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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The pre-show features Leon Slater against Frankie Kazarian.

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

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

Jordynne Grace With A Message For Tessa Blanchard

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

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

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

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

Arianna Grace Talks WWE NXT & TNA Partnership

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

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

Jake Something defeated Ashante “Thee” Adonis

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

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

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

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

Moose Teases New TNA X-Division Title

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

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

The Rascalz With A Message For The Hardys

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

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

Frankie Kazarian defeated Leon Slater

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frankie Kazarian Teases Cashing In Call Your Shot Gauntlet Trophy

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

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

Tessa Blanchard defeated Jordynne Grace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Josh Alexander Quits TNA Wrestling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TNA Impact & Upcoming PPV Announcements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cora Jade Arrives, Confronts Masha Slamovich

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

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

Joe Hendry defeated Nic Nemeth to capture the TNA World Championship

It’s main event time!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Updated TNA Genesis card, Tessa Blanchard vs. Jordynne Grace official

The card for the Sunday, January 19 TNA Genesis pay-per-view continues to take shape following this week’s Impact.

One of four new matches set for the card is Tessa Blanchard facing Jordynne Grace, a bout added during Thursday’s Impact episode following a pull-apart in the ring between Blanchard and Grace. It will be the first TNA match for Blanchard since 2020, when she left the promotion as its World Champion without dropping the title in the ring.

A grudge match between Mike Santana and Josh Alexander is also newly-announced for the January 19 Genesis PPV. Santana faced Alexander and his Northern Armory in a gauntlet match on Impact that was ruled a no contest after Northern Armory all attacked Santana at once.

Masha Slamovich will defend the Knockouts World Championship against Rosemary in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match at Genesis as suggested by TNA Hall of Famer Raven in his surprise Impact appearance.

The TNA Knockouts Tag Team titles will also be on the line on January 19, with Spitfire’s Jody Threat and Dani Luna defending against Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance.

X-Division Champion Moose has also revealed that he will debut a new title belt to represent the Championship at Genesis.

The updated lineup for Genesis:

TNA Genesis, Sunday, January 19 —

  • TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth defends against Joe Hendry
  • Tessa Blanchard vs. Jordynne Grace
  • TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) defend against The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel)
  • TNA X-Division Champion Moose defends against Ace Austin
  • Clockwork Orange House of Fun match: TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich defends against Rosemary
  • Mike Santana vs. Josh Alexander
  • TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions Jody Threat & Dani Luna defend against Ash by Elegance & Heather by Elegance

TNA Impact live results: Tessa Blanchard returns, eight-woman tag team match

While tonight’s TNA Impact doesn’t have a lot of pre-announced in-ring action, a litany of the company’s stars will be on the show.

In an eight-woman tag team bout, Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich, Jordynne Grace and Knockouts World Tag Team Champions Spitfire will take on Rosemary, Tasha Steelz, and Ash & Heather By Elegance.

After making her surprise return at December’s Final Resolution to attack Grace, former World Champion Tessa Blanchard has said she will be seen tonight. Grace is also scheduled to share some thoughts, likely about Blanchard.

TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth will make an appearance ahead of his title defense against Joe Hendry who will also appear on tonight’s show.

In an X-Division match, Ace Austin will take on KUSHIDA while Ryan Nemeth goes one-on-one with Rhino. In both cases, the match features an individual who is no longer with the company.

The main card is rounded out by Mike Santana having something to say ahead of this month’s Genesis.

**********
An “In memory of” graphic for Jax Dane airs to kick things off. Highlights of TNA Final Resolution 2024 are shown, and then we see arrival shots of the team of Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich and Spitfire.

Joe Hendry Kicks Off 2025 For TNA

As advertised, the familiar sounds of Joe Hendry’s viral hit theme song plays. The number one contender for the TNA World Championship and opponent for reigning title-holder Nic Nemeth at TNA Genesis 2025, Joe Hendry, makes his way to the ring to kick off tonight’s show, and 2025 in general for TNA.

“Say his name, and he appears,” is the opening line for arguably TNA’s most popular star. Hendry says his New Year’s Resolution for 2025 is to become TNA World Champion, and the start of “The Joe Hendry Era.” He vows to win the title at TNA Genesis 2025.

