Impact Wrestling
Date: March 6, 2025
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Matthew Rehwoldt, Tom Hannifan

We’re coming up on Sacrifice and perhaps the biggest story is the invasion/crossover from NXT. There are a variety of stars coming in from the other promotion and getting involved in some high profile stories around here. That should make for some interesting situations and more of them can take place this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap, including some clips of TNA stars in NXT.

Elijah vs. Brian Myers

Alisha Edwards is here with Myers. Elijah jumps him to start and they go to the floor in a hurry. Some rams into the apron have Myers in more trouble and a running hip attack makes it even worse. Alisha’s distraction lets Myers grab a belly to back suplex though and she gets in a neck snap across the middle rope too. The chinlock is broken up rather quickly and Elijah hits a running knee. The implant DDT gives Myers two more so here is Eddie Edwards for a distraction. Elijah sends them together though and grabs the Highwayman’s Farewell (Tombstone) for the pin at 5:46.

Rating: C+. Myers is a great choice for someone to make Elijah look good since Elijah is still new around here. That is what we had here, as Elijah is already looking like a player. I’m not sure how far he is going to go, but at least he is off to a nice start by surviving three members of the System at once.

Post match the System comes in for the beatdown but Joe Hendry makes the save with his guitar.

Ace Austin and the Rascalz are ready for the Northern Armory tonight. They might not have the best history but their future is looking good.

It’s time for the First Class Penthouse and they have a special guest in the prizefighter: KO! As in KC Navarro! Cue Steve Maclin to tell them to shut up, with AJ Francis saying they can fight in thirty minutes.

Savannah Evans vs. Xia Brookside

Brookside strikes away to start and gets nowhere, instead getting smart by kicking out the leg. Rosemary is watching from the rafters as Evans takes over. Brookside gets sent hard into the corner and the chinlock goes on. Back up and Brookside sends her into the corner, setting up a high crossbody for two. Evans misses a charge into the corner and bangs up her knee, which has Brookside talking to the referee. The distraction lets Evans hit a hard clothesline to the back of the head for the pin at 5:15.

Rating: C. Evans is a powerhouse but she’s not a particularly interesting powerhouse. She’s just kind of there and there isn’t much for her to do at the moment so soon after losing to Masha Slamovich. Brookside is rather perky and can do some nice things in the ring, but it isn’t going to matter if she keeps losing like this.

Spitfire has given By Elegance a makeover, which isn’t to their liking. Don’t worry though as Spitfire has the perfect travel meals for them, which doesn’t sit well with By Elegance. The Personal Concierge watching from the distance in tears is a great touch.

John Skyler vs. Mike Santana

Jason Hotch is here with Skyler, who says he is here on behalf of Mustafa Ali. Skyler hammers away to start but is quickly caught in Three Amigos. A Cannonball into a sitout powerbomb finishes for Santana at 1:31.

Post match Hotch tries to come in but gets caught with Spin The Block. Mustafa Ali pops up on screen and says that Santana has been randomly selected for a urine test. I think you know where this one is going.

AJ Francis vs. Steve Maclin

KC Navarro is here with Francis. Maclin wastes no time by hammering away in the corner but Francis is too big for the Angle Slam. Instead Maclin goes up but Navarro’s distraction lets Francis slam him off the top. A running knee in the corner rocks Maclin again, only for him to tie Francis in the Tree Of Woe. The running spear gets two, as does Francis’ spear. Cue the Northern Armory as Maclin sends him outside for a Scud. Back in and Navarro offers another distraction, allowing Francis to hit a rather big Down Payment for the win at 4:13.

Rating: C. Well they certainly didn’t have Maclin go down easily as it took four people to put him away. That’s what it should be with Maclin against someone on Francis’ level and it made for a good enough story. I’m not sure what First Class is doing, but Eric Young and company against Maclin is only so interesting.

Earlier this week, Ryan Nemeth said he was going to be on Joe Hendry’s team at Sacrifice but Matt Hardy called Nic Nemeth to say not so fast. Ryan got annoyed and left.

Steve Maclin yells at Eric Young, who says they’re doing this for Maclin. Good grief enough of this Eric Young philosophical stuff. Maclin storms off and runs into Frankie Kazarian, who is enjoying what is happening to Maclin lately.

We look at the Hardys vs. Fraxiom being set up on NXT for NXT.

Also on NXT, Moose said his match with Oba Femi next week at NXT will be the biggest match of his career.

Here is NXT Champion Oba Femi for a face to face chat with Moose, with the System and a bunch of security. Femi wants to know what is up with the security, but he also wonders why Moose waited so long to come see him. Moose says he was just waiting for the right time to cross the line. Femi praises Moose, who agrees with what Femi says. Femi is ready to fight so JDC tells the security that the first person to jump Femi is in the System. The entire team jumps him at once so Femi clears them out, only to get speared by Moose. This is going to be two big men hitting each other really hard and it should be a great time.

Fraxiom is ready to prove themselves to the Hardys.

Northern Armory vs. Ace Austin/Rascalz

Austin takes Icarus down to start and hits a quick spinning middle rope crossbody for an early two. Williams comes in as commentary recaps how the Northern Armory got here. Miguel comes in and the Rascalz hit stereo suicide dives but Icarus grabs Wentz’s leg, allowing Young to get in a cheap shot. Wentz fights up but his partners are pulled to the floor to keep him in trouble.

As you might have expected, the comeback doesn’t take long and it’s back to Austin to pick up the pace. Young slams Austin down but misses a moonsault (because Eric Young can now do moonsaults), allowing Miguel to come in and clean house. The Rascalz start using some Motor City Machine Guns double teaming until Young manages a Death Valley Driver. Cue Wes Lee and company for a distraction though, allowing Young to hit a piledriver on Wentz for the pin at 9:46.

Rating: B-. Perfectly fine six man tag here with the Northern Armory getting built up a bit with Young vs. Steve Maclin likely on the horizon. The match was mostly action based and the interference at the end made sense and protected the good guys in the loss. That’s a nice way to go and it’s nice to see a perfectly well put together match like this one.

Mike Santana yells at Santino Marella about having to take a urine test. At the same time, Tasha Steelz yells about Mustafa Ali’s coffee not being right. The payoff here is so obvious that Santana smiles at the camera.

Spitfire tortures By Elegance in a training session but the Personal Concierge, disguised as a janitor, makes the save.

Here is Masha Slamovich for a chat. She’s ready to go to war with Cora Jade at Sacrifice so cue Jade to say she’ll win. Slamovich mocks her but here is Tessa Blanchard to jump Slamovich from behind. Lei Ying Lee makes the save.

Mustafa Ali is told that Mike Santana passed his drug test….but his coffee is terrible. Comedy ensues.

Ryan Nemeth says that Nic Nemeth will still be back at Sacrifice.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Hardys vs. Colons

Non-title. Matt backs Orlando into the corner to start and works on the arm before it’s already off to Jeff. We take an early break and come back with Matt missing a charge into the corner. Orlando comes back in and drops Matt for two, setting up a legsweep for two. Eddie works on the arm but gets sent into the corner, allowing the tag off to Jeff. Everything breaks down and the Plot Twist connects…but the System runs in to jump the Hardys for the DQ at 4:49.

Rating: C. There wasn’t much to this one as it was more about the angle at the end rather than the match. That’s a fine way to go, as the ten man tag very well might be headlining Sacrifice at this rate. At the same time, the Colons are the latest definition of “I guess they’re here too”, which isn’t exactly glowing praise. There isn’t much for them to do other than put over better teams, but it’s also not exactly fun to see them show up.

Post match the beatdown is on but Elijah, Joe Hendry and Leon Slater make the save. Santino Marella comes out to make the ten man tag match a cage match as well. That’s going to be crowded.

Overall Rating: C+. This felt like a bit of a step back from recent weeks without much worth seeing. The best match was just pretty good and the Santana/Ali angle felt like bad comedy with a payoff so obvious that they were practically winking at the camera. They did add some stuff to the pay per view and built things up a bit, but it’s not a show you need to see in the slightest.

Results
Elijah b. Brian Myers – Highwayman’s Farewell
Savannah Evans b. Xia Brookside – Clothesline to the back of the head
Mike Santana b. John Skyler – Sitout powerbomb
AJ Francis b. Steve Maclin – Down Payment
Northern Armory b. Ace Austin/Rascalz – Piledriver to Wentz
Hardys b. Colons via DQ when the System interfered

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

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

Impact Wrestling
Date: February 20, 2025
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re closing in on Sacrifice and the card needs to start coming together. The big story coming out of last week was the last match for Josh Alexander, but it seems like we are going to be seeing some stars from NXT showing up around here. Throw in Tessa Blanchard wrestling this week and things should be interesting enough as we are live this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is World Champion Joe Hendry in the ring for his concert. His first song is about being in the Royal Rumble and seeing various WWE Superstars and if you don’t watch Impact, you can’t see him. Cue the Colons (Eddie and Orlando, formerly known as Epico and Primo) of all people to interrupt in their debut to suggest violence.

They go towards the ring but here is Elijah (formerly Elias) with his own guitar to say he’s joining TNA as well. The fans deem this awesome and Elijah says this place could use a colon cleanse. Cue Santino Marella to make the tag match main event. Works for Elijah, but he wants a concert right now. Elijah and Hendry sing a little ditty and promise to raise some h*** tonight. They’re not major stars, but bringing in that much fresh blood in a single segment is a good thing.

Leon Slater is ready for JDC in a no DQ match tonight.

The Colons say they targeted Joe Hendry because this place needs them.

Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont vs. Radicalz

Wes Lee (from NXT) and Ace Austin (not from NXT) are here too. The Rascalz clear the ring at the bell and hit dives before sending DuPont outside again. Igwe manages to send both Rascalz to the floor to take over but Miguel kicks his way to freedom. Wentz comes back in to clean house as everything breaks down. A belly to back suplex/leg lariat combination hits Austin for two with Miguel making a save. Miguel hits a top rope Meteora to Igwe, setting up the Swanton for the pin at 4:04.

Rating: C+. Power vs. speed here and as usual, it worked rather well. It’s also nice to see an NXT team actually lose, as TNA does not have the best record. Igwe and DuPont could turn into something one day, but they have a lot of experience to gain on the way there. Nice, fast paced way to start things off here though and that’s a good choice.

Post match Lee issues the challenge for a six man tag at Sacrifice and it seems to be on.

Here is First Class for the debut episode of the First Class Penthouse. We meet various wrestling podcasters and a successful music producer and a rapper. With that out of the way, we meet Noelle Foley and Frank The Clown, with KC Navarro going live on some social media platform. AJ Francis rants about how great he is and now he has his own Piper’s Pit. He teases AJ Styles as his first guest but then introduces…himself. And that’s that. This was a lot of talking in a short amount of time.

Unbreakable is back on April 17.

Rosemary vs. Lei Ying Lee

Rosemary wastes no time in grabbing the Upside Down but Lee kicks her away. Lee strikes away and hammers down right hands in the corner. An airplane spinning slam gets two and Thunderstruck connects to give Lee the pin at 4:10. That’s a surprise.

