Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Report: AXS TV New Beginnings in Sapporo Part 2!

Published

7 years ago

March 2, 2018

This review of NJPW: New Beginnings in Sapporo Part 1 will be as broadcasted by AXS TV.
Therefore, all images are courtesy of AXS TV.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

From January 27th, 2018- NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: The Bullet Club’s Bad Luck Fale & Guerillas of Destiny VS Taguchi Japan’s Ryusuke Taguchi, Toa Henare & Togi Makabe; Bullet Club wins and retains the NEVER Openweight 6MTTC.
From January 28th, 2018- 10 Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingoblernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Roppongi 3K; RPG3K wins and become the new IWGP Jr. HTTC.

PLAY BY PLAY

AXS TV & NJPW take a look at what led to tonight’s main event.

Formerly known as “The Tempura Boyz”, Sho & Yo reinvented themselves and captured the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. They would defend them at Wrestle Kingdom 12 against Matt & Nick Jackson, but the newly minted Roppongi 3K were no match for the Young Bucks. The Bucks became record-setting 7-time Jr HTTCs, but that was not the end of the rivalry.

Rocky Romero, after being attacked by the Bucks himself, coached up his new team to be ready for this rematch. Can Sho & Yo gain back what Matt & Nick took from them?

From January 27th, 2018-

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship: The Bullet Club’s Bad Luck Fale & Guerillas of Destiny VS Taguchi Japan’s Ryusuke Taguchi, Toa Henare & Togi Makabe!

We join this match just as Tama Tonga hits a corner to corner stinger splash, then covers, TWO. He drags Henare over and tags in the Underboss. Fale brings Henare to a corner and bumps him off buckles. Fale sucker punches Makabe, then Taguchi. He returns to Henare and unloads body shots. He whips Henare corner to corner, then runs in, but Henare dodges! Henare crawls, hot tag to Makabe! The fans fire up as Makabe rallies on Bullet Club. The Gorilla corner clotheslines then whips Fale for another clothesline. Makabe climbs up and rains corner punches on Fale, then tries the northern lights. Fale is too big and strong for that, he clubs Makabe and grabs his throat with both hands. Makabe breaks free of that, but Fale rocks him with a body shot.

Fale runs, but Taguchi runs in to hit a hip attack. Makabe runs Fale over, but Tonga Loa breaks the pin. Taguchi goes after Loa, throws him out, then keeps on Loa while the fans rally. Makabe tries to bring Fale down but Fale only stumbles. Makabe runs again, but into Fale’s Samoan Drop! Both Fale and Makabe are down, but the fans rally for them. They roll, hot tags to Tonga and Henare. They speed up, Henare fakes Tonga out then runs for a BIG shoulder tackle! Henare is all fired up as he gives forearms to Tonga. He whips but Tonga reverses, Tonga reverses but Henare dodges. Henare runs in but Tonga puts him on the apron. Tonga gets away but Henare climbs up to the top, for a flying shoulder tackle! Cover, TWO!

It was close, and he fires up again. Taguchi returns to kick Fale out, and Makabe does the same to Loa. Taguchi’s trio targets Tonga, putting him in a corner. Taguchi & Makabe double whip Tonga corner to corner, then they begin the corner train: Taguchi whips Makabe in for the corner clothesline, then Henare in, then Makabe again, and Henare again. Taguchi does a Running Man Dab while he directs his men in the clotheslines.

Henare, then Makabe, then Tonga is fed to Taguchi’s hip attack. Henare hits a spear, covers, but Loa and Fale break the cover just in time. Taguchi throws Fale back out and Makabe brawls with Loa. Henare returns to Tonga, headbutt after headbutt, then fireman’s carry. Tonga slips out and shoves Henare to ropes, fireman’s carry on the rebound for a Samoan Flapjack! Cover, TWO!! That was so close, the Bullet Club is shocked. Tonga keeps on Henare, single-leg crossface, the Cobra Twist!

Henare taps out, The Bullet Club wins!

Winners: The Bullet Club’s Bad Luck Fale & Guerrillas of Destiny

It is rare that the champions successfully retain, even in the short track record of the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships. Is this Too Sweet combination just right for reigning supreme over the entire division?

From January 28th, 2018-

10 Man Tag: Chaos VS Los Ingoblernables de Japon!

There has been a grudge growing between these two NJPW stables. It reached a new level when Chaos leader Kazuchika Okada wanted Sanada to speak for himself in relation to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. However, Cold Skull wouldn’t do what Okada wanted, so the Rainmaker decided to show the “punk” now to disrespect him, in the form of a Tombstone piledriver and a mouth full of cash. Thus, we now have this star-studded, title-loaded 5v5 match for stable supremacy!

The teams stand in the ring together, but before a bell rings, a brawl erupts! They all pair off and spill out of the ring, leaving Yoshi-Hashi in with Tetsuya Naito. Hashi clubs Naito in a corner while things continue on the outside. He rips Naito’s shirt off then stomps on it, disrespecting #Tranquilo. Hashi stands Naito up for chops and forearms, not letting up until Naito is on the ground! He then grinds a foot into Naito, but stops with the ref’s count. Hashi drags Naito up, whips him corner to corner and hits a running chop. He then hangs Naito up, Goto holding him in place, for Hashi’s running dropkick!

Hashi keeps stomping Naito, showing no mercy. He chops Naito, then chops again, before running, but into Hiromu’s cheap shot. Hiromu gets a forearm for that, then Hashi blocks and counters the kick from Naito with an elbow to the knee. Hashi keeps on Naito with forearms, then runs, but into a kick. Bushi sunset flips outta nowhere, and sits Hashi up for Naito’s low dropkick. Evil and Sanada come in to go after the other members of Chaos, with Hiromu tripping up his rival, Will Ospreay. LIJ and Chaos brawl past ringside and into the crowd!

Meanwhile, Naito chokes Hashi with what’s left of his shirt! The referee sees this and reprimands him while Evil bumps Goto off chairs. Okada and Sanada are interrupted by Bushi. Naito puts Hashi in a Tree of Woe, and he stomps away. He even shoves the referee so he can keep going. Naito backs off, baseball slide dropkick to Hashi’s face. He tags Bushi in, then drag Hashi up and out. Okada protests but Bushi still missile dropkicks Hashi. While Bushi gives us the Bushi-roonie, Naito hits Hashi with his own dropkick in the corner. Naito sweeps Hashi’s legs, then gives him a wrecking ball dropkick!