Hendry leads fans in a “We believe!” chant. As he talks about his plans to leave TNA Genesis 2025 with the title, he is interrupted by the theme of Ryan Nemeth. The brother of TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth makes his way to the ring.

Ryan Nemeth gets on the mic and says his big brother is not going to like this. He tells Hendry he’s not a main-eventer. He’s a mid-carder. “A pretty good one, too!” He also calls him a snake and a backstabber who plays macho head games to try and get ahead in TNA. He says he nor Nic trust him.

Hendry admires Ryan’s ability to come out here and “tell these little stories.” He asks who wants to hear a little story of his own. He talks about going to the doctor due to sleep issues. He can’t sleep on his long flights. The doctor says he’s got just the thing.

“Have you ever heard of the Ryan Nemeth comedy special?” He says after ten seconds, he was out like a light. He says if he’s a mid-carder, Ryan is a janitor. “So go mop that floor, and get Joe Hendry a coffee.” Fans chant “Coffee! Coffee!”

He says this main-eventer has business to attend to, so it’s enough stealing TV time for Ryan Nemeth. Hendry says that’s enough glory for Ryan. Ryan says he’ll get all the glory he needs when he beats the Hall of Famer Rhino later. He tells Hendry he can sit front row when it happens later. Hendry asks if he said “later?” He asks who wants to see it right now. The fans pop. He says “in that case, play the music.”

Ryan Nemeth defeated Rhino via Disqualification

The “Gore! Gore!” theme hits and out comes TNA Hall of Fame legend Rhino. As he heads to the ring for our first match of the evening, the show heads into a quick pre-match commercial break. When the show returns, the bell sounds to start things off.

Nemeth tries begging off with a handshake offer early on, but it does him no good, as Rhino takes the early lead. Nemeth fights back into competitive form, until Rhino hits a big TKO for a close two-count. Nemeth grabs a chair from outside of the ring and brings it in.

Rhino blasts Nemeth before he can use it. Nemeth drops the chair, Rhino picks it up and takes a long look at it. Nemeth crawls back up and as he does, Rhino whacks him across the back with the chair. The referee calls for the bell. Nemeth wins via disqualification.

Gia Miller Interviews Jordynne Grace

Backstage, Gia Miller is standing by with Jordynne Grace. She asks “The Juggernaut” about being attacked by the returning Tessa Blanchard at TNA Final Resolution. Grace talks about Tessa “taking her ball” and going home.

She says now she’s trying to return and lay-claim to the leader of the locker room, and reap the benefits off of the backs of the hard work she and others put in while Tessa was gone. She says she knows she’s “the same old Tessa.”

She vows to wait by the door all night to give Tessa the “nice, warm welcome she truly deserves.” That wraps up the brief backstage interview. Tom Hannifan runs down the action still to come before the show heads into another commercial time out.

The Rascalz & The Hardys Will Do Battle For Gold At TNA Genesis

The show returns to The Rascalz duo of Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz talking about The Hardys holding the TNA World Tag-Team Champions. They call them legends and talk about growing up doing swanton bombs off of their couches. They ask what fans think about The Rascalz vs. The Hardys for the titles.

After they finish, The Hardys themselves walk up. Matt Hardy says the two remind them of themselves. He calls them talented, good looking, hungry, extreme and fearless. He mentions a big show called TNA Genesis coming up in Texas later this month.

He thinks a big show like that deserves a big match like this. The Rascalz claim they’ll tear the roof off the place. “Smoke ’em if you got ’em!” They pose together to end the newsworthy backstage segment.

Ace Austin defeated KUSHIDA

Inside the Impact Zone, the familiar sounds of KUSHIDA’s entrance tune plays. After he settles in the ring, the ABC theme hits and Ace Austin cartwheels his way out of the entrance tunnel. He heads to the ring for our next match of the evening as Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt talk about Austin beating Trent Seven at TNA Final Resolution.

The bell sounds to get this one officially off-and-running. Hannifan plugs the Help Support Chris Bey efforts at TNAWrestling.com/Bey. The two lock-up and KUSHIDA takes Austin’s back and ankle picks him. He spins around him like Brock Lesnar on Frank Mir in his UFC debut many moons ago.

Austin scrambles back to his feet and takes a breather on the top turnbuckle before re-engaging. KUSHIDA and Austin end up on the mat again, with KUSHIDA looking to attack the legs of Austin with submission attempts.

