Things are in a weird lull again. At least Cedric Alexander is a potentially nice element to things. But honestly I can’t say I care about anything else. IInspiration and Elegance will be entertaining when they eventually cross paths, but Masha is a lame duck champion because she has zero charisma. The tag division is just there, Leon Slater is probably winning the X Division Title and I just see nothing good about him. He’s just another flippy guy who can’t talk or wrestle beyond flips.

Well let’s see what kind of show we get, because lately I expect nothing and still somehow get disappointed.

.@Santana_Proud is more focused than ever heading into #TNASlammiversary to face TNA World Champion @_trickwilliams and @joehendry! #TNAiMPACT

WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/CmnWOUxAeY
WATCH on YouTube: https://t.co/I9HJXD5CRj pic.twitter.com/PaWGP8BvSy

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) July 4, 2025

Ratings:

• The IInspiration vs Tessa Blanchard & Victoria Crawford: IInspiration win via Idolizer – ** 1/2
• TNA Knockouts Championship Chain Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Killer Kelly: Masha retains via Chain Choke – *
• Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Matt Cardona: Cardona wins via Jacknife Cradle – * 1/4
• Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jake Something: No Contest? – N/A
• Zachary Wentz w/Myron Reed vs Nic Nemeth w/Ryan: Nic wins via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

Indi Hartwell walks out to join commentary looking like a complete snack. Also I’m glad she’s in like a Tank Top and Jeans instead of the dress she wore last time she was on commentary. 

The IInspiration vs Tessa Blanchard & Victoria Crawford

I suppose given that Tessa is still a heat magnet, it makes some sense to throw her into a few tags to help solidify IInspiration’s return since Victoria will probably eat the pinfall. I would like to see Tessa back at the top of the card, but I understand why it’s safer to slow roll any really push. 

Jessie and Victoria start…cat fighting and talking smack to each other. It starts with Diva style wrestling, a Double Team into the IIconics pose. Tessa tries to do something but gets knocked back, and then she tags in, and starts moving the momentum over to her team as Cassie is getting rocked, Tessa hits her Blindside Sliding Back Elbow. Vic and Tessa keep Cassie isolated, Tessa controls the pace, Snapmare, Headlocks and Vic is dancing on the apron. Cassie fires up with the crowd, Jawjacker, Cassie ducks Vic’s swing, tries to leap for the tag but Tessa stops her and wrestles her back to the heel corner but Cassie fights out, Flying Facebuster from Cassie, simultaneous tag. Jessie starts taking back over, Knee Lift, rocks Tessa, Tessa gets distracted by Indi, Bic get double teamed as Tessa and Indi are arguing. Idolizer hit on Vic as Tessa and Indi start brawling.

Indi challenges Tessa to a match at Slammiversary. 

Tasha and Good Hands come out, refer to the fans as “Citizens of TNA” – I’m not sure how I feel about that. WWE has a Universe we have Citizens…feels…a touch cartoony. Cedric is requested to explain what’s going on but Ali comes out before Cedric can speak. Cedric and Ali talk about the past, bring up Cena, 205Live, Cedric offers an Oliver Branch and wants to help, Ali says he doesn’t want his fucking help, so they take a few swings, Lumbar Check connects! Ali powders after as the rest hold the ring and Ali rants a bit on the outside before walking away. 

TNA Knockouts Championship Chain Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Killer Kelly

Kelly starts off suggestively as she gets on her knees in front of Masha. Kinky and an MK Ultra reference. Masha connects a few strikes, PK, Masha goes to the turnbuckles to try something but Kelly crotches her and sends her falling to the floor, then Kelly uses the chain to pull her into the post and try to Mayu Iwatani versus Kagetsu with hanging her by the chain, but it looks like the chain doesn’t completely cooperate. Commercial cuts mid action without a commercial break throw, so I feel like this was a production hiccup.

