Nic Nemeth vs. Alex Shelley: the hidden gem of WrestleMania weekend. OK, technically, the match was taped in March, but it didn’t air until April 4, and it was worth the wait. The next challenger for the TNA championship faced the last man to hold the title, and each showed why they deserve main event status.
Elsewhere, X Division champion Mustafa Ali faces ECW legend Rhino in an Old School Rules match, Frankie Kazarian squares off with Chris Bey, and Ash by Elegance wrestles her fourth match.
So, yeah, it’s a one-match show, but that one match is really good. All this and more on the Big Vinny V Show!
On TNA Impact tonight, fans will be able to watch a first-time-ever matchup between two wrestling veterans.
Nic Nemeth vs. Alex Shelley headlines tonight’s Impact episode on AXS TV. The match was set up last week when Shelley interrupted a backstage interview with Nemeth. After Nemeth said he’d be honored to wrestle Shelley in the future, Shelley forced the issue and said he wanted to face Nemeth now.
Nemeth, the former Dolph Ziggler, is challenging Moose for the TNA World Championship at Rebellion.
Shelley lost the TNA World Championship to Moose at Hard to Kill this January and has been in the midst of a heel turn recently.
At the April 20 Rebellion pay-per-view, Mustafa Ali is defending his X-Division Championship against Jake Something. Ali will be in non-title action against Rhino tonight. It’s an Old School rules match, meaning there are no disqualifications or countouts.
Ash By Elegance vs. Xia Brookside and Chris Bey vs. Frankie Kazarian will also be airing on tonight’s show. Plus, The FBI make their return to TNA.
Nemeth vs. Shelley was hyped up to start the show with Nemeth saying that Shelley is respected around the world, while Shelley pointed out that he did a lot – but only in one place. Nemeth said that Shelley is a tough test for him because of how much world traveling he’s done and tapped folks out across the globe. This was an outstanding way to showcase the similarities and differences of both.
X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali walked out to face Rhino, the former ECW and TNA-era NWA World Champion. Rhino came out and slapped hands with former Philadelphia Flyer Joe Watson while TNA shilled his book on-screen.
X-Division Mustafa Ali defeated Rhino in an non-title Old School Rules match
Rhino overpowered Ali to start amidst an “ECW” chant. They walked and brawled on the floor before Rhino missed a chop on the post, which gave Ali an edge until Rhino tossed him around ringside. Rehwoldt buried an ECW chant saying it’s time to move on and it’s been 20 years while Rhino pulled out weapons. Ali grabbed a copy of Watson’s book and put it in a trash can. Okay, that’s a new one – and he pulled out a giant PWI cover, which makes two new spots in this one already. Rhino grabbed the book out of the trash for a photo op with Watson before just throwing it, which may actually have been funnier than Ali throwing it carefully into a trash can.
Ali set him up for a Van Terminator for two. The fans chant “this is awesome” and after seeing Billy Gunn vs. Jay White, it honestly is compared to that. Ali set up a corner gore into the trash can in a corner, but Rhino avoided it. Rhino hit a corner gore of his own before a table chant leads to Rhino obliging. Rhino took Ali down with a spinebuster before Ali’s secret service bump around for Rhino. Gore through the corner table missed and Ali scored a pin. All right – in theory, they shouldn’t book the X-Division champion to luck his way into a win against Rhino in 2024, but Philly was the place to do it.
As is modern-day TNA tradition, Jake Something came out to brawl with Ali and render the match result largely meaningless. Something broke the cover over Ali and then Something took out more of the secret service with a power bomb. The roster talked about how excited they are for Nemeth vs. Shelley tonight and this is a fine example of how you use the cards you have to make a match feel as big as possible.
Hammerstone promo
Gia Miller welcomed Hammerstone to the ramp for a chat with him adorning his arm in Josh Alexander’s headgear. Miller asked if he’s afraid of Alexander and he said just look at him – he has no reason to be afraid of him or even wrestle him. He tells Alexander that all of his injuries will feel like nothing when he’s through with him – at Rebellion.
Hammerstone grabbed the camera for the latter-half of the promo before taking out the camera guy with a forearm and camel clutch with the headgear before the torture rack. This was shot really nicely with them going back to the guy’s fallen camera to show the ill-effects of the torture rack.
– The Rascalz came out to call out Chicago, New York, and then finally Philly before Trey Miguel buried ECW’s tag teams before saying they’ll give Philly a chance to see a real tag team. The FBI came out with Guido and two new members of the FBI that he identifies as Zach Clayton and Ray Jazz.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defeated The FBI (Ray Jaz and Zack Clayton)
Hannifan hyped up Jaz as being an all-American as he took down Miguel quickly. Miguel raked the face against the top rope, leading to Jaz hitting a Sicilian Slice off the second rope. Clayton tagged in for a double-team on Wentz, but Myron Reed returned to spray paint Guido in the face. It opened the door for a Miguel spinebuster and a double stomp/power bomb to win it.
– Part one of a series featuring Jonathan Gresham aired, showing him at a group meeting, saying he needs to wear a mask before quick, ominous cuts showed him in blue.
– Speedball Mountain chatted with Gia Miller about Bailey getting cheated out of a win last week against Edwards. Moose said that they’ve got the gold and Seven said they’ll get the tag titles and he’ll knock out Moose next week.
Frankie Kazarian defeated Chris Bey (w/ Ace Austin)
Kazarian played a nice heel to start things off, bullying Jade Chung that he is the King of TNA. Bey jumped Kaz on the apron and slugged him on the floor. Bey landed a slick sliding dropkick and double stomp before a forearm exchange between the two and Bey sent him down with a diving forearm. Bey went up top, but got tripped up and Kaz played bully heel. With him being so much stockier than Bey, it’s a good role for him in this match.
Kazarian ran him into the corner for an atomic drop/tree of woe and landed a backstabber. Kaz sent him down with a single leg dropkick and rope choke in front of Bey to rub it in. Kazarian grounded him with a surfboard before wanting a crossface chicken wing after the break ended that Bey avoided. Bey landed a slick spin wheel kick before a Stinger splash-style leaping uppercut in the corner. Kazarian hit the slingshot legdrop, but couldn’t land the slingshot DDT but Bey did and got two off of it.
