Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (10/30/18)

Published

6 years ago

October 30, 2018

It’s the SmackDown After Evolution, and Becky Lynch is STILL champion! What will she do to prepare for Ronda Rousey? Plus, AJ Styles confronts Daniel Bryan!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Daniel Bryan; Styles wins and retains the WWE Championship.
Trick or Street Fight: The New Day’s ??? VS The Bar’s ???; Big E wins.
WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura VS R-Truth w/ Carmella; Nakamura wins and retains the WWE United States Championship.
Jeff Hardy & Rey Mysterio VS The Miz & Randy Orton; Hardy & Mysterio win.

PLAY BY PLAY

The WWE Champion, AJ Styles, is here!

The Phenomenal One is ready to defend his title in just a few days at Crown Jewel! However, his hopes of keeping things friendly between his challenger, Daniel Bryan, haven’t really panned out. In two consecutive matches against The Usos, Styles and Bryan have ended up colliding with each other and then losing the match. Whether both times were accidents is anyone’s guess, but it has caused champion and challenger to no longer see eye to eye.

Styles hears Atlanta give him an standing ovation and revels in the moment. He then says he needs to get something off his chest. He wants to say it to the man’s face, so he calls Daniel Bryan out to the ring. Bryan’s music hits, and he’s here! The fans give Bryan his own standing ovation as he heads to the ring. The Goat stands face to face with the Phenomenal One and fans duel with their chants now. Styles says he feels the need to apologize. He says “I’m sorry.” Bryan says there’s no need to apologize, they’re both after the same prize. Everyone knows Bryan has infinite respect for Styles as both man and competitor.

But looking at him now, Bryan doesn’t see a friend or colleague, just the WWE Championship. When Bryan was hurt, the thing that motivated him was getting that title back. So nothing personal, but Bryan vows to take that title, at Crown Jewel. Good to know, but Styles wasn’t done. Styles says he’s sorry, for lying. He said that Pele was an accident, but no, he meant to hit it. Because nothing personal, but Styles looks forward to doing it again at Crown Jewel. Wow what a shock! Bryan couldn’t have guessed. Two twins in the ring yet Styles hits Bryan. Bryan says he never lies, so believe him when he says “I feel like hitting you on purpose.” “So what’s stopping you?” In fact, why wait for Crown Jewel!? Styles will defend this title, here in ATL!!

But here comes Shane O’Mac! The SmackDown Commissioner comes out, and says we’ve seen this a lot. Two men wanting to go right here right now but never getting to do it. But this is SmackDown, Shane’s back in charge, so we’re going to get AJ Styles VS Daniel Bryan, the Crown Jewel WWE Championship match, here tonight! And NOW!

WWE Championship: AJ Styles VS Daniel Bryan!

Why wait three more days? We’re getting The Phenomenal VS The Goat tonight! Who wins to then have another match at Crown Jewel?

SmackDown returns as introductions are made and the belt is raised! The bell rings and we begin! Bryan and Styles circle and tie up. They fight for control as they grind shoulders into each other. Bryan brings Styles in, gets the wristlock, then brings him down. Bryan hammerlocks and stomps the arm! He backs off as Styles gets up, showing a semblance of respect. Styles and Bryan circle again, but Styles gets a waistlock slam! Bryan gets up and goes after the wrist again. He wrenches the arm around, but Styles scoops and throws Bryan over the top rope. Bryan stays on the apron, and Styles backs off to show his semblance of respect.

Bryan returns, and the two circle again. They tie up and Styles has Bryan in a corner. Bryan turns it around as fans start dueling. Bryan backs off at 3, then gives a shove. Styles shoves Bryan so Bryan shoves back. Styles shoves again, so Bryan goes after the arm. Bryan gives a shoulder breaker, then a hammerlock. He puts Styles into a corner shoulder first, then kicks away from both sides. He goes left and right, then grabs the arm for another shoulder breaker. Styles throws a forearm, then forearms and chops in a corner. He chops Bryan then whips him corner to corner. Bryan goes up and over, then runs, but Styles keeps pace. Styles dropkicks Bryan down! Bryan bails out as fans fire up. Styles aims, slingshot but misses! Bryan builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit but just a little double edged as Bryan holds his leg.