Rating: C. Well ok then. Rosemary losing a lot isn’t the biggest surprise but seeing her lose to Lee is quite the shocker. Lee hasn’t felt like a big deal in her time around the company and I’m not exactly seeing this change her status. What matters is that TNA is trying, though I’m not sure how well it will go. They have to try though and this is certainly a way to do just that.

Post match Rosemary mists her to send Lee crawling away.

Sami Callihan promises to find Mance Warner and Steph de Lander. Then he finds the two of them and the brawl is on.

Lei Ying Lee is getting checked on but Tessa Blanchard is annoyed at not getting the medic’s attention.

Here is the Northern Armory, with Eric Young promising to bring his cronies to the next level. Young is the lifeblood and foundation of this company because no one has done what he has done around here. Steve Maclin should be out here with him but he doesn’t show up. Young gets it because Maclin doesn’t trust him, but we’ll work on that. Young is going to get a World Title feud out of this isn’t he?

Mike Santana is at a group therapy session but Mustafa Ali, with his Secret Service, comes in to give the group a pep talk. Santana is not impressed.

We look at Moose interrupting NXT Champion Oba Femi and challenging him on NXT. Later, Moose agreed to face Lexis King for the NXT Heritage Cup next week.

JDC vs. Leon Slater

No DQ. Slater slugs away to start and kicks a chair out of his hands. The chair is slammed onto JDC’s fingers and it’s already time for a table. Slater hits a big running flip dive over the corner to take him out again but JDC gets in a whip through a chair. We take a break and come back with JDC unloading with a kendo stick.

Slater takes it away from him and slugs away as the fans approve. Another table is loaded up on the floor but JDC knocks him back inside. Slater puts him onto the table and hits the Swanton 450 (that looked great) but here is the System to put Slater through able table. JDC gets the pin at 11:30.

Rating: B-. Slater continues to showcase himself rather well most of the time and that was the case here. They certainly protected him in the end with the interference leading to his loss so a rematch isn’t out of the cards. That Swanton 450 is still great as you almost forget that he’s going to flip until the last possible second. Good brawl here, as they kept something of a limit on the weapons use instead of just going nuts with them.

Post match the beatdown is on but the Hardys and NXT Champion Oba Femi (a monster who might be bigger than Moose) make the save.

Post break Santino Marella makes the System vs. the Hardys/Oba Femi for next week.

Here is Tessa Blanchard for her first match on Impact in four years but she’s not in wrestling gear. Blanchard says she’s not wrestling tonight because she wasn’t given the proper medical attention. Cue Santino Marella to call this unprofessional and if she doesn’t wrestle next week, she’s fired. Here is Masha Slamovich to say she wants to see Blanchard wrestle next week (Fans: “PLEASE DON’T WRESTLE!”) but for tonight, she’ll take Blanchard’s place. Keeping Blanchard as a special attraction makes sense, though the fans do not seem overly thrilled with seeing her.

Masha Slamovich vs. Mila Moore

Non-title. Moore jumps her to start but gets piledriven for the pin at 29 seconds.

Post match NXT’s Cora Jade runs in and jumps Slamovich. Jade and Blanchard glare at each other.

Post break, Ariana Grace and Santino Marella make Cora Jade vs. Masha Slamovich for the Knockouts Title at Sacrifice. The Personal Concierge comes in to say he wants By Elegance to get a Knockouts Tag Team Title shot at Sacrifice. Marella seems to agree, but if Spitfire wins, they get the Concierge. That has to be illegal.

Ryan Nemeth talks about how his brother Nic will be back at Sacrifice.

Joe Hendry/Elijah vs. Colons

Eddie gets double elbowed out to the corner to start and we take a rather early break. Back with Hendry hitting a delayed vertical suplex on Orlando, followed by the fall away slam from Eddie. A cheap shot cuts Hendry down though and we hit the chinlock. Orlando’s Russian legsweep gets two and he chokes with a knee.

A legsweep gets two more and the guillotine choke goes on. To keep Hendry down even longer. That’s broken up and the tag brings in Elijah to clean house as everything breaks down. Hendry and Orlando brawl out to the floor, leaving Elijah to Tombstone Eddie for the win at 13:07.

Rating: C+. This was a way to bring in the new stars in the span of one match and that’s a nice way to go. I’m not sure I can imagine Hendry vs. Elijah going forward in a title program, but it could work as a one off match at a show on Sacrifice’s level. Other than that, the Colons showing up and losing in their first match is a bit of a stretch, but maybe they’re not going to be the biggest deal around here.

Overall Rating: B-. The best thing I can say about this one is that it wasn’t dull. TNA has a history of not exactly delivering on its bigger shows but they have made back to back live Impacts work pretty well. There might not have been some blow away match, but three known names debuted and there was enough set up for the future. Good enough show here as TNA continues to be the best thing they can be at the moment: steady.

Results
Rascalz b. Tyriek Igwe/Tyson DuPont – Swanton to Igwe
Lei Ying Lee b. Rosemary – Thunderstruck
JDC b. Leon Slater – Double spinebuster through a table
Masha Slamovich b. Mila Moore – Piledriver
Joe Hendry/Elijah b. Colons – Tombstone to Eddie

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

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

Impact Wrestling
Date: January 23, 2025
Location: Boeing Center At Tech Point, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Matthew Rehwoldt, Tom Hannifan

We’ve got a pretty big show here as we are not only fresh off of Genesis but this show aired live for the first time in a good many years. The big story coming out of Genesis is Joe Hendry winning the World Title from Nic Nemeth in a moment that probably should have happened a few months back. Now it’s time to get ready for…whatever the next show is going to be. Let’s get to it.

Here is Genesis if you need a recap.

We open with a long Genesis recap.

Santino Marella is outside and promises history.

Opening sequence.

Here is Joe Hendry to get things going. He thanks the fans for always believing in him and now it is time for him to start a new era. That’s why he wants to be a fighting champion and is willing to defend the title against anyone from anywhere. Therefore the title is going to be on the line tonight with Hendry defending against….Matt Cardona. Ok nice start.

We look at Mike Santana making Josh Alexander quit at Genesis.

Eric Young isn’t sure what is going on with Alexander.

Later, Young is talking to Steve Maclin and thinks Alexander needs to be saved. Maclin isn’t convinced but Alexander comes in to say thank you for believing him. Young shakes Alexander’s hand but Maclin isn’t interested.

Nic Nemeth, with Ryan Nemeth, will talk about his loss later.

Ash By Elegance/Heather By Elegance/Rosemary vs. Spitfire/Masha Slamovich

Threat punches Ash into the corner to start and then out to the floor for a breather. Rosemary comes in to choke Threat and Ash adds a clothesline for two. Threat’s double knees gets her out of trouble and it’s off to Slamovich to clean house. Rosemary’s reverse DDT cuts her off though, only for Luna to snap off a German suplex. Cue NXT’s Cora Jade with an X’d out photo of Slamovich (her trademark), allowing Ash to get a rollup for the pin on Luna at 6:36.

Rating: C. This felt like a big way to set up the ending and little more than that. It worked out well enough and it was nice for Ash to get a win, though odds are it sets up a rematch for the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. Also, I get the idea of Jade coming in for the crossover, but I’m not exactly buying the idea of her as a threat to Slamovich.

Here is the Northern Armory for a chat. Josh Alexander reminds us that he quit TNA and thanks TNA for giving him the chance to explain this. After being the iron man for years, he broke at Genesis and now he wants to think of the good times as he is ready to leave. He was inspired watching the first TNA show in 2002 and now he’s ready to go. Sinner And Saint aren’t happy though and jump Alexander, with Eric Young making the save. Young offers a tag match for next week.

The System vs. Hardys

Non-title and the rest of the System is here with Moose/JDC. The System jumps them to start but the Hardys are back up with Poetry In Motion for a breather. Moose is back up with a beating to Matt though and JDC gets to take over. Matt breaks that up though and hands it off to Jeff to pick up the pace. Everything breaks down and the Twist Of Fate leaves JDC on the floor. That means Jeff can knock Moose down and hit the Swanton for the pin at 5:32.

Rating: C+. It was fast paced and the ending was a bit of a surprise as JDC feels like he is there for the loss and nothing more. I’m a bit surprised that the System lost that quickly but the Hardys got a nice win after another win on Sunday. That makes for a bit of an issue as the Hardys continue to be one of the most important stars in TNA and the company is going to need something fresh in the title picture. For now though, this was a way to get the Hardys on the live show and that’s fine enough.

Post match the number 23 appears on screen again and we go to a break.

Here is Sami Callihan who wants to know what this 23 is right now. Cue Steph de Lander, who is the new Digital Media Champion, having gotten the title in the divorce (ok points for a clever way around that). With her husband out the door, it’s time to meet her boyfriend: Mance Warner, who is 23. Warner hits Callihan in the face with the title and kisses de Lander. Warner feels like he is long, long overdue to be in a bigger promotion.

Arianna Grace is on commentary and rather pleased to be here.

NXT Tag Team Titles; Fraxiom vs. Rascalz

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer/Axiom) is defending. Miguel works on Axiom’s arm to start and it’s quickly of to Frazer for a Dream Sequence from the challengers. Frazer is back up with a DDT to give Axiom two and he grabs the chinlock. A double basement superkick gets two on Miguel and a Sling Blade gets two.

Axiom’s superkick into a brainbuster gets two more but Miguel kicks Frazer to the floor. The Rascalz rapid fire kick Axiom and double superkick a moonsaulting Frazer out of the air for two. Cue Wes Lee for a distraction though and it’s Tyriek Igwe and Tyson DuPont to take out the Rascalz. The super Spanish Fly into the phoenix splash pins Miguel to retain the titles at 9:15.

Rating: B-. So this is the big crossover match and that’s not a bad way to go. Fraxiom has been doing some great things as of late and this is getting another chance for them to showcase just how good they are. At the same time, the Rascalz issues continue and we could be in for something interesting. More Fraxiom is certainly a good thing though and it made for a nice match here.

Here is Mike Santana for a chat. His father taught him to be a man of his word and that is what he has done since he came back to TNA. On Sunday, he made Josh Alexander quit and now he wants to be the World Champion. Cue the returning Mustafa Ali of all people and he has officially signed with the company. Therefore, it is time to launch a new campaign to become the next World Heavyweight Champion. And Santana is just ok with this.

Here is Tessa Blanchard for a chat. She talks about her family being from San Antonio and her grandfather brought the first national wrestling show to television. Her father and grandfather knew there was something special in her and now it is time to step up. She is back and answers to no one. And that’s that. As usual, Blanchard feels like an absolute star every time.

TNA World Title: Joe Hendry vs. Matt Cardona

Hendry is defending and Frankie Kazarian is on commentary. Cardona gets knocked to the floor to start before coming back in to choke away. A jumping knee takes Cardona down though and a suplex does the same. They head outside with Hendry hitting an AA but a second is broken up with a rake to the eyes. We take a break and come back with Cardona dropping him again.

