Nathan Frazer reacts to Motor City Machine Guns’ WWE departure

Nathan Frazer has nothing but praise for the Motor City Machine Guns.

Following the announcement of their release on Friday, Frazer wrote a long post on social media thanking Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley not only for their contributions, but also for the time spent together in the last year.

“Your first year on the main roster can seem pretty daunting. But when we got called up, they made us feel at home within an instant. All the laughs, the jokes, training in the ring before the show every single week… we’ve shared so many incredible moments in and out the ring. Getting to work with them multiple times has been a dream come true,” he wrote. “But honestly the best times has been getting to know each other on a deeper, personal level. We all just instantly clicked. When I say they adopted on us on the road, it’s not an exaggeration. Selfishly, it’s gonna really suck not seeing them every single week. But we’re so excited to see what they do next.”

“When it’s all said and done, we’ll look back on this past year as some of the best times of our entire life. For all you’ve done for the business, and for the impact you’ve left on left on us personally…Thank you, MCMG,” he concluded.

The longtime TNA stars signed with the company in 2024 and won the WWE Tag Team titles from DIY shortly after their debut. After they lost the titles they spent the next year wrestling the likes of the Street Profits, DIY, and other teams on SmackDown. In recent weeks, the two had been teasing a split over Shelley’s concern for Johnny Gargano, who remains in a despondent state over his career.

Nathan Frazer shares statement after match vs. Ilja Dragunov on WWE SmackDown

Nathan Frazer has released a statement following his match against Ilja Dragunov on WWE SmackDown.

Dragunov successfully defended his United States Championship against Frazer on Friday’s show after Frazer answered his open challenge.

Frazer released a statement about the match on Saturday, writing:

“Me and Ilja Dragunov had a match back on NXT in 2023… it left a really bitter taste in my mouth. Bell to bell, it barely lasted 5 minutes. Last night, I got that rematch I’d been dying to have for the past two years. We went to war for the United States Championship on Smackdown. I didn’t get the win, but it really felt like vindication for that night.”

Their singles match on SmackDown was the third between the two. The first took place on the NXT UK brand, when Dragunov successfully defended the NXT United Kingdom Championship against Frazer on the March 3, 2022, taping in London. Their second meeting was the five-minute bout Frazer referenced in his statement, from the November 28, 2023, taping in Orlando.

Friday was Dragunov’s second defense of the U.S. title, after defeating Aleister Black on last week’s episode. Following the bout, Tommaso Ciampa, who had also tried to answer Dragunov’s open challenge, attacked Frazer from behind. Axiom and Johnny Gargano then ran out, leading to a brawl.

Frazer’s statement is below:

WWE SmackDown live results: Fraxiom challenge for Tag Team titles

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 join WWE SmackDown brand, defeat Legado Del Fantasma

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

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.

Big Vinny V: TNA Impact with Fraxiom vs. Nemeth Bros.

NXT Tag Team champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom were one of the best duos in the world last year. What happens when they defend their belts against multiple-time world champion Nic Nemeth? Oh, and his brother too.

PLUS: Joe Hendry’s concert is shockingly interrupted by a new challenger, Ace Austin shows how awesome he is against NXT’s Tyson Dupont, a Knockouts battle royal to name a new challenger for Masha Slamovich, Josh Alexander sets the stage for his last TNA match ever (for real this time), a new star emerges when Leon Slater teams with the Hardy Boys to face the System, Mustafa Ali starts to form his coalition, and Matt Cardona faces Mike Santana. All this and more on the Big Vinny V Show!

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NXT Tag Team title match set for next TNA Impact

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

TNA Genesis live results: Nic Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry, WWE NXT appearances

TNA Wrestling returns for their first pay-per-view of 2025 with Genesis from Dallas, Texas — the first show after this week’s official announcement about a multiyear deal signed between WWE and TNA.

While nothing official has been announced, it’s been more than strongly hinted NXT will have an influence tonight.

TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth defends against Joe Hendry while Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich defends against Rosemary in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match.

Tessa Blanchard will have her first match for TNA in nearly five years when she battles Jordynne Grace.

TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys defend against The Rascalz while Josh Alexander takes on Mike Santana in an I Quit match.

X-Division Champion Moose defends against Ace Austin with the champion promising a new title tonight.

Knockouts Tag Team Champions Spitfire defends against Ash & Heather by Elegance while The System’s Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers face Eric Young & Steve Maclin.

The pre-show features Leon Slater against Frankie Kazarian.

**********
The Countdown to TNA Genesis pre-show kicks off inside the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, TX. with Gia Miller seated next to Tommy Dreamer, Mark Henry and Dave LeGreca from Busted Open Radio.

After a brief audio hiccup with the house microphone, the introductions are out of the way. They narrate arrival shots of Joe Hendry, Nic Nemeth, Tessa Blanchard and Jordynne Grace. Slight video glitch during that. Not a flawless start. Just a couple of very small issues coming out of the gate.

Jordynne Grace With A Message For Tessa Blanchard

The pre-show panel give their thoughts on the Blanchard-Grace bout, and then they kick it to a backstage promo from Grace. Grace admits there was a time she wanted to be Blanchard. She says Blanchard then abandoned everything.

“There’s a reason Tessa has her own locker room now.” She claims she and the rest of the TNA roster don’t want her here. She vows to beat her tonight and send her packing back where she belongs — to obscurity. Dreamer, LeGreca, Henry and Miller all predict Grace to win tonight.