We go picture in picture while both men are down. The referee checks on them, and they’re okay to continue. Styles heads for the ring first while Bryan gets his leg moving. A ring count begins, but Bryan puts Styles in at 6. He stalks Stylse to ropes, then wrenches the arm for another shoulder breaker. He keeps going and has Styles in a hammerlock on the mat. Bryan sits on the hold to add leverage as he pulls back. Styles endures but Bryan flips him over for a cover, TWO! Styles gets to ropes, but Bryan is after him. He hits Bryan and put shim in a corner, but Bryan hits him back for buckle bumps. Bryan whips corner to corner hard, then says “YES!” before running in. Styles boots Bryan away, then leaps up, moonsault DDT! But the bad arm keeps Styles from making a cover.

Styles gets to ropes while Bryan stirs. Styles goes to Bryan in a corner, brings him up, and rams in his shoulder. He chops Bryan, but keeps with him in the other corner. Styles chops and chops, but Bryan turns things around to chop Styles! And kick him! Bryan reels Styles out for an arm wringer! He twists Styles’ arm, but then backs off. Fans duel between “YES!” and “NO!” as Bryan stalks Styles. Bryan drags Styles up and gives him a rocking European Uppercut. We return to single picture as Bryan unleashes Yes Kicks! Styles takes the kicks, but blocks the buzzsaw into a dragon screw! Bryan clutches that bad leg, but Styles is right on it. Styles DDT’s the leg into the mat and Bryan crawls away in pain. Styles kicks Bryan while he’s down, showing little mercy as he tweaks it between his own legs.

Bryan is still down, so Styles keeps going after the leg. Styles drops an elbow into a toehold. Bryan works to go after Styles’ face, but Styles fights him off. Bryan gets the fish hook and reels Styles in for an armbar! Styles works against it, and has Bryan turned over, for a knee smash! And then he sweeps the leg! He keeps kicking Bryan while he’s down, but the referee has him back off. Styles comes back for a BIG shinbreaker! He keeps kicking, but then Bryan hits back! Styles kicks the leg again, then gives Bryan a shinbreaker on a buckle! Bryan is down, clutching the leg, but Styles still keeps on him. Styles drops another elbow, but Bryan uses his good leg to kick Styles in the back. Bryan gets free, and gives Styles another EuroUpper.

Bryan runs in at the corner but into a back elbow. Styles hops up, moonsault but no DDT as Bryan gets a cravat! Bryan drives in knees, then throws Styles down! Both men are down but now Bryan is firing up. He gives more Yes Kicks! The buzzsaw hits! Bryan takes aim from a corner, but runs into a dropkick! Both men are down again, but Styles heads for an apron. He prepares himself, springboards, but Bryan trips him up! Styles is stuck up top, so Bryan turns him around. Bryan climbs up to join Styles, for a SUPER Back Suplex! That Styles turned enough on! The crossbody brings both men down, Bryan gasping while clutching his neck! We go to break while the referee checks on him.

SmackDown returns and Styles throws forearms. Bryan drags Styles into the Yes Lock!! Styles is so close to the ropes, he just reaches out, Ropebreak! But the damage was done as Bryan backs off. Bryan waits for Styles, then brings him in for a suplex. Styles resists, and suplexes Bryan out!! That bad leg is hurting again from the landing! Styles drags Bryan up, shinbreaker on the desk! Styles whips but Bryan reverses, Styles goes into steel steps! Bryan puts Styles in, then joins him. Bryan fires himself up, bad leg and all. He aims at Styles, runs in corner to corner, for a big dropkick! Bryan runs again, for another dropkick! He hoists Styles up top, then climbs up to join him. Super Steiner BLOCKED! Styles Brings Bryan back up, but Bryan gets that Super Steiner! Both men are down again, but stirring.

Styles gets up, and throws a clothesline in the corner. He runs in but is put on the apron. He shoulders in but Bryan kicks him! Bryan wraps the bad arm on the ropes, but backs off at 4. Bryan YES Kicks Styles between the ropes! But Styles catches one, dragon screw in the ropes! Bryan is down while Styles gets back on the apron. Styles aims, springboards, but flies into a double underhook suplex! Into armbar! Bryan pulls back, Styles flails and fans duel. Bryan shifts to a YES LOCK! Styles endures as Bryan pulls back. Styles gets up, makes it a cover, ONE! Bryan holds Styles with headscissors, and now it’s more a triangle. Fans duel as Styles holds on. Styles gets up, deadlifts Bryan, STYLES CLASH!! To CALF CRUSHER!! Bryan reaches, flails, but taps!! Styles wins!!

