Impact Wrestling
Date: May 1, 2025
Location: Bren Events Center, Irvine, California
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re done with Rebellion and the show only had so much going on. Joe Hendry is still the World Champion but it seems that he has a Trick Williams (from NXT) sized problem. That could make for something going forward in the coming weeks and it may start with this week’s show. Let’s get to it.

Here is Rebellion if you need a recap.

We open with a long Rebellion recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Joe Hendry, who is happy to still be the World Champion, but first the fans give him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY chant. After thanking the fans, Hendry recaps his recent escapades and calls out Trick Williams, who pops up…on the video screen. Williams isn’t going to come out here, which is fine for Hendry, who is ready for his six man tag main event.

The Rascalz are ready for Zachary Wentz to win the X-Division Title tonight.

Sami Callihan comes up to Santino Marella but Mance Warner and Steph de Lander interrupt. Callihan and Warner had a violent match and they aggressively shake hands to wrap up their feud. Callihan: “For now.”

Mike Santana vs. Isaiah Moore

Moore strikes away to start but charges into a shot in the corner. A Liger Bomb finishes for Santana at 1:01.

Post match Santana says he finished Mustafa Ali and now he wants Joe Hendry and the World Title.

We look at Steve Maclin beating Eric Young but getting beaten down by the Northern Armory after the match.

Here is Maclin for a chat but the Northern Armory jumps him from behind. Maclin gets hung with the chain again.

Post match Santino Marella yells at the Northern Armory when Steve Maclin comes in to yell too. Marella makes Maclin vs. Eric Young for next week.

X-Division Title: Zachary Wentz vs. Moose

Wentz, with Trey Miguel, is challenging while Moose has Alisha Edwards with him. Moose powers him into the corner to start but Wentz takes out the leg and sends things to the floor. A dive takes Moose out again and we take a break. Back with Wentz striking away to knock Moose outside, setting up a moonsault to drop him again. They get back in where Moose hits a heck of a pop up powerbomb into a high crossbody of all things. Another powerbomb is countered into a Code Red for a very near fall, followed by an X Factor to drop Moose again. The Spiral Tap gets two but Moore is back with a spear to retain at 6:32.

Rating: C+. The ending of that Ultimate X match at Rebellion makes it seem like Leon Slater is very likely going to be the person to take the title off of Moose. That means we need to wait to get to that match, and that’s where boosting Moose up here makes sense. Beating another former champion is a good thing and it worked well enough here, even in a short match.

We get a new injury report from Rebellion, with only Tasha Steelz out of action.

A disheveled Mustafa Ali has nothing to say but the Great Hands seem ok with everything.

Here is Cody Deaner for a chat. His contract expires very soon and he isn’t getting a new deal because he hasn’t won a match in over a year. He grew up in a tiny town and now he can say that he has had a 25 year career. Now he can say he is a proud husband and father to four children. Only one company gave him a chance though and because of the fans, no matter what, he feels like a winner.

Cue Santino Marella, who is willing to give Deaner an extension until Under Siege, and if he can get a win over Eddie Edwards, it might be enough for a new contract. Cue NXT’s Robert Stone (formerly Robbie E) and Victoria Crawford (formerly Alicia Fox), with Stone saying that Marella is officially under review. This company needs a new boss with a new vision, so Stone is going to be supervising him. The Deputy Director of Authority, Crawford will be assisting him in the process, as well as getting a Knockouts Title shot at Under Siege. Oh sweet goodness not battling authority figures. And also, it’s still just Deaner.

Post break, Marella and Stone argue, with Tessa Blanchard coming in to throw her support behind Stone.

Maggie Lee vs. Jody Threat

Dani Luna is here with Threat. They go with the grappling to start until Threat runs her over with a shoulder. A top rope seated senton gives Threat two but Lee kicks her in the ribs. Lee pulls her down by the hair for two and we hit the double arm crank. A bow and arrow keeps Threat in trouble but she fights up and fires off some chops. Lee catches her on top though and hits a Tower Of London for two but Threat is back with corner clotheslines. Pop Shove It finishes Lee at 5:20.

