iMPACT! is getting the old Heat treatment as a TV episode pre-show. While nothing about the iMPACT episode seems overly intriguing, they all actually have narrative weight, and since the last two weeks have been devoid of weight and general cohesion…this might be a surprisingly good episode which would serve as a better pre-show than expected.

I’m still mad that it’s a damn Thursday and they want to have 4-5 hours of show because WrestleMania reasons. Even WWE realized doing long shows before workdays was stupid, so NJPW giving them the idea to break Mania into two nights is a boon for everyone over thirty.

Also the main reason I’m doing a joint article. Since Unbreakable starts immediately after iMPACT, I’m not gonna put up back to back articles. One stop shoppin it!

Will @AJFrancis410 be crowned the FIR$T TNA International Champion TONIGHT at #TNAUnbreakable?!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/rT1TusIxJd pic.twitter.com/rxiBn6PxPw

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 18, 2025

iMPACT! – Ratings:

• Laredo vs Jason Hotch w/Tasha Steelz: Laredo wins via Laredo Fly – ** 1/4
• Jazmyn Nyxx w/Fatal Influence vs Xia Brookside w/Lei Ying Lee: Xia wins via Small Package – **
• KC Navarro vs Cody Deaner: KC wins via Loaded Fist – **
• Maggie Lee & Heather by Elegance w/Personal Concierge vs Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley: Hot Topic Hotties win via Cemetery Drive – ** 1/4
• Jakara Jackson w/Lash Legend vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat: Dani wins via Luna Landing – ** 1/4
• Leon Slater vs Brian Myers: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 1/2

Unbreakable – Quick Ratings:

• Zachary Wentz vs Eric Young vs AJ Francis: Young wins via Piledriver – *** 1/4
• Ace Austin vs Steve Maclin vs Eddie Edwards w/Alisha: Steve Maclin wins via KIA – *** 1/2
• X Division Championship: Moose(c) w/Alisha vs Akeem: Moose wins via Lights Out – Long Squash
• Mustafa Ali & Nemeths vs Hardys & Mike Santana: Jeff Hardy wins via Swanton Bomb – ***
• Kaz & Tessa vs Joe Hendry & Masha: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – ** 3/4
• Barb Wire Massacre: Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander: Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – ** 1/2
• Inaugural International Championship: AJ Francis vs Steve Maclin vs Eric You: Maclin wins via K.I.A. – *** – TITLE CHANGE!!!

Results:

Laredo vs Jason Hotch w/Tasha Steelz

Laredo starts quick with a Straight Right, Tijeras, a few quick strikes, kicks Hotch out of the ring, wants a Plancha, but Tasha gets in the way to stop Laredo’s offense which gives Hotch an opening. Quick trip, a few chops and a hard Irish Whip has Laredo trying to catch his breath. Hotch tries to go for another Strong Irish Whip but Laredo reverses, two kicks, Flying Neckbreaker into a Missile Dropkick sending Hotch to the outside. Laredo finally pulls off his Suicida, and he’s rolling. Corner Forearm, Uno Mass Corkscrew Moonsaults, but Hotch manages to get away after two. A Snap Jab staggers Laredo, Ali style Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker and Hotch tries to take things to the top. But Laredo counters and Avalanche Michinoku Driver…only for two.

Laredo tries to keep things going, Back Handspring Crossbody, but Hotch catches him, big Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker for two. Hotch looks to the corner and then gets scared because he thinks Santana might strike, Hotch and Tasha argue, Laredo recovers and runs up the corner and hits the Laredo Fly for the win.

