We get another Live episode from the campus of UC Irvine, hence why the show didn’t start until 10pm Bianca Belair time (est). The live episodes have been pretty good so far this year, so even though the TV episodes have kinda sucked the last month or so…there’s a glimmer of hope tonight.

Sure we’re gonna open with “hearing from Joe Hendry” because of course we are. But it’s also a live crowd and the fans still embrace the gimmick even if consuming the product weekly is wearing the gimmick thin for me personally. Let’s get to the show and see if we see Trick, Dark State, or any surprises.

Oh it looks like Wentz is gonna get his title shot tonight for the X Division title! That’s a little unexpected.

The boys from the Treehouse are FIRED UP! @ZacharyWentz challenges @TheMooseNation for the X-Division Title TONIGHT!

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— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 2, 2025

Ratings:

• Mike Santana vs Isaiah Moore: Santana wins via Running Powerbomb – SQUASH
• X Division Championship: Moose (c) w/The System vs Zachary Wentz w/Trey Miguel: Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/2
• Maggie Lee vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: Jody wins via Pop Shove It – *
• KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Leon Slater: Leon wins via Swanton 450 – ** 1/2
• The Kaiba Boys & Frankie Kazarian vs Joe Hendry & The Hardy Boyz: Nic wins via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

So today is Hendry’s birthday, so the crowd pops and sings Happy Birthday, Hendry with a fairly stock standard babyface champion promo, calls out Trick, and Trick’s music plays but Trick has a tron message since he’s got a Battle Royal to prepare for. So basic steps, but nothing egregious. 

Sami is called to the back by Santino and SDL & Mance show up, and they seemingly squash their issue “I don’t like ya, but I respect ya” kind of style. I’m just glad we get away from it since the feud kinda sucked. They tend to drag bad things out, like Kon versus PCO…awful. 

Mike Santana vs Isaiah Moore

Enhancement talent match, Moore tries to start fast but his offense is slow. Everything he does looks like its in slow motion and aside from a dodge and flip here or there, Santana beats him easily. Outline in Chalk and then a Running Powerbomb, and its over.

After the match Santana cuts a choppy promo because the mic sucked, but it sounds like he’s setting his sights on Hendry and hopefully someone stops that. No one wants a Babyface vs Babyface title match, especially since TNA stories are written like 4 year olds with half eaten crayons. So we need someone to get in the way of Santana quick or things just won’t be good, that’s not even a jaded assumption, that’s just the facts of how the last few years have gone. 

Maclin comes out to address his title defense and he gets mugged by the Northern Armoury on the way down the ramp. EY continues with the Dump Matsumoto tribute and uses the steel chain to beat the hell out of Maclin, choke him and then crucify him against the ropes. Just a typical beating segment to force the angle forward even though the protagonist has been winning the bulk of the interactions. 

The WAR between @SteveMaclin and @TheEricYoung continues NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! @milanmiracle

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— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 2, 2025

X Division Championship: Moose (c) w/The System vs Zachary Wentz w/Trey Miguel

Wentz starts quick, Sole Butts, Enzuigiris, perches and Moose tries a Go To Hell, but Wentz continues the speed kills idea. Connects with a flurry of strikes, Moose powders and Wentz hits a Tornillo, does the Rascalz pose into the camera and we go to commercial. Back from commercial we go to paint by numbers commercial break where Moose is in control after managing to knock Wentz off the turnbuckle at some point,  but after eating a few haymakers Wentz fires, PK, Sole Butt, Stomp, Triangle Moonsault and Wentz is rolling again! He throws Moose back in, another Tornillo this time from the corner and only a two count.

Wentz wants to fly, but Moose gets up, Leap Frog in Moose catching him in a Pop-Up Powerbomb, but only for two! Lights Out attempt, but Cradle Counter, kick, Double Leg Cradle, kick, Moose gets up, Escalara Crossbody, into a Kip Up, Looks for the Jacknife but CODE RED COUNTER from Wentz, but only a two count! Wentz tries to grab Moose, Moose grabs the tights to Dart Wentz into the buckles. Moose tries Lights Out again, X Factor counter form Wentz! SPIRAL TAP from Wentz but again, only a 2 count! UFO Cutter, but Moose shoves him away, Wentz tries to gather himself but Lish grabs his foot just long enough for Moose to finally hit Lights Out and retains.

