Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (10/23/18)

Published

6 years ago

October 23, 2018

We get a rematch from SmackDown 1000 as AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan try to work together again against The Usos! Can champion and challenger redeem themselves?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS The Big Show w/ The Bar; No Contest.
AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos; The Usos win.
Rusev w/ Lana VS Aiden English; Rusev wins.
Rey Mysterio VS The Miz; Mysterio wins.
Naomi & Asuka VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville; No Contest.
Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Awwww Newark~!

Don’t be sour, clap for your five-time champs, and feel~, the power~! The New Day are here with pancakes a plenty, but without the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. SmackDown 1000 saw The New Day take on The Bar in a stellar match, but the deciding factor was a surprise appearance and betrayal by The Big Show! Show choke slammed Kofi Kingston and Big E ate a Brogue and now Cesaro & Sheamus hold the titles.

Xavier Woods speaks on “ya bois” being cheated and defeated for those tag titles. Kofi adds that they didn’t just set the bar, they lowered the bar. But that’s what they do, taking advantage of the situation. The part Kofi can’t understand is… Big Show?! Big Show?! Yes, Big Show. So then, he’s the Bar Tender? Nice pun. But Show, we thought you were cool! But this fool flips back and forth more than flapjacks! So tonight, Kofi wants payback! Whether it’s Cesaro, Sheamus or Big Show, Kofi don’t give a damn. Tonight, somebody’s getting that work! Speaking of The Bar, The Bar is here! The Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator wear the newly won SmackDown Tag Team Championships, but they’re also bringing The Giant! Big Show leads the way down to the ring as The New Day keep their eyes straight ahead.

The New Day and The Bar agreed to put up one member each for a singles match up next, and Kofi made it clear he wants this fight. But who from The Bar will meet him? Sheamus looks to take the lead, but then they change their mind and say Cesaro is the one. But then they change their minds again, and say it’ll be The Big Show!

Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS The Big Show w/ The Bar!

The bell rings and this is official! Kofi dropkicks Show to a corner but Show turns it around to CHOP Kofi’s chest! Show stalks Kofi to another corner and whips him corner to corner hard. Kofi scrambles but Show is on him again for another chop! Show tosses Kofi across the way while The Bar enjoys the fun. Show drags Kofi up, for the Giant Choke Slam! But he’s not done, he gives Kofi another Choke Slam! And then, a third! The Big Show is merciless, he drags Kofi up again, but now The Bar and New Day run in! A brawl breaks out and the referee throws this match out.

No Contest

Woods and Big E throw The Bar out and go after Show, but The Bar comes back. Cesaro throws Woods and Sheamus knees Big E in the face. Show keeps on Kofi as The Bar stomp out Woods and Big E. Show puts Kofi into a post, and then Big E is fed to a Giant Choke Slam! The Bar go after Woods now, and feed him to Big Show’s knockout right hand! And then a Choke Slam! Giant, Gladiator and Cyborg stand tall, but will there be giant consequences come Crown Jewel?

AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan VS The Usos!

The Phenomenal WWE Champion and the Goat #1 contender didn’t quite mesh last week against former tag team champions in Jimmy & Jey. They want to show they can still be respectful in their rivalry by trying again this week. Can Styles & Bryan redeem themselves? Or will they still end up on #LOCKDOWN in the Uso Penitentiary?

The bell rings and Bryan starts against Jimmy. They circle and tie up, and Bryan gets the headlock. He grinds Jimmy to the mat, but Jimmy comes up and powers out. Things speed up and Bryan runs Jimmy over. Bryan keeps on Jimmy with another headlock, but Jey tags in as Jimmy powers out. Bryan clotheslines Jey out and Styles dropkick Jimmy! Together, Styles and Bryan slingshot plancha onto the Usos! Champion and challenger have a better start this week as we go picture in picture.

The fans chant “YES! YES!” with Bryan while The Usos regroup. Styles tags in and waits as the Usos talk strategy. Jey returns, and circles with Styles. Fans rally up as they tie up, and Styles gets a waistlock. Styles snapmares and kicks Jey, then brings him to his corner. Tag to Bryan and Bryan goes up while Styles has the wristlock. Bryan aims and drops double ax handles on Jey’s arm. Bryan keeps on that arm with shoulder breaker and hammerlock. Jey backs Bryan down and Jimmy tags in to mug Bryan in their corner. The referee counts and Jimmy lets up at 4. Jimmy tags Jey back in, and the Usos split the wishbone. Jey stalks Bryan as he writhes in a circle. Jey grabs a leg, tags Jimmy back in, and they split the wishbone again.

Jimmy taunts Styles a bit before stomping Bryan’s hand. Tag to Jey and the Usos mug Bryan with headbutts. Jey gives Bryan a big back suplex, then covers. TWO, but the Usos keep their cool. Jey watches Bryan closely, then tags in Jimmy. Jey stretches Bryan out for Jimmy to stomp. Jimmy wraps Bryan in a chinlock, but Bryan feeds off a fan rally. Bryan gets up and fights back, but runs into Jimmy’s back elbow! Jimmy stalks Bryan to the Uso corner and tags in Jey. The Usos stomp a mudhole into Bryan as we return to single picture. They back off at the ref’s count of 4, but tag back. Jey lifts Bryan and Jimmy climbs, for the backbreaker and ax handles! Cover, TWO! Jimmy keeps on Bryan with a chinlock but fans rally up again.

Bryan endures as Styles coaches him up. Bryan gets up and fights back again, hitting both Usos for good measure. He ducks Jimmy but double crossbodies take both men out! Fans continue to rally and Bryan crawls. Jimmy crawls, too, hot tags to Styles and Jey! Styles rallies with a phenomenal blitz! Then he slingshots to the apron to give Jimmy a sliding knee! He shoulders into Jey then slingshots over to come back with fireman’s carry to Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO! Styles keeps his cool as he drags Jey back up. He wants the Clash, but Jey counters to a fireman’s carry. Styles slips out and catches Jey into the Calf Crusher! Jey is stuck but Jimmy clobbers Styles.

Bryan and Jimmy brawl, Jimmy mule kicks but Bryan slips out of the suplex. Bryan dumps Jimmy out, but Jey staggers up. Phenomenal Forearm almost hits Jey! Jey goes after them both, Styles aims a Pele, but it hits Bryan! SUPERKICK for Styles! Deja vu as Jey tags in Jimmy! Jimmy climbs, Uso Splash! Cover, Usos win again!