Some neckbreakers set up a front facelock to keep Hendry in trouble which is broken up rather quickly. Hendry gets taken own by a straitjacket choke and the Reboot connects in the corner. The referee gets bumped though, meaning the pop up powerbomb doesn’t get a count. A low blow drops Hendry and Cardona grabs the title but cue John Layfield to drop Cardona. Layfield leaves, only for Cardona to get up with a belt shot for two. Another belt shot is loaded up but Hendry reverses into the Standing Ovation to retain at 16:08.

Rating: B-. Not a bad debut for Hendry as champion and beating someone as prominent as Cardona is a good move. That being said, it would be nice to have anything involving Layfield actually being explained. He’s been at this for months now but for some reason we’re still doing the same stuff over and over. Other than that, it was a good match, though Hendry could have looked a bit stronger.

Overall Rating: B. While not a classic show or anything, it was a show that felt big and had some nice moments. That’s what they needed to do here as the company is actually on a nice roll. Hendry becoming the top star is a good thing and it feels like we could be in for quite the run from him if TNA handles it properly. Cardona showing up as a surprise and Ali being back made for some big moments and I want to see where this is going from here. Nice job here, as TNA delivered well enough when it needed to.

Results
Ash By Elegance/Heather By Elegance/Rosemary b. Spitfire/Masha Slamovich – Rollup to Luna
Hardys b. The System – Swanton to Moose
Fraxiom b. Rascalz – Phoenix splash to Miguel
Joe Hendry b. Matt Cardona – Standing Ovation

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Genesis 2025
Date: January 19, 2025
Location: Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, Texas
Commentators: Matthew Rehwoldt, Tom Hannifan

It’s the first major pay per view of the year and the big story is that Joe Hendry is getting his second chance to become TNA World Champion. That’s enough of a story, but other than that, there is a good chance that NXT is going to be heavily involved around here, as the two promotions have announced a multi-year partnership. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Ashante Thee Adonis vs. Jake Something

This is the result of NXT’s Adonis’ opening challenge to officially kick off the new partnership. Adonis throws his jacket at Something to start and is promptly run over with some shoulders. A hard forearm takes Adonis down again and, after shrugging off some stomps, Something shoves him into the corner. Adonis gets in a forearm to the back and kicks away but Something is back with a heck of a running shoulder in the corner. Something knocks him out of the air and hits Into The Void for the win at 3:54.

Rating: C+. Nice choice for an opener here as Something got to look like a monster and the fans liked what they were seeing. Other than that, it was nice to see a TNA star dominating an NXT name, even someone as low on the list as Adonis. Not a great match, but it was fun and got the fans going without taking much time. In other words, it was exactly what it should have been.

Kickoff Show: Leon Slater vs. Frankie Kazarian

JDC is on commentary. Kazarian armdrags him down to start but Slater gets in a whip to the corner, meaning it’s time to dance. Back up and Slater is sat on top for a shove out to the floor, setting up the slingshot legdrop for two back inside. The running flipping neckbreaker gives Kazarian two and there’s a springboard spinning legdrop, though JDC isn’t happy with Slater playing to the crowd (ignore Slater not playing to the crowd).

Slater fights up and hits a running boot to the face, setting up a high crossbody for two. Something like a Blue Thunder Bomb gives Slater two but the slingshot Fameasser into the slingshot cutter drops Slater again. Fade To Black is blocked and Slater kicks him to the floor, setting up the big running flip dive over the post. Back in and the Swanton 450 hits knees though, with Kazarian grabbing a rollup with tights for the pin at 9:04.

Rating: C+. Gah they were starting to get to a higher level right at the end when it all stopped. I’m not sure if Slater is going to go on to become anything big around here but the fans are reacting to him and his high flying stuff is looking rather nice. That’s more than enough to warrant giving him another look and TNA seems to know that, even this early in his time with the company. The fans were reacting to Slater here and I could have gone for another few minutes.

Camryn Wright sings the National Anthem.

The opening video talks about how this is the beginning and looks at the biggest matches.

X-Division Title: Moose vs. Ace Austin

Moose, with JDC and Alisha Edwards, is defending and debuts a new title design. Austin immediately jumps him to start and hammers away in the corner but they’re quickly on the floor. Moose gets in a whip into the barricade and then does it again for a bonus. A missed charge sends Moose into the barricade for a change though and Austin adds a suplex on the floor.

JDC offers a distraction, allowing Austin to get chokeslammed off the top and onto the apron. Back in and Austin tries to fire off some chops but gets knocked down without much trouble. The spear misses for Moose and Austin Russian legsweeps him down. A springboard kick to the face and a double stomp gets two. The Fold is blocked and Moose’s middle rope chokebomb gives him two of his own.

They slug it out until Moose knocks him to the floor, where another chokebomb is countered into a hurricanrana. They go outside where Moose accidentally spears JDC, allowing Austin to hit the Fold. Cue Brian Myers for a distraction, with Moose hitting the spear for two. Austin kicks him in the head and tries the Art Of Finesse but gets speared out of the air. Another spear retains the title at 14:38.

Rating: B. I kept going back and forth about the winner here, as the appeal of having Austin win the title in honor of Chris Bey would have been an awesome moment. At the same time, Moose holding onto the title and dominating the division until someone steps up to dethrone him works very well too. I could go for seeing where that goes long term and if it means more matches like this, I’m all for it. This was a heck of a power vs. speed match and the fans, again, were all over what they were being given. Austin can go with anyone and I wouldn’t be complaining about seeing him doing something more important.

Post match the beatdown is teased but Eric Young and Steve Maclin (scheduled to face the System tonight) run in for the save. The brawl is on and we’re doing this one now.

Steve Maclin/Eric Young vs. The System

Maclin backbreakers Edwards to start and knees Myers down, only for Edwards to come back with a Blue Thunder Bomb. Myers takes over on Maclin and Edwards adds a clothesline for two as commentary talks about the history of tag wrestling in the company. Maclin facebusters and clotheslines his way out of trouble, allowing Young to come in and clean house. The top rope elbow gets two on Myers but a double suplex drops Young for two. Everything breaks down and Alisha’s distraction lets Myers get in a spear for two on Maclin. The System Overload is broken up though and it’s the KIA to pin Myers at 7:30.

Rating: C+. Another fast paced match here and the good thing is they didn’t take too long. That’s a trap that so many promotions fall into and it’s nice to see someone realize that a match like this doesn’t need to be fifteen minutes. Maclin and Young aren’t likely to be a long term team, but they’re fine for two bigger names who don’t have anything else to do at the moment.

We meet the French announce team and run down the rest of the card.

Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Spitfire vs. Ash By Elegance/Heather By Elegance

Spitfire is defending but the challengers get a New Age Outlaws style introduction by the Personal Concierge. By Elegance are in Dallas Cowboys cheerleader gear but stop to say GO EAGLES, meaning the fight is on in a hurry. Luna splashes Ash for two to start but a double suplex is broken up. Heather comes in and gets suplexed (with a squat) instead but the Concierge gets in a trip from the floor to take over.

Back in and Luna gets choked on the ropes, allowing Luna to flip around a bit. A running dropkick in the corner gets two on Luna and Ash grabs a chinlock. That’s broken up and it’s off to Threat to clean house. Everything breaks down and a Backstabber/double stomp combination gets two on Threat. Luna is back in with some German suplexes before Threat sends Heather outside with Pop Shove It. The Pressure Drop retains the titles at 9:31.

Rating: C. The match was fine but the titles still don’t feel like they really need to be a thing. By Elegance was a fine choice for challengers, but where do we go from here? The champions retained the titles clean, so other than a rematch, it’s time to find new challengers. That has been the problem for the titles since their inception and that is going to continue until there are a lot more teams to pick from, which isn’t seeming likely.

We look at Frankie Kazarian beating Leon Slater on the Kickoff Show.

Kazarian teases cashing in his Call Your Shot tonight.

We recap Tessa Blanchard vs. Jordynne Grace. Blanchard returned at Final Resolution and no one is happy about it, with Grace stepping up for the Knockouts division and the company.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Jordynne Grace

Grace wastes no time in powering her into the corner to hammer away. They head outside with Grace hitting a big dive but Blanchard sends her into the steps. A hurricanrana is countered into a swing into the steps but Blanchard stomps on the hand. The fans are all over Blanchard here as she comes back in with a dragon sleeper. Blanchard sends her into the corner for a running Codebreaker but Grace catches her on top with a super fall away slam.

They take their time getting up before slugging it out, with Grace getting the better of things. A package powerbomb gives Grace two but Blanchard is back with a double underhook Canadian Destroyer for the same. Grace’s suplex is countered into a neckbreaker for two more and they head back outside.

Grace shrugs off a shot to the head and hits a Death Valley Driver from the steps to the floor for a nasty crash. Back in and they go up, with Blanchard grabbing a super crucifix driver for two more. Blanchard is back up with an octopus but Grace reverses into a reverse fisherman’s suplex.

A cutter drops Grace for two but she’s right back up with a spinning reverse Alabama Slam for two more. With nothing else working, Blanchard rips off most of a turnbuckle pad and Buzzsaw (hammerlock DDT) sends Grace into the pad for two. A bulldog into the buckle and Magnum (top rope Codebreaker) finish Grace at 20:17.

Rating: B+. Blanchard has a lot of baggage to her and that has ruined a lot of her career, but she is one of the most talented women of her generation. She’s a complete package and it makes sense for TNA to want her to be a major star. I’m not sure how well that is going to go given what she has done behind the scenes, but dang it can be fun to see her in the ring.

We recap Mike Santana vs. Josh Alexander. They hate each other, they’ve been fighting a lot, it’s time for an I Quit match.

Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana

I Quit match and the Northern Armory is barred from ringside. Alexander goes for the wrestling to start and Santana realizes he’s in over his head, so he sends Alexander to the floor for a big flip dive. It takes to long to set up a table though and Alexander snaps off an overhead belly to belly suplex. Alexander starts going after the leg and rolls Three Amigos to really annoy the crowd.

The running crossbody to the back misses so Alexander has to settle for a World’s Strongest Slam onto the apron. Back in and Santana uses the good leg for a kick to the face, setting up a Cannonball. A Death Valley Driver hits Alexander and they’re both down. Spin The Block is countered into the ankle lock but Santana loses his boot to escape (and commentary points out the Eddie Guerrero connections), only to get backdropped over the top and through the table at ringside.

That’s still a no on quitting so Alexander grabs a chair and beats the heck out of the leg. Santana insists there is no quit in him so Alexander stomps away, even with Santana busted open. The C4 Spike just wakes Santana up and a springboard hurricanrana sets up a frog splash.

Spin The Block puts Alexander down but he won’t quit. Santana steals Alexander’s zip tie and ties the arms together, setting up another Spin The Block. A Cannonball against a table onto Alexander still isn’t enough so he pulls out the slap jack and hammers at the ribs. That’s still not enough so Santana loads up a Curb Stomp onto the steps, which makes Alexander quit at 23:08.

Rating: B. All of the Eddie tributes aside, this was a star making performance from Santana, as he survived everything Alexander threw at him and then overwhelmed one of the most successful stars TNA has ever had. If Santana isn’t World Champion by the end of the year, I don’t know what this company is doing, because he has stepped up in a huge way and the fans are reacting to everything that he does.

Post match Santana wants a handshake and Alexander gives him one….then he quits TNA.