Rating: C. This Knockouts tag division stuff still isn’t clicking for me and Spitfire isn’t doing much. Threat and Luna have been together for a good while now but they haven’t done much that draws me in. Having them feud with By Elegance and their friend Lee going forward is still not going to fix it, but that’s been an issue for the division for years now.

By Elegance yells at Maggie Lee after her loss. The solution? MAKEOVER!

Here is Indi Hartwell for her Impact debut. Hartwell talks about her history watching TNA in Australia and now she is ready to be THE Knockout.

Under Siege rundown.

KC Navarro vs. Leon Slater

AJ Francis is here with Navarro. They run the ropes to start and Navarro jumps over him for some posing. That doesn’t go well as they’re quickly on the floor, where Slater hits a 619 on the apron. Francis gets caught interfering though and gets ejected, allowing Navarro to grab a tornado DDT. Slater is quickly out of a chinlock and hits a suplex neckbreaker for two. Navarro rolls outside so Slater tries the running flip dive, only to stick the landing when Navarro moves. Slater knocks him back again though and the Swanton 450 finishes Navarro off at 4:21.

Rating: C+. These guys having an entertaining match isn’t a big surprise at all as they’re both rather good. As was the case earlier in the show, it seems like we are going to be seeing Slater getting the next big shot at Moose. Therefore he needs some wins, and that’s what he got here, with the cool finishing move being included.

Masha Slamovich is ready to prove why Victoria Crawford is in over her head.

We look at Darkstate attacking Joe Hendry on NXT, setting up a six man tag for next week.

Ryan Nemeth/Nic Nemeth/Frankie Kazarian vs. Hardys/Joe Hendry

The good guys have a customized theme saying I BELIEVE IN JEFF HARDY. It’s a brawl at the bell to start and the good guys clear the ring as we take an early break. Back with Matt in trouble in the corner as the villains get to take turns beating him up. Kazarian grabs a cravate but Matt fights out and brings Jeff in to clean house.

The Twist Of Fate is countered into a rollup to give Nic two and everything breaks down. Hendry snaps off the fall away slams and we hit the parade of finishes. Cue Trick Williams to send Hendry into the steps though, allowing Ryan to break up the Swanton. The Danger Zone finishes Jeff at 6:48.

Rating: C+. This was mainly about Williams coming in at the end and that’s a fine way to wrap up the show. It wouldn’t shock me to see Williams getting a title shot at Battleground or whatever the next big NXT show happens to be. Other than that, the Nemeths vs. the Hardys gets to continue, though I’m not sure I can imagine that going on for a long time.

Post match Williams lays Hendry out again to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Not their most thrilling show here, but the ending did help things a good bit. You can see some of the bigger matches coming and I’m rather curious about Mike Santana jumping into the main event scene. If TNA wants to push someone who feels like a mostly homegrown star, he’s a great choice and that very well may be where they’re going. Other than that, it was only a good enough show, but they often take a bit of a breather after a major pay per view.

Results
Mike Santana b. Isaiah Moore – Liger Bomb
Moose b. Zachary Wentz – Spear
Jody Threat b. Maggie Lee – Pop Shove It
Leon Slater b. KC Navarro – Swanton 450
Ryan Nemeth/Nic Nemeth/Frankie Kazarian b. Hardys/Joe Hendry – Danger Zone to Jeff

 

 

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Impact Wrestling
Date: April 24, 2025
Location: St. Joseph Civic Center, St. Joseph, Missouri
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re done with Unbreakable and that means it is time to get ready for Rebellion, which is taking place this weekend. That means we have quite the balancing act this week, with a mixture of fallout from Unbreakable, the final push to Rebellion and having a good show as well. Let’s get to it.

Here is Unbreakable if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Steve McMichael.

Unbreakable recap, including the Nemeth’s being invited to the Hardy Compound to be DELETED. Oh geez I was hoping that had been a bad dream.