Winners: The Usos, Jimmy pinning

Two times in a row, Styles and Bryan fail to work as a tag team! This benefits The Usos greatly, will they make big leaps back towards the tag titles? Will this be what finally makes Styles VS Bryan anything but respectful?

Backstage interview with Styles and Bryan.

Was what just happened an accident? Or on purpose? It was just like last week, at least. Well of course it was an accident, just like last week. Bryan can definitely vouch for his. So is he saying Styles is a liar? Well, it’s hard to be sure, did they hit Styles in the face? Or is his nose growing? Like Pinocchio? Bryan says it was an accident, but he makes a nose growing gesture. But then he gives up a Too Sweet. Isn’t that how it is? Bryan suspects Styles, but will it matter if they respect each other or not when it comes to the WWE Championship?

WWE and SmackDown share Performance Center footage.

Charlotte Flair was speaking to the new prospects of the Women’s Division and assuring them to do their best and make the best of their opportunity. “This business is built on respect.” Respect for yourself and for others. Have pride, but don’t walk all over others. With WWE Evolution this Sunday, Charlotte will do her best not to cry, but she knows it’s happening because of what all of women’s wrestling has built in the ring. She is proud of them to be standing here, and hopes they’ll be with her in the ring one day.

Charlotte allows the prospects to ask questions. What is the main difference between NXT and main roster? It’s about reintroducing yourself to the audiences, because every city is different. But she’s sure they’ll all be fine. What about the Last Woman Standing Match? Charlotte is honored. But Becky interrupts. These ladies should be listening to the real champ. Don’t listen to Charlotte, because not everyone makes it. Don’t make friends because they’ll hold you back. Do what Becky does and strike first. Watch Evolution to see what Becky does to Charlotte. Nothing will prepare Charlotte for what’s coming. And Becky also means right now!

They fight and scrap, and the prospects do their best to stop it, but neither woman backs down. Becky puts Charlotte into the steel steps, “That’s retribution! You’re never getting the title back!” Charlotte shouts “Who are you!?” but Becky says “I’m the Women’s Champion!”

Charlotte speaks.

“Becky, after all of the attacks, after all of the insults, what you did at the Performance Center was unforgivable!” She “disrespected the foundation that got us to where we are today.” That attack proved this isn’t just about titles or friendships, it’s proved Becky has changed. Becky keeps crossing lines and there’s no going back. Charlotte vows not to just stand over a defeated opponent, she’ll be standing over a friend who lost her way. This feud has gotten as personal as possible, who will be THE Last Woman Standing?

Rusev w/ Lana VS Aiden English!

The Bulgarian Brute wants revenge on the Drama King for acting like there was something between him and the Ravishing Russian. English wants Rusev to admit Lana was the problem, but English made things worse by screwing Rusev out of the WWE World Cup. Now English sings that “instead of a short Rusev Day, you could’ve had a hot, long Aiden Niiiight~!”

The bell rings and Rusev chases English around the ring! Lana blocks English’s path and Rusev clobbers him! Rusev throws English into the barriers then back into the ring. Newark is on Rusev’s side as he enters, but English kicks him and hits a swinging neckbreaker. English stomps a mudhole into Rusev, then seethes as he stares at Lana. He still blames her for everything, but then Lana throws a shoe at him! MACHKA KICK! Rusev roars and vows to CRUSH! He stomps English and put shim in the Accolade! English taps, Rusev wins!

Winner: Rusev, by submission

Rusev Day triumphs over Aiden Night, and now both Mr. & Mrs. Machka can move on from their former friend. Can Rusev find his way back to a title opportunity?

It’s time for Miz TV!

The Most Must-See WWE Talk Show is actually Truth TV, but Miz ignores that to start his show. SmackDown 1000 was just a week ago, and some of the most memorable moments in recent memories were made. Becky Lynch cut down Edge on his own show, and the team known as Evolution reunited. Oh and Miz defeated Rusev in record time to qualify for the WWE World Cup to determine the best in the world today. And of course, a future hall of fame wrestler returned and defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to also join the World Cup. Miz’s guest tonight is Rey Mysterio!

The King of Lucha joins Miz in the ring and Miz can’t help but be a bit curious as to why Mysterio is back. Mysterio says that first, it feels great to be back home. But the reason why– That wasn’t a question, Miz knows why. Miz knows Mysterio wants to show the world that the “little engine can climb up that hill” and all dreams can come true at Crown Jewel! How ’90s of him. But Mysterio has been gone for awhile. Fans aren’t into the underdog, they want larger than life stars like Miz. Fans boo as they disagree.

But Miz continues to say that while Mysterio was away, Miz became the most must-see superstar of all time. Miz has beaten big men, middle men and little men, he is the multi-talent of the WWE! In 10 days, Miz will advance out of the SmackDown bracket to the finals and face whoever Raw has. He’ll beat them and then prove to the world that he is the Best in the World! Fans boo because they doubt that. But Miz apologizes to Mysterio. Yes, Mysterio is disappointed. He thought he was going to be on Truth TV. Truth TV? Really? Is that a joke? Does Mysterio want a dance break? Newark does. But Truth was full of jokes and then Miz beat him to cancel Truth TV. Last week’s Truth TV was an illegal broadcast. Miz will easily cancel Mysterio’s appearance.

Mysterio wants Miz to stay calm. He isn’t here to be on dusty talk shows. He’s here to compete. So if Miz has nothig more to say, then shut up and throw down! Mysterio wants to fight, but Miz assures him that Newark doesn’t want to see them fight. No, Newark does want to see them fight! Miz wants them to understand, he’s a changed man. But then he sucker punches Mysterio! Miz hasn’t changed at all! He drags Mysterio up, but Mysterio enziguris Miz to the rope! Then Mysterio runs, only for Miz to run away. No 619 here, but what about the match?

Rey Mysterio VS The Miz!

