I did write 2025 in the title for this right? Worst thing about a New Year is remembering to write the correct date for like three months. But one of the best things is, a new year means…no more useless Awards shows with clips or “never before seen matches” that no one cares about!

We’ve got some Tessa Blanchard time upcoming and much like last year…Joe Hendry will say words probably to open the show. If we can get a semblance of a coherent storyline this year and Hendry wins the damn title at Genesis, maybe Tommy Dreamer is a redeemable booker. But currently, “Booking by Tommy” makes “Booking by Tunney” look like a genius Einstein equation.

Can we please start things off with some hope? Maybe? Please.

Rascalz vs. The Hardy at #TNAGenesis!? @MATTHARDYBRAND @JEFFHARDYBRAND @ZacharyWentz @TheTreyMiguel

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/SjpCtpSxQB pic.twitter.com/33UE1CdYjE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 3, 2025

Ratings:

• Ryan Nemeth vs Rhino: Ryan Nemeth wins via DQ – *
• Kushida vs Ace Austin: Ace wins via The Fold – ****
• Elegance Clique (Heather & ASH) w/Personal Concierge, Tasha Steelz & Rosemary vs Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich & Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat): Masha wins via Requiem – **

Results:

And the show opens with a Joe Hendry segment, where’s the surprised Pikachu meme when I need it. He doesn’t say a ton of new stuff except for the fact that he’s number one contender now. Ryan Nemeth comes out to call Hendry a mid-carder and is referring to Nic as “his big brother” so often, he’s obviously trying to get it over, and it’s not the worst. It’s so lame its almost great. Hendry turns it around of course, but Ryan deflects in a delusional dweeb kind of way and talks about he’s gonna make big moves after he beats Rhino later in the night. 

Hendry decides to use the most inconsistent wrestling trope of them all and calls out Rhino to start the match now. Cause you know wrestlers don’t make matches, unless they do, and then commentary just says the authority figure texted approval or something.

Ryan Nemeth vs Rhino

They start with Arm Wringers, just very basic bare bones 90s wrestling start. Nemeth gets shot off into the ropes, grabs them to stop Rhino from getting momentum. Ryan tries to go for a hand shake, the crowd chants Gore and Rhino doesn’t fall for the hand shake. Ryan takes a few short cuts landing opportunistic kicks, spots on the outside, he gets a bit arrogant digging into old Dolph Ziggler mannerisms so that’s the cue for Rhino to start the comeback. Ryan eats fists, back to back Lariats, short Spear in the corner, and then Ryan powders. Rhino tries to grab him, Ryan rakes the eyes, grabs a chair…the referee just lets him bring in the chair. Rhino steps on the chair, levels Ryan, grabs the chair and starts lighting up Ryan.

So Ryan wins via DQ.

Awful match that only ends up giving Ryan a “win” on paper, so I guess we’re gonna get B Team level of Delusion. Which could be great…like the B Team, or it will be cringe like Axelmania.

Kushida vs Ace Austin

Starts off a little slow with both jockeying for position, very reminiscent of classic Kushida Junior matches in New Japan where he tries to shoot a little early to find something quick, but Ace is slippery. Snapmares, Headscissors and variations of those keep Ace grounded for a little until he utilizes the Wrestler’s Bridge to get out, float over but then get caught by Kushida right away before slipping out and then a rope run spot, Kushida sets up his Cartwheel Dropkick as normal but Ace Kips Up during the Cartwheel and Dropkicks Kushida himself! Kushida powders so Ace goes for the Marufuji Plancha. They toy with each other on the apron, Ace goes for his signature apron dodge but Kushida returns the favor of watching the tape and grabs Ace’s wrist he planted on and rips him off the apron. Kushida puts more focus on that arm with an Armbar, and…commercial break.

We come back, big Chop drops Ace through the ropes, Kushida hits the Baseball Slide and hypes the crowd on the apron. He collects Ace with a Wrist Lock on the bad arm, but Ace is being indignant, he’s goading Kushi to hit him, slaps Kushida a few times so Kushida hits an Enzuigiri or a snap Shining Wizard to shut up Ace. Kushida keeps up some damage on the arm, looks for the Kawada kicks but pivots to a corner spot where they drop each other with simultaneous moves. Fighting Spirit spot when they get up, Kushida kicks at the injured arm, Tanaka Punch gets countered by Ace, Russian Leg Sweep into Click Click Boom! Ace looking for a Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb but Kushida fights it off twice before Ace grits it out and snaps off the Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb for two. Ace looks for the Art Finesse, but Kushi grabs him, hits him quick and pulls off the Cartwheel Dropkick into the Shotei and looks for the Avalanche Hoverboard Lock but Ace counters, then Kushida counters, a little rolling, Ankle Lock from Kushi! Ace grabs for the rope with the injured arm, Kushida lets go of the Ankle to kick the arm, Shotei off the ropes and only a two count!