Bushi brings Hashi up, snapmares and stretches him back before stomping him. Bushi puts on the STF and the rest of LIJ stands guard. Hashi endures, then crawls for ropes, but he’s still so far away. Bushi changes his mind and gives Hashi a neckbreaker. Cover, but Okada breaks it. Evil goes right after Okada and throws him out, Bushi tags in Hiromu. Hiromu stomps Hashi, then brings him up. Hashi fights back on Hiromu and Naito but dividing his attention allows Hiromu to attack from behind. Hiromu drags Hashi up and chops him to a corner. He whips Hashi corner to corner and hits a corner clothesline. Hiromu rolls Hashi out but Hashi evades the running dropkick. Hashi flip kicks Hiromu down, and they both head for their corners.

The fans rally, Hashi tags in Ospreay! The Aerial Assassin goes after the Ticking Timebomb with a blasting dropkick, then fires up for a corner to corner flying elbow! He goes around the world but Hiromu dodges. Hiromu gets the waistlock, German Suplex but Ospreay lands on his feet. Ospreay hits another running elbow, then tries again, big basement dropkick! Standing shooting star, TWO! Ospreay stays focused as he drags Hiromu up. Dragon sleeper and lift but Hiromu knees out. Hiromu runs but Ospreay pursues, Ospreay slips out of the pop-up to whip Hiromu but Hiromu reverses. Ospreay handsprings, but Hiromu catches him in a German Suplex!

Fans applaud while both men are down, we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns with hot tags to Goto and Evil! They go right at each other, colliding with clothesline after clothesline. Evil fires up and runs but Goto follows. Goto swings but Evil deflects, then tries again, only for Goto to deflect his lariat. Goto kicks but Evil passes that off to the ref, to then mule kick out the other leg. Evil calls for the finish, fisherman lift but Goto resists. Goto wrenches the arm but Evil forearms back, but Evil’s spinning strike is countered with a pull of the hair into a neckbreaker across the knee! Both men are down, and the NEVER Openweight Champion tags in the Rainmaker!

Okada goes after Evil with forearms, then whips but Evil reverses. Okada runs Evil over with a back elbow, then stalks him. He Alabama lifts but Evil resists, Evil goes for neckbreaker but Okada elbows out. Okada runs, but into the sidewalk slam! Now Evil tags in Sanada! Sanada runs in, but into a flapjack! Okada stalks Sanada to a corner while the fans chant. He whips Sanada corner to corner, then hits a back elbow. He kicks and DDT’s, covers, TWO! Okada keeps his cool while he toys with Cold Skull. This only angers Sanada, and he gets up to stare the IWGP WHC down. Sanada throws a forearm, so Okada responds with a forearm, and back to Sanada. They go back and forth, picking up speed, and the fans get into it.

Every forearm Okada gives, Sanada immediately responds. Okada gives a forearm with extra mustard, so Sanada gives him a European Uppercut. Okada gives more forearms, then runs, but Sanada jumps up and over to then dropkick Okada down! The fans applaud while Sanada drags Okada up, big back suplex. Cover, TWO. Naito and Bushi intercept Hashi and Gedo, then Ospreay and Goto. Sanada scoops Okada for a side backbreaker, then hurries to the top rope. Moonsault but he has to land on his feet when Okada isn’t there. Sanada’s legs slow him down, Okada catches him into a scoop. Sanada slips out to avoid the Tombstone, kicks low and whips. Okada reverses the whip, and dropkicks Sanada down! They’re both down from exhaustion but the fans rally. Okada and Sanada head for their corners, tag to Gedo!

Gedo takes out Bushi to leave Sanada with no one, then mule kicks Sanada. Gedo Clutch cover, but Naito breaks that. Hashi comes in, dodges Naito’s enziguri, then retaliates with a mule kick. He gets Naito out while Gedo grabs Sanada. Sanada counters, dragon sleeper but first a feed to Bushi’s Code Breaker! Then Sanada lifts Gedo up for the TKO!

Cover, but Ospreay and Goto break it! It’s more chaos as Bushi, Evil and Hiromu work to clear out Chaos, leaving Sanada to bring Gedo up. Naito whips Hashi into barriers while Sanada drags Gedo up in the dragon sleeper. When that isn’t enough, Sanada drops down into the body scissors, Skull End!

Gedo taps, LIJ wins!

Winners: Los Ingoblernables de Japon

Cold Skull may not have defeated the Rainmaker, but he just submitted his right hand man. Will Sanada and Okada meet again for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

Yoshi-Hashi goes after Naito!

Chaos has to pull him off of Naito, not wanting their teammate to be a sore loser. Naito doesn’t sweat it, he is truly Tranquilo. When will he start to worry about this growing list of opponents who want to tear him limb from limb?

However, Sanada is not done with Okada.

Like Okada did before, Sanada calls Okada out. “You really want to hear my voice?” Sanada vows that “In Osaka, I’m gonna end you.” Strong words from the strong silent Sanada, but will the Rainmaker make him eat those words?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Roppongi 3K!

A new look, a new name, and a new attitude for Sho & Yo, but will it mean they become the new IWGP Jr. HTTCs? Or will they end up in another SUPERKICK PARTY hosted by Matt & Nick Jackson?

Matt Jackson starts against Yo the silver, and the bell rings. Rocky Romero rallies the fans with a chant of “R P G!” Matt and Yo get in each other’s face then start brawling with haymakers. Yo slowly backs Matt down but Matt gets the headlock. Yo powers out but Matt runs him over, only for Yo to kip-up. Matt runs but catches Yo into the sharpshooter, Yo keeps it rolling to push Matt away. Yo rolls Matt into a half-crab, but Matt scrambles to the ropes for the break. The fans applaud while Yo waits, but Matt stays close to the perimeter. He tags in Nick, so Yo tags in Sho. Nick mocks the “young boy” and shoves him, then says “I’m a superstar.” Sho trash talks back, but Nick kicks low then speeds things up.