Opening sequence.

Trey Miguel/Ace Austin vs. The System

JDC pulls Miguel into a very early chinlock but gets reversed into a quick hammerlock. Miguel dropkicks him into the corner and Austin comes in for a double hiptoss. Some stereo kicks drop JDC again but Alisha Edwards offers a distraction so Miguel can get posted as we take a break.

Back with JDC staying on the bad arm but Miguel gets out of Moose’s powerbomb attempt. The tag brings in Austin to pick up the pace, including a springboard kick to the face for two. Poetry In Motion is broken up though as Moose powerbombs Miguel onto Austin, setting up Down And Dirty for two. Alisha offers another distraction and cue Brian Myers for a cheap shot. An assisted Air Raid Crash finishes Miguel at 12:06.

Rating: C+. Simple, to the point match here with the big heel stable getting a win on the way to Moose’s title defense in the match where he could lose the title without taking a fall. The match is going to be such a huge mess and this is an interesting way to get there, along with the System getting involved and likely annoying Austin and Miguel. They might want some revenge on Myers, which is a fine way to go.

Video on Masha Slamovich vs. Tessa Blanchard, with Slamovich wondering if this is all worth it. Tommy Dreamer comes in to say that Slamovich needs to defend the title for herself and that he’s proud.

Mike Santana is at his Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and talks about how everyone woke up this morning to make choices. He sees Mustafa Ali as someone weak and the real addict. Ali is addicted to Santana and now it’s time to become a monster to fight the monster. Ali won’t have the choice because he can’t run and Santana is going to fight for everyone, including the people who haven’t made it to this room yet. This was good, emotional stuff from Santana.

Maggie Lee and Heather By Elegance call Ash By Elegance, who rants about the four way Knockouts Tag Team Title match (and explains the rules).

Jacy Jayne vs. Rosemary

The rest of Fatal Influence is here with Jayne, who jumps Rosemary in the corner. The threat of some mist has Jayne backing up in a hurry but the rest of Fatal Influence offers a distraction. That doesn’t work as Rosemary grabs the Upside Down, only to get kneed in the face by Jayne. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Rosemary is up with a bite to the face and an elbow out of the corner gets two. A reverse DDT gives Rosemary two so Jazmyn Nyx gets on the apron. That earns her a knockdown but Jayne hits a discus right hand for the win at 3:42.

Rating: C. It’s not a bad match but the NXT stars coming in are just kind of there these days. Having Jayne win is fine and you can guess on the idea of who Rosemary will get to help her fight Fatal Influence. Not much to the match, but it should set up something a bit bigger later on.

Post match Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside run in for the save. Fatal Influence goes to leave but Santino Marella comes out to make a six woman tag for Rebellion.

The Nemeth’s go to the Hardy Compound and see Willow (with umbrella) waiting for them. Back from a break (because this needs to go longer), the Nemeth’s are in the compound and Willow starts dancing. Then a light flashes and Willow disappears, leaving his umbrella behind. Jeff Hardy jumps Nic and sends him into a tree before beating on him with an umbrella.

They fight into the back of a truck and Jeff is backdropped off the top of said truck and through some well placed tables. Nic goes into the truck and finds a suitcase, with one of the title belts inside. In a case of what is likely breaking and entering, Nic goes into the house and we cut to Ryan getting jumped by Matt Hardy. As Nic wanders through the arcade, he finds a collection of titles and steals the other TNA tag team title, replacing it with a weight.

Matt has a pre-mo-neetion and spears Ryan into a pool. Then Ryan shows up in the arcade, where Senor Benjamin gives him a ticket. Ryan walks in, where Matt’s kids are sitting in chairs and eating popcorn. Benjamin sits down in one of the chairs next to Ryan and we see a silent movie about Maxel (Matt’s son) beating Ryan.

Then Ryan wakes up on a psychiatrist’s couch, with Maxel taking notes. Ryan talks about the issues that came with Nic’s suspension and all of the pressure on him. Then Ryan walks up to Reby playing the piano with her daughter by her side. Ryan and the daughter argue over the Nemeth’s wanting the Tag Team Titles. Then a bird appears and Ryan is now a goth and doing standup with one of Matt’s other sons.

