Well we kicked the year off with a great episode of TNA. Only a three match card, but the segments and promos were great, Ryan Nemeth’s new gimmick is wonderful cringe and the show was just generally a fun and easy watch. Let’s hope we get more of the same this week.

Here’s to hoping that last week didn’t set the bar too high.

.@theraveneffect has ideas for @WeAreRosemary!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/xVir5pHHoL

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 10, 2025

Ratings:

• The System (Eddie Edwards, Dango & Brian Myers) w/Moose & Alisha vs Steve Maclin, Eric Young & Jonathan Gresham: Maclin wins via K.I.A. – ** 3/4
• Savannah Evans vs Lei Ying Lee: Lei Ying wins via Thunderstruck – ** 1/4
• The Northern Armoury Gauntlet Match: Northern Armoury vs Mike Santana: Santana wins via bad booking – zero
• The Good Hands vs The Rascalz: Rascalz win via Feed ‘Em To The Lions – **
• X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Andrew Everett: Moose wins via Last Ride – N/A
• Rhino & Joe Hendry vs The Kaiba Boys (Ryan & Nic Nemeth): Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – ***

Results:

NEXT WEEK on #TNAiMPACT!

If @PCOisNotHuman and @TheSamiCallihan can defeat the Hardys, they’ll earn a spot in the TNA World Tag Team Championship match at #TNAGenesis!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/7o7NENN5wQ

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 10, 2025

The System (Eddie Edwards, Dango & Brian Myers) w/Moose & Alisha vs Steve Maclin, Eric Young & Jonathan Gresham

Eddie and Gresham kick off the action, Gresham gets a few early shots before an Eye Gouge slows Gresham down. Eddie starts firing back but a Reverse Crossbody out of the corner turns it back around for Gresham and he tags in EY. EY and Gresham double up on Eddie for a bit, Gresham even lays the boots in a bit longer and the referee has to make him stop with the 5 count. EY tries to pull Eddie to the middle, but Eddie manages to slip away and tag in Myers. A little back and forth that ends with Alisha distracting EY and The System taking a few shortcuts to finally gain a measure of control. Dango tags in, lays into EY with some basic striking offense, nothing flashy but at least effective. Myers tags back in and they start playing coy with Maclin which forces him to try and get in the ring and distracts the referee so the heels can continue the onslaught.

The isolation game is strong on EY, Myers hits a Back Body Drop, lays out Gresham on the apron, taunts Maclin, looks for the Roster Cut but gets caught by EY and Spicolli Driver from EY! EY finally tags out, Maclin comes out hot and starts beating on everyone. Thesz Press meets Dango, Eddie tries to run in but eats a Busaiku Knee, Maclin levels both System members, Backbreaker on Dango, looks for the pinfall but Myers breaks it up. All six brawl a little until Dango tries a Blindside Bulldog, but Maclin sees it coming, throws Dango into the buckles, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs! K.I.A. and Dango is out, no break, Maclin wins!

Aftermath: System attacks the faces with Chairs, gives Gresham the old steel chair necklace and runs him face first into the post! Gresham is down, EY and Maclin run them off, but the damage is done.

Savannah Evans vs Lei Ying Lee

Xia Brookside comes out to accuse Savannah of injuring people but has the surprise of Lei Ying being back. I do like the small wink that Xia reintroduced Lei Ying Lee. 

Lee comes out hot, lays into Savannah, hits a quick Crossbody that Savannah catches sloppily, Savannah tries to powder but the next few steps are sloppy looking (all on Savannah) until Lee just hits a nice Thrust Kick to rock Savannah and a few more nice high impact moves before Savannah just finally gets a chance to use her power and One Armed Sitout Powerbomb Lee. Savannah tries to keep the pressure on with the neck crank but Lee powers up, tries to go for some quick offense, looks for a Frankensteiner but Savannah blocks it and its a Speed Striker vs Powerhouse exchange where Lee just tries to stick and move while Savannah picks a few spots to dig in and counter with a big Lariat.

Savannah looks for her Full Nelson Bomb but Lee slips it with the Arm Drag counter, Savannah tries to turn around to run Lei Ying over and instead Savannah eats Thunderstuck (Trouble in Paradise) for the win.

It’s very shoehorn feeling to just have Xia say that Lei Ying was injured when it’s not like commentary even mentioned it (maybe because of Chris Bey’s legit injury) but, I’m just glad to have Lei Ying back. 

TNA+ Moment of the Week: Kurt Angle vs Jeff Jarrett – NoDQ Genesis 2009

The Northern Armoury Gauntlet Match: Northern Armoury vs Mike Santana

Santana comes out first, the jabronis come out second without Josh. So we all know this isn’t going to matter until Josh shows up. This is like a Pokemon Gym but the Junior Trainers are inept morons with the skill set of a level 14 Magikarp.

Jabroni one tries to do death by 1000 cuts, Santana no sells all of his offense even with cheating, he tries some kind of Ripchord Rainmaker but Santana turns it into a Spin the Block and dude is dead. Santana beats Jabroni number 1, bald one is second…and he’s gonna do nothing worth talking about either. Remember I said I wouldn’t learn these two morons names because they are portrayed as nobodies, so no reason for me to care.

Bald Jabroni is so underwhelming we go to commercial, thank you Commercial Jesus, I didn’t want to watch a Jobber do useless things for 3 minutes to get blown up in a 20 second flurry from Santana. We come back, Santana tries for the Rolling Buck 50 but Bald Jabroni catches him into a Crucifix Bomb, but Santana powers out, Buckle Bomb, Reverse Powerbomb and Sitout Powerbomb puts the Jabroni to bed. Josh’s music hits again and he slowly walks down the ramp and looks dismayed.