We recap the Hardys defending the Tag Team Titles against the Rascalz. The Hardys are the champions and the Rascalz want the titles.

Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. Rascalz

The Hardys are defending…and NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom come down to watch at ringside. Matt and Miguel start things off with a series of exchanges and escapes before it’s off to Jeff (pop) vs. Wentz. Jeff takes him down for some early near falls and it’s quickly off to Matt for two of his own. Wentz knees Jeff down though and some rapid fire strikes take over without much effort. A Dream Sequence gets two but Matt cuts off a dive and hits a Side Effect on the floor.

Back in and the Plot twist gets two on Miguel and everything breaks down, with a baseball slide sending Matt into Fraxiom. A dive takes Fraxiom out by mistake so here is security to get rid of them. Jeff uses the steps for Poetry In Motion but Miguel is back with an enziguri to Matt and everyone is down. The Twist Of Fate is broken up and it’s a Cheeky Nandos Kick into a 619 to Jeff. Another Twist is broken up but Matt grabs one on Miguel, setting up the Swanton to retain at 13:04.

Rating: C+. The match was mostly action packed and the Fraxiom tease was mainly about setting up something for the future, but it’s still a bit much to see the ancient Hardys beating another young, talented team. It wouldn’t shock me to see the Hardys getting the NXT Tag Team Titles soon and that’s a bit much to take.

Video on the Chris Bey Go Fund Me.

Rebellion is in Los Angeles on April 27.

We recap Rosemary challenging Masha Slamovich for the Knockouts Title. Rosemary hasn’t had the title in seven years so now it’s time for a Clockwork Orange House Of Fun match.

Knockouts Title: Rosemary vs. Masha Slamovich

Rosemary is challenging in a Clockwork Orange House Of Fun match, meaning a weapons filled, falls count anywhere street fight. Slamovich strikes away to start and grabs a trashcan lid to take over fast. A staple gun to various parts of Rosemary have her in trouble but she mists Slamovich to take over.

It’s too early for a DDT onto an open chair and Slamovich can see well enough for a running crossbody to put Rosemary through a table at ringside. Slamovich’s running flip dive off the apron only hits chair though and it’s time to bust out Janice (the 2×4 with nails sticking out), which is raked over Slamovich’s back. The beating takes Slamovich up the ramp as Rosemary pours the tags onto the stage.

A spear sends Slamovich into the tacks but instead of covering, it’s time for a barbed wire board. As usual, that takes too long and it’s a Snow Plow to send Rosemary into the wire. Slamovich goes up a well placed ladder but gets shoved down through a table at ringside. Back in and Rosemary sets up some chairs, only to get piledriven from the middle rope onto said chairs to retain the title at 14:02.

Rating: B. It was a violent match, but it was hard to imagine that Slamovich was in any serious danger here. She is going to need a special kind of challenger to take the title. Rosemary is a talented star, but Slamovich is a monster champion right now and I could go for seeing her hold the title for a good while.

Post match NXT’s Cora Jade comes out for a staredown with Slamovich.

The Busted Open Radio hosts talk about the main event but Ryan Nemeth comes out to say HIS BROTHER is not going to be happy with their picks. Santana Marella bans him from ringside.

We recap the World Title match. Nic Nemeth beat Joe Hendry to retain the title at Bound For Glory but Hendry earned a rematch and feels he has to win to validate all of the faith in him.

TNA World Title: Joe Hendry vs. Nic Nemeth

Hendry is challenging. They fight over a lockup to start with the stronger Hendry shoving him down for an early advantage. They trade rollups for two each before fighting over wrist control. Nemeth hits a dropkick but Hendry is right back with a jumping knee. The delayed suplex is countered into a sleeper from Nemeth as Ryan Nemeth, ticket in hand, sits down at ringside.

Hendry fights out of an armbar and fires off some uppercuts, only to get caught with a neckbreaker. A crossface keeps Hendry in trouble until he fights up, where Nemeth hits another dropkick. Hendry is fine enough to grab a running cutter and wins a slugout, setting up the all away slam to send Nemeth flying. A short powerbomb gives Hendry two and an AA is good for the same as the momentum is building.

Nemeth knocks him off the top rope and hits a Fameasser for two, leaving them both down. For some reason Nemeth goes up but gets caught in a super fall away slam. Cue Kazarian with the trophy but John Layfield makes the save before taking out Ryan Nemeth and leaving. The Standing Ovation gives Hendry two and the superkick into the Danger Zone gives Nemeth the same. Back up and Hendry hits another fall away slam into another Standing Ovation for the pin and the title at 19:07.

Rating: B. They didn’t have another real option here, which makes the relief that they did the right thing all the funnier. What matters the most is that Hendry got the win (clean at that) and gets to be the top star, as long as it lasts. This is what TNA needed to do and it came after a hard fought, back and forth match where Hendry FINALLY won the big one. Good stuff here as they close it out on a feel good moment.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a heck of a show with nothing bad and some nice feel good moments. I was way into a lot of what I was seeing here and they even paid it off with a big moment at the end. They didn’t do anything screwy here and it was about four hours counting Kickoff Show. Really awesome show here and worth a look if you want a look at what TNA can do and in this case, does.

Results
Jake Something b. Ashante Thee Adonis – Into The Void
Frankie Kazarian b. Leon Slater – Rollup with tights
Moose b. Ace Austin – Spear
Steve Maclin/Eric Young b. The System – KIA to Myers
Spitfire b. Ash By Elegance/Heather By Elegance – Pressure Drop to Ash
Tessa Blanchard b. Jordynne Grace – Magnum
Mike Santana b. Josh Alexander when Alexander quit
Hardys b. Rascalz – Swanton to Miguel
Masha Slamovich b. Rosemary – Middle rope piledriver onto open chairs

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Impact Wrestling
Date: January 16, 2025
Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re a few days away from Genesis and that means it should be time to hammer home the card. Most of the matches have already been announced, but there is still time to push everything just a bit harder. I’m sure we’ll get a big Joe Hendry and Nic Nemeth showdown so let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Leon Slater vs. Trent Seven

Frankie Kazarian, who is facing Slater on the Genesis Kickoff Show, is on commentary. Seven takes him down to start but Slater kicks him in the head, followed by a knockdown out to the floor. A dragon suplex sends Slater down some steps but he dives back in for the save, setting up another running boot to the face to drop Seven for two.

Slater takes him up top but gets caught with a super slam for another near fall. Back up and Seven hits him in the face, setting up the Birminghammer for two more. Slater is back with a boot to the face and a DDT on the apron, setting up a big dive. Back in and the Swanton 450 finishes Seven at 8:47.

Rating: C+. I kept wondering what it was going to take to beat Slater and it just never happened so points for doing the logical thing before Slater’s match with Kazarian. Slater isn’t reinventing the wheel out there but he can do some nice high flying stuff and the fans seem into him. Nice opener here, with Slater continuing to look pretty good.

Post match Kazarian teases jumping him but stops just in time.

Video on Joe Hendry, who is ready to get to the top of the mountain after coming short at Bound For Glory.

Here is the Personal Concierge for the pre-championship celebration for Ash/Heather By Elegance. We get the reveal of some cardboard cutouts with the two of them as champions and Ash is happy to win the titles. Well this weekend that is. We get some tearful thank you’s before the fans are not happy with Heather. She’s ready to win as well but here is Spitfire to interrupt. Bickering ensues and By Elegance is sent outside, leaving the cardboard to be destroyed.

Sami Callihan and PCO are ready to beat the Hardys and get into the Tag Team Title match at Genesis.

First Class vs. Eric Young/Steve Maclin

Navarro slaps Young to start and is quickly beaten into the corner to cut that off. Maclin comes in to hammer away in the corner but gets sent outside by Francis as the villains get to take over. Francis gets in a shoving match with….someone famous at ringside, which is enough of a distraction for Maclin to get in an Angle Slam. Everything breaks down and Young’s top rope elbow finishes Navarro at 6:35.

Rating: C. Not much to this one but Navarro is pretty much just there to take the fall while Francis gets to be the star. That being said, there isn’t much shame in losing to a pair of former World Champions who have had some success as a team. First Class is likely going to be something at some point this year so this feels like something of a roadblock on the way towards inevitability.

Post match the System comes out for the staredown.

We look at Cora Jade and Masha Slamovich on NXT.

Rosemary is ready for violence with Slamovich.

We look at the Northern Armory destroying Mike Santana at a recent independent show.

Here is the Northern Armory to brag about taking out Santana…and Santana pops up to say he won’t quit. That’s why at Genesis, their match should be an I Quit match. Works for Alexander, who threatens a lot of violence and pain. Alexander promises to show that Santana is a middle of the road star, with Santana promising to become the new standard of TNA. Santana was fired up here and it showed.

Jake Something vs. Laredo Kid

Kid tries to start fast but is quickly sent outside without much trouble. Back in and Something hits a corner clothesline before knocking a diving Kid out of the air. Kid knocks him down though and avoids a charge into the corner, setting up some enziguris. A flipping DDT gives Kid two but Something catches him on top, meaning it’s a super sitout powerbomb (that looked good) for the pin at 5:17.

Rating: C+. Power vs. speed works pretty much every time in wrestling, but, as usual, none of this means a thing if Something doesn’t win a match that matters. We’ve seen him get built up so many times and it goes nowhere, which makes me hesitant to buy into it here. For now though, I’ll take a pretty awesome looking finisher like that powerbomb as Kid was done.

Video on Ace Austin, who wants the X-Division Title back and is only thinking about doing this for Chris Bey. He talks about what the X-Division means and how far he has gone in it over the years, which is why he’s going back to his roots. This was good stuff and it would be a heck of an awesome moment if he won the title.

PCO/Sami Callihan vs. Hardys

Non-title. Callihan knocks Jeff into the corner to start and it’s a four way slugout early on as we take a break. Back with Poetry In Motion hitting Callihan for two but Callihan takes over on Matt. PCO comes in for some clotheslines but a double DDT gets Matt out of trouble. Everything breaks down and Jeff comes in for the Whisper In The Wind. The Twist of Fate into the Swanton finishes Callihan at 10:03.

Rating: C. Well that was uneventful. I’m not sure what was supposed to be interesting here as they were teasing making the title match a triple threat and then the Hardys just beat them clean. Callihan and PCO never felt like a big time team but this should be it for them for good without much doubt.

Genesis rundown.

Jordynne Grace pops up on commentary to say that Tessa Blanchard hasn’t signed for their match. Grace has signed and leaves the contract behind.

Here is Joe Hendry for his showdown with Nic Nemeth. Hendry says he has to win the title because it is time for him to start a new era by holding up that championship. Nemeth says he understands what Hendry has to do but Hendry doesn’t know what it’s like to be champion.

We see a clip of John Layfield interfering at Bound For Glory and Nemeth says he didn’t see it live. All Nemeth saw was Layfield attacking his brother, who comes out to interrupt. Ryan comes in and goes after Hendry, allowing Nic to make the save with a superkick. The Nemeths leave and Hendry is shaken up. Hendry has to win. I just don’t know that he will.