The talk shifts to the TNA Knockouts Tag-Team title tilt for tonight. Dreamer jokes about his hatred for George Iceman. LeGreca shows off his light pink Ash By Elegance t-shirt.

Miller then brings up the TNA Knockouts “Clockwork Orange House of Fun” match. With that said, the confessional segment from Thursday’s “go-home” episode of TNA Impact is shown.

Arianna Grace Talks WWE NXT & TNA Partnership

The pre-show panel send things down to ringside, where Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt are shown on-camera for the first time. The two talk among themselves about the WWE and TNA partnership announced earlier this week and how that might play a factor tonight.

As the pre-show panelists from Busted Open speculate on what the partnership could mean for tonight, they are interrupted by “The Liaison” between TNA and WWE NXT. Arianna Grace comes out and takes credit for the partnership between NXT and TNA.

Jake Something defeated Ashante “Thee” Adonis

Grace says tonight so many of her besties are here. She won’t tell us who because that would ruin the surprise. “But expect to see some familiar faces. It’s going to be magnificent.” Ashante “Thee” Adonis comes out and says even on TNA, he is “thee” main attraction.

Adonis gets some cheap heat on himself. “Hey Dallas, how about them Commanders?” He says he’s here to kick off the partnership between NXT and TNA. He’s here to issue a challenge to any TNA star in the back who thinks they can hang with “Thee” Adonis.

With that said, Jake Something’s entrance tune hits. Out he comes in his ring gear looking ready for battle. A referee rolls into the ring and this impromptu open challenge pre-show bout is underway. Adonis jumps on Something from behind to start things off hot.

Something fights back and runs over Adonis with a clothesline. Adonis gets up and slaps Something, who answers back with a huge forearm blast. Adonis fights back and hits the Air Drop to shift the momentum in his favor. Something fights back and hits his Into the Void finisher for the win.

Moose Teases New TNA X-Division Title

After the match, the pre-show panelists talk for a minute until they are cut off again, this time by TNA X-Division Champion Moose. He comes out with JDC holding a new TNA X-Division Championship title belt that is still covered up. He teases unveiling it later.

JDC says he feels like doing some talking tonight. He heads down to join in on special guest commentary for the next match. Before that, the pre-show panelists talk and kill some time for a bit.

The Rascalz With A Message For The Hardys

They shift the focus to the dream tag-title tilt tonight between The Hardys and The Rascalz. The Rascalz appear in a brief promo segment where they talk with obvious excitement about their title opportunity tonight against The Hardys.

“Smoke ’em if you got ’em,” is how the quick message from Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel wraps up. The panelists weigh in with their predictions, with LeGreca and Henry predicting a title change later this evening.

Frankie Kazarian defeated Leon Slater

The theme for Frankie Kazarian hits to bring out the self-proclaimed “King of TNA,” who comes to the ring toting his Call Your Shot Gauntlet trophy. After he settles in the ring, his music dies down and Leon Slater’s entrance tune hits to bring out his young and talented opponent.

JDC is shown at the commentary desk with his shirt off. He gifts Rehwoldt a jacket, but doesn’t bring one for Hannifan. The bell sounds to get the Kazarian-Slater pre-show bout underway. JDC claims he’s out here to scout Slater for The System.

Slater, meanwhile, jumps into an early offensive lead after utilizing his speed advantage. Slater enjoys a minute or two in the lead until Kazarian takes over. Kaz taunts the crowd while controlling the action, but when the pace picks up, Slater hits a one-legged dropkick that shifts the momentum again.

As the action continues, Slater hits a big Blue Thunder Bomb for a close two-count. Fans in the building break out in a loud “TNA! TNA!” chant. Slater dives through the ropes from the ring apron into a well-timed leg drop from Kazarian. Kazarian hits a slingshot cutter after that for a close two-count.

Kazarian goes for a chicken wing, but Slater avoids it. Kazarian looks for Fade to Black, but Slater avoids that as well. Slater sees Kazarian taking a breather on the floor and sets up a big dive, but Kazarian moves. Slater pumps the breaks, adjusts, hits the ropes and hits an insane senton dive over the ring post to the floor. Fans react with an appropriate “Holy sh*t!” chant.

Slater goes to the top-rope for a 450 splash, but JDC distracts him and Kazarian moves. Kazarian then rolls Slater up and holds the tights for the pinfall victory.

Moose (c) defeated Ace Austin to retain the TNA X-Division Championship

The “Countdown” pre-show wraps up with brief backstage go-home promos from main-eventers Joe Hendry and TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth. We then see McKenzie Mitchell is back as the ring announcer for TNA.

The national anthem is sung by someone, with the Dallas-based crowd yelling “STARS!” every time the word “star” came up. After that, the cold open for the show airs. Inside the packed Curtis Culwell Center, ABC’s theme hits to bring out Ace Austin for the opening match.

Moose’s bad-ass entrance tune hits next and out comes the TNA X-Division Champion accompanied by JDC and Alisha Edwards. He opens up his ring jacket to unveil his newly designed TNA X-Division Championship title belt.

The bell sounds to get things started, and Austin sprints across the ring and jumps on Moose to get things started hot. Austin uses his fast-paced offense to follow up, however a moment later, Moose’s power helps the champ take over.