Kazarian avoided the Art of Finesse before Kazarian threw him out for a slingshot cutter. This is an outstanding match and the best singles showcase Bey has had yet in TNA. Kaz wrapped a chain around his hand and Austin grabbed it, which the ref saw and kicked him out. Kaz bragged about it, but ate a Bey flip dive as a result. Bey walked in and ate a low blow before Fade to Black gives Kaz the win.
– MK Ultra’s issues on Xplosion were recapped before Masha Slamovich talked for a bit in Russian. Alisha Edwards told her that they need to be a team now that Killer Kelly is gone since she needs a title for The System.
– Josh Alexander talked about how much he admires Alex Shelley for traveling the world while Nemeth achieved great success in one place.
– Big Kon cut a promo about being one of two monsters that will fight in a Monster’s Ball match with PCO. That is seemingly set up for next week – which is odd as that feels like a PPV match.
Ash by Elegance defeated Xia Brookside
Brookside was out before Ash’s concierge came out and told everyone to leave because it’s history: it’s Ash’s fourth match in TNA. Tom Hannifan brought up the 8-4-1 match that Ash didn’t wrestle in before wishing harm on the concierge because he’s so annoying.
The match started with bickering before Brookside avoided a kick and then argued with her some more. Ash stalls on the floor and threatened to leave before eating an elbow by Brookside, who then threatened the concierge. Ash shoved her into the steps for a 9 count and then a two count mid-ring. Ash choked her on the rope and demanded the fans take photos of her. Ash landed a series of iffy kicks for a variety of two counts before a baseball slide to Brookside.
Ash cartwheeled on the floor before going back in to kill more time. Ash takes a break from cartwheeling to bow for a while and she wanted the somersault senton, but Xia wanted the Brooksie bomb. Ash avoided that, but couldn’t avoid a forearm flurry and flying clotheslines. Boy is this match a lot better with her on offense than Ash. Ash went face-first into the buckle before eating a neckbreaker for 2. Ash grabbed the ring skirt and the ref corrected it so the concierge could throw champagne in Brookside’s face and Ash…gets something resembling a cradle for the win.
– Ace Austin talked to Chris Bey about now that he lost, he needs to focus on the tag titles and hey, maybe it was a bad idea to fight Kazarian. AJ Francis entered and looked 20 feet tall next to Bey. He asks if he’d like to fly first class. Bey said he’s flown with Austin first-class a ton and they’d like a tag match against First Class instead.
– Backstage, Matt Cardona and Steph De Lander hyped up SDL’s power and say they want some money and gold.
– Official for next week’s card:
Laredo Kid facing Crazzy Steve for the Digital Media Title
Jordynne Grace/Steph De Lander contract signing for Rebellion
Nic Nemeth defeated Alex Shelley
Before the match, they hyped this up more. TNA is doing a lot like New Japan hyping things up with video packages and they’re doing so with Filmpic-style video to make things look even better in slow motion. It’s an impressive use of a smaller budget.
Hannifan hyped up Nemeth’s WWE accolades while Hannifan goes into Shelley’s experience in New Japan while pointing out that Nemeth is now the IWGP Global Champion. Nemeth worked him to the mat for a quick amateur-style two count. Nemeth got custom gear made for this one with an ECW logo-style Wanted F’N Man logo on the back and red, white and blue barb wire across his tights. Shelley sent him outside for an ad break.
Shelley landed a slick baseball slide before slamming Nemeth’s arm into the post as they talk about Shelley being a physical therapist and understanding anatomy better than anyone to damage it. Shelley worked heel and teased not stomping the arm before doing so as Rehwoldt talked about Shelley being broken since the No Surrender match. Shelley locked in a straightjacket choke mid-ring before Shelley got too cocky on the floor and is pulled into the post by Nemeth.
Nemeth grounded him with a chicken wing on the mat before Shelley escaped with elbows to the gut, but went down off a dropkick. A Nemeth superkick is met with a Shelley chop block that is turned into a figure four. Nemeth recovered with a boot to the face holding the rope before a pair of diving lariats and a Stinger splash in the corner. The heartstopper elbows hit, but Shelley countered the tenth elbow with his knees to damage that arm as well. Shelley turned a Fujiwara armbar into the Border City Stretch briefly, but Nemeth escaped it before going into the buckle with a flatliner.
A tornado DDT gets 2 for Shelley and then the Border City Stretch is locked in mid-ring! Nemeth got to the rope, but started to bite the hand of Shelley to escape the grip. Shelley avoided a jumping DDT with a pumphandle on the bad left arm, but Nemeth snaps a leaping DDT off close to the rope – allowing Shelley to get the rope at 2. Shelley avoided a superkick, but Sliced Bread was avoided and opened the door for a Nemeth superkick to get 2.
Nemeth avoided Shell Shock and Shelley avoided the Danger Zone before the BC Stretch is turned into a cradle for two. Shelley hit a superkick, but opened himself for the Danger Zone and a Nic Nemeth victory. This was a fantastic TV main event and another strong TNA match in a year full of them.
The annual Wrestlecon Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow as part of WrestleMania weekend returns with its usual array of interesting first-time matches.
Two tremendous athletes from two generations will clash for the first time as Rob Van Dam will battle “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
In a Philadelphia street fight against Sami Callihan, award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser will look to remain undefeated in his third-ever match.
Multi-promotional champion Nic Nemeth will take on Joey Janela while former TNA World Champion Josh Alexander will battle Masato Tanaka.
RevPro undisputed British heavyweight champion Michael Oku will defend against Titan.
In an eight-man tag team match, The FBI (Little Guido, Tommy Rich & Tony Mamaluke) will team with a mystery partner against Los Boricuas (Huracan Castillo Jr., Jose Estrada, Miguel Perez Jr. & Savio Vega).
Averno, Cavernario, Mistico, Star Jr. & Villano III Jr. will take on Ben-K, Dragon Kid, Kota Minoura, Shun Skywalker & YAMATO in a ten-man match.
**********
Show Report —
The show started with a photo slideshow featuring the show’s namesake, the late Mark Hitchcock.
Kevin Gill & Veda Scott were on the call.
Nic Nemeth defeated Joey Janela
Janela dominated early on. Nemeth started a comeback but was dropped with a dragon suplex. They started trading big moves, including back-and-forth superkicks for the double down. Janela nailed Nemeth with a Death Valley driver on the apron.
Back in the ring, Nemeth avoided a diving stomp and hit a jumping DDT for two. Janela blocked the Famouser and turned it into a powerbomb, following it up with a package piledriver for a near fall. Nemeth came back with the Famouser and the Danger Zone for the win.
