Nic Nemeth can now call himself TNA World Champion after he survived a six-way elimination match to win the title at Saturday’s Slammiversary in Montreal.
Nemeth, also the reigning AAA Mega Champion, picked up the victory after pinning Frankie Kazarian in a match that also included former World Champions Josh Alexander and Steve Maclin, Joe Hendry and reigning champion Moose.
The big surprise came when Hendry pinned Moose which ensured there would be a new champion. Alexander then eliminated Hendry to the surprise of some who may have assumed the popular star would leave Montreal with the title given his crossover success in WWE NXT.
In the process, Alexander went heel as he kicked Hendry low to lead into his C4 for the pin. The Montreal fans were not happy with that outcome, but got a small bit of satisfaction when Alexander was pinned by Nemeth shortly afterward.
The loss ended Moose’s 190-day second reign as champion after defeating Alex Shelley for the gold at January’s Hard to Kill. Going into Saturday, he had ten title defenses under his belt.
It was the fourth and final title change of the night as the X-Division, Tag Team and Digital Media/International Heavyweight titles all found new homes in Montreal.
It’s the first live edition of the Big Vinny V Show and I’ll be honest with you, it did not go according to plan.
The show begins mid-trainwreck and a meltdown ensues, but then things settle down and we have a lot of fun reviewing TNA Impact with “Speedball” Mike Bailey confronting X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali to set up their Slammiversary match, Steve Maclin fighting (and I do mean fighting) Sami Callihan in a qualifying match for the World title six-way at Slammiversary, and Nic Nemeth facing Rich Swann in another qualifier in the main event.
Four of the six spots in the World title match at Slammiversary are now set following Thursday’s TNA Impact.
Nic Nemeth and Steve Maclin won their qualifying matches on this week’s Impact to secure their places in the six-way for the World title set for Slammiversary on Saturday, July 20.
Nemeth defeated Rich Swann in the Impact main event this week to qualify for Slammiversary, while Maclin defeated Sami Callihan on Impact to qualify.
Maclin and Nemeth join World Champion Moose, and Josh Alexander in the title match at the PPV.
The two remaining qualifying matches are set for the Thursday, July 4 Impact with Frankie Kazarian & Mike Santana vying for one spot, and Joe Hendry & Jake Something battling for the other.
Two title matches for Slammiversary were also added to the show during Thursday’s Impact, with Jordynne Grace vs. Ash by Elegance for the Knockouts World title, and Mustafa Ali vs. Mike Bailey for the X-Division title newly announced for the lineup.
The updated Slammiversary card:
TNA World Champion Moose defends against Nic Nemeth, Steve Maclin, Josh Alexander, TBD, TBD
TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace defends against Ash by Elegance
TNA X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali defends against Mike Bailey
The six-way World title match at next month’s TNA Slammiversary will begin to take shape on tonight’s TNA Impact with two qualifying matches.
In one, former TNA World Champions Steve Maclin and Sami Callihan will clash for the first time since their 2022 rivalry while past title challenger Nic Nemeth will take on former World Champion Rich Swann.
The Slammiversary bout will include current champion Moose and former champion Josh Alexander along with four other competitors.
X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali will be on hand to deliver a State of the Union address following some unflattering distorted audio released recently.
In a three-way tag team match, ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) will face Jake Something & Deaner and The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz).
Following a confrontation last week, KUSHIDA will take on Alan Angels while Knockouts Tag Team Champion Masha Slamovich will face Xia Brookside.
Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.
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An “In memory of Sika Anoa’i” graphic gets the show started.
Jordynne Grace Gives Ash By Elegance Knockouts Title Shot
Jordynne Grace is introduced and comes to the ring to kick off the show. Gia Miller interviews the Knockouts Champion in the ring and talks about Ash By Elegance trying to get her attention for a while now. She says she saw Santino Marella and signed the contract. Ash gets a Knockouts title shot tonight.
George Iceman comes out to interrupt her. He introduces Ash By Elegance, accompanied by personal security. He says there is a contract and a match, but it won’t be tonight. Instead, it will be at TNA Slammiversary.
Because the contract is already signed, Ash By Elegance is going to take a much-needed, extensive vacation in the Bahamas. For their own safety, they brought security to escort her out of here because she is violent. Ash tells security, “Go get her, boys!” Grace takes out the security guards one-by-one. Santino Marella runs out to stop Jordynne.
As Santino is getting Grace to head to the back, Masha Slamovich makes her way out accompanied by Alisha Edwards. Grace and Slamovich lock eyes as they pass each other. Slamovich settles in the ring for the opening contest.
Xia Brookside is out next, and has a quick word with Grace as well. Before the TNA Knockouts Champion heads to the back, she gives Brookside a thumbs up. The match gets started and sees Slamovich grab a side head-lock off an opening lock-up. Brookside counters and slaps on a headlock of her own.
Brookside takes the early offensive lead. She gets Slamovich stumbling back into the corner before dropping down and monkey-flipping her across the ring. Edwards grabs Brookside from ringside, allowing Slamovich to attack Brookside from behind and take over.
Slamovich continues to work over Brookside right in front of Edwards, who taunts her at ringside. Slamovich ties up the referee, allowing Edwards to choke Brookside over the ropes behind his back. Slamovich with a big suplex after that. Slamovich begins working over the arm of Brookside, who fights back.
While selling the arm, she takes over and hits a hurricanrana before following up with Broken Wings. She leaps into a neckbreaker. Fans chant “Let’s go Xia!” as she works over Slamovich in the corner. Edwards hops on the apron, but Brookside knocks her to the floor. The distractions allows Slamovich to hit Brookside with a kick and the Snow Plow for the win.
First Class With DJ Whoo Kid
After a recap of First Class attacking PCO during his date with Steph De Lander is shown. Backstage, DJ Whoo Kid catches up with AJ Francis and Rich Swann. DJ Whoo Kid gives him the International Wrestling Championship, which Killer Kowalski, The Shiek, Mad Dog Vachon, Abdullah The Butcher, Dino Bravo and others have held.
He declares himself the new International Heavyweight Champion. Francis says Rich Swann will beat Nic Nemeth tonight. DJ Whoo Kid gives them some drinks to celebrate. After this wraps up, the show heads into the first commercial break of the evening.
Lars Frederiksen Gives Spitfire Their Final Test
We see Dani Luna and Jody Threat talking with Lars Frederiksen of Rancid, who gives them a tough-love pep talk about how now is the time for them to double down.
For their final test, Jody and Dani will be fighting each other. He wants them to bring the violence in their minds to the ring and most importantly to each other. The Spitfire teammates shake hands.
Mustafa Ali State Of Union Address
Back inside the arena, Campaign Singh is in the ring. He informs us that the man we have all been waiting for is in the building. He introduces the TNA X-Division Champion and out comes Mustafa Ali for his advertised State of the Union address.
The commentators remind us of the alleged distorted bonus footage of Ali’s sit-down with Tom Hannifan being shown at Against All Odds before Ali begins speaking. Ali thanks everyone for their warm, warm reception.
Ali says he is here to address something that happened, which is the aforementioned video that aired showing his true colors. He brings up the distorted audio and unclear images. He says he knows fans demand the truth. Fans in the Impact Zone chant “We want truth! We want truth!”
Ali says he has found the truth after having Campaign Singh launch an investigation. The truth is, that video was A.I. generated “fake news.” He assures the fans he would never belittle his great hometown of Chicago. He says they are number one. Most of what they are number one for is crime related, but still, they’re number one!
With that in the rear view mirror, Ali insists it is time to move forward and look to future challengers for his X-Division Championship. He says he looks to the TNA locker room and other locker rooms to find who deserves to be the new number one contender.
Fans loudly chant “We want Speedball!” Ali says, “No, we don’t want Speedball. Speedball couldn’t hang with me if his life depended on it.” He then asks Chicago who they would like to see. They chant the same thing. Ali says he tried to play nice. He demands a group of hecklers be ejected from the building.
He exits the ring and points out the fans he wants thrown out. One of the fans throws a drink on Ali before leaving. Ali beats the fan down after pulling him over the barricade. He throws the fan in the ring and heads in to beat him down more. “Speedball” Mike Bailey runs out and tackles Ali. Trent Seven is out to try and calm things down. Security tries keeping everything in order.
Ali pretends to leave, but charges around the ring and leaps on Bailey to get the fight going again. It is broken up again but Bailey ends up with the X-Division Championship, which he holds up to taunt Ali. Ali rolls back into the ring and grabs the mic.
He’s sick of hearing fans chant his name. He’s sick of being accused of dodging him. He says he ruined his homecoming, so now he’s gonna ruin his. He’s laying out a challenge for the X-Division Championship between Ali and Bailey at Slammiversary. Bailey is happy and throws the title back to Ali before heading to the back.
We head to another commercial break. When we return from the break, “Speedball” Mike Bailey talks directly into the camera to react to Mustafa Ali’s State of the Union Address. He claims it was a mistake to challenge him for a match in his hometown of Montreal.
ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) defeated Jake Something & Deaner vs. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
Back in the Impact Zone, it’s time for three-way tag-team action. All three teams come out and first take turns on the microphone talking about being deserving of tag-team title shots. This was after Cody Deaner spoke of meeting with Santino, who told him he is excited they’re back in the tag division and that if they win tonight, they are in line for a tag-team title shot.
Deaner and Miguel kick things off in the ring. Deaner gets the early offensive jump. Wentz tags in for Miguel. Deaner works him over as well briefly before tagging in Something, who picks up where he left off. We head to a mid-match break and when we return, Miguel and Wentz are in the offensive lead, taking it to Deaner and utilizing frequent tags.
The commentators tout Joe Hendry’s appearance in WWE NXT being WWE’s single most viewed clip on X of 2024. Something goes on an offensive tear, cleaning house of many of the opposition in the ring. On the floor, he Donkey Kong’s The Rascalz before the action resumes in the ring, where The Art of Finesse gets ABC the win.