If @CodyDeaner can take down @KCwrestles tonight on #TNAiMPACT he punches his ticket Ultimate X at #TNARebellion! @milanmiracle

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/rT1TusIxJd pic.twitter.com/T5zqKHVr24

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 18, 2025

Jazmyn Nyx w/Fatal Influence vs Xia Brookside w/Lei Ying Lee

Jazmyn and Xia go for a chain wrestling or World of Sport kind of start. Xia even gets out of the Head Scissors with the classic Hand Stand and pop. After a little taunting, Jazmyn tries to charge but Xia loops around for a flash Cradle, Nyx kicks out quick and retreats to her Fatal Influence friends for a breather. Xia catches her with a Dropkick, a few strikes and starts putting things together until Jazmyn catches her in the corner and Snake Eyes Xia the hard way and then starts leaning her into the ropes, a few Leg Sweeps, PK kicks and Jazmyn is in control. Fisherman’s Suplex Hold from Jazmyn but Xia kicks at two. She tries to fight back up but Jazmyn is using her positioning to keep control. Bulldog into the middle buckle, puts Xia between the ropes and lays in a Round Kick to her chest and Xia has been eating offense for the last few minutes. The crowd tries to rally the little British Angel, but Jazmyn lays in some forearms, hits the ropes, Xia ducks and they hit stereo High Kicks to double down for a few moments.

Xia starts to rally, gets a few shots in, Tijeras, Xia tries Angel Wings but Jazmyn moves. Jazmyn tries to stay on her, but a Jawbreaker gives Xia time to go to the corner, Xia hits the Crossbody, Angel Wings, and looks for a DDT or something but Fatal Influence get involved distracting everyone. Lei has Fallon hanled, but Jacy is mouthing off causing Rosemary to come down and make a Mist save. Jazmyn tries to be opportunistic, but Xia blocks her move and hits the Small Package for the win.

Overbooked and timing was a bit shoddy in some spots, but not offensive. Not bad, but not good either. 

KC Navarro vs Cody Deaner

This is for a spot in the Ultimate X match. Here’s to hoping the Blessed One beats the hell out of the loser who’s about as over as Herpes. Meaning he never goes away, and he’s unlikable. Anyone that says “Funny Underdogs are needed on shows”, isn’t that like 60% of the roster? No one is funny if everyone tries to be funny. KC however, he’s fucking hilarious and amazing.

KC tries to pay off Deaner and get him to forfeit, Deaner of course does the underdog thing of fighting back, dumb looking punches, goofball corner spot that he lengthens to the put of looking dumb and not funny. Oh thank God KC hits the Spiderman in the ropes, ducks Deaner and 305 gets hit for a near fall. Now KC is rolling, nice quick offense, Snapmare, Front Roll Neck Snap, Stomp into Split into cover for only two. Deaner goes for the comeback, and a few Lariats, Bulldog, and everything looks soo stupid. Deaner puts KC in the Airplane spin, gets dizzy and then goes again, TKO for two.

Navarro tries to powder, Deaner goes after him but the ref gets Deaner off of him since KC was in the ropes, KC wraps his necklace around his knuckles and a quick Jab to the face as Deaner tries to suplex him, 1-2-3, Blessed WIN.

If Deaner was the only doofus guy he’d be fine, but when we have Santino, Arianna, Laredo, KC, Great Hands, Brian Myers, Dango, Alisha, Hendry (while not a doofus isn’t close to serious), Kaz, Elegance Brand (all 3 of them), Ryan Nemeth and those are just off the top of my head. Everyone can’t be silly or no one is silly and nothing matters.

Maggie Lee & Heather by Elegance w/Personal Concierge vs Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley

I’m gonna keep any Gigi drooling to a minimum since I respect my boy Wentz, but I will say, you gotta love Hot Topic Hotties. Yes I like walking red flags, I’m self aware, and okay with it.

Maggie and Gigi start, a  few quick counters, Gigi manages the Double Hook Cradle for two, then Hot Topic Hotties go tandem with a Dropkick and a Twisting Elbow for another two. Tatum is officially legal, Maggie looks for the tag but Heather wants to push Maggie more. Which is exactly how ASH treated her. Tatum turns it around, Gigi tags in, Poetry Bronco, and then Kawada Kicks from Gigi. Concierge distracts, Maggie grabs her, Heather takes the cheap shot, Suplex from Maggie for two. Heather and Maggie get some offense in together, and Heather is working Gigi over in the heel corner. Unicorn Stampede essentially. Heather goes for a pinfall and its only 2. Heather is getting frustrated, Gigi with an Upkick headscissors, Heather tries to stop the tag out, but eats the Mule Kick.