Nick cartwheels over Sho, then rolls off his back before dropping Sho with a dropkick. Sho gets to a corner while Nick embraces the cheers. He tags in Matt, they double whip Sho and catch him into the gutbuster. Matt says “You’re dead, young boy!” before giving him the swinging neckbreaker backbreaker! Sho writhes before Matt covers, TWO. Matt drags Sho up to rock him with a right hand. He whips but Yo tags in, RPG3K catch Matt with the drop toehold to basement dropkick. Nick comes in, but RPG3K is ready for him. They double whip to a corner, then forearm smash and back elbow in the corner before the bulldog gutbuster combo.

Nick staggers back but they double clothesline him out. Matt returns, he gets double dropkicks. Matt slips back out and regroups with Nick while the fans rally for RPG3K. RPG3K build speed, but the Bucks come in to stereo SUPERKICK them!

The Bucks fire up while Sho & Yo roll out of the ring. Matt runs to hit them both with a wrecking ball dropkick, then he holds the ropes for Nick to FLY!

Nick wipes RPG3K out, then high-fives Matt. They see Rocky now, and Rocky wants them to “take it easy.” The Bucks chase Rocky up the ramp, then behind the curtain. They bring Rocky back out by force, then decide to powerbomb Rocky again. However, as they get him up and walk him back, Rocky is saved by his team! Sho & Yo go after Matt & Nick, even dumping Nick off the ramp onto barriers. Sho ends up down there with Nick, and Matt throws Yo onto Sho. Matt gets space for a running start, and now he FLIES!

He takes Sho & Yo out within that narrow margin, and follows Nick as he brings Yo over. Nick has “an idea”, and feeds Yo to Matt. They lift Yo, and hit him with an apron powerbomb! Yo writhes, but the Bucks aren’t done with him. Matt brings Yo up and into the ring, then covers, TWO! Matt brings Yo up and puts one out on him. He lifts Yo but that battered back gives out. Matt crawls and covers, TWO. The fans cheer, Nick comes in to stop Yo from tagging Sho. Nick tags in, then stomps out Yo. He lifts Yo to club him down, then stomp him some more. He whips Yo corner to corner hard, and Yo goes down from his own back pains.

Sho shows concern but Nick keeps on Yo, tagging Matt back in. The Bucks double whip, then double hip toss, but only Nick can back flip into the double dropkick. Matt covers, TWO, but Matt puts Yo in a chinlock. He keeps Yo grounded, but Yo flails and works against the hold.

Fans cheer and rally, and Yo gets to his feet. Matt elbows Yo in the back, then tags Nick. Nick brings Yo up, then whips him into the corner. Nick runs in but Yo boots him away. Matt runs in but ends up thrown out and bumps off the apron! Nick goes after Yo, but Yo enziguris him down. Yo leaps for the tag but Matt trips Sho down just before! Nick and Yo stand up, Nick runs corner to corner and tackles Yo into the corner. Nick keeps going, rolling Yo out for the running Penalty Kick! Cover, ONE, and Nick is pissed while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns once more, and Nick clubs Yo to keep him grounded. Nick focuses his attack on Yo’s hurting back, and Matt returns. The Bucks wait for Yo to stand up. Nick throws in a kick but Yo deflects it, Matt ducks it, so Nick tries again. Yo blocks it again and this time catches Matt with it! Then Yo dragon screws Nick, and reaches for his corner. Tag to Sho, and golden Sho rallies on Nick. Nick reverses the whip but Sho knocks him down. Matt kicks and whips Sho, but Sho holds ropes to then put Matt on the apron. Sho sweeps the legs, runs, and baseball slides Matt down off the apron! Nick returns but misses the clothesline, Sho headscissors Nick to a corner. The fans fire up while Sho runs in, big corner clothesline!

Sho whips, Nick reverses but Sho reverses back, kicking front and back to then mule kick Nick down. Cover, TWO! Sho keeps his cool as he grabs Nick in the waistlock. Nick elbows his way out, then tags in Matt. Matt slowly walks over to Sho, but Sho standing switch to German Suplex once, twice, then both Bucks for the hat trick!

Sho stands Matt up and hits a backstabber, to feed Matt into Yo’s shotgun dropkick! The fans rally while Yo suplexes Matt up for Sho, then Yo runs for the dominator cutter combo!

Cover, TWO! Sho & Yo keep their cool while Matt clutches his back. They wait for Matt to stand but Nick comes in to rally on them. Nick throws Yo out, then baits Sho to dump him out. He cartwheels to moonsault but Sho & Yo get clear. Nick turns around to run at them again, but ends up taking a flapjack onto the apron! Sho & Yo fire up and target the wounded Matt. Sho drags Matt up but Matt fires off forearms. Matt turns around but Sho reels him into a forearm to the back. Sho stomps that bad back while Yo gets in position. Tag to Yo, and Yo climbs up. Sho brings Matt up in the torture rack, Yo flies in for flying knee into reverse Michinoku Driver! Cover, TWO!

RPG3K can’t believe it, but the fans applaud. Yo drags Matt for the Crab, and gets it in! Matt’s back endures the bend, but he drags himself to ropes. Yo drags him back while Sho stands guard. Matt holds on to crawl again, and gets that ropebreak! Yo fires himself up and Sho comes over, they bring Matt up and to the top rope. RPG3K climb up together, but Matt resists. He fights them off, then fires himself up, but they trip him up. RPG3K climbs up again, they have him now, DOUBLE SUPERPLEX!

Cover, TWO! Matt somehow survives, but RPG3K rallies the fans for the finish. Sho kicks Matt, Yo stomps him, and back again. Sho then Yo, and Matt fires up! Yo kicks Matt back down, then holds him for Sho’s stiff kick to that back. Sho drags Matt up, Yo takes aim, but Matt fights out, letting that SUPERKICK hit Sho! Matt then SPEARS Yo, and heads for his corner. The fans rally, and Matt tags Nick! Nick climbs up, and hits Sho & Yo with a double missile dropkick. Nick fires up, and he rallies on Sho & Yo with right hands. He roundhouses Yo then back elbows Sho before rocking Yo with a tornado kick. Nick keeps going, joining Sho on the apron for a roundhouse, and a German suplex! Yo comes in but Nick knocks him away, then slingshot facebuster, and right into a tornado DDT for Sho!