Backstage With The System
Backstage, The System are shown. They talk about Santino Marella always trying to stack the deck against them, but they always end up on top regardless. Moose brings up not losing a singles match in two years now. He says one person might be a problem, but Johnny Dango Curtis is going to handle that potential problem for him. We head to another commercial break after this wraps up.
Steve Maclin defeated Sami Callihan in a Road To Slammiversary Qualifier
An extensive video package airs to promote the next Road To Slammiversary qualifier. It’s time to see who will join the six-man match at Slammiversary with TNA World Champion Moose, as Steve Maclin and Sami Callihan do battle.
Maclin with a fast start, hitting a running knee for a two-count. Callihan fights back with a big near-finish of his own within the first few seconds after a Cactus Driver. Things slow down after that, with Callihan in the offensive driver’s seat.
Maclin turns the tables with another running knee, which he follows up this time with a top-rope headbutt for a close two-count. With Callihan on the floor, Maclin runs the ring apron and hits a flying elbow, Cactus Jack-style, at ringside.
Callihan fights back and launches Maclin on the floor as well. The fans rally behind both guys as the referee begins a double count out, which is stopped when Maclin and Callihan each re-enter the ring just in time after the count of nine. Maclin hits a Rock Bottom-style backbreaker for another nearfall attempt.
Callihan cuts off Maclin’s offensive run with an exploder suplex into the turnbuckles in the corner of the ring. Callihan looks for a Cactus Driver off the middle rope, but Maclin fights his way out of it. He gets behind Callihan on the top-rope, but Callihan gets him on his shoulders and connects with a Super Death Valley Driver.
He follows that up with another Cactus Driver straight into the pin attempt, but still only gets a count of two and a half. Callihan looks for a Cactus Driver on the hard part of the ring apron outside of the ring ropes, but Maclin fights his way free.
Maclin hits a running knee as Callihan was coming back into the ring. He hits his finisher next and gets the win to qualify for the TNA title match at Slammiversary. After the match, the show goes back into another commercial break.
KUSHIDA defeated Alan Angels
After the show returns from the break, Alan Angels makes his way out of the entrance tunnel to the ring for the next match of the show. His opponent, KUSHIDA is out next and before the bell sounds, Angels goes to work on him to get the early offensive jump.
Before even taking his entrance coat off, KUSHIDA fights back and takes over as fans chant his name. Angels fights back with kicks to KUSHIDA in the corner. He whips him to the opposite corner and follows him in with a clothesline.
KUSHIDA catches the right arm of Angels as he leaps to the floor. He snaps the arm of Angels in vicious fashion before taking over in the ring. KUSHIDA hits a Tanaka punch to Angels as he leaped off the ropes. KUSHIDA follows up with the Hoover Board Lock for the tap out victory.
After the match wraps up, Jonathan Gresham hits the ring and attacks KUSHIDA from behind. Gresham leans KUSHIDA’s head back and tries pouring that black ink into his mouth, but security runs out and stops him before he does. The show went into another break after this wrapped up.
Backstage With The Hardys
Backstage, we return from the break to “BROKEN” Matt Hardy, Rebecca Hardy and Jeff Hardy. Matt talks about The System putting their hands on his wife at Against All Odds. He announces a mixed tag match with Matt and Rebecca vs. Eddie & Alisha Edwards in Philadelphia, PA. for next week. Jeff Hardy then mentions The Hardy Boys vs. The System in tag-team action also coming up in Philly.
Nic Nemeth defeated Rich Swann in a Road To Slammiversary Qualifier
It’s main event time!
Back inside the Impact Zone, the commentators plug the TNA Summer Tour and TNA Slammiversary lineup, as well as the card for next week’s Impact. The elaborate video package for our second Road To Slammiversary Qualifier, which serves as this week’s main event, airs next.
Rich Swann and Nic Nemeth make their respective ring walks, with AJ Francis and DJ Whoo Kid accompanying the former, and the latter coming out by himself. Before things get started, we head into another pre-match commercial break.
When we return, Nemeth and Swann lock up and “The Wanted Man” immediately goes to work on the arm of the First Class member, isolating it and cranking away. Meanwhile, the commentators talk about AJ Francis buying the title belt that PCO long wanted after ruining his recent date with Steph De Lander.
Swann gets a break in the action and rolls out to the floor for a quick in-match hug session with Francis and DJ Whoo Kid. Back in the ring, Nemeth hits a quick drop down after switching behind Swann, taking him down to the mat and slapping on a bulldog choke.
Nemeth hits a picture-perfect dropkick and pops up for a quick arrogant hip-swivel in Swann’s face. Swann and DJ Whoo Kid tie up the referee, which allows Francis to get in a cheap shot. He gets in another one, hitting Nemeth with a can of Gin N Juice, before the referee ejects he and DJ Whoo Kid from ringside.
After that, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break. When we return, Swann is still in a comfortable offensive lead. Nemeth eventually fights back and hits the Jerry Lawler heart attack series of quick repeated elbow drops to take over on offense. Swann catches Nemeth coming off the ropes with a huge clothesline to slow down his momentum.
Nemeth leaps onto Swann for a comeback, but Swann catches him and buckle bombs him into the corner. Moments later, out of nowhere, Nemeth hits a Fame-Asser for a close two-count. After Swann kicks out, Nemeth slaps on a sleeper hold onto a grounded Swann.
A Danger Zone attempt doesn’t pan out, leading to Swann hitting a big kick for a two-count. Fans chant “Wanted Man” to try and rally behind Nemeth. Swann sets Nemeth up and heads to the top for a splash, only to land on the raised knees of Nemeth. Swann hits a hand-spring cutter for a close nearfall attempt.
Swann picks up Nemeth, but Nemeth drills him with a big punch. He invites Swann to hit him back, and Swann happily obliges. The two trade shots back-and-forth in the middle of the ring and then Nemeth hits a big headbutt and a super kick. He runs into a super kick by Swann and then delivers another of his own, followed by a DDT. He hits the Danger Zone after that for the win.
With the win, Nemeth joins Steve Maclin and Josh Alexander in the six-way TNA World Championship match against Moose at TNA Slammiversary. Next week, either Frankie Kazarian or Mike Santana, and Joe Hendry or Jake Something will join the three in the bout. Nemeth’s post-match celebration wraps up the show. Thanks for joining us and follow me on Twitter/X.
Next week:
* Frankie Kazarian vs. Mike Santana (Road To Slammiversary Qualifier) * Joe Hendry vs. Jake Something (Road To Slammiversary Qualifier) * Dani Luna vs. Jody Threat * Eddie & Alisha Edwards vs. Matt & Rebecca Hardy
TNA will celebrate 20 years of Impact TV tonight with a show featuring two title matches on the road to this month’s Against All Odds.
This week’s show will air live on the TNA+ app for the first time in addition to AXS TV.
Fresh off her in-ring debut on WWE NXT on Tuesday, Jordynne Grace will defend the Knockouts title against former two-time titleholder Allysin Kay. Grace beat Kay’s Hex partner Marti Belle on last week’s show and was attacked by Kay afterward.
Grace will challenge NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez at this Sunday’s NXT Battleground.
Digital Media Champion Laredo Kid will look for his second title defense as he defends against AJ Francis after Francis and Rich Swann jumped Kid recently. Francis has never held TNA gold before.
In a clash of former World title challengers, Nic Nemeth will go one-on-one with Frankie Kazarian while past X-Division title challenger Jake Something takes on Kon as Something’s issues with Deaner linger in the background.
Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.
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The special 20th anniversary episode of TNA iMPACT started off with a cold open video package that looked back at key moments from last week’s show, with The System setting the tone for the evening with a meeting backstage talking about their matches at Against All Odds. It ended with highlights of Moose knocking out “BROKEN” Matt Hardy backstage.
Jake Something def. Kon
Episode 1,037 of the weekly two-hour show kicked off with a live shot of the city of Cincinnati, OH. as the commentators welcome us to the special 20th anniversary episode. Kon’s theme hit and he made his way to the ring for the first match of the evening.
Jake Something made his way out next, looking all-business. After the two settled in the ring, the bell sounded to get the opening bout underway on the historic landmark episode of TNA iMPACT. The two locked up and neither man budged, so they each broke apart and opted instead to trade strikes.
Kon beat Something down to his knees with big shots and then brought him to the corner of the ring to follow-up on his attack. Something reversed him in the corner and unloaded with punches of his own, before dumping Kon out to the floor at ringside. Kon rushed back in with rage, but was sent right back to the floor.
Something ended up on the floor as well after Kon threw his shirt in his face to distract him. He then sent him face-first into the steel ring post, shifting the offensive momentum in his favor before returning inside the squared circle with a comfortable offensive lead. He ripped at the face of a grounded Something as the referee gave him a stern warning.
The commentators talk about Kon having an added aggression in recent weeks, just as Something began fighting back into competitive form. He traded shots with the fellow big man before ultimately grounding him. Kon got back up, but was sent back down with a flash knockdown from a big shot from Something, who followed up moments later with Into The Void for the pin fall victory.
Eric Young Talks 20 Years Of TNA iMPACT
After the match wrapped up, Kon attacked Jake Something to start a post-match beat down. Eric Young ended up running out to make the save, knocking Kon out to the floor. He got on the microphone and cut a promo saying he was just in the back having some bourbon when he decided to come out.
Young talks about TNA iMPACT being 20 years old. He said it has been 20 years of excellence and what is most important to the business, the fans, whom he calls the lifeblood of what they do. The fans chanted “TNA! TNA!” as the commentators spoke about Young having a match on the debut episode of iMPACT 20 years ago.
Frankie Kazarian Makes A Deal With The System
Backstage, Frankie Kazarian is standing by with Gia Miller for an interview when he is immediately interrupted by The System, who each take turns on the mic. Kazarian says The System has a problem and he’s going to get rid of it for them.
