Last week was so bad, the best takeaway is that this HAS to be better. Sure…it could be even worse, but even under new management TNA has a very consistent history of inconsistency. They can have 2 months of abysmal garbage and then suddenly surprise you with the most entertaining show you’ve seen in weeks. That was true during the Russo years, Cornette, Dutch, Billy Corgan, Don Callis, D’amour and even last year with the early shades of Dreamer’s collective.

Now we get to see if my faith in this brand continues to plummet like stock prices when Sheriff Tariff was running the economy, or if they put a pause on my disdain.

To the television machine!

.@TheJohnSkyler pays the price for @MustafaAli_X! @Santana_Proud

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/WhydO0lwow pic.twitter.com/QQp9wRYU3l

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 11, 2025

Ratings:

• Mustafa Ali w/Cabinet vs Ace Austin: Ace wins via DQ – N/A
• TNA World Championship: Moose (c) w/Dango & Myers vs Deaner: Moose retains via Lights Out – zero
• The Rascalz vs The System: System wins via Cheat Assisted Pinfall – **
• Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro: AJ wins via TFL – ** 3/4
• Ryan “Mokuba” Nemeth vs Leon “Charisma Vacuum” Slater: Slater wins via Swanton 450 – **
• Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Steve Maclin: Eddie wins via Boston Knee Party – ***

Results:

Ethan Page opens the show similarly to how he ended last week. I still don’t care. Kaz comes down sounding like a corny doofus, it really sounds like he’s doing a Parody of Jericho without any engaging lines. These first 10 minutes are such a bore and then Santino comes out to tell us that even though he’s injured JOE HENDRY WILL TALK LATER. I hate this redundant gimmick. Leave it to Dreamer and Delirious to really make me start hating Joe Hendry. 

Going to commercial I think I heard the commentary call Ali the head of Order 4? Why aren’t they just The Cabinet? Order 4 is the laziest most inane name I ever heard. It’s like a Chinese Supermarket knockoff Faction name. New World Order? Nah. 4 Horsemen? Nope…but we got Order 4. And coming out of commercial they confirm the worst faction name I’ve ever heard. 

Mustafa Ali w/Cabinet vs Ace Austin

Ali starts off quick, quick strikes, Rolling Neckbreaker, classic signature Ali offense…and then my power spikes out for like 40 seconds because it’s windy…and by the time I get everything up again, the Dork Hands are in the ring abusing Ace. Ali is handed a chair, before he can use it, Santana appears out of the crowd and punches away the chair and goes after Ali.

Well I’m glad the power went out because this could’ve been a decent match and then turned into a nothing finish because…idiots are booking this show.

TNA World Championship: Moose (c) w/Dango & Myers vs Deaner

From one worthless match to next. You can tell imbeciles are booking this show. Dango cuts Deaner’s stupidity off saying that he could join in a minion/young boy role because his kids need their dad to have job security. Dango has charisma so I like when he talks, but this is a useless match and useless interaction. Cody says the other option is getting an X Division shot. Moose laughs, says if you last 2 minutes you can get a title shot. 

Deaner tries to start quick, but a right hand and Jacknife Powerbomb has Deaner dying, another Jacknife Powerbomb for fun, goes for the pinfall just to pull him up and beat on him more. The crowd doesn’t care, Moose goes for the Lights Out, Deaner powders, and is just killing time. Deaner lasts the 2 minutes because he runs away, this smells like Delirious idiocy.

Moose tries a Lights Out, Deaner Sunsets over it, gets a two count and then Moose catches him with a follow up Lights Out and retains. A waste of like 4 minutes.

System goes for the beatdown but The Rascalz make the save to kick off the tag match immediately after the commercial. 

The Rascalz vs The System

Wentz and Trey start quick, double up on Dango immediately, the MCMG homage into the Bronco Buster in the corner from Wentz. Dango gets over to Myers while Wentz is pandering, Myers comes in to eat the ABC homage combo attacks. Just a very chaotic start, Dango cuts off another double team, so Myers manages to isolate Trey, Stomp a Mudhole in the corner, Russian Leg Sweep, and finally The System has space to breathe. Quick tag to Dango, Chops, Rake to the Eyes, Overhand Rights, Shortarm Lariats, and Trey is just eating everything. Dango with the Vertical Suplex, float over and near fall. Finally Trey makes some space with a Pele Kick. Simultaneous tag, Wentz lights up Myers, Back Handspring Knee Lift from Wentz and two count helps the Rascalz start to roll. Rascalz want a tandem Suplex, but Dango saves Myers, System gets tossed out, Stereo Dives and Rascalz are still in control.