Oh God it’s Deaner out to continue this sob story angle about his contract is expiring tonight. I hope it actually does, Jesus I can’t tolerate him. He’s the embodiment of cringe. Deaner must have grabbed the wrong script that said Dreamer, because this is some sappy useless idiot stuff. I hate everything about this sad sack crap, and now Santino’s music plays, he plays into the sad thing because of course he does he’s a goofy babyface. He said he can’t give a new contract, but he can extend it. Deaner will get a match at Under Siege versus Eddie Edwards. Robert Stone’s music kicks in! Robbie E and Alicia Fox are in the building because the higher ups are putting Santino Under Review and Victoria is getting a random title match at Under Siege. This was at least an interesting wrinkle.

Tessa Blanchard is already a fan of @MrStoneWWE! @milanmiracle

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— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 2, 2025

Maggie Lee vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

Jody starts quick, a few Elbows, Thesz Presses, Ground and Pound, looks for her German Suplex off the ropes but Maggie holds on, Back Thrust Kick finally gives out Elegance Giant some momentum. A few well placed strikes, running Knee Strike in the corner, Bow and Arrow Submission, but Jody flips it around for a pinfall. Maggie kicks out, and Jody fires up with some slow blocks against bad punches, Jody goes for Cringe Kojima style chops, pulls off the Knees to the back into the German Suplex. Jody wants Pop Shove It, but Maggie claws the eyes, Jody perches and Maggie crotches her and then hits a Tower of London for two! Jody fires again, quick strike Lariats in the corner, Pop Shove It and Jody wins.

KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Leon Slater

Leon and KC change directions, dodge, and dodge, and continue to change angles. KC shows off, so a Kick to the face rocks him and then Leon starts putting some offense together. KC gets knocked out of the ring, Leon throws him into a post, KC manages a small counter, tries to throw Leon back in the ring and Leon Tiger Feints back out to drop KC down. Leon throws KC in, climbs the ropes and AJ starts to interfere but the ref sees him, ejects him and a Satellite DDT from KC gives him the chance to try and choke out Leon, but Leon drives him back into the corner, rope runs, Jump Kick into Final Cut for a two count!

KC powders, Leon goes for the Over the Post Dive, but KC moves. Leon lands his on his feet, KC is saying he’s too smart, gets cold cocked, thrown back in and Leon hits the Swanton 450 for the win.

This makes sense because they want to push Leon, but aside from flips he’s useless. KC has a great personality, great skillset and more than just flips. They want to Leon to become ‘the youngest X Division champ’ but I couldn’t be less interested in him. 

The Kaiba Boys & Frankie Kazarian vs Joe Hendry & The Hardy Boyz

They bring back the Hendry Boyz mashup music for their entrance, which is actually pretty cool.

Kaz and Jeff start, but it breaks down immediately into all 6 men throwing hands, the babyfaces clear the ring and do the DELETE taunts…and commercial break. We come back from commercial and Matt is hitting Delete Headsmashes on Kaz, a Side Effect on Ryan and then hits the Extreme Elbow but only for two. Matt wants the Twist of Fate, but he gets too close to the heel corner. Nic grabs the ref, Kaz hits a Guillotine Leg Drop, Ryan with the Russian Leg Sweep and then tags in Nic who gets a few pot shots before tagging in Kaz. Kaz and Matt trade a few shots, Kaz claws the face and the heels keep control.

Ryan tags in, isolation in the corner keeps Matt getting pummeled, quick tag back to Kaz and the Cravat has Matt grounded until the crowd tries to fire him up…but Kaz throws him down and Springboard Leg Drop gets two. Kaz mocks the Twist of Fate for Matt counters with the Side Russian, simultaneous tag, Nic and Jeff are in. Jeff signature hot tag offense, Leg Drop, Elbow, Kaz feeds into a Jawbreaker, Ryan eats a Twist, Nic tries something but eats the Mule Kick. Jeff wants a Twist on Nic, but he tries to fight out, but Matt comes in to help, Poetry in Motion, Side Effect into Splash from Jeff! Everyone’s in the ring, series of Hat Trick Sack of Shits!