Tatum starts beating on Heather, rams Heather into Maggie, Cartwheel Peach Sunrise, tags in Gigi, Double Headbutts and Cemetery Drive from the Hot Topic Hotties and everyone wins. Jesus…will never leave this chat, he started it.

Jakara Jackson w/Lash Legend vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat

Things start a little slow, Collar & Elbow tie up that they won’t relent for a while, Jakara tries to turn it into a Headlock Takeover, but Dani is too strong. Dani gets a few shots in, hops the rope for something but Lash makes her present felt and trips Dani while Jakara distracts the referee. The referee didn’t see anything but ejects Lash anyway. Lash won’t go, tries to intimidate the ref and say no. Jakara keeps things moving against Dani while Lash takes her sweet time slowly walking away. Jakara tries a Roll-Up but Dani too thicc to keep down. Dani fights back up, scoops Jakara and drops her unceremoniously.

Jakara starts laying in a bunch of Falling Knees and gets a quick two, before locking in a Cravat that Dani tries to fight out of. Dani counters out of it, ducks the Line, and they crash into each other with Forearms. The Double Fall Down spot is a little played out and this is only the pre-show really.

Dani levels Jakara with a few Lariats, looks for the Luna Landing, Jakara slips it so Dani comes off the ropes with a Busaiku Knee. Luna wants a Blue Thunder but Jakara gets away until Luna grabs her again for the Rebound Blue Thunder Bomb and a near fall. Luna charges the corner, misses, Jakara hits the Tornado DDT, but only two. Jakara tries to ram Dani’s head into the buckles, but Luna blocks, fires and takes Jakara’s head off, Luna Landing gets his and Dani wins!

Elijah has a promo segment and they have a really Sesame Street style “Walk this Way” words on the screen thing. When they did the bouncing ball lyrics with Ron Killings, it was at least cool. This comes off as corny and low budget public broadcasting crap just for Elijah to announce an open challenge at Rebellion or something. Admittedly I zoned out cause I figured it would be nothing of note.

Leon Slater vs Brian Myers

Myers and Slater start in a shoving match jawing at each other, and then Leon lays in a Shoulder Tackle off the ropes, some jumping crap and Myers is getting bounced from corner to corner like a dork. Leon tries to continue the Around the World but a punch, Thrust Kick and Irish Whip across the ring gives him some confidence, but he eats the Feint Mule Kick, Back Handspring Back Elbow…and again System matches are “look stupid and get beat up for 70% of the match until a shortcut can be taken”. Speaking of short cuts, Leon goes for his Corner Leap, Myers guards from it, Leon repositions but gets tripped and eats a Spear. Then…we go to commercial.

Coming out of the commercials Myers is still in control. Leon slips out of a suplex and then connects with a flurry of offense, Myers eats more kicks than I can count, powders, Leon does his corner post leap, comes in and looks to win but an Implant DDT, dick kick and Roster Cut gives Myers the win.

Overall  iMPACT! Rating: 5/10

Nothing special but at least it made some sense and was a better than the last few episodes. Low bar comparatively. Now immediately onto Unbreakable! So because this is a long night, I figured I’d do a Watch A Long with Mat Sarpraicone over on Dirt Sheet Radio because I have zero faith in Unbreakable being worth the 2-3 hours it will take to watch it.

So you’ll get quick results with ratings and an overall thoughts at the end of Unbreakable from me, because it’s late and I needed something to keep me awake.

