Tag: fraxiom

Number one contender’s match added to WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A tag team number one contender’s match is among several new additions to the lineup for tonight’s WWE SmackDown.

Tonight, there will be a fatal four-way match featuring Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns, Andrade & Rey Fenix, and DIY. The winning team earns a future shot against new WWE Tag Team Champions The Wyatt Sicks, who won the belts from The Street Profits last week.

WWE did not announce when the winners will receive their title shot against Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis.

A pair of singles matches in the women’s division have also been booked with Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez and Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre both set to take place tonight.

Plus, Jacob Fatu will make an appearance as he continues his feud with United States Champion Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, JC Mateo, and Tonga Loa.

Frost Bank Center in San Antonio is hosting tonight’s show. Here’s the updated card:

WWE SmackDown (Friday, July 18) —

  • SummerSlam contract signing with Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena & Cody Rhodes
  • Number one contender’s match: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre
  • Jacob Fatu appears

WWE SmackDown live results: Fraxiom challenge for Tag Team titles

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Two weeks after Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) defeated The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) in a non-title match, the teams will meet again on SmackDown tonight with the WWE Tag Team title belts on the line.

Fraxiom defeated DIY last week before Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa attacked Frazer & Axiom in a post-match beatdown. Motor City Machine Guns made the save for the babyfaces.

Also tonight, two Money In The Bank qualifying matches will take place. On the women’s side, it will be Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega. The winner joins Roxanne Perez, Rhea Ripley, and Alexa Bliss, who have already qualified for the Saturday, June 7 PLE.

On the men’s side, we will see LA Knight vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Aleister Black for a spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Whoever wins will join Solo Sikoa, who secured a spot in the men’s match last week.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Savannah, Georgia, aired.

– The Street Profits, Fraxiom, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, JC Mateo and Drew McIntyre were shown walking in and around the building. As McIntyre walked, Damian Priest appeared out of nowhere and attacked McIntyre. Officials ultimately broke the two up.

The Tiffany Stratton/Alexa Bliss/Charlotte Flair segment

Tiffy started by asking Savannah, Georgia, what time it was. Stratton reflected on how she walked into Money In The Bank last year while this year, she stands as the WWE Women’s Champion. The Charlotte match was brought up. Last week’s Nia Jax match was brought up. Stratton said at MITB, someone will have the same opportunity she once had. As Stratton spoke, Alexa Bliss’s music hit and Bliss walked out.

Bliss said she didn’t think she and Stratton had formally met and then proceeded to list off her accomplishments in WWE. Bliss said she had her eye on Tiffy and weirdly added that she initially felt bad for Charlotte but then realized she shouldn’t feel bad for a queen (so I guess that interaction a couple weeks ago is already dead?). Bliss talked about how she doesn’t know Tiffy and she told Tiffy that if she thought her rise to the top was quick, Tiffy will have to take note of how fast her downfall will be. Charlotte Flair’s music then hit and out walked Flair.

Flair started talking with a microphone in hand while walking to the ring. The crowd booed the hell out of her. Charlotte said she might be the most humbled champion in the history of WWE. Charlotte congratulated Tiffy on beating her at Mania. Charlotte said she’s done everything there is to do in the business except win Money In The Bank. Charlotte said she will take her title back after she wins the MITB briefcase – as well as the spotlight. Charlotte said when she wants something, she doesn’t wait; she just takes it.

Tiffy questioned the hypocrisy of Charlotte because Charlotte had said cashing in the MITB briefcase was the easy way out. Tiffy called Bliss and Charlotte the standard while Tiffy is “the upgrade.” Tiffy worked in reminding everyone that it will be Tiffy Time and Tiffy’s music hit. Then, while Tiffy started her walk to the back, Giulia’s music hit and out she came, presumably for the first match. Giulia stopped and engaged in a stare down with Tiffy as they crossed paths.

Fairly basic stuff from everybody involved, but two things of note: One, Bliss felt really, really, really comfortable on the mic – more so than I remember her being even before she was off for a couple years. And two, as I mentioned earlier … so we’re just going to forget that Bliss/Charlotte thing from a couple weeks ago? That’s a bummer because that was intriguing. I don’t know what they had in mind, but they could have tried anything and it would have been more compelling than a lot of whatever’s been happening on Friday nights. Outside of those two things, this was fine enough, I suppose. If anything, it was a clever way to set up the first match while not having to put Giulia through having to cut a live promo in a language that isn’t her best language quite yet.

**********

Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega in a Money In The Bank qualifier match

Things were slow to start as Charlotte and Giulia teased locking up, but Vega kept getting in the way. Charlotte eventually threw Giulia into Vega and lifted Giulia briefly until Giulia stomped Charlotte’s head into the canvas. The two traded chops until they clotheslined each other at the same time. Vega reinserted herself into the mix and DDT’d both Charlotte and Giulia at the same time for two-counts. Vega and Giulia found themselves on the outside and Charlotte followed. Before long, Vega hit a moonsault on both Giulia and Charlotte on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Giulia and Charlotte were roughing each other up inside the ring. Giulia wound up on the apron and Charlotte kicked her to the floor. Vega came off the second rope and Charlotte caught her, but Giulia came off the top rope and took both women down for two-counts. The three traded blows until Giulia took Charlotte down and got a two-count out of it. Charlotte hit a cross-body off the top on both women. Vega came right back and worked a submission Vega, but Giulia hit a knee on Vega. Charlotte took out Giulia and got a two-count out of it. Charlotte stood tall and walked over both women to get to the top rope.

Charlotte landed a moonsault on both Giulia and Vega, but both Vega and Giulia kicked out at two. Giulia came right back and worked a Rings Of Saturn on Charlotte. Vega dropkicked her opponents and amped the crowd up before hitting a 619 on Giulia and Charlotte. Giulia then barely kicked out of a spear from Charlotte. Vega was on the outside and Charlotte went for a Figure Eight, but Vega broke up the move. Vega then landed a Code Red on Giulia, but Charlotte broke that pin attempt up. The crowd started dueling chants and the match reset.

Charlotte missed a spear on Vega, but booted Vega in the face. Charlotte worked a Figure Eight on Vega, but Giulia broke it up. Giulia followed up with a Northern Lights Bomb on Vega and that was good enough to earn her the win.

Match result: Giulia defeated Charlotte Flair and Zelina Vega to earn a spot in the women’s Money In The Bank ladder match (13:31).

A good MITB qualifying match. There seemed to be some timing issues with Giulia and Charlotte, but Vega came to fight and stood out in a good way. The crowds might not make a noise for her, her entrance, or anything she does in the ring, but damn if she doesn’t work her ass off each time she goes out there. Giulia going over was the right call as Vega is stuck in the mid-card, complete with mid-card title, and Charlotte would have felt stale, even if there is something to the fact that she’s never won a MITB briefcase. The women’s ladder match is shaping up to be pretty good/interesting/compelling/fun. As for tonight, it was a good strong first Big Win for Giulia on the main roster. It might take a little bit for her to adjust to the main roster style – just as she had her best-ever NXT match and looked like The Real Giulia, to boot! – but I’m pulling for her.

**********

– A #DIY vignette aired.

– Vega was shown walking backstage, selling pain from the match and Chelsea Green walked into the frame with the Hervice. Green called Vega a loser and Vega attacked Green. The Hervice intervened and Michin and B-Fab showed up. All the women brawled and Nick Aldis ran in to break things up. Michin yelled for a tag match between Michin/B-Fab and the Hervice. Aldis made the match for later.

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Chris Sabin

The two locked up to begin the match. Sabin arm-dragged Ciampa and Ciampa sold arm pain. Sabin went to work on Ciampa’s arm. Ciampa came back and stomped a mud hole in Sabin, which woke up the crowd. Ciampa chopped the hell out of Sabin and stomped on Sabin’s face. Sabin fired up and took Ciampa out. The action spilled outside after Ciampa came back with a Willow’s Bell DDT. Ciampa ran Sabin into a corner and then pat himself on the back. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the show, both guys were down. Sabin tried to kick Ciampa, but Ciampa blocked it. Sabin brushed it off and landed a leaping kick on Ciampa for a two-count. Ciampa rolled outside to talk to Gargano and Sabin and Ciampa battled on the apron, exchanging chops. Ciampa ended all that as he dropped Sabin on his head on the apron. Ciampa set up for a Fairytale Ending, but Sabin countered into a dragon-screw leg-whip, which was followed by a Tornado DDT. Sabin got a two-count out of it.

Sabin went to the top and Gargano hopped on the apron to distract him. Alex Shelley confronted Gargano and Ciampa botted Shelley in the face. Sabin hit a cross-body on both Gargano and Ciampa on the outside. “This is awesome!” chants began. Sabin went to the top, but Ciampa cut him off. Sabin pushed Ciampa off and Ciampa sold a leg injury. The referee checked on Ciampa and Candice LeRae showed up to attack Sabin. Ciampa took advantage, rolled down his knee pad, hit Sabin with the knee and got the win.

Match result: Tommaso Ciampa defeated Chris Sabin (11:13).