The son asks if Ryan wants to hear a joke. Ryan: “Sure.” Matt’s son: “Your career.” Then Matt pulls Ryan out of the pool but stops to chase Nic, with the Tag Team Titles. One of Matt’s sons grabs Nic and gets shoved down, triggering a fight with Matt. Broken Jeff appears as the Nemeth’s escape with the titles. Counting a commercial, this was about twenty minutes. Because TNA hates us.

Ace Austin and Trey Miguel are annoyed at their loss. They want to face the System and call Sean Waltman for help.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Missa Kate

Blanchard wrestles her down to start but gets chopped hard. That doesn’t work for Blanchard, who hits some clotheslines into a Saito suplex. Blanchard hits a cutter into Magnum into the buzzsaw DDT for the pin at 4:18.

Rating: C. What are you expecting here? This was Blanchard squashing someone on the way to her major showdown with the seemingly unstoppable Knockouts Champion. It’s a simple story and Blanchard looked like a killer out there. Blanchard vs. Masha Slamovich should be a heck of a fight and one of the biggest matches at Rebellion and the build has been pretty good.

Post match Masha Slamovich runs in to take out Blanchard and goes after her arm.

We look at Steve Maclin becoming the International Champion at Unbreakable.

Eric Young interrupts Maclin’s journaling and they drink a toast. Maclin leaves and Young burns the journal.

We look at Joe Hendry appearing at Wrestlemania and losing to Randy Orton. Then Hendry showed up on NXT and got in a staredown with NXT Champion Oba Femi.

Rebellion rundown.

Elijah/Joe Hendry vs. Ethan Page/Frankie Kazarian

Elijah and Kazarian start things off with Elijah working on a wristlock. A rollup gives Kazarian a fast two but Old School drops Kazarian and a clothesline puts him on the floor. We take a break and come back with Kazarian getting elbowed down. It’s off to Page vs. Hendry (still with a banged up shoulder) with Hendry scoring off a running shoulder and hiptoss.

Elijah comes back in with a running shot to the face but gets caught with one of his own. Kazarian comes in to hammer away, only to walk into a jumping knee to the face. Page gets knocked down as well and it’s Hendry coming in to clean house. A sunset flip gets two on Kazarian but he goes after the shoulder.

Page comes in off a blind tag and gets two off a powerslam. A double superplex puts Hendry down with Elijah making a save. Hendry’s shoulder gives out on the Standing Ovation attempt so it’s back to Elijah. Page drops to the floor, leaving Kazarian to walk into the Highwayman’s Farewell for the pin at 17:51.

Rating: C+. They had a nice enough match here and it gives us a bit of drama for the World Title match on Sunday. Hendry’s shoulder could be a problem at Rebellion and Page walking out on Kazarian is completely on point for him. While it’s hard to imagine a title change, there is always the chance of a curve ball and Hendry’s shoulder could play a big role in getting us there.

Overall Rating: C. This show was trying to do a very tricky thing with all of the stuff they had to do, but then there’s this huge side trip into the wacky minds of the Hardys. That didn’t help much of anything but it let the Hardys do whatever they wanted and that’s what seems to matter the most. I’m over the Hardys’ weird stuff and it was on full display here, which didn’t help the rest of the Rebellion build. The rest of the show wasn’t bad, but there wasn’t much in the way of good action and I’m only interested in some of the Rebellion card. Just stop with the Hardys stuff already and let the rest of the show be better.