Following a long head scissor hold, the two scramble back to their feet again, where Austin connects with a big drop kick. KUSHIDA fights back and locks in a vicious cross arm-breaker on Austin on the hard part of the ring apron outside of the ring ropes.

They fall out to the floor as the show heads into a mid-match break. When the show returns, Austin is selling his arm as he makes a big fired up offensive comeback. He looks for an homage to Chris Bey with an Art of Finesse, but KUSHIDA avoided it.

Off the top-rope, KUSHIDA once again traps Austin in a straight armbar on the mat. He transitions to a triangle attempt, but Austin escapes. Austin goes for the Art of Finesse again, but once more KUSHIDA blocks it and counters with a dropkick.

He looks for Back to the Future, but Austin avoids it and connects with a spin kick of his own. Austin follows up with the Ace up his Sleeve for the pinfall victory in an absolute thriller.

Moose & Ace Austin To Do Battle For Gold At TNA Genesis

Austin gets on the mic and says every day Chris Bey fights for a better life, and he fights for him in the ring. He talks about Bey with tears in his eyes before surgery saying his situation means Austin has to go on a crazy singles run and win the big one for him.

He talks about being a top guy in the company for a long time. He thinks it’s time he becomes “the” top guy for “the” top title. He says he wants Nic Nemeth and the TNA World Championship. Instead, he is cut off by the familiar sounds of the entrance tune for the TNA X-Division Champion Moose.

Moose says the TNA X-Division Championship is the flagship title in TNA. Without it, TNA wouldn’t be what it is. He calls himself “The Franchise” of TNA and what makes it the hottest wrestling company on the planet right now. Moose says when Austin talks about going after the top title, Moose is holding onto the top title.

He says Austin is scared of him. “So go ahead, take the easy way out and go ahead and go after Nic Nemeth and the TNA title.” Austin cuts him off. Moose tells him to shut the hell up. “Just like your partner Chris Bey.” Austin smacks the mic outta his face and calls him a “disrespectful piece of sh*t.”

He says “maybe you don’t know how to count this high, but I’ve been X-Division Champion not once, not twice, but three times.” He talks about carrying the X-Division for years. He says if he wants to learn something about the X-Division, he’s standing in the ring with the right guy.

He says he’ll happily become a four-time TNA X-Division Champion right now. The theme for TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella hits. Marella says it’ll be Moose vs. Ace Austin for the TNA X-Division Championship at TNA Genesis 2025.

Steve Maclin, Josh Alexander & Jonathan Gresham Brawl With The System

Backstage, Steve Maclin, Josh Alexander and Jonathan Gresham all agree they’re pissed off. They ask what they’re going to do about it. In walks The System, sans Moose and the ladies, who asks what they’re going to do, too.

They do this ignorantly, while standing right in front of the aforementioned trio. All six end up in a big brawl that we see all of three seconds of. The camera pans to Jordynne Grace padding up and getting ready for the big multi-person main event later in the show.

Big Tag-Team Match Announced For Next Week

On that note, the show cuts to another commercial break. When the show returns, we see a lengthy match excerpt as the TNA+ Moment of the Week. We return live to Ryan Nemeth being checked by the doctor after being hit with a chair. “Wait until my big brother hears about this!”

Joe Hendry and Rhino against Nic and Ryan Nemeth is made for next week when all four end up bickering, with Santino Marella entering the picture and making the match official.

Mike Santana Confronted By Josh Alexander & The Northern Armory

Inside the Impact Zone, the hip-hop sounds of Mike Santana’s theme hits. He makes his way to the ring through the crowd. He gets on the mic and says he’s going to do what he does best and speak from the heart.

He talks about his tough life on the streets growing up, his hard times in rehab beating addiction. He talks about coming to TNA and becoming one of the best after people said he made career suicide. He said it’s time to get back to the path of purpose, and that’s becoming the standard of TNA.

As he continues to talk, the theme for Josh Alexander hits to cut him off. Out comes “The Walking Weapon” along with the other duo from The Northern Armory. Alexander gets on the mic and says everyone says they want to be the guy, but very few can actually rise to the occasion and obtain it.

Alexander says they’re cut from the same cloth. He tells Santana he’s always liked him. He calls him tough and talented. He loses his cool at some fans and yells at them to shut their damn mouth, but worse, as it was bleeped out. He turns and talks to them off-mic, off-camera for a moment, and then returns to his point.