I really like pairing LeRae with Ciampa and Gargano. It might have major NXT black-and-gold vibes, but those three work really well together and this keeps LeRae on TV without having to be Nia Jax’s sidekick. I’m excited to see what’s next for that trio. The match itself was pretty good. It never quite kicked into the next gear, but that’s more a function of the television format, including the commercial break that tends to stagnate matches that could be very good and force them to only be merely good. That said, Ciampa and Sabin are pros and this was a solid professional wrestling match.

**********

– Fraxiom were interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton. They were fired up about being the best tag team in the world and said they could cement that if they beat the Profits later in the show.

– A video package on John Cena and R-Truth aired.

– Priest was about to make his entrance, but he and McIntyre instead brawled through the curtain and down to ringside. WWE officials broke them up and Priest grabbed a microphone. Priest screamed into the microphone said tonight, he will get his “pile of flesh.” Priest then broke through security and the two went back to brawling until they were broken up again.

– Solo Sikoa was shown talking with JC Mateo backstage. Jacob Fatu walked up and Fatu asked to speak in private. Sikoa said they could talk there because they are family. Fatu said he didn’t trust or like Mateo. Fatu said Mateo isn’t his blood or his family. Mateo stepped to Fatu and Sikoa stopped him. Sikoa said Mateo has to channel that energy for his match later. Sikoa said he never left like Roman has left and he wants everyone to come together as a family. Fatu told Sikoa to stop talking and hit his go-away line to end the segment.

– Charlotte was shown walking backstage and she ran across Alexa Bliss, who said it was important to have friends. Bliss was speaking with her doll Lilly and told Charlotte she’d see her at Money In The Bank, but then remembered Charlotte lost earlier and said, “Sorry.”

The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) vs. B-Fab & Michin

B-Fab and Niven started the match, but Fyre quickly tagged herself in. Niven knocked Michin off the apron and hit a Senton on B-Fab. Fyre kept kicking B-Fab in a corner as Green shouted things off camera. Niven tagged in and worked somewhat of a Million Dollar Dream on B-Fab. Niven sidewalk-slammed B-Fab. Eventually, B-Fab knee’d Piven in the face and got the hot tag to Michin, who fired up and dropkicked Fyre. Green hopped up on the apron to distract the referee, but Zelina Vega showed up and took Green out. Niven ran Vega off while inside the ring, Michin hit Eat Defeat on Fyre. B-Fab tagged in and landed her finisher on Fyre and that got her team the win.

Match result: Michin & B-Fab defeated The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) (3:45)

Quick and painless. I wonder if this leads to a six-woman tag for tomorrow night’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. Time will tell. B-Fab has improved so much and Michin feels like she’s really sinking her teeth into her character more than ever. The Hervice, meanwhile, are gold anytime they step through the curtain. That said, a sub-four-minute match was probably the right call.

**********

– The Profits were interviewed backstage. Dawkins said it’s a big night for Fraxiom and the Profits. Dawkins started shouted how tonight isn’t a friendly exhibition. Ford chimed in a mocked Fraxiom for being called the best tag team in the world. Ford said they would walk out the same way they walked in – as tag champs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo walked by the Profits on their way to the ring and the five people engaged in a quick stare down. Fatu and Mateo made their entrance, alongside Sikoa, for the next match.

– A Legado Del Fantasma vignette aired. They were sitting at a dining room table with glasses of wine. Escobar told Berto and Angel they are capable of achieving greatness together. Escobar said at Worlds Collide, they will come together as the best they have to offer. Escobar said they will stand victorious in front of their people. Escobar tried to make a toast, but Berto seemed despondent. Escobar told him to see the vision. Berto stood up, drank the wine, and left. Escobar told Angel to let Berto go because soon, Berto will understand.

– Jimmy Uso and Rey Fenix were backstage hyping themselves up for the next match.

Jimmy Uso & Rey Fenix vs. Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo

Uso and Fatu technically began the match, but Mateo tagged himself in, which made Fatu angry. Mateo took Uso down quickly and stomped on him in a corner. Fatu then tagged himself in and that made Mateo angry. Fenix tagged in and kicked Fatu in the head. Mateo ran into a bunch of superkicks. With Mateo and Fatu on the outside, Fenix hit a corkscrew plancha on both guys. Fenix got incredible height out of it. A replay aired and the show went to a commercial break.

Back to action, Mateo had the advantage in the ring against Uso. Mateo even hit a standing moonsault on Uso. Fatu tagged in and landed a hip attack on Uso. The crowd ate it up. Fatu eventually hip-attacked again. Mateo tagged in and placed Uso on the top rope. Mateo teased a German Suplex, but Uso fought out and knocked Mateo off the top. Fenix then received a hot tag from Uso. Fatu tagged in as well and Fenix walked the ropes, taking everyone out, complete with a poisonrana on Fatu for a very good near fall.

Fenix stepped to Fatu and Fatu landed a pop-up Samoan Drop before going for a hip attack, which he missed. Mateo tagged in and went for a German Suplex, but Fenix landed on his feet. Uso tagged himself in and hit a cross-body on Mateo, but Fatu broke up a pin attempt. Fenix missile-dropkicked Fatu to the outside. Fenix tried to followed it up with a splash, but Fatu caught Fenix and threw him over the commentary desk. Inside the ring, Uso hit a spear on Mateo and went to the top, but Sikoa hopped up to distract Uso. Uso missed the splash as a result and Mateo executed Tour Of The Islands for the victory.

Match result: Jacob Fatu & JC Mateo defeated Jimmy Uso & Rey Fenix (12:26).

Do you know how hard it is to type “JC Mateo” after, for so long, you typed “Jeff Cobb?” The amount of times I had to correct myself here … anyway, enough of my whining. I like the friction between Mateo and Fatu, but something seems a little off about Mateo. As Jeff Cobb, he was never not a badass. And I’m not so sure this is on purpose, but pairing him with Fatu, who came in with a rocket strapped to his entire soul, hasn’t been the best idea? Maybe? Whatever it is, Mateo doesn’t look as powerful or engaged or even crisp as he would if he was just introduced as his badass self, minus the Bloodline (or at least the overpowering Fatu). I digress. The crowd was up for this and it might just have been Rey Fenix’s best showing on TV since arriving in WWE. It’s worth 12-and-a-half minutes of your time. And sure, it kind of seemed like a hodgepodge of wrestlers at times, but it worked and it worked well.

**********

– Byron Saxton was talking backstage and LA Knight walked into the frame. Knight said Sikoa has a first-class seat to watch Knight win the MITB briefcase in two weeks. Knight said the odds have always been against him, but in Los Angeles, it will be Knight standing tall. Knight said that 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he is living, talking and breathing Money In The Bank. He then offered up his catchphrase to end the segment.

The R-Truth segment

The proceedings began with the “What’s up?!” bit. Truth said people asked him how he’d handle fighting his childhood hero, but Truth said they don’t get it because he’s not fighting his childhood hero and instead, the man who attacked him is a man Truth doesn’t recognize. Truth said he can’t figure out where things went wrong or how he could have prevented things. Truth said he realized a problem – power. Truth said Cena used to call him his friend or brother, but the more power and fame Cena got, the more disconnected he felt.

Truth said the phone calls stopped from Cena. Truth said he felt Cena was always annoyed with him because whatever Truth did was wrong. Truth said he blamed himself and he was worried he did something to upset Cena. Truth said he talked to other people and they felt the same way Truth did. Truth said Cena isolated himself with power. Truth called out Cena’s ego. Truth said Cena stopped having fun so now Cena gets mad when someone else wants to have fun. Truth said he doesn’t like who Cena has become and he doesn’t believe Cena is happy. Truth said Cena is the GOAT and the crowd booed. Truth said he wasn’t sure if he could bring Cena back, but he’ll try, and Cena will not take Truth’s joy away from him.

Truth said if he’s going to save wrestling, he has to save Cena. Truth said he won’t want to put his hands on Cena, but if he has to, he’ll beat the … everything … out of Cena. Truth said he misses his hero and he can’t deny that. As such, Truth said if Cena wins on Saturday night, “we riot.” Truth yelled “What’s up?!” and jumped, did a split, and that was it.

I don’t even know what to say about what’s become a farse of a retirement tour for Cena. A weak explanation for his turn due to The Rock disappearing. Cena mean-mugging and pouting any week he shows up. And now, while the guy has six months left, we’re going to waste a date on a completely silly match with R-Truth? This ain’t workin’, brothers. Truth did the best he could here. The lack of Cena on a weekly basis makes these things hard and it’s not like Truth is out here each week, cutting eight-minute promos on his own because they have him positioned as a person to cut eight-minute promos on his own each week. God bless him. This whole thing is too silly for my admittedly-basic-and-probably-bad taste.

**********

– A video recap of Raw’s main event aired.