Results
The System b. Trey Miguel/Ace Austin – Assisted Air Raid Crash to Miguel
Jacy Jayne b. Rosemary – Discus punch
Tessa Blanchard b. Missa Kate – Buzzsaw DDT
Elijah/Joe Hendry b. Frankie Kazarian/Ethan Page – Highwayman’s Farewell to Kazarian

 

 

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Future Legends Women’s Tournament
Date: April 20, 2025
Location: FSW Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: CLAS, MJ Holiday

I’ve been wanting to see more from Future Stars Of Wrestling as it’s a local promotion in Las Vegas but it has mainly been hosting other events this Wrestlemania Weekend. This might not be the best way to look at the promotion but it’s as good as we’re getting here. I’m not sure what to expect here other than some women having a tournament so let’s get to it.

Apparently everyone in the tournament is 25 or under for a bit of a nice touch.

The ring announcer introduces the show but her microphone is very low and I can barely understand a word she is saying.

Future Women’s Legends Tournament First Round: Carolina Cruz vs. Alice Blair vs. Zamaya

MK Bandit is here with Zamaya. Blair sends the two of them together so Cruz stops to dance, followed by a rollup for two each. Cruz’s double bulldog is countered into a double belly to back suplex and it’s Blair basement dropkicking Zamaya for two. Back up and Zamaya stacks them up in the corner for a double running hip attack and a Samoan drop gets two on Cruz.

A clothesline gives Blair two on Zamaya with Blair having to make the save. Cruz hits a double dropkick and a double DDT before taking Bandit out on the floor. Zamaya gets dropped outside as well, leaving Cruz to grab a stretch muffler with a bodyscissors to make Blair tap at 8:20.

Rating: C. This was the Cruz show and that’s not the worst thing to see. She is a former NXT star and it makes sense to put her out there as a focal point. Blair didn’t do much here and Zamaya felt like a monster. It’s not a great match but it made Cruz feel like a bigger star than the other two, which was likely the point.

Future Women’s Legends Tournament First Round: Jazmin Allure vs. Maggie Lee

Allure has been in AEW before while Lee recently debuted in TNA. Lee isn’t having this waiting thing and knocks her off the top during the posing, which is what a villain should do. The beating continues on the floor and they go inside, where Lee gets two at the opening bell. Allure sends her flying for a crash into the corner and a basement dropkick gets two. Lee gets in a cheap shot though and chokes on the ropes before choking on the ropes some more.

The surfboard keeps Allure in trouble and Lee has the evil grin going strong. That’s broken up and Allure hits a quick faceplant for two so she goes up top. A Samoan driver pulls Allure down for two as commentary is already complaining about the speed of the count. Allure is back up with a knockdown into a nice frog splash for two and it’s time to strike it out. Lee staggers her into a kneeling tombstone for the pin at 6:32.

Rating: C+. It isn’t hard to see why these two are getting attention from other promotions as they have the talent to get noticed. Lee has enough of a look to her and was good enough in the ring to back it up. On the other hand, you have Allure, who seemed to be a fairly well rounded star, or at least as well rounded as you can show yourself being in a relatively short match.

Future Women’s Legends Tournament First Round: Jada Stone vs. Maya World

In something you don’t often see, half of the commentary team leaves because they have a flight to catch to get back home after Wrestlemania Weekend. Someone else jumps in to take his place as they trade wrist control and headlocks to get things going. Stone ducks a clothesline but World flips out of a headscissors. They go to the mat for an exchange of near falls, with World hitting a northern lights suplex for two.

Stone misses a charge into the corner but comes back with a kick to the head for two. A running dropkick in the corner gives Stone two but World fights up and strikes away for a breather. Stone comes back with a cutter though and they’re both down. Back up and World misses a split legged moonsault, with Stone missing a Spiral Tap to keep things even. World hits a missile dropkick into a sitout powerbomb for two and they’re both down again. They forearm it out until Stone sends her throat first into the ropes. A handspring Stunner finishes World at 9:01.

Rating: B-. These two got a bit more time and that isn’t a bit surprise either. Stone has done well in the matches where I’ve seen her show up, with World doing well enough at the same time. This was treated as a bigger match than the others so far and it isn’t a surprise to see her moving on to the title match.