He makes sure he gets a TNA World Championship shot from Moose if he takes care of Nic Nemeth. Moose assures him that is the deal. Kaz says that is assuming Moose beats “BROKEN” Matt Hardy.
Moose boasted knocking out Hardy last week and questioned if he would even make it to TNA Against All Odds. On that note, the show cut to the first commercial break of the evening.
Steph De Lander To Respond To PCO’s Advances Next Week
After the break, Steph De Lander is interviewed backstage, where she agreed after encouragement from Xia Brookside and Gia Miller to wait a week to tell PCO what she thinks after he gave her a rose and love letter in recent weeks.
Gisele Shaw def. Shazza McKenzie
Inside the Impact Zone, Gisele Shaw and Shazza McKenzie each make their way to the ring for our next match. Early on, Shaw started off strong, as the commentators spoke about her recent talks with Gail Kim and the positive influence she has had on her heading into her in-ring comeback this evening.
McKenzie took over on offense for a quick run, but it was short-lived. Shaw grabbed her by the throat and decked her. She followed up a pin attempt, but only got a count of two. After they get back up, Shaw hit a big shot and followed up with her Denoument finisher for a relatively easy and basic comeback victory.
Latest Rosemary Vignette
In a backstage vignette similar to the one that aired last week, Rosemary is shown delivering a message in very Rosemary-fashion. She talks about them being alone and that the children of the hive wrapped around them like a husk for protection.
They followed them into battle, but now they are all gone due to their failures. She says those responsible will be forced to pay for their sins and their failures. After this wrapped up, the show cut to another commercial break.
Steve Maclin With A Proposition For Mike Santana
When the show returned from break, we see Steve Maclin approach Mike Santana and says unlike The Rascalz, he’s not here to attack him in sneaky fashion. He tells Santana they each have issues with them after their attack from behind last week.
Maclin suggests they handle it together, but Santana said that part of his journey is over and he rolls alone now. Maclin suggests it be a case of “one-and-done” with them taking on The Rascalz at TNA Against All Odds. Santana seemed to warm up to the idea.
Speedball Mountain def. Mustafa Ali & Campaign Singh
Inside the Impact Zone, the theme for the X-Division Champion hit and out came Mustafa Ali with Campaign Singh. The two settled inside the squared circle for scheduled tag-team action. Their opponents, the Speedball Mountain duo of Mike Bailey and Trent Seven make their way out next.
Ali teased starting off the match, only to immediately reach back and tag in Campaign with a big smile on his face. Singh and Trent Seven kicked things off for their respective teams. After Seven established the early offensive lead for Speedball Mountain, he tagged in “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
Bailey picked up where Seven left off, taking it to Singh as the fans chanted “Speedball! Speedball!” The commentators spoke often about Seven earning the next title shot at Ali’s X-Division Championship at the upcoming TNA Against All Odds 2024 pay-per-view.
Ali eventually tagged in and immediately shifted the offensive momentum back in the favor of his team, connecting with picture-perfect drop kicks on anything that moves. Ali taunted the crowd and boasted as the commentators talked us into a mid-match commercial break as the action continued inside the ring.
After the show returned, we see Singh on the wrong end of a one-sided beat down from Speedball Mountain. Singh badly needed a tag, but Ali literally ran from the opposition, eliciting laughter from the commentators.
Once Singh finally levels Seven and decks him, Ali is willing to tag back in and pick the bones. Which is exactly what he did, all-the-while loudly verbally taunting him and putting the boots to him. Seven finally heard enough and fought back, dropping the X-Division Champion. Singh gets involved and ends up on the floor with Bailey, where Trent hit a dive to take him out.
Back in the ring, Ali capitalized on the chaos. He got Seven down and headed to the top-rope for a 450 splash, but Seven moved. Ali rolled through and popped up just in time to nearly get be-headed by a big kick from Seven. Both guys were down and slow to make it to the corners, where they ultimately each tagged out.
The crowd came to life as “Speedball” Mike Bailey came into the ring with a ton of energy, only to run into a big back elbow from Singh. Bailey fought back and got the crowd back into things before tagging Seven back in. The two go for a double-team spot on Singh, but Ali yanked Bailey out to the floor to stop it.
The Secret Service provide a distraction, allowing Ali to hit a big DDT on him on the floor. Meanwhile in the ring, Seven fired up and went to work on Singh. He got Singh on his shoulders and stared at Ali before connecting with a Birming-Hammer for the pin fall victory.
The two have a long stare down after the bout as the commentators hyped their upcoming X-Division Championship clash at TNA Against All Odds 2024. After that, the show went into another commercial time out. Jordynne Grace (C) def. Allysin Kay to retain the TNA Knockouts World Championship
When the show returned from the break, a Tale of the Tape graphic for our next match is shown, detailing the important particulars for TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace and her challenger for this title tilt, Allysin Kay of The Hex.
Before the match, however, Ash By Elegance’s personal ring announcer takes over on the stick inside the squared circle. After a long, drawn-out introduction for Ash By Elegance, we got an equally long ring entrance for her, as well as a lap on the floor. She eventually settled into her chair at ringside.
The theme for Allysin Kay hit next, and out came the former multiple-time TNA Knockouts Champion in her own right, accompanied by Marti Belle. The sirens sounded after that and the hottest female talent in the business for the past week or so makes her way out.
“The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace made her way to the ring as the commentators sung her praises and spoke about her recent title defenses heading into tonight’s bout. The champion and challenger get the added, formal pre-match ring introduction from the ring announcer and then the bell sounded to get championship action underway on the special 20th anniversary episode of TNA iMPACT.
Immediately, the commentators spoke about Grace beating Stevie Turner on WWE NXT this week, and having a chance to become a double champion when she challengers WWE NXT Women’s World Champion Roxanne Perez at the WWE NXT Battleground 2024 premium live event this coming Sunday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Grace got off to a strong offensive start, while the commentators spoke about her recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio, where she claimed she would be defending her TNA Knockouts World Championship in an open challenge at the TNA Against All Odds 2024 pay-per-view at Cicero Stadium in Chicago, Illinois.
After the action spilled out to the floor at ringside, Kay managed to take over the offensive control of the match thanks to an assist from Marti Belle. Back inside the squared circle, the challenger continued to add to her offensive lead for a few minutes.
Grace fought back with hard forearm shots but once again, Belle played a factor at ringside with a distraction that allowed Kay to take back over. Kay hit a nice Saito Suplex for a pin attempt, but only got two. Grace fought back after kicking out and hoisted Kay up for a Muscle Buster in a tip of the cap to AEW’s Samoa Joe.
She went for the cover, but only got two. Grace handled Belle, but then got rolled up by Kay. She kicked out at two. We saw an AK-47 attempt, but it is countered. Grace folds Kay in half with a stiff power bomb, before following up with a Juggernaut Driver for the pin fall victory.
With the win, Jordynne Grace retained her TNA Knockouts World Championship. Ash By Elegance was shown grilling the champ from ringside as the commentators plugged Grace-Perez this Sunday at the WWE NXT PLE one final time.
DMTV With Sami Callihan
The latest installment of the always interesting DMtv segment with Sami Callihan is shown. Callihan is featured inside a truck, questioning who Jonathan Gresham is.
Callihan would go on to challenge Gresham to a match at the upcoming TNA Against All Odds 2024 pay-per-view. Callihan mentioned having sushi for dinner and then the show cut to another commercial break.
AJ Francis def. Laredo Kid to become the NEW TNA Digital Media Champion
After returning from the break, a Fight Bytes breakdown graphic is shown on the screen to get us ready for our second championship contest of the special 20th anniversary TNA iMPACT show. The theme for AJ Francis hit and out comes the challenger, accompanied by fellow member of First Class, Rich Swann.
The theme for the reigning and defending TNA Digital Media Champion hit next, and out came masked fan-favorite Laredo Kid for his latest title defense. The commentators spoke about Francis not technically earning this title shot, but instead bullying his way into it.
The bell sounded to get things started, and immediately the champ came out firing, blasting the larger Francis with rapid-fire low kicks. He chops down his much bigger opposition. Francis tried snatching up the smaller Kid, but Kid broke free and hit a top-rope missile drop kick to send the First Class member out to the floor.
Laredo went to follow-up with another high spot, but Francis caught him on the way down and planted him into the unforgiving ring apron. Back inside the ring, Francis settled into a prolonged offensive lead after slowing things down at ringside.
Kid fires back up with an assortment of kicks a few minutes later. The crowd comes to life as he takes back over control of the offense with an impressive late-rally. The champ went to the top-rope and hit a wild senton to take out Swann at ringside.
Back in the ring, however, Francis immediately took back over after the momentary lapse in focus from Laredo, and connected with his finisher to pick up the pin fall victory. With the win, AJ Francis is now the new TNA Digital Media Champion. After the match, the commentators hyped the main event of this week’s 20th anniversary show before talking us into another commercial break.
Nic Nemeth def. Frankie Kazarian
The returned from the break to the announcement of Dani Luna vs. Tasha Steelz, Mike Santana vs. Zachary Wentz, as well as Nic & Ryan Nemeth vs. Ace Austin & Chris Bey for next week’s TNA Against All Odds 2024 “go-home” episode of TNA iMPACT On AXS TV.
After that, the commentary duo are shown talking directly into camera as they run down the lineup for the upcoming TNA Against All Odds 2024 pay-per-view at Cicero Stadium in Chicago, Ill. They introduce a video package, with Jordynne Grace talking, as highlights of her in-ring action are mixed in.
The TNA Knockouts World Champion spoke about how she is going to become a double-champion at WWE NXT Battleground 2024 this Sunday night at the UFC Apex, and make herself someone with an undeniable legacy to the TNA fans and the WWE Universe.
From there, the video package with “The Juggernaut” wrapped up and the theme for Frankie Kazarian hit. The longtime TNA veteran settled inside the squared circle for the final match of the evening on the 20th anniversary show, which other than Eric Young’s brief promo after the opener, has felt like anything but an anniversary show.