Kaz tries to use a belt, Joe ducks it and Matt hits the Twist on Kaz. Hendry hits the Standing Ovation, looks to Jeff to hit a Swanton, but Trick Williams shows up and pulls out Hendry during the chaos and throws him into the steps! Jeff gets crotched, Matt gets taken out, Danger Zone on Jeff! Heels win and Trick and Joe are back in the ring…TRICK SHOT leaves Joe laying!

Overall Score: 6.75/10

This wasn’t the best episode, but it was entertaining and nothing really seemed to drag…which is more than I can say for most of the TNA episodes last month or so. Robbie E and Alicia Fox were unexpected, Trick makes sense, Cody Deaner needs to go away forever, Wentz burning his title shot already is frustrating. It’s frustrating because I like Wentz and if they’re gonna crown Leon, it better not be against Moose. Leon has no charisma, he’s tiny, suspension of disbelief can’t wish this away. So if it’s inevitable, just have Moose either cash in Option C or drop it to someone who isn’t the charisma vacuum known as Leon Slater.

But yeah, it was an inoffensive show. Not a lot of wrestling but enough segments that didn’t overstay their welcome and kept the show moving along at a decent clip. Nothing to write home about, but it planted seeds for Under Siege and had some things to genuinely be interested in.

So aside from the Hardy Compound cinema, TNA has been kind of crap the last month or so. We find out that JDC can’t make the show due to “travel issues” so Moose will pull double duty. The opening Ultimate X and then the specialty trios closer to the middle of the show, most likely. I’m also not really a big fan of trying to say “Joe reaggravated the injury at WM” when he didn’t sell it, didn’t have tape on it, didn’t wince, nothing. Stop treating the people like they’re stupid to the gimmicky crap.

But let’s be honest, if we can’t get a good match out of Tessa vs Masha. Maclin vs EY or Santana vs Ali…then TNA will be a very difficult watch moving forward.

Only good thing to happen before Rebellion officially starts is Fallon Henley looked like a complete snack in the Countdown. *chef’s kiss*

Now let’s see if this disappoints.

Will @FrankieKazarian finally achieve destiny and capture the TNA World Championship TONIGHT at #TNARebellion!?

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— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 27, 2025

Ratings:

• X Division Championship: Ultimate X Match: Matt Cardona vs El Hijo del Vikingo vs KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Leon Slater vs Sidney Akeem vs Moose (c): Moose retains via Lights Out – *** 1/2
• TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Hot Topic Hotties (Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley) vs Spitfire vs Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend vs Elegance Clique (c): Elegance Clique retain via Rarefied Air – ***
• Rascalz & Ace Austin w/Sean Waltman vs The System: Wentz wins via UFO Cutter – *** 1/4
• TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Armoury Jabronis: Maclin retains via Cradle – *** 1/4
• Falls Count Anywhere: Mustafa Ali w/Tasha Steelz & Great Hands vs Mike Santana: Santana wins via Spin the Block – *** 3/4
• TNA Knockouts Championship: Tessa Blanchard vs Masha Slamovich (c): Masha retains via Fujiwara Armbar – *** 1/2
• TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardy Boyz (c) vs The Kaiba Boys: Ryan wins via Danger Zone – *** 1/4 – TITLE CHANGE!!!
• TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Frankie Kazarian vs Ethan Page: Hendry retains via Standing Ovation – ****

Results:

X Division Championship: Ultimate X Match: Matt Cardona vs El Hijo del Vikingo vs KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Leon Slater vs Sidney Akeem vs Moose (c)

As soon as the bell rings, four guys scramble to the corners, Cardona and Moose grab chairs and swat the smaller guys off the ropes and then lay into each other. Chair duel, Radio Silence attempt from Cardona, but Moose catches him and Pop-Up Powerbomb sends Cardona to the outside. Moose tries to just stand on a chair because he’s afraid of heights, obviously can’t reach and Vikingo flies into screen with a Cutter on Moose. KC and Vikingo start going back and forth. Vikingo misses the Double Knees, KC catches him with the 305 and looks to head for the belt but Sidney Akeem makes it into the ring and works over KC. Cardona attacks Akeem, Leon lays out Cardona after a Handspring Back Elbow. Moose stops Leon from climbing anything but a few kicks and a Tope con…CAUGHT! Moose tries to Powerbomb Leon on the ramp, Leon turns it into a Frankensteiner. Vikingo flies from the ring out to lay out Leon and then we get Dive Car Crash spot from all the smaller wrestlers.