**********
– Former ECW referee Jim Molineaux came out to officiate the following match.
The FBI (Little Guido & Tommy Rich) and Deonna Purrazzo (w/ Tony Mamaluke) defeated Los Boricuas (Miguel Perez Jr., Nathalya Perez, & Savio Vega) (w/ Huracan Castillo Jr. & Jose Estrada)
The Virtuosa joined the Full Blooded Italians for one night.
This was obviously more for novelty and fun than anything else. Los Boricuas were good heel foils for the FBI. Guido can still go! Molineaux sent the rest of the Boricuas to the back midway through.
The best actual wrestling in the match was between Purrazzo and Nathalya. Eventually, it was Purrazzo getting the submission victory with the Fujiwara armbar.
**********
Rob Van Dam (w/ Bill Alfonso) defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey – with special guest referee Jerry Lynn
RVD was super over, he got by far the biggest reaction of anyone on the show to this point. They started with some back-and-forth chain wrestling, leading to a couple standoffs. RVD got the upper hand on the outside, landing a spinning kick to a prone Speedball. Speedball fired back and landed an Asai moonsault to the floor.
After an extended control segment, RVD put together a comeback. Fonzy entered the ring but was sent packing by Lynn. Speedball landed his rapid-fire kicks and avoided Rolling Thunder, earning enough breathing room to hit a missile dropkick. RVD avoided the Ultimate Weapon.
Fonzy tossed RVD a chair and distracted the official, allowing RVD to kick the chair into Speedball’s face. The Five-Star Frog Splash followed for the win.
**********
RevPro Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship: Michael Oku (c) defeated Titán
After the opening exchange, they went right into trading chops. Oku sent Titán to the outside after a headscissor takeover, but Titán countered the follow-up and landed a tope suicida. After that, it was Titán in control for a while.
Oku came back with a Fosbury Flop and a diving crossbody for two. Titán nailed a superkick and a diving double stomp but missed another before getting the knees up on an Oku moonsault. Oku fired back with a running knee and a lionsault before locking on a half Boston crab. Titán fought his way to the ropes.
Titán hit a psycho driver for two. Oku returned fire with a superkick, but Titán fought back with his through-the-ropes clothesline. Titán stuck the diving double stomp but was too slow on the cover. He immediately applied an inverted Figure Four leglock, but Oku escaped and put on the half crab. Titán nearly made it to the ropes, but Oku dragged him back into the center of the ring and bridged back, forcing the tap.
**********
Mustafa Ali & Matt Riddle defeated The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel)
This match was unadvertised. Riddle and Wentz went back-and-forth at the start, then their partners did the same. Riddle & Ali hit some tandem offense with Riddle holding the ropes open for an Ali suicide dive, but the Rascalz cut them off for a heat segment.
Riddle eventually reached Ali for the hot tag, getting a near fall. The Rascalz returned fire with a strike combination for two. Riddle strung together some offense with a ripcord knee, an exploder suplex, and a Bro-ton to both Rascalz. Riddle hit a double RKO on both Rascalz before nailing Miguel with the Bro Derek for the win.
**********
Josh Alexander defeated Masato Tanaka
This was a hard-hitting heavyweight battle in the early portions. Alexander held the control sections, continuing to beat Tanaka down until Tanaka fought back with a brainbuster. Alexander hit three consecutive German suplexes, bridging into a kickout at 2.
Tanaka hit a big superplex, but Alexander popped up and slapped on the ankle lock. Tanaka was bleeding from the forehead. Alexander landed a nasty car crash crossbody for a near fall.
They had a really cool back-and-forth fight towards the end that fired up the crowd. We got the cursory forearm exchange before simultaneous clotheslines led to the double down. Tanaka hit Diamond Dust, but Alexander avoided the Sliding D and hit a powerbomb onto a knee before the C4 got him the win.
*********
Team CMLL (Místico, Cavernario, Averno, Star Jr., & Villano III Jr.) defeated Team Dragongate (Shun Skywalker, YAMATO, Kzy, Kota Minoura, & Dragon Kid)
Cavernario vs. Dragon Kid to start. The participants in the match each paired off early on in this order: YAMATO vs. Averno, Shun vs. Místico, Kzy vs. Star, and Minoura vs. Villano.
It was pretty messy in the early portions. Interestingly enough the Dragongate team leaned into being heels even though Shun is the only true heel on the team. Minoura even went for Místico’s mask at one point.
It was Místico who was the catalyst for Team CMLL’s comeback. Star Jr. landed a running tornillo to the outside, followed by Místico hitting a diving crossbody into the front row. The other CMLL wrestlers took turns hitting big moves on Dragon Kid in the ring. Averno hit a double-tap powerbomb on Shun, but Dragon Kid ran in to break it up.
YAMATO hit Go To Hospital 2 on Averno, allowing Dragon Kid to hit the elevated top-rope Frankensteiner, which Kzy followed up with a frog splash. Cavernario broke up the pin and hit a splash on Dragon Kid for two. Villano landed a corkscrew splash for two of his own.
We got the parade of big moves until a Místico vs. Kzy face-off in the middle of the ring. Shun cut his own partner off, trying to steal all the glory, before just booting Kzy. Místico capitalized on the infighting, allowing Star to lock on a wacky submission. Meanwhile, Místico applied La Mística to Kzy for the win.
**********
Philadelphia Street Fight: Paul Walter Hauser defeated Sami Callihan
Hauser is an actor known for roles in films like Richard Jewell and I, Tonya. He’s also made a couple of AEW appearances.
The actor teased a dive at the start, but Callihan cut him off with a shot from a trash can lid. Callihan cut between Hauser’s fingers and squeezed lemon juice on the wounds. He then pulled out a pizza cutter and ran it over Hauser’s forehead. Hauser donned the crimson mask.
Hauser tossed powder in Callihan’s face before nailing a big boot on the outside. Callihan didn’t stay down for long, but Hauser moving out of the way led to Callihan chopping the ring post. Back inside, Hauser smacked Callihan with a chair. He propped Callihan up against a door, but Callihan rolled out of the way, sending Hauser crashing through it.
The two men each acquired staplers and took turns stapling each other. A falling headbutt from Hauser got two. Hauser then planted Callihan on some thumbtacks with a Samoan Drop. He tried to follow it up with a diving elbow drop, but Callihan moved out of the way.