On the floor, Moose sends Austin into the unforgiving steel guard rail with authority. And again. He rolls back in the ring to break the referee’s count. Austin fights back and actually hits a suplex on the much larger man on the floor.

From the ring apron, Austin blasts an interfering JDC with a kick. The distraction, however, allows Moose to take over. Moose slams the hell out of Austin onto the ring apron with a chokeslam. Austin bounces awkwardly off the apron before crashing and burning on the floor.

Austin barely beats the referee’s count, leaping back into the ring at the count of nine-and-a-half to keep this match alive. He begins a fired up offensive comeback, but Moose keeps things competitive. The two trade shots, with Austin picking up steam until being blasted with a headbutt from the champ.

Moose tries catching Austin with a Go To Hell chokeslam, but Austin counters with a headscissors. He follows up with a second one on the ring apron, which sends Moose crashing out to the floor at ringside. Moose recovers, but other members of The System hit the ring. Austin takes them out with a high spot.

Back in the ring, Moose runs over Austin with a spear that turns the challenger inside-out. He follows up with an immediate cover, but to the shock of everyone in attendance, Austin manages to kick out. Fans chant “This is Awesome!” Austin rolls up Moose for a two.

He tries a few more quick pin attempts, to no avail. He goes for The Art of Finesse, but Moose counters and hits him with a spear to his back. He follows up with a regular spear out of the corner for the pinfall victory to retain the TNA X-Division Championship in an exciting PPV opener.

Steve Maclin & Eric Young defeated The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers)

After the X-Division Championship opener wraps up, Moose is joined by The System duo of Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers. They begin a post-match beatdown of Austin, which brings out the team of Eric Young and Steve Maclin.

The scheduled opponents for Edwards and Myers begin a brawl, which brings out more officials to try and restore order. The brawl continues for several minutes, leading into the impromptu start of their scheduled tag-team tilt.

Once Maclin and Edwards enter the ring during the brawl, the referee calls for the bell to get things officially started. Maclin lands a running knee that sends him out to the floor. He goes for a dive, but Alisha Edwards trips him up. Edwards hits a Blue Thunder Bomb to take over.

Maclin ends up on the defensive for the next several minutes, with Edwards and Myers taking turns with consistent tags. Fans chant “F**k The System” as they maintain their firm command of the offense, until finally, Young gets the much-needed hot tag for his team, which shifts the offensive momentum.

Young and Maclin take over again, and Maclin tags back in as the legal man. As he comes close to finishing things off, once again Alisha interferes, leading to The System duo taking back control of the action. They look for the back-pack stunner and elbow drop combo, but it is broken up.

Maclin hits a running spear to Myers in the corner, while Young hits a diving splash to Edwards on the floor. Maclin follows up with the K.I.A. on Myers in the ring for the cover. 1-2-3. Maclin and Young win.

Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) (c) defeated Ash & Heather By Elegance (w/ George Iceman) to retain the TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Championships

The TNA tag-lines “tale of the tape” style graphic flashes on the screen to get the crowd ready for the third match of the pay-per-view card, and fifth overall this evening, which features the TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Championships on-the-line.

George Iceman comes to the ring and does the personal introductions for his team, the “dream team” duo of Ash & Heather by Elegance. With that said, the challengers make their elegant ring entrance for their big title opportunity. They come out dressed like Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

Spitfire duo Dani Luna and Jody Threat coming out running in place, full of excitement, wearing TNA’s new BLCKSMTH apparel, giving Hannifan and Rehwoldt the third opportunity to promote their new deal with the clothing company. The referee holds the Knockouts tag titles up high and the bell sounds.

Iceman, Ash and Heather huddle up for a “Go Eagles!” pre-match cheer. Spitfire jumps them and the match starts off hot. Luna and Ash kick things off for their respective teams, with Luna establishing the initial offensive control. Iceman provides a distraction, allowing the Elegance team to take over.

Heather tags in and goes to work on Luna. Ash drags out Luna from the floor under the bottom rope, Randy Orton draping DDT style. Heather leaps and hits a double stomp, Finn Balor Coup de Grace style, on Luna’s back. Back in the ring, Ash tags in and goes for a cover but only gets two.

Iceman grabs the pom-poms at ringside and cheers his elegant team on. Heather provides a distraction from ringside with the pom-poms to help Ash maintain offensive control of the action in the ring. Threat eventually tags in and shifts the momentum before ultimately finishing things off. Spitfire retains.

Frankie Kazarian Teases Cashing In Call Your Shot Gauntlet Trophy

We see footage of Frankie Kazarian’s victory over Leon Slater in the pre-show. Kazarian says Slater is called the future, but he is the present. He says his focus is now on the main event.

He hopes Nic Nemeth and Joe Hendry tear each other apart, because then he’s got a decision to make. He grabs his Call Your Shot Gauntlet trophy and teases tonight possibly being the night he uses it to cash-in.

Tessa Blanchard defeated Jordynne Grace

Once the brief Kazarian backstage promo wraps up, the pre-match video package airs to set the stage for the grudge match showdown between Jordynne Grace and Tessa Blanchard.

After the package wraps up, the lights in the building go out. When they come back on, for the first time since returning, Tessa Blanchard makes a regular ring walk down the entrance ramp, with music and the whole sha-bang.

She bites on the tip of a pair of sunglasses as she walks to the ring to a chorus of boos from the Texas crowd. She settles inside the squared circle to Hannifan singing her praises and explaining the significance of her being back in TNA again. “That’ll teach you to never say never,” Rehwoldt adds.