Overall Unbreakable Rating: 4.5/10

The iMPACT! episode was easier to watch and digest, three Triple Threats is too many and the Main Event being a slow paced triple threat after a Barb Wire match and a bunch of faster matches really doesn’t resonate well with fans. Even though I didn’t love the Sami vs Mance match, ending on carnage and the “babyface” winning would’ve been a much better way to send the crowd home happy and we wouldn’t have needed so much time fill during the last hour of the show.

Maclin being the inaugural International Champion is cool, setting up the first defense against Eric Young is good for their story, so most of the marks were hit. It just was too damn slow and had no business being a main event. Champions vs Challengers was okay, but it only really picked up when Masha and Tessa were mixing it up. I liked Moose having the extended squash match for shits and giggles, but two Triples back to back to open the show is an easy way to burn out a crowd. Sure the Moose match was an extended piss break to recharge the crowd, but the card was just laid out awkwardly and things felt like far more of a chore than they should have.

All in all this was a very lame event. Yes I get it was purely stop gap to take advantage of WrestleMania weekend, but with Rebellion next week, we all knew it wasn’t gonna shake things up too much. But hot damn was I about to fall asleep if I wasn’t doing the watch-a-long to not pass out.

Last week was so bad, the best takeaway is that this HAS to be better. Sure…it could be even worse, but even under new management TNA has a very consistent history of inconsistency. They can have 2 months of abysmal garbage and then suddenly surprise you with the most entertaining show you’ve seen in weeks. That was true during the Russo years, Cornette, Dutch, Billy Corgan, Don Callis, D’amour and even last year with the early shades of Dreamer’s collective.

Now we get to see if my faith in this brand continues to plummet like stock prices when Sheriff Tariff was running the economy, or if they put a pause on my disdain.

To the television machine!

.@TheJohnSkyler pays the price for @MustafaAli_X! @Santana_Proud

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/WhydO0lwow pic.twitter.com/QQp9wRYU3l

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 11, 2025

Ratings:

• Mustafa Ali w/Cabinet vs Ace Austin: Ace wins via DQ – N/A
• TNA World Championship: Moose (c) w/Dango & Myers vs Deaner: Moose retains via Lights Out – zero
• The Rascalz vs The System: System wins via Cheat Assisted Pinfall – **
• Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro: AJ wins via TFL – ** 3/4
• Ryan “Mokuba” Nemeth vs Leon “Charisma Vacuum” Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – **
• Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Steve Maclin: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – ***

Results:

Ethan Page opens the show similarly to how he ended last week. I still don’t care. Kaz comes down sounding like a corny doofus, it really sounds like he’s doing a Parody of Jericho without any engaging lines. These first 10 minutes are such a bore and then Santino comes out to tell us that even though he’s injured JOE HENDRY WILL TALK LATER. I hate this redundant gimmick. Leave it to Dreamer and Delirious to really make me start hating Joe Hendry. 

Going to commercial I think I heard the commentary call Ali the head of Order 4? Why aren’t they just The Cabinet? Order 4 is the laziest most inane name I ever heard. It’s like a Chinese Supermarket knockoff Faction name. New World Order? Nah. 4 Horsemen? Nope…but we got Order 4. And coming out of commercial they confirm the worst faction name I’ve ever heard. 

Mustafa Ali w/Cabinet vs Ace Austin

Ali starts off quick, quick strikes, Rolling Neckbreaker, classic signature Ali offense…and then my power spikes out for like 40 seconds because it’s windy…and by the time I get everything up again, the Dork Hands are in the ring abusing Ace. Ali is handed a chair, before he can use it, Santana appears out of the crowd and punches away the chair and goes after Ali.

Well I’m glad the power went out because this could’ve been a decent match and then turned into a nothing finish because…idiots are booking this show.

TNA World Championship: Moose (c) w/Dango & Myers vs Deaner

From one worthless match to next. You can tell imbeciles are booking this show. Dango cuts Deaner’s stupidity off saying that he could join in a minion/young boy role because his kids need their dad to have job security. Dango has charisma so I like when he talks, but this is a useless match and useless interaction. Cody says the other option is getting an X Division shot. Moose laughs, says if you last 2 minutes you can get a title shot. 