Callihan powerbombed Hauser through a table for a near fall. He attacked the official. Bill Alfonso came out, and Callihan took him out too. The lights then went out, Enter Sandman played, and The Sandman appeared.
Sandman attacked Callihan with a kendo stick. He handed the kendo to Hauser, who hit a cane-assisted side Russian leg sweep onto tacks for the win.
For the first time ever, a WWE wrestler will appear at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport as Barnett disciple Shayna Baszler will make her show debut in Philadelphia Thursday.
Baszler will have tough competition as she battles former GCW Champion and former TNA titleholder Masha Slamovich.
That won’t be the only debut at Bloodsport X as multi-promotion champion Nic Nemeth makes his first walk into the unique Bloodsport ring against “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
Barnett himself will be in action and looking to rebound from his first loss as he challenges Johnny (Morrison) Bloodsport.
The Triller+ streaming special will also see a four-woman, one-night tournament as Marina Shafir, Lindsay Snow, Lady Frost and Janai Kai will battle.
Timothy Thatcher and Minoru Suzuki will also compete in separate bouts.
Per event rules, matches can only end via knockout or submission in a ring that has no ropes with a mat that pays homage to the classic movie of the same name.
**********
The Philadelphia venue is packed and lively. The ring announcer ran down the Bloodsport rules before introducing all of today’s fighters as each came to the ring. Charlie Dempsey from NXT came out with the announced entrants. He wasn’t previously announced. Big “BLOODSPORT” chant after everyone came out.
The venue is packed and lively. The ring announcer ran down the Bloodsport rules before introducing all of today’s fighters as each came to the ring. Charlie Dempsey from NXT came out with the announced entrants. He wasn’t previously announced. Big “BLOODSPORT” chant after everyone came out.
Viktor Benjamin defeated Akira Way via TKO (ref stoppage, kick)
Big chants for Akira at the start. The two got into it quickly and exchanged shots, palm strikes and knees. Akira Way was able to throw Benjamin but Benjamin was back up immediately. Akira landed a spinebuster but Benjamin transitioned into an achilles hold quickly. He put Akira down with a nice single-arm suplex. Akira countered on the ground and threw some elbows; Benjamin quickly countered to knee-on-belly position facing away from Akira and started peppering him with jabs to the solar plexus. Benjamin landed elbows, straight punches, roundhouse kicks. Akira fought back with headbutts. Benjamin kept throwing heavy kicks until Akira caught one and dragon screw legwhipp’d him to the mat before throwing Benjamin once more with a German suplex.
The crowd was pretty pro-Akira. He had Benjamin locked in a choke sleeper for a bit until Benjamin powered out and delivered a picture-perfect round kick to Akira’s head. Akira didn’t go down and flipped off “The Savage Gentleman.” He then went for a Pelé kick but “didn’t get all of it,” as is the parlance. Akira did a pretty cool looking double-wristlock suplex and held onto the submission after the two hit the mat. The crowd started chanting “Tap! Tap! Tap!” until Benjamin rolled to the floor, breaking the hold. Smart. He then hoisted Akira up into a vertical suplex hold and then dropped him on the concrete floor. Fans booed. Benjamin then nailed Akira with a 540 type kick to the face, spot on, TKO’ing Akira Way and picking up the win. Benjamin’s kicks are super accurate and fun to watch.
The crowd lovingly began chanting “F— that guy!” after the bout. Akira Way flipped Benjamin off before exiting. This was a great opener.
Nic Nemeth defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey via TKO (rear naked choke)
Both Bailey and Nemeth sounded to have a lot of good will from the crowd before things started. Bailey got into Nemeth’s face during introductions. Wrestling vs. Tae Kwon Do is the loose story here; Nemeth has a collegiate wrestling background, Bailey a TKD expert.
Bailey looked to set up a triangle choke but Nemeth fought it off with jabs to the ribcage. Nemeth was able to maneuver around from the top position as Bailey attacked from his back. Bailey threw kicks and Nemeth went in for shots. Nemeth grabbed a double leg and dumped Bailey out onto the floor.
Back in the ring, Bailey threw a kick, but Nemeth caught it and took him down with another double leg. Bailey went to the floor again. Was he playing possum? Then, back in the ring, Nemeth went in for another double leg takedown, but he ran into a foot to the face from Bailey out of nowhere. The crowd stood up. Bailey quickly transitioned into an armbar but couldn’t lock it in all the way. Bailey let go of the hold, then went for a standing moonsault double knee-drop, but missed. Nemeth immediately went in for a rear naked choke and locked it in. Bailey tried walking to the ring post and grabbing onto it, but since there isn’t a proper rope break in Bloodsport, Nemeth didn’t have to break the hold. Instead, though, Nemeth let go for a split second, then spiked him backwards with the Zig Zag and locked the sleeper back on once Bailey was back to the mat. Bailey was out and the ref called the match. The pro-”Speedball” crowd booed, but then cheered Nemeth.
This was a really cool, creative match, albeit a bit short. I’m sure no one would have minded an extra five minutes in this one. The two shook hands afterwards.
They aired a custom video package for the four way women’s tournament today. Janai Kai, Marina Shaffir, Lady Frost and Lindsay Snow all took part.
Women’s Tournament: Opening Round Lindsay Snow defeated Lady Frost via submission (heel hook)
Lindsay Snow came out to that Vanessa Carlton song which is hilarious. Her and Lady Snow traded low kicks up front. Frost caught Snow with a kick that sent Snow to the floor. Back in the ring, Snow took Frost down with a fireman’s carry then moved to an armbar. Frost countered from that into a RNC. Snow stood up and slammed Frost down to break the hold, then pounced on her and threw a flurry of shots before transitioning into a heel hook and Lady Frost tapped quickly. Lindsay Snow advances in the Women’s Tournament.
Women’s Tournament: Opening Round Marina Shaffir defeated Janai Kai via submission (Mother’s Milk)
Like Nic Nemeth vs. Mike Bailey, this was a grappler vs. striker type of bout. Shaffir landed a trip early, then a head-and-arm throw soon after. Janai Kai almost landed an up-kick which Shaffir dodged. Kai would then land a middle kick, then a high right roundhouse that sent Shaffir to the canvas. Kai smelled blood and went right in for knees but Shaffir weathered the storm. Kai blasted her with another kick to the face, this time a running straight. Shaffir again survived and would catch Kai with a mule kick.