Small spam moment of cut offs and signatures. Dango pushes Wentz off the top rope, Trey kicks Dango off the apron, Trey tries the Outside In Vertical Suplex, but Myers shifts his weight and falls on top of Trey while Dango holds the feet down and The System wins.

Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander vs AJ Francis w/KC Navarro

Callihan produces a hook and wants to take out Mancer’s eye they struggle in the middle, AJ relaxes in one corner until he takes advantage of the situation and wipes out both guys with a Double Lariat, Double Shot of Tennessee Whiskey, KC and AJ taunt a little, SDL confronts them, AJ mouths off a little and walks back into the ring…while KC just points at her assertively and says “You’re a big girl” and scurries away. I really am a fan of KC.

Sami and Mance work together to take out AJ, but then they immediately go back to trying to murder each other. Sami finds a Sacrifice Poster, Paper Cut between the fingers, wants to do another across the eyes but AJ interrupts only to get his own Papercut between his Chokeslam fingers. Mance levels Sami, goes to find some chairs and starts setting up the play place. Chair between buckles, Whip, Brakes, Reverse, Brakes, Sami rips the chair out, Mance grabs the other one he found and Samurai Chair Duel. AJ gets involved before anything really interesting happens, AJ hits the Down Payment on Mance, Sami chairshot to break the pinfall. Sami focuses on Mance, but Mance does turn it around, sets up a chair spot but Sami turns that around, Death Valley Driver through the chairs. Sami gras the hook again, drives it into Mance’s face, celebrates a little and AJ hits the TFL out of nowhere to win the match.

Honestly…not terrible. 

.@TheSamiCallihan wants @ManceWarner in BARBED WIRE MASSACRE! @milanmiracle

WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/6Uwb5wNfXW pic.twitter.com/CMpKaXuulo

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 11, 2025

Ryan “Mokuba” Nemeth vs Leon “Charisma Vacuum” Slater

Bell rings, Slater comes out with a Flying Kick and Ryan eats it, Rewind Mule Kick next keeps Leon in control, then he wears out Ryan from corner to corner. Leon tries a Suplex but Ryan finds the ropes, Back Elbow gives space. Around the Rosey powder, Leon chases like a stupid babyface, Ryan cuts him off trying to come back in the ring and just leans on him. Claws at Leon’s face, stomps, Headlocks to keep him down, Ryan takes off his shirt, mocks the Extreme Elbow and actually hits it but it’s slow and Slater took it stupid. Nemeth tries a Twist of Fate next and Leon kicks Ryan’s head off. Chops, Running Missile Dropkick in the corner, Twisting Suplex, Lethal Injection, and a two count. Leon tries another suplex, Ryan slips it, Leon tries a Leg Lariat but Ryan powders. They do a little Bugs Bunny of pulls each other out and trying to fun back in, but Leon gets the best of it.

Leon lights up Ryan, throws him back in, back and forth, big Elevated DDT from Ryan for two. Leon counters Ryan’s attempts with a Blue Thunder Bomb, Ryan goes to look for chairs again, but the Hardyz are late to the spot to pull the chair away, so Ryan looks a little silly. Twist of Slate, Swanton 450, and meh.

TNA Throwback: Unbreakable 2005, Christopher Daniels vs Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles

Eddie Edwards w/Alisha vs Steve Maclin

Eddie is in Kawada colors…but why? He usually is Green through and through, Misawa and the Celtics. So the yellow just looks…weird. And I’ll blame the color of his gear for why Maclin is beating the hell out of Eddie early. Strikes, SCUD, and just generally beating Eddie’s ass before Alisha causes enough of a distraction for Eddie to catch Maclin in a Blue Thunder Bomb. Lish gets involved again and we go to commercial.

Coming back from nap time, Eddie has Maclin grounded with a Sleeper, but Maclin fights up to his feet, but Eddie keeps things close with a Short Arm Clothesline and Maclin keeps trying to fight back up and rally. Maclin goes fight up, Jawjacker, a small double sell before rope runs. Thesz Press into the Ground and Pound and then Olympic Slam from Steve. Lish distracts Maclin again so Eddie sideswipes him with a Gowan Lariat. Maclin tries to cut Eddie off when Eddie goes up top, some jockeying, but an Avalanche Olympic Slam has Eddie reeling, Caught in the Crosshairs! Myers and Dango come out to distract, Northern Armoury follows but EY stops them from getting involved to make a point. Lish gives Eddie the rings for the Loaded Punch into the Boston Knee Party for the win.

EY slides in his Casey Jones mask and then walk off as Steve is left to contemplate.

Overall Score: 3.5/10

So not a good episode and opened with a lot of non-finishes and dumb crap. I also am growing very sick of “We’re gonna hear from Joe Hendry”, at least he’s starting the promo off somber, so its a little less cliche. The crowd was at least eating out of his hand when he made it seem like he