Deaner tries to start quick, but a right hand and Jacknife Powerbomb has Deaner dying, another Jacknife Powerbomb for fun, goes for the pinfall just to pull him up and beat on him more. The crowd doesn’t care, Moose goes for the Lights Out, Deaner powders, and is just killing time. Deaner lasts the 2 minutes because he runs away, this smells like Delirious idiocy.

Moose tries a Lights Out, Deaner Sunsets over it, gets a two count and then Moose catches him with a follow up Lights Out and retains. A waste of like 4 minutes.

System goes for the beatdown but The Rascalz make the save to kick off the tag match immediately after the commercial. 

The Rascalz vs The System

Wentz and Trey start quick, double up on Dango immediately, the MCMG homage into the Bronco Buster in the corner from Wentz. Dango gets over to Myers while Wentz is pandering, Myers comes in to eat the ABC homage combo attacks. Just a very chaotic start, Dango cuts off another double team, so Myers manages to isolate Trey, Stomp a Mudhole in the corner, Russian Leg Sweep, and finally The System has space to breathe. Quick tag to Dango, Chops, Rake to the Eyes, Overhand Rights, Shortarm Lariats, and Trey is just eating everything. Dango with the Vertical Suplex, float over and near fall. Finally Trey makes some space with a Pele Kick. Simultaneous tag, Wentz lights up Myers, Back Handspring Knee Lift from Wentz and two count helps the Rascalz start to roll. Rascalz want a tandem Suplex, but Dango saves Myers, System gets tossed out, Stereo Dives and Rascalz are still in control.

Small spam moment of cut offs and signatures. Dango pushes Wentz off the top rope, Trey kicks Dango off the apron, Trey tries the Outside In Vertical Suplex, but Myers shifts his weight and falls on top of Trey while Dango holds the feet down and The System wins.

Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro

Callihan produces a hook and wants to take out Mancer’s eye they struggle in the middle, AJ relaxes in one corner until he takes advantage of the situation and wipes out both guys with a Double Lariat, Double Shot of Tennessee Whiskey, KC and AJ taunt a little, SDL confronts them, AJ mouths off a little and walks back into the ring…while KC just points at her assertively and says “You’re a big girl” and scurries away. I really am a fan of KC.

Sami and Mance work together to take out AJ, but then they immediately go back to trying to murder each other. Sami finds a Sacrifice Poster, Paper Cut between the fingers, wants to do another across the eyes but AJ interrupts only to get his own Papercut between his Chokeslam fingers. Mance levels Sami, goes to find some chairs and starts setting up the play place. Chair between buckles, Whip, Brakes, Reverse, Brakes, Sami rips the chair out, Mance grabs the other one he found and Samurai Chair Duel. AJ gets involved before anything really interesting happens, AJ hits the Down Payment on Mance, Sami chairshot to break the pinfall. Sami focuses on Mance, but Mance does turn it around, sets up a chair spot but Sami turns that around, Death Valley Driver through the chairs. Sami gras the hook again, drives it into Mance’s face, celebrates a little and AJ hits the TFL out of nowhere to win the match.

Honestly…not terrible. 

.@TheSamiCallihan wants @ManceWarner in BARBED WIRE MASSACRE! @milanmiracle

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/6Uwb5wNfXW pic.twitter.com/CMpKaXuulo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 11, 2025