Her music dies down and the familiar sounds of the entrance tune for Jordynne Grace hits. Austin, Texas’ “Juggernaut” heads to the ring to a huge reaction from her near-hometown crowd. As soon as the bell sounds, Grace scoops Blanchard up and runs her into the corner.

The two trade shots until Grace takes over and launches Blanchard out of the corner. She does the same on the other side of the ring. Blanchard heads to the floor for a breather, but Grace dives through the ropes and splashes onto Blanchard. She stands up and hits a Juggernaut Driver to her on the floor.

Fans loudly chant “F**k you, Tessa!” as the clear-cut heel in this equation shifts the offensive into her favor for the first time in the contest. She flips off the crowd. Grace muscles Blanchard up in the powerbomb position and slams her sideways into the guard rail.

She hoists her up but Blanchard escapes and leaps onto the ring apron. Blanchard stomps on the hands of Grace. She wraps her leg around Grace’s head and slams her face-first into the corner of the ring apron. On the floor, she grounds and pounds Grace as the crowd loudly breaks out in a “Let’s go Tessa” and “Tessa sucks” dueling chant.

Blanchard enjoys some time in the offensive spotlight in the ring, with the crowd on her case the entire time. Grace takes back over, and hits a wild cradle piledriver turned into a powerbomb spot for a close two-count. Blanchard fights back with a modified Canadian destroyer for a close pin attempt of her own.

Grace hits a spinebuster and goes for the cover, but only gets two. Blanchard slaps up a triangle off her back on the mat. She throws some elbows up at Grace’s dome, but Grace blasts her back with a big shot. She muscles Grace up into a suplex position, but Blanchard sails over into a neckbreaker for two.

Blanchard hops off the bottom rope and hits a twisting cross-body splash onto Grace at ringside. Grace fights back and hoists Blanchard up over her shoulders. She climbs up to the ring steps and hits a rolling DDT, or sideways death valley driver slam. Fans break out in a very appropriate “This is Awesome!” chant.

Grace looks for the Juggernaut Driver inside the ring, but Blanchard avoids it. The two fight up onto the ropes. Grace hoists Blanchard onto her shoulders again. They leap but Blanchard rolls and lands on top after a crucifix driver for a close two-count.

This match is hitting early Match of the Year contender status already. Fans randomly chant “She’s a racist!” at Blanchard. Blanchard locks up the legs of Grace on the mat and rolls. She stands and goes to drop back with Grace’s legs tied up, but Grace escapes.

Off the ropes, Grace picks Blanchard up, who ties up “The Juggernaut” in an octopus. She yanks on the fingers of Grace from the hold. Grace hoists Blanchard up and bounces her off the ropes for a backwards slam. Blanchard holds onto the turnbuckle pad while her legs are wrapped around Grace’s head.

Grace hits an airplane spin type of move before Donkey Kong’ing Blanchard on the mat for another close two-count. Grace is extremely frustrated after her inability to put Blanchard away that time. Grace runs into a back elbow from Blanchard, who then struggles to try and finish removing the turnbuckle padding.

She fails to do so and gives up. Grace gets Blanchard up for a Muscle Buster but Blanchard avoids it. Blanchard hits a Buzzsaw into the not-exposed turnbuckle in the corner. Blanchard goes for the cover, but Grace gets to the ropes before the count of three.

Blanchard pops up and this time removes the padding off the middle turnbuckle, which was the one she initially tried to expose, before changing to the bottom one afterwards. She does so this time, and after driving Grace into it and leaps off the ropes with a big Codebreaker for the finish. Unbelievably good match. Unfortunate situation with the turnbuckle padding at the very end. Still very good stuff.

Mike Santana defeated Josh Alexander in an “I Quit” match

The pre-match video package airs to set the stage for the next match of the evening, which features Mike Santana going one-on-one against Josh Alexander in an “I Quit” match. The commentators inform the viewing audience that The Northern Armory have been banned from ringside.

After the package wraps up, we return inside the building where Josh Alexander’s theme hits. “The Walking Weapon” heads to the ring, walking by a fan holding a sign that reads, “Josh Alexander’s hair already said ‘I Quit.'” The fan gets the close-up treatment on-camera afterwards. Nice.

Mike Santana is shown backstage kneeling in prayer as his hip-hop theme hits to give him his cue. He stands up and walks the halls into the crowd, making his usual custom ring entrance through the people. The bell sounds to get things started.

The two glare at each other from opposing corners before charging and meeting in the middle. The fight is on. Alexander gets Santana down in a crossface, but Santana rolls, escapes and returns to his feet. Alexander heads to the floor.

Santana heads out after him, but Alexander dives back into the ring and waves Santana back in. Fans break out in a “We want tables!” chant. Santana responds to them by quickly heading out to the floor and pulling a table out from under the ring. He sets it up but Alexander takes back over.

Fans get on Alexander’s case with multiple chants, including “Walking Weiner!” and “You’re still bald!” Santana rights back and goes for the rolling buck-50 in the ring, but Alexander avoids it. Santana hits a running cannonball onto a seated Alexander in the corner.

Santana works Alexander over in the corner some more and fans break out in another “We want tables!” chant. Santana again immediately reacts in typical babyface fashion, stopping his attack to look at the crowd and acknowledge the chants by pointing down to the table set up on the floor.