Akeem tries to take advantage of things but Moose had time to recover, Moose plucks Akeem off the truss, Superplex into Powerbombing Akeem into everyone on the floor. Moose then asks Alisha if she can get the belt for him because he’s afraid of heights. It almost worked but Lish slips and falls, Moose catches her and while distracted Leon Superkicks Moose and Moose and Lish go crashing and spilling out. Leon and Vikingo try some goofy launch spot that takes too long to set up and looks dumb. Vikingo stops Leo, KC hits the Blessing In Disguise  on Vikingo. Akeem slows down KC, but KC fights off everyone until Leon grabs him, drops him on his shoulder but KC turns it into a DDT. KC hits a ReBoot on Cardona when he tries to take advantage and KC is in complete control. Cardona gets up before KC can make it across the X and rips KC down violently.

Cardona tries to climb but gets crotched. Akeem starts to climb but Moose tries to stop him, flips him around like the Uneven Bars and Akeem Senton Splashes into Moose. Smaller guys use the Tower of Doom to basically throw KC into Cardona and Moose who were brawling, Mexican Destroyer from Vikingo on Akeem. AJ gets in the ring and hits Vikingo with a Down Payment and tries to help KC on AJ’s shoulders. Moose walks in, smirks and Spears AJ, then Jacknife Powerbomb for KC, Radio Silence from Cardon, Harlem Sidekick from Leon, and Leon is the only one moving right now. Leon climbs the entire truss and pulls off a Swanton 450 from like 20 feet in the air to the pile of people on the floor. Leon does manage to get up even though no one really caught him. Leon climbs across, grabs the title, has to get the ground and Moose intercepts Leon with a Lights Out, Leon drops the title before hitting the ground to secure it, and Moose grabs the belt, so he retains.

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Hot Topic Hotties (Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley) vs Spitfire vs Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend vs Elegance Clique (c)

Hotties kick the Meta Girls out of the ring before the bell so Ash and Tatum start, but Ash tags out before contact to Heather. Tatum is stalking Heather on all fours so Heather gets freaked out and tags in Dani Luna. Dani starts a short arm Should Block before Jody turns it around in the Spitfire corner and Dani and Jody pull off some tandem offense. Tatum tags in Gigi so the Hotties double team Dani a bit before the Elegance Clique trip Dani and pull her out before we just get dives for the heck of it into the pile of people. Heather wants to join too, but Lash cuts her off and hits the Gorilla Press to toss Heather out. Jakara stands on Lash’s shoulders and jumps off into the pile of waiting morons. Gigi and Jakara are legal I think and I don’t know who to root for…but Gigi tags out to Heather to catch her breath.

Elbows, Sliding Lariats, random blind tags. Somewhat entertaining but it does make typing difficult. Malfunction time, Ash tries the save but hits Heather instead so Spitfire start German Suplexing everyone but Hotties get the blind tag. Tandem Sliding German, just lots of chaotic action…Jakara and Tatum are legal, assisted Powerbomb from the Meta Girls but Elegance Clique breaks the pin. Ash and Jody are the legal two, goofy chop spot, Airplane Spin TKO from Jody, but Lash breaks the pin then breaks Jody’s back. Gigi and Dani trade shots, Kajara with a Corkscrew Missile Dropkick, just move spam spot. Ash was trying to coordinate with Heather for Rarefied air, but opposite sides Tower of Doom. Maggie Lee runs out to help Ash not get suplexed, Rarefied Air from Ash, and the Elegance Clique retain!