SmackDown returns as the bell rings. Miz rushes Mysterio but Mysterio ducks him to kick back. Miz shoves but Mysterio slides under, only to get a kick. Mysterio kicks Miz after the whip then headscissors him out. Fans fire up as Mysterio takes aim, but Miz grabs at his legs. Mysterio shoves Mysterio away, then hits the sliding low-pe splash! He puts Miz in the ring, then springboards for a crossbody! TWO, but Mysterio keeps on Miz with shoulders and punches in the corner. Mysterio gets all 10, then adds double ax handles. He backs off to run back in but Miz dodges the splash! Mysterio bounces off buckles, and Miz stomps away. Miz chokes Mysterio on the ropes, then runs to hit his straddle attack.

Fans boo and jeer Miz as he stalks Mysterio. Mysterio blocks Miz’s punches but Miz whips Mysterio into the kitchen sink knee. Miz drags Mysterio up for a knee to the back and a chinlock around the neck. Fans rally up and Mysterio fights out. Miz knees low then whips again, but runs into a boot. Mysterio wheelbarrows but Miz snake eyes him on the buckles. Mysterio arm-drags out of the Finale, but then Miz wristlocks. Rey kicks away then springboard headscissors Miz into place! He dials it up, but Miz dodges the 619! Kick, DDT! Cover, TWO! Miz can’t believe it, but this match continues as we go picture in picture.

Both men slowly stir but Miz sits up first. Mysterio bails out but Miz pursues. Miz brings Mysterio around to ram him into the apron, then puts him back in the ring. He stalks Mysterio into a chinlock clutch. Mysterio endures as fans rally up. Mysterio gets up and fights out, giving forearm sand chops. He runs but Miz slides him out to the floor! Miz catches his breath and soaks up the heat while Mysterio is prey to the ring count. Mysterio staggers over at 6 and manages to get in at 8. Miz looms over him, toying with him as we return to single picture. Miz gives Mysterio to the “It Kicks” but fans say “No! No!” He prepares the buzzsaw, but Mysterio rolls him up! Miz rolls through to boot Mysterio down, cover, TWO!

Miz keeps his cool while stalking Mysterio again. He shoves Mysterio into buckles, then climbs up. Fans chant “619!” as Miz brings Mysterio up. Miz wants the full nelson, but Mysterio resists the Finale to give a Victory Roll Bomb! Mysterio doesn’t cover, but he gets himself to the apron. He aims, springboards and hits the seated senton! He keeps moving, but Miz sunset flips. Mysterio rolls through to kick Miz in the head! Miz gets to a corner but he puts Mysterio on the apron. Mysterio shoulders and kicks in, but springboards into the A-List combination! Cover, TWO! Now Miz grows frustrated, and he whips Mysterio again. Mysterio goes up and over, but runs into another boot! Cover, TWO! Miz is furious, but two is a two.

Mysterio crawls and Miz stalks him again. Miz reels Mysterio in but Mysterio fights off the full nelson. Miz lifts Mysterio but gets another headscissors! 619!! Then springboard splash! Cover, Mysterio wins!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

The King of Lucha is rolling in his return! But don’t call it an upset, he’s been here for years, and is one of the best in the world. Will he win the WWE World Cup to prove he is THE best?

Naomi & Asuka VS Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville!

WWE Evolution is coming, and it’s going to #FeelTheGlow! However, this first-time-ever match between The Empress & The Glow and the duo formerly known as Absolution will determine who rolls into the #1 Contender’s Battle Royal with momentum! Who comes away with an advantage before being part of history?

SmackDown returns as Rose & Deville make their entrance. The teams sort out, but the IIconics appear! Peyton & Billie are so excited. About Newark? No, no, not this place. She meant WWE Evolution! That’s where the IIconics will make history by winning the Battle Royal to then make the PPV IIconic! But wait, Lana appears? Well, the Ravishing Russian is part of that battle royal, but then she’s interrupted by the FABULOUS Carmella! The birthday girl apologizes, but no one here wants to see talking. What Newark wants is… a DANCE BREAK!

The ladies break it down, but then Zelina Vega comes out of nowhere to throw Carmella into the ring! And then Mandy and Sonya go after her! It’s a massive brawl among the women! Carmella gets Asuka with a FABULOUS Kick, but then Naomi roundhouses Carmella. Sonya tackles Naomi but Billie gives her the Kay Kick! Lana gives Billie a Ravishign Facebuster but Peyton gives her the IIconic heel kick! Mandy gives Peyton her golden knee, but then Vega throws Mandy out! Vega aims at Lana, for CIEN KNEES! La Muneca stands tall, but wait, Asuka’s back! And she gives Vega her Empress heel kick! Asuka stands tall, despite no tag team match happening. When it’s every woman for herself, will any woman be ready for Asuka?!

Shane McMahon is back again!

The Commissioner of SmackDown returned last week for episode 1000, but now he’s here for 1001, too! Shane O’Mac hits the ring to say “What’s up, Newark?” There are a lot of firsts happening right now, including the All Women’s PPV, Evolution. It is a momentous occasion, and for all the women of the past and present, he congratulates them, “well deserved.” And another first will be Crown Jewel’s inaugural WWE World Cup to determine the best in the world today. One superstar will be able to say they are the best in WWE. But who? Newark mentions a certain someone from the past, but he’s not in the tournament.

Shane knows there is such an immense amount of talent in the WWE and even just in the World Cup. He is confident one of the Blue Brand stars will be it. Will it be Jeff Hardy? The Miz? The returning Rey Mysterio? Or will it be Randy Orton? We’ll find out who at Crown Jewel. That’s later, this is now! Are you ready for the main event? Well here it is!

Jeff Hardy VS Randy Orton!

The Charismatic Enigma and The Viper went to hell and back at Hell in a Cell, and Orton got the better of Hardy then. Hardy is back, and they’re both in the WWE World Cup, but there’s no guarantee they’ll meet again at Crown Jewel. Therefore, they give us the revival of their rivalry right here! Will Hardy get even? Or will Orton get even more vicious to finally finish Hardy off?

SmackDown returns once more, and the bell rings. Hardy and Orton circle as the fans rally up. They tie p and Hardy gets a headlock. Orton powers out but Hardy rums him over. Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” but Orton kicks low. Hardy comes back with a jawbreaker and the spinning back kick. He runs corner to corner but misses the splash. Orton gives “Brother Nero!” European Uppercuts. Hardy rolls out and Orton pursues. Orton bumps Hardy off the steel, then against the side of the steps. And again! And again! Orton backs off at 4, but comes back to drag Hardy up and into the ring. He covers, TWO, but he keeps his cool. Orton stomps Hardy limb after limb, then drags him up to scrape his laces on Hardy’s face. He covers again, TWO, but Orton keeps Hardy down with the chinlock.

