As I feel like I say every week, the best parts of TNA are on NXT. I really can’t tolerate Dreamer and Delirious’ idea of creative. This shows have been slapdash early 00s MTV humor and nonsense angles. We open the show with Trick Williams, so of course you know he’s gonna be a dick and Hendry’s gonna try and get even.

At least this spawned an interesting concept with the TNA Heavyweight Championship being defended on NXT Battleground. So it’s nice that Hendry and TNA are getting exposure, but honestly it’s only Hendry, and the constant milking on the TNA side of “hearing from Hendry” is making me ill.

I feel like I’ve seen Johnny Gobs all over since Nekrogoblikon came out with new music. Not mad at it, just didn’t have that on my Bingo card.

.@Santana_Proud and @_trickwilliams just crossed paths—then @AJFrancis410 & @KCwrestles tried recruiting @TheSamiCallihan… and sparked beef with Santana in the process.

Wait… IS THAT @JohnGoblikon!?

WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/EQwH3BjPFE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025

Ratings:

• Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck – *
• Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors: Aztec Warriors win via Laredo Driver + Arabian Moonsault – * 1/2
• Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands: Ali wins via Crucifix Blade Runner – ** 3/4
• Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks: Victoria wins via Flying Axe Kick – Squash
• Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury: Maclin retains via KIA – ***

Results:

Hey look, Trick comes out and does exactly what I said. He’s arrogant, he’s basically doing his own version of a Ric Flair promo. I do like the line about having two girls, one named Lexis who drives a Mercedes and Mercedes who drives a Lexus. It’s that right balance of dumb and clever to make me chuckle. Hendry of course comes out with his game face on, security tries, fails, and Hendry gets a measure of revenge.

Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee – Lei wins via Thunderstruck

Okay even though I don’t mind Xia as a wrestler anymore, Brookside is on commentary and she’s…awful. She’s like an Arianna Grace with no charisma. Her little integrity shtick got lame halfway through the word the first time she said it.

This match goes about how you expect which is why it’s not much to discuss. Rosemary does her usually brawling, biting and using the 5 counts with the Upside Down. But as expected, she tries to use the Brass Knucks, Xia comes off of commentary to stop her from using the weapon, and Lei catches her with Thunderstruck. I guess this was supposed to keep the Xia angle with some heat, but it’s really dumb. I don’t want to see any more of this Angel vs Demon, which one will turn crap. It’s boring, it’s cliche and for babies.

At least Lei Ying Lee is gorgeous and one hell of a wrestler. Hopefully she gets away from Rosemary and Xia soon.

Great Hands vs Aztec Warriors

Laredo and Octagon take early turns on Jason Hotch, Octagon even pulls off some rope acrobatics like he thinks he’s Rey Fenix. Hands try to take a few shortcuts, but the actions stays quick, the Cali crowd is behind the Luchadors. Stereo Tijeras, Five Hole Dive from Laredo into an Asai Moonsault from Octagon. Laredo Driver into Handstand Arabian Moonsault, and Aztec Warriors win handily.

After the fact Ali attacks the Aztec Warriors, Tasha and the Hands are trying to calm down Ali but then the Rascalz run out. Maybe we’re getting an early start to the Trey vs Ali match. 

Trey Miguel w/Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/Tasha & Hands

Hopefully this is something worth actually typing about instead of WCW Thunder level of rushed throwaway trash.

They trade early chops, but Ali is pissed, no sells Trey and rocks him with a Forearm. Trey tries to Baseball Slide through the legs and roll into a Sunset Flip, but Ali rolls through, comes up with Trey and Powerbombs him moving immediately into Ground and Pound. Ali goes for a Reverse Powerslam, but Trey escapes it, tries to use his quickness, trips up Ali for a second as he goes to the apron and then he catches Trey in the ropes and hits the Draping DDT off the apron. Outside In Neckbreaker from Ali into a Standing Tornillo.

Ali throws Trey into the ropes, Trey tries something but Ali catches him, flips him vertical and then Dragon Suplex looks nasty. Ali heads back to the apron, wants the Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker, but Trey catches him with a Cutter! Trey puts a little Shake Rattle and Roll together, Ali tries to block the last one so Trey hits the ropes and lands a Lionsault. Ali powders and eats a Dive, Trey throws him back in, Meteora! 1-2-kick out! Trey gets a little frustrated but tries a front facelock, they trade cradles, Ali throws him to the ropes, Trey tries that Rewind Tiger Feint, but Ali hits a Missile Dropkick. Ali tells the Hands to finish things but Wentz comes out flying. Ali drives Wentz into the post, throws Trey back in and mouths off to Wentz. When he turns he eats Trey’s Knee Slide Tornado DDT.

Tasha distracts the ref, Hands attack Trey with a Double Choke Bomb on the Apron and Ali kills Trey with Crucifix Blade Runner.

Hardys come out to talk, they get a solid pop from the crowd, but nothing interesting gets said. The old “we let you down” promo and they’re trying to get across a fandom nickname of “Diehardyz” and that’s corny. They punctuate their part before the Nemeths of course come out with some Obsolete and Delete references. Ryan starts talking and gets booed loudly, so that’s nice, they both play in it well. Ryan makes some goofy faces, Nic and him poke fun at the Hardys and the fact that Jeff can’t come to Canada because he’s prohibidabido. 