Ace baits Kushida into missing the corner spot, Triangle Kick from Ace into his Miz style Rope Hung Seated Lariats. He perches Kushida, tries for the Step Over Headscissors but takes to long, Kushida catches him, rocks him, Handspring Back Kick into the Avalanche Cross Armbreaker, Ace counters it twice, they slip and counter each other, Ace tries an Art of Finesse, Dropkick from Kushi says no, Back to the Future is sandbagged from Ace! Kushi can’t get him over, Ace Roundhouse Kick rocks Kushida, hits the Fold after pulling out the old playing card, and Ace wins!

Ace cuts a heartfelt promo afterwards talking about Bey and how Bey told him to go on a crazy singles run and aim for the World title. Moose walks out to play spoiler on the promo. Moose feels disrespected, Moose tries to say something about Bey and Ace immediately gets hot and they seem to have really good promo chemistry. Moose’s comments get under Ace’s skin enough to get him to focus on Moose, wants to fight him and Santino’s music hits. So the ‘splainin’ will prolly be “You haz da match in Genisys! Terminator 5 get hype”. Yup…more or less, X Division title match Moose vs Ace. 

It's a wild scene backstage between The System, @TheEddieEdwards, @TheEricYoung and @TheJonGresham!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/SjpCtpSxQB pic.twitter.com/ztlSI0vkNJ

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 3, 2025

TNA+ Moment of the Week: DCC vs The Broken Hardyz vs Decay, Genesis 2017

Them going back to the Throwback match segment is kinda neat. As long as its not every week and maybe only to highlight old PPVs of the same name, this could be fun to bring back in moderation.

The Nemeth Brothers will deal with @Rhyno313 and @joehendry NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT! @NicTNemeth @ryrynemnem

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/SjpCtpS013 pic.twitter.com/vroc11UnrC

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 3, 2025

Santana comes out to cut a promo still with Josh’s head gear in his hand, so Josh’s music hits for him to walk out with his nerdy nobody jabroni squad. Hell the stable uses Josh’s theme, the other two literally don’t matter. The crowd in Atlanta is very vocal and it’s making all the wrestlers react to them. All in good ways, but it’s just nice to see. Josh pulls out facts about how Santana won nothing after he left TNA, Josh tries to mic drop and walk off so Santana just clowns him. He asks if he won the matches because he was good or be cause he was kissing up to the man with the pencil, and that gets under Josh’s skin. Santana challenges the entire Armoury next week. Not sure if it will be a gauntlet match or a 3 on 1. 

Nic Nemeth comes out, cuts a decent promo putting Hendry over but as soon as he starts talking about Ryan there are audible boos, so Ryan walks out to more boos. The Atlanta crowd hates Ryan, his voice is super whiny, this is frustrating fantastic work. 

Elegance Clique (Heather & ASH) w/Personal Concierge, Tasha Steelz & Rosemary vs Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich & Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat)

Masha and Rosemary start, Rosemary tries to start quick but Masha stifles her, tags in Jordynne, Jordynne and Masha do a tandem Electric Chair Splash but only a near fall. So then things break down to all 8 throwing hands, the babyface team gets the best of it, Quadruple Suplexes cause all of the heels to powder and then Masha and Jordynne open the ropes for Spitfire to Dive through ala Motor City Machine Guns for a big car crash bowling spot. Rosemary gets tossed back in, another near fall and then we’re off to commercial town again.

We’re back and for reasons unknown beyond “tags happened” Heather is getting tossed around by Dani. Jody with the blind tag, so rolling low Dropkicks and Crossbodies make Heather desperate. Heather slips Jody’s lift and tags in Tasha, in which Tasha is immediately snatched up, slammed and Dani is tagged back into keep the punishment going. Jawbreaker from Tasha gives her the time to tag out to ASH, but ASH is immediately countered, Jody is tagged in and Tandem Stalling Suplex. The heels just look stupid in this match so far. Concierge finally makes himself useful and allows ASH to grab Jody’s hair and swing the momentum. Referee is getting spun around with all the people so Rosemary takes a short cut choking Jody in the heel corner while ASH tags in Heather and Jody is reeling. ANOTHER COMMERCIAL