Tessa Blanchard runs in to sign the contract, with Jordynne Grace appearing for the brawl. The Juggernaut Driver leaves Blanchard laying to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was very much a TNA go home show, as the card for the pay per view was pretty much set and all they had to do was sharpen the edges a bit. Genesis is going to depend on how Hendry does in his next World Title shot, because that’s by far the biggest thing on the show. The rest of the card is good enough, but it’s all about the main event because Hendry is long past the point of needing to win the title. This show worked well enough, but it’s pretty much just a big preview for Genesis.

Results
Leon Slater b. Trent Seven – Swanton 450
Eric Young/Steve Maclin b. First class – Top rope elbow to Navarro
Jake Something b. Laredo Kid – Super sitout powerbomb
Hardys b. PCO/Sami Callihan – Swanton to Callihan

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Impact Wrestling
Date: January 9, 2025
Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentator: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re still on the way to Genesis and that means we should be getting some more of the card set up. In this case that could make for an interesting show, as there are several spots to be filled in on the card. Joe Hendry is still on his way to another World Title shot and we should be getting some hype towards it this week. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

The System vs. Eric Young/Steve Maclin/Jonathan Gresham

Edwards charges into Gresham’s bot in the corner to start and it’s off to Young to hammer on Myers. A quick necksnap across the top rope takes over on Young though and the villains take him into the corner. JDC sends him back into the corner to cut off a comeback attempt and we hit the chinlock. It’s too early for the Roster Cut though as Young cuts off Myers with the Death Valley Driver. Maclin comes in to clean house with a backbreaker getting two on JDC. Everything breaks down and the KIA finishes JDC at 6:30.

Rating: C+. They weren’t wasting time here as the System takes a loss in less than seven minutes. The team isn’t doing so well right now and the idea of Moose losing their lone title at Genesis isn’t out of the question. For now though, the trio of unlikely good guys are fine for what they are, especially in a fast spot like this.

Post match the System lays the winners out and wrap a chair around Gresham’s neck, which is sent into the post for a crash.

Video on Joe Hendry, looking at his childhood and rise up the ranks to the #1 contendership. We look at his education in judo and music to make him quite the mixture of talents. This is a really good package and a great “get to know you” idea to make you want to see Hendry the person win rather than Hendry the character.

Savannah Evans vs. Lei Ying Lee

Lee is being brought in by Xia Brookside for revenge on Evans, who injured both of them. Lee starts fast and takes Evans out with a dive on the floor, followed by another for two back inside. Evans powerbombs her down for two and we hit the chinlock. Back up and a clothesline drops Evans but Lee is right back with Thunderstruck for the pin at 4:20.

Rating: C. It’s nice to see Lee back in the ring and getting a win but I’m still not seeing much out of her that makes me think she’s going to be a star. At least she has something of a story here though and that is more than she has been able to say thus far. Brookside being involved should help a bit, though I’m curious to see who Evans is going to get to even things up.

Jordynne Grace grabs the mic and calls out Tessa Blanchard for a fight.

Here’s a Classic Moment Of The Week as Kurt Angle defeats Jeff Jarrett at Genesis 2009. We see about eight minutes of a twenty one minute match, which is quite a bit of TV time to use on something like this.

Rosemary wants Masha Slamovich.

Mike Santana vs. Northern Armory

Gauntlet Match and Judas Icarus starts for the team. Icarus jumps him from behind but the clotheslines don’t seem to matter. Santana hits a dropkick but gets knocked off the top for a crash. Not that it matters as Spin The Block gives Santana the pin at 1:56. Travis Williams is in next and slips out of a Death Valley Driver attempt to kick Santana down.

We take a break and come back with Williams getting a cross armbreaker but Santana powers out. The buckle bomb into a sitout powerbomb finishes Williams at 8:23 total, meaning it’s time for Josh Alexander. Cue Alexander…and the rest of the Armory jumps Santana for the DQ at 9:16.

Rating: C+. This was more of a plot device than anything else and that is not a bad idea. Santana wants to get his hands on Alexander and having to get through the lackeys first makes sense. Alexander sent the goons to do his dirty work and it makes for a perfectly simple wrestling angle as a result.

Post match the beatdown is on and Alexander gets his headgear back.

The Personal Concierge is ready to have a pre-title win title celebration next week.

Rosemary sees cracks in Masha Slamovich’s armor. Raven of all people comes in to ask how long it’s been since she held the belt. Rosemary whips out a knife and holds it to his throat so Raven offers to coach her. Well that came out of nowhere.

Good Hands vs. Rascalz

Wentz dropkicks Hotch down to start but Skyler breaks up the handspring to take over. A double middle rope crotch standing has Wentz in more trouble and Skyler grabs an abdominal stretch. That’s broken up and everything breaks down with Rolling Thunder getting two on Wentz. A quick Feed Them To The Lions finishes Skyler at 4:48.

Rating: C+. Not much to see here but the Good Hands are in fact good hands, in that they can make anyone around them look better. That’s what the Rascalz can use on the way to their title shot next week at Genesis and it worked well enough here. Not a great match, but it did exactly what it needed to do.

Frankie Kazarian annoys Rhino.

Steve Maclin and Eric Young want revenge on the System but First Class interrupts to get on their nerves. A match is likely for next week.

Here is Alisha Edwards to introduce Moose for a chat. Moose promises to introduce a new X-Division Title at Genesis but cue former TNA star Andrew Everett to say that title means a lot around here. Moose isn’t sure who Everett is and promises violence. A boot to the face and a referee running in are enough to set up a title match.

X-Division Title: Moose vs. Andrew Everett

Moose is defending and runs him over in the corner to start fast. Everett gets in a tornado DDT though and Moose is sent outside. That means the big dive but Moos is back with an apron powerbomb. Back in and a Last Ride finishes for Moose at 2:54.

Sami Callihan demands a title shot against the Hardys. Santino Marella makes it a non-title match next week and if Callihan and PCO win, Genesis is a three way. Works for Callihan.

Here is Jordynne Grace to call out Tessa Blanchard, who answers for the pull apart brawl.

Grace vs. Blanchard is set for Genesis.

Rhino/Joe Hendry vs. Ryan Nemeth/Nic Nemeth

Frankie Kazarian is on commentary as Ryan bails from Rhino to start. Nic works on Rhino’s arm instead but can’t get very far. Instead a double clothesline puts Rhino down for two but he easily takes Ryan into the corner to take over. It’s off to Hendry for a running shoulder and a rather delayed suplex gets two.

Rhino comes back in and gets double teamed down, with Nic grabbing a chinlock. That’s broken up and Hendry comes back in to clean house in a hurry. Kazarian gets up for a failed distraction, leaving Rhino to Gore Ryan but get dropped by Nic’s superkick. Hendry drops Nemeth and hits the Standing Ovation to pin Ryan at 9:19.

Rating: C+. Similar to a few things tonight, this wasn’t a match that was designed to blow the roof off but rather move us a few steps closer to a match that has already been set up. It worked well and gave Rhino a nice win on his way out of the promotion. That’s minor compared to helping boost up Nic vs. Hendry, but I can go for two birds with one match.

Nic and Joe have one more staredown to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This might as well have been TNA in a nutshell recently: it’s nothing that is blowing the doors off of the place and certainly nothing overly novel, but it did a good job of setting up the show that has already been made. I want to see Genesis and while they still have one week to go, they have done well enough so far and this week was a big part of making that work.

Results
Eric Young/Steve Maclin/Jonathan Gresham b. The System – KIA to JDC
Lei Ying Lee b. Savannah Evans – Thunderstruck
Mike Santana b. The Northern Armory via DQ
Rascalz b. Good Hands – Feed Them To The Lions to Skyler
Moose b. Andrew Everett – Last Ride
Rhino/Joe Hendry b. Nic Nemeth/Ryan Nemeth – Standing Ovation to Rhino

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Impact Wrestling
Date: January 2, 2025
Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re back to a regular show after two weeks of the Best Of last year. That means it is time to move things forward towards Genesis where Joe Hendry gets another title shot against Nic Nemeth. We’re going to need something other than that though and there is a good chance that we’ll see something else added this week. Let’s get to it.

Here is Final Resolution if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Jax Dane.

We open with a Final Resolution recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Joe Hendry to get things going. Hendry says that his new year’s resolution is to win the World Title and leave them all chanting WE BELIEVE. Cue Ryan Nemeth to interrupt, saying his big brother isn’t going to like this. The reality is that Hendry is a midcarder and no one here should trust what he says. Hendry likes Ryan’s courage and says there is a thing called the Ryan Nemeth Comedy Special, which cured his insomnia. Ryan is ready to beat Rhino tonight, so Hendry says let’s just do it now.

Rhino vs. Ryan Nemeth

Nemeth goes after the arm to start and gets absolutely nowhere. Back up and Nemeth knocks him to the floor to take over, setting up a quickly broken chinlock back inside. Rhino fights up and elbows him in the face a few times so Nemeth grabs a chair, which Rhino uses on him for the DQ at 5:25.

Rating: C-. Not much to this one, which granted is kind of the point with Nemeth. He’s not supposed to be anything more than Nic’s less talented brother and that’s about what he’s doing in the ring most of the time. Thankfully they didn’t waste time here or try to make this into some big match, which is the right call for them.

Jordynne Grace isn’t happy that Tessa Blanchard is back and she’s ready to prove herself in the main event.

The Rascalz want the Tag Team Titles. The Hardys come in and the match is made for Genesis.

Kushida vs. Ace Austin

They go with the grappling to start and Austin bails into the corner off a clean break. Kushida takes him down into a headscissors but they’re back up for a dropkick to send Kushida outside. Austin follows him to the floor to slug it out but gets caught in the cross armbreaker on the apron.

We take a break and come back with Austin’s arm still in trouble, with a middle rope knee to the arm making it worse. Austin comes back with a running shot to the face though and they’re both down. A gutwrench powerbomb gives Austin two but Kushida hits a running clothesline for two. Austin catches him on top but Kushida manages a kick to the head. The cross armbreaker is broken up so Kushida dropkicks him out of the air. Austin catches him with a kick to the head though and the Fold is good for the pin at 15:11.

Rating: B. My first thought was “this should be good” and that’s what it was. TNA regularly has a good wrestling match of the week and that is what they presented here. It wasn’t some kind of instant classic, but it had good action and two talented wrestlers who can do some nice stuff with some time. That’s a great thing to see on any show and that was the case again here.

Post match Austin thanks the fans for supporting Chris Bey, who wants Austin to go on his big singles run. Austin wants the World Title but here is Moose to interrupt. Moose isn’t happy that Austin doesn’t want the real top guy around here ad brings up Bey’s name. Austin isn’t having that and challenges Moose for the title right now. Cue Santino Marella to make the match at Genesis instead.

Eric Young, Steve Maclin and Jonathan Gresham aren’t sure what they’re doing next. Then they get in a fight with the System.

From January 26, 2017, we see part of a three way between the DCC, Decay and the Hardys, with the Hardys winning as I try to figure out who picked this of all things to air.

Ryan Nemeth is getting looked at when Nic Nemeth comes in. Ryan explains what happened when Joe Hendry and Rhino come in. Santino Marella pops up to make a tag match.