Nick fires up and so do the fans. He brings Yo in before climbing up top. Nick takes aim, frog splash but into knees! Yo rolls him up, TWO! Yo’s frustration boils over, but Rocky coaches him back into it. Nick and Yo stand up, and trade forearms back and forth. Yo fires off several at once, then runs, but into a SUPERKICK! Yo yo-yo’s but into another SUPERKICK! Sho returns, but Nick catches him with an elevated Shining Wizard. Matt returns, and as tender as his back is, he drags Sho in position on the apron. Nick coordinates, going up top, for a SUPER draping swanton!!

Sho goes down, Matt helps Nick into the ring. Matt tags in, and the fans chant for “Young Bucks! Young Bucks!” Matt hobbles over to Yo, and drapes him now. Nick climbs up again, for a draping 450 splash! Matt covers, TWO!! The Young Bucks are shocked, but Yo still lives. Matt drags Yo up while Nick gets on the apron. That bad back won’t let Matt powerbomb lift Yo, so Nick comes in to help him out. Matt holds Yo up, and the buckle bomb kick! That’s not the end, as Matt goes for the “Cease” Sharpshooter! He gets it, but his back is still bugging him.

Nick keeps Sho down on the outside with another SUPERKICK! But Yo still powers up to crawl for ropes! Matt drags him away again, and sinks it in deeper! Yo powers up again and heads for ropes, and gets the ropebreak! But Matt doesn’t let go, Nick comes in for another swanton! Nick flattens Yo, then keeps Sho down while Matt drags Yo away again. It’s back pain versus back pain, but it’s Matt’s back that loses. He lets go of the hold, just as he was about to get Yo to quit. Nick coaches his brother while Rocky coaches his team. The fans rally for them both as they crawl for space. Matt stands up first, and hobbles back to Yo. He tries again, but small package counter! RPG3K WIN!!

Winners: Roppongi 3K (Sho & Yo)

What a shocking turn of events! Sho & Yo take advantage of Matt’s bad back, and now RPG3K is back on top of the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Division. As for The Young Bucks, will Matt’s back recover so that he and Nick can come back for a tag title comeback?

Rocky Romero & RPG3K have a press conference backstage.

“That match was insane!” It was a crazy, crazy, crazy match. Tonight, Rocky and the boys are gonna party. One night only in Sapporo, RPG3K is gonna celebrate being champions again. They’re gonna party now, but this rivalry is only 1-1. Will Sho & Yo be able to party again after their inevitable rematch with The Young Bucks?

My Thoughts:

Great surprises were all over this edition of NJPW on AXS. For starters, I didn’t expect them to fit as much into this as they did. The partial coverage of the NEVER Six Man Tag Team Championships was fun, gives the American audiences some exposure to the almost NJPW exclusive members of the Bullet Club, Bad Luck Fale & the GoD. For being original members, Fale and Tama Tonga hardly do anything outside of NJPW, so this will help some fans learn a bit about them. Then we got to see the entirety of a great 10 Man Tag match, LIJ is rapidly growing in popularity and therefore strength as a stable. It was fitting that they defeat Chaos, but not through pinning a champion member like Goto, Ospreay or Okada. The champions stay strong even though the stable of LIJ goes over.

There are also a lot of stories stemming from that match, like Naito VS Yoshi-Hashi as a grudge match, Hiromu VS Ospreay for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship, and Sanada VS Okada over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. All those matches promise to be competitive and entertaining, in both styles and stories. And of course, the tag team main event was also competitive and entertaining from styles to story. Matt’s back is a concern, as it has been in ROH, and it really added to how it made things tough for the Bucks in terms of pulling off their arsenal of signature combo attacks. And in the end, it all was too much, and the Bucks lost, a rare occurrence regardless of what’s on the line. The story really benefits Sho & Yo in power rankings, and can lead to a lot down the line for them and The Bucks.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Will Tiffy Time be cut short?

Published

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Steven Mitchell

DING DONG, Hello, Tiffany!

Tiffanny Stratton just won the WWE Women’s Championship but she’s already defending it against Bayley! Will the Role Model be back on top?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae; Bianca & Naomi win.
Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes; wins.
Motor City Machine Guns VS Los Garza w/ Legado Del Fantasma; win.
Piper Niven w/ Chelsea Green VS B-Fab w/ Mia Yim; wins.
Rey Mysterio VS Kevin Owens; wins.
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton VS Bayley; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Rey Mysterio is here!

San Diego fires up for the hometown hero as he makes his entrance! The King of Lucha high-fives fans along the ramp, and hugs his wife and daughter, before stepping in the ring. Rey grabs himself a mic, the fans chant “619! 619!” and he smiles. Rey tells San Diego, “Bien venidos, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! This is the home of the 6! 1! 9!” The fans cheer, and Rey says no cap, it feels great to be back home in front of his people, his Raza, his city, and his familia. Rey requested to be here tonight because he couldn’t think of a better place to reminisce as he gets ready to do the impossible once again.

Rey officially declares for the 2025 Royal Rumble! The arena is shaking hearing that! Rey wants to look back: 2006, he entered the Rumble at #2, outlasted 28 other superstars, and became the Royal Rumble winner! And it didn’t end there. he went on to main event WrestleMania, and he became the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Now, Rey won’t lie, he will be realistic. The competition is heavy this year: Drew McIntyre, who fans boo. CM Punk, who fans cheer; Seth Rollins, who fans are torn on; Roman Reigns, who fans cheer; John Cena, who fans also cheer. It will be tough, but let’s remember back to when he won.

It was 2006, and Rey did it for a friend we all know very well. The fans chant for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” But wait! Kevin Owens makes his way out here! The Prizefighter, still holding onto the winged eagle title belt, showing off his new shirt: The Canadian Dream, Son of a Security System Technician. Kevin has a mic, too, and while fans boo, he tells Rey, “Lemme start off by saying I’m very sorry for coming out here and interrupting you> I mean it, okay? But I had to come out here. Because I heard you just now talking about how you were gonna win the Royal Rumble.