We’re back and Kelly is beating the hell out of Masha with the chain, a running Axe Handle covered in chains before Masha fights back up and starts with a few short punches and short arm Lariats for only a two count. Kelly tries to powder, but Masha continues to pull her into the apron. Tug of War on the opposite sides of the post, Kelly loses the tug of war, and Masha starts bashing her face into the post and then puts the chain in Kelly’s mouth and pulls back. Kelly literally getting dog walked around the outside. Kelly finally reverses the Irish Whip into the steps and starts using the steps and whipping Masha with the chain. Masha grabs Kelly, close quarters Headbutts to slow down Kelly and rock her with head smashes into the steps.

Masha walks her up the ramp and Rear Naked Choke, but Kelly Snapmare counter and starts choking Masha with the chain. Snap Vertical Suplex from Kelly, as she starts dragging Masha down the ramp for the pinfall, but only a two count. Kneeling fighting spirit spot, because of course. Chain strikes drop both, they crawl up, Kelly charges, gets countered, up kick into a running Knee Lift, they’re both countering a few spots in the corner, Angel’s Wings from Kelly for two. Kelly wants the Spicolli Driver, but Masha counters, Russian Death Device gets hit but Kelly kicks out! Kelly snaps off the Spicolli Driver, Hesitation Dropkick and tries the Killer Clutch, but Masha chokes Kelly with the rope and she taps out. Lame finish and bad match.

Fatal Influence attack Masha after the match, Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside make the save eventually though. This match was awful though, poorly paced, nothing landed well enough to be believable, it was just spots with a thread of a story that is over two years old. 

Eric Young may have an angle with Hometown Man and…I hate that. Then he’s in a backstage segment with his two Jabroni idiots who look even more pathetic. 

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Matt Cardona

Cardona and Eddie start with early brawling but Eddie throws him to the corner, Kitchen Sink and a few Forearms gives Eddie some control as Cardona tries to fight back out but Eddie works him over with Chops and Headbutts. Back Body Drop, Back Elbow, Flapjack and Reboot gives Cardona some momentum. Lish distracts a little so the Radio Silence attempt is late, Eddie counters and pulls off a Blue Thunder Bomb for only a near fall.

Lish slips Eddie the ring and distracts the ref. Brian Myers comes down to stop Eddie so Cardona pulls of a flash Jacknife Cradle to win after the Myers assist.

Deep State attacks Matt Cardona after the match.

Mance Warner w/SDL vs Jake Something

There was a hugely boring Leon Slater video package before this…and I mean it was like a 10 minute package that I zoned out for and lost braincells. The cookie cutter story and lack of charisma is not anything I care about.

Mance grabs the ropes to stall his Rope Run to make Jake miss the Thesz Press, then Jake starts rocking Mance, Mance powders, Jake wants a dive but SDL grabs his foot and is very brazen. Mance takes a few cheap shots, kisses SDL, wants the Pay Window, but Jake throws him off, Charges the corner, but Mance raises the boot, Flip, Flop and Poke to the Eye. Mance wants his crappy Kinsasha, Jake grabs him though and connects a big right hand. Chases Mance outside, Jake jaws with Maclin at commentary, then Mance posts Jake, Mance jaws at Maclin. Jake tries to swing at Mance, but Mance moves and Jake clocks Maclin.

Maclin attacks Jake and the match is thrown out.

Pointless match that ended in a way that will probably be yet another multi-man match at Slammiversary. Lazy booking is lazy.

Zachary Wentz w/Myron Reed vs Nic Nemeth w/Ryan

Hey it’s fucking Myron Reed! We need more of him, why do we conveniently forget he’s a Rascal? 

Wentz gets a little playful doing the Rascalz taunt, Nic takes a few cheap shots before Wentz gets the feet up, Corckscrew Crossbody makes Nic powder, Tope Suicida, but Ryan body blocks for Nic. Commercial Break as we come back and Wentz is still in the midst of getting counted out, so when he makes the count Nic starts big brothering Wentz. Wentz fights back but a big kick to the knee drops Wentz. Nic claws at Wentz’s face, a Head and Arm choke before Wentz tries to fire but Nic pulls him down by the hair. Does the shimmy and Shot to the Heart Elbow for two.