Kai unleashed a number of kicks and palm strikes and Shaffir ate all of them without a problem while she stared into Kai’s soul. Kai went for another high kick, but this time Shaffir caught it, dropped it, quickly caught Kai’s arm put her down hard with a throw. “The Problem” then locked on Mother’s Milk and tapped Kai out. Good match. Shaffir advances in the tournament.
Charlie Dempsey defeated Matt Makowski via submission (double wrist-lock)
“Weapon X” Matt Makowski caught Dempsey with a low kick early on. Dempsey with a beautiful cradle suplex early. BJJ black belt Makowski was on top in mount position soon after, though Dempsey was able to roll Makowski over with a double-wrist lock. They went back and forth at a pretty rapid pace.
Makowski later caught Dempsey with a rolling savate kick out of nowhere, then threw Dempsey with a high butterfly suplex that he turned into an armbar on the way down to the mat. Nice.
Dempsey bullied his way into top position, cranking down on Makowski’s wrist while shoving the blade of his forearm into Makowski’s face. Always nasty. There were “BLOOD-SPORT!” chants soon after. Dempsey moved into a Fujiwara armbar; when Makowski tried escaping, Dempsey would transition into a straight armbar. Makowski would strike his way out of the hold. Dempsey locked in a standing ankle lock, but Makowski reveresed that beautifully and caught Dempsey in the RNC. “Tap! Tap! Tap!” Dempsey reversed with a cravat takeover. Makowski moved back to the armbar.
Makowski landed a spinning back elbow and an enzuigiri kick. Dempsey responded with a stiff European uppercut followed by a German suplex hold and then double-wrist lock. Makowski tapped. This was the best match on the show so far, for sure.
Takuya Nomura defeated Fuminori Abe via TKO (rear naked choke)
These two are a tag team known as Astronauts in Japan. They’re often seen working companies like Big Japan Pro Wrestling, where they were tag champions, and where Nomura was BJW Strong Heavyweight Champion. They’ve both been wrestling for under ten years and are better than most on the market today, without exaggeration. And they’ve been that good for a while now. Fun fact: Abe was trained by Munenori Sawa and had 220 matches in 2023.
They went hold for hold at the top of the match, trading back and forth. Abe landed a hard headbutt. They then started slapping each other really, really hard. Abe did the Rob Van Dam “pick a hand” spot and smacked Nomura.
Nomura later unleashed a cornucopia of lowkicks against Abe’s back before locking him in a straight ankle lock. How did Abe break the hold? A hard closed-fist punch to the head.
We saw blood running from Nomura’s head at this point. He’d catch Abe in a cradle suplex and launch him across the ring. Nomura locked in an abdominal stretch but Abe turned that into an octopus hold.
Abe exploded with a beautiful moonsaulting dropkick. He went for a wind-up punch, but Nomura caught him with two quick palm strikes and a release German suplex. Abe was up immediately and caught Nomura with the wind-up punch. Nomura answered with a headbutt; Abe answered with a stiff one of his own. Wow. The crowd was on their feet and chanting from here.
They were back on their feet trading more shots, this time elbows. Abe caught Nomura with a high kick behind the ear, then a rough knee strike. Nomura stood up and caught Abe with a massive lariat. German suplex from Nomura before standing Abe up and drilling him this time with a dragon suplex.
Nomura cinched in a single-leg crab, but Abe countered that with a straight ankle lock. Nomura tried slapping his way out of the hold, but Abe held on. It wasn’t until Nomura conked him with a headbutt that he broke the hold. Abe was almost knocked out. Nomura slapped on a sleeper until the ref called the match as Fuminori Abe was eventually out. Killer fight. A “THAT WAS AWESOME!” chant broke out afterwards.
Erik Hammer defeated Lou Nixon via submission (armlock)
Bloodsport alumni Erik Hammer scored an early takedown and threw hard shots before Nixon could get back to his feet. Nixon landed a clean knee to the face that dazed Hammer.
Hammer aimed to slow the pace and took Nixon back down to the mat. Neither could grab a leg lock so both were back to their feet again. Hammer with a seoinage throw. Nixon later moved into a head-and-arm lock scarf hold.
Hammer put Nixon down hard with a German suplex and then applied a wrist lock for the tap. I don’t think this was clear to those in the audience or to the commentators and the crowd started booing. This was good but the finish was a little bit funky.
Minoru Suzuki defeated Royce Isaacs via TKO (Gotch-Style Piledriver)
Big “Kaze Ni Nare” singalong before the bell. Both Isaacs and Suzuki are Bloodsport alumni and have helped define what the brand is since Barnett took over. Isaacs is part of the West Coast Wrecking Crew with Jorel Nelson in NJPW, which is where he and Suzuki have crossed paths in the past.
They had a good exchange at the top. When Isaacs was back to his feet, Suzuki flashed that devious smile and invited Isaacs back to the mat to grapple some more. Isaacs took him up on the offer and Suzuki locked him in an armbar and slid to the floor to yank on Isaac’s arm for extra leverage. Suzuki broke the hold, then mosied around ringside, sometimes rolling back into the ring to break the ref’s count. The crowd loved this. Suzuki sat himself down on a row of females in front and posed. Fan service is a wonderful thing and Suzuki is so damn good at it.
The two fought for ankle locks and heel hooks. On their feet, they started trading big elbows. Suzuki chuckled as they hurt each other. Suzuki blasted Isaacs with an elbow that echoed inside the venue. The crowd reacted accordingly with gasps. Isaacs was out for a second, then back in the game in an instant, catching Suzuki with a big pump kick, then a German-to-Half-Nelson suplex. Woah.
Isaacs went for a double-pump power bomb, but Suzuki swiveled out of it and locked in a rear naked choke before finally putting Isaacs out with a Gotch-Syle Piledriver for the TKO win.
This was another great fight, and one that really defines what Bloodsport is all about. It was extra satisfying for those who have been watching Bloodsport since the beginning.
Suzuki offered a handshake, and when Isaacs went to shake, Suzuki pulled it back and dipped out of the ring. Minoru Suzuki, you wily rascal.
Timothy Thatcher defeated Axel Tischer via submission (Fujiwara armbar)
Timothy Thatcher is the only Bloodsport fighter to hold a win over Josh Barnett, which he picked up last year in Los Angeles. Axel Tischer can be seen in Germany’s wXw, which was Thatcher’s old stomping ground back in the day.