Ryan “Mokuba” Nemeth vs Leon “Charisma Vacuum” Slater

Bell rings, Slater comes out with a Flying Kick and Ryan eats it, Rewind Mule Kick next keeps Leon in control, then he wears out Ryan from corner to corner. Leon tries a Suplex but Ryan finds the ropes, Back Elbow gives space. Around the Rosey powder, Leon chases like a stupid babyface, Ryan cuts him off trying to come back in the ring and just leans on him. Claws at Leon’s face, stomps, Headlocks to keep him down, Ryan takes off his shirt, mocks the Extreme Elbow and actually hits it but it’s slow and Slater took it stupid. Nemeth tries a Twist of Fate next and Leon kicks Ryan’s head off. Chops, Running Missile Dropkick in the corner, Twisting Suplex, Lethal Injection, and a two count. Leon tries another suplex, Ryan slips it, Leon tries a Leg Lariat but Ryan powders. They do a little Bugs Bunny of pulls each other out and trying to fun back in, but Leon gets the best of it.

Leon lights up Ryan, throws him back in, back and forth, big Elevated DDT from Ryan for two. Leon counters Ryan’s attempts with a Blue Thunder Bomb, Ryan goes to look for chairs again, but the Hardyz are late to the spot to pull the chair away, so Ryan looks a little silly. Twist of Slate, Swanton 450, and meh.

TNA Throwback: Unbreakable 2005, Christopher Daniels vs Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Steve Maclin

Eddie is in Kawada colors…but why? He usually is Green through and through, Misawa and the Celtics. So the yellow just looks…weird. And I’ll blame the color of his gear for why Maclin is beating the hell out of Eddie early. Strikes, SCUD, and just generally beating Eddie’s ass before Alisha causes enough of a distraction for Eddie to catch Maclin in a Blue Thunder Bomb. Lish gets involved again and we go to commercial.

Coming back from nap time, Eddie has Maclin grounded with a Sleeper, but Maclin fights up to his feet, but Eddie keeps things close with a Short Arm Clothesline and Maclin keeps trying to fight back up and rally. Maclin goes fight up, Jawjacker, a small double sell before rope runs. Thesz Press into the Ground and Pound and then Olympic Slam from Steve. Lish distracts Maclin again so Eddie sideswipes him with a Gowan Lariat. Maclin tries to cut Eddie off when Eddie goes up top, some jockeying, but an Avalanche Olympic Slam has Eddie reeling, Caught in the Crosshairs! Myers and Dango come out to distract, Northern Armoury follows but EY stops them from getting involved to make a point. Lish gives Eddie the rings for the Loaded Punch into the Boston Knee Party for the win.

EY slides in his Casey Jones mask and then walk off as Steve is left to contemplate.

Overall Score: 3.5/10

So not a good episode and opened with a lot of non-finishes and dumb crap. I also am growing very sick of “We’re gonna hear from Joe Hendry”, at least he’s starting the promo off somber, so its a little less cliche. The crowd was at least eating out of his hand when he made it seem like he was gonna vacate the belt because of the injury. So at least that’s good crowd manipulation and the crowd was willing to play with it instead of just try to get themselves over.

But still, the first match that was interesting was the International Championship Qualifier 3 way, and it still wasn’t wonderful, it was just serviceable. The main event was overbooked but it was pushing the EY and Maclin story forward so I can only be so critical. As to not mince words though, this was a bad episode. Santana going full Crime Drama Murderer, Callihan calling for a Barbed Wire Massacre match…I mean it all feels entirely cringe and edgy just for edgy sake. Sure I didn’t mind the last one which I think was OVE vs LAX. It was actually a solid match during the Twitch/Covid years. But did we learn nothing from the stupid nail bat spot? That doesn’t sell tickets (especially when it announced so shortly before the event). So it’s just senseless hardcore garbage for the sake of being a senseless hardcore garbage match.

Could it be entertaining? Sure. I liked Sami…100 pounds ago, and Mance used to be interesting in MLW. But whatever they’ve done so far this year, has been pissed in dog water. I’d rather get an enema from a blow torch than subject myself to whatever that’s gonna be. But alas…coverage dictates I can’t play with fire apparently.

Bad episode, better than last week and next week is gonna suck. iMPACT for 2 hours followed by 2-3 hours of Unbreakable right after iMPACT on a THURSDAY.