The referee gets the microphone and holds it in Santana’s face after Alexander hits a big spot. Santana, in thug fashion, tells him to “get that damn microphone out of his face.” Alexander locks Santana in the ankle lock. The ref again asks him. Again Santana says, “No!” He then says “No god damn*t!”

Santana’s boot comes off. Santana charges at Alexander, who ducks and Santana crashes through the table down below. The ref asks him almost immediately after he goes through the table. Santana replies, “I don’t quit!” He then yells, “Get that damn mic outta my face.” Next time he says, “Referee, get out of my damn face!”

Alexander pulls out another table and throws the steel ring steps in the ring, along with a steel chair. Alexander blasts Santana with the chair. The ref asks him. Santana says “No! You’re gonna have to kill me, Josh!” Santana hits him again and he begins laughing and saying “there ain’t no quit in my blood.”

Alexander pulls out zip-ties and goes to lock up the hands and wrists of Santana. Santana punches from his back, but Alexander beats on him and begins pounding him with vicious looking elbows, Brock Lesnar-Randy Orton style. Santana starts bleeding but seems to be enjoying it, asking for more. Alexander obliges, hitting his C4 Spike on Santana.

Santana no-sells it and stands up and slaps his own face. He unloads on Alexander with a barrage of strikes. He goes for a buckle bomb in the corner, but Alexander’s back misses and the top of his head hits the turnbuckle on the way down. Santana hits a leaping hurricanrana to bring Alexander off the top.

He follows up with a big frog splash. Santana lands Spin the Block so hard it knocks Alexander’s mouth piece out and his head gear off. The ref asks Alexander if he quits, but he does not. Santana gets the zip ties and locks Alexander’s hands behind his back. He hits him with another Spin the Block.

The ref asks him again. Alexander again yells no. Santana brings a table in the ring and hits Alexander with it while leaning it against the corner over his body. He pulls the ring steps over in front of it. Santana runs and leaps off the steps, hitting a cannonball through the table onto Alexander in the corner.

The ref asks him and again Alexander refuses to quit. Santana pulls out a slapjack, cue-balls stuffed inside a sock. He uses it to beat the living crap out of Alexander with it over-and-over while his hands remain cuffed behind his back.

Alexander’s mouth fills up with blood as he says, “You’ll never be the guy, Mike!” when prompted by the ref to quit. Santana puts his boot on the back of Alexander’s head with his hands cuffed behind him. He threatens with a curb stomp onto the steel steps. Alexander quits before he does it.

Josh Alexander Quits TNA Wrestling

Santana gets on the mic after and demands Alexander keep his word and shake his hand. Fans chant “Shake his hand!” Santana extends his hand. Alexander reaches out and obliges. While still holding Santana’s hand he asks for the mic.

“I’m a man of my word. I said ‘I Quit.’ I’ll look you eye-to-eye and admit, you’re the new standard of TNA. I quit tonight, but I quit TNA, too.” He drops the mic, yanks his singlet straps down and walks off.

The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) (c) defeated The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) to retain the TNA World Tag-Team Championships

The pre-match video package airs to set the stage for the “Dream Match” for the TNA World Tag-Team Championships, with the legendary Hardys duo of Matt and Jeff Hardy defending against their modern-day counterparts, The Rascalz team of Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz.

The TNA Tag-lines “tale of the tape” style graphic flashes on the screen. The theme for The Rascalz hits and out comes Miguel and Wentz to a big crowd reaction. They are wearing ring gear paying homage to their opponents, with Wentz even dying his hair like Jeff Hardy and wearing green smeared face paint.

The iconic sounds of The Hardys’ theme hits and the crowd explodes inside the Curtis Culwell Center as the legendary duo of Jeff and Matt Hardy emerge and head to the ring to easily the loudest reaction of the night. By far, too. They settle inside the squared circle and the sustained roar grows.

Before things get started, the WWE NXT Tag-Team Championship duo of Fraxiom, Nathan Frazer and Axiom, make their way out to loud “Holy sh*t!” chants. They pull up chairs and take a seat at ringside to get a closer look. The bell sounds and off we go.

Miguel and Matt Hardy kick things off for their respective teams. The two reach a stalemate. Matt leads fans in a “DELETE! DELETE!” chant. Jeff tags in. Wentz does as well. The two start with a bit of a stalemate as well, and then Jeff begins to take over. Matt tags in and the two hit a double-team spot.

After some more back-and-forth action, things build to a spot where Miguel is thrown and crashes onto Fraxiom in their seats at ringside. He knocks them out of their chairs, prompting Fraxiom to pop up and get in the faces of The Rascalz.

They are ejected from ringside so the match can continue. The Hardys then go on to hit a Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb off the ropes for the pinfall victory to retain their TNA World Tag-Team Championships.

TNA Impact & Upcoming PPV Announcements

A TNA Rebellion 2025 trailer airs for the pay-per-view scheduled for April 27 in Los Angeles, California. After that, we learn that Santino Marella will address Josh Alexander quitting TNA on Thursday’s Impact.

Additionally, NXT Tag-Team titles will be on-the-line on the first live TNA Impact in eight years, as Fraxiom defend against The Rascalz on the January 23 episode.

A graphic flashes on the screen to announce TNA Sacrifice will take place in El Paso, TX. on March 14, with a follow-up TNA Impact taping the next night on March 15 in the same El Paso County Coliseum venue. TNA Slammiversary is announced for July 20.