So Santino comes out, says next week Jeff and Nic will have a singles match, so Matt will get a tag match against the Nemeths with a partner of his choosing. Kind of a stock standard promo, but the Nemeths and Santino made it fun. 

Huh, coming back from commercial there’s a video package from WWE showing the last time Jeff Hardy and Nic Nemeth had a match. 16 years ago. 

Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks

Brittnie is Chris Bey’s girlfriend and Alicia was always one of my favorites.

Victoria clocks Brittnie early, but Brittnie fires back, Victoria gets annoyed, hits her beautiful Northern Lights Suplex Hold for only a two. Victoria drives Brittnie into the corner, Brittinie tries to fight out, but Victoria catches her with a Tumbling Headscissors Take Over and then a Flying Axe Kick. Victoria’s gorgeous self wins, and Victoria looked pretty decent in the squash.

Masha comes out, attacks Victoria, so Tessa makes a save. Santino makes a tag match next week Blanshard and Crawfish vs Slamabitch and a partner of her choosing. Robert Stone overrides Santino and picks her partner for her and chooses Nikkita Lyons. 

Tessa Blanchard is GOING OFF on @AriannaGraceWWE! @milanmiracle @MrStoneWWE

WATCH #TNAiMPACT! on TNA+: https://t.co/afG9MKyLaa pic.twitter.com/7pnK7OG167

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 9, 2025

Dog Collar Match: International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/Northern Armoury

EY sandbags in the corner at the bell and then catches Maclin with an opportune yank of the chain and then starts a little dirty boxing and chain choking. Cardona is out on commentary because there’s a number 1 contender match next week for the International title. EY grinds the chain across Maclin’s face and the bridge of his nose, and he’s bleeding 40 seconds into the match.

Maclin powders but since it’s a dog collar match the jabronis get involved immediately. Maclin is bleeding like his last name is Rhodes, the jabronis get in some pot shots and EY just whips him with the chain, uses the post, just goes for classic deliberately paced hardcore brawl tactics. Maclin does manage to get a small flurry, EY does the Flair Corner Flop, then EY and the jabronis eat a SCUD before we go to commercial.

We come back, Maclin is back to getting murdered, and now all the potential number 1 contenders and either on commentary, the ramp or in the back watching a monitor. Even Mance Warner looks a little concerned and horny at the same time with the blood. Maclin is so bloody he looks like a post explosion scene from The Boys. Maclin fires, whips EY in the ropes, grabs him mid run, Headbutts him a few times, Jumping Thesz Press into the Ground and Pound with some chain whips. Jabronis come in and eat a Busakiu and Backbreaker, EY tries to take advantage but EY eats an Olympic Slam. Another Busaiku for EY, Jar Headbutt connects! EY kicks out at two, then powders but Maclin follows and wraps the chain around his neck and starts throwing EY around by the throat. Dorks fly at Maclin, he deflects them, but EY yanks the chain and Maclin falls off the apron. EY throws him back in, another two count. EY heads to the top, Maclin crotches him, bald Jabroni eats a Powerbomb, hair Jabroni heads a Buckle Bomb. EY slips the Tree, so Maclin puts the jabronis in the corner, Stacked Tag Em and Bag Em, Nerds get Caught in the Crosshairs!

EY sees the chance, kick to the gut, Piledriver! 1-2…KICK OUT! EY calls for the Macho Elbow but Maclin gets up, pulls him off the top with the chain and KIA! Maclin retains!

Overall Score: 4/10

A generally disappointing episode. The first hour felt like WCW Thunder written by Meth addicted Racoons. But the second hour starting with Mustafa, turned out to be okay. I’ve always enjoyed Alicia Fox aesthetically and she wasn’t bad in the ring, Mustafa being edgy is cool, Ryan Nemeth is a treasure, Tessa is still great and the dog collar match was decent.

So a mixed bag definitely. Rosemary is honestly useless anymore. She only gets a pop because of the gimmick, but her storylines have sucked, her matches aren’t great and this whole Infantile Sting knockoff of trying to stick to her morals and integrity and not do the mean things. Aztec Warriors are basic lucha stuff with no gimmick beyond the fact they’re luchadors. Lastly, the Trick Flair opening segment was okay at best but really just just paint by numbers.

It’s a sad turn of events when my favorite wrestling program anymore is WWE main roster stuff. Yikes…2025 is weird.

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

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

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

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

WATCH #TNAiMPACT LIVE NOW on TNA+: https://t.co/XMRO4aTSb2
USE CODE TNALIVE for 1 Month FREE: https://t.co/3rSLmT8PHH pic.twitter.com/EubSf7i16I

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 2, 2025

Ratings:

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

Results:

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

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

Mike Santana vs Isaiah Moore

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

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

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

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

WATCH #TNAiMPACT NOW LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/XMRO4aTSb2

USE CODE TNALIVE for 1 Month Free of TNA+: https://t.co/3rSLmT8PHH pic.twitter.com/GBTqhGcE4f

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 2, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

WATCH #TNAiMPACT NOW LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/XMRO4aTSb2

USE CODE TNALIVE for 1 Month Free of TNA+: https://t.co/3rSLmT8PHH pic.twitter.com/tUTwLCthZH

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 2, 2025

Maggie Lee vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

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

KC Navarro w/AJ Francis vs Leon Slater

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Score: 6.75/10

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

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