The two looked evenly matched as they pummeled for leglocks on the canvas. Thatcher went Snakepit-style and scraped his wrist bone against Tischer’s face, though Tischer maintained his composure and held control. He caught Thatcher with an upkick when Thatcher stood up and went for a standing ankle lock.
Tischer pounced on Thatcher later with a sliding tackle and proceed to shower him with punches. Thatcher later threw a few hard penalty kicks against Tischer’s back. This was a painful looking match.
Tischer locked in a deep hammerlock and threw straight elbows onto Thatcher, who’d then counter and lock Tischer into a high angle single-leg crab before switching to a bow-and-arrow lock. Tischer escaped with a wild forearm to break the hold.
Tischer used a few German suplexes on Thatcher, but Thatcher wouldn’t stay down. They then slapped each other a LOT. Tischer grabbed Thatcher and spiked him with a brainbuster.
When Tischer looked to go in for the kill with another brainbuster, Thatcher exploded out of it and locked in the Fujiwara armbar for a quick tap out. Thatcher picks up another Bloodsport win. This was excellent.
Shayna Baszler defeated Masha Slamovich via TKO (stomps)
Masha Slamovich came to the ring with Jordynne Grace in her corner, while Shayna Baszler entered alongside her WWE tag team partner, Zoey Starks. Baszler wore her gi top and black belt to the ring. The crowd chanted “HO-LY SH*T!” before things kicked off. They were on their feet as the two had a staredown during the introductions.
The crowd was pro-Masha and anti-Shayna, or maybe, rather, pro-GCW and anti-WWE. Baszler wailed Slamovich and walked to her corner as the match was about to start. Awesome.
They went to the canvas quickly for a high-speed roll. They’d start to fight for leglocks. They fought to a stalemate and crowd started to sound split between the two.
Watching Shayna Baszler in this setting, it is obvious this is where she shines. Not just at Bloodsport, but in a pure pro wrestling situation like this. She’s a natural and adds so much credibility to what’s going on.
From back control, Baszler started peppering Slamovich with jabs to the ribcage. Slamovich was back up with a flurry of strikes before landing a flying armbar.
Baszler wrestled back into control and worked the armbar. When she almost had it locked in, Slamovich stacked her and reversed the attempt. The pro-Masha supporters were loud here.
The two traded suplexes. Slamovich had an armbar on, but Baszler slipped out and put her in the rear naked choke with her back hooks in. The crowd booed. Slamovich reversed it, then drilled Baszler with an amazing pump-handle sleeper suplex, then went back to the same RNC hold.
Baszler escaped and put Slamovich in an ankle lock, but Slamovich tried upkicking her way out of the hold. Baszler then released the hold and exploded with a flurry a stomps so brutal that the referee had to dive in and stop the match. Baszler wins via TKO. The crowd ERUPTED with boos and a “F*CK YOU, SHAYNA!” chant. Great finish. This was very, very good.
Women’s Tournament: Finals Marina Shaffir defeated Lindsay Snow via TKO (kick)
Shaffir landed a big head-and-arm throw early. They grappled on the mat until hitting a stalemate on the mat, then stood back up. Snow attempted a triangle choke and Shaffir almost looked like she was going to slam her but she didn’t have to. Shaffir escaped and went for an armbar but this time Snow escaped.
Snow took Shaffir down again, this time with a kneebar attempt. They went back and forth for a few more minutes until Snow took Shaffir’s back. Shaffir stood up, so Snow transitioned to a leg lock attempt. Shaffir shut it down, but still couldn’t escape Snow’s grip. Shaffir figure-four’d Snow’s legs tight and was able to pop her leg free from Snow’s grip. She took Snow down with a trip, then held her in her guard. Snow started dropping elbows, but almost got caught in a triangle of her own before moving back to a straight ankle lock attempt.
Shaffir would slam her way out of Snow’s hold, twice actually. She then took Snow out with a hard kick to the head, sending Lindsay Snow flying out of the ring onto the floor. The ref immediately called for the bell. Marina Shaffir wins via TKO and wins the Bloodsport X Women’s Tournament.
Josh Barnett defeated Johnny Bloodsport via TKO (gutwrench slam)
The crowd was split between both Barnett and “Johnny Bloodsport” aka John Hennigan. It’s easy to forget how tall Johnny is. When Barnett went in for a double leg takedown, Johnny leapt over him, dodging it. He threw some flashy spin kicks next but couldn’t connect.
Barnett was soon in top mount position until giving Johnny some room to stand back up. He took Johnny back down with a double wrist-lock takedown. Johnny showed off flashy capoeira and par kour movements.
Barnett dragged Johnny to the middle of the ring with a straight ankle lock attempt. Johnny would try to escape but Barnett kept grabbing him and going for holds. Johnny rolled into Barnett who stopped the takedown attempt and held him in a turtle position. Johnny escaped and shot to his feet to put some boots to Barnett on the mat. Johnny worked for a keylock from side mount position as the crowd clapped in support. Barnett rolled out and reversed the hold into a headlock before landing some kicks. Johnny did a capoiera clothesline but didn’t connect all the way, though he was able to lock in a RNC from back mount.
“The Warmaster” landed a massive backdrop suplex before blasting Johnny with a spinning heel kick which sounded to have shocked everyone. Barnett then slammed Johnny with a gutwrench slam. The ref then called the match. Josh Barnett picks up another Bloodsport victory.
Afterwards, Barnett grabbed the mic and thanked Johnny Bloodsport and the fans. He also announced Bloodsport Bushido in Tokyo, Japan at Ryogoku Sumo Hall on June 22nd which airs TrillerTV and will feature MMA legends like Minoru Suzuki, Masakatsu Funaki, Kazushi Sakuraba, Quentin “Rampage” Jackson and more.
Final Thoughts:
Bloodsport is the best. This was longer than other Bloodsport events, but it felt like it flew by. I enjoyed seeing familiar faces mixed in with new ones, and the ruleset makes for great pro wrestling matches that don’t insult you intelligence. If you’re already a fan of the Bloodsport style, this is a must-watch, of course
Everything on this card was really good, but the stand-out highlights were Shayna Baszler vs. Masha Slamovich, Fuminori Abe vs. Takuya Nomura, Timothy Thatcher vs. Axel Tischer and Charlie Dempsey vs. Matt Makowski. I look forward to watching the next step Bloodsport’s story on June 22nd in Tokyo.
In what is billed as a “generational clash,” Nic Nemeth will go one-on-one with Alex Shelley on next week’s TNA Impact.