Here is Mike Santana for a chat. He’s disappointed by what happened at Final Resolution but he’s fought through adversity before. Santana holds up Josh Alexander’s headgear so here is the Northern Armory to interrupt. Alexander goes over Santana’s history around here but points out that he hasn’t won anything since coming back. On the other hand, Alexander is a former World Champion and the standard around here. Santana mocks Alexander’s bare bald head and Alexander is ready to fight. The match seems to be made for next week.

Security is in place to deal with any potential Tessa Blanchard interference.

Frankie Kazarian isn’t happy with the lack of attention and offers Leon Slater the chance to be his trophy holder. Slater is good and leaves, with JDC coming in to not be pleased.

Here is Nic Nemeth on the stage to talk about how Joe Hendry is the #1 contender. Nemeth already beat Hendry at Bound For Glory and he loves getting to represent this locker room as World Champion. Genesis is going to be a special show because they are both going to bring everything they have. Ryan Nemeth comes out to say Hendry will stab Nic in the back the first chance he gets. Nic isn’t happy and leaves, with Ryan blaming the people. There is entirely too much Ryan Nemeth on this show.

Security has been attacked.

Heather By Elegance/Ash By Elegance/Tasha Steelz/Rosemary vs. Masha Slamovich/Jordynne Grace/Spitfire

Slamovich hammers away on Steelz to start fast and the villains are in early trouble. Grace comes in to run Rosemary over and everything breaks down with the villains getting quadruple suplexed. Spitfire hit stereo dives to the floor and we take a break. Back with Heather in trouble but handing it off to Steelz, who gets slammed down as well.

Spitfire’s delayed double suplex drops Ash for two but a cheap shot lets her choke Threat in the corner. Threat gets taken into another corner for some stomping and we take another break. Back again with Ash’s handspring elbow hitting Threat in the corner before Rosemary comes in for some choking. Threat finally manages a suplex and it’s Grace coming in to clean house.

Ash blocks the Juggernaut Driver so it’s a World’s Strongest Slam into a Vader Bomb for two with Steelz making the save. Steelz also pulls Ash over to the corner for the tag, showing she’s smarter than most villains. Everything breaks down and we hit the parade of knockdowns until Slamovich piledrives Steelz for the win at 22:22.

Rating: B-. This was longer than it needed to be as it felt like a bunch of waiting around to get to the Tessa Blanchard stuff after the match. It certainly wasn’t a bad match and it did feel big based on the talent involved and the amount of time they got. Blanchard is the focal point though, even if she wasn’t in the match, and that makes for a bit of a weird setup.

Post match Tessa Blanchard runs in to jump Jordynne Grace as everyone brawls. Rosemary mists Slamovich as Blanchard takes Grace backstage and literally throws her out of the building to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. Not a great show here, with only three matches (one was rather good) and a lot of Ryan Nemeth to set up Genesis. They did add some stuff to the pay er view and while this didn’t exactly make Final Resolution feel important, it was nice to see what felt like a big show get some attention. Good enough show here, though I’m scared of what they’re going to do with Blanchard.

Results
Ryan Nemeth b. Rhino via DQ when Rhino used a chair
Ace Austin b. Kushida – The Fold
Masha Slamovich/Jordynne Grace/Spitfire b. Tasha Steelz/Ash By Elegance/Heather By Elegance/Rosemary – Piledriver to Steelz

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Impact Wrestling
Date: December 12, 2024
Location: Crown Arena, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s the last show before Final Resolution, which isn’t exactly feeling like a hot card. The show hasn’t had time to get built up and there is only so much that can be done in the span of one more night. Odds are we’ll get some more matches added to the card this week and that could make things interesting. Let’s get to it.

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

Opening recap.

Here is Moose to get things going. Ever since he won the X-Division Title, the question has been what he is going to do with the title. He is going to make it the most important title around here, which is what has happened since he became champion. People aren’t talking about Nic Nemeth or Joe Hendry and they certainly aren’t talking about the Hardys because they are too busy chanting his name.

The reality is he doesn’t need the people because he is going to be the greatest X-Division Champion in TNA history. Cue Cody Deaner to interrupt, saying he lost his love for wrestling but the people led him back in the right direction. Deaner says he can beat Moose if he has the people behind him so the title challenge is on. Moose knocks him down, orders a ref, and says the match is on right now.

X-Division Title: Moose vs. Cody Deaner

Moose, in a tracksuit, is defending and grabs the mic to ask the fans to chant for Deaner. Back up and the spear misses, allowing Deaner to send him outside for a dive. They get back inside and Moose is sent into the corner so Deaner can roll him up for two. A big boot cuts Deaner off but he escapes a powerbomb and gets two more. The DDT is countered into a release Rock Bottom though and Moose hits the spear for the pin at 3:04.

Rating: C. This was more of an angle than a match with Moose being a dominant monster but getting a bit too cocky for his own good. That being said, the match with Kushida is already set and the title wasn’t likely to change hands so close to Final Resolution. It wasn’t the most serious match but it wasn’t supposed to be and that’s fine once in awhile.

First Class and Tasha Steelz say tonight’s main event will be a preview of their dominance at Final Resolution. AJ Francis promises a bunch of chokeslams.

The Northern Armory interrupts Mike Santana and they bicker, with both promising to win the #1 contenders match at Final Resolution. That could be promising if they ever break into a singles match.

Rosemary vs. Xia Brookside

Brookside flips away to start and works on the arm before scoring with a running dropkick. Back up and Rosemary blocks a running headscissors, setting up a chinlock. That’s broken up and Brookside hits a middle rope crossbody to leave both of them down for a bit. Brookside hits some clotheslines into a running headscissors, setting up Broken Wings in the corner. The Brooksie Bomb is countered into the Upside Down and Rosemary grabs a choke. That’s reversed into a cradle for two but Rosemary pulls her into As Above So Below for the pin at 6:30.

Rating: C+. This was a snappy little match as they didn’t have much time but they were moving throughout the time that they had. It was entertaining while it lasted and I can go for Rosemary getting a bit of an upgrade. She’s one of the most established names in all of the division and having her win something like this should help her, at least a little bit.

Post match Rosemary hammers on Brookside some more until Jordynne Grace makes the save.

Trent Seven is not happy with being put into a match against Ace Austin at Final Resolution. Austin comes in to promise revenge for Seven turning on Mike Bailey.

Leon Slater/Laredo Kid vs. The Rascalz

Wentz and Slater go technical to start before fighting over wrist control. Miguel comes in for a rope walk wristdrag to Kid and all four nip up into a standoff as we take a break. Back with Wentz cranking on Slater’s arm until Slater makes the rope for the escape. Miguel snaps the arm but Slater is up with a running cutter, allowing the tag off to Kid. A pair of moonsaults gets two on Wentz but it’s quickly back to Miguel for a double hurricanrana.

The Rascalz hit a double dive but Slater is right back up for a heck of a flip dive to the floor. An assisted sitout powerbomb gets two on Miguel, with Slater’s bad arm meaning he can’t get a proper cover. A Swanton to a hanging Kid gets two and everything breaks down, with Slater’s Swanton 450 getting superkicked out of the air. Kid gets put in a torture rack and it’s a top rope double stomp into a reverse AA combination to give Miguel the pin at 11:44.

Rating: B-. This was the fast paced tag match of the week and as usual, it went just fine. It’s still a formula that works very well and it went just fine again here. The Rascalz get a quick win and Slater gets to look good in the process. That’s all it needed to be and it was a nice way to get them back on the winning path and give us a fun match at the same time.

The System is ready to win at Final Resolution.

PCO/Sami Callihan vs. Jake Something/Hammerstone

Something jumps PCO from behind to start and it goes as well as you might have expected. Callihan comes in to work on Something’s arm and bends the fingers back to make it worse. Hammerstone offers a distraction though and Something runs PCO over. A whip into the corner has PCO in some trouble but a running clothesline breaks that up and allows the tag off to Callihan. Everything breaks down and PCO hits a double DDT, followed by the big double dive tot he floor. Back in and Callihan Stunners Something but Hammerstone hits PCO with a chair for the DQ at 5:14.

Rating: C. So this was little more than a way to set up a rematch, likely with No DQ, at Final Resolution. I could go for this a bit more if it wasn’t something that they had already done with the Tag Team Title match. For now though, Callihan and PCO will do well enough as the good monsters, though Hammerstone and Something actually winning a match would be nice for a change.

Post match the weird 23 thing pops up again.

Dani Luna vs. Heather By Elegance

Jody Threat and Ash By Elegance/the Personal Concierge are here too. Luna offers a test of strength to start but Heather has to go to the middle rope to reach her hand. Heather’s running elbow doesn’t get her anywhere as Luna grabs a fall away slam. The Concierge breaks up a dive though and that’s the big wind up ejection.

Heather uses the distraction to go after the leg and hits a running hurricanrana driver for two. Luna kicks her way out of the corner and makes the clothesline comeback, setting up a slingshot Blue Thunder Bomb for two more. Back up and Heather snaps the throat across the top rope, only to get caught with a German suplex. Ash tries a distraction so Threat dives on her, leading Luna to hit a fireman’s carry powerbomb for the pin at 6:40.

Rating: C. This was more about the interference than anything else but my goodness can they think of something better than singles matches between tag wrestlers? It feels like that is all they do with these teams over and over and it has long since become tiresome. Just find some different teams for By Elegance to beat to set up their title shot.

Final Resolution rundown.

Tasha Steelz/First Class vs. Joe Hendry/Nic Nemeth/Masha Slamovich

Navarro mocks Hendry to start and gets run over with a shoulder to start. A rather delayed suplex gives Hendry two and it’s already off to Nemeth. Navarro gets dropped with a dropkick and Nemeth gets to pose before doing it again. Slamovich comes in and gets to face Steelz, who hits her in the face.

Steelz’s kick to the head drops Slamovich again as we take a break. Back with Navarro grabbing a front facelock on Steelz, who fights up with ease and brings in Nemeth to clean house. The rapid fire elbows get two on Navarro but a cheap shot lets Francis come in for the stomping. Navarro whips him into the corner and Francis hits a big boot for two.

We hit the chinlock but Nemeth jawbreaks his way to freedom in a hurry. A DDT plants Francis again and it’s Hendry coming in to fight off everyone. The fall away slam sends Francis flying (well close enough) but the Standing Ovation is broken up. Nemeth dives onto Francis and hits a Fameasser for two on Navarro. Slamovich dives onto Steelz and the Danger Zone finishes Navarro at 15:54.

Rating: B-. It was a long match and gave some time to a pair of matches at Final Resolution, which is always a nice way to use some television time. At the same time, Hendry almost has to be the next #1 contender but it wouldn’t surprise me to see him not wind up as champion at Genesis one way or another. Slamovich feels like she’s going to smash Steelz as well, but hopefully they can have a good match on the way there.

Post match the women fight and Francis spears Nemeth. Back to back to back Down Payments leave Nemeth laying to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. They’re trying with Final Resolution, but there is only so much you can do when the main event is AJ Francis getting a World Title shot. The main match at the pay per view is the four way for the #1 contendership and Hendry feels like the big favorite. Final Resolution needs more and for now, this show didn’t make me want to see what they are going to do tomorrow night.