Winner: AJ Styles, by submission; still WWE World Champion

This was an incredible match, and the Phenomenal One pulls it out! The Crown Jewel came early and both men put it all out there. They still respect each other, too, as they shake hands and hug it out. Styles raises Bryan’s hand, but then SAMOA JOE attacks?! The Destroyer has returned for revenge! He rains right hands down and shouts “You thought we were done?! We’re never done!” COQUINA CLUTCH!! Styles can’t fight back, he fades out. But Bryan saves him! Only for Joe to go after the bad leg! Fans boo as Joe puts Bryan in the Coquina! Bryan fades almost as quickly, and then Joe holds the title up over his head. Joe shows no mercy nor respect, but will he get the title that he wants?

Jeff Hardy speaks.

“All artists are willing to suffer for their work.” Brother Nero adds to his self-portrait with every match in his career. At the WWE World Cup, he will illustrate his masterpiece, and prove he is the Best in the World.

The Miz responds.

“While Jeff Hardy is busy Painting by Numbers,” the Hollywood A-Lister wakes up to a flawless wife who says he’s the best husband in the world. His precious baby girl shows it in her eyes that he’s the best father in the world. And then Hollywood praises Miz as the best reality star in the world. But above all else, Miz is the best WWE superstar in the world! He’ll prove it at Crown Jewel!

SmackDown GM Paige meets with Charlotte Flair.

The Queen may have lost at Evolution, but the Last Woman Standing match itself was amazing and could’ve gone either way. But Paige knows Charlotte has more than just physical pain to deal with. However, please consider being SmackDown’s team captain for Survivor Series. Charlotte thanks Paige for being asked, but she doesn’t think she’s the right woman for the job. Paige understands, but she remembers Charlotte telling her this: Don’t let success go to your head, and don’t let failure get to your heart. Just think on it, okay? Charlotte agrees to that much. Will she see that she’s still great enough for the brand warfare? Or will someone else be appointed instead?

Trick or Street Fight: The New Day’s ??? VS The Bar’s ???

Awwww~, Atlanta! All Hallow’s Eve is on the horizon, but the festivities are here now! And apparently ya bois decided to dress up as Edge, Christian & Gangrel this year. Meanwhile, Sheamus has gone full White Walker as he walks out with the Swiss Cyborg and Giant. Only one member each will participate directly in this fight without rules but with a lot of spooks, who will we face off in this fright night street fight?

SmackDown returns and we see it’ll be Cesaro and Big Gangrel. Cesaro swings a stick but Big E blocks it! Cesaro hits low but still walks into an overhead belly2belly! Big E swings the kendo stick and cracks it on Cesaro’s ribs! Then his back! Then his front! Big E starts the clap as Cesaro slowly stands. He scoops Cesaro but Sheamus attacks. A street fight means no disqualifications, so a brawl breaks out! Kofi Christian and Edgezavier Woods are forced out by Big Show! Big E goes after Show, but Show blocks the whip to whip Big E out! Show and Sheamus go after them, and slams the pancakes int Kofi’s face. Kofi gets a rolling senton added on, while Show makes Woods bob for apples!

The Bar focus on Big E and pile a bunch of pumpkins in the middle of the ring. Cesaro lifts Big E in a torture rack, for a burning pumpkin hammer! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro drags Big E back up, and aims for a table set up during commercials. He suplexes but Big E resists. Cesaro tries again but Big E turns it around to suplex Cesaro onto pumpkins! But Sheamus knees Big E, then lifts him up. Big E slips out, dodges Sheamus, then sends him through the table! Woods dropkicks Show off the apron, then Kofi DIVES! But Show catches Kofi, then grabs Woods. They spray “blood” mist! Cesaro goes after Big E with the Neutralizer, but Big E back drops out, to spray the mist! Then Big Ending! Cover, Big E wins!