He tells Santana he might not be who he is today if not for the wars between LAX and The North. He asks how that ended. He says he was beat by The North and sent packing, whereas The North became the longest-reigning champions in this company’s history. He leans right in Santana’s face and says he left for green pastures and asks what happened. He tells him he failed.

He says he’s the man who beat Christian Cage to become TNA World Champion. He lost it before he could wrap it around his waist, but he didn’t piss and moan. He came out the next week and won again, then he beat Bronson Reed and climbed until he got back to the top of the mountain. It was destiny.

As long as he’s in TNA, Mike Santana will never be “the guy.” Alexander and The Northern Armory go to leave. Santana stops them. “Hey, where you going?” He says Alexander might be right. He stayed here and beat killer after killer to become the face of TNA.

“Now was it you, or because you was kissing ass and sucking up to the man with the pencil.” Santana brings up Alexander’s bald-ass head. Fans chant “Bald-Ass Head! Bald-Ass Head!” Alexander glares at them. Santana says he can whoop all three of their asses.

He says how about next week he goes through Alexander and his entire squad in one night. He vows to prove he’s what he says he is, which is the nastiest ever. “I’ll see your b*tch-ass next week.” Mic drop.

Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth Talk Upcoming Business

we shoot backstage and see Jordynne Grace gearing up still when she is met by her partners for tonight’s eight-Knockouts tag-team main event. Santino Marella tells them they’re up next. On that note, the show heads into a commercial break.

When the show returns, Frankie Kazarian and JDC have some fun mocking Leon Slater after he walks off following his refusal to accept the self-proclaimed “King of TNA’s” offer to essentially be his errand-boy.

Back inside the Impact Zone, the theme for “The Wanted Man” hits and out comes TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth. He says he has a lot to say, so he’s going to get right down to it. He talks about facing Joe Hendry at TNA Bound For Glory. He says Hendry was “this close” to becoming TNA World Champion.

Nemeth puts over Hendry some more, before pointing out how he can’t keep putting him over because he’s going to kick his ass in a couple of weeks. He talks about representing the TNA locker room as the TNA World Champion. He says TNA Genesis will be a special night.

He knows Hendry is bringing everything he’s got, and we all know he’s coming to steal the show and stay our champion. He brings up Santino making a tag-team match with himself and his brother Ryan against Rhino and Hendry for next week. He continues to talk but is cut off by his brother.

“My brother, Nic, it is so great to see you.” He asks about him putting over Hendry. He reminds him he’s a snake. He says he’ll hit him in the back the first chance he gets, just like Rhino hit him in the back with a steel chair.

He says they’ll show everyone next week that the name Nemeth is synonymous with greatness. Nic tells Ryan not to forget he’s in this match because of him. He says he should be focusing on TNA Genesis, but says not to worry because they’ll take care of business. He walks off.

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

It’s main event time!

But first, we are given the lineup for next week’s TNA Impact (see below), and Hannifan and Rehwoldt run down the updated lineup for TNA Genesis 2025, as the official match graphics flash across the screen.

Backstage, we see TNA security and officials standing over a beaten down security guard. Santino Marella runs up and says they need more security. Hannifan brings up Tessa Blanchard, but it is never confirmed to be her.

Inside the Impact Zone, Ash and Heather by Elegance make their way out to the ring. Tasha Steelz comes out next, followed by Rosemary. The first four-Knockouts team settles inside the squared circle for our final match of the evening.

TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Champions Spitfire, Dani Luna and Jody Threat, make their way out first for the opposition. They stop at the top of the stage and wait. Their music dies down and the sirens blare to bring out “The Juggernaut” Jordynne Grace.

Finally, TNA Knockouts Masha Slamovich is out next, and the babyface foursome head to the ring for our eight-Knockouts tag-team main event of the evening. Before the match gets underway, the show heads into another commercial break.

The show returns and Steelz and Slamovich are in the middle of in-progress action. Steelz is throwing kicks as Slamovich gets back to her feet. Slamovich hits the ropes and runs over Steelz with a lariat. She snap mares her down and kicks her in the back with authority.

Steelz fights back into competitive form and tags in Rosemary, who picks up where she left off, taking it to the TNA Knockouts Champion. Slamovich fights back and tags in Grace. The two hit a double-team spot on Rosemary. And another. Grace goes for the cover, but only gets two.