The fact they’re still doing a shitty kayfabe Injury Report is moronic. No one needs a recap like that much less an insulting “Injury Report” like it thinks we think it’s real. 

Rascalz & Ace Austin w/Sean Waltman vs The System

So Wentz and Myers start, Myers got a few early strikes but a Corkscrew Crossbody tag out and tandem Wishbone, Double Dropkick give the Rascalz the early mojo. Myers tags out to Eddie and Trey is kinda working over Eddie so Trey tags out to Ace and Ace comes in with a flurry of kicks, strikes, knee lifts, Eddie counters the FameAsser but Ace stumbles back into Trey for a tag. Trey goes for some Road Dogg offense and Eddie powders, then uses Lish as a shield so the heels have the control now.

Moose gets tagged in so he uses the t-shirt he was wearing to choke out Trey. Waltman has to call the referees attention, but the shenanigans are keeping The System in control. Myers puts Trey in a Figure Four, Eddie digs his knee into Trey’s joints in some modified Indian Deathlock added spot before Trey tries to turn things around and counter Eddie’s offense with a Sunset…but Eddie doesn’t fully flip, manages a tag to Myers and Myers stifles Trey’s next few attempts at firing up. He sets for the Roster Cut but eats a V-Trigger from Trey. The System members try to stop Trey, Trey dodges in the ring, but when he dives to tag out, Moose and Eddie rip Ace and Wentz off the apron. Locomotion corner spots from System, Blue Thunder Bomb into a Jumping Senton for only two.

It looks like The System is toying with their food a little too long, so Trey flips out of a Suplex, Wentz tags in and starts lighting up everyone, his Back Handspring Knee Lift rocks Moose for a two count. Wentz and Trey quick tags, Lightning Fold into Spiral Tap! 1-2-SYSTEM BREAKS IT UP! Ace hits the FameAsser, Trey hits the Shake, Rattle and Roll, Lish gets in the ring to stop the boys from doing a DX reference. Waltman gets in the ring to stop Lish, she tries to hit him so he hits her with an X Factor! BRONCO BUSTERS FOR ALL! SUCK IT! Trey, Ace and Sean clear most of the Planeteers, Wentz looks to stop Moose, Moose counters first but Wentz counters the Lights Out with an X Factor then…UFO CUTTER! Wentz gets the pinfall!

TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Armoury Jabronis

Maclin shatters the mask EY gave him, so the jabronis attack before the bell and Maclin works past them with ease. Maclin a few clubbing blows, EY with an eye poke into a few clubs of his own, then Maclin Dives, but over the top rope instead of through the ropes. Jabronis get involved again since EY distracted the referee. Maclin reverses EY’s whip, EY goes the Flair corner flop, walks the apron, slides through the five hole though and tries to catch Maclin, but Maclin catches him, Tree of Woe, then the jabronis get involved again. But this time they’re in the ring, Maclin manages to get them seen by the referee, so they get ejected, but when Maclin finally goes for the Caught in the Crosshairs, EY sits up and Maclin goes crashing.

A little bit of brawling as EY tries to drag Maclin back in, he fights off EY’s grabs, Olympic Slam from Maclin! Maclin looks for the Jar Headbutt, but EY meets him on the top, Maclin fights off, EY’s foot slips and he’s caught in the Tree of Woe again. He tries to sit up but Maclin drops a Stomp into the Caught in the Crosshairs. Overhand Chop from Maclin as he perches EY, but EY bites Maclin to stop whatever he was planning, shoves him off and hits the Macho Elbow for only two. EY argues with the referee a lot, Maclin tries to hit a Spear but EY dodges, they wrestle to the apron and the move doesn’t go off perfect but gets dropped ass first on the apron. EY tries a dirty cover once he rolls him back in, but only two again!

They throw fists in the center, Maclin hits the ropes and Busaiku! Maclin tries KIA, but EY counters, EY tries the Piledriver but more repositioning and Maclin rolls through into a Cradle, and 1-2-3. Oh? Maclin wins via a wrestling move.