Hardy endures as fans build to a rally. Hardy feeds off the energy and fights out, but then Orton yanks him down by his hair! Orton takes his time bringing Hardy up and around for a dropkick! Cover, TWO, but he keeps on Hardy with a chinlock. Fans rally again and Hardy stands. Hardy fights back with elbows but Orton clubs him down. Orton whips Hardy to a corner but runs into an elbow. Hardy climbs but Orton trips him up! Orton puts Hardy in a Tree of Woe to stomp a mudhole into his ribs. Orton stops at 4, but rolls out to pull Hardy’s ear gauge hole! He stops at 4, but he then drags Hardy all the way out to bounce him off the announce desk. Orton then tosses Hardy with the back suplex onto the desk! Fans duel as some in Newark appreciate the violence.

Orton puts Hardy back in the ring, covers, TWO! Hardy survives but that just means Orton gets to torture him more. Orton stalks Hardy, and goes after the ear! Hardy fights him off with furious haymakers. Hardy whips but Orton reverses, only for Hardy to rally! He gets the atomic drop and leg-splitting leg drop! Dropkick on top, cover, TWO! Hardy keeps his cool while he and Orton slowly stand Hardy says “DELETE! DELETE!” and kicks low. Orton denies the Twist of Fate, but runs into boots. hardy up, Whisper in the Wind! Cover, TWO! Orton survives but Hardy still says “DELETE! DELETE!” He stalks Orton, kicks low, Twist of Fate! Off comes the shirt as Hardy climbs up. Hardy aims, but Orton bails out. Hardy won’t let him get away, he hurries to the apron. SWANTON FLOP! Orton moves, Hardy hits floor!

Both men are down and the referee checks on them. Orton sits up and goes over to Hardy. A ring count begins but Orton doesn’t hurry to put Hardy in. They do return, but Orton won’t cover. Instead, he hears the voices in his head! Hardy slowly stands and Orton aims. Orton wants it but is denied into a backslide! TWO, Twist– RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

The Viper strikes with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment, and rolls on towards the World Cup! Will Orton and Hardy meet again in the SmackDown bracket? Or will one rise while the other falls?

My Thoughts:

This SmackDown was only okay. It was just barely a go-home for Evolution and just managed to build for Crown Jewel. I did like that The New Day didn’t even care what Big Show’s reasons for turning were, they just wanted to fight it out. The only reason Kofi didn’t lose is because that fight broke out, but it seems that Big Show, in his homestretch towards retirement, is getting to be the dominant giant again. I wonder if Big Show and The Bar will Freebird those titles, or Big Show is just insurance so that The Bar have a long(er) reign. And as I was thinking, Styles and Bryan are losing that respectful part of their rivalry and I’m betting this gets really physical really quickly with the go-home for Crown Jewel next week.

I liked seeing the Performance Center “incident” in full, and then Charlotte’s ultimatum after. That Last Woman Standing match is going to be great, probably going to be 20 minutes minimum, but if Charlotte is the last one to speak, I’m thinking Becky is the winner. Becky’s still been on fire as far as fans still cheering her, there’s no reason to stop her now. Then what was meant to be a singles match was suddenly made a tag match without little notice, but that’s okay because it just became a brawl of all the SmackDown women not in the title scene. Asuka stands tall at the end, though she did let everyone else take each other out first. As I said on the Raw article, I hope Asuka wins to turn herself around towards the title.

Miz TV was alright, Mysterio got to the fighting right away. I’m thinking between Mysterio VS Miz and Hardy VS Orton here, we’re not getting those match-ups at Crown Jewel. It’ll likely be Mysterio VS Orton and Hardy VS Miz, but I’m thinking we don’t get Orton VS Hardy again so Mysterio VS Miz rematch as the SmackDown block finals makes sense to me. Tonight’s matches of Mysterio VS Miz and Hardy VS Orton were good here, and it made sense for Mysterio to win against The Miz to keep his roll going. Orton winning was just a default decision it seems, because Hardy could’ve won and it’d still be a moot point given we’ve still got one more SmackDown before Crown Jewel.

My Score: 8/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE Mixed Match Challenge 2 Results & Report! (10/23/18)

Don't Miss

Joe’s AAA Review & Results (10/23/2018)

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to New Beginning Results & Report! (1/30/25)

GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

Published

10 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

Evil couldn’t end President Ace, but will The House of Torture still take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships from him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The United Empire; ELP, Jado, Shota & Makabe win.
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK; TMDK wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Evil tried to make WrestleKingdom 19 the last time we saw President Ace in this ring but he failed! However, his minions will not stop in trying to ruin the rest of Tanahashi’s last year. Will Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho take these titles back to the House? Or will The Ace, Joker & Rook stand tall?

The House walks out here showing off the belts they literally stole back at New Year Dash, but now the tables have turned! Tanahashi and team attack The House from behind! The fans cheer as The House finally tastes their own medicine! Tanahashi snatches back the belts so that he, Yano & Oleg can stand with them in the ring. The House protests but they’re one to talk. The introductions are skipped, the bell rings, and the brawl is back on as Tanahashi’s team goes back out after The House! Yano whips Sho, but Sho reverses to send Yano into railing! Sho stomps away on Yano, then helps Ren mug Oleg!

Yujiro turns things around on Tanahashi, and then he brings Tanahashi out to No Man’s Land! Sho bends Oleg’s fingers, puts his hand through the railing and pulls! The fans rally for Tanahashi’s team while the ref reprimands The House. Yujiro puts Tanahashi in, then he, Sho & Ren all stomp away! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The House all put one out on Tanahashi. Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, then he and Sho double whip Tanahashi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi then dropkicks Sho’s leg, then he dropkicks Narita’s leg! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs at Yujiro.

Yujiro dodges, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi air guitars. Tag to Yano and he TOSSES Yujiro out! Yano then brings Yujiro out into No Man’s Land, then to the back of the crowd to THROW into some open chairs! The fans cheer as Yano brings out that Great Bash Heel side, but the ref reprimands Yano. Yano tells the ref to leave him alone, and he has a chair! The ref stops Yano from hitting Yujiro! Yano argues with the ref, but now Sho & Ren mug Yano! The ref reprimands them but the mugging continues. Ren leads the ref away so Sho & Yujiro can CHOKE Yano with a chair!