Future Women’s Legends Tournament First Round: Brittnie Brooks vs. Kiah Dream

Dream takes her down with a headlock to start but Brooks reverses into an armbar. Back up and an armdrag sends Dream into the corner and a big boot sends her outside. Rather than follow her out though, Brooks lets Dream get back inside for a Russian legsweep. The chinlock goes on for a bit before Brooks fights up, only to be pulled into a full nelson with the legs. Brooks fights up again and hits a running hip attack in the corner for two but the Dream Catcher (jumping cutter) puts Brooks down for two. Back up and Brooks hits a quick Nightmare On Helms Street for the pin at 8:02.

Rating: C+. Brooks is someone else who has been featured quite a bit this weekend and that makes a good deal of sense. She has a good look to her and feels like a star no matter what she is doing. Dream didn’t get to do as much here, but Brooks feels like someone that will be getting a chance as an underdog fighting from beneath.

Futures Title: Marcus Mathers vs. Bryce Saturn vs. Bodhi Young Prodigy vs. Matt Vandagriff

Vandagriff is defending and this is a non-tournament men’s match. Saturn gets triple teamed to start, which is enough for him to get knocked to the floor. The remaining three trade armdrags and then try stereo dropkicks for a standoff. Vandagriff snaps off a double hurricanrana to send them to the floor but Saturn breaks up the dive. Saturn won’t dive of course but here is Bodhi with a high crossbody to put him down.

Mathers comes back in so Saturn can take him down, followed by a neckbreaker/DDT/big boot combination (that wasn’t bad). A suplex gets two on Bodhi but Mathers is back up for the comeback. Mathers hits a middle rope Stunner for two on Saturn, only for Vandagriff to come in with a top rope forearm.

Bodhi makes the save this time, followed by a top rope cutter on Saturn. Vandagriff pulls Bodhi out of the air for a buckle bomb, followed by Saturn’s powerbomb for two. All four get back in and Bodhi tornado DDTs Vandagriff, kicking the other two to the floor at the same time. A big flip dive takes out Saturn and Mathers, followed by a 450 to Vandagriff for the pin and the title at 10:05.

Rating: B-. This was your usual four way match with everyone flying around and doing their stuff as fast as they could. Bodhi is someone who has been making some appearances throughout the weekend and given that his name is “Young Prodigy”, it would seem that there is something to him. Saturn was a decent heel and the fans seemed to be against him, so he is doing something well enough.

Future Women’s Legends Title: Brittnie Brooks vs. Jada Stone vs. Maggie Lee vs. Carolina Cruz

Elimination rules for the vacant title. Cruz and Brooks are knocked to the floor to start with Stone and Lee following to keep up the beatings. All four are back inside and, after a handshake, Cruz grabs a handshake on Brooks. Stone pulls Brooks outside and hammers away, leaving Lee to roll Cruz up for the elimination at 2:50.

Back in and Brooks gets double teamed by Stone and Lee. A double suplex is broken up though and everyone is down for a breather. Lee goes after Stone and gets kicked in the face, setting up the handspring Stunner (which doesn’t really work as Stone springboards but then stops for the Stunner) to get rid of Lee at 5:55. Stone hits a basement dropkick to the back for two and she stomps away for two more. A kick to the head in the corner gives Stone two more but Brooks fights back. Some shots to the face set up the Nightmare On Helm Street to give Brooks the title at 8:29.

Rating: C+. There isn’t much to be said here as this was about making Brooks look like a star, which went well enough. Cruz was barely a factor, Lee felt like someone I could go for more of (and I can get that in TNA) and Stone appears to be a star who has already started to move beyond shows at this level. That’s quite the collection of talent and it made for a decent main event.

Brooks gets her belt and we’re out fast.

Overall Rating: B-. There wasn’t much to see here, but they were in and out with the whole show in less than an hour and a half. That’s quite the speed for any show and they had a full tournament (maybe not your traditional one but it worked) with a bonus match. I’ll take that over a bunch of nothing singles matches so points for making this work. Not exactly a must see show, but it’s nice if you have less time to watch something this weekend.