Falls Count Anywhere: Mustafa Ali w/Tasha Steelz & Great Hands vs Mike Santana

Both charge at each other and throw hands, Mustafa gets the bad part of the early trade, but speaking of bad, Santana is supposed to go for some kind of Triangle Plancha or Corkscrew Crossbody but loses his footing and looks kinda dumb trying to do something to Ali. He then takes forever to set up a weird steps spot after missing his one spot, but Ali counters the Whip and then goes into the ring for a Dive. Santana side steps the Dive and Ali lands ugly. Ali tries to run away, but Santana goes after him even grabs a bucket of popcorn to bonk Ali with. Santana hits an Asai Moonsault from the second section railing onto Ali on the walkway. Crackerjack boxes to the head, so after the bad looks dives, they’ve at least fired up the crowd with all the crowd work.

Secret Service and Great Hands attack, then Ali jumps from the second floor to the floor into the pile of bodies. Tries a pinfall but Santana gets his shoulder up barely. Ali looking for chairs, finds them and starts building the two chairs and a Powerbomb design. But Santana counters, tries it himself, Ali slips it, Superkick, runs forward and Santana turns it into a Spicolli Driver through the chairs. Santana slowly heads to the turnbuckles, so Ali recovers and whacks Santana with a chair, traps him in the corner on the apron with a chair and then Ali hits the Coast to Coast on the apron. That can’t feel good for anyone.

Ali paintbrushes Santana but Santana fires, then they start trading following offense into the corners until Santana Up and Overs, Ali turns and gets rammed face first into the buckles. Santana wants Spin the Block, but Great Hands grab him and grab a Table. They lay out Santana with a Double Chokeslam on the apron, they lay Santana on the table… Ali goes up and 450 through the table but no one is covered and Santana is talking too much because the spot is awkward. Great Hands grab the steps, they produce some handcuffs and they want to trap Santana against the Step, but he Double Coconuts the nerds and Double Rolling Buck Fifty. Santana handcuffs the Great Hands in front of the steps, Santana keeps looking for something under the ring and finds a barbed wire bat. Ali finally remembers he’s alive and Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker. Ali tries the 450 again but misses. Standing Spanish Fly from Santana, so he goes for a pinfall but Tasha Steelz makes the save!

Tasha finds another table, the crowd rejoices. Ali grabs Santana, but Santana sends Ali into the post. Tasha tries to step up to Santana, she slaps him and tries another but Santana grabs her arm Crucifix Powerbomb’s Tasha through the table. Ali clocks Santana with a chair and then finds, that’s right, another table. Ali puts Santana on the table, tries to go to the corner with the steps and Great Hands, but Santana cuts him off, Superplex with the steps through the table! 1-2-Ali kicks out!! Ali manages to grab the barbed wire bat and clock Santana right in the head! Ali is mouthing off too long, tries another swing once he realizes Santana is back up but Santana catches it on his side and Spin the Block! Santana wins!

Entertaining, but the sloppy start and over booking since it’s Falls Count Anywhere with a heel stable, can’t rank it super high. But it definitely wasn’t a chore to watch. 

TNA Knockouts Championship: Tessa Blanchard vs Masha Slamovich (c)

Slamovich dives at Tessa during her own entrance, then a sliding V Trigger into Snow Plow for a near fall. Masha vibes with the crowd chiding at Tessa, but Tessa fires, tries to jam Masha’s knee with a Hell Hook that she drives into the mat, more sudden and violent attacks on joints as Tessa starts going to work. Masha does slow her down on the Apron, Masha tries the Shinsuke Inside Out Vertical Suplex, but Masha stops it, trips her so she’s seated on the middle rope, Slingshot Crossbody and a two. Tessa has Masha in a Tree of Woe where she grabs the left leg she’s been working on and stretches it and Dropkicks the left knee. Tessa is trying to dismantle Masha. Tessa has an interesting Leg Lace Hyperextension submission before just grabbing the knee and laying in punches.

Tessa has he set for Magnum, but Masha catches her, then Tessa turns it into a Destroyer. Tessa tries to charge into the corner but Masha turns it into a Code Red. Tessa is biting the ropes to try and stand back up. Masha is winning the strikes, Spinning Backfist, a couple hampered kicks, solid offense but injured looking, so good selling. Tessa counters Requiem with a Jacknife Cradle but Masha kicks out, a few more counters into a Dragon Screw Leg Whip and then Indian Deathlock! Tessa bites Masha then has some kind of Butterfly Indian Submission. It’s cool looking but in the corner so Masha can grab a rope.