Winner: Big E, by pinfall

The New Day Brood get away with the win, as well as some treats! Will they still be rolling and laughing at Crown Jewel as they go to take back the SmackDown Tag Team Championships? Or will The Bar get back at them for spitting blood?

Shane McMahon talks with the WWE World Cup entrants.

Will The Miz, Jeff Hardy, Randy Orton or Rey Mysterio win for SmackDown? The King of Lucha is no stranger to The Viper and how vicious he can be. But he won’t be underestimated. Orton admits he’s vicious, and he’ll show Mysterio that in that first round, proving he shouldn’t have come back. Hardy sees Orton and Miz are cocky. But Hardy will fly above them both to prove he’s the best! Miz is bored by the Jeff Hardy Redemption Story. That will be a box office bust as Hardy crashes and burns. Seems Halloween has come early as there’s a power ranger, a missing member of the Insane Clown Posse, and… a really cool Randy Orton. Miz is the most must-see, and therefore the best!

That’s why Shane invited them all into his office. The worst thing to happen at Crown Jewel is for a Raw superstar to win the World Cup. These four need to realize the gravity of this situation. Whoever makes it to the finals from SmackDown’s half better win, or they’ll no longer be part of SmackDown. The boss gives quite the ultimatum, but tonight is about momentum. Which side wins tonight in tag action before facing off in the brackets?

AJ Styles talks with Paige.

Despite the match he went through with Daniel Bryan and the beating he suffered at the hands of Samoa Joe, he wants to talk with the GM. He wants Samoa Joe at Crown Jewel. Wait, after what he just did the last month or so to the Styles Family? She won’t reward him. No, this isn’t a reward, this is the punishment. “Once a pickle, always a pickle.” She gives him his match. Styles thanks her, and says she won’t regret it. Joe will, though. But will Styles regret giving Joe this opportunity?

WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura VS R-Truth w/ Carmella!

The King of Strong Style feels no one is worthy of challenging his title reign. However, Mr. Ron Killings has been wanting after him for quite some time. Of course, he has been chasing the wrong leads, such as facing Carmella and Ric Flair… Can Truth make the best of his golden opportunity? Or will these still be the United States of Nakamerica?

SmackDown returns as the FABULOUS Truth makes their rapping entrance. The bell rings and we begin. Nkamaura throws knees and gets Truth on the mat. He throws in more vicious knees, then puts Turth in a corner. He fires off more knees, then gives some Bad Vibrations. Nakamura backs off then mocks Truth’s dance. Truth takes offense, and uppercuts Nakamura otu of his “C’mon!” pose. Truth throws hands, whips but Nakamura reverses, but Truth comes back with headscissors. Then Truth shows Nakamura how it’s done, and says “C’mon!” Nakamura runs, but into a hip toss! Truth asks “What’s up?” before clotheslining Nakamura out! Truth grins as Carmella gets in, for a DANCE BREAK~!

The music hits and the flossing begins. We go picture in picture as the match continues. Truth waits for Nakamura, then slingshots to the apron. Nakamura sweeps the leg! He turns Truth sideways to hit a big knee, then climbs up to drop a knee! Truth is slumped on the edge as Nakamura puts him in. Nakamura drags Truth to a cover, ONE! Nakamura keeps on Truth with a chinlock, but Truth endures as fans rally up. Truth gets up, but Nakamura throws him down. Nakamura kicks Truth while he’s down, then puts him on the ropes to choke. He backs off at the ref’s count, but comes back. Truth hits Nakamura, then uppercuts. We return to single picture as Nakamura kicks and clubs Truth back. Nakamura snapmares and drops a knee! Cover, TWO!

Nakamura puts Truth in a seated abdominal stretch. Fans rally for “Truth TV!” as Truth endures an elbow in the ribs. Carmella keeps the fans going and Truth gets up. Truth hip tosses Nakamura off and gets to a corner! Nakamura runs in with a scowl, but Truth elbows him away. Nakamura runs back in but into boots. Truth runs out and rallies with lariats! Truth ducks and hits the calf kick! “What’s up!?” splits, and the Lie Detector flying forearm! Cover, TWO! Truth gets up first, then runs, but Nakamura blocks the scissor kick. Nakamura swings a kick but gets the back heel. He drags Truth up and around to whip. Truth reverses, but then misses in the corner to get a roundhouse! Nakamura puts Truth up top, for the Top Shelf Knee! Cover, Ropebreak! Nakamura keeps his cool as he gets back up.