The match started with a commercial and there’s been two during…sheesh. Jody is still getting worked over but this time by ASH, but I’m definitely no longer invested in this match. I’m just waiting for Tessa to show up. Rosemary tags in after ASH hits her Back Handspring Elbow, Rosemary tries to choke out Jody, Jody starts fighting back. She fights out of the heel corner, Rosemary tries to throttle her, perches her but Jody is still fighting off 4 people even though she’s been eating moves for like 6 minutes. Jordynne tags in, starts running over everyone, rocks her, Spicolli Driver with the pop, Sliding D for two. Juggernaut Driver is countered, World’s Strongest Slam into Vader Bomb but Tasha jumps off the top with a splash to break up the pinfall. Jordynne lays out Tasha with a Lariat, Masha tags in, Sambo strikes into a Capo Kick that has to be broken up by Rosemary. Signature spam moment, so we’re either gonna get a finish or Tessa to just show up and no contest the world. Tasha Okurrr on Jordynne to force her to powder but Masha is lying in wait, Roundhouse Kick into Requiem, Masha gets the pinfall.

Tessa attacks Jordynne only from behind and then the heels go after the other three with Rosemary green misting Masha. Tessa ties Jordynne’s gym bag around her neck, drags her to the door and throws her out ala Buff Bagwell and Booker T. Tessa says she’s gonna take HER locker room back. 

Overall Score: 7.25/10

Even though there wasn’t a lot of wrestling, the segments were actually pretty fantastic. Ryan’s new gimmick could get old quick, but it’s so pathetically addictive to hate and mock; I love the hell out of it. Ace and Moose have some great chemistry so that should be a great match, Kaz with Leon Slater and the Dango cameo was good stuff and I’m a big Tessa fan. So as I said for Final Resolution, if she’s really trying to become a better person and made amends, she deserves a second chance and I’ve missed her in American wrestling shows. Rascalz against The Hardyz also makes obvious sense, I can’t imagine a world where Rascalz win, but it should be a fun match and maybe build a good angle. Santana going through the Northern Armoury could be fantastic also, so it gives something to look forward to next week.

Honestly I didn’t even realize there were only three matches until we got to the main event because the show was such a fun and easy watch.

So all things considered, I’d call this a damn good start to 2025. Plus Ace vs Kushida is easily in the MOTY conversation right now (yes it’s mostly humour since its only the second).

Happy New Year from ROH!

It’s a New Year, but will there be new champions? Red Velvet defends her ROH Women’s World TV Championship against the towering HANAKO!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Red Velvet VS HANAKO; Velvet wins and retains the title.
• Rocky Romero & Homicide VS Lio Rush & Action Andretti; win.
• 8 Man Tag: Shane Taylor Promotions VS The Dark Order & The Iron Savages; win(s).
• Harley Cameron VS ???
• ROH Rewind – ???
• ROH World Television Championship Proving Ground: Komander VS QT Marshall; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Red Velvet VS HANAKO!

While The Chef survived a LEGIT challenger in Leyla Hirsch, she must now find a way to overcome Stardom’s 181 Centimeter Wonder Tower! Can Velvet stay hot even into the New Year? Or will she end up eating an L?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who tastes sweet victory!

The Code of Honor is upheld, though barely by Velvet. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Velvet taunts Hanako by flexing. Velvet calls for a Test of Strength, but then she keeps switching hands on Hanako. She even makes it a smooth pop ‘n’ lock. Hanako then returns the favor by taunting Velvet over height. The fans applaud but Velvet resets with Hanako. They tie up, Velvet waistlocks then headlocks, then spins through to hammerlock. Hanako reaches back to headlock and she thrashes Velvet. Velvet wrenches out, wristlocks, then talks trash. Hanako slips the hold up and over to wristlock back!

Velvet rolls, kips up, wrenches and then breaks the wristlock so she can stir it up! The fans are torn but Hanako SHOVES Velvet! Velvet uses ropes as defense and the ref has Hanako stay back. Velvet and Hanako reset and tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Velvet headlocks but Hanako powers up! Velvet holds on tight but then Hanako powers out. They RAM shoulders and Hanako eggs Velvet on. Velvet runs and RAMS Hanako, but Hanako stays put! Hanako eggs Velvet on again, but Velvet pie faces Hanako! The fans boo but Hanako frowns. Hanako runs, but into a mule kick! Might’ve been a superkick but Velvet can’t reach that high.