– A Naomi/Jade Cargill/Nia Jax vignette aired. It turns out, this will be the women’s MITB qualifier match next week.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Aleister Black vs. LA Knight in a Money In The Bank qualifier match

Nakamura was quickly disposed to the outside as the match began. Black and Knight went at it as the crowd chanted “We want tables!” Knight hit his jumping neck-breaker on Black and stomped on him in a corner. Knight ran at Black, but Nakamura tripped Knight up and disposed of Knight to the outside. Nakamura and Black were left to go one-on-one inside the ring and the kicked each other twice at the same time. After a quick fury, Black took control with a knee and Nakamura rolled to the outside. Black went for a moonsault, but Knight popped up and super-plexed Black from the top to the canvas. Nakamura ran in and hit Knight with a jumping knee. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Black had the upper hand on Nakamura. Black landed a springboard moonsault, but Knight broke up a pin attempt. Knight lifted Black and the two attempted their finishers on each other, but each wrestler countered. Ultimately, Knight dropped Black and Nakamura dragged Knight to the outside, where he ran Knight into the ring steps. Black and Nakamura went head-to-head and traded strikes. Knight returned and threw Nakamura to the outside. From there, Black hit a knee on Knight and threw him to the outside. Black then twice went for high-risk moves on the outside and neither Knight or Nakamura caught him.

Anyway, Black rolled Knight back into the ring, but Knight DDT’d Black. Knight followed up with a leaping elbow, but Nakamura reinserted himself with a knee to Knight’s head. Nakamura covered Knight, but Knight grabbed the rope to break up a pin attempt. Nakamura went for a knee, but Black caught up. It didn’t matter because Nakamura rank Black into the ring post. Nakamura fired up, but instead ran into Black Mass. Knight reappeared, threw Black to the outside and pinned Nakamura for the win.

Match result: LA Knight defeated Shinsuke Nakamura and Aleister Black to earn a spot in the men’s Money In The Bank ladder match (11:01).

I’m kind of surprised they didn’t go with Black here, but at some point, someone really ought to take full advantage of how over LA Knight is with these live crowds. Still, it is kind of funny to see how the only two men’s MITB ladder match participants, as it currently stands, is Solo Sikoa and LA Knight while the women have Roxanna Perez and Giulia. The former is a stale SmackDown third-hour match. The latter is an exciting NXT PLE main event. This match was fine, even though I feel for Black with how everyone sort of bailed on him each time he tried to something neat. Nakamura is not the Nakamura of old, LA Knight’s strong suit is most definitely not in-ring work and then … there’s Black, who is a very good professional wrestler. It worked in its own way, but this will not go down as the match of the night.

**********

– The Miz and Carmelo Hayes were shown talking backstage. Miz asked Melo how many times he had to take a Black Mass before Melo would listen to him. Miz told Melo he put Melo in a qualifier match for MITB next week. Miz put over how important MITB is. Miz said he wouldn’t be where he is if it wasn’t for the MITB contract. Miz said that’s how much he believes in Melo. Miz did the catchphrase to end the segment.

– A Jey Uso/Logan Paul vignette aired.

– The commentary team ran down the SNME card for Saturday night. Added to it will be Zelina Vega, who will face Chelsea Green for the Women’s United States Championship.

– Fatu, Mateo and Sikoa were walking backstage. Aldis walked up to them and said next week on SmackDown, the final triple threat qualifier for the men’s MITB match will take place. Aldis said Fatu will be in that match. Fatu said, “I love you, Solo,” and Sikoa said, “He hadn’t said that in, like, six months,” and it was very funny.

– A Bianca Belair vignette aired. She said the past six months have been some of the most challenging, frustrating times of her career. She lost friendships and her first match at Mania, etc. Belair said sometimes, she wants to give up, but she can’t let those things define her. Belair said she’ll get through it because she’s healing her finger and in her heart and “here’s to a new beginning.” Belair said the only consistent thing in life is change and her best is yet to come.

– Next week, Andrade, Melo and Fatu will face off in the MITB qualifier match. On the women’s side, Cargill, Naomi and Jax will compete for their ticket to MITB. John Cena will return as well. And, finally, Bianca Belair will be there. It is in Knoxville, Tennessee, after all.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) for the WWE Tag Team Championship

Axiom and Dawkins began the match. Dawkins overpowered Axiom at first. Dawkins worked Axiom’s arm and Ford was animated on the apron. Axiom backed into his own corner and Frazer tagged in to work a head-lock on Dawkins. Dawkins ran the ropes and ultimately shot Frazer off and shoulder-blocked him to the mat. Ford tagged in and dropkicked Frazer for a two-count. Dawkins tagged back in and slowly worked on Frazer until Frazer hit an enziguri and tagged in Axiom. Things broke down and Frazer and Axiom hit a series of dives onto the Profits on the outside. The sequence ended with a top rope moonsault from Axiom onto the Profits. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the action and Dawkins was working a headlock on Axiom. Ford tagged in and drove his shoulder into Axiom, who was in a corner. Dawkins tagged back in and hit his spinning splash in said corner for a two-count. Axiom slapped Dawkins repeatedly and hit a DDT from the second rope. At about the nine-and-a-half minute mark, Frazer received the hot tag. Ford tagged in as well. Frazer ran the ropes and eventually landed a running shooting-star press on Ford. With Frazer on the apron, he first stumbled, but ultimately landed a springboard missile dropkick on Ford for a two-count. Dawkins tagged in and the Profits took back control with back-drop. The show then went to its final commercial break at about 11 minutes.

When the show returned, Ford was working over Axiom, who fired up and hit Ford with some chops and kicks. Axiom went for a rear-naked choke. Frazer ran in and worked a choke on Dawkins, who threw Frazer onto Axiom to break everything up. All four wrestlers were down in the ring as the match went to its home stretch. Frazer tagged in and hit a step-up enziguri on Ford. With Ford on the top, Frazer ran up to the top repeatedly to hit a super-plex. Axiom tagged in and kicked Ford as Frazer suplexed him and that was good enough for a two-count.

Frazer ran at Dawkins on the outside, but Dawkins cut him off with a right hand. Ford tagged in Dawkins and Dawkins put Axiom on his shoulders for the Blockbuster from the top. Frazer then broke up a pin attempt and all four wrestlers were down once again. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Dawkins went to the top, but Axiom cut him off and delivered a Spanish Fly from the top. Frazer tagged in as well and hit the Phoenix Splash, but Ford returned from the outside and broke up the pin attempt. #DIY ran down to the ring with LeRae and hopped on the apron. MCMG appeared, too, and brawled with #DIY.

Ford landed a splash on the teams outside the ring. Frazer missed a splash on Dawkins and Dawkins landed a spinebuster on Frazer. Ford tagged in and went to the top, but the lights went out. Inside the ring, the Wyatt Sicks stood as the lights came back on. The faction took out everyone in sight. Uncle Howdy gave the Mandible Claw to Frazer. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Howdy gave Gargano a Sister Abigail. The Sicks posed in the middle of the ring with what looked like a birthday cake (it was Bray’s birthday earlier this week). Howdy blew out the candle on the cake and the show ended.

Match result: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) fought The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) to a no-contest (21:17).

They had a good match while they had it, and though I’m usually down on cheap finishes to matches like this, the Wyatt Sicks return sure did pack a punch. I can’t be mad at it. I’m not exactly sure why they targeted the entire SmackDown tag-team roster, but perhaps that will be explained later. Either way, the return was pulled off really well. In the meantime, the guys who worked the actual main event put a good bout together despite the crowd feeling dead for most of it (be better, Savannah). I don’t know what this means moving forward for the tag division, but I like the uncertainty of it all. On to next week.

Fraxiom to face Street Profits for WWE Tag Team Championship

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The WWE Tag Team Championship will be on the line on the Friday, May 23 WWE SmackDown.

After defeating the champs on last week’s SmackDown, Fraxiom’s Axiom and Nathan Frazer will challenge Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford for the WWE Tag Team titles on next Friday’s episode.

Money in the Bank qualifying matches will also continue on next Friday’s SmackDown.

On the women’s side, Charlotte Flair will face Zelina Vega and Giulia in a triple threat qualifying match. The winner will join Alexa Bliss in the women’s MITB ladder match set for the Money in the Bank PLE on Saturday, June 7. Bliss qualified on Friday’s SmackDown.

In the men’s division, LA Knight vs. Aleister Black vs. Shinsuke Nakamura will decide the next SmackDown man to qualify for Money in the Bank. Solo Sikoa won a three-way qualifier on this week’s episode to become the first to qualify.

Next week’s lineup:

WWE SmackDown, Friday, May 23 —

  • WWE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) defend against Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)
  • Money in the Bank qualifying match: Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Zelina Vega
  • Money in the Bank qualifying match: LA Knight vs. Aleister Black vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Fraxiom join WWE SmackDown brand, defeat Legado Del Fantasma

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Fraxiom have arrived on the main roster.

It was announced on SmackDown that the duo had officially been called up to the main roster. After a short video aired introducing Nathan Frazer and Axiom, they wrestled Legado Del Fantasma, emerging victorious following a spanish fly from Axiom and a phoenix splash by Frazer.

After their match, Triple H on social media posted a picture of himself and the newest members of the SmackDown roster:

The duo wrestled over WrestleMania weekend, losing to Hank & Tank at Stand & Deliver, finally breaking their long run as NXT Tag Team Champions. The former champions had been teaming together since late 2023. They are two time champions, most recently winning them from Chase U at NXT’s No Mercy premium live event back in September.

SmackDown’s tag team division has been heating up as multiple title matches have been held over the last few monthS, with The Street Profits recently winning the titles. They will defend them later on Friday in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match that will also include DIY and The Motor City Machine Guns.