Nakamura drags Truth u, inverted exploder, but Truth lands on his feet. Truth goes to hip toss but Nakamura blocks to then elbow Truth in the back. Nakamura also knees Truth in the back! Truth is dazed, Nakamura takes aim, KINSHASA! Cover, Nakamura wins!

Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall; still WWE United States Champion

The King of Strong Style continues his reign, and prepares for Survivor Series’ brand warfare. Who will be the WWE Intercontinental Champion who faces him?

Becky Lynch is here!

The Lass Kicker is still SmackDown Women’s Champion after the brutal, first-ever show-stealing Last Woman Standing match. And she admits she was folded on chairs, smacked with kendo sticks and thrown around but she kept getting up. Becky is THE Last Woman Standing, and at the end of the night, there was only one woman who was the real main event: Her. She beat Charlotte to prove she is “The Man”, and not just on SmackDown but on Raw, too! She’ll slap whoever she has to on Raw to prove it. So what’s next for the biggest star in the WWE today? The infamous Ronda Rousey!

Ronda says she’s the baddest woman on the planet, but what planet? Ronda’s opponents were all beat before the bell, but not Becky. Becky travels the world to smash fighters like Ronda. Becky isn’t here to cosplay or talk about reality shows. She heads into Survivor Series to rip Ronda’s arm off! The Straight Fire is more than ready mentally, but will she be ready physically?

“Oh, AJ~…!”

Samoa Joe asks if Styles honestly thought these two were done. Are the styles kids still having nightmares? Is Wendy still checking the locks? Has Styles told them things will be alright? Well Styles was wrong. When Shane let everyone know Styles defended his title tonight, Joe just had to write the final chapter. The story will end with Styles out cold and Joe holding that WWE Championship above his head. “The End.” Will Joe’s dark storybook ending come true? Or will Styles manage to retain and complete the trilogy?

Jeff Hardy & Rey Mysterio VS The Miz & Randy Orton!

The entire SmackDown half of the WWE World Cup is on display in this star-studded tag team main event! The Charismatic Enigma teams up with the King of Lucha Libre to take on the Hollywood A-Lister and The Viper before they pair off for the opening round. Who gets the win in this 2v2 teaser of Crown Jewel?

SmackDown returns as the entrances finish. The teams sort out, and we begin with Hardy and Orton. Fans rally up already as these two go at it again. Hardy gets a headlock but Orton pulls hair to power out. Hardy runs Orton over and runs, to then counter a hip toss with a hip toss. He brings Orton up to club the arm and wrench it. He collides shoulder with shoulder, then wrenches the arm more. Hardy gives Orton a jawbreaker, then bumps him off buckles as fans chant “DELETE! DELETE!” He has Orton come out but Miz interferes. Hardy gives him the atomic drop and leg-splitting leg drop. He wants the Twist but Orton shoves him. Hardy goes up but Miz trips him up! Mysterio chases Miz off, but the ref has him go back to his corner.

Orton stares Mysterio down, and mocks his height as he looks down. Miz gets sucker punches on Hardy, then Orton stomps Hardy’s limbs. Orton scrapes his laces on Hardy’s face, then stomps the hands. Orton tags Miz, and Miz stomps, too. Miz sits Hardy up for the low boot, cover, TWO! Miz drags Hardy up with a fishhook into a chinlock. Fans rally as Hardy endures. Hardy fights out but Miz yanks him down by his hair! The referee reprimands him, but Miz just brushes his hands off. Miz brings Hardy over to drive in knees. Orton gets eye rakes behind the ref’s back! Orton lets go before the ref sees, then tags in. Miz stomps a mudhole in until the count of 4, but then Orton comes in to scrape Hardy again.

Orton has Hardy under the bottom rope, and catapults him for the rope guillotine. He drags Hardy out on the apron to drive his elbow into Hardy’s throat. Mysterio rallies the fans even as Orton pulls Hardy into ropes. Orton backs off at 4 and keeps Hardy from reaching his corner. Orton stomps Hardy out, but fans continue to rally. Hardy stirs but Orton pulls his hair. Orton throws a punch but Hardy counter punches. Orton pokes the eyes then dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Hardy flounders but Orton is on him again with a chinlock. Orton squeezes but Hardy endures. Hardy reaches for ropes and fans rally up again. Hardy gets up and runs around, then fights with elbows. Orton clubs him and whips him, but Hardy boots Orton away. Hardy goes up, Whisper in the Wind hits!