The fans boo while The House also beats up Oleg & Tanahashi. Yujiro drags Yano up and then brings him back to ringside to POST him! Ren brings Oleg around with a headlock and sends him into railing! Then more railing! Then into the crowd! Yujiro uses Yano’s red chair to CHOKE him! The ring count finally starts, but Ren JAMS Oleg up with a chair! The count reaches 10 of 20 and The House returns to the ring. Yano is still down at 15! The fans rally, Yano rises up at 17, and he lurches in at 19! The fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drops a leg, then an elbow, then a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yano stays in this, but Ren sends Tanahashi into railing! Yujiro tags Sho, Sho CHOKES Yano with a boot to the neck! The ref counts, Sho stops, then Sho TOSSES Yano out! Sho keeps the ref distracted while Ren JAMS Yano up with a chair! Ren pushes Yano in, Sho covers, TWO! Yano survives and Sho is frustrated. Tag to Ren, he drags Yano up, and Ren whips Yano to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Ren BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Ren grins as the ref now keeps Oleg back. Ren CHOKES Yano on the ropes, Sho joins in to CLAW Yano’s eyes, but then the ref counts. Ren lets off and Yano flops down.

Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Ren breaks free, knees low, then runs up. Yano dodges, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, Yano hot tags Oleg! Oleg jumps in and CLOBBERS Ren! Oleg then deadlifts Ren, but Sho attacks! The fans boo, Sho runs, SPEAR bounces off of Oleg! Oleg then deadlifts Sho! Shake, Shake, Shake! But Yujiro CLUBS Oleg! Yujiro & Ren double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg runs at the corner to SPLASH Ren! Then he scoops and TOSSES Ren! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Ren survives but Oleg deadlifts Ren right to the fireman’s carry! Ren fights free, CHOKES Oleg, but Oleg breaks free! Oleg winds up but Ren ducks the chop! Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref counts, but Oleg CHOKES Ren! The fans cheer, and then Oleg TOSSES Ren to the corner! Tag to Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Oleg and Tanahashi haul Ren up, double whip him corner to corner, then Tanahashi sends Oleg in! Oleg ELBOWS Ren, then Tanahashi SPLASHES! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ren into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up and VADER BOMBS! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Yujiro breaks it!

Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro for that, then goes out after him. The fans fire up as Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs, but Sho gets a cheap shot in! Ren BOOTS Tanahashi, tags Sho, and Sho BLASTS Yano! Yujiro turns things around on Oleg and now The House double whips President Ace! Sho runs in to forearm SMASH! Yuijro BOOTS! Ren ELBOWS Tanahashi! Ren & Sho snapmare Tanahashi, then hold the legs open! Yujiro shoves the ref aside, then FALLING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down low! The fans boo but now Sho covers, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Sho argues with the ref! The fans rally for Tanahashi, but Ren has his repaired pushup bar!

Ren takes aim, Tanahashi dodges, SHOTEI! Sho kicks, Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but gets caught into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, Yano whips, but Sho reverses! Yano stops from hitting the buckles, then he dodges Sho to send him into bare buckles! Yano rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yano hurries to get Sho’s legs! Oleg hops in, CATAPULT into Oleg’s BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Yano then stands Sho up, ONIGO- NO, Sho fights free! Sho dodges, but the ref stops him from hitting a low blow!

The ref and Sho argue, but Yujiro & Ren mug Yano! They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano then sends Ren into Yujiro to DOUBLE LOW BLOW them! Atomic drop for Sho! Tanahashi runs up, SLINGBLADE! Oleg deadlifts Sho right into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! The Heel Master gets on the apron, but Young Lions already apprehend him! Yano hauls Sho up, for ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, KANEMARU TOSSES THE YOUNG LION ONTO THE REF! The fans boo but Kanemaru attacks Yano! But then Yano hits him with an atomic drop!

Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!? Sho LOW BLOWS Yano!! Sho rolls Yano up, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What a travesty! A miscarriage of justice! Evil isn’t even here, but his army of darkness just won the gold! Yano is upset, Tanahashi is disappointed, but Oleg is mad! Oleg storms back in, only for Yujiro to BELT SHOT him down! Yujiro then kicks Oleg out, and shows he’s pretty sore from the low blow. Will these belts help the House feel much, much better?

Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK!

The Fierce Warrior won the New Japan Ranbo to earn his shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so that means he and Zack Sabre Jr. will do battle for the New Beginning! Will the Rogue Luchador & Direct Drive help Goto gain the upper hand? Or will Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles help The Mighty Front Man prepare for war?

The teams sort out while all of TMDK’s title belts are put aside. The Japanese Young Punk steps to Despy, so Despy accepts. The fans cheer and the bell rings. Despy and Fujita stare down while the fans rally. Despy has the majority, and the two circle. They feel things out, Despy facelocks but Fujita slips around to waistlock. Despy slips out, moves around, but Fujita stays on him. They go around, break, and the fans cheer. They tie up, Despy wrenches to hammerlock, but Fujita elbows free to hammerlock back. Despy switches, Fujita switches, repeat! They go hammerlock for hammerlock, but then Despy top wristlocks to wrangle FUjita!

The fans cheer, Fujita fights up, but Despy shifts to a cording hold. Fujtia whips but Despy reverses and arm-drags! Fujita comes back, he avoids the arm-drag, and then he CHOPS! Despy is stinging, but Fujita CHOPS him again! And CHOPS him again! The fans cheer, Fujita CHOPS again, but now Despy CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, Despy ends up in the Mighty corner, and Eagles tags in. Eagles CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Eagles shoves Despy and says he’s bored. He wants Yoh! The fans rally for Yoh, so Despy tags him in. The fans cheer as Yoh and Eagles circle. Wait, Yoh starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”

Eagles is rather amused, and says not bad. Eagles starts it up for himself, but Yoh sneaks up! Eagles stops the schoolboy and sits on the cover, TWO and Yoh has the sunset flip! TWO, both men stand and point at the other! The fans applaud, then Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles runs in, Yoh sidesteps but Eagles hurdles. Eagles RANAS then WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer. Eagles puts Yoh in a corner, and he says “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP!