Results
Carolina Cruz b. Alice Blair and Zamaya – Stretch muffler with bodyscissors to Blair
Maggie Lee b. Jazmin Allure – Kneeling tombstone
Jada Stone b. Maya World – Handspring Stunner
Brittnie Brooks b. Kiah Dream – Nightmare On Helm Street
Bodhi Young Prodigy b. Matt Vandagriff, Bryce Saturn and Marcus Mathers – 450 to Vandagriff
Brittnie Brooks b. Jada Stone, Maggie Lee and Carolina Cruz last eliminating Stone

 

 

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: April 17, 2025
Location: St. Joseph Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s a special night for the company as not only do we have the usual Impact Wrestling, but the show will be followed by Unbreakable. That means tonight is a big preview for that show, but it is also one of the last shows before Rebellion. In other words, it’s going to be a packed night and TNA has a lot to cover. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Laredo vs. Jason Hotch

Tasha Steelz is here with Hotch and Laredo is no longer a kid. A wristdrag takes Hotch down but Steelz offers a distraction, allowing Hotch to get in a shot from the floor. Back in and Hotch strikes away but gets sent into the corner. A neckbreaker and missile dropkick have Hotch down on the floor and of course Laredo hits a dive. Laredo nails a twisting senton but gets caught with a Mustafa Ali rolling neckbreaker for two. They go up, where Laredo hits a super powerslam for two more, only to walk into a swinging backbreaker. Hotch goes up again but gets caught in a super Spanish Fly for the pin at 6:06.

Rating: C+. Laredo is a good choice to open the show as he wrestles a nice, fast paced style that works well with anyone. Hotch is talented as well and you could put him in there with Laredo for a fine outing. That’s what we got here, as TNA has a good record of starting off shows well.

Leon Slater is ready for Brian Myers tonight but he still wants to become the youngest X-Division Title.

Cody Deaner is trying to get Santino Marella to extend his contract so he gets an Ultimate X qualifying match.

Jazmyn Nyx vs. Xia Brookside

The rest of Fatal Influence is here with Nyx and Brookside has Lei Ying Lee. Nyx takes her down with a headscissors to start but gets rolled up for some near falls. A running dropkick rocks Nyx again but she kicks Brookside in the chest for two. Brookside gets bulldogged into the corner for one and we hit the chinlock.

Back up and they trade kicks to the head for a double down, followed by a slugout. Nyx hits a leg lariat for two but Brookside is back with a middle rope crossbody for the same. The seconds get into it so here is Rosemary to mist Jacy Jayne. Brookside is confused but manages to small package Nyx for the pin at 7:48.

Rating: C+. Brookside continues to be someone who could do something if she was given the chance, but right now it seems like she might be destined to team with Rosemary and go after the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. That’s not exactly a career breakthrough, but it’s better than sitting around in the midcard loop forever. Fatal Influence are still useful around here as they are NXT stars TNA wrestlers can beat and it’s working well enough.

Ultimate X Qualifying Match: KC Navarro vs. Cody Deaner

Deaner says he has to win to keep his job but Navarro doesn’t want to hear it. He offers Deaner a chance to leave but the people tell Deaner to wrestle. Deaner punches him in the face and they start fast with some right hands in the corner leaving Navarro in trouble. A shot to the face gives Navarro two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Deaner grabs an airplane spin into a TKO for two. With nothing else working, Navarro whips out a chain and knocks Deaner cold for the pin at 3:56.

Rating: C. For the life of me I do not get the appeal of Deaner. The people’s choice deal is fine enough for someone but could they use it on someone a bit more interesting? Navarro is in a better place at the moment and he’ll be fine in Ultimate X, but right now his bigger appeal is that he’s not Cody Deaner.

Post break Navarro is very fired up about his win and is ready to be X-Division Champion.

We look at Maggie Lee beating Savannah Evans on Xplosion, albeit with some help from the Personal Concierge.

Lee thinks there is a lot going on at the moment but she isn’t changing for anyone.

The Personal Concierge is here with Maggie Lee, who is an official project of Elegance. Therefore, tonight she has a special partner.