The Hardy Boyz want WWE NXT Tag Team title shot

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Hardy Boyz’s victory at Roadblock looks to have set up a future NXT Tag Team title match.

Matt & Jeff Hardy retained their TNA Tag Team titles against Nathan Frazer & Axiom at NXT Roadblock in New York City on Tuesday night. Fraxiom are the current NXT Tag Team Champions, but their belts were not on the line. The Hardyz now want to face Fraxiom again for those titles.

“Their human hearts are more like rocket boosters, that’s the fastest team I’ve ever been in the ring with,” Jeff Hardy said about Fraxiom. “And my question is: Do we get a shot at the NXT tag titles now?”

“They’re incredible. I cannot put them over enough. They are amazing, and they are the NXT Tag Team Champions for very specific reasons, because they’re incredible,” Matt said. “Tonight we were defending the TNA World Tag team titles and we were able to retain them. But we did beat them, unfortunately the NXT titles weren’t on the line. Maybe next time the NXT titles will be on the line. Because that is something The Hardyz do not have on their list of gold.”

Axiom called last night’s match a dream come true and said he wants to face Matt & Jeff again in a rematch.

After their loss, Fraxiom got a pep talk from Bubba Ray Dudley backstage:

If The Hardyz do become NXT tag champs, it would be their first WWE title reign as a team since 2019. They’ve recently competed in two NXT matches because of the partnership that exists between WWE and TNA. We could eventually see The Hardyz appear on Raw or SmackDown as well, with WWE reportedly optimistic that Matt & Jeff will have a main roster run this spring/summer.

Daily Update: Karrion Kross, Adam Cole, trademarks

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Some highlights:

  • A full look at AEW Grand Slam in Brisbane, Australia.  The mentality behind the show, a look at the card, ratings, booking, business and more
  • NXT Vengeance Day coverage
  • The life and times of Gran Hamada, great wrestler, influential in history, including the glory days of LLI at El Toreo and his biggest matches and feuds, booking to make a star, biggest feuds, multiple world titles and far more huge crowds than people would ever realize. Plus the Tiger Mask heyday, matches of the year candidates in his late 40s, and the start of multiple different companies
  • A look at the next WWE & AEW  PPV shows
  • The most detailed look at TV ratings and streaming for RAW, including how every show has compared with a year ago, the weekly standings, demos, quarters, every wrestling show on Netflix and more.
  • CMLL announces its second biggest show of the year
  • Valentine’s Day at Arena Mexico
  • Big head-to-head battle in Mexico City on Saturday
  • Fantastica Mania starts’
  • More on the awards issue including multiple category placers
  • Lots of AEW business notes
  • WWE & AEW ticket sales for upcoming show including multiple PPVs
  • Lots of new UFC main events announced
  • Topuria vacates featherweight title
  • Aaron Pico on leaving PFL
  • Notes on Mania plans
  • Notes on Dwayne Johnson being back
  • Michelle McCool Hall of Fame story
  • Notes on Hall of Fame update
  • Trauma of leaving WWE
  • Ricky Starks
  • Sonya Deville talks being let go
  • Michael Cole on the Corey Graves story

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • Adam Cole told Bleacher Report that, despite their recent loss to the Death Riders, he is still hoping to win the AEW Trios titles with Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong:
    • I love that idea. Especially after getting so close to winning the Trios Championships the last time we challenged for them.
    • I really feel like the combination of me, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong really could be the best trio in all AEW, so winning the trios titles would be awesome and I know it’s a goal we all have.
  • Cole stated that one of his biggest goals is to compete in Japan for NJPW again:
    • The one for sure that I think I would love to do is I definitely want to go back to New Japan. I got the chance to wrestle there a few times and I got to do a Wrestle Kingdom show, which was amazing.
    • But then right as I started going to Japan more often is when I left, so I was not able to continue going to Japan. So now that I’m back in All Elite Wrestling, the idea of being able to go over and wrestle for New Japan again is very high up on my list.
  • While praising his AEW colleagues on his What Happened When podcast, Tony Schiavone called Renee Paquette one of the best performers that’s ever held a microphone: “Being able to work with Renee Paquette – if she’s not the best that’s ever held the mic, I mean, she’s in Gene Okerlund territory. She really is.
  • Chris Jericho has filed a trademark for “The Hi Spot,” which is a move he recently debuted.
  • Daria Berenato (the former Sonya Deville) discussed her WWE departure while appearing on the Made It Out podcast.
  • Joe Hendry, Masha Slamovich & KC Navarro appeared at last night’s New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers NHL game, promoting that TNA Slammiversary is being held at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York this July.
  • Actor/wrestler Paul Walter Hauser will be an entrant in MLW’s 40-wrestler Battle Riot match in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 5. Matt Riddle is defending the MLW World Heavyweight Championship in the battle royal.
  • A trios match with The Wagner Family (Dr. Wagner Jr. and his sons El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. & Galeno Del Mal) facing Los Desperados (Gringo Loco, Jack Cartwheel & Arez) has been booked for Joey Janela’s Spring Break in Las Vegas on Friday, April 18.
  • Simon Gotch is the latest talent confirmed for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII on Thursday, April 17. Miyu Yamashita, Tom Lawlor, Timothy Thatcher, and David Modzmanashvili are also set to compete at the show.
  • Effy will defend his GCW World Championship against Super Crazy at the promotion’s Just Being Honest event in Mesa, Arizona this Sunday.

TNA Impact live results: Joe Hendry concert, WWE NXT Tag Team title match

Posted on by Matt Boone

Tonight’s TNA Impact will continue to feature WWE NXT talent and a live concert from new TNA World Champion Joe Hendry.

After making his WWE debut at last weekend’s Royal Rumble, Hendry will grab a guitar and host a championship concert to kick off the show.

After defending the titles on the first live Impact in eight years, NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom will put the belts up against Nic & Ryan Nemeth.

NXT’s Tyson Dupont will make his TNA debut in a bout against Ace Austin.

The next challenger for Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich will be determined via a battle royal with the winner getting her shot next Thursday.

TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys will team with Leon Slater against The System’s Moose, Eddie Edwards & JDC.

After a big win at Genesis, Mike Santana will battle Matt Cardona while Eric Young will appear to explain why Judas Icarus & Travis Williams turned on Josh Alexander.

**********
Joe Hendry Concert

After the usual show-starting recap of last week’s episode and subsequent “Cross the line” theme and intro video, Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcome us inside the Impact Zone as Joe Hendry’s theme hits.

The TNA World Champion emerges and heads to the ring as footage is shown of Hendry making history as the first active TNA World Champion to compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble match at the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 premium live event over the weekend in Indianapolis, IN.

Inside the ring, Hendry settles in his chair in the middle of the ring. He picks up a guitar and asks who wants to hear a song from the new champ. The crowd cheers. He says he’s going to require everyone to sing along.

He begins playing and singing his first tune. “Hendry is the champion, my friend … and he’ll be the champion to the end!” And so on. He wraps up his first Queen-inspired tune and fans break out in a loud “We Believe!” chant.

Hendry says this next one is a serious one. He talks about a lot of hurt and struggle in the world. He sings, “So much division in the nation, gas prices and inflation. The whole world is going to hell, but that doesn’t matter because … Joe Hendry won the belt!”

From there he literally sings about how this is the part of his concert that some wannabe challenger interrupts him. On cue, Jake Something’s entrance tune hits and he comes out with a microphone in-hand. “Concert’s over,” he says, before bringing up Hendry’s vow to defend his title anywhere, anytime.

Something says with that in mind, he had a talk with Santino Marella and he’s taking him up on that offer. “Jake Something vs. Joe Hendry — next week. World Championship! What do you got to say to that, boy?!” Hendry tells the crowd to shush.

He begins strumming his guitar. “I accept!” he sings before thanking us for watching the Joe Hendry Concert. His theme hits again and the brief concert segment opener wraps up. Hannifan and Rehwoldt drive home the Hendry-Something title tilt announced for next week.

Gia Miller Interviews Masha Slamovich

Backstage, Gia Miller interviews TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich. She brings up the Knockouts Contender Battle Royal tonight to determine her next challenger for next week’s title defense.

She brings up Cora Jade lurking as well. Slamovich is interested to see who emerges from the battle royal. She sends a message of warning to Jade and walks off. The show heads into the first commercial break of the evening.

Ace Austin defeated Tyson Dupont (w/ Tyriek Igwe & Wes Lee)

When the show returns, Tyson Dupont makes his way out accompanied by fellow WWE NXT Superstars Tyriek Igwe and Wes Lee. He settles inside the squared circle for scheduled singles action to kick things off in the ring on this week’s show.

The ABC entrance tune hits next and out comes Ace Austin for this one-on-one contest. The bell sounds and the much larger Tyson quickly and easily muscles Austin into the corner. Austin puts his leg between the ropes, prompting the referee to force the break.

Austin backs Tyson into a corner and tries yelling something at him, but Tyson answers back with a single stiff shot that knocks the hell out of Austin. Tyson runs over Austin off the ropes and then goes for a hip-toss, but Austin flips over and lands on his feet.