The fans cheer while Yoh flounders around. Eagles whips, Goto sneaks a tag, then Goto & Yoh DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Eagles! They BLAST ZSJ and Fujita, then call to Despy! Despy says no thanks, they can go ahead. “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT on Eagles’ back! Goto asks if Despy is sure he doesn’t want in, and Despy says it’s fine. Goto CLUBS Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots! Eagles fires a forearm, but Goto knees low! Goto fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights free. Eagles waistlocks, Goto elbows free and runs, only for ZSJ to trip him up! Eagles BLASTS Yoh & Despy off the apron while Fujita basement dropkicks Goto!

ZSJ spins Goto around to be on the apron, then gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans cheer and ZSJ brings Goto out to UPPERCUT him down! ZSJ brings Goto up to UPPERCUT again, then UPPERCUTS him again! Goto stumbles and falls, Eagles CHOPS Yoh, and Fujita CHOPS Despy! ZSJ brings Goto up and wrenches his arm, then wrenches it again. But Goto fires forearms in return! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again, the CHOPS continue by the ramp side, and ZSJ puts Goto in. Eagles tags ZSJ in whiel Fujita and Despy CHOP each other back and forth. ZSJ clamps on a headscissors and he squeezes tight!

Goto endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go cleanly and brings Goto to the corner. Tag to Fujita and he stomps Goto. Fujita drags Goto up while fans rally, and Fujita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fujtia wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! And again, ELBOW BREAKER! Fujita wrenches, top wristlocks, and he wrangles Goto to the mat. Fujita STOMPS that arm, then he tags Eagles. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions get Goto’s arms while ZSJ steps in to have a leg! Goto endures as TMDK cycles through the armlocks and leglocks! Red Shoes counts but TMDK keeps rotating before he reaches 4!

Then TMDK returns where they started, and Goto endures the DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS and INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Red Shoes counts, all three men let go at 4! ZSJ stands, he still has the deathlock, and he bridges back! Goto endures, keeps his shoulders up, but ZSJ stands to tag in Eagles. Eagles drags Goto around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! Tag to Fujita, they drag Goto up, and they double whip him to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, ZSJ hops in for a NECK TWIST! Goto sits up into a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! Cover, Despy breaks it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands.

Despy stands down, but Fujita BLASTS him off the apron! Fujita drags Goto up, wrenches, and whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP, then he snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Fujita coordinates with TMDK. Fujita drags Goto up, and he wants to do the Chaos drum thing? ZSJ isn’t so sure but Eagles is for it. Eagles steps in, but Yoh runs up! Eagles kicks Yoh, and “Se~ no!” Eagles & Fujita DRUM on Yoh! The fans cheer and ZSJ acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The fans cheer for ZSJ to join in, but he puts up the X, that’s not for him. Eagles & Fujita DRUM away on Goto!

Goto stands up and grabs Fujita by the face! Eagles CLUBS Goto, he and Fujita double whip, but Goto DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while they’re all down! ZSJ storms in and grabs Goto’s leg! ANKLE LOCK! Goto endures, fights around, and rolls through to throw ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to RAM Goto, then he runs, only for Goto to RUN him over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Despy! Despy runs at the corner to ELBOW Fujita! Despy reels Fujita in for a suplex, high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despy fires up and the fans are with him! Fujita underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free!

Fujita swings but Despy blocks the chop! Despy knees low, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! The fans cheer while both men are down! Fujita roars while he rises up, and he storms back to Despy. Fujita waistlocks, deadlifts Despy, but Despy fights the suplex with elbows! Despy is free, but Fujita runs up to slip around and backslide! Despy rolls through, Fujita KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Fujita fires up again. Fujita drags Despy back up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Despy fights that. Despy wrenches, but Fujita ROCKS him! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return!

Fujita and Despy keep the wristlock while they fire forearm after forearm back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster, but then both men wobble! Fujita fires a forearm, then another! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return! Despy runs, Eagles slips in, SOBAT! Fujita UPPERCUTS! Eagles scoops Despy but Yoh makes the save! Eagles kicks Yoh, he and Fujita double whip, but Yoh reverses to crisscross them into each other! FALCON- NO, Eagles slips out, but Yoh switches! Yoh feeds Eagles to Despy’s ELBOW! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up but Fujita runs up!

Despy & Yoh double kick, double whip, but Fujita DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Fujita kips up, the fans fire up, and Fujita whips Despy, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Despy crawl for their corners, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! The fans fire up as both men run in, Goto LARIATS ZSJ! Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and Goto fires up again! Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ pulls on an arm! Goto powers out and ROCKS ZSJ!

Goto runs, ZSJ wrangles him to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eagles & Fujita BLAST Yoh & Despy off the arm! They have Yoh & Despy stuck on the outside with armlocks while ZSJ has the DISARMER! Yoh breaks free of Eagles and DROPKICKS ZSJ! Eagles returns to SUPERKICK Yoh! Despy is in, Eagles slips around and feeds him to Fujita’s MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TMDK drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms on Eagles & Fujita! They DOUBLE CHOP, then double wrench! MAX- NO, Goto fights free and kicks Fujita! Goto deflects Eagles’ kick to LARIAT! Fujita kicks Goto, runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT!

ZSJ RAMS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while ZSJ clutches his head. Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down! Goto drops onto ZSJ for a cover, TWO!! ZSJ is up, Goto sends him into a corner! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a GOTO SAN SHIKI!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, BOOTS Goto, then runs! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ KCIKS the lariat, PELES the other arm, then SWEEPS the legs! Goto falls, but then sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ hurries to drag Goto back up.

ZSJ scoops, ZACK- NO, Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Goto sits ZSJ and rolls him, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! ZSJ has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH, with bridge!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

It was a fast and furious finish of technical holds, but who else but the best technical wrestler in the world would pull it out? Goto is frustrated for getting caught like that, but will he avenge himself in just 12 days?

As for TMDK, Eagles starts off by saying, “G’day, Sendai!” Eagles then pretends to check his watch, and asks, “Rocky doki desu ka? <Where is Rocky?> Zabishii. <How lonely.>” The fans chuckle at Eagles’ fake crying, and Eagles then tells Yoh & Rocky that next month in Osaka, see you then! The fans applaud, and then Eagles offers the mic to Fujita. The fans cheer Fujita on, and Fujita accepts. “That lariat turned me inside out, so I’ll keep this short! I’m beating El Desperado!” The fans cheer that, ready to see Fujita challenge Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Tuesday, February 4th!