Both men are down but fans fire up. Mysterio and Miz reach out as their tag partners crawl. Hardy is up but Orton follows. Hot tag to Miz, hot tag to Mysterio! Mysterio hits a springboard seated senton! Miz sunset flips but Mysterio rolls through to kick him in the moneymaker. Miz whips but Mysterio boots him away, then rolls into a satellite DDT! Cover, TWO! Mysterio brings Miz up, Miz shoves and tilt-o-whirls him to a backbreaker. Then the A-List combination, cover, TWO! Miz keeps his cool while he stalks Mysterio. He runs but Mysterio rolls him! Miz rolls through but gets in a wheelbarrow position. He wants the Finale, but Mysterio arm-drags out! Hot tag to Hardy! Hardy sunset flips Myz, Mysterio gets some lucha Poetry in Motion! Then Hardy gets the traditional Poetry in Motion!

Orton comes in but Hardy throws him back out. Mysterio wheelbarrows Miz to the ropes! He runs, 619! SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Hardy & Mysterio win!

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Jeff Hardy, Hardy pinning

RKO outta nowhere for Hardy! Mysterio springboards in, but he gets an RKO, too!! Miz staggers up to his feet, for an RKO!! The Viper stands tall over all his potential opponents. Orton needs to get through Mysterio first, then the winner of Mysterio-Miz. Will he succeed to then give an RKO to the Raw Bracket winner? Or will someone from SmackDown be put on the chopping block?

My Thoughts:

Once again, SmackDown appears to be Raw but better. They realized that with Daniel Bryan wanting out of Crown Jewel, they should give us that match anyway. And this match was amazing, probably what they were going to give us at Crown Jewel if Bryan was still going (or if it was in a venue no one would complain about). And they also gave us a great substitution out of nowhere as we get WWE Styles VS Joe 4. That match will also be great, and Bryan doesn’t look to suffer too much for sticking to his principles. And as for who wins between Styles and Joe, it could work either way since Survivor Series brings brand warfare. Assuming Strowman wins, either option of Strowman VS Styles or Strowman VS Joe would be great.

The “Trick of Street Fight” was fun, but it didn’t make much sense to not just make this a Six Man match in itself. The brawl broke out so it would’ve been fine if it started as a 3v3 to begin with. The New Day being the Brood kinda made up for it, though. The tag title match could go either way, too, but obviously Raw’s Rollins-Ambrose story will have to sort out somehow or else Rollins is doing double duty to face the SmackDown tag champs AND the United States Champ in one night. Though, that would be awesome. I’d give the Raw tag titles to Authors of Pain and they face New Day/The Bar, then it’ll be Rollins or Ambrose against Nakamura. Truth did great against Nakamura, by the way, even in losing. Nakamura needs more to do, and hopefully that changes on the way to Royal Rumble.

I like this “crisis of confidence” Charlotte is suddenly having as far as the Women’s Division. She turns down being team captain at the moment, but perhaps once she sees someone more bothersome like Zelina Vega taking over, she might change her mind and we get a match to determine team captain. Aside from Charlotte, I’d expect Asuka, Naomi, and maybe even the IIconics on the team given Raw will surely send Nia, Tamina, maybe even Bayley, Sasha and Ember. Becky’s promo was great because it got right to the point. She celebrates herself, but also calls out Ronda. I look forward to Ronda’s response on Raw, and then the story of the match being a battle of armbars for some real good technical wrestling.

The SmackDown Bracket tag team match was really good, and we got to see a bit of every possibility. But with Shane giving that threat to his people, and with Orton standing tall, I’m thinking Orton doesn’t win the World Cup. SmackDown might still pull it off if it’s Mysterio or Hardy in the finals, but it might actually be intriguing if a SmackDown superstar is “fired” and ends up on Raw.

My Score: 8.3/10

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GO! ACE! GO! ACE!

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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

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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

17 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.