Masha Slamovich (c) defeated Rosemary in Clockwork Orange House of Fun match to retain TNA Knockouts Championship

The pre-match video package airs to tell the story leading up to the first-ever women’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun match for the TNA Knockouts Championship, with Masha Slamovich defending against Rosemary.

Inside the arena, the TNA Tag-lines “tale of the tape” style graphic flashes on the screen, as Hannifan and Rehwoldt point out how this is history in the making, with the first-ever women’s version of the Clockwork Orange House of Fun match. Rosemary’s theme hits and out comes the challenger.

She settles in the ring and the lights come back on. Masha Slamovich’s entrance tune hits next and out comes the reigning, defending TNA Knockouts Champion. The ring has a chain going around above the top rope, with various weapons hanging from it. There are weapons in each corner as well.

As soon as the bell sounds, Masha takes the early offensive lead and beats down Rosemary with a chair. She heads to the corner and brings down a staple gun. Before she can use it, Rosemary stops her, kicks her and takes it. She grabs the staple gun from behind Masha and tries stapling her face.

Masha ends up stapling Rosemary’s hand to break free. She holds a kneeling Rosemary and staples her in the arm pit. Masha climbs another weapon corner and pulls down a cane. Before she can use it, however, she is misted in the eyes by Rosemary. She cleans her eyes out and the fights continues.

A table is pulled out and set up. With Rosemary on the apron outside of the ring ropes, Masha charges at her, builds up a full head of steam and splashes onto her, putting her through the table down below. Rosemary recovers, however, and begins beating down Slamovich with a chair at ringside.

Rosemary reaches under the ring and sees something that makes her stop in her tracks and react to the crowd. She pulls out Janice. The calling card of TNA Hall of Fame legend Abyss, who mentored Rosemary within Decay many moons ago. She goes to hit Masha, who moves, and she breaks it on the steps.

She takes a shard of it and uses it to beat up Slamovich, who was toting a cane at the time. She breaks the cane and beats down Slamovich with a piece of Janice on the entrance ramp. Rosemary disappears to the back and returns with a red sack in her hands. She holds it up high and unties it.

She dumps out a ton of thumbtacks on the top of the entrance stage. Rosemary slams her onto them and drags her by her hair down the entrance ramp to the ring as fans chant “That was epic!” A barbed wire board is brought into the ring. Slamovich fights back and slams Rosemary on it for a two-count.

Slamovich hits a stomp onto Rosemary on the barbed wire board for another two-count. Slamovich brings a ladder into the ring and whacks Rosemary with a trash can lid. She then sets the ladder up near the middle of the ring. She begins climbing but Rosemary pushes it over.

Slamovich goes sailing over the ropes and crashing onto two tables. Unfortunately, only one breaks and Slamovich’s noggin bounces onto the side of the other table in violent fashion. Ouch. Rosemary covers her on the floor, but only gets two.

Four steel chairs are unfolded and set up facing each other. Rosemary climbs to the top, but Slamovich stops her and climbs up after her. She hits Requiem into the steel chairs and covers her for the pinfall victory to retain her TNA Knockouts Championship in a violent spectacle.

Cora Jade Arrives, Confronts Masha Slamovich

Once the first-ever women’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun match wraps up, Slamovich holds her TNA Knockouts Championship up high in the air in celebration. Her music cuts off. The theme for Cora Jade hits.

Out comes the WWE NXT Superstar. She gets in the ring and confronts Slamovich, who simply smiles and raises her title high in the air in front of her. The two exchange stares mere inches from each other’s faces. The brief post-match scene wraps up on that note.

Joe Hendry defeated Nic Nemeth to capture the TNA World Championship

It’s main event time!

The Busted Open Radio pre-show hosts come out on the stage to give their predictions for the main event for the TNA World Championship between Nic Nemeth and Joe Hendry. Ryan Nemeth comes out and babbles about his brother until Santino Marella comes out and announces he is banned from ringside.

The pre-match video package airs now to tell the story leading up to the highly-anticipated title tilt between Nemeth and Hendry. The TNA Tag-line “tale of the tape” style graphic flashes on the screen as the fans in Garland already start up with “We believe!” chants.

The lights in the Curtis Culwell Center go out. A dramatic pre-theme song beat plays and grows more intense. McKenzie Mitchell is shown in the ring. “It’s time for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! It’s time for your main event!”

The intense beat peaks, stops and we hear the familiar sounds of the viral smash hit, “I believe in Joe Hendry!” Nic Nemeth’s theme hits next and out comes “The Wanted Man” for his latest title defense. Following the formal pre-match ring introductions, the bell sounds.

Nemeth and Hendry go nose-to-nose in the middle of the ring and then start getting after it. Loud dueling chants break out, with half of the crowd chanting “Let’s go Nemeth!” and the other-half chanting “We Believe!”

After some back-and-forth action, Nemeth begins to settle into the offensive lead. As he does, the crowd loudly boos. The camera shoots over and Ryan Nemeth is shown with a ticket in his hand and a smirk on his face as he takes a seat close to the ring despite being banned from ringside.

Hendry begins fighting back. He hits a fall away slam and kips up. Fans chant “We believe!” He hits a big Attitude Adjustment for another close two-count. Hendry goes for another AA, but this time Nemeth counters in mid-air with a FameAsser for a close two-count of his own.