Results
Moose b. Cody Deaner – Spear
Rosemary b. Xia Brookside – As Above So Below
The Rascalz b. Leon Slater/Laredo Kid – Top rope double stomp/reverse fireman’s carry slam combination to Kid
Dani Luna b. Heather By Elegance – Fireman’s carry powerbomb
Joe Hendry/Nic Nemeth/Masha Slamovich b. Tasha Steelz/First Class – Danger Zone to Navarro

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Final Resolution 2024
Date: December 13, 2024
Location: Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s the last major show of the year and in this case we have the main event of Nic Nemeth defending the World Title against…AJ Francis. That’s kind of a weird choice to make but they only had two weeks to set the show up so there was only so much to do. The real main event is a four way for the World Title shot at Genesis so let’s get to it.

Countdown Show: Leon Slater vs. JDC

JDC grabs a headlock to start and dances, only to get armdragged down so Slater can dance. The big dive to the floor its teased before Slater hits a smaller dive to drop JDC again. Back in and JDC hits some running shots in the corner for two and we hit the chinlock. A Falcon Arrow gives JDC two and it’s off to a front facelock.

Slater fights up for a leg lariat and a running dropkick gives him a needed breather. Back up and JDC sweeps the leg in the corner but it’s too early for Down And Dirty. Instead Slater kicks him in the face on the top, setting up the big flip dive out to the floor. The Swanton 450 misses though and JDC rolls him up for the pin at 7:05.

Rating: C+. I have no idea why you would have JDC, the designated goon of the System, beat Slater, who has been getting a minor push. It’s just a weird for the match and I’m not sure I get it. Slater’s high spots were the usual entertaining parts of his matches, but he has just enough more to get by and that helps enough. A win would have helped more though.

Countdown Show: Frankie Kazarian vs. Jonathan Gresham

As usual, Kazarian has to get in his usual special intro and the distraction lets him jump Gresham. That doesn’t last long on Gresham, who grabs a quick Octopus hold in the ropes. The slingshot Fameasser in the ropes cuts Gresham off and a suplex drops him again. Another suplex gets another two and Kazarian works on a double arm crank.

Gresham fights up but gets pulled down into the chickenwing. That’s reversed into the Octopus but Kazarian makes it over to the ropes. Back up and Kazarian sends him to thee apron for the slingshot cutter (that was a nice one), setting up a thumb to the eye and the chickenwing for the win at 9:14.

Rating: C+. Well what in the world was that? This was Gresham’s hometown and he loses by submission in the middle of the ring? Yeah there was cheating but I’m not sure how wise it is to have both good guys lose on the Countdown Show. Kazarian needs to be in the building to threaten the cash in, but did Gresham have to lose like that?

And now, the show proper.

The opening video looks at the major matches and doesn’t have much of a theme.

X-Division Title: Moose vs. Kushida

Moose is defending and starts fast with a hard whip into the corner. Kushida fights back but gets sent outside for a toss into the steps. That’s almost good for a ten count but Moose breaks it up, only to miss a charge (close enough) around the ring and into the steps for a crash. Back in and Kushida starts runs Moose’s fingers over the ropes as Moose’s arm is already banged up.

A flipping kick to the head staggers Moose, who drops Kushida with another hard slam. Moose slaps him in the face though and Kushida fights up for Back To The Future and another near fall. Kushida strikes away at the arm so Moose goes up, only to dive into a Kimura. The rope is grabbed so Moose hits a dropkick to set up the spear for the pin to retain at 10:52.

Rating: B-. There is something to seeing Kushida strike away and crank on the arm like that, only for Moose to win through raw power. It’s a fine story and it worked well here. Moose has been powering through the division so far and that could make for a long term story until someone can find a way to stop him. If nothing else, it’s something new for him to do and that is overdue.

We run down the card.

AJ Francis is ready to win the World Title.

The Rascalz vs. PCO/Sami Callihan vs. Jake Something

Something’s partner Hammerstone is injured and a replacement wasn’t found so this is something of a handicap match. Callihan runs Wentz over to start but Something tags himself in and drops Wentz with some running shoulders. PCO comes in and gets struck down by the Rascalz, only to fight back and hand it off to Callihan. PCO’s backbreaker drops Miguel and everything breaks down with Wentz managing a German suplex on Something.

A superkick into a crucifix bomb gets two on Something but Callihan throws Wentz onto a pile at ringside. PCO dives onto said pile but Something is back in with a powerbomb to send Wentz onto Miguel. Sitout powerbombs hit Callihan and PCO (the latter was impressive), only for PCO to pop back up. The Rascalz are back up though and it’s a superkick into a backbreaker into a middle rope Meteora combination to finish Something at 10:57.

Rating: B-. Another fast paced match here with Something being the logical person to take the fall here as he was coming in with a handicap. PCO and Callihan could turn into a nice resident monster team while the Rascalz are already established as a regular team. I could see them getting into the title picture again and this might be a start on the way there.

Post match the 23 appears again, prompting a WHAT WAS THAT chant.

Eric Young gives Steve Maclin a pep talk before the #1 contenders match.

Trent Seven vs. Ace Austin

Austin slugs away to start and takes him down for a basement dropkick to the floor. Back in and Seven gets in a cheap shot to take over so the pace can slow down. A spinning slam gives Seven two and we’re hitting the early frustration. Seven’s chops just annoy Austin so a DDT takes Austin back down. A powerbomb out of the corner lets Seven wipe himself with what looked like a Chris Bey shirt, which is enough to wake Austin up.

Austin drives him into the corner for some chops and a running double stomp gets two. Seven catches him on top though and it’s a Birminghammer onto the apron for two, with Austin having to put his foot on the rope. Some chops to the neck set up the Seven Star Lariat but Austin slips away, only to get caught with a piledriver for…one. Another Birminghammer is countered into a DDT, meaning it’s the Art Of Finesse into the Fold for the pin on Seven at 12:39.

Rating: C+. The ending with Austin doing his own version of the 1-2-Sweet is a nice thing to see and hopefully we get to see the team version again. Austin is more than talented enough to do something on his own but Bey is going to be on everyone’s minds for a long time. Having Austin beat Seven is a nice way to go, but it’s not like this is some epic feud.

Frankie Kazarian is ready for a big year and teases a cash-in.

Rosemary vs. Jordynne Grace

Grace powers her around to start but it’s too early for a Juggernaut Driver. Some knees to the ribs stagger Rosemary but she’s right back with the Upside Down. With that broken up, Rosemary hammers away on the neck and kicks her in the ropes for an early one. Rosemary plants her on the apron and hits a shot off the steps, followed by a choke back inside.

A hard palm strike knocks Rosemary back but she rises up, only to get dropped for two more. Grace cuts off a spear and knees her down for another near fall. They go outside so Rosemary can choke her on the ropes, earning her a hard drop onto the ramp. Back in and another spear gives Rosemary her own near fall but As Above So Below is blocked. Grace hits the Musclebuster…but someone in a mask pulls the referee out. We’ll call that a no contest at 10:00.

Rating: B-. These two were starting to pick up the pace a bit here and it’s nice to not have Grace pick up another win when she seems to be on her way out of the company in just a few weeks (in theory at least). The other interesting here is that the two of them have fought twice in the last few months and both of them have ended in a no contest. That’s a nice little way to protect Rosemary, which is nice to see as she’s quite the star in the division.

Post match the masked woman lays out Jordynne Grace and it’s….Tessa Blanchard, who is returning after years away.

In the back, Blanchard says she’s back to take what is hers and shoves Gia Miller down.

Joe Hendry vs. Steve Maclin vs. Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana

For the World Title match at Genesis and Eric Young is on commentary. It’s a brawl to start with Santana and Alexander brawling in the ring. Maclin takes Santana’s place but Hendry takes Maclin’s place. The fall away slam is blocked and Santana is back in to enziguri Maclin in the corner. Hendry’s delayed suplex puts Maclin down but Alexander makes the save. Back in and Alexander rolls some German suplexes on Maclin, who manages to escape and fires off some clotheslines in the corner.

Hendry is back in and avoids a middle rope dropkick from Alexander in a Samoa Joe style sidestep. Santana breaks that up and has the big staredown with Alexander. A middle rope knee gives Alexander two and he drops Santana with a belly to back. Back up and Santana’s rolling cutter gets two on Alexander, who gets lifted up for a Doomsday Blockbuster to really leave him down.

Hendry is back up with a fall away slam but Maclin runs him over with a running knee. Alexander goes up but gets caught with a super fall away slam. Maclin hits the Jar Headbutt, only to get hit with a frog splash to give Santana two. With everyone else on the floor, Hendry hits a dive before he and Maclin hit stereo clotheslines. Alexander whips out the zip ties to tie Santana to the barricade before kicking Maclin low. That’s enough to set up the C4 Spike but Hendry is back up with the Standing Ovation to pin Alexander and go to Genesis at 18:23.

Rating: B+. Yeah this was the big match coming in and it more than delivered. There was only so much doubt about who was going to win as Hendry had been presented as a main eventer over the last few weeks, but now all that matters is that he actually wins the title. I’d hope that is the case, but sweet goodness I’m almost scared to imagine what happens if it doesn’t. Heck of a match here, and that is always nice to see.

Video on Chris Bey.

Nic Nemeth is ready for Joe Henry because he’s going to beat AJ Francis tonight.

We recap Masha Slamovich defending the Knockouts Title against Tasha Steelz. Slamovich finally vanquished Jordynne Grace but now has to beat Steelz, who wants the title back.

Knockouts Title: Tasha Steelz vs. Masha Slamovich

Slamovich is defending and…here is Santino Marella to ban Alisha Edwards from the building and make this Falls Count Anywhere.. Slamovich kicks her down to start and gets two off an early cradle. A dive drops Steelz (and security) for two but Steelz is back up with a suplex onto the steps (geez) for two. Back in and Steelz hammers away at the chest and grabs the chinlock, which doesn’t last long. Slamovich knocks her outside again, where Steelz grabs a hanging DDT for two.

Back in again and a superplex drops Steelz so they can slug it out. Steelz has to slip out of a powerbomb attempt and rakes the eyes, meaning it’s time to head to the apron. Neither can hit a piledriver so they head to the ramp, where Steelz gets two off a cutter. Steelz’s bulldog on the stage gets two more but Slamovich gets annoyed at being rammed into the stage. A few shots to the face set up a piledriver to retain the title at 12:35.

Rating: C+. You can only do so much with Steelz as a challenger to a monster like Slamovich as it’s kind of hard to imagine Steelz being a threat. The stipulation helped a bit, but I couldn’t imagine anything Steelz could throw out there being a threat to Slamovich. They didn’t go too nuts here and the result was the right call.

We recap the Hardys defending the Tag Team Titles against the System in a tables match. The System lost the titles at Bound For Glory and then put the Hardys through a table, meaning it’s time for revenge.