Austin works at the legs of the bigger man and chops him down to size. Tyson hits a huge pop-up powerslam after fighting back into the offensive lead. He slows things down and taunts Austin and the crowd while enjoying a comfortable lead.

He hits a big splash in the corner, before whipping Austin into the opposing corner and splashing him again. He manhandles Austin with a lariat that turns the smaller man inside-out. He goes for the cover, but onlygets two.

He slaps a full nelson on him while standing, Master-Lock style, and cranks the hell out of him, shaking his body around like a debuting Chyna would a tiny Marlena. Austin finally begins fighting back into competitive form, and the crowd loudly rallies behind him.

Austin hits a side-Russian leg-sweep and follows up with a standing leg-drop for a two-count. Tyson begins fighting back again until out of nowhere, Austin hits The Fold for the impressive victory. Afterwards, the NXT trio attacks until The Rascalz make the save and run them off.

Tessa Blanchard Addresses TNA Knockouts No. 1 Contender Battle Royal

Backstage, Tessa Blanchard talks directly into the camera about tonight’s TNA Knockouts No. 1 Contender Battle Royal. She makes it clear she won’t compete in it.

She’s not having nine other people gunning for her. She answers to no one and each and every one of those woman aren’t going to mess with her — because they can’t. She walks off to end the brief promo segment.

Savannah Evans Wins TNA Knockouts No. 1 Contender Battle Royal

Inside the Impact Zone, the lights go down and the hard rock entrance tune for Rosemary plays. Out she comes to the ring for the next match of the evening, which is the TNA Knockouts No. 1 Contender Battle Royal.

As she settles inside the squared circle, the show heads into a quick pre-match commercial break. When the show returns, Steph De Lander and Mance Warner are shown in a brief vignette boasting about obtaining the TNA Digital Media Championship in the divorce from PCO.

Back inside the Impact Zone, Cora Jade is shown at the commentary desk alongside Hannifan and Rehwoldt, as Ash by Elegance makes her way down to the ring, which filled up with many Knockouts during the break.

Out next is former WWE Superstar Jazz. As she settles in the ring, the commentators talk about her being a co-owner of NWA: San Antonio. Jade says Jazz wearing purple proves she’s a big fan of hers. Alisha Edwards picks a fight with Jazz as soon as the bell sounds.

Tasha Steelz is eliminated by Alisha a few moments later as Jade was droning on in a monotone voice on guest commentary. Alisha is eliminated by Spitfire duo Jody Threat and Dani Luna seconds later. They go through the ropes to go after Ash and Heather by Elegance, who are hiding under the ring.

Heather by Elegance is eliminated as Tessa Blanchard is shown watching on. Ash then quickly eliminated Dani Luna. Jody Threat is tossed out a few seconds later. Jazz is thrown over but lands on the apron. Ash, who was still in the match, from the floor, yanks her out to eliminate her.

Ash is eliminated seconds later. The final two are Savannah Evans and Xia Brookside. Blanchard is shown with her arms-crossed watching on via a monitor backstage as Evans beats down Brookside. Xia fights back and throws her over the top, but Evans lands on the apron.

Cora leaves her spot on guest commentary as Xia is kicking at Evans on the apron, trying to knock her off and out to the floor to eliminate her. The distraction allows Evans to recover and hoist Xia over the ropes onto the apron. A headbutt knocks her out and she crashes on the floor, giving Evans the win.

With the win, Savannah Evans will now challenge Masha Slamovich for the TNA Knockouts Championship on next week’s episode of TNA iMPACT. After the TNA Knockouts No. 1 Contender Battle Royal wraps up, the show heads into another commercial break.

Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin Confront Eric Young & Northern Armory

As the show returns, Eric Young comes out with The Northern Armory duo of Icarus and Williams. He boasts Canadians always calling the shots and running things in TNA. He claims he’s above the world title and everyone in TNA.

In his first action, he removed Josh Alexander forever. He is then cut off by Steve Maclin, who comes down to confront him and his goons in the ring. He says “this is what was worth saving, huh?” He says if this was the plan all along, why didn’t he just tell him.

He says he’s the first person in four years he put his trust in. He went to war with them for Young, and now he’s gonna wash his hands of it and just act like the last six months didn’t happen. Maclin tells Young has crossed the line. He says as long as The Northern Armory are with him, he is not.

He walks off, but then Josh Alexander’s theme hits and out he comes. He and Maclin stare each other down as they cross paths on the ramp. Alexander enters the ring and questions how Young can claim he got rid of him for good when he’s still standing in the ring right now.

He says his time in TNA is ending soon, but he loves this place. He says maybe he’ll show everyone one more time. He says he went to Santino Marella and he agreed that next week he will walk the ramp in TNA for one last time for one last match.

He says next week it’ll be Eric Young vs. Josh Alexander one last time. He vows to wrestle with everything in his heart to show how much this place means to him. “And I’m going to enjoy kicking your ass!” The excellent promo segment ends there and the show heads into another commercial break.

Sami Callihan On A Rampage Looking For Mance Warner

When the show returns, Sami Callihan is shown backstage manhandling everyone-and-anyone in sight to try and find Mance Warner. He confronts Frankie Kazarian, who claims he isn’t even aware who Mance is.

Callihan storms off to continue his rampage of a search. Kazarian calls over Santino Marella for the unsafe working conditions. Marella tells him to “take it e-c.”

Leon Slater & The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) defeated The System (Moose, JDC & Eddie Edwards w/ Alisha Edwards)

Inside the Impact Zone, The System theme hits and out comes the group accompanied by Alisha Edwards. They settle in the ring to boos from the San Antonio crowd.

Leon Slater’s theme hits and out comes their first of three opponents for this six-man tag-team tilt. He stops with half of his face-painted and Hardy-style gear on. The Hardys iconic theme hits next and out comes the legendary TNA World Tag-Team Champions.

The bell sounds and it is JDC and Slater kicking things off for their respective teams. JDC knocks Slater to the mat and hits the ropes, but Slater catches him with an overhead-style arm-drag. JDC tags in Edwards, and Slater works him over too before tagging in Matt Hardy.

Matt Hardy hits his “HUH?!?” leg-drop off the middle rope and then leads fans in a “DELETE! DELETE!” chant as he smashes the isolated arm of Edwards over his shoulder over-and-over again. He tags in his brother, and in comes Jeff Hardy picking up where Matt left off.

As The Hardys and Slater empty the ring of the three System members in the match, as the heel trio regroups on the floor at ringside, the babyface trio plays to the adoring crowd inside the Impact Zone as the show heads into a mid-match commercial break.

When the show returns, Slater is shown hitting some high spots until Alisha provides a distraction that leads to Slater diving onto Moose, who catches him and Donkey Kong’s him onto the ring apron with a powerbomb. Back in the ring, Edwards takes over and The System settle into a prolonged offensive lead.

As JDC tags in to get his turn in the offensive driver’s seat, Hannifan talks on commentary about him returning to WWE this week as Fandango on NXT, and how he’ll be challenging Lexis King next week on NXT for the Heritage Cup. Moments later, The Hardys break up a close pin attempt on Slater.

Jeff finally gets the hot tag and the crowd comes to life. Jeff goes to work on Moose until JDC and Edwards hit the ring and the momentum shifts. Slater hits the ring to make the save, taking out the opposition one-by-one-by-one, shifting the momentum back in his team’s favor.

Slater fires up and hits his trademark turning dive over the ring post to the floor. In the ring, The Hardys hit a pair of Plot Twists. They hand things over to Slater to hit his own 450-version of the Swanton Bomb. Jeff follows up with the real thing and scores the pinfall for the victory. After the match, the show heads into another commercial break.

Mustafa Ali Continues His Cult-Style Scouting

When the show returns, Mustafa Ali is walking the halls when he stumbles across The Good Hands duo of John Skyler and Jason Hotch, who are arguing with each other. Ali tells them he’s sick of all the fighting around here. He tells them right now they’re Good Hands, but he feels they could be Great Hands.

Ali continues walking and sees Tasha Steelz seated with her head in her hands, looking distraught. He sits down next to her and in his utmost faux-sincere cult-leader-style, pretends to feel for her and empathize with her over being betrayed by her friend Alisha Edwards in the battle royal earlier. He convinces her to leave with him.

Mike Santana defeated Matt Cardona

Inside the Impact Zone, the theme music for “Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona hits. “The Indy God” emerges with a big grin on his face and heads to the ring for the next match of the evening. Mike Santana’s hip-hop tune hits next and out he comes.

The bell sounds and these two get right after it. Santana takes the early offensive lead, and discourages Cardona, who heads out to the floor to re-group. They reengage, and again Cardona is overwhelmed by Santana, and leans through the ropes to force a break from the referee.

Cardona tries grabbing a handful of Santana’s hair to get an unfair advantage, but the referee catches him and stops him. Santana takes over from there and begins stringing together an offensive sequence for the first time in the match. Santana hits a big dive to Cardona on the floor.

Cardona trips up Santana after he re-enters the ring and exits again to come out and follow-up. He sweeps his legs and he crashes on the hard part of the ring apron. On the floor, Cardona hits a mean suplex on Santana and leaves him laying. He rolls in the ring.