Spitfire takes over and hits some double-team spots that gets the crowd back on their feet. After some more back-and-forth action, the show heads into another mid-match commercial break. When the show returns, the heel team is in the lead.

The opposition begins taking over until George Iceman gets involved at ringside. This allows Ash By Elegance to shift the momentum back in her team’s favor. She stomps away at Threat in the corner. Heather By Elegance tags in and takes over. Rosemary provides an assist behind the ref’s back.

As the heel foursome continue to control the action, keeping Threat on the mat and on their side of the ring, the show heads into the final mid-match commercial break of the evening. When the show returns, Threat is still isolated in the ring, with Rosemary controlling her and the crowd trying to rally behind her.

Threat finally makes the much-needed tag. The opposition begins fighting back into competitive form. There are a bunch of quick tags to give everyone some ring time in the closing minutes of the contest. At one point there are all eight competitors in the ring at the same time.

Spitfire and the Elegance duo brawl at ringside, leaving the other four alone in the ring. Grace and Slamovich double-team Steelz. Steelz fights off Grace, but turns around into a big kick from Slamovich. Slamovich follows up with her finisher for the pinfall victory.

Tessa Blanchard Kicks Out Jordynne Grace Takes Back “Her Locker Room”

As the winning team celebrates, Tessa Blanchard, who was advertised for the show, makes her expected appearance, attacking from behind. She and Jordynne Grace powder off to the back. Rosemary sprays mist at ringside. The cameras catch up with Tessa, who is beating down Grace.

She literally drags her out of the building and throws her outside. She tells her, “And now, I’m taking my locker room back.” She pulls the garage door shut and storms through the backstage area, shoving people and yelling, “Get out of my way!” That’s how the first TNA Impact of the New Year of 2025 goes off the air. Thanks for joining us!

Next Week:
* Savannah Evans vs. TBA
* Mike Santana in Northern Armory Gauntlet
* Nic & Ryan Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry & Rhino
* The Rascalz vs. The Hood Hands
* The System vs. Eric Young, Jonathan Gresham & Steve Maclin

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

JNPO wrestling year in review series: The grand finale

Image: WWE

The final installment of the fourth-ever Josh Nason’s Punch-Out pro wrestling year in review series has arrived with a stop in December.

Joining me is Paul Fontaine, my co-host of the now-departed annual MMA year in review series.

Among the many topics we delve into:

  • The return of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event and prospects for the near future
  • The beginning of the promotional push of WWE to Netflix
  • AEW holds their final pay-per-view of the year with Worlds End
  • Tessa Blanchard makes her return to TNA
  • NJPW builds to a big two-show weekend
  • The rest of the big news in WWE, NXT, AEW, ROH, the indies, and more

Click here to listen

Here’s the rest of the series thus far:

Tessa Blanchard segment announced for TNA Impact

Tessa Blanchard will be on TNA Impact this week. 

TNA has announced that Blanchard “has promised to make her presence felt” on Thursday’s show. 

Last month, our own Dave Meltzer reported that Blanchard was expected to return to the promotion for the first time in four years.

“The belief is Tessa Blanchard has signed here which explains her not being in CMLL the last few weeks,” Meltzer wrote.”The belief is that she’ll debut in Atlanta, do a quick program with Jordynne Grace, with Grace then leaving for WWE when her current contract expires. At least that’s the talking point going around. But I was told Blanchard having signed is confirmed.”

Blanchard attacked Grace at Final Resolution in Atlanta and participated in the TV tapings held the following day. 

TNA Impact on January 2, 2025, will feature matches segments taped last month at Center Stage in Atlanta. Spoilers from the shows are available here. This week’s episode will also mark TNA’s debut on Sportsnet in Canada. 

TNA Impact announced lineup for Thursday, January 2, 2025:

  • Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich & Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) vs. Ash By Elegance, Heather By Elegance, Rosemary & Tasha Steelz
  • KUSHIDA vs. Ace Austin
  • Tessa Blanchard will appear
  • Jordynne Grace speaks
  • Joe Hendry to kickoff show

Big Vinny V Show: TNA Final Resolution review

Image: TNA

The final big TNA show of 2024 was last Friday’s Final Resolution, the company’s second streaming special in just two weeks.