And lastly, that brings things to The Front Man. ZSJ takes the mic to say, “People of Sendai, thank you very much!” The fans cheer, but then ZSJ tells “Ko-kun” and “Robbie-chan” to “cut that drumming bit. It was lame.” The fans chuckle again, and ZSJ says 2025 isn’t the Year of the Snake. No, it’s all orange! ZSJ promises that TMDK won’t just paint NJPW orange, but the entire world! “Osaka will be here soon enough. Goto, this is your last chance. Let’s make the most of it.” The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ says they’ll end with this: This year revolves around TMDK! Arigato gozaimashita! The fans are ready, will the New Beginning in Osaka be Mighty?

My Thoughts:

A very good event for NJPW, though “Road to” always indicates more tune-up filler than thriller. Gabe Kidd going after Yota Tsuji and the Global Heavyweight Championship is an interesting development, but that is going to be a great match. The NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship match was really good stuff, and I was only a little surprised that The House of Torture won. Firstly, Tanahashi has to lose those titles at some time, so might as well pull off the Band-Aid now before The New Beginning events. Then this works with the story from Oleg and Josh Barnett where Barnett wants to help Oleg reach that singles title level.

And very good Six Man Tag main event to not only build Goto VS ZSJ but also Desperado VS Fujita. Great win for TMDK, but we have a lot of other Road to New Beginning events to build Goto VS ZSJ. A lot of filler 10 Man Tags are on the schedule, but I probably won’t be bothering with those. Despy VS Fujita will be great, but Fujita and Eagles are already the tag champions, so I don’t see Fujita winning. As for Goto VS ZSJ, ZSJ said it himself that this is very likely Goto’s last chance at ever being the top champion in NJPW, but I don’t see Goto winning. It’ll be an epic battle, but I feel like ZSJ is going to stay on top.

My Score: 8.7/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.30.25

Are we gonna get consecutive weeks of momentum or we gonna get the “LOL TNA” moment already?

Published

12 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Coming off the first Live iMPACT! in 8 years, it has been pretty universally agreed upon that it was not a bad show. Good favor, a larger audience then they’ve had in years and TNA actually did fairly well establishing themselves as not a third rate duelist.

Let’s see if the good tidings continue or if things start to well…TNA.

The official liaison between @WWENXT and TNA, @AriannaGraceWWE, was rudely interrupted by Tessa Blanchard while speaking with @MeanGiaMiller!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn pic.twitter.com/8ImgauBAiO

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

Cora Jade vs Hyan: Cora wins via Jaded – ** 1/2
Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via 450 – ** 3/4
Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint: No Contest? EY Turned Heel – N/A
Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek: Wes wins via Cardiac Kick – ***
Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$: Kaibas win via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

Nic Nemeth comes out to talk, doesn’t complain and says he’s just gonna dust himself off and start again. Ryan comes out to complain on behalf of “hiissss brrooother” and run down Hendry. Nic is playing babyface still and Ryan is instigating is typical little brother fashion. Nic tries to appease Ryan saying this could be a big year for both of them, so Fir$t Cla$$ music hits and KC Navarro cuts them off and hands off to AJ Francis. Ryan get mad at them interrupting, Nic tries to calm the situation but Ryan decides to agree to a tag match that Nic doesn’t seem like he wanted to go there. But Santino comes out and makes it official.

EXCLUSIVE: @XiaBrookside welcomed @WWENXT's @CoraJadeWWE to #TNAiMPACT, but things got HEATED fast!

Don't miss #TNAiMPACT TONIGHT at 8/7c on @AXSTV in the US, @Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and streaming worldwide on TNA+!

Get 1 month FREE of TNA+ with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/LP8ghA78Pv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

Hyan tries a Pump Kick, Cora catches it, lays her out and kicks her feet up in the corner getting cocky. Snapmare with the Hair, into a Springboard Single Stomp from Cora, Hyan is getting throttled along the ropes and putting up much of a fight to start. Hyan is usually just enhancement talent in TNA, even though she does have a solid pedigree in the indies and internationally. Hyan finally moves so Cora smashes herself into the corner, Wasteland from Hyan for a 1 count, Cora counters Hyan’s attempted offense and then hits Jaded for the win!

The match did what it needed to, Cora tried to lay in the boots further, Xia runs out to make a save but Cora baits her into a false sense of security and goes after Xia. So Masha comes out for the save on the person who made the save. Cora comes off looking pretty good and Masha scaring her off helps Masha’s aura.

.@MeanGiaMiller tries to get answers out of @WesLee_WWE, @TyriekIgwe_WWE and @_Tysonwwe_ for his attack on The Rascalz ahead of Lee's match with @The_Ace_Austin TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Watch #TNAiMPACT now on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn

Get one month FREE with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/UIU5GgiylE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

Myers grabs the quick Headlock into the Shoulder Tackle and welcome back to 1997 wrestling starts. Myers got cocky, shot Leon into the ropes and eats a Shoulder Tackle from Leon, so a little showboating from Leon gets under Myers skin and causes him to make a few missteps. Leon hits the Feint Mule Kick into the Handspring Back Elbow for 2, but when he tries to continue, Myers pulls him down into the buckles. Myers looks for a Spear, Leon Leap Frogs and Myers eats turnbuckle. He powders, the System shields him from a dive, and we’re starting to see the numbers game come into play.

A Thrust Kick from Myers rocks Leon as he’s coming back in, Strong Irish Whip into a Gator Roll and then Sleeper Hold. Again, offense brought to you by Bill Clinton. Leon gets away from the Sleeper, tries to hit the ropes and Myers does his Baseball Slide Trip. Slow heel moves from Myers, Sleeper, Facelocks, Back Elbows…just slow classic heel offense. Leon tries to fire, eats a Knee Lift. Irish Whip but Leon counters by hoping the ropes to the apron, quick pop shot and then Springboard Crossbody into a series of Lariats and a Shotgun Kick! Leon has the momentum, Blue Thunder Bomb for two! Leon goes to the top, Myers is up, Leon rolls to the other side to avoid Myers, Myers eats a Leg Lariat from Leon and Myers pushes off, Bicycle Kick, Thrust Kick into Implant DDT for only two! Myers looks to Spear, gets rolled up in a Small Package, Kick out, dumped outside, Leon flies over the corner onto Myers!