When Santana goes to do the same, Cardona quickly pounces on him and ground-and-pounds away. After some more back-and-forth action, Santana takes back over. He hits a buckle bomb, a frog-splash tribute to Eddie Guerrero and his Spin The Block finisher for the win. The show heads to another break.

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) (c) defeated The Nemeth’s (Ryan Nemeth & Nic Nemeth) to retain the WWE NXT World Tag-Team Championships

It’s main event time!

After the lineup for next week’s TNA iMPACT show on February 13 is announced (see below), the stage gets set for the final match of the evening for this week’s show, which features the WWE NXT Tag-Team Championships on-the-line.

“The Liaison” between WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling, Arianna Grace, takes a seat on special guest commentary alongside Hannifan and Rehwoldt. The challengers, “The Wanted Man” Nic Nemeth and “The Hollywood Hunk” Ryan Nemeth make their way to the ring.

After they settle inside the squared circle, reigning WWE NXT Tag-Team Champions Fraxiom, the duo of Nathan Frazer and Axiom, head to the ring next. The bell sounds and off we go with this main event title tilt. Axiom and Ryan Nemeth kick things off for their respective teams.

Following some initial back-and-forth action, which sees the momentum shift a few times, everyone ends up down and out on the floor after a big dive spot. The show heads into a mid-match commercial break on that note.

When the show returns, Axiom is taking it to Ryan in the ring. Nemeth starts to try and fight back, but Axiom cuts his attempt short and tags in Frazer. Frazer hits a running shooting star press for a close two-count.

Nic tags in and hits the Jerry Lawler heart attack-special rapid-fire elbow sequence for a two-count of his own. Nemeth follows up with a FameAsser moments later for another close pinfall attempt. Nemeth and Frazer battle back-and-forth for several more minutes until Frazer finally tags Axiom back in.

Axiom comes in taking his time. He goes to work on Nic, who starts coming to life and fighting back. Nemeth blasts Axiom with a super kick. Frazer tries coming off the ropes to interfere, but Nemeth takes a step back and super kicks him as well.

Nic stalks both guys as they get up, but Ryan tags himself in. Ryan hits the ring and both Nemeth’s hit Danger Zone. Ryan tries quickly going for the cover, but only gets two-and-a-half. Nic hits an elevated DDT on display for Ryan.

Ryan goes to follow-up, but Axiom takes over as they climb the ropes. Axiom is knocked off. Frazer leaps up and hits a super-plex. We see a Golden Ratio on a brainbuster combo-spot by Fraxiom for a super close pin attempt, which Nic breaks up just in time. Fans loudly react with “TNA! TNA!” chants.

Nic blasts Frazer with a super kick in the ring, while Ryan is looking under the ring for something. He pulls out a chair and slides into the ring. Nic stops him. The distraction allows Fraziom to take back over. The champs quickly capitalize and within seconds, they take out Ryan and score the pin to retain.

Nic looks upset at ringside at what just happened with his little brother. That’s how this week’s show goes off the air.

Next Week:
* Joe Hendry (c) vs. Jake Something (TNA World Title)
* Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Savannah Evans (TNA Knockouts Title)
* Josh Alexander vs. Eric Young (Alexander’s TNA Farewell)
* Frankie Kazarian vs. Sami Callihan
* Xia Brookside vs. Cora Jade

Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow F4WOnline.com’s Matt Boone on Twitter/X.

TNA Impact live results: Genesis fallout, NXT Tag Team title match

Posted on by Matt Boone

The first live TNA Impact in eight years will likely be a newsworthy one given last Sunday’s Genesis pay-per-view and last week’s announcement of an official WWE/TNA partnership.

New TNA World Champion Joe Hendry will be on the show following his victory over now-former champion Nic Nemeth on Sunday.

After making an appearance and getting involved in the TNA Tag Team title match, NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) will defend their titles against The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel).

TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich will team with Knockouts Tag Team Champions Spitfire against Rosemary and Ash & Heather by Elegance following their respective title matches last Sunday.

In a non-title match, TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys will face X-Division Champion Moose & JDC.

After defeating Jordynne Grace, Tessa Blanchard will make an appearance as will Josh Alexander who quit the promotion Sunday but is contractually obligated to appear per Santino Marella.

**********
After several minutes of live audio being tapped in on the TNA+ feed, Tom Hannifan eventually informed the truck of this, and the audio stopped. The cold open video package aired to start off the first live show in eight years, recapping the action from TNA Genesis 2025.

Santino Marella Teases Surprises, History-Making Show

Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcome the viewing audience at home to the special live episode from San Antonio, TX. After a slickly-produced opening camera shot, footage is shown of Gia Miller talking with the TNA Director of Authority, Santino Marella, who teased “a couple of surprises” for the show.

Joe Hendry Kicks Off Special Live Episode

From there, the usual “Cross the line” theme and accompanying opening video hit to formally open the show. Back inside the Impact Zone, the viral smash hit, “I Believe in Joe Hendry” plays as the brand new TNA World Champion Joe Hendry makes his way out to the ring.

Rehwoldt calls tonight the start of a new era led by Hendry. He and Hannifan are shown on camera to emphasize again how important tonight is to TNA, and how significant being live is. Hendry does the dramatic soap opera turn to the hard-camera as his entrance tune wraps up.

“Say his name, and he appears! Joe Hendry is your TNA World Champion!” are the first words to come out of Hendry’s mouth. Fans respond with a loud “You deserve it!” chant. Hendry thanks the fans, noting anytime he faced an uphill battle, they had his back.

He said the journey to the title was then, but this is now. He said he went to Santino Marella and told him that not only will he be a fighting champion, but he’ll put his title on-the-line against anyone, from anywhere. “And folks, trust me when I say anything can happen, because for the first time in eight years, TNA iMPACT is live!”

With that said, the theme for TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella hits and out he comes with a microphone in-hand. He congratulates Hendry and confirms his story about coming to him insisting he’ll be a fighting champion inside and outside of TNA.

He says he had an individual who took him up on his offer. So tonight in the main event, it’ll be Joe Hendry defending his title against “Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona. “The Indy God” comes out with a big smile on his face. The opening segment wrapped up on that note.

Eric Young Wants To Help Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin Doesn’t

Footage of Josh Alexander quitting TNA at TNA Genesis 2025 is shown. Afterwards, a backstage digital exclusive from Sunday’s PPV is shown, with Eric Young asking how after all that, Alexander is really going to quit and leave. Alexander doesn’t say a word and walks off.

Back live, Steve Maclin is with Eric Young, and asked why he bothered wasting his time. Young said he saw something. Maclin said he did too, at one time, but not anymore. He reminds him of the despicable acts of Alexander as of late. Young says he wants to help him. Maclin makes it clear he does not.

Up walks “The Walking Weapon” himself. He says he’s not here to make excuses. He says he’s here to tell Young and Maclin he respects them both. He thanks them for everything over the years. He tries extending his hand for a shake, but doesn’t get any buyers.

Rehwoldt and Hannifan are shown on camera again to recap the Alexander situation. They promote a segment later in the show where we will learn more about Alexander’s status. They run down the rest of the lineup for tonight as the match graphics flash across the screen, and then the show heads into the first commercial of the evening.

Nic Nemeth To Addresses TNA Status Next Week

When the show returns, we see Gia Miller backstage talking to Ryan Nemeth, when his big brother Nic shows up. Nic Nemeth tells Miller that next week he will address his TNA status. Ryan then gets on Miller’s case, insisting she pre-screen her questions in the future, as not to upset his big bro.

Rosemary, Ash & Heather By Elegance defeated Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) & Masha Slamovich

Inside the Impact Zone, George Iceman takes a cowboy hat and stomps on it to show the Texas crowd what he thinks of “The Lone Star State.” He then introduces the Knockout duo of Ash and Heather By Elegance. They come to the ring and are joined by their partner, Rosemary, who makes her way out next.

Their opponents, TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Champions Spitfire make their way out first. Dani Luna and Jody Threat come to the ring and stop at ringside. The entrance tune for their partner hits, and out comes TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich.

Six-Knockouts tag-team action kicks things off inside the ring on the first live episode of TNA Impact in eight years. Threat and Ash kick things off for their respective teams. Ash pushes and slaps Threat, and gets decked with a big right hand in response by Threat.

Threat goes to work on Ash in the corner with repeated shots. Threat works Ash over for a few more seconds before tagging in Luna. Luna scoops Threat up and bodyslams her onto Ash for a close two-count. Ash tags out and in comes Heather by Elegance.

She quickly decides against engaging, instead tagging Rosemary and quickly rolling out to the floor. Meanwhile, Luna shoulder tackles Rosemary and begins working over her arm. Luna makes the blind tag to Threat, and the two hit some double-team action on Rosemary, finishing with a seated splash for a two-count.

Rosemary fights back, snatching Threat up by the throat and muscling her into the corner with one arm. With her other free arm, Rosemary snatches up her own partner, Heather, by the jugular as well. She shouts some orders at her and then tags Ash in.

Ash takes out Threat with a clothesline after Heather snuck in a knee to the back on the ropes. Rosemary tags back in and grounds and pounds Threat before letting out a war-cry scream. She hits a big splash on Threat in the corner and then hits an exploder suplex for a two-count.