Nemeth, the current number one contender to the TNA World title, will face Shelley on the Thursday, April 4 edition of Impact in a match set up on this week’s episode.
Shelley interrupted a Nemeth interview on Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, then issued a challenge to the number one contender. The match was agreed to for next week’s show.
Also set for next week, X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali will face Rhino in an Old School Rules match.
Frankie Kazarian vs. Chris Bey is also booked for the April 4 Impact, as is the return of the FBI as teased in a promo video that aired during this week’s show:
The build for TNA Rebellion continues as Knockouts champion Jordynne Grace defends her title against Tasha Steelz.
Elsewhere, X Division champion Mustafa Ali books a six-man match to determine his next challenger but ends up disappointed by the surprising winner, the Time Splitters square off against the Grizzled Young Veterans with a result that’s shocking for multiple reasons, Crazzy Steve defends the Digital Media title in a violent-but-nonetheless-boring spectacle, Eric Young issues a heavy challenge to Frankie Kazarian, and tension builds between TNA champion Moose and his Rebellion challenger Nic Nemeth.
The following are spoilers from Friday’s TNA Impact TV taping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — the first of two nights of tapings from the 2300 Arena.
All matches taking place this weekend will be seen over the next four weeks on TNA Impact and Xplosion as the company closes in on their Rebellion pay-per-view in Las Vegas on April 20th.
The big news coming out of the taping was the return of both former Digital Media Champion Matt Cardona and Steph De Lander. De Lander made her debut for the company in January 2023 and was part of the Down Under tour last summer while Cardona last appeared at last October’s Bound for Glory gauntlet match.
De Lander won the second-ever 8-4-1 match to earn a Knockouts title shot against Jordynne Grace at Rebellion — a rematch from last January that Grace won.
For Xplosion: Tasha Steelz defeated Ava Everett
In the first part of an 8-4-1 match, Rosemary, Xia Brookside, Dani Luna & Steph De Lander defeated Havok, Jody Threat, Alisha Edwards & Masha Slamovich
In the second part, De Lander defeated Rosemary, Xia Brookside & Dani Luna in a four-way to earn a Knockouts title shot against Grace at Rebellion. De Lander was aided by Cardona for the win.
Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake & Zack Gibson) defeated Deaner in a handicap match
Josh Alexander defeated Tracy Williams. Alex Hammerstone attacked both men afterward.
Eddie Edwards defeated Mike Bailey after Alisha Edwards interfered
Steve Maclin defeated Chris Sabin
X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali defeated Rhino in an old school rules (anything goes) match.
Hammerstone cut a promo and then put a cameraman in the torture rack.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defeated The FBI (Zack Clayton & Ray Jaz). Myron Reed made his return to help The Rascalz win. This was also Clayton’s TNA debut and his first match anywhere since his departure from AEW/ROH last summer.
TNA Digital Media Champion Crazzy Steve defeated Laredo Kid via DQ to retain
First Class (AJ Francis & Rich Swann) defeated ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin). Francis and Swann cut a promo earlier in the show introducing their new team name and Swann vs. Joe Hendry was made for Rebellion.
A contract signing between Grace and De Lander went awry after Cardona accidentally knocked Santino Marella down which led to Grace knocking Cardona down. The heels put Grace through a table.
Jake Something defeated James Drake. Deaner made the save for former partner Something after Zack Gibson attacked Something post-match.
Hammerstone defeated Lil’ Guido. Alexander and Hammerstone had a staredown afterward.
Nic Nemeth vs. Tomohiro Ishii, plus two more new matches have been added to NJPW Windy City Riot.
After issuing a challenge to Ishii in a video on Wednesday, NJPW made a match between the two official for Windy City Riot at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Friday, April 12.
In another new bout added to the card for Chicago, Jack Perry will go one-on-one with Shota Umino in a rematch from the first round of the New Japan Cup. Perry won the first meeting between the two after targeting Umino in his first excursion into NJPW.
Also added to Windy City Riot, Hikuleo & El Phantasmo will defend the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship in an open challenge four corners bout. The three challenging teams have yet to be revealed.
Windy City Riot will air on Friday, April 12 at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NJPW World pay-per-view.
Following Wednesday’s new match announcements, here is the current lineup for Windy City Riot:
Tetsuya Naito vs. Jon Moxley
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Mustafa Ali
Tomohiro Ishii vs. Nic Nemeth
Jack Perry vs. Shota Umino
Four corners open challenge: Hikuleo & El Phantasmo defend the NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team titles against three teams TBA
Riot rules tornado tag: Eddie Kingston & three partners TBA vs. Gabe Kidd & three partners TBA
Nic Nemeth has an opponent in mind for NJPW Windy City Riot.
Nemeth released a video on Wednesday challenging Tomohiro Ishii to face him on the April 12 pay-per-view in Chicago.
Nemeth said:
I will take on anyone, anytime, any place and I see New Japan has a show coming up in Chicago, April 12, Windy City Riot, you better believe the wanted man is going to be there and I’m calling you out because I want the hardest hitters there are. Tomohiro Ishii. Ishii vs. the wanted man, Windy City Riot, you hit hard but I hit harder.
Nemeth has several other matches scheduled for the next month. He’s wrestling Alex Shelley at TNA’s TV tapings in Philadelphia on Friday, he’s challenging Moose for the TNA World title at Rebellion on April 20, and then he heads to Mexico to wrestle for the AAA Mega Championship at Triplemania Monterrey on April 27.
Nemeth was originally scheduled to defend his IWGP Global Championship for the first time on April 6 at Sakura Genesis against Hiroshi Tanahashi. However, the match was postponed after the NJPW president suffered an ankle injury last month.
NJPW Windy City Riot is scheduled for Friday, April 12, 2024 at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena. Three matches are confirmed for the show thus far.
Tetsuya Naito vs. Jon Moxley (If Naito retains at Sakura Genesis this could be made an IWGP World title match)
Hiromu Takahashi vs. Mustafa Ali
Eddie Kingston & three teammates vs. Gabe Kidd & three teammates in a riot rules tag match
The rules of this match are listed as “No DQs tornado tag. Members revealed on entrance”
Jack Perry, ELP & Hikuleo, and Ren Narita are also advertised.
A first-time ever matchup has been announced for TNA Wrestling’s television tapings in Philadelphia.
Nic Nemeth vs. Alex Shelley will take place when TNA tapes TV at Philly’s 2300 Arena this Friday. TNA is holding tapings at the venue on both Friday (March 22) and Saturday (March 23). Matches from the shows will air on future episodes of Impact.