With so little time to promote a show, perhaps it’s no surprise that the biggest story coming out of the event wasn’t any of the matches, but a returning star. Tessa Blanchard was last seen in the company as their reigning World champion before she was fired after multiple accusations of backstage verbal abuse became public as well as her failure to appear and drop the title during the pandemic.

Mind you, there was also news in the ring with Nic Nemeth defending the World championship against AJ Francis; Joe Hendry, Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin, and Mike Santana facing off to determine a title challenger at January’s Genesis; and the Hardys defending their Tag Team titles against The System in a blatant, yet effective, display of nostalgia.

We break it all down on the new Big Vinny V Show!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube with a premium sub

The Latest: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event fallout, Tessa Blanchard to TNA

Welcome to another episode of The Latest with Denise Salcedo breaking down the biggest wrestling news headlines of the week so far.

Topics:

–Kevin Owens piledrives Cody Rhodes, confronts Triple H after WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

— Chelsea Green crowned first-ever WWE Women’s United States Champion

— Chris Jericho appears at GCW event, attacks Matt Cardona and Effy

–Tessa Blanchard returns, attacks Jordynne Grace at TNA Final Resolution

— AEW All In Texas Live Event Highlights

WOR: SNME, Collision, Smackdown, Tessa to TNA, more

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Saturday Night’s Main Event, Smackdown and Collision, plus news on Tessa Blanchard and TNA, Jericho and GCW, Sareee, UFC last night, Chael Sonnen, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event recap
19:45: WWE SmackDown notes
25:00: TNA notes including Tessa Blanchard’s return
32:58: Chris Jericho attacks Matt Cardona & Effy at GCW event, Arena Mexico notes, recent Sareee Marigold match, UFC notes
36:51: AEW Collision recap, NJPW Strong Style Evolved lineup
57:56: WWE SmackDown spoilers
1:01:27: More of Dave Meltzer’s thoughts on AEW

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Tessa Blanchard returns, attacks Jordynne Grace at TNA Final Resolution

As reported earlier on Friday, Tessa Blanchard has returned to TNA Wrestling and didn’t waste time in making her impact felt.

The former TNA World Champion and Knockouts Champion appeared during Jordynne Grace’s match with Rosemary on Friday’s Final Resolution streaming special. The masked Blanchard attacked Grace to give her the DQ win, eventually revealing herself to the crowd.

Later, she briefly chatted with Gia Miller about her return and then piefaced the backstage interviewer before leaving.

Our Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that “the belief is that she’ll debut in Atlanta, do a quick program with Jordynne Grace with Grace then leaving for WWE when her current contract expires.”

The 28-year-old has been in Mexico since the fall of 2023, working nearly solely with CMLL who confirmed her leave on Friday and that the Women’s Tag Team titles she held were vacated.

She worked in TNA (then Impact) from three years from 2018 through 2020, holding the company’s top title for 165 days and the Knockouts title for 147 days.

However, the World title reign started in January 2020 prior to the pandemic and she only had one title defense, that being in February of the same year. TNA fired her in June 2020 and stripped her for not coming back to the U.S. from Mexico to drop the title.

Blanchard’s previous TNA run was marred with controversy due to allegations of being a locker room bully, and both spitting in La Rosa Negra’s face and calling her a racial slur while they were in Japan together in 2017. Those allegations emerged after a social media post following her World title win where she told her fellow women to “try supporting one another” as cool things happen when they do.

Wrestling Observer Radio: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event preview, more AEW analysis

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Jesse “The Body” Ventura’s appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast
  • The history of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event notes, memorable moments, and a preview for Saturday’s return show
  • AEW analysis from Dave’s lead WON story
  • First WWE Raw on Netflix news
  • CM Punk’s possible WrestleMania match
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Tessa Blanchard back in TNA

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Live: The Abbreviated Edition

With both Bryan Alvarez and I taking care of some family business earlier today, there was no live Observer Live. But, in its place, here’s an abbreviated run down of today’s news, including Tessa Blanchard possibly heading to TNA. Plus, a sneak peek at this weekend. It’s a fun show as always, so check it out~!

Click here for the commercial-free download (subscription required)

CMLL confirms Tessa Blanchard departure, vacates Women’s Tag Team titles

Tessa Blanchard is officially gone from CMLL and has relinquished their Women’s Tag Team Championship.