After Kaz settled into the ring, the show cut to a quick pre-match commercial break. When the show returned, Nic Nemeth was settled into the ring and ready to go. The bell sounded to get the main event of the evening officially off-and-running. The commentators boast TNA iMPACT trailing only WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown as the longest-running, weekly flagship show in the history of pro wrestling. Might have to check with Dave on that one!
Nemeth started off strong, taking it to Kaz coming out of the gate, however it wasn’t long before “The King Of TNA” shifted the offensive momentum in his favor. Kaz chopped the hell out of Nemeth in the corner before grounding him as the commentators hype next week’s show featuring the first-ever tag-team match for the Nemeth Brothers before they challenge for the TNA World Tag-Team Championships at TNA Against All Odds 2024.
Kaz sent Nemeth out to the floor with authority. Nemeth is shown writhing in pain at ringside as Kaz hangs back, initially seemingly content with letting the referee count him out, only to head out after him to inflict more punishment late into the ref’s count. The commentators talk about the deal that Kaz made with Moose and The System, vowing to take out Nemeth tonight.
Meanwhile, Kaz brought Nemeth back into the ring and grounded him again, slapping on a rear chin lock and putting his weight on him, as the fans in the Impact Zone clap and attempt to rally behind Nemeth. Kaz continued to control the action as the show cut to a mid-match advertising time out.
When the match returned, we saw Kaz going for the chicken wing on Nemeth, who avoided it and started to fight back. He hit a big DDT and a spear on Kaz into the turnbuckles in the corner. Nemeth grounded Kaz and gave him the Jerry Lawler heart attack special, blasting him with rapid-fire series of elbows to the chest.
Kaz took over again from there, fighting back and this time fully securing a chicken wing submission attempt. Nemeth escaped and attempted a Danger Zone, but Kaz saw it coming and avoided it. Seconds later, Kaz hit a slingshot cutter on Nemeth for a super close two-count. Nemeth fought back and this time successfully connected with his Danger Zone finisher for the pin fall victory.
The System Strikes Again
After the match, The System trio of Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards and Alisha Edwards hit the ring and attack Nemeth. Ryan Nemeth ran out to make the save, but TNA World Champion Moose of The System ran out to ensure The System attack continued as planned. Myers hit Nemeth with a huge spear. Myers and Edwards hold Nemeth, allowing Moose to spear him. The theme for Joe Hendry hit after that and the Impact Zone came unglued.
Fans sprung to their feet with “We Believe!” chants as Hendry helps Nic and Ryan Nemeth fight off The System. Alisha provided a distraction, however, setting Moose up to take them out again. The System members hit a Boston Meme Party as fans loudly chanted “You suck! You suck!” Myers and Edwards held Ryan Nemeth, allowing Alisha to blast him with a kendo stick, before Moose finished him off with a spear. The System proudly posed with their respective titles over the fallen Nemeth brothers and Hendry.
“BROKEN” Matt Hardy Invites Moose To The Hardy Compound
From there, the show cut to a special message from “BROKEN” Matt Hardy, who addressed Moose’s attack last week on the show. He said Moose thought he was taking Hardy out, but all he did was tap into the BROKEN Universe. Hardy said he has met Moose’s family in The System, and now he is inviting them to meet his family at the Hardy Compound. The show went off the air on that note.
That’s how this week’s show went off the air. Thanks for joining us and follow me on Twitter/X.
Next Week: * Dani Luna vs. Tasha Steelz * Mike Santana vs. Zachary Wentz * Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth vs. Ace Austin & Chris Bey
NJPW’s two-night Wrestling Dontaku event kicks off today with a show headlined by an IWGP Global Championship bout.
Nic Nemeth will make his first defense of the IWGP Global Championship in the main event against company president Hirsohi Tanahashi.
A special singles match is in the co-main event position, with David Finlay facing Yota Tsuji.
NJPW World TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will defend his title against United Empire’s Jeff Cobb.
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley will team with Shota Umino and El Desperado against Ren Narita, EVIL, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Moxley defends his title against Narita in the night two main event.
LIJ’s Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, and BUSHI face Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, and Gedo of Bullet Club War Dogs.
Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, and Tiger Mask take on KENTA, Chase Owens, and Taiji Ishimori.
Hikuleo, El Phantasmo, and Jado face Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, and Kosei Fujita.
Taichi and Yuya Uemura take on Great-O-Khan and Callum Newman.
DOUKI and TAKA Michinoku face SHO and Yujiro Takahashi in the main card opener.
The pre-show kicks off at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time with Togi Makabe and Katsuya Murashima vs. Boltin Oleg and Shoma Kato.
This pre-show match wasn’t anything special. Kato and Murashima looked fine but didn’t stand out. Like always, Oleg was presented strong and was a highlight here.
In the end, Oleg dropped Murashima to win the match for his team.
SHO & Yujiro Takahashi (House of Torture) defeated DOUKI & TAKA Michinoku (Just 5 Guys)
HoT started this match by rushing their opponents. As soon as J5Gs began to gain some footing, they took the action to the floor and retook their lead. From here, HoT maintained a strong lead for quite some time.
When J5G began to rally, Takahashi distracted the referee long enough to hit TAKA with his cane. Pimp Juice followed, leaving HoT with a win.
O-Khan and Uemura opened the match with a grappling showcase before tagging out to Taichi and Newman. After a short sequence between this pairing, O-Khan tagged back in, establishing a short lead before a two-sided knockdown forced a double tag.
Newman rushed Uemura, gaining a solid lead with fast offense. In the closing sequence, Newman tried for multiple finishing attempts. In the final moments, Uemura stuffed the OsCutter, and hit a sudden deadbolt suplex to win the match.
Hikuleo and Nicholls kicked things off with a striking battle. Hukuleo won out, but a match breakdown followed soon after. Eventually, Hikuleo retook the lead by taking down Nicholls and Haste.
Once ELP was tagged in, TMDK reversed the momentum. They triple-teamed ELP, gaining a strong lead. Before they could close the match, ELP rolled up Haste to score a quick win.
Before the opening bell, the BC trio took the fight to the floor. Once the match found its way to the ring, the babyfaces were in controlfor a short time before BC resorted to their normal tactics to reverse momentum.
Owens and TMIV had a fairly extensive back-and-forth, ending with a Tiger Driver nearfall. Once Owens kicked out, he dropped TMIV, leading to a match breakdown. Once the ring cleared, Owens hit at C-Trigger and package piledriver to win the match.
Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)
The War Dogs cleared the ring as soon as the match began, leading to a showdown between Moloney and Naito. Meanwhile, Kidd and Shingo began to fight deep into the crowd. Connors and Hiromu followed their example, nearly leading to a count-out early in the match. Back in the ring, the Dogs worked to isolate Hiromu from his team.
Shingo eventually tagged in to challenge Kidd, leading to a powerful exchange. Once they calmed down, LIJ was free to work on Gedo. After everyone got their lick in, BUSHI forced Gedo to submit with a figure four variation.
After the match, Kidd challenged Shingo to a fight on the outside. Shingo denied the impromptu fight, responding with, “See you tomorrow.”
House of Torture (EVIL, Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeated El Desperado, Jon Moxley & Shota Umino
HoT tried to rush the faces as the match began, but Moxley held them off. Once Umino was tagged in, HoT utilized their typical tactics to establish a lead.
Moxley and Narita eventually came to blows. Moxley dominated Narita, forcing Kanemaru to get involved. Moxley responded with a cutter before tagging in Desperado.
Desperado and Umino worked together to finish Kanemaru, but Narita distracted the referee. Dick Togo tried choking Desperado with his wire, but Moxley pulled him off. This led to a fight on the floor and a fully occupied official. Kanemaru then spit a mouthful of whiskey into Desperado’s eyes, bumped him into an exposed corner, and rolled him up to win the match for HoT.
After the match, HoT beat down Moxley, forcing Umino to make the save.
NJPW World Television Championship: Jeff Cobb defeated Zack Sabre Jr. (c)
This match was great, even if it fell apart slightly in the closing moments. This was built entirely around a rib injury, and they more than pulled it off.
In the opening exchange, ZSJ wrestled Cobb to the mat. Cobb responded post-rope break by taking ZSJ to the mat himself. Once Cobb proved capable, he began throwing ZSJ around the ring, establishing a significant lead.
A DDT from ZSJ opened the doop for a rally, but damage from Cobb’s offense was taking its toll on the champion. ZSJ managed to land a few strikes before hitting a suplex. Unfortunately for ZSJ, Cobb responded with a suplex of his own to retake the lead.
Cobb floored ZSJ before landing a moonsault for a nearfall. When Cobb tried to follow up, a desperate ZSJ landed a Zack Driver for a nearfall of his own. Once Cobb kicked out, he hoisted ZSJ to the top rope, but ZSJ transitioned to a sleeper from the corner. ZSJ then hit a mean powerbomb for a nearfall.
ZSJ tried for a kick, but Cobb reversed into a quick pin. Once ZSJ kicked out, the pair went back and forth until Cobb landed the F 5000. Cobb attempted a Tour of the Islands next, but ZSJ reversed. ZSJ then secured a submission on the mat, but Cobb managed to power through and hit Tour of the Islands. Cobb then pinned ZSJ to win the match.
For the first time this decade, Jeff Cobb is a singles champion in New Japan.
David Finlay defeated Yota Tsuji
Finlay established the match’s first lead by driving Tsuji into the barricade on the floor. Back in the ring, Finlay began to pick apart Tsuji with simplistic offense.
Tsuji eventually fired back with a splash and a rana, sending Finlay to the floor. A massive tope then sent Finlay up and over the first row of guard rails. Back in the ring, Tsuji utilized body scissors to cement his lead.