“And Rey, I mean this from the bottom of my heart. It’s never been a secret. There’s a lot of people in this industry that I respect quite a bit, but very few I respect as much as I respect you. In fact, I’ll even go so far as saying there’s nobody in this industry that I respect as much as I respect you.” The fans do cheer that, and Kevin says he has had an incredible career, he’s accomplished things he’s dreamed of since he was a kid. He has main evented WrestleMania with Steve Austin. He won the tag team titles with his then best friend, Sami Zayn. He won countless other tiles, and now he gets to stand here with THIS title!

The fans boo but Kevin says this is the title that as a kid, he saw all his idols win. This is the title he dreamed of winning, and now he stands here as the TRUE, RIGHTFUL WWE Champion! The fans boo again but Kevin says there is one thing left for him to accomplish so that he can truly feel his career is complete. And that is to step into the ring and have a 1v1 match with the legendary Rey Mysterio. The fans like that idea, and Kevin says face to face, man to man, he hopes Rey wins the Rumble! Kevin will root for Rey with everything he has! Rey can and will beat “all those other idiots.”

But just promise Kevin one thing. After Rey wins the Rumble, promise that Kevin is the champion he picks for WrestleMania so that Kevin can have his dream match. Rey takes a moment, and he tells Kevin that we all know Rey loves competition. But… Kevin’s not the champion. The fans cheer that! Rey means that with all due respect, but Cody Rhodes is the champion. But, but, here’s this. If Rey wins the Rumble, and if Kevin wins the title, then yes, Rey will gladly face him for the title. Kevin takes a moment, and repeats, “I’m not the champion? I AM THE CHAMPION! This is my title! I earned it! I deserve it!”

The fans boo but Kevin says Cody has Rey brainwashed, too! Does Rey have bleached blonde hair under that mask? Is it seeping into his brain? Rey wants Kevin to calm down. What’s going on? Drew McIntyre, now Kevin, he’s acting so delusional! It’s reminding him of Dominik. Oh…! Kevin swings on Rey! Rey dodges to fire hands in return! They brawl, Kevin shoves Rey but Rey dropkicks the legs! Kevin is on the ropes, but he bails out before the 619! The fans boo but Kevin is the one offended. Will Kevin be able to let this go so he can focus on Cody?

Bianca Belair meets up with Naomi backstage.

Bianca asks if Naomi finished with Nick Aldis. She did. Any updates? No! No lead on Jade’s attacker. Nothing? Wow. But that’s okay, they’ll keep pushing forward. They will handle Nia & Candice, but Bianca just wants to make sure they’re good after the mishap last week. It wasn’t on Bianca, that was Candice. Naomi knows that. Plus, they have to focus. It may not be Tiffany, but they can at least get some lick back on Candice & Nia. And they still have their gold! Bianca says that’s true. Ready to go? Naomi says maybe Bianca should wrap her up. That way, last week won’t happen again. Bianca agrees, and she hurries to wrap the braid into a bun.

Now they’re good. The StrongEST Glow heads out, will they be able to get past the Irresistible Force & Poison Pixie? Or will they soon be owing some golden tickets to the Queen of the Ring and her new sidekick?

Nick Aldis talks with Rey Mysterio.

After what we saw with Kevin, and since they are in San Diego, we have to have Rey on the card. Rey VS KO happens 1v1! Rey thanks Aldis and promises to handle business. And then Cody Rhodes walks in! The American Nightmare tells Rey he saw what happened while he was going through his physical. Cody says he would’ve been out there to help, but Rey says it’s nota big deal. It is handled, Rey VS Kevin is happening. Cody just needs to heal up. Rey can handle his problems, and will leave something for Cody at the Royal Rumble. Rey fist bumps and heads out. Aldis tells Cody that Rey has a point, Cody needs to be careful.

That said, what’d the doctors have to say? Cody says he has a clean bill of health, fully cleared, and Aldis can read the report himself. Aldis says he trusts Cody, he just doesn’t know if that’s good news. There is a lot of time between now and the Rumble, and even more so to WrestleMania. But with that in mind, Aldis has an addendum to the ladder match. Cody needs to sign it, as does Kevin, because they cannot have what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event happen ever again. Cody asks if Kevin’s signed it yet. Kevin was Aldis’ next stop. Then Cody will sign it once Kevin has. Cody heads out, will Aldis be able to get what he wants out of this?

Bianca Belair & Naomi VS Nia Jax & Candice LeRae!

SmackDown returns as Bianca & Naomi make their entrances. The teams sort out and Nia steps to Bianca, only to CLOBBER Naomi! Candice joins in to mug Bianca, but the fans boo. The ref reprimands, Candice backs off, and Nia soaks up the heat. Naomi throws Bianca down, talks more trash, then HEADBUTTS Bianca down. Nia drags Bianca up, tags Candice, but Bianca fights back. Nia CLUBS Bianca, Candice wrenches, but Bianca runs Candice over! And runs her over again! Bianca suplexes, holds Candice up, then SLAMS her down! The fans fire up as Bianca kips up, and she runs up to RAM Candice!

Bianca then climbs to rain down fists! The fans count along, Bianca goes all the way to TEN! Nia storms in, but Bianca flips up and over! Nia runs into Candice, then turns around into Bianca’s DROPKICK! Bianca runs up but Candice BOOTS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca ROCKS her! Bianca military presses Candice, and she THRWOS her out onto Nia! Nia & Candice fall, the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Bianca flexes, then waits on Nia & Candice. Bianca’s braid has unrolled so Bianca swings it to rally the fans. Bianca then goes out to fetch Candice, shoves her into the ring, but Nia anchors Bianca’s feet! Candice DROPKICKS Candice down! Cover, TWO! Candice CLUBS away on Bianca, then scuffs her. Candice stalks Bianca to a corner, KNEES her down, then steps on her to DOUBLE STOMP! Tag to Nia, and Nia stalks Bianca. Nia makes Bianca smile with fishhooks, then HIP DROPS her down! Nia swings the braid around to mock Bianca, and even intimidate the ref. Bianca gets her braid free to SMACK away on Nia!