Lots of corner struggles, Masha tries to grab Tessa for an Avalanche Requiem, but instead Tessa turns it into a Rope Hung Magnum. Masha kicks out, but now we’re looking for the Buzzsaw DDT, Masha counters, Requiem attempt, counter, counter again, Requiem hits! Tessa kicks out at two! Tessa hits the Cutter, into a Buzzsaw DDT but only…a two count? The crowd is completely shitting on this match, so I’m not sure if anything is being changed on the fly since an LA crowd isn’t gonna really go with Tessa. Tessa goes to the top but jaws with the crowd a bit, Masha manages to intercept, they struggle on the top rope again, Slaps, Headbutts, and Masha looks to be winning, Avalanche Death Valley Driver, V-Trigger! For only two! But Masha locks in the Fujiwara Armbar to submit Tessa.

Booooo…Masha is a good wrestler but such a God awful promo. Was it probably a good call given the crowd…but still, sheesh. 

TNA Tag Team Championships: The Hardy Boyz (c) vs The Kaiba Boys

Hardyz hit the ring and immediately go after the Nemeths to recover the belts that were stolen from the Compound. But the match has yet to officially start. More just point of order, the Hardyz wanted to touch their belts.

Bell rings, all four are in and brawling. Older vs younger. Matt catches the Superkick, snaps off a DDT and Matt pins Nic but only a two count. Matt Rocket Launcher’s Nic into the middle rope throat first, tags in Jeff, Classic Back Elbows and Splash/Leg Drop combo for a near fall. Nic with a quick kick and an eye poke to tag in Ryan. Ryan keeps Jeff isolated, tags out quickly, and now the Nemeths are rocking and rolling with quick tags, quick hits an a few moments of using the ropes to choke Jeff. Ryan comes in, gets a few shots in, poses and shows off. Jeff tries to crawl to Matt, but Ryan cuts it off once until the Jawbreaker and leap brings in Matt!

Delete Head Smashes for Ryan, Lariat and Side Effect, but Ryan kicks out. Matt calls for the Twist, Ryan says no, Nic Stun Guns Matt and Ryan flies in with a Jumping DDT but only a two. Nic calls for the tag, a few pot shots, distracts the ref and Ryan starts taking cheap shots. Nic goes into his Shots Through the Heart, but stops after two and flips off the crowd. Isolation continues, tag to Ryan and face getting dragged across the rope, Snapmares, Headlocks, just the classic “heel slows things down” offense. Ryan tries to tie up Matt but Matt turns it into a Suplex, simultaneous Lariats lead to the simultaneous tags and it’s Jeff versus Nic. Classic Leg Drop, Dropkick, Elbow from Jeff, Twist but Nic pushes off, feeds to the corner, gets popped and then Jeff hits the Whisper in the Wind for another two count. Jeff hits a Twist of Fate, but Ryan breaks up the pin. Matt disposes of Ryan, Plot Twist time…they hit the move but Ryan manages to slip in to break up the pin!

Matt and Ryan go fighting to the outside, Jeff tries a Roll-Up on Nic but Nic kicks out, FameAsser got hit by Nic! Only two! Nic is getting an idea, tunes up the band, but Jeff blocks, Matt’s in the ring, Poetry in Motion! Side Effect into Splash but the Matt gets in the way of the referee inadvertently. Twist of Fate from Matt, Swanton…NO… Ryan crotches Jeff! Matt goes after Ryan again, Chairs and tables are coming into play. Matt looks to send Ryan through something but Ryan counters and bounces Matt’s back off the chair. Nic hits a Low Blow, Danger Zone, Ryan tags in, and gets the pinfall! MOKUBA DID IT!

TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Frankie Kazarian vs Ethan Page

Both heels try to go after Hendry but of course he fights them off fairly well. A few chops, throws Ethan out, Joe tries to go for the Standing Ovation fast, but Kaz gets out of it, tries to hit a Chicken Wing on the bad arm, but Ethan grabs Kaz to the floor. Joe is not one to be outdone so he jumps the rope for his dive and tries to take it to Kaz, but Ethan gets involved fairly quickly. Page looks to Suplex Joe, but Kaz starts to enter the ring and all three take shots at each other before Ethan Suplexes Joe into Frankie.

Kaz is looking for weapons while Joe and Ethan are trading blows in the ring. Slingshot Head and Leg Cradle but kick out at two. Kaz starts swinging on Hendry, Hendry looks to be firing, but Kaz keeps control, goes for a Japanese Leg Clutch but Ethan charges so Kaz catches him and a Northern Light Leg Clutch but only a near fall. Kaz loses control when both Ethan and Joe catch him in the corner but Ethan locks in a Guillotine on Joe, but Joe stays on his feet to fight it off, Kaz drips a big Springboard Leg Drop but only twos. Ego’s Edge gets slipped, Standing Ovation Slipped, Fade to Black dodges, Ethan hits a Davey Boy Powerslam but we’re setting up so corner spot next. Hendry has Kaz in a Powerbomb, Ethan was perched, Kaz grabs Ethan and Avalanche Power Superplex. All three men are exhausted, Hendry tries to get a piece of Kaz but Kaz does his apron dodges to Leg Drop Hendry. Kaz wants to crash into Ethan, but Ethan moves and Kaz kills the time keeper.

Ethan sets up the table, Ego wants to Ego’s Edge Joe through the table, but Kaz stops it with his trophy. Frankie throws Joe back in the ring, Slingshot DDT for a two count. Kaz gets cocky trying a Standing Ovation, Joe blocks it, a little jockeying, FADE TO BLACK! Page breaks up the pinfall and goes after Kaz. Backstabber from Kaz, Kaz tries a Springboard but Ethan catches him with a Codebreaker. Olympic Slam from Joe, but Kaz hits the Angel’s Wings from his buddy Christopher Daniels’ playbook. All three stumble up and go for the slugfest threeway spot. Kaz keeps wanting the Chicken Wing, they both Back Drop Ethan, Joe starts to fade but he fires, shrugs it off and they head to apron. Fade to Black through the table is teased, but Joe says no and instead Attitude Adjustment through the table! Ethan misses the title shot, but hits the Cutter into the title, only two! Sack of Shit, Kip Up, Standing Ovation! HENDRY WINS!

During the celebration, Trick Williams runs out to lay out Hendry and basically make his claim as next up.

Overall Score: 7/10

Okay well, the television episodes have been lukewarm dogwater, but at least this PLE was fun. None of the matches were truly exceptional, but nothing was offensive and most of the matches had legitimate entertainment value. There was also a touch of logic being thrown around here or there. Wentz does feel like a great person to take the X Division title off of Moose though, Maclin and EY aren’t quite done yet, Santana had to win since the story was a little too “good guy has to win”- but aside from the early sloppiness – it recovered to be a fun match. I agree that it was too early to crown Tessa…but I also didn’t want to see this so early because it’s obvious there’s only like 4 TNA women who are legit workers, Masha, Tessa, Lei Ying Lee and now Indi Hartwell. So the whole Knockouts Division needs some damn help, because Tessa is very obviously the best wrestler, and if you’re not pushing Lei as a singles right now…then what are we gonna do, just drag out the Tessa thing to the next PLE or Slammiversary?

The problem with TNA is they never write longer term stories without incessant matches or having the people touch. Even if it’s a No Contest finish or a DQ…they just have them do too much to stay interesting. Learn how to write a story where the tension is bubbling but things don’t need to fill a card at a worthless PLE. Masha has no real competition except Tessa right now cause the TNA heels aren’t good wrestlers. Could they continue to use NXT Women to bolster the Knockouts? Sure. But at some point a Knockout has to take it and the only one that makes sense is Tessa unless you turn Lei heel at some point.

All in all, it was a fine show for entertainment purposes and inoffensive matches. Nothing really flashy or great, but compared to the build, this over performed slightly, hence the 7.