A dominator from Finlay placed him back in the driver’s seat. This was somewhat short-lived as Tsuji fired back with a backbreaker and a powerbomb for a nearfall. Tsuji then tried for his top rop curb stomp, but Finlay reversed into a cutter, buckle bomb, and oblivion for a false finish.
An inside cradle from Tsuji put Finlay back on the defense. Tsuji hit a curb stomp but collapsed right after, allowing Finlay to hold on. Finlay followed up with a collection of uppercuts.
A sudden knee from Tsuji opened the door for a rally. A powerbomb and curb stomp grounded Finlay long enough for Tsuji to land his top rope curb stomp.
When Finlay tried for Gene Blast, Gedo distracted him momentarily. Finlay hit a spear of his own, but Tsuji held on. Tsuji hit a quick spear before setting up for Gene Blast. When Tsuji tried for his finish, Finlay cut him off with a shillelagh strike. Finlay followed up with Overkill, his brainbuster knee strike variation, to win the match.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi
This match kicked off with a prolonged feeling-out process. Nemeth eventually gained the upper hand by working on Tanahashi’s leg. A big DDT at the 10-minute mark scored Nemeth a nearfall.
Tanahashi caught Nemeth with a few strikes and a senton to take the lead. This was short-lived, however, as a double cross body acted as a match reset.
Tanahashi hit a sling blade and a standing body press to set up the first High Fly Flow attempt of the match. He missed.
Nemeth tried for Danger Zone, but Tanahashi answered with Twist and Shout and a sling blade for a two count. This led to Tanahashi’s second High Fly Flow attempt. Nemeth reversed. This left Nemeth free to hit Danger Zone twice, winning the match and retaining his Global Championship.
During Nemeth’s celebration, David Finlay hit the ring to attack the champion. Nemeth fought back, forcing a break up. Nemeth then challenged Finlay for a title match tomorrow night.
The Big Vinny V Show has returned with a look back at last Thursday’s TNA Impact.
With Rebellion in the rear view, it’s time to set the stage for next month’s Under Siege which means TNA is devoted to finding a new challenger for Mustafa Ali’s X Division title.
And so, they attempted to do so in a way only TNA would do and because it’s TNA, it still got screwed up.
Elsewhere, Nic Nemeth and Speedball Mountain are still feuding with The System, Frankie Kazarian is still feuding with Eric Young, PCO is still feuding with Kon, and Mike Santana is still feuding with Steve Maclin, as we are all left wondering what in the hell the point of Rebellion was.
At least the Impact main event was good because Eddie Edwards, in fact, can wrestle.
A new AAA Mega Heavyweight Champion has been crowned.
Nic Nemeth defeated Alberto El Patron to win the title for the first time. The finish had Nemeth throw water in Patron’s eyes from the outside of the ring as Patron was going for a suicide dive. Patron pushed the referee aside while attempting to recover, which allowed Nemeth to low blow Patron and hit the Danger Zone (Zig Zag) for the win.
— Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (@luchalibreaaa) April 28, 2024
After the match, Marisela Pena handed the title to Nemeth, who posed with her while holding the title.
The AAA Mega title was vacated in March after it was announced that El Hijo Del Vikingo underwent surgery for a torn meniscus, putting him out of action. He had held the title for 833 days, defeating Kenny Omega back in December of 2021.
Nemeth is also the NJPW Global Champion, defeating David Finlay back in February.
Triplemania XXXII was headlined by a trios match, which saw Vampiro, Pagano, and El Mesias defeat Cibernetico, Dark Ozz, and Dark Cuervo. AEW’s Satnam Singh (with Jeff Jarrett), and QT Marshall were also on the card, teaming with Sam Adonis and Parker Boudreaux to defeat Psycho Clown, Octagon Jr., Laredo Kid, and Murder Clown.
Several matches have been announced for TNA Impact.
Nic Nemeth vs. Eddie Edwards will headline this Thursday’s show. Nemeth is coming off a loss to Moose in the main event of Saturday’s Rebellion pay-per-view.
In a rematch from the April 4 episode, Ash By Elegance will wrestle Xia Brookside on Impact this week. Elegance defeated Brookside in their first match.
Former Impact World Champion Sami Callihan returned to the promotion at Rebellion and will be in action on this week’s show as well. He’ll wrestle John Skyler in singles competition.
Callihan hasn’t wrestled for the promotion since it returned to TNA branding. He posted to X on Tuesday, writing, “I watched the very first TNA Wednesday PPV and was instantly hooked. TNA was everything to me as an aspiring Pro Wrestler growing up. It was a dream to compete with that logo in the ring. This Thursday… I officially cross the line.”
Mike Santana also returned to the promotion at Rebellion. He will face Myron Reed in singles competition on Thursday’s show.
Matches for this week’s episode were taped on Sunday at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Spoilers from the taping are available here.
On a new Big Vinny Show, I recap last Saturday’s TNA Rebellion which featured Nic Nemeth challenging Moose for the TNA World title, plus title defenses by TNA Tag Team Champions Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers, Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace, and X-Division champion Mustafa Ali.
The big news, however, was the return of a trio of TNA legends: four-time tag team champion Mike Santana, former World champion Sami Callihan, and perhaps the most successful gimmick in TNA’s history: “Broken” Matt Hardy.
I discuss those returns, the credentials of some other guest stars, and why 2024 is such a great time to be a wrestling fan.
Nic Nemeth will look to add another title to his waist as he challenges Moose for the TNA World Championship in the main event of tonight’s Rebellion pay-per-view from Las Vegas.
In a Knockouts title match, Jordynne Grace will defend against Steph De Lander.
TNA Tag Team Champions The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) defend against Speedball Mountain (Trent Seven & Mike Bailey) while X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali defends against Jake Something.
In their trilogy bout, Hammerstone will take on Josh Alexander in a Last Man Standing match while veterans Eric Young and Frankie Kazarian attempt to settle their differences in a Full Metal Mayhem match.
The promotion is also teasing a “lights out” surprise at some point during the show in addition to former Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry against former World Champion Rich Swann.
The countdown show will see three bouts including a Knockouts Tag Team title defense, a Digital Media title defense, and a trios match.
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Leon Slater & ABC defeated The Rascalz
Trey and Slater started fast, Ace tagged in and pretty much immediately got taken down and double teamed by Trey and Wentz. Reed did a really nice Guillotine Legdrop to Ace when he was splayed on the middle rope. Slater tagged in and looked good until he got cut off and triple teamed with a series of fantastic moves. Slater made the hot tag to Bey and the expected 6-way broke out. ABC used the move formerly known as Chasing The Dragon on Reed for a 2 count and Reed hit a running flip dive over the post to ABC. Slater, not wanting to be shown up, did the exact same thing, which was much more spectacular, to all 3 Rascalz outside the ring. Reed ran across the ring, leaped over the top rope and gave Slater, who was on the apron, a Cutter to ABC, who were both on the floor. After more spectacular moves than I could keep track of, Slater pinned Reed with a 450 Splash. A really good and definitely fun match to kick the show off.
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-Gia Miller interviewed AJ Francis and Rich Swann aka First Class about Swann’s match with Joe Hendry. Francis introduced the Man Boy Mafia, which included Shauniee Stylez, Tyrone, Block Boy JB and a woman whose name I didn’t get. Swann said they are about that flash and will kick Joe Hendry’s ass, with the closing line if you’re not First Class, you’re last.
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Laredo Kid pinned Crazzy Steve to win the Digital Media Championship
Another fast paced match to start the pre-show. The late-arriving crowd chanted for Steve until he began going for Laredo’s mask. After dropping to the floor when he was doing a headscissors hanging over the top floor, Steve was the victim of a nice Asai Moonsault. Back in the ring, Steve went for a cannonball in the corner, but Kid, who was hanging upside down, did a sit-up to avoid it. Steve did a superplex where he landed high, so he stayed down to sell his head and neck for a minute. Steve went to the top rope, Laredo followed him up and Steve went for the mask again, so Laredo bit him, hit the Spanish Fly (called the Laredo Fly) for the pin and the championship. Not a bad match at all, I always underestimate Crazzy Steve, possibly due to the wacky gimmick.
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-Gia Miller interviewed Steph De Lander about her match with Jordynne Grace. They mention Matt Cardona’s injury, saying he won’t be here tonight. De Lander said she will walk out tonight with the title. She doesn’t like or trust Jordynne, so she hired some help…The Good Hands. Hotch and Skylar said they’re still pulling for Mustafa Ali tonight, but they are here to support De Lander.
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Knockouts Tag Team Champions Spitfire w/Lars Frederiksen defeated Decay
Yes, this is the actual Lars Frederiksen of Rancid and not a random person using the name.
I love me some Rosemary and the crowd was with me, as they chanted for the Demon Assassin. Lars tried to get Rosemary to give up on the same hanging head scissors Crazzy Steve used and Rosemary backed him down before continuing the match. Threat and Luna worked over Rosemary for a few minutes until she tagged out to Havoc. Havoc dared Luna to run off the ropes and collide, but Luna was briefly smarter than that, as she grabbed a headlock. When that didn’t work, she tried running off the ropes, but ran right into a headbutt that was heard in Reno. Luna did a great job chopping down Havoc and eventually made the hot tag to Threat. Threat ran wild and while the crowd was chanting for Rosemary earlier, they popped big for Threat’s offense. Both Luna and Threat did Suicide Dives to Havoc, who was saved by the guardrail from going down and then Threat did a senton from the top rope to the floor. Threat went for another dive onto Rosemary, but she got cut off by Havoc, however the champs turned the table, carried Havoc from the middle rope across the ring and dropped her with a double powerbomb. Finally Luna pinned Rosemary after some kind of double team drop. The match was better than expected. Hopefully they can make their double team finish a little crisper because this was a little convoluted.
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-After the match, Masha Slammovich came out with her chain and was joined by Alisha Edwards and her kendo stick. Spitfire challenged them to get in the ring, but Masha and Alisha were happy to stand on the ramp and challenge.