CMLL confirmed on Friday that Blanchard has departed the promotion. The CMLL Women’s Tag Team titles, which she held with Lluvia, are now vacant with new champions set to be crowned in 2025. It’s the second time the titles have been vacated in their short history. Stephanie Vaquer & Zeuxis also vacated the belts when Vaquer left CMLL for WWE NXT this summer.

Blanchard is believed to be returning to TNA Wrestling, with Dave Meltzer reporting that she has signed with TNA and could appear imminently. TNA is holding its Final Resolution event in Atlanta tonight and has a TV taping on Saturday.

Originally with the company from 2018-2020 (when it was known as Impact Wrestling), Blanchard is a former World Champion and Knockouts Champion for TNA. Her controversial first stint with TNA ended in June 2020 when TNA terminated its relationship with her.

Blanchard & Lluvia had been CMLL Women’s Tag Team Champions since August. Prior to her departure, Blanchard worked a CMLL match on November 22 but had not wrestled in recent weeks.

The CMLL Women’s Tag Team titles were introduced in 2023. Only two teams have been champions — with both going on to vacate the titles.

Tessa Blanchard believed to be returning to TNA Wrestling

Update —

Tessa Blanchard’s departure from CMLL has now been confirmed, along with her vacating the promotion’s Women’s Tag Team titles.

**********

Tessa Blanchard looks to be on her way back to TNA Wrestling.

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that Blanchard has signed back with TNA and could be returning to the promotion imminently. TNA is holding its Final Resolution event in Atlanta tonight with a television taping to follow on Saturday.

“The belief is Tessa Blanchard has signed here which explains her not being in CMLL the last few weeks,” Meltzer wrote. “The belief is that she’ll debut in Atlanta, do a quick program with Jordynne Grace, with Grace then leaving for WWE when her current contract expires. At least that’s the talking point going around. But I was told Blanchard having signed is confirmed.”

Grace is facing Rosemary at Final Resolution tonight and is booked for an eight-woman tag match on Saturday, teaming with Masha Slamovich, Dani Luna & Jody Threat against Rosemary, Ash By Elegance & Heather By Elegance (Heather Reckless).

From 2018-2020, Blanchard spent a controversial stint in TNA (then named Impact Wrestling) that included her becoming the first female to hold the company’s main World Championship. During the weekend where she won the title in January 2020, Blanchard sent out a tweet telling women to “try supporting one another” because cool things happen when they do. In response, allegations emerged that Blanchard had been a locker room bully toward other women’s wrestlers and had spat in La Rosa Negra’s face and called her the n-word while they were in Japan in 2017.

La Rosa Negra has said that she forgives Blanchard for the incident.

Earlier this year, Blanchard opened up about struggling with her mental health after the January 2020 controversy and denied that she was the type of person she was accused of being. WWE star and former TNA wrestler Chelsea Green responded to Blanchard by saying that, while she doesn’t wish self-harm or thoughts of suicide on anyone, she would like to see Blanchard publicly apologize and take accountability for her actions.

Blanchard’s first stint with TNA ended in June 2020 when the promotion terminated its relationship with her, stripping her of the TNA World Championship in the process. She was living in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic and there had been attempts made to get her to return to the United States and drop the title, but the two sides were not able to come to terms.

The 29-year-old Blanchard is also a former Knockouts Champion for TNA.

Tessa Blanchard details past mental health struggles, Chelsea Green responds

In a new interview with Straight Talk Wrestling, Tessa Blanchard opened up about how being accused of bullying and racism by several of her colleagues has impacted her.

The backlash against Blanchard began in January 2020 when she posted a message to Twitter about female wrestlers supporting one another. Several wrestlers responded by accusing Blanchard of bullying and, in particular, calling another wrestler a slur backstage.

“Remember when you spat in a black woman’s face and called her the N-word in Japan? Was that you “supporting women“? The AUDACITY of this tweet,” wrote Allysin Kay in response to Blanchard’s post.

“You’ve consistently put down, bullied, and belittled countless female coworkers, including me. Is that support?” Chelsea Green wrote.

“As someone who experienced your bullying firsthand, received regular verbal abuse, was spat on, had rumours spread about me, dealt with multiple attempts by you to blacklist me from other companies, (plus more), I just pray you now follow your own advice,” wrote Isla Dawn.

Blanchard, who now works a full-time schedule with CMLL in Mexico, says she would not change anything about her career as it has made her the wrestler and person she is today.

“I wouldn’t change anything about the peaks, the valleys, the way my career’s been, I wouldn’t change anything because I’m very proud of the woman that I am now and the wrestler that I am today and where my career is,” Blanchard said on the show.

“If anything would have been different, I might be in a different place, I might be a different person, my ego might be through the roof, who knows?”

Blanchard said what happened in early 2020 led to struggles with her mental health.

“When everything happened to me, it was even a tough topic to even talk about. I remember I was living in Tijuana at the time and I remember some days I would wake up, I didn’t even have the strength to live that day so I would just go back to bed and I would be in my bed all day long. There were days where I was tired about life just because my identity was wrestling, I didn’t know who I was without it and in a matter of less than 24 hours, it was like from here to (nothing). From contract offers from the biggest companies, more money than I’d ever seen in my life to nothing.”

“This whole storyline we had built for eight or nine months to me begging the TNA office that day like ‘I don’t want to win it, I don’t want to do this.’ And after I didn’t go home, I went on a 27-day media tour in Mexico where I remember, we would pull over in the Uber before every interview and I would vomit.”

“My family, my little brother and sister were 14 years old at the time, were reading all these things about me that I knew wasn’t me, I knew wasn’t in my heart, I wasn’t this person, but it didn’t matter, perception is reality, the truth doesn’t matter.”

“I didn’t know my identity without wrestling and through all of that, through those ups and downs, those really hard days that I didn’t know if I was going to get through, I found out who Tessa is without wrestling.”

WWE’s Chelsea Green, who was one of the wrestlers who accused Blanchard of bullying, responded to an article from Fightful quoting her recent comments. Green wrote:

“I  don’t wish self-harm or thoughts of suicide on anyone and hope she has found peace. However, a simple ‘I am sorry’ goes a long way. We haven’t heard that yet. Accountability matters, and a redemption tour of interviews won’t erase the actions of an egotistical bully.”

The full interview with Straight Talk Wrestling is available below.

Tessa Blanchard feels she has ‘unfinished business in wrestling’

Tessa Blanchard feels she is one of the best in the world and has unfinished business in wrestling. 

Blanchard appeared on the McGuire on Wrestling podcast while on tour recently with Canadian Wrestling’s Elite (CWE). During the discussion, Blanchard spoke about the fan response she has received of late when she wrestles.  

Blanchard said:

First of all, I can’t even express how thankful I am. The fans have been so accepting here. Even today, it was just unprecedented. They are just chanting, “Tessa, Tessa, let’s go Tessa!” That always feels great, especially [after] being away for so long. 

But yeah, I’m always going to want more. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business in wrestling. I’m 27 years old and I do feel confidently like I’m one of the best there is and I can go with the best, so I won’t stop pushing for that. But I’ve got other things going on too. I think it’s important to have that balance of knowing who you are outside of the business because the business isn’t always going to be there for you.  

Blanchard has also signed with XPW recently. She’ll make her debut for the promotion on May 27 at XPW Broken, Beat, and Scared. 

In January 2020, multiple wrestlers made public statements regarding Blanchard’s backstage behavior. In particular, Blanchard was criticized for allegedly using a racial slur during an argument with La Rosa Negra. Last month, Blanchard and Rosa appeared in a social media post together, seemingly having buried the hatchet. 

Blanchard says she has grown a lot, and grows more every day. 

Blanchard continued: 

I’m not who I was a year ago, ten years ago, a month ago, shoot, I’m growing since yesterday even. It’s a constant process but we have to be aware of it or otherwise we get caught up in the business and the comments and all that BS.

We’re in this constant phase of growth. I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of a lot of my friends. I’m glad for where I am, I’m glad to be on this tour and just have fun in wrestling again.

Blanchard won the Impact World Championship at Hard to Kill on January 12, 2020. Her match against Sami Callihan that night was rated four stars by our own Dave Meltzer. Callihan and Blanchard’s match from July 2019 at Slammiversary received 4 and 1/4 stars, the highest rating a match of Blanchard’s has received. 

Blanchard also mentioned she is finishing a college degree in International Affairs at the moment and has grown from that experience as well.  

“I feel I have learned so much, going back to school, about myself,” she continued.