Bianca LASHES Nia more, backing her down, then she runs. Bianca SHOTGUNS Nia, Nia rebounds, but Bianca avoids the elbow drop! Cover, ONE!! Nia CLOBBERS Bianca at the ropes! Nia argues with the ref, taunts Naomi, then soaks up the heat. Tag to Candice and Candice kicks Bianca around. Candice SMACKS Bianca off the apron, pushes her in, then CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO! Candice CLOBBERS Bianca again, then digs her knee in for a half Bow ‘n’ Arrow stretch! Bianca endures, fights around, reaches back, and she pulls Candice’s hair! Bianca and Candice fire forearms, but Candice DECKS Bianca! Cover, TWO!

Candice is frustrated but she KNEES Bianca in the side. Candice stomps Bianca more, KNEES her down, then has her on the ropes. The ref counts but Candice bends Bianca back! Candice lets go at 4, SmackDown returns to single picture,. and Candice brings Bianca up. Bianca rolls Candice up, TWO! Candice ENZIGIRIS Bianca down! Candice hurries to a corner and goes up, to then CROSSBODY! But Bianca rolls through! The fans fire up as Bianca lifts, but Candice slips free! Candice pulls the braid! Bianca uses that to reel Candice in for an ELBOW! But Candice grabs the braid to throw Bianca down! Both women are down and the fans fire up!

Bianca and Candice crawl, Candice goes to Bianca! STEP-UP- NO! Bianca avoids the senton! But Nia YANKS Naomi down from the outside! The fans boo but Nia sends Naomi into barriers! Candice stands Bianca up, but Bianca rolls her again! TWO, and Candice SUPERKICKS Bianca down! Candice hurries to the corner, tag to Nia. Nia storms up on Bianca, mockingly reaching out to Naomi, and then CLUBS Bianca! Nia whips, LARIATS, and SAMOAN DROPS! Bianca sputters and goes to the corner, but Nia runs up! Bianca BOOTS Nia first! Bianca ELBOWS Candice, dodges Nia, then RAMS into her! Candice grabs the braid!

Bianca whips Candice into the POST! Bianca climbs, but Nia ROCKS her! Nia climbs up after Bianca, fireman’s carries, but Bianca CLUBS away! Bianca is safe, she shoves Nia away, then CROSSBODIES! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Naomi returns! Bianca crawls, hot tag to Naomi! The fans fire up as Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Nia away, then slingshots for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nia still has a lot left in the tank but Naomi HAMMERS away on her! Nia shoves Naomi away, runs up, but Naomi dodges! Nia POSTS herself, falls back, and Naomi goes up! SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Candice breaks it!

Naomi ENZIGIRIS Candice for it! Tag to Bianca and the tag champs go after Nia. Nia fights back, SAMOAN DROP for Naomi! The fans boo but Nia looms over Bianca. Nia runs, Candice sneaks a tag, and Bianca dodges! Bianca SPEARS Nia! Bianca runs, handsprings, but Candice DROPKICKS her down! STEP-UP SENTON! Nia rises, she adds a SENTON of her own! Candice covers, TWO!! Bianca survives and the fans fire up! Candice can’t believe it, but San Diego declares, “This is Awesome!” Candice storms around, snarls, then runs up at Bianca. Bianca ALLEY-OOPS her onto buckles! Then SPINEBUSTERS her down!

Bianca runs, handsprings, and MOONSAULTS! But Nia runs up! Bianca dodges, LEG DROP hits Candice!! Nia panics, runs up on Bianca, but Bianca tosses her out! LARIAT and down goes Bianca! Naomi tags for the BUBBA BOMB! Gedo clutch, Naomi & Bianca win!

Winners: Bianca Belair & Naomi, by pinfall

The tag champs find a way to survive, but now they’ll have to meet NXT’s Meta Four on January 28th! NXT goes on the road to Atlanta, Georgia, will Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson be bringing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships home as souvenirs? Or will they only feel the StrongEST Glow?

Pregame interview with Bayley.

Byron Saxton walked through an empty Pechanga Arena with The Role Model before the show, and noted how last week, Bayley won the Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match. Now, we’re in San Diego, with a sold out crowd as Bayley challenges Tiffany Stratton for the title. What does this match mean to her? Well, sold out here in her home state, that is what dreams are made of. We all dream about being in the main event and fighting for a championship. This is a huge night for her. Thinking on her career, this time last year, she won the 2024 Royal Rumble and earned a guaranteed championship opportunity.

Bayley would challenge former friend, Iyo Sky, someone she respects so much in this business. That felt like the peak of Bayley’s career, where she was going to do something different and change the world. To be honest, she isn’t sure she fulfilled her potential during that reign. Yes, she defended the title, took it all over the world, but she always felt she was just winning by the skin of her teeth. She’s a perfectionist, she loves wrestling so much. And so, that reign was certainly cut short when Tiffany helped Nia take that title from Bayley. Tonight is a big night for her.

Then how does tonight feel different from past opportunities in regaining the title? Well, we’ve seen what Tiffany has done this past year, and she just showed she’s willing to turn on her friends to get to the “Tiffy Top,” as she puts it. Part of Bayley respects her, but the other part wants to beat Tiffy that much more. Tonight, it’s personal. Byron wishes Bayley luck and they shake hands. Will this be a big first defense for Tiffy? Or will it be a big comeback for the former Grand Slam Champion?

Mia Yim talks with B-Fab backstage.

Michin just knows she would’ve had Chelsea Green if not for Piper Niven. They always gotta use numbers! B-Fab knows how they do. That US Championship should’ve been Mia’s! B-Fab tells Mia to keep her head up, because she’ll get another shot to take down sleazy- Piper Niven walks in being all Secret Service. Piper says the room is clear, no threats to the champion. Chelsea walks in, thanks “Spicy Service,” and says B-Fab and “Mimi” should stand up and properly congratulate her as the only woman to successfully defend this title. B-Fab says Chelsea please. We all know that if it wasn’t for Piper the Mall Cop, Chelsea would not be champion.