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-Some of Mustafa Ali’s followers came out and said the match between Ali and Jake Something won’t be happening. The guy who had the microphone tripped over his feet getting into the ring and said Something doesn’t meet the qualifications for the X-Division. They sat in the ring for a protest. Cody Deaner stormed out to do what the three referees who came to the ring refused to do and that’s to get these guys out of the ring. Deaner said this was the people’s choice whether or not the match happened. Deaner asked the fans if he should let the guys sit in the ring and hold up the show or force them out of the ring so we can start the show. Shockingly they sided with violence. Deaner kicked one and gave the other a DDT into the crotch of the other one.
Onto the main show! They’re calling this a late-arriving crowd, but there are a lot of empty seats right on camera.
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-DJ Ashba played the national anthem on his electric guitar.
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X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali pinned Jake Something
Something is following in the steps of X-Division pioneers like Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash by being a heavyweight doing battle in the X-Division. Ali arrived at the arena in a private car and got a “Goldberg” entrance by being flanked by Secret Service. Just to be nitpicky, they showed the Secret Service following behind him through the backstage area and then, seconds later, when they came out, the Secret Service was in front of Ali.
Something used his immense size advantage to run over Ali and tackle the champ to the ground. Ali got a double thrust to the throat, but then got backdropped over the top rope to the floor. Ali discovered that the best offense was a good defense. First he moved out of Something’s way and Jake punched the ring steps. Then Ali ran and slid through the corner of the ring, Jake followed, but got caught and dropped with a DDT. Ali then got Something on the ramp and did a roll-through neckbreaker, which also sent some of the stage lighting crashing onto a staff member at ringside. The staff member was okay, but Ali was officially in control. I thought they messed up a swinging hurricarana, but instead it was Something blocking it, but rolling through and turning it into a sit-out powerbomb. Something paid tribute to another former X-Division Champion, Abyss, by hitting Shock Treatment for a near fall. They ended up in the corner, but Ali did a German Suplex to the ring apron. Suddenly the Secret Service interfered. One distracted the referee while the other three rolled Something into the ring and held them so Ali could hit a 450 Splash, but Something kicked out. Something began building momentum, so Ali scurried out of the ring, but Something did a tope, clear over the top rope to the pile. Something hit Into The Void inside the ring for a 2 count when Ali got his foot on the ropes. Finally Ali rolled up Something and grabbed the rope for assistance to get the pin.
A really great match to open the ppv.
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-Former Buffalo Bill and Los Angeles Charger Shawne Merriman was shown ringside.
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Rich Swann w/AJ Francis vs Joe Hendry
Hendry used AI to edit AJ and Swann into his opening video package. Legitimately I thought Swann and AJ had edited it to mess with Hendry and wouldn’t have known differently had Tom Hannifan not said how great it was. Hendry cut a promo saying that this proves Swann and Francis are fans and have come down with a severe case of Hendry Mania. When you come down with Hendry Mania, it causes fans to chant “We Believe”.
Swann took over quickly thanks to a Francis distraction and shoved Hendry’s eyeball into the corner of the ring steps. Tom brought up Seth Rollins doing that to Rey Mysterio, which he was in WWE during. The fans chanted “Dollar Tree” at AJ while Swann worked the eye. Gotta say I’ve never used that phrase while talking about wrestling before. He didn’t seem picky about which eye, as he kicked at both sides of the head. Hendry fought out of a Guillotine and turned it into a suplex. Francis jumped on the apron and got knocked right off of it before back dropping Swann, who took a 360 bump. Francis yanked down the apron and Hendry tumbled outside and then got a chain from Shauniee Stylez, who was also at ringside. However, Shawne Merriman grabbed it and then got in the ring, challenging AJ to follow. AJ joined him, but Shawne backed him down…before knocking Hendry down with a nasty clothesline. The referee was distracted yelling at Francis to get down and Swann won with a Frog Splash.
I never liked Shawne Merriman. He was on the Bills when we were awful. Anyway the rest of the Manboy Mafia got in the ring and the girl grinded on Hendry’s dead body before they all celebrated together. This was the weakest match so far, but still nothing bad at all.
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Frankie Kazarian defeated Eric Young in a Full Metal Mayhem Match
Full Metal Mayhem is essentially TNA’s version of TLC where all metal objects are legal, but since there were no titles involved, this was just a hardcore match. I would ask what the difference between this and Monster’s Ball or just a street fight would be, but there are too many examples of this in wrestling.
Kazarian tried to attack during EY’s entrance, but Young just cracked him with his hockey mask. Young suplexed a ladder onto Kazarian and then set up a ladder bridge, however Kaz turned the tables and sent Young face-first into it. A table got set up and both men teased giving the other a big move off the apron, but neither went through it. Kazarian yelled at the crowd to “Shut up and acknowledge me as your king”, which seems to be conflicting advice. Kazarian set Young on a ladder and went for a Springboard Legdrop, but Young moved out of the way. Young pulled out a baking tray and trash can lid, but then pulled out Abyss’ old nail covered board Janice. Both tried to shove each other’s face into the only weapon ever named after Dixie Carter’s Mom. Young did the Ric Flair flip over the top turnbuckle, but as he ran down the apron, Kazarian speared him through the ropes and through the table that had been set up previously. Back in the ring we got the “Yay”/”Boo” spot and then we had Dueling Baking Trays. Just gonna say this once, I am not a fan of people doing unprotected weapon shots to the head, even if it’s “just” a baking tray. Kazarian briefly wrapped a chain around Young’s neck and used a Crossface Chicken Wing, but Young broke free and used the chain to yank Kazarian off the top rope. Young put a metal trash can on Kazarian’s top half, did a few clotheslines and a top rope elbow and I gotta say they make aluminum trash cans sturdier than they used to because this one did not want to bend. Anyway, Kazarian used an Unprettier on a ladder and set up a table while the fans chanted for fire. Young blocked Kazarian from doing some kind of offensive maneuver and followed up to the top rope, but Kazarian blocked that and did a Flux Capacitor to Young for the pin. Unfortunately they didn’t get all the way over and Young crashed head-first through the edge of the table and was busted open hardway.
That was a really good match and different from everything we’ll see tonight.
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-Gia Miller interviewed Nic Nemeth about the match with Moose. Nemeth said his dad and family are in the crowd to see him. Nemeth said the roster, the crowd and the world is ready for him to become World Champion and plans to prove he is the best.
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-I mentioned the empty seats before, but it appears to be full now, so I guess it really was a late-arriving crowd.
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-Steve Maclin came out in his gear and had a copy of a new contract he got this morning. He said he got every demand he wanted in his contract. Good for him. However, there is one more demand he has, which is a match right here and now. Well, I mean he got everything else he wanted.
Santino Marella came out and said he has signed a brand new superstar, who is eager to get started and will make his debut right now against Maclin. Out came Mike Santana, who was in TNA as part of LAX 2.0 before AEW began. He was a former Impact Tag Team Champion with Ortiz and feuded with oVe, the original LAX and the Lucha Brothers during the dark period of Impact.
Mike Santana pinned Steve Maclin
This was such a surprise that they immediately put up a graphic for Mike Santana merchandise. Santana ran wild at the bell, including doing a tope where he nearly flew into the 2nd row, however Maclin posted him and dropped him on the ring apron to take over. In the ring, Santana was hung upside down in the corner, but sat up to avoid a charging Maclin and began his comeback with a rolling Cutter. Cutler hit the Busaiku Knee when Santana was going for Spin The Block, but Santana quickly cut him off again. Santana went for it again, but it got cut off again. Santana blocked KIA and finally hit Spin The Block for the win.
This was a big win for Santana, cleanly pinning a former World Champion in his first match. It would have been bigger had Maclin been protected more since losing the title, but it’s still a big win. The match itself was fine.
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-Gia Miller interviewed The System and started by asking Alisha if Masha is part of The System. Brian Myers was visibly frustrated that Gia immediately asked Alisha a question before their tag team title match. Anyway, Brian and Eddie vowed to beat Speedball Mountain. Then Moose had a spoiler alert for Nic Nemeth’s family…Moose will leave as World Champion. Plus he says he has a surprise for Nemeth and introduces The Predator John Abraham to be in his corner. Abraham played for the Jets, Cardinals and Falcons and had 133.5 sacks in his career. We are certainly full of non-wrestlers tonight.
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Tag Team Champions Brian Meyers & Eddie Edwards w/Alisha Edwards defeated Speedball Mountain
The match started and Trent Seven was looking out at the crowd, so while Meyers beat on Mike Bailey, Edwards knocked Seven off the apron. The challengers teamed up to take turns chopping Eddie as Tom Hannifan listed great teams to be the TNA Tag Team Champions and mentioned America’s Most Wanted. I know I am nit-picking, but AMW were never TNA Champions, they were NWA Tag Team Champions. I’d have been less nitpicky if Tom hadn’t mentioned these belts were created in 2007. Anyway, while I was ranting, Eddie dropped Seven knee-first on the ring steps to take over. Seven was able to make the tag and Bailey’s feet ran wild on both heels. Seven came in and gave Meyers a superplex and Bailey used a Shooting Star Headbutt (because Meyers was a little too far away) for a 2 count. The challengers went for a double team, but Edwards tripped Bailey and dragged him out of the ring as Meyers cut off Seven. Edwards used a Tiger Driver and transitioned that into a single-leg crab. Bailey tried to crawl in for the save, but got momentarily caught in a Crossface. Bailey got out of it, but instead of breaking up the submission on his partner immediately, he slowly built up to the spot where he kicked Edwards repeatedly to eventually break it up. If I was Seven, I wouldn’t have been thrilled. Seven tried to pick Edwards up for a Burning Hammer, but his knee went out. The champs hit a double team backpack Stunner/Top Rope Elbow, but Seven kicked out. Seven finally hit the Burning Hammer and Bailey hit the Shooting Star Knees to Edwards’ back, but Meyers speared Bailey on top of the pile, breaking up Seven’s pinfall attempt. Bailey ran down the apron for a dive to Meyers, but Brian hit a Spear to cut him off. In the ring, Seven tried to hold his own, but got pinned after a Roster Cut and Boston Knee Party.