Velvet mocks the fans, runs, but Hanako CLOBBERS her! The fans fire up as Hanako scoops Velvet, but Velvet slips free! Velvet kicks low, fires a forearm, but Hanako blocks the whip! Velvet kicks low, whips again, but Hanako reverses. Velvet ducks ‘n’ dodges and leaps, but Hanako catches her! Hanako pops Velvet around for the SLAM! The fans cheer as Hanako then runs, but Velvet hurries out of the ring! The fans boo but Velvet says she’s not getting hit by that splash! The fans duel as Hanako pursues, Velvet leads her on a cat ‘n’ mouse game! They get in the ring, and Velvet runs up to CHOP BLOCK!

Velvet taunts Hanako and stomps the bad leg. Velvet bumps Hanako off buckles, then she puts the leg in the ropes. Velvet pulls on the leg, but she lets go as the ref counts. Velvet throws body shots and even punches the leg! The ref counts, Velvet lets off, and she tells fans to shut up. Velvet returns but Hanako CLOBBERS her! Velvet gets up to dropkick legs out! Velvet pushes Hanako down, then drags her back up. Velvet puts Hanako in a corner, bumps her off buckles, then drags her to the corner! The fans rally but Velvet “gets a taste” before she SWINGS the leg into the post! Hanako writhes while Velvet fixes her hair.

Velvet then SWINGS the bad leg into the post again! The ref reprimands but Velvet steps inside. Velvet tells the fans that she’s only gonna break their hearts, so don’t bother cheering. Velvet then drags Hanako up, CLUBS her, then CLUBS her again. Velvet tells off a rather sassy fan, but Hanako blocks the suplex! Velvet CLUBS away on Hanako, then brings her around, but Hanako suplexes first! Stall and then SLAM! The fans fire up while Hanako hobbles to a corner. Hanako aims, Velvet runs up, but Hanako ELBOWS her! Velvet scowls, tells fans to “SUCK IT!” but then Hanako BOOTS her! Velvet staggers back up and Hanako CLOBBERS her!

Hanako BOOTS Velvet again, then fires up! Hanako fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! Velvet flounders to a corner, Hanako runs corner to corner, SPLASH! Hanako whips Velvet, runs corner to corner again, SPLASH! Hanako snapmares Velvet for the SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Hanako fires up. Hanako torture racks Velvet but Velvet flails! Velvet grabs ropes, Hanako YANKS her away, but then Velvet slips free! Velvet staggers, Hanako runs up, but Velvet drop toeholds her onto ropes! The fans boo but Velvet runs to DOUBLE KNEE! Velvet digs her knees in, tells fans off more, then flips them off!

Velvet YANKS Hanako from ropes, then STIR IT UP! Cover, TWO?!? Hanako survives the kick and Velvet is seething. Velvet drags Hanako up, tells the fatties to shut up, but Hanako fires elbows! Hanako fireman’s carries, and has the HUNGARIAN BACKBREAKER STRETCH! Velvet endures, then CLAWS Hanako’s eyes! Hanako lets Velvet down, Velvet kicks the legs out! SUPERKICK! Velvet then dragon sleepers, STRAIGHT OUT THE KITCHEN! Cover, Velvet wins!

Winner: Red Velvet, by pinfall (still ROH Women’s World Television Champion)

Velvet tells off the fans again, then holds up her title. Will the heat keep climbing until The Chef’s cooked this division?

Shane Taylor speaks.

“This is America. Land of the greedy, home of the corrupt. Where you’re not judged by the content of your character, but by the casualties you leave behind. Hell, in today’s day and age, people don’t care about how you rise to power, only what you do when you get there. They don’t even think about the bodies that you had to step on along the way. Gone are the days of the warriors, the true warriors, who stood toe to toe, went blow for blow, with the best, at their best. To figure out one simple question: Who’s the baddest? Until now. Shane Taylor Promotions, we ain’t running from nobody, we ain’t ducking nobody, and we damn sure ain’t afraid to go to war.

“You think you got what it takes to fight the baddest fight team in the wrestling business? Be our guest. We’ll win the fight, and then we’ll win the crown. Rumble, bad man, rumble.” STP is ready for anyone and everyone, so who will they go through to reach the top of the mountain?

Rocky Romero & Homicide VS Lio Rush & Action Andretti!

The Rottweilers are reunited and looking good, but they’re running up against the #1 contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Champions. Will Azucar and the Notorious 187 prove they could be next in line? Or will The Bad Child & Sight to See make this the Final Hour?