Masha Slamovich tags in and takes out any-and-everyone in sight with bullish offensive spurts and flurries. Threat tags in and takes over, hitting slams and drivers on everyone until she is kicked out of the ring. Slamovich hits a spinning kick on Ash and tags in Luna.

Ash rolls Luna up out of nowhere, but only gets two. Luna back suplexes Ash onto her elegant dome — three times in a row. As the action continues, the theme for WWE NXT Superstar Cora Jade hits. She makes her way down with a folder in her hand.

She hands it to Slamovich, who pulls out an X-ray photo of herself. Cora pulling a page out of Slamovich’s own playbook leads to Ash rolling up a distracted Slamovich for the win. After the match, the show heads into another commercial break.

Josh Alexander Addresses Quitting TNA Wrestling

When the show returns, Josh Alexander’s theme hits and “The Walking Weapon” makes his way out alongside Northern Armory associates Travis Williams and Judas Icarus. He gets on the mic and is booed Dominik Mysterio and Don Callis-style.

Alexander, who was promoted as being contractually obligated to appear, starts by thanking TNA for giving him the opportunity to address some things, “because I certainly didn’t have to.” He talks over the loud boos about how he wants to be remembered for the good times he had in TNA, not the past few months.

He says he’s been here six years and his son is now six years old. His son has only ever known him as a TNA wrestler. As a former champion and someone who risked it all to achieve his dream. On June 19, 2002, Alexander was 15 years old. He tuned into the first TNA broadcast and was inspired.

Fans start giving him the “What?” treatment along with more sustained booing as he tries to continue his Hulk Hogan at Saturday Night’s Main Event style fighting-against-the-grain promo. He says if you believe one thing, believe this — his time in TNA over the past six years has been a dream come true.

It’s now time for him to step away. “Guys, guys …relax.” He tells Judas and Travis not to worry because they have all the talent in the world. He talks about going to bat for the two with TNA management. He says The Motor City Machine Guns did as well.

He calls them the best up-and-coming tag-team in the world. “You can do this, just do it the right way. Because it’s gonna be without me.” They tell him he can’t quit. Alexander says he can and has. They tell him he doesn’t understand. He can’t leave. They then sneak-attack him.

As the two continue to beat down Alexander, Eric Young sprints out from the back to make the save. He tells them he knows they haven’t been around long enough to know what’s going on. “One, you don’t mess with Texas, and two, you don’t mess with Eric Young and ‘The Walking Weapon.'”

He tells him next week it’ll be Williams and Icarus against Young and Alexander. Hannifan says “let’s see if it gets made official.” He and Rehwoldt run down the remaining lineup for tonight as the match graphics flash across the screen, and then the show heads into another commercial break.

The Hardys defeated Moose & JDC

When the show returns, The System theme hits and out comes Moose and JDC, accompanied by Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers and Alisha Edwards. The duo head to the ring for the next match of the evening, as Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk about the last live Impact eight years ago featuring the debut of Moose.

After they settle inside the squared circle, their music pipes down, the iconic tune for the Hardys pipes in, and the San Antonio crowd goes insane as Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy make their way to the ring. The TNA Tag-Team Champions settle inside for their non-title match to loud “Hardy! Hardy!” chants.

As they head to opposite corners to pose for the fans, they are ambushed and attacked from behind by Moose and JDC. The System duo pound on The Hardys for a few seconds, but then the champs fight back. They put JDC and Moose in the same corner and hit their trademark Poetry in Motion spot.

Matt and JDC settle as the legal man starting the match off. Matt bounces JDC’s dome off the turnbuckles over-and-over again as fans chant “DELETE! DELETE!” He hits an elbow to the back of a standing JDC’s head after leaping off the middle rope. He looks for Twist of Fate, but JDC escapes.

A brief Alisha Edwards leads to a cheap shot from Moose to the back of Matt’s head. JDC follows up and then tags in Moose. The TNA X-Division Champion settles in the ring and picks up where JDC left off, taking it to Matt as fans loudly boo. Moose quickly tags back out and JDC takes back over.

JDC controls the action for a couple of minutes, but misses when going for Down ‘N’ Dirty. This buys Matt enough time to make the much-needed tag to Jeff. “The Charismatic Enigma” hits the ring off the hot tag and the crowd goes wild as he takes it to JDC and Moose by himself.

Alisha Edwards gets involved again, leading to another brief shift of offensive momentum, but it quickly swings back in the other direction. Jeff takes his shirt off and hits his trademark top-rope Swanton Bomb for the pinfall victory. The Hardys pose with their titles in the ring to the adoring crowd to wrap things up.

23 Is Just A Number … Or Is It?

The Hardys head over to say something to Hannifan and Rehwoldt, but as they do, the lights in the Impact Zone begin flickering.

The mysterious and cryptic 23 flashes on the big screens on the entrance ramp like they have the past several weeks, as a voice says “23 is just a number.” Hannifan points out that today is January 23, a.k.a. 1/23, as the show heads into another commercial break.

When the show returns, Sami Callihan makes his way down to the ring. Hannifan says a match was scheduled for right now, but Callihan has taking over. Callihan demands his music be cut and then immediately makes it clear he’s sick of waiting and mind games about this “23” mystery.

He tells 23 to get down here right now. Some music begins playing. Out comes Steph De Lander. The new TNA Digital Media Champion. She claims she won the title in the divorce. “What’s mine is mine and what’s his is mine!”

She says now that her husband is out the door, she wants to introduce us to her boyfriend. The lights go out. The 23 vignette plays again. “23 is just a number.” When the lights come back on, Mance Warner is in the ring. He attacks Callihan.

“The Southern Psycho” is in TNA and literally you can hear a pin drop for his highly-promoted debut. He takes De Lander’s title and the two make out, Edge-Lita style, to end the segment. The show heads into another a TNA Rebellion 2025 trailer.

Fraxiom (c) defeated The Rascalz to retain the NXT Tag-Team Championships

When the trailer wraps up, we return in the Impact Zone, where Hannifan and Rehwoldt introduce “The Liaison” Arianna Grace, who joins them on guest commentary. They hype up the NXT Tag-Team Champions Fraxiom defending against The Rascalz.

The bong hits begin as the lights go out. When they come back on, The Rascalz duo of Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz descend from their treehouse and head to the ring for their big inter-promotional title opportunity.

After they settle in the ring, the theme for NXT Tag-Team Champions hits, and out comes the Fraxiom duo of Axiom and Nathan Frazer. The “Tag Lines” tale of the tape style graphic flashes on the screen and then the bell sounds to get things started.

Miguel and Axiom kick things off for their respective teams. Miguel takes Axiom down and isolates his left arm. He cranks away at it, but Axiom flips around and escapes, launching Miguel across the ring with a big shot. He wraps up Miguel in a side-stretch after tagging in Frazer.

Frazer hits the ropes Bron Breakker-quick before launching himself knee-first into the open mid-section of Miguel. Rehwoldt encourages Grace to speak, and she does by talking about being friends with Fraxiom. Important contributions from “The Liaison” only, of course.

Fraxiom continue to utilize frequent tags, keeping a fresh man in the ring and keeping Miguel isolated on their side of the ring at all times. Minutes later, Wentz finally gets the hot tag and helps pick up the pace and shift the offensive momentum into The Rascalz’ favor.

Wentz hits a standing shooting star press for a close two-count. Fans react with a loud “This is Awesome!” chant as Wentz and Frazer continue to fly all over the ring in fast-forward-looking-fashion. Fraxiom hit a double-team spot on Miguel as the referee was checking on Wentz.

Frazer hits a super-plex on Wentz off the ropes. He rolls through and hoists him up again, hitting another as Axiom adds the contribution of a super kick on the way down. Frazer follows up with an immediate cover, but only gets two. Wentz fights back with a spinning knee to the chin off the ropes.

Everyone is down and recovering as the crowd shows them some more love. Wentz hits Axiom with an enormous kick that pops the crowd and commentary team-alike. He walks into a big shot from Axiom after that, but Miguel hits the ring and The Rascalz take over with some double-team spots.

Frazer goes for a springboard moonsault off the ropes, but is met with stereo super kicks from Rascalz on the way down. The Rascalz hit the Street Sweeper off the ropes double-team spot for a close two-count. WWE NXT Superstar and former member of The Rascalz, hits the ring.

Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe attack Wentz from behind as Lee distracts the referee. Fraxiom take over on Miguel in the ring. Axiom hits a Spanish Fly. Frazer follows up with his splash off the ropes for the win. Fraxiom retains. After the match, the show heads to another commercial break.

Mike Santana Interrupted By Returning Mustafa Ali

When the show returns, Mike Santana’s theme hits and he makes his trademark custom ring entrance through the crowd, as Tom Hannifan refers to him as the new standard in TNA. Santana settles in the ring and talks about beating Josh Alexander at TNA Genesis.

Santana boasts getting the torch of the standard of TNA passed to him by Alexander, and that he made him say those two magic words he claimed he never would, which, of course, were “I Quit.” Santana then makes his TNA World Championship aspirations clear.