This match was pretty damn good.
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Josh Alexander defeated Hammerstone in a Last Man Standing Match
This is their 3rd match, having split their first two matches.
Hammerstone came out wearing Alexander’s headgear as an elbow pad. This was a hard hitting match from the opening bell. Hammerstone popped right up from a German Suplex and used a Belly to Belly overhead suplex that Alexander got right back up from. Josh ended up on the apron and blocked a running boot and dropped Hammerstone with a power slam on the ring apron, but the former MLW Champion got up at 6. Alexander went to the top, but he got press slammed off and onto the ring apron. Hammerstone used a delayed vertical suplex on the floor for another count of 6. Hammerstone yelled that Josh should have stayed down, so Josh slapped him and used a half-nelson suplex on the ring apron. That apron sure is the MVP of this match. Hammerstone sold his neck, but got up at 8. Alexander used the figure four around the ring post, but Hammerstone wasn’t able to reach Alexander’s leg, but thankfully Alexander didn’t take a nasty bump on the floor. In the ring Hammerstone cracked Alexander in the ear with the headgear, which led to his ear getting busted open. I imagine it was hardway, since I can’t believe someone would blade their ear. Tom Hannifan did a great job explaining that Alexander wears headgear because of an ear injury earlier in his career, which is literally the first time I ever heard anyone explain that. Hammerstone laid Alexander’s head against the ring post and went for a running boot. I started typing “but Alexander moved” and then Alexander never moved and Hammerstone booted his head against the post. However Alexander got up at 8 and did a fantastic job selling how discombobulated he was. Alexander barely beat the count on a Torture Rack Drop and hit a Pump Kick, but Alexander laughed, tripped up his larger for and locked on an Ankle Lock. Alexander just wrecked Hammerstone’s leg and midsection, but Hammerstone blocked the C4 Spike. That may have been a bad idea because Alexander responded by kicking Hammerstone’s head off. Alexander reached under the ring and got a black bag, which was full of thumbtacks. At this point I am just waiting for Abyss to come out after all these references to him tonight. They fought on the middle rope, with Hammerstone doing a headbutt to the ear and bringing Alexander down with a Nightmare Pendulum into the thumbtacks. Honestly Hammerstone may have gotten the worst of them, as he had a bunch of tacks in his thighs, while Alexander seemed to have a lot fewer. Anyway, Josh got to his feet at 9 and Hammerstone grabbed the headgear as they fought to the ramp. Alexander hit a few blows to the head and a C4 Spike on the ramp for the win as Hammerstone’s last gasp led to him falling flat on his face. Alexander grabbed his headgear before walking off.
This was a fantastic match and, in my opinion, the best match of a very good show so far.
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-We got a video of Jonathan Grisham, which started with him in a board room and then he began talking about himself in the third person about how when he puts on a mask he becomes his true self. He began choking up ink before showing him in a mask on the other side of the room. This was weird, but kinda cool.
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Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace defeated Steph De Lander w/The Good Hands
Before the match began, George Iceman was in a skybox and introduced Ash By Elegance, who appeared to watch from the skybox.
De Lander bullied Grace into the corner to start the match, since she is 8 inches taller, but Grace got out of it. They were on different pages early and Grace did a Suicide Dive where she pretty much landed on her head. From the apron, De Lander used a TKO that Grace went throat-first onto the top rope to take over. It settled down from here. Grace punched De Lander in the stomach and she responded by yelling at Grace to do it again. However, when Grace did it, she didn’t seem happy. Oh well, some people can’t be satisfied. Every time Grace would string together a few blows, De Lander would just knock her right down. Grace got on a rear naked choke and De Lander used up all her energy to try to stop her. De Lander’s hand dropped 3 times, but one of the Good Hands hopped on the apron to distract the referee. The other one threw the title belt to De Lander, but Grace ducked it, however Grace took out the referee with a spinning back fist. De Lander took out Grace with the title belt and one of the Good Hands took the referee’s shirt off, put it on and went for the cover, but the lights went out! When they came back on…PCO was in the ring and took out both Good Hands. I may have been disappointed in the lights out surprise, but the fans weren’t. They popped for it. De Lander tried to rub PCO’s chest, but PCO grabbed her throat for a chokeslam. Out ran Big Kon, who took out PCO when Grace got to her feet and got face-to-belly button with him. He shoved Grace down, so Grace punched him low. Kon, on his knees, was almost as tall as Grace. She picked Kon up for a Juggernaut Driver, but was cut off by Hotch and Skylar. Kon went to snap Grace’s neck, when the lights went out again and when they came back on, Sami Callihan was here! Callihan is back and he took out Kon and both Good Hands by himself. Callihan gave Hotch Cactus Driver 97. Callihan threw De Lander in the ring, where she got dropped by a Juggernaut Driver and a 2nd referee ran down for the 3 count. Where the Hell was this referee during the last 5 minutes?
Matthew Rehwaldt said the last 5 minutes were a fever dream and I would agree with him. This was definitely a different title match than we’ve been used to.
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-TNA Slammiversary was announced for July 20 in Montreal at Verdun Auditorium.
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World Champion Moose defeated Nic Nemeth
Nic’s father Don and brother Ryan were shown in the crowd. He said his entire family was here and I am not going to judge him, but after seeing Mark Briscoe’s entire family, I was expecting more than 2 people.
Nemeth used his speed early, which is weird because Moose is deceptively fast, but that’s what we’re going with. Nemeth threw Moose out of the ring and went for a dive, but he got caught and dropped outside the ring. Inside the ring, Nemeth is doing a great job selling, but throws Moose to the ramp. Moose went for a powerbomb, but Nemeth turned it into a hurricarana where Moose rolled into the ring. Nemeth went for a superkick, but Alisha grabbed his foot. The referee, who didn’t see her do it, just threw Alisha, Eddie and Meyers out of the ringside area. With the distraction, Nemeth hit a superkick for a near fall. Nemeth locks on a sleeper and covers Moose’s eye to the point where when Moose tried to climb to the middle rope, it took him 3 tries because he couldn’t see the rope and kept slipping on it. Eventually he got his foot to the middle rope and fell backwards, dropping Nemeth to the mat. They end up outside the ring where Nemeth does a Famouser off the ramp to the floor and then has to break land speed records to jump into the ring and break up the count, which was at 9. Speaking of 9, back in the ring, Nemeth hit 9 successive elbow drops, but Moose rolled to the floor to avoid the 10th. However Moose wasn’t too smart about it, as he rolled outside to lay on the ground, so Nemeth hit the 10th by diving off the ring apron. Moose hit a headbutt in the ring, called Nemeth a son of a bitch and then yanked Nemeth off the middle rope with a ring rocking Sky-High (sit out spinebuster). A series of reversals ended with a Moose power bomb in the ring and then he finally hit the power bomb on the ramp, which somehow took out not only the same lights Ali took out earlier, but also the video for a second. Nemeth barely dragged himself into the ring before the count of 10. Moose went for a moonsault that Nemeth side-stepped and used a leg lariat for a 2 count. They went into the “Yay”/”Boo” spot that evolved into dueling kicks to the head. Moose went head over heels on a clothesline that I don’t think he was supposed to do and Nemeth hit his own version of the Spear for a 2 count. Moose side stepped another superkick and hit his own version of the spear to retain the title. I think Moose may have hurt himself on that flip bump because the match got a little wonky towards the end.
This was a very good match, but not nearly as good as the Alex Shelley match in January. As The System came out to celebrate, the lights went out again and this time when they came back on, it was Broken Matt Hardy, making his return to TNA. This was unexpected, as he laid out Moose with a Twist Of Fate and led the crowd in chants of DELETE as the show faded to black.
Poor Moose, we’re currently 2-for-2 in 2024 with Moose’s ppv main event victories being interrupted by debuting stars.
-Thank you all for reading, if you enjoyed, please check out the Something Else Podcast Network, available on (almost) all your favorite streaming platforms where I (mostly) review classic wrestling!
In what could be their final match in the promotion, The Motor City Machine Guns will challenge The System for the TNA Tag Team titles on tonight’s edition of Impact: the final one before Saturday’s Rebellion pay-per-view.
Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin will be looking for their fourth reign as champions while Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards are trying for their first defense. The Machine Guns became free agents after this set of TV tapings with their future still unknown.
The champions after tonight will defend against Speedball Mountain (Mike Bailey & Trent Seven) on Saturday.
Nic Nemeth will be on hand to give some thoughts ahead of his challenge of TNA World Champion Moose Saturday.
Ahead of his Last Man Standing trilogy match with Josh Alexander Saturday, Hammerstone will face Guido of The FBI.
In a preview of Saturday’s Knockouts Tag Team title match, Spitfire’s Jody Threat will face Decay’s Rosemary.
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The Hammerstone-Alexander brawl leading to Dreamer getting beaten down gets recapped alongside the Jordynne Grace-Steph De Lander contract signing and ensuing beatdown of Grace by SDL. Josh Alexander walked out to do commentary for Guido vs. Hammerstone.
Hammerstone defeated Little Guido
Guido is a perfect opponent for Hammerstone because he’s a naturally lanky guy and he makes Hammerstone look even more gigantic. Hammerstone started off with a shove into the corner before a corner-to-corner shoulder charge and a Biel throw out of the corner. Hammerstone landed a corner lariat, but ate a chop before landing a big backbreaker and a squatting fallaway slam.
Zack Clayton shoves Hammerstone out and the ref rightfully kicks Clayton out. Hammerstone came in, but ate hammerfists and a basement dropkick for 2. Hammerstone put the headgear onto Guide and the torture rack ended it. Ash By Elegance’s concierge told us all that she will at ringside at Rebellion to face the winner of the Knockouts Title match. Xia Brookside hopped into frame to let her know that they’ll have a match next week – presumably for the top contender spot.