Tag Team Titles: Hardys vs. The System

The Hardys are defending in a tables match (elimination rules) and it’s a brawl to start with the champs hammering away. Back to back Plot Twists have the System on the floor and it’s time for a table. There’s a Twist of Fate to Myers but Edwards is back up for the save. A superplex saves Myers from being eliminated and Matt is sent through a table for the elimination at 5:12. That leaves Jeff on the ramp but Matt fights up and cutters Myers off the apron to even it up at 8:13.

Edwards and Jeff fight around ringside but Edwards gets slapped by a fan (and slaps him right back, in what was apparently not planned). Jeff uses the distraction to fight up and hit a basement dropkick inside. Myers sends Matt into the post and breaks up Jeff’s Twist of Fate. Jeff gets dragged into the crowd, where the System sets up another table. Matt makes the save with a chair and Edwards is put on the table for a Swanton out of the balcony to retain the titles at 16:51.

Rating: C. The match was mostly wild but it felt like it was there to hide what the Hardys can’t do anymore. There is only so much you can ask from two guys who are past the age where most stars hang it up and are very banged up after so many years. Throw in the fact that the feud as already run out of steam and there wasn’t much to see here. The Hardys being featured players around here isn’t helping TNA’s reputation and the match was nothing that we haven’t seen done better multiple times.

We recap Nic Nemeth defending the World Title against AJ Francis. Nemeth is a fighting champion and Francis talked his way into a title shot. Here we go.

TNA World Title: Nic Nemeth vs. AJ Francis

Nemeth is defending and Francis has KC Navarro with him. Francis yells a lot and gets superkicked for an early two. A sleeper is broken up but Nemeth can’t slam him. Francis knocks him down and here is Frankie Kazarian to join commentary. They head outside where Francis drops him onto the apron but it’s too early for the chokeslam back inside.

For some reason Francis goes up, earning himself a superkick into a powerbomb for two. Nemeth drops a bunch of elbows for two but gets kicked in the face for another near fall. Some clotheslines and the running DDT put Francis down but he’s right back up with a spear. A Vader Bomb gets two with Nemeth’s foot on the rope.

Navarro shoves it off, which is enough for an ejection to make it one on one. Nemeth manages a quick Danger Zone for two but Francis drops him again. Francis’ moonsault (oh dear) misses and Nemeth hits a Fameasser for another near fall. A Roode Bomb of all things gets two on Nemeth and the chokeslam connects, with Nemeth rolling out to the apron. Francis launches him back into the ring, where Nemeth hits a Fameasser into the Danger Zone to retain at 15:15.

Rating: C. This was about as good as you could get as Francis was little more than a filler challenger. That’s not the worst thing in the world and they did try, but there is a reason Francis has that reputation. The match just wasn’t anything worth seeing and Nemeth was doing everything he could to hold it together.

Post match Navarro comes in for the beatdown but Joe Hendry makes the save. Nemeth and Hendry stare each other down to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show was pretty much thrown together in a few weeks and it certainly felt like it. There was only so much that you could get out of this card and only the four way felt important. The rest of the show came off like it was there because they needed a show this month. You can have good action throughout, but it isn’t going to matter if the show feels like pure filler, which is how most of this came off.

Results
JDC b. Leon Slater – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Frankie Kazarian b. Jonathan Gresham – Chickenwing
Moose b. Kushida – Spear
The Rascalz b. Jake Something and PCO/Sami Callihan – Middle rope Meteora to Something
Ace Austin b. Trent Seven – Fold
Jordynne Grace vs. Rosemary went to a no contest when Tessa Blanchard interfered
Joe Hendry b. Mike Santana, Steve Maclin and Josh Alexander – Standing Ovation to Alexander
Masha Slamovich b. Tasha Steelz – Piledriver on the ramp
Hardys b. The System – Swanton to Edwards through a table
Nic Nemeth b. AJ Francis – Danger Zone

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Impact Wrestling
Date: December 5, 2024
Location: Crown Arena, Fayetteville, North Carolina
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We are done with Turning Point and Nic Nemeth retained the World Title, again with the help of John Layfield. In addition, we are about two weeks away from Final Resolution, which is going to need a card set up in rather short order. That makes for some interesting options so let’s get to it.

Here is Turning Point if you need a recap.

We open with a long Turning Point recap.

Opening sequence.

Trent Seven vs. Kushida vs. Ace Austin vs. JDC vs. Leon Slater

For the X-Division Title shot at Final Resolution. Slater and Seven are left in the ring to start but Austin comes back in to dropkick Slater out to the floor. Austin’s big dive to the floor takes some people out but Seven kicks him out of the air back inside. Seven and JDC get together to take over on Slater until JDC rolls Seven up for two (it was a matter of time).

Austin hits a quick Art Of Finesse for two on Kushida but he pulls Austin into a cross armbreaker. Slater breaks that up with a top rope splash and then takes both of the out with a big dive tot he floor. Back in and Austin climbs onto JDC’s back to superplex Slater (that was cool) but Slater backdrops Austin to the floor. Kushida is back up with Back To The Future to pin Slater at 8:26.

Rating: B-. As has been the case for years, there is some easy value in having a bunch of people in a match going all over the place until one of them wins. Kushida is someone with enough of a track record to be an interesting challenge to Moose, even if I can’t imagine him winning the title. They had a nice way to get there though, with Austin looking good as well.

Tasha Steelz is ready to get rid of the thorn in her side that is Jordynne Grace.

PCO/Sami Callihan vs. Good Hands

On their way to the ring, the Good Hands mock the South Carolina fans and say Callihan is dirty, while PCO needs to understand that Halloween is over. Callihan chops Hotch into the corner and it’s off to PCO to knock him outside in a heap. Back in and a slingshot takes Callihan down and Skyler grabs a chinlock. That’s broken up rather quickly and PCO comes in to run both of them over. A double DDT drops the Hands and Callihan backdrops PCO onto both of them outside. Back in and assisted top rope Swanton (the old Quebecers’ Cannonball) finishes Hotch at 5:47.

Rating: C. Yeah what were you expecting here? This was designed to be PCO and Callihan as a monster team and they did what they were supposed to do. I’m not sure I can imagine them as a regular team but it’s not like either of them have anything better to do. That’s not a good sign when PCO has two titles but it’s not like the Digital Media Title means much.

Post match the lights go out and “23” appears on the screen.

Nic Nemeth is cut off by First Class, with Top Dolla saying he wants the World Title. Santino Marella comes in and the match is on for Final Resolution. And yes you are supposed to want to see this.

Tag Team Titles: The Hardys vs. The System

The Hardys are defending and Alisha Edwards is here with the System. Eddie headlocks Jeff to start and the Hardys are even more popular than usual in their home state. Matt comes in and takes over on Myers in the corner with the double stomping ensuing. Myers is back up with a chop block to Matt though and we take a break.

Back with Myers hammering away and working on Matt’s knee like a good villain should. The Roster Cut is countered into a Side Effect though and Matt gets a needed breather. That’s enough for Jeff to come back in and clean house, with an elbow drop getting two on Eddie. The Whisper In The Wind gets two more but the Twist Of Fate is broken up. The System Overload is broken up though and the Plot Twist gives the Hardys two. It’s time for a table, which is enough for Alisha to use the kendo stick for the DQ at 9:48.

Rating: B-. This felt like a way to set up a rematch with some kind of stipulation at Final Resolution, which isn’t the best sign when the Hardys and the System (plus ABC) just had a big stipulation match at Bound For Glory. Then again, the Hardys being put in a match in North Carolina makes sense. Throw in the heat the System will get from these fans and this was a good setup.

Post match the System beats up the Hardys, with Jeff being put through Matt through the table.

Spitfire is a bit annoyed at each other but they’re ready for Ash/Heather By Elegance.

Here is Santino Marella (to quite the reception) to announce the Hardys vs. the System at Final Resolution in a tables match.

PCO and Sami Callihan want to know what 23 is and accuse Hammerstone and Jake Something of being behind it. That’s not true, but a match seems likely.

Tasha Steelz vs. Jordynne Grace

They grapple to start with Grace taking her over off a headlock takeover. We see Rosemary watching from the rafters as Grace grabs a rather delayed suplex for two. Steelz slips out of a superplex attempt though and hits a Cheeky Nandos kick as we take a break. Back with Steelz throwing her into the corner but the Blackout is blocked.

Grace sends her flying and hits the Vertebreaker for a quick two. Steelz catches her in the corner and gets two off Sliced Bread. A cutter is blocked and Grace grabs a Regal Roll for two more. Cue Alisha Edwards for a distraction though, allowing Steelz to grab a rollup with feet on the ropes for the pin at 11:11.

Rating: C+. This was a way to set Steelz up for her future title shot as Grace’s downward slide continues. Odds are that is on her way out of the promotion as WWE seems like a likely destination for her, but it isn’t like she has anything else to do around here. She has completely dominated the division for so long that she almost has to move on, just for some fresh challengers. Steelz has been at the top of the division before, but Slamovich is going to be a bit different for her.

Post match the beatdown is on but Masha Slamovich makes the save.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Final Resolution rundown, including a four way between Joe Hendry, Josh Alexander, Mike Santana and Steve Maclin for the World Title shot at Genesis.

Northern Armory/Frankie Kazarian vs. Steve Maclin/Eric Young/Jonathan Gresham/Mike Santana

Joe Hendry is on commentary. It’s a brawl to start with everyone heading to the floor, with more referees having to settle things down. We officially start with Gresham grabbing an Octopus on Alexander before it’s off to Maclin for an Irish Curse on Williams. Alexander offers a quick distraction though, allowing Kazarian to get in his springboard legdrop to cut Maclin off.

We take a break and come back with Young coming in to clean house but Icarus gets in a shot so Alexander can take over. Young is sent outside for a big group beatdown and Kazarian gets two off a suplex. A double clothesline gives Young a breather and it’s Santana coming in to clean house.

Alexander saves Icarus from Spin The Block as everything breaks down. Gresham snaps off a bunch of armdrags but a triple kick in the corner drops him, with Maclin having to make the save. We hit the parade of strikes to the face until Alexander piledrives Gresham for two. Kazarian sneaks in a trophy shot to Gresham and Alexander steals the pin at 15:16.

Rating: B-. Nice, longer match here with Alexander getting a bit of momentum before next week’s #1 contenders match. That’s a simple way to go and Kazarian is still around with the guaranteed title shot, so there are some options for how things can go through Genesis. It still needs to be the guy who wasn’t even in the match, but there is a chance that ship has already sailed.

Overall Rating: B-. This was standard Impact, with good action and some nice build towards the upcoming big show. At the same time, since it’s TNA, they only have so much time to get ready for that show. It doesn’t make Turning Point feel that important, which can get a bit annoying when the show just kind of came and went. For now though, Final Resolution is going to need a heck of a go home show, because it feels like that four way is the only really interesting thing taking place.

Results
Kushida b. Trent Seven, Ace Austin, JDC and Leon Slater – Back To The Future to Slater
PCO/Sami Callihan b. Good Hands – Assisted top rope Swanton to Hotch
The Hardys b. The System via DQ when Alisha Edwards interfered
Tasha Steelz b. Jordynne Grace – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Northern Armory/Josh Alexander b. Eric Young/Steve Maclin/Jonathan Gresham/Mike Santana – Trophy shot to Young

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.