TNA is billing this as a “generational clash” between Nemeth and Shelley.
Shelley lost the TNA World Championship to Moose at Hard to Kill.
PWInsider reports that the belief is Shelley and Chris Sabin’s current contracts with TNA Wrestling are set to expire soon, “possibly as soon as the end of March.”
Shelley & Sabin are teaming together against TNA Tag Team Champions Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers at this Saturday’s TNA taping. Edwards & Myers have a title defense against Mike Bailey & Trent Seven scheduled for Rebellion.
Here’s everything that’s been announced for the Philadelphia tapings so far:
Friday (March 22) —
Nic Nemeth vs. Alex Shelley
Josh Alexander vs. Tracy Williams
Saturday, (March 23) —
TNA Tag Team Champions Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)
TNA Sacrifice has come and gone which means it’s time for a reset episode of Impact which I recap on this week’s Big Vinny V Show.
On that note, we had an excellent main event pitting Nic Nemeth & “Speedball” Mike Bailey & Trent Seven against Steve Maclin & The Rascalz — a great TV match that wrapped up two feuds and set up new challengers for TNA World Champion Moose and TNA Tag Team Champions The System.
The opener was also tremendous with Mustafa Ali defending the X-Division title against Chris Sabin who has suddenly found himself and his Time Machine teammates embroiled in drama.
All this and more in a very quick edition of the Big Vinny V Show!
The full card for the first Triplemania of 2024 is set.
It was announced Monday that the Triplemania 32 event in Monterrey on April 27 will be headlined by Alberto El Patron taking on Nic Nemeth to determine the new AAA Mega Heavyweight Champion. The title was vacated this past Saturday after former champion El Hijo del Vikingo suffered a torn meniscus and a ruptured ligament, which he recently underwent surgery for.
The rest of the card focuses on multi-person matches. Vampiro will be teaming with Pagano and El Mesias as they take on members of La Secta (Cibernetico, Dark Ozz, and Dark Cuervo). QT Marshall and Parker Boudreaux, the latter of whom recently made their AAA debut, will team with Sam Adonis to take on Psycho Clown, Laredo Kid, and Octagon Jr.. Negro Casas will also team with two partners take on Dr. Wagner Jr. and two partners.
This will be the first of three Triplemania events held this year. The second will be in Tijuana on June 15, then Mexico City on August 17.
Here is the card for Triplemania 32 Monterrey:
AAA Mega Championship: Alberto El Patron vs. Nic Nemeth
Vampiro, Pagano, and El Mesias vs. La Secta (Cibernetico, Dark Ozz, and Dark Cuervo)
Psycho Clown, Laredo Kid, and Octagon Jr. vs. QT Marshall, Parker Boudreaux, and Sam Adonis
Negro Casas and two partners vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. and two partners
Copa Bardahl Battle Royal: El Elegido, Pimpinela Escarlata, Antifaz del Norte, Super Calo, Aerostar, Chessman, Nino Hamburgeresa, Mr. Iguana, Charly Manson, Abismo, Heavy Metal participating
Faby Apache, Estrellita, Sexy Star, and Reina Dorada vs. Dalys, Flammer, La Hiedra, and Lady Maravilla
After superkicking Moose as part of his first night in the company, Nic Nemeth will finally challenge the TNA Champion at April’s Rebellion pay-per-view.
Nemeth, the current IWGP Global Champion, will be looking for his first taste of TNA gold and his first World singles title since he held the WWE World Heavyweight title in 2013.
Moose is currently in his second TNA World title reign after winning the gold at January’s Hard to Kill — the same event where he was confronted by Nemeth. The leader of The System will be looking for his third title defense.
The two have never shared the ring together.
Moose’s System factionmates will also be in action as TNA Tag Team Champions Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers will defend against Speedball Mountain (Mike Bailey & Trent Seven).
Edwards and Myers defeated ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) for the titles at last month’s Sacrifice. After Thursday’s trios main event on Impact had concluded, Moose, Edwards and Myers laid out Nemeth, Bailey and Seven to foreshadow the announcements to come.
The bouts are the first two announced for the Saturday, April 20th PPV from the Palms in Las Vegas.
Here’s the current card:
TNA World Champion Moose defends against Nic Nemeth
TNA Tag Team Champions The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) defend against Speedball Mountain (Mike Bailey & Trent Seven)
It’s the long-awaited review of Sacrifice, the latest PPV/PLE/app special from Total Nonstop Action.
The show had some good stuff—Nic Nemeth vs. Steve Maclin, Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards challenging the ABC for the tag titles, Mustafa Ali & the Grizzled Young Veterans vs. Time Machine, and Jordynne Grace defending the Knockouts title against Xia Brookside and Tasha Steelz.
But it also had some stuff that felt like it belonged on another show in another era—Kon vs. PCO, Josh Alexander vs. Hammerstone, and Moose defending the TNA title against Eric Young in the main event. And finally, it had the Knockouts tag division, which pretty much always sucks.
For more details, listen right away to the latest edition of The Big Vinny V Show!
On his first WrestleMania weekend since being released by WWE, Nic Nemeth will be in action at WrestleCon’s Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow.
The Supershow is taking place from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 4. It was announced today that Nemeth vs. Joey Janela will be part of the lineup for the event.
This is the third match that’s been announced for the Supershow. Here’s the updated card:
Rob Van Dam vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey
Masato Tanaka vs. Josh Alexander
Nic Nemeth vs. Joey Janela
Formerly known as Dolph Ziggler, Nemeth was released by WWE in September 2023. He’s since become a member of both the TNA Wrestling and NJPW rosters. Nemeth won NJPW’s IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from David Finlay at the New Beginning in Sapporo last month.
Nemeth is also set for a match against Mike Bailey at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X in Philadelphia on April 4. The Bloodsport event begins at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The WrestleCon Supershow has a start time of 7 p.m. Eastern.
Nic Nemeth, Matt Riddle, Shun Skywalker and Titan have been added to the Mark Hitchcock Memoria show on 4/4 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. They had already announced Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Dragon Kid, Hechicero, Little Guido, Tommy Rich, Savio Vega, Jose Estrada Jr., Huracan Castillo Jr. and Miguel Perez Jr. Dorada and Hechicero will not be on the show due to visa issues. They will be adding wrestlers from CMLL to the show to replace them that have visas.