System surrounds Leon, tries to get a few shots, but Leon has some quick offense for everyone. In the chaos, Lish puts a Ring on Myers’ hand so a Loaded Punch into Roster Cut and Myers wins!

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

Slow start with Ali being arrogant into a Lucha stalemate section where there’s Satellite counters, Headscissors and a powder to break the nonsense. Corner counters, Overhand Chops from both, they tussle on the top rope, Ali backflips off the ropes, Laredo tries a Crossbody but Mustafa hits a Dropkick. Grounded Abdominal Stretch from Ali, Laredo tries to fight up and out, but Ali slams him back down, talks smack, slaps him and then eats a Michinoku Driver out of nowhere! But only a two count! Ali manages to pull Laredo into the corner pads, tries a dirty pin with feet on the ropes but the referee sees it, Laredo tries a Roll-Up in the disarray, Ali kicks out, they run back and forth, Ali just slides out thinking he’s outsmarted Laredo but Laredo hits the Suicida for a solid pop. Ali pokes the eye and grabs at the mask, Laredo is off kilter, Ali baits Laredo through the corner, hits the Draping DDT off the apron, slides Laredo back in and 450 for the win.

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

Jabroni duo comes out, and they look stupid, their music is generic Hot Topic trash and the one with hair walks like he’s pretending to be a Delirious fused with a Dinosaur. They look so insanely pathetic.

Dino-nerd tries a stand switch and suplex but Josh no sells and looks like the older sibling judging the little sibling’s stupidity. Bald jabroni tags in, does nothing, blind tag just for Josh to single handedly lay both out. Of course they’re trying to establish the loser squad, so the eventually have a good defensive moment that catches Josh and isolates him in their corner. He still mostly takes care of both of them. This is honestly pathetic.

Locomotion counter switches in the corner before a Shotgun Kick wipes out Josh, Dino-nerd tries a Lio Rush style splash but misses, Josh tags out, EY looks to tee off but he turns and lays out Josh. EY turns heel…that was not on my Bingo Card, but I’m not mad about it. EY has the maniacal look in his eyes again, so Sanity or Violence by Design could be back? Can he call the group SAnitY since they’re working with WWE now?

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

Things start slow then a few quick strike spots from Ace. A grounded Heel Kick and Enzuigiri rocks Wes, Wes slingshots back in, Sunset, Ace dodges tries to stay crouched to get cute but Up Kick from Wes kicks Ace in the face. Wes crotches Ace on the top rope, Enzuigiri, Suicida leaves Ace laying on the ramp. Wes hits the Street Fighter combo in with Ace shoved in the corner, the crowd chants “Boring” so Wes revels in the negativity and mockingly does the Rascalz taunt. A few quick shots and Ace kicks out at one and holds the ropes as Wes just lights him up with kicks. Ace asks for more, and goes full Strong Style. A few round kicks to the chest before Wes decides to do the hell thing and a Spinning Thrust Kick to the side of the face. Wes puts Ace in a Key Lock and Ace struggles to his feet before barely slipping the lock.

They trade strikes, Triangle Kick misses for Ace but he manages to connect after with a strike, a few more, Click Click Boom, Seated Miz Lariats in the corner, Wes falls out of the corner, Triangle Kick for the near fall, but the offense isn’t over and Ace hits the Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb! Ace looks for The Fold, Tyson and Tyriek make their presence felt, Ace does the apron dance and kicks them both in the face. Wes gets dumped out of the ring, Ace with a Fosbury Flop (not the best one he’s done), Tyriek picks the ankle long enough to slow down Ace as Ace walks into the Cardiac Kick!

Wes and crew attacks Ace after the match, so The Rascalz make the save. We’re obviously going to get a 6 man soon, and this is perfectly fine.

Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$

AJ starts with Ryan and just shoves him away and demands Nic, Nic gets the best of AJ but AJ tags in KC and KC gets in a few quick shots, some cute counters and showboating before eating a Dropkick from Nic. AJ comes in to try and take out Nic, the Kaibas take out AJ and then dump KC into AJ’s arms and hold the ring going to commercial.

During the commercial a little blind tag and Spiderman in the ropes taunt from KC caught Ryan off guard so First Class is in control. AJ is beating the hell out of Ryan in the ropes, then hits Tennessee Whiskey for the “Money Money Money” taunt. KC tags himself in and starts slapping Ryan around, Dropkick into 305 as KC cuts off Ryan from Nic, throws Ryan in the corner, Rolling Uppercuts, Snapmare, Roll through, Chest Stomp into a near fall. KC tags in AJ and a little tandem offense gives them another near fall but Mokuba refuses to lose…so far. AJ steps on Ryan’s chest and then lays in a few Overhand Chops. AJ slowing things down, looks for a power move but Ryan slips it into a Sleeper Attempt but AJ counters and slams Ryan down for another two count. Two Sidewalk Slams after getting bounced out of the corner, but Ryan keeps kicking out.

AJ takes Nic off the apron, looks for another Sidewalk Slam but Ryan turns it into a Satellite DDT. Simultaneous tag time, KC eats the fire from Nic, two Lariats, Stinger Splash, Rude Awakening, 10 Count Shots to the Heart for…AJ breaks it up! AJ looks for a Down Payment but Nic slips, Superkick, Ryan tries to rock AJ to no avail so they both Lariat AJ out and Avalanche Polish Hammer from Ryan lays out AJ. KC tries the Flash Pinfall but Nic rolls out, a few quick shouts, Spinning Heel Kick from KC for a 2 count. Nic hits a FAMEasser into Danger Zone after Ryan’s blind tag so Ryan gets the cover as Nic just laughs and takes it in.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

Nothing to really be offended by. Some of the stuff was a little low stakes or obvious filler, but stories moved forward with Cora, Wes and the Kaibas. Plus you know, Eric Young turning on Josh is a little unexpected. EY has been the fill in Dreamer/Scott with the “Ra-Ra” speeches and feel good crap for significant shows, so having him go back to Maniac is a nice twist.

Tessa also steering into this “Locker Room bully” persona is smart. It’s not a stretch from what people already think, so steering into the skid is very smart. I may not have been blown away by anything in this episode, but it was definitely decent and did a solid enough job showcasing the partnership and not making the TNA talent feel like an after thought.

All in all, very nice.