Nic slaps on the Chin Lock but Wentz Jawjacker and a few Diving Elbows, into an ACH Rush Combo, Double Stomp on the back, Wentz perches, but Nic cuts him off. Superplex nope, Wentz slips through the legs, Nic bops him Wentz runs the ropes as Nic turns and Superplex from Wentz for two! Nic chops at Wentz but when Nic goes for the FameAsser Wentz turns it into a Sitout Powerbomb for two! Wentz wants the Hand Spring Knee but Nic hits the FameAsser and another near fall.

Tuning up the band, but Wentz says no, locomotion Cradle spots from both men, Wentz hits a random Superkick, Hand Spring Knee from Wentz for yet another two. Wentz hits the ropes, Ryan grabs the foot so Wentz Plancha’s out to take out Ryan. Slides back in, eats a Superkick and Danger Zone from Nic , Nic wins.

It literally takes everyone like 8 minutes combined to just enter the damn ring. I’m still annoyed that a talk segment is the “main event”, and its the most stock standard uninteresting thing. Frankie doesn’t even have a sign or a chair, he’s just talking in the middle of the ring. Kaz cuts off Joe from responding to generic Trick stuff, Kaz tries to cut off Santana but Santana snatches the mic. Santana actually is compelling with his statements, and I like that he mentioned that in-ring used to matter. Hendry’s schtick falls a little flat but the crowd still seems mostly with him.

Oh look it devolves to the Heels attacking the faces…I am shooketh.

Overall Score: 2/10

So let me get this right, you have Nic Nemeth in a match and a Knockouts World Title match…but Frankie Kazarian’s little talk segment is the main event? Fire Dreamer and Delirious now. This episode was borderline unwatchable. Indi at ringside gives Tessa the excuse to get distracted and Alicia eats the pin, Maclin at ringside is a plot convenience which makes no sense but whatever. Masha and Kelly had no real build, was paced poorly and never reached a level of energy or aggression to even get out of first gear. Turning into six woman shenanigans just to get us a filler match before Slammiversary. Myers starting to turn already was seen by everyone weeks ago and Deep State’s random attack makes the framing weird since we’re supposed to buy Cardona as a babyface? He’s got such a punchable douche face. He’s not babyface material at all.

So yeah 2 points are because well Lei Ying Lee and Indi looked gorgeous and the last match was at least…an okay TV match. But ending the show with a wack ass talk segment that could’ve been an email is an easy way to make this episodes wholly forgettable.

Smartest thing TNA did with this event is simulcast it live on YouTube. Once they stopped the .99 cent Insider thing, that definitely hurt the overall accessibility to the product and the random eyes since in the world of streaming, no one surfs channels. Hell, most people doom scroll TikTok, Reels or YouTube…no one will pop a rating on TV with random channel surfing.

Regardless, with the general malaise of the last few months, coming off of back to back…mediocre episodes is somehow a rise in quality. So I’m hoping we can maintain this…upward trajectory? Plateau of Hope? Just…don’t suck.

.@Kelly_WP has her sights set on the TNA Knockouts Championship and @mashaslamovich!#TNAiMPACT

WATCH on TNA+: https://t.co/76ZL6BmcHm
WATCH on YouTube: https://t.co/1qcawMRoKG pic.twitter.com/kwmLKL33IS

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) June 27, 2025

Ratings:

• Ryan Nemeth w/Nic vs Zachary Wentz w/Trey Miguel: Wentz wins via Spiral Tap – ** 1/2
• Knockouts Battle Royal: ASH by Elegance wins – ***
• Call to Arms Match: Mustafa Ali vs John Skyler: Ali wins via 450 Splash – *
• Northern Armoury vs The Hardy Boyz: Hardyz win via Plot Twist + Swanton – *
• Moose vs Shane Sabre vs Jake Painter: Moose wins via Lights Out – SQUASH
• Street Fight: Mike Santana vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro: Santana wins via Spin the Block – *** 1/4

Results:

Hendry comes out to talk for…a while and just kinda does the ‘rah rah I let you down I need to be better’ thing. It’s 10 minutes uninterrupted and unnecessary. Nothing was said, I don’t care any more about his rematch at Slammiversary. If anything I’m more indifferent than interested.