It seemed like that was going to be it, but as Santana gets ready to leave, he is cut off by the familiar sounds of the entrance music of Mustafa Ali. Ali comes out and comes into the ring with Santana. Ali confirms he has signed with TNA. He says the company needs great leadership, and he is that leader.

Ali announces a campaign in which he becomes the next world heavyweight champion. Santana makes a crooked face while standing calmly in the corner taking this all in. Ali reminds us all that “In Ali, we trust!” His theme hits again. Ali side-stares Santana, smirks and exits the ring.

Tessa Blanchard Talks San Antonio & Blanchard Family History

Backstage, we see a shot of Tessa Blanchard’s locker room door, complete with the name plate on the door. A security guard knocks on the door and out she comes. The security guard waves the direction for her to walk, and informs her she’s next.

Tessa “Bill Goldberg” Blanchard is next. The show heads to another commercial break on that note. When the show returns, Tessa’s hip-hop theme, which mentions her name and diamond references, hits. She makes her way out to boos.

Blanchard talks about Texas, and San Antonio in particular, as a place her family made their name. She says the Blanchard’s own San Antonio. Her father, Tully Blanchard, is shown in the background smiling as she continues to talk.

She talks about her grandfather, Joe Blanchard, bringing the first wrestling to cable television “before WWE was even a thought.” Easy, they’re you’re partners now! She mocks San Antonio for not having a real sports team. She says the Spurs don’t count.

The only thing San Antonio is famous for is losing the Alamo. She talks about her family looking at her and seeing something greater than any Von Erich, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin or any Funk. “Tessa, you are going to be great.” She said most parents don’t do that. She says you have to pay the price to be great.

Fans can say whatever they want about her, “but you will never hear that Tessa Blanchard is not great. The standard here in TNA Wrestling has just been raised.

It is time to step up or shut up. At TNA Genesis, I took out the trash, and now it’s time to get back to business.” She claims Tessa Blanchard answers to no one and her music hits again to wrap things up.

Joe Hendry (c) defeated Matt Cardona to retain the TNA World Championship

It’s main event time!

The Tale of the Tape “Tag Lines” graphic flashes on the screen to set the stage for the main event of the evening. Frankie Kazarian’s theme hits and out comes the self-proclaimed “King of TNA” and Call Your Shot Gauntlet winner, with his trophy in-hand. He joins Hannifan and Rehwoldt on commentary.

From there, the “Alwayz Ready” theme hits and out comes “The Complete” Matt Cardona, as he is being called. Cardona settles inside the squared circle and poses on the ropes ahead of his big title opportunity in his return TNA appearance.

After Cardona settles inside the squared circle, the familiar sounds of Joe Hendry’s catchy-ass entrance tune plays to bring out the brand new TNA World Champion and face of the new era of TNA, Joe Hendry. The fans in San Antonio clearly believe, and are making as much known as he heads to the ring.

A fan holding up a “Joe Hendry believes in breakfast tacos” sign is shown on camera. Got to love the San Antonio creativity. McKenzie Mitchell is shown on-camera and handles the formal pre-match ring introductions for the champion and challenger.

Hannifan mentions #TNAWrestling is trending number one in Sports in America on X as the show heads into a quick pre-match commercial break. When the show returns, the bell sounds to get things started. Hendry over-powers Cardona off the initial lock up.

Kazarian talks on commentary for the second time since sitting down about being in a bad mood. He claims if JBL shows his face inside the Impact Zone, he might just knock him out. Meanwhile, Hendry goes to work with repeated chops to Cardona in the corner.

Cardona hits Hendry low and taunts the booing crowd in the Boeing Center. Hendry fights back and takes over. Hendry hits his trademark stalling suplex spot. “252 pounds of pure motivation” continues to work over Cardona, until “The Indy God” knocks him out of the ring and chokes him with his t-shirt.

As Cardona rubs it in the fans faces, he turns and leaps on Hendry, who catches him and Donkey Kong’s him off the hard part of the ring apron from the floor with an A.A. As Kazarian boats smelling good tonight on commentary, Cardona pokes Hendry in the eyes and takes over as the show heads into a mid-match commercial break.

When the show returns, Hannifan runs down the advertised lineup for next week’s show (see below), as Cardona continues to work over Hendry in the ring. Hendry begins to fight back, and stomps and claps to lead the fans in “We will rock you” sounding comeback background noise.

Cardona cuts Hendry’s comeback short, however, and the cheers quickly turn to loud droning boos. Cardona looks for the Re-Boot, but Hendry avoids it and begins fighting back again. He looks for a power bomb, but Cardona escapes and blasts Hendry in the throat.

He follows up with a missile dropkick and close-range DDT for a two-count. Cardona complains to the referee. He turns around and looks for Radio Silence, but Hendry avoids it. The referee gets bumped just as Hendry hits his Standing Ovation finisher. “That’s certainly a shame, isn’t it?” says Kazarian on commentary.

Kazarian claims this is where Hendry would normally grab brass knuckles, which Hannifan quickly points out is actually a page out of Kaz’s own playbook. Cardona blasts Hendry with a blatant low-blow while the referee was still down. Kaz says his monitor went out, so he didn’t see it. Rehwoldt didn’t either, of course.

Cardona rubs his hands together and eyes the TNA World Championship at the timekeepers table. He picks it up and continues his fixated stare at it as he heads to the ring. JBL comes out through the crowd and takes out Cardona with a Clothesline from Hell. Fans chant “JBL! JBL!”

Hendry is stuck confused at JBL’s actions. He turns around and is blasted by a recovered Cardona with the title. Cardona covers him just as the referee comes back to life. Hendry kicks out at two-and-a-half. Hendry fights back and hits a Standing Ovation seconds later for the win, getting the first defense of his TNA World Championship under his belt. That’s how the first live TNA Impact in eight years goes off the air.

Next Week:
* Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs. Travis Williams & Judas Icarus
* Mustafa Ali vs. TBA
* We’ll hear from Nic Nemeth
* Wes Lee vs. Ace Austin

Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow F4WOnline.com’s Matt Boone on Twitter/X.

Fraxiom & Cora Jade among WWE NXT surprises at TNA Genesis

Posted on by Josh Nason

As promised, members of the WWE NXT roster made themselves known during Sunday’s TNA Genesis pay-per-view including the reigning Tag Team Champions Fraxiom and Cora Jade.

Nathan Frazier & Axiom came out prior to The Hardys’ TNA Tag Team title defense against The Rascalz to take a closer look and then inadvertently got involved. After Trey Miguel dove outside at the Hardys and then accidentally hit the NXT Tag Team Champions by mistake, things got heated before security escorted Fraxiom to the back.

As a result, Fraxiom will now defend the titles against The Rascalz at this Thursday’s live edition of TNA Impact.

That wasn’t the only NXT involvement on the show.

Following TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich’s successful title defense over Rosemary, Cora Jade made her own surprise appearance to confront Slamovich. Slamovich appeared in the crowd during last Tuesday’s NXT and teased defending the title against someone in NXT.

Ashante “Thee” Adonis came out during the pre-show with an open challenge that was answered by Jake Something who defeated Adonis in under four minutes.

Arianna Grace returned during the night to resume her role as the liaison between NXT and TNA.

After the two sides worked together during the second half of 2024, WWE and TNA announced a formal partnership last week that will continue the talent exchange that could spill over to the main roster as well.

NXT Tag Team title match set for next TNA Impact

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A match for the NXT Tag Team titles is set for the next episode of Impact.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom will defend the titles against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz) on Thursday during a special live edition of TNA Impact in San Antonio. The move comes after the two teams confronted one another during TNA Genesis.

Right as the TNA Tag Team title match was set to take place between champions The Hardys and challengers The Rascals, the NXT Tag Team Champions came down with chairs and sat ringside as a surprise. During the match, however, there was a spot where the Rascalz were sent out of the ring, crashing into Fraxiom. The two teams exchanged words as TNA security escorted Fraxiom backstage. The Hardys eventually emerged victorious, retaining the TNA Tag Team titles.

Also on the show, it was announced that TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella would address Josh Alexander’s statements following his I Quit match against Mike Santana. Alexander shook Santana’s hand after his loss, saying he not only quit in the match, but also quit TNA.

Here is the updated lineup for Thursday’s Impact:

  • NXT Tag Team titles: Fraxiom defend against The Rascalz
  • Santino Marella to address Josh Alexander quitting TNA

A-Town Down Under issue WWE NXT Tag Team title challenge

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Main roster tag team A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) are coming after the NXT Tag Team titles.

On social media today, A-Town Down Under posted a video challenging Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) to a Tag Team title match on the October 8 episode of NXT from Chesterfield, Missouri. That’s the second episode of NXT’s new TV deal with The CW Network.

Theory & Waller said they’ll also be appearing on NXT next Tuesday (September 24) for a Grayson Waller Effect segment where Frazer & Axiom will respond to their challenge.

Fraxiom are two-time NXT Tag Team Champions. Their current reign began at NXT No Mercy earlier this month.

In their challenge, A-Town Down Under said that — while they’ve had a reign as main roster tag champs — neither Theory nor Waller got to hold the belts in NXT.

The October 8 episode of NXT was originally supposed to take place from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, but it’s been relocated to The Factory at The District in Chesterfield. Randy Orton is advertised to appear at the show.