Nemeth calls for a high spot and heads to the top-rope. Hendry cuts him off, climbs up after him and hits a big super fall-away slam. The two are both down and out. Frankie Kazarian comes out with his Call Your Shot Gauntlet trophy in-hand.

He hits the ring, but before he can cash-in, JBL appears and takes him out with a Clothesline from Hell at ringside. Fans loudly chant “JBL! JBL!” He then walks over and punches out Nemeth’s brother, Ryan Nemeth, just like he did at TNA Bound For Glory.

And just that fast JBL disappears through the crowd out of the camera shot. Fans chant “This is Awesome!” as Nemeth and Hendry return to their feet. Nemeth goes for his finisher, but Hendry avoids it and hits a Standing Ovation. He goes for the cover, but somehow only gets a two-count.

Fans loudly chant “One more time! One more time!” Hendry looks around and plays to the crowd before amping up and stomping the mat, leading the fans in a “We will rock you!” singing chant of “We believe!” Nemeth hits a super kick and a Danger Zone on Hendry. He goes for the cover, but Hendry kicks out.

Nemeth measures Hendry, setting up another super kick, but he walks into yet another fall away slam from Hendry, who follows up with another Standing Ovation. 1-2-3. We have a new TNA World Champion, and his name is Joe Hendry.

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

Daily Update: Adam Copeland, Nathan Frazer, Zelina Vega

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • A big new issue of the Observer up on the site.  Special note that we’ve had a lot of people contact us both about the Rey Misterio Sr. and Tijuana wrestling story and the breakdown of every PPV this year and how they did.  Highlights of the issue:
  • WWE expanding television in 2025 and the biggest unanswered questions
  • A look at international deals with WWE’s move to Netflix.  What countries will still have TV deals, where Raw won’t be on Netflix, and what this means to AEW and TNA and the scoreboard of who has gotten what. And what is potentially the biggest international deal and when it will be open.
  • The Auditorio in Tijuana and Rey Misterio Sr., a look at the biggest matches in a building that should be on the list as a major wrestling arena that nobody ever talks about, plus how did Rey Mysterio, Konnan, Psicosis and others get their start and looking back at the biggest matches in Rey Misterio Sr.’s career
  • Drawing money and a look at how every PPV show in 2024 did, to see what does and doesn’t work as far as being a PPV headliner, covering WWE, AEW and TNA and every show so far this year.
  • The Battle of Orlando and where things stand for Worlds End.
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle
  • WWE’s holiday special in MSG and a look back at how the show has done since 2010.
  • Death of Jax Dane
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings for all the major shows,including placings, competition, segment-by-segment and more.
  • The Gran Alternative tournament and its history at picking future stars
  • Stardom’s big show the week of the Tokyo Dome.
  • NOAH preparing for Budokan Hall show.
  • More news on the Tokyo Dome shows.
  • New Japan notes for San Jose.
  • St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • RevPro show notes
  • Notes on upcoming North American stadium shows.
  • Lots of thoughts on booking
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEW events
  • More on Lee Fitting.
  • Why there’s a very real chance the Janel Grant lawsuit will be thrown out and why, and what it will take for that not to happen.
  • McIntyre makes fun of Punk

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • The full face-to-face segment from last night’s Raw between Seth Rollins and CM Punk is now up in full on WWE’s YouTube page.
  • Adam Pearce thanked the USA Network in a social media message during the last episode of Raw on the network.
  • The link to this week’s NXT can be found here for international viewers who are unable to watch WWE due to TV deal changes ahead of the Netflix debut next week.
  • Responding to a dig from Kofi Kingston on Raw regarding wearing large heels, Zelina Vega responded on social media: “They are 6 inches.. not that you know what that looks like.”
  • Nathan Frazer wrote about his 2024 on social media: “2024… it’s been a year that neither of us could have ever predicted. Somehow we stumbled upon being one of, if not the best tag team in the world right now. And through it all, we’ve legitimately become brothers. Brothers argue. Brothers fight. But brothers always have each other’s back no matter what. ‘Fraxiom is fine’ isn’t just a funny little tagline, it’s real. Here’s to being fine for many more years, amigo.”
  • New content added to WWE Vault in the last couple of days include Johnny Gargano introducing a Dragon Gate USA match between himself and Shingo Takagi from 2013, The Rock and Hulk Hogan agreeing to their WrestleMania X8 match on the February 18, 2002 edition of Raw, 45 minutes of John Cena matches on Velocity, and Goldberg spearing The Rock in his WWE debut on the March 31, 2003 episode of Raw.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Adam Copeland spoke to Sports Illustrated on dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which hit Asheville, North Carolina hard: “It’s definitely eye opening when you’re at ground zero of something like that and how long it affects [your life] and how long everything takes to get back to some semblance of normalcy. To brush my teeth for the first time without bottled water, I was like, ‘Whoa! I can use the taps? This is awesome!’ You know, you take it for granted.”
  • Former WWE talent Eva Marie has filed for divorce from her husband of ten years, Jonathan Coyle. The couple were featured on WWE’s Total Divas reality series.
  • Stardom star Konami is out of action after suffering an injury on their December 29 show.
  • NJPW has added new VTR videos hyping up the card for Wrestle Kingdom 19 on their YouTube channel.

Three more wrestlers qualify for WWE NXT Iron Survivor Challenge

Three more wrestlers have qualified for the upcoming Iron Survivor Challenge.