Ryan Nemeth w/Nic vs Zachary Wentz w/Trey Miguel

Wentz starts off  toying with Ryan, chain wrestling, feed to the corner, Wentz kicks him away and the Corkscrew Crossbody for fun. Wentz goes for a Back Handspring and Nice trips up Wentz so Ryan can be opportunistic. Rude Awakening gets a near fall as Ryan then starts raining down elbows. Wentz finally blocks, turns it around with Chops, Ryan tries the Rude Awakening again but it gets turned into a Backslide. Handspring Kneelift, Corner knee lift, Snapmare into the Standing Shooting Star. Wentz climbs the ropes and Ryan cuts him off and Implant DDT for…only a 2.

Nic slides in a title belt, the ref stops him, Knee Lift side swipe from Wentz, SPIRAL TAP! Wentz wins!

Nothing special, but nothing offensive. Nic feigns sliding in to brawl, but they back off and mock The Rascalz.

Knockouts Battle Royal

IInspiration and Elegance Clique have a pose off, and then all the other girls eliminate all 5 from the battle royal. Victoria Crawford and Xia Brookside have an odd struggle, but its entertaining, Jody eliminates…Katie Arquette? Who? Jada Stone is the next out, we have to all assume the final four will at least involve Indi and Tessa…oh Dani Luna got eliminated by Myla Grace. Mila Moore gets eliminated as soon as we come back from the commercial. Lei eliminates Jody, thankfully because if Lei got eliminated there I’d be annoyed. Xia and Lish start shoving each other, Indi looks like she wants to help Lish with Xia, but Lish chops Indi, so Indi goes after both and all three are the current focus of the camera. Myla and Harley take out Rosemary but Tasha and Lish eliminate the UK Tag team. Then India, Xia, Lei and Tasha gang up on Lish and chuck her out.

Tessa saves Victoria, Xia saves Lei.. Indi and Tasha sell in corners. Lei kicks Victoria in the head and knocks her out and over. Tasha eliminates Xia, Lei eliminates Tasha and Tessa eliminates Lei. We didn’t even get a final four, we just got Tessa vs Indi almost out of nowhere. Indi misses the Big Boot, almost sends herself over, Indi and Tessa struggle on the apron. ASH appears and eliminates Tessa and Indi together…apparently ASH wasn’t eliminated when the other…OH ASH rolled under the rope. Sneaky…but I’m not mad about it.

Clever…

Masha’s music hits to say stuff to ASH but then Jacy Jayne’s music hits. So the Knockouts main event gets a little crowded quickly. 

Call to Arms Match: Mustafa Ali vs John Skyler

Both guys get tied to the ropes, first person to get out of the ties has an advantage, win only by pinfall or submission.

Ali pulls out scissors and cuts the rope to ambush Skyler. Skyler lands a few Back Elbows, Chops, Knee Lift, close quarters combat because he can’t get out of the rope. Ali tries the stomp to the elbow, but Skyler tosses Ali, Hotch hands Skyler the scissors and Tasha hides the scissors. Skyler with some solid counter wrestling. Ali goes for the outside-in Rolling Neckbreaker but Skyler catches him and snaps off a DDT counter.  Skyler looks to the ropes, Ali rocks him, Superkick, rope run, Skyler hits the Slingshot Spear for a near fall.

Skyler is doing well but Ali still has the rope, chokes Skyler, shoves him into the post, 450 Splash and it’s over.

All that for a Squash match with extra steps? Yikes. Ali goes for a chair, Hotch tells him not to, they’re friends, Ali attacks Hotch, goes back to the chair, Tasha gets in the way for the boys. Ali tells her to move and then doesn’t care. Cedric Alexander’s music hits before Ali hits Tasha. Ali tells Tasha to get up, grabs her hand to walk out, but Cedric grabs Tasha. The boys get up behind Cedric, and Ali is alone. 