Maggie Lee/Heather By Elegance vs. Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley

Dolin rolls Lee up to start and gets dropkicked against the ropes for two. Lee fights back but Heather isn’t interested in a tag. Some double teaming has Lee in trouble so the Concierge offers a distraction, allowing an assisted hot shot to drop Dolin for two. A few running shots in the corner get two and Heather chokes away for another near fall. Dolin fights up and brings Paxley back in to clean house. Everything breaks down and the Cemetery Driver finishes Heather at 4:42.

Rating: C. As usual, the Knockouts Title division is rather good but the Knockouts tag division just comes and goes without getting much of anywhere. That’s what we had here as neither the action nor the story are very interesting. The division hasn’t been very interesting in a long time now and this was another example of a match where nothing really changed.

Post break Heather is panicking so here are Meta Four, Spitfire and Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley. They all want a title shot, so Heather snaps and says yes to all of them.

We get a special look at the Unbreakable triple threat from 2005. To be fair, it’s so fondly remembered for a reason. We see the last few minutes of the match as well.

AJ Francis is ready to win the International Title.

Joe Hendry and Masha Slamovich are ready for Unbreakable.

Dani Luna vs. Jakara Jackson

Jody Threat and Lash Legend are here too. They fight over a lockup to start with Luna powering out of a headlock and shouldering her down. Legend gets in a cheap shot and that’s good for a quick ejection. Back in and Jackson’s chinlock doesn’t last long as Luna powers her down, setting up the clothesline comeback. A Blue Thunder Bomb gives Luna two and Jackson’s tornado DDT gets the same. Luna grabs a quick Luna Landing for the pin at 7:05.

Rating: C. Another match without much to see here and that’s part of the problem with Spitfire. There’s nothing to them that really makes them feel interesting and that has been the case for a long time now. They just don’t do anything that makes them stand out and having them beat guest stars from NXT isn’t changing that reality.

Here is Elijah for a song. Elijah sings about how we walk this way in TNA and how he wants some barbecue after the show. Then he switches to talking and issues an open challenge for Rebellion. My goodness I am sick of open challenges.

Unbreakable rundown.

Ethan page is ready to win the TNA Title at Rebellion because Joe Hendry is banged up and he’s better than Frankie Kazarian.

Leon Slater vs. Brian Myers

Slater starts fast but gets punched in the face to knock him into the corner. A bouncing kick to the face knocks Myers to the floor but it’s too early for the big dive over the post. Instead Myers sends him into the post and we take a break. Back with Myers taking him down again and grabbing a chinlock.

That’s broken up in a hurry and Slater hits a running boot to the face, followed by the Crossover for two. Myers charges into another boot to the face of two but he’s right back with an implant DDT. Slater is back up to send Myers outside for the big running flip dive. That’s too much for Myers so he loads up the System ring, which is taken away, allowing him to hit Slater low. The Roster Cut gives Myers the pin at 11:38.

Rating: C+. Slater continues to be in that weird place where he needs to win something already or all of his athleticism and skills won’t matter very much. If he can’t beat Myers, whose job is pretty much to boost up bigger names, who is he supposed to beat? I’m not sure I get this one as it’s not like anything was on the line, so why not let Slater get a win?

One more Unbreakable rundown wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C+. The show was ok enough and did a decent job of hyping up Unbreakable, but nothing right now is really grabbing me. Maybe that’s because Rebellion is just over a week away and that’s the really big show, but there is something missing from the last few weeks in TNA. They’re going to need to fix that for their big events, as this was just slightly above a middle of the road show.

Results
Laredo b. Jason Hotch – Super Spanish Fly
Xia Brookside b. Jazmyn Nyx – Small package
KC Navarro b. Cody Deaner – Chain to the head
Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley b. Maggie Lee/Heather By Elegance – Cemetery Driver to Heather
Dani Luna b. Jakara Jackson – Luna Landing
Brian Myers b. Leon Slater – Roster Cut

 

 

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