Nathan Frazer, Zaria, and Stephanie Vaquer have all advanced to their respective matches at NXT Deadline, which takes place on December 7. For the men, Frazer was the first to qualify by defeating Eddy Thorpe in the opening match of Tuesday’s NXT. He now joins JeVon Evans and Wes Lee in the men’s Iron Survivor Challenge where the winner will earn a future championship match.

For the women, Stephanie Vaquer defeated Jaida Parker to advance, while Zaria defeated Wren Sinclair. They join Sol Ruca, who became the first to qualify for the women’s Iron Survivor Challenge on last week’s show.

In a video package that aired during NXT, Giulia indicated that she would win the Iron Survivor Challenge after qualifying. Kelani Jordan saw the video and told Robert Stone & Stevie Turner that she wanted a Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match against Giulia next week. Meanwhile, Axiom will face Ethan Page next week in another qualifier.

Here is the updated card for Deadline:

  • NXT Championship: Trick Williams defends against Ridge Holland
  • Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Nathan Frazer vs. 2 others TBD
  • Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Sol Ruca vs. Zaria vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. 2 others TBD

Two title matches set for next week’s WWE NXT

Two title matches are set for next week’s NXT.

Axiom & Nathan Frazer will defend the NXT Tag Team titles against Je’Von Evans and Cedric Alexander. In a backstage segment that aired on Tuesday, the champions consoled Evans after he lost in the main event of last week’s show. Frazer, however, was more pandering in his comments, saying that Evans was young and had a lot of time, and told Evans to get used to it. Evans slapped Frazer as their partners held them back.

The champions were later seen in Ava’s office, where Frazer agreed to put up the NXT Tag Team titles with Axiom reluctantly agreeing.

Charlie Dempsey also agreed to give Lexis King a shot at the Heritage Cup trophy on next week’s show. King told Dempsey that he didn’t want to be seen as a loose cannon like his father. Later, King went into Ava’s office and asked her to appoint someone in his corner for the match. Ava said she couldn’t do it.

Here is the lineup for next week’s show:

  • NXT Tag Team titles: Axiom & Nathan Frazer defend against Je’Von Evans & Cedric Alexander
  • NXT Heritage Cup: Charlie Dempsey defends against Lexis King

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

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.

The Bloodline attack Street Profits, Nathan Frazer & Axiom on WWE NXT

The Bloodline made their presence felt on Tuesday.

During the opening match between Nathan Frazer & Axiom and The Street Profits, The Street Profits had hit their finish on the NXT Tag Team Champions when Tama Tonga came in and broke the count, causing the match to be thrown out. Tanga Loa and Jacob Fatu then entered and proceeded to lay out both teams, standing tall as the segment ended.

On Friday’s SmackDown The Bloodline including, Solo Sikoa, defeated The Street Profits and DIY in an eight-man tag team match. Sikoa got the win for his team after two Samoan spikes to Montez Ford. Sikoa will now wrestle Cody Rhodes in a steel cage match for the WWE title on this coming Friday’s SmackDown as it returns to the USA Network.

The Rascalz were originally announced to take on Nathan Frazer and Axiom for the titles. However, Ava announced on social media Monday that they were unable to compete due to “somewhat conspicuous circumstances.”

Nathan Frazer & Axiom win Tag Team titles at WWE NXT No Mercy

New Tag Team Champions were crowned at No Mercy.

In the opening match of Sunday’s premium live event in Colorado, Nathan Frazer & Axiom regained the titles, defeating Chase U’s Ridge Holland and Andre Chase. The finish of the match had Frazer and Axiom isolate Chase, allowing Axiom to hit a Spanish fly. Frazer then connected with Phoenix Splash to win the titles for a second time.

After the match, all of Chase U consoled one another in the ring. However, an upset Ridge Holland turned on his fellow Chase U friends, attacking Duke Hudson and Riley Osborne as they were exiting the ring before focusing on Chase, press slamming him to the floor. As Thea Hail was pleading for Holland to stop, he put Chase through the announcer’s table, causing him to be stretchered out of the building.

Recent months had shown Holland associating himself more with Chase U, despite hesitance from Osborne and Hudson who had their doubts about Holland’s true intentions. Chase & Holland defeated Frazer & Axiom back on the August 13 episode of NXT to win the titles, ending their first reign as champions.

Axiom & Nathan Frazer win WWE NXT Tag Team titles

New champions were crowned on NXT.

Tuesday’s show saw Nathan Frazer and Axiom defeat Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin to win the NXT Tag Team titles for the first time. The finish came when Breakker accidentally ran into Corbin in the corner. The momentary distraction allowed Frazer and Axiom to send Breaker through the ropes and to the floor, where Frazer followed up by hitting the phoenix splash on Corbin for the win.

After the match, the new champions were jumped by Karrion Kross and AOP, The Final Testament. AOP gave both the super collider before standing over the champions, posing with their titles.

This ends the reign of Breakker and Corbin after 57 days. They defeated Tony D’Angelo and Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo on the February 13 edition of NXT. Earlier that month, they won the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament, earning a title shot.

Axiom & Frazer had won a three-way match to earn a shot at the Tag Team titles at NXT Stand & Deliver this past weekend, ultimately unsuccessful in winning the titles. NXT Anonymous on X captured footage of Axiom & Frazer asking Ava for a title rematch. The match was agreed to under the stipulation that if Axiom and Frazer lose, they would never be able to team again.