Northern Armoury vs The Hardy Boyz

Bald loser gets double team, on the spectrum Yuta gets chucked like trash, more double team moves, loser with hair breaks up the near fall…like 3 minutes in the nerds need to break the fall? Ref gets distracted so EY grabs Matt, bald loser lands a knee strike, rolls him back in for a near fall. More EY involvement, EY tries again after Matt Stun Guns the nerd, ref sees EY this time, kicks him out as a train of security take EY out. Hardy with his vintage comeback offense, bald loser tries to break the pinfall but hits loser with hair. They try to isolate Jeff, then bald dork must be out of position because he runs across to go after Matt just to eat the apron immediately, Plot Twist into Swanton an di it’s over.

Awful waste of time.

Leon Slater comes out for the Hardyz to give him some kind of rub, Leon can’t talk, says typical babyface dork stuff about fighting for his mom and little sister…blah blah, then he decides to join commentary since Moose has a match next.  Great so a charisma vacuum on commentary. 

Moose vs Shane Sabre vs Jake Painter

A waste of time, just an extended squash with 2 enhancement dorks and Moose beats on one of them after the squash to make an example of them to Leon.

Super lame to give Moose so many squashes during his reign. Really makes it look hilariously lame.

Street Fight: Mike Santana vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro

AJ’s neon yellow gear pops me incase the lights go out. Santana hits the Lariat sending AJ to his, Santana looks for tables early so of course the Pittsburgh crowd is happy. Santana took too long for limited offense, but AJ is selling and tries to grab Santana but then eats a Yakuza Kick into the crowd. AJ reverses the Whip, a few shots and a trash can, but Santana reverses shortly after, plays to the crowd and then gets caught by AJ and throated into the second floor railing as we head to our last commercial.

Out of the commercial AJ is still showing off, Mike Sabu’s a trash can at him again, Lariats him back to right outside the ring. Superman Forearm off the guardrail. Santana tries to fly again but gets caught and posted like a bitch. AJ dog walks Santana, trash can lid, steps, chairs, ropes…AJ and KC have fun at Santana’s expense and Mike tries to fight back with upkicks but AJ’s size works in his favor here. AJ finds a chair and waits too long for Santana to turn to take it safely. I hate spots that are slow in a grudge matches. They should hate each other, this moves have to come out quicker and viciously.

AJ decides to sit in a chair and gloat to allow Santana up, they brawl until AJ Scoop Slams him on the open chair for a near fall. AJ again, hits Tennessee Whiskey and slows things down so Santana can fire, Sabu a trash can, and Dive to take out AJ. Satana works towards some stuff, Rolling Buck 50, Spicolli Driver into the chairs to show off Santana’s strength but only a 2. AJ levels Santana and tries to put him through tables on the outside, Santana fights him off, back and forth, Santana lift and an Attitude Adjustment through two tables! KC’s reaction is gold.

Trick Williams runs down to try and help AJ, Hendry comes out and attacks Trick. Santana feeds AJ back in, feeling Froggy! 1-2-kick out! Spin the Block countered by TFL, Down Payment attempt, Santana tries to fight back, AJ…STYLES CLASH! Only a two count but it was a nice call. AJ tries Spin the Block, Santana grabs the champagne bottle that AJ was gonna use and goes full BEER MONEY! AJ gets cracked by the bottle, eats Spin the Block, and Santana wins! 

Overall Score: 3.5/10

Cedric debuting was fun, ASH outsmarting the obvious final 2 was clever and the main event was the only wrestling match worth watching. This was just a boring show, with 2 pointless matches, a lot of vapid promos and just an obvious lack of direction. Also I have no interest in Maclin possibly facing Jake Something. I like Jake too…but I’m getting sick of Maclin in brawl matches constantly. He needs bump guys, but I guess when the X Division champ has had 3 or 4 squash matches during his reign, I guess the “bump guy” division is lacking talent.

So a significantly worse overall show than the last few weeks, but the main event was one of the better ones in the last few weeks. So…ended on a high note…but getting there was like sitting through the first two seasons of Sword Art Online…complete misery and bad writing.