly the point this week. While we have a long way to go before Bound For Glory, this was a good step on the way there.

Results
Leon Slater b. Jason Hotch and Cedric Alexander – Swanton 450 to Hotch
Indi Hartwell/Dani Luna b. Arianna Grace/Jody Threat – Lunar Landing to Threat
Rascalz b. Nemeths – Spiral Tap to Ryan
Masha Slamovich b. Jacy Jayne via DQ when Ash By Elegance interfered
The System b. AJ Francis/Trick Williams – Spear to Williams

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