SDL’s beating of Grace last week is shown in more detail before we see Jordynne Grace at the airport saying that Cardona won’t be at Rebellion because of his surgery and that should make it a fair fight – but she knows she’ll have something up her sleeve. LSG struts out looking like a star in this match with Joe Hendry where he doesn’t even get announced beforehand – which is smart. He gave off a smug aura, which is a lot better than nothing when you’re in an enhancement match. Hendry got a giant “we believe!” chant before cutting a promo on AJ Francis and Swann flying high with what he buys at the Top Dolla store.
Joe Hendry defeated LSG
LSG wanted an armbar, but Hendry rolled around the ring ala Austin Street to avoid it. Hendry turned a fallaway slam into a gorilla press slam before landing a gigantic Standing Ovation uranage. Both men looked great here. Shockingly, Hendry wasn’t beaten down after this match by the heels he’s feuding with. Time Machine’s issues dating back to the No Surrender match are recapped to set up the MCMG’s match tonight with The System for the tag titles. Ali is out and feels like the biggest act in the company presentation-wise. Deaner wants Rhino to be their partner and Rehwoldt said he didn’t know who this “Rhi-guy” is but he clearly hears no on this chant – okay that was fantastic.
Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) and Mustafa Ali defeated Jake Something, Cody Deaner & Rhino
Something slammed Gibson before Rhino tagged in to chop away before Deaner worked over the arm of Zack Gibson for a bit. Ali tagged in to mudhole stomp a weakened Deaner before Drake tagged into wear down Deaner before tagging in Ali once again. Rehwoldt demanded the formation of an appellate court so Ali can file a formal complaint about having to face Something at Rebellion. Drake prevented a tag to Rhino before Gibson came in to further take Deaner down a peg. But he got the tag anyway and Rhino ran wild!
Corner gore to Gibson before a gore met a kick to the jaw, but he fell into a tag from Something! Something charged through the GYV’s attempt at a double clothesline and then again with one of his own. Rocket launcher crossbody of Deaner got 2! Ali walked back into Something and almost ate a slam, but the GYV saved and dove into Something on the floor!
Deaner, a valiant babyface, wants a fight with all three men and they just dogpiled him in the corner. Gore to Drake and Deaner landed a knee to Gibson! Ali landed a corner high kick and a sunset bomb out of the corner before the 450 beats Deaner. As per TNA tradition, a post-match beating is teased but actually avoided as Ali just left. Steve Maclin talked about starting off the new era in TNA win its first win and no matter what the marquee says on a show, it’s always time for him to tag ’em and bag ’em.
Eric Young met with his World Class Maniac persona backstage to unleash his dark side. So now even Eric Young has a Demon version of himself and he’ll baptize Frankie Kazarian at Rebellion. Rosemary came down and Hannifan talked about the team of supernatural demons using their contractual rematch clause at Rebellion before Threat ran down.
Rosemary defeated Jody Threat
Rosemary got a reverse bearhug to start before eating a clothesline and a powerslam for 2. Rosemary got a single leg dropkick before biting Threat in the corner and locking on a hanging neck choke for a four count, breaking right before five. Rosemary got two off a German suplex and a Muta lock to Threat was ended by a rope break. Threat got a German and a clothesline for two before Rosemary landed a run-up forearm for two before a spear ended it.
Jonathan Gresham’s therapy session has him feel like he’s unheard and that’s why he wears a mask. Life is a costume party and he’s been vulnerable – but it will end soon enough. So Eric Young has the World Class Maniac persona and Gresham has The Octopus – everyone gets an alter-ego! The Guns came out before The System emerged with their titles and Edwards did bicep curls with his belt.
TNA Tag Team Champions The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) to retain
The Guns got a quick edge before an ad break. Edwards chopped away on Shelley before Sabin hit a dragon screw on the right leg and Shelley landed one on the left one back to back, giving Shelley an opening for a figure four leglock. Sabin locked one in on Myers before Edwards got to the rope. Alisha grabbed Shelley and he grabbed her before getting pie-faced by Eddie and then chopped hard.
Myers slowed things down with a chinlock before Shelley fired back briefly, but ate a back elbow. Edwards worked him over for a bit with a front chancery before Shelley escaped that – but Edwards knocked Sabin down before a tag could be made. Shelley got a hope spot off a corner flatliner before a combat roll into a tag and Sabin flew in with a dropkick!
Sabin hit a suicide dive through Shelley’s legs and tossed Edwards before setting Myers on top of Edwards for a double-team missile dropkick/flatliner for two. Sabin landed a helluva kick to Edwards before Myers blind tagged himself in. Backpack stunner from Edwards and the Myers elbow got 2.5! I like it – moves like that help them feel more like a cohesive team instead of a makeshift unit. Roster Cut is met with a crucifix and a Sabin cutter and vintage MCMG fast-break offense.
They were the first team on a national stage to really use the Dragon Gate style and in that time, they have become legends in TNA, with Shelley actually getting a World title run and Sabin being christened the great X Division champion of all time. Now, their story ended in TNA with a Roster Cut and a Boston Knee Party.
Nic Nemeth/Moose promo
Nic Nemeth came out and did the unwise move of running into the crowd resulting in him being impossible to see, but thankfully going back to the ring and being visible. He cut a nice promo about Vegas being special for him because it’s where he debuted in TNA before Moose interrupted. Moose insulted the fans and Nemeth said that the fans are behind him, management’s behind him and he’s here for TNA because that’s why he wore the TNA shirt in his debut.
Moose cut a boring promo about Nemeth being the problem not with a title win – but after. When he’s given the ball, he only runs a few yards and fumbles. There’s a lot missing from Moose’s presentation – on-paper, he’s got the suit, the belt, and the faction, but the passion doesn’t seem to be there. Moose wanting the title against Tessa and bringing in the fake TNA World Title to defend felt like a bigger deal than him being the actual TNA World Champion now. Nemeth tells Moose that he’s not facing Dolph Ziggler – he’s facing Nic Nemeth and the future of TNA. Nemeth should probably win the title at the PPV, but we’re only three months into Moose’s reign, so I can see them holding it off until Slammiversary.
It’s a special edition of the Big Vinny V Show today with TNA Impact plus Nic Nemeth vs. Tomohiro Ishii from NJPW Windy City Riot.
Impact this week is headlined by Kon vs. PCO in Monster’s Ball, a good old-fashioned extreme-style garbage match with some utterly ridiculous pre-match stips. We also have the setup for the Motor City Machine Guns’ farewell to TNA, Mustafa Ali gathering forces in his war against Jake Something, and Crazzy Steve defending the Digital Media championship against Laredo Kid.
Then it’s time for Nemeth vs. Ishii, an excellent match where the Wanted Man tried to beat the Stone Pitbull at his own game. All this and more on the Big Vinny V Show!
TNA Wrestling will hold a press conference in Las Vegas just before its weekly TV show airs this week.
The media event is scheduled for 4:20 p.m. PST on Thursday, April 18 at Mabel’s BBQ inside the Palms Casino Resort. It will feature a contract signing with Nic Nemeth and Moose ahead of their TNA World title match on Saturday at Rebellion.
The press conference will be open to the public and the first 50 fans will receive a limited-edition, autographed Rebellion collectible. It will also stream live on TNA’s Facebook page.
BREAKING: TNA Wrestling announced today that the Rebellion pay-per-view Press Conference is set for Thursday, April 18, at Mabel’s BBQ, located inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
Jon Moxley will defend his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for the first time next month.
Wrestling Dontaku is scheduled for Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4 at the Fukuoka International Center. NJPW recently revealed the lineups for both nights.
The show on May 3 will see the NJPW World TV title and the IWGP Global Championship defended. Nic Nemeth will make his first defense of the Global title against Hiroshi Tanahashi on the show. This match likely would have taken place at Windy City Riot had Tanahashi not suffered an ankle injury.
Fresh off regaining the NJPW TV title from Matt Riddle on Friday, Zack Sabre Jr. will defend his belt against Jeff Cobb on the first night of Wrestling Dontaku as well. Cobb and ZSJ went to a time-limit draw at Wrestling Dontaku last year before ZSJ defeated Cobb the following month at Dominion. Cobb then defeated ZSJ in the G1 last summer to even up their head-to-head series at 1-1-1.
On May 4, the IWGP World Heavyweight, IWGP Tag Team, and NEVER Openweight titles will be defended.
Moxley will defend his IWGP Heavyweight title against Ren Narita on the show. Narita attacked Moxley following the main event of Windy City Riot on Friday as Moxley was attempting to announce he was giving a title shot to Shota Umino.
Shingo Takagi will defend his NEVER Openweight Championship against Gabe Kidd on the show as well. Kidd attacked Takagi at Sakura Genesis after Takagi won the title from EVIL. Kidd then cut a promo that was heavily critical of NJPW before issuing a challenge to Takagi.
An IWGP Tag Team title rematch from Sakura Genesis has also been announced. Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI will put their titles on the line against former champions KENTA and Chase Owens.
The next IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match has been announced as well. SHO will defend against DOUKI on April 29th’s Satsuma no Kuni event.
Upcoming NJPW title matches:
Road to Wrestling Dontaku on Tuesday, April 23: NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, & Boltin Oleg defend against Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yujiro Takahashi, & EVIL
Road to Wrestling Dontaku on Saturday, April 27: Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls defend against El Phantasmo & Hikuleo
Road to Wrestling Dontaku on Saturday, April 27: KOPW 2024 Provisional title holder Great-O-Khan defends against Yuya Uemura
Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni on Monday, April 29: IWGP Junior Tag Team Champions Drilla Moloney & Clark Connors defend against BUSHI & Hiromu Takahashi
Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni on Monday, April 29: IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion SHO defends against DOUKI