Josh just has the nerd mug Santana after the bell, so its a three on one gang attack, Josh is DQ’d, so Santana technically wins. Josh punctuates the beatdown with a C4 Spike and then grabs his Headgear back from Santana. Lame finish, but when it involves two nobodies, I don’t think anyone is surprised.

The Good Hands vs The Rascalz

Wentz and Hotch start, Wentz dog walks him quick with a Tornillo out of the corner and then a little ACS Rush homage to the Machine Guns. Trey with a few shots, tags back in Wentz but a shortcut gives the Job Hands an opening. Granted, I like the Good Hands for their position in the card and they’re just a good classic heel team. They bait out Trey to distract the referee and then Double Crotch Standing whilst Wentz is in the Tree of Woe. Skyler tries to keep the pressure up, throws him into the ropes, Wentz runs by Skyler, Lethal Injection! Simultaneous tags and Trey takes out everyone, hangs Hotch on the middle rope and does this Cartwheel Spinning Rope Assisted DDT thing. It looked cool, that’s all that matters.

Skyler manages to dump Trey out, they double up on Trey, Hotch hits a Splash for two and then Wentz stops the Good Hands’ momentum with the Back Handspring Knee Lift into Feed ‘Em To The Lions!

The finish was never really a question, at least this was kinda fun coming off some awkwardness and a poorly booked gauntlet match. 

.@TheEricYoung and @SteveMaclin are FURIOUS after The System’s brutal attempt to end @TheJonGresham’s career! @AJFrancis410 and @KCwrestles couldn’t care less!

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/Dw7ITswj28 pic.twitter.com/inm0HIFPTr

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 10, 2025

X Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Andrew Everett

Moose comes out to say he’s going to unveil a new belt a Genesis because he thinks the current X Division title is garbage. Andrew Everett randomly comes out to literally no reaction, tries to say he’s X Division and Moose ain’t the face of shit. Moose kicks his head off in what looks like Neon Green Crocs (they’re sneakers, they just look silly as hell). Moose calls for a referee and makes an impromptu title match.

Skywalker gets in a couple shots at best before Moose just has his way with him. Single Arm Powerbomb from the Buckles to the apron, another Apron Bomb, goes into the ring, Last Ride and puts a foot on his chest, easiest duel of his life. Moose wins in street clothes and barely breaking a sweat.

Jordynne comes out to call out Tessa, amusingly says that Tessa should be afraid that she has a live mic, but she won’t stoop to her level. Says a few things and then Tessa comes out of the crowd, they brawl for a little bit until broken up by security and we go to commercial.

Rhino & Joe Hendry vs The Kaiba Boys (Ryan & Nic Nemeth)

Points to the real ones who understand the Kaiba Boys reference. Oh and Kaz comes out to commentary during the commercial break.

Ryan and Rhino start, Ryan powders, plays coy and then tags in his big brother Seto, I mean Nic. Rhino turns around Nic’s early attempt at a Headlock with Arm Wringers, Should Tackles and then he eats a Dropkick from Nic. Ryan tags in, Double In and Out Wringers into Short Clotheslines for a near fall. Rhino quickly flips the script on Ryan, shoves him into his corner and tags out to Joe. Joe gets one Knife Edge Chop and then tags out, they take turns tagging in and out for Chops, Ryan tries to fire against Hendry, lays in a Chop of his own and Hendry no sells it. Lays out Ryan, Ryan tries to get away from Hendry, run the ropes and eats another Shoulder Tackle. Hendry lifts up Ryan for the Stalling Suplex as he also decides to walk around the whole ring with Ryan inverted, just toying with him. Stalling Suplex connects, Hendry tags out and Ryan turns things around Rhino pretty quick and tags out to Nic.

Nic with some of his more signature offense, Rude Awakening, Shot to the Heart Elbows, but tags back out to Ryan. Mokuba needs to get his reps in. Ryan chokes Rhino on the ropes and then tags out to Nic as they gang up on Rhino a little. Nic strings some offense together, looks for the FameASSer, but Rhino catches him, Powerbombs him and simultaneous tag time! Ryan gets dog walked early, Attitude Adjustment from Hendry, Nic tries to jump in literally, Hendry catches him, Sack of Shit, Kip Up and looks for the Standing Ovation on Ryan, but the thumb to the eye stops that. Hendry Cutter with a pinfall but Nic breaks it up. Belly to Belly from Rhino to Nic, Ryan stops Rhino from Goring Nic, so Ryan eats the Gore instead. Superkick from Nic sends Rhino reeling, Joe Lariats Nic to the outside, Standing Ovation on Ryan, Mokuba is a card.

Overall Score: 5/10

Potentially the dictionary definition of average. Some aspects of this episode were enjoyable, Xia Brookside, Lei Ying Lee, Raven, Joe Hendry, DeathMeat and KC Navarro existing. But plenty of other things to lull me to sleep or make me ask why, like why book a gauntlet match when we all know the jabronis suck and you just cock teased us with an immediate Josh DQ. Yes yes, “It sets up Genesis” – but wait – NO IT DOESN’T! It’s just like the SDL broken neck angle, there is no reason to promote a match happening just to bait and switch or ‘swerve’ the logic. It just comes off desperate because you booked yourself into a corner, and proves the booker is an imbecile.

And we didn’t get any whiny Ryan promos! How dare you ram it down our throats last week, and it was wonderful cringe, to just ignore it the next week. Stop with not knowing how to right cohesive stories. Christ on a crutch, did no one on the writing staff pass sixth grade? Or did everyone score less than a 1000 on their SAT? Because damn…I mean damn.

Write better.

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).