Piper steps up and tells B-Fab that if she takes another step closer, it’ll be her last. If that’s how Piper wants to play it, then how about this? B-Fab will talk with Aldis, then she and Piper can handle their problem tonight. Then after Piper, Chelsea better watch her back. Mia says that is a threat. Mia follows B-Fab, Chelsea tells Piper to neutralize B-Fab. Piper agrees. But just how will this shake out when Piper’s the one in action?

Jimmy Uso heads to gorilla.

“San Diego! The goal tonight is to make sure Carmelo stays missing. Hey, ya boi got something to prove! Hey, I’m proud of The Yeet Man. My brother got his own title match coming up, and it’s time to go get mine. But it starts tonight with Carmelo. Hey yo, Uce, between me and you, Big Jim is Him!” Jimmy heads out to the ring, will he prove he’s just as worthy of golden opportunities?

Jimmy Uso VS Carmelo Hayes!

SmackDown returns as Melo makes his entrance. Melo has a mic to tell Big Jim that he wants to get this straight. Roman’s in the Rumble, Jey’s got a world title match, and what’s Jimmy got? It just seems like Jimmy is living in the shadow of his brother who is living in the shadow of Roman Reigns. But for some reason, Jimmy’s taking shots at H1M? Then here’s a serious question: How can Jimmy take shots when he’s sitting on the bench? Do Melo a favor: Lace up those shoes real tight, Unc, because you’re about to see that Melo Don’t Miss. But then Jimmy TOSSES Melo into the ring! Jimmy borrows those sunglasses, then he fires haymakers!

The fans fire up as Jimmy pops, locks ‘n’ ROCKS Melo! Jimmy whips, but Melo avoids the superkick! Melo bails out, the fans boo, and Jimmy grins. Jimmy hurries after Melo but Melo HOTSHOTS Jimmy down! Melo storms in to CLOBBER Jimmy, and he stomps away at the ropes! The ref counts, teh fans boo, but Melo lets off at 4. Melo soaks up the heat, then he CHOPS Jimmy against ropes. Melo stalks Jimmy, CHOPS Jimmy in a corner, then brings him around for haymakers. Melo whips, Jimmy reverses, QUICK DRAW! Melo is in a corner, and the fans join Jimmy in chanting, “UCE! OH!” Jimmy runs, but Melo dodges the hip attack!

Melo comes back, but Jimmy puts him on the apron. Jimmy UPPERCUTS Melo, Melo sputters, and Jimmy goes out to join him. Jimmy suplexes Melo onto the apron! Melo writhes, Jimmy refreshes the count, and then Jimmy builds speed! Jimmy DIVES, and Melo is sent into the desk! The fans fire up for Jimmy while SmackDown goes to break.

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25

The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let’s see what happens!

Published

23 hours ago

January 16, 2025

Andrew Balaz

So Genesis is Sunday, followed by next week’s Live Episode of iMPACT! Let’s see exactly how we get to Genesis and not to bury the lead, the fact the WWE/TNA partnership was extended for a few years is very big news for TNA. More visibility for a nostalgic brand and the younger NXT wrestlers get more opportunities with potential sprinkles of a big name here or there (yes I only really mean AJ Styles, but that’s what we all want to see one more time).

Let’s get to the show and see if it’s a Go Home worth anything.

After her shocking appearance on @WWENXT, @mashaslamovich steps into the confessional with @WeAreRosemary…

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/YSTXfJZw6X

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Ratings:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – *
Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin): EY wins via Macho Elbow – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Jake Something: Jakes wins via Avalanche Something Bomb – **
The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO): Hardys win via Crouton Bomb – ***

Results:

Trent Seven vs Leon Slater

British on British violence! I just appreciate that Trent’s theme is a down tuned remix of Seven Nation Army.

A little back and forth until Slater hits a Reverse Gamengiri, Trent tries to climb back to the apron after the powder, eats a Shotgun Kick. Trent dodges the dive, and Suplexes Leon down the steps at Center Stage. I feel like Slater over sold the spot, but I suppose using your surroundings is always interesting. Leon slides in at 9.5, Trent gets a little cocky and Leon hits two Flash Cradles for near falls, as Trent is reeling from the quick pinfall attempts he eats another Shotgun Kick for a near fall. Trent sells to the corner, eats a Jumping Bootwash, Leon perches Trent, goes for possibly a Spanish Fly but Trent turns it into an Avalanche Flowsion for two!

Bop and Bang, 7 Star Lariat, Piledriver with flourish and…still a two. Birminghammer attempt but Slater flips out of it, Crucifix pinfall for two, Uppercut by Trent and Birminghammer is hit! But Slater…kicks…out? He sells a Suplex where he slides down steps like death, but eats huge signature and finishing moves and kicks out. The psychology in this match is non-existent. Trent does the Finger Break, Leon sells away, hits another Shotgun Kick and Trent powders. X Plex gets reversed into a DDT from Slater. Trent powders off the Ramp, Leon goes to the entrance way runs and jumps off the ramp, then hits the Swanton 450.

Completely stupid match with spots that make no sense. All sizzle no steak, so dumb my IQ dropped 5 points.

The Elegance Clique have a “Pre-Launch Championship Celebration”. Tom Hannifan hates it, the crowd hates it, and the Personal Concierge uncovers a cardboard cut out with a Knockouts Title around their waists…and they are size accurate. Heather is like a My Size Barbie. Ash gives a very cringey speech where she thanks everyone except Heather, the Concierge passes the mic to Heather, Spitfire interrupts of course, and at least Dani cuts the promo to start so it’s tolerable. Yeah this is painfully bad cringe, as much as I didn’t mind the Ash gimmick to start with, this is lame. The only thing saving the segment is the crowd is hot for the the Elegance Clique getting their stuff ruined. So it was lame, but the crowd was into it and Ash sold the destruction of cardboard cut outs like Spitfire just murdered her puppy.

.@PCOisNotHuman and @TheSamiCallihan take on The Hardys! If they win, they’ll secure their spot in the TNA World Tag Team Title match at #TNAGenesis!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswQRG pic.twitter.com/fO9P2F5d9d

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 17, 2025

Well the first 40 minutes of this show are making me wish for a stroke instead of watching this. So hopefully it picks up somewhere.

Fir$t Cla$$ vs Maniac Marines (Eric Young & Steve Maclin)

KC flips out of two of EY’s Back Body Drops and does his “First Class” taunt, so EY just slaps him upside the head and tags in Maclin to start beating on Navarro. I do really like KC’s work. He’s like WWE Lio Rush, but likable and talented. Maclin is beating the hell out of KC though, Lariats him out, goes for the SCUD, but AJ low bridges so Maclin crashes to the outside, KC hits the Tope con Hilo with blind tag so AJ is now legal and they start working over Maclin in the corner. Tennessee Whiskey, and there does seem to be a few First Class fans in the crowd.

Navarro is back in for the 305, quick tags though to keep Maclin eating offense. Splash into Big Boot into Assisted Splash while AJ leans on Maclin literally. KC starts picking on kids in the crowd near Judd Normand, he shoves the actor, the actor shoves him back and AJ comes over to mad dog the actor. Maclin takes advantage of the distraction and drops AJ on the way back in with an Olympic Slam, tags in EY and EY comes out hot. KC tags in, EY levels KC and they start messing around in the corner, AJ tries to break it up but eats a Busaiku Knee from Maclin and then a SCUD. EY manages to throw KC off the turnbuckle and then hit the Macho Elbow for the win.

After the match Eddie, Lish and Brian Myers stand at the entrance way to send a message but not cause any real chaos.

Josh Alexander and his two bitch boys come out to cut a promo on Santana or something. I am about as interested in this as I am in Norwegian Dog Sledding. Josh trying to say Santana is too hurt to go at Genesis when we all know this was filmed the same time like a month ago. You really can’t do doofus attempts a story when you’re promoting the first live episode in nearly a decade or something for next week. At least the match should be good because this build is lame, the jabronis are useless, “Bald Ass Head” is the big insult…sheeeesh.

Laredo Kid vs Jake Something

Well…someone has to win this match, so there’s that.

Nothing special start until Jake comes off the ropes and runs over Laredo sending him flying over the ropes onto the ramp. Jake panders to the crowd, Laredo tries to get something going but Jake steps on his foot to stop any Lucha things, and mollywops him. Jake runs him corner to corner until Laredo moves, strings a few moves together, tries to fly and then gets knocked out of the sky with a Forearm. Only a two count for Jake, but Laredo is definitely doing his best impression of a pinata so far in the match. Laredo gets a desperation Satellite DDT, misses his big attempt, but Jake misses the Spear in the corner, La Magistral gets a 2, a few bad spots from Laredo where it looks like he missed a Satellite Facebuster and sloppy Essex or Canadian Destroyer. Laredo goes to the top, Jake bear paw slap, goes up top and Avalanche Something Bomb for the win.

The Hardys vs Ohio Versus Frankenstein (Sami Callihan & PCO)

Before the Hardys intro, the 23 thing flashes a few times again. So at least they didn’t forget that.

Sami starts with Jeff and gets in a few early shots and goads Jeff with Hardys taunts, then all four get in, throw hands and we go to commercial. We come back from commercial to Matt Delete Turnbuckling Sami, and then Poetry In Motion the classic way! A few quick tags, but Sami eventually knocks down Matt, tags in PCO, Matt’s moves aren’t very effective, Jeff throws himself in too and they get their asses beat by PCO. PCO tags in Sami, Sami slaps around Matt, drags his face across the ropes, tags PCO back in and uses PCO as a battering ram into Matt’s chest. PCO keeps Matt in their corner, tags back in Sami, some simple tandem work and a short 2 count for Sami. Sami calls PCO back in and they’re formulating a tag move, they try the Double Back Drop, but Matt turns it into a Double DDT instead.

Jeff tries to fight them both off, Sami grabs Jeff, PCO goes for the Lariat, malfunction at the junction, Whisper in the Wind mostly hits PCO so Jeff Splashes Sami. Twist of Hate, Twist of Fate, Swanton Bomb from Jeff and the Hardy Boys win!

Before the obligatory contract signing on the Go Home before a PPV, Jordynne walks over to the announce table with the contract for her match with Tessa. Says she’ll leave it with them so she can’t miss it, but hey, “if she doesn’t show up at Genesis it wouldn’t be the first time”. That’s funny.

Joe starts the promo saying he has to win, but its on him to take the title from Nic. There’s an intensity, so it’s not all cornball jokes and shenanigans. That’s kinda nice to start with. Nic takes the babyface angle of “you’re not wrong but I don’t think you’re ready yet kid”. Then he plays the JBL clip from Bound for Glory. Nic tries to use the video to clear his name because Ryan got attacked too. Joe is about to poke a hole in the defense but then Hollywood Abyss Mokuba shows up. “MY BROTHER SETO” Ryan interferes, Nic tries to stop the stupidity but Ryan plows through is about to eat a Standing Ovation but Nic Superkicks Joe to save Mokuba. Nic does stand there as the crowd chants “kick your brother”, but Nic doesn’t pull the trigger but you can tell he’s contemplating.

OH! Sexy Tessy shows up, signs the contract but Jordynne was waiting for her and leaves Tessa laying with a Grace Driver and solid intensity. Okay most of the show was kinda mid but the ending was pretty solid.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

As I said at the very end, most of this show was mid…or mediocre for the older crowd. Indie Spotfest Dumbassery to kick off the show, a few segments that made me question if I was tasting pennies, a decent match with First Class, the stalled push never relevant squad match between Jake and Laredo, and at least the main event match was fun.

The video packages always feel lackluster because the only people really watching TNA currently are hardcore fans. I never really see too many people pull the whole “whoa first TNA episode in 11 years and I decided on the random Go Home instead of the first live episode since 2015”. See, this is why logic matters in booking. WWE gets to have the mentality of “it could be someone’s first time watching it” every week because they the biggest show in town. The name alone will garner random views or transient lapsed fans if they get a whiff of something. However when it comes down to TNA, people are only surprised its still alive.

Even with many questionable hours it wasn’t terrible. It did fine…plus like I just said, there’s opportunity for more random eyes thanks to the WWE merger AND a live episode next week. So the Go Home format won’t change, but hopefully the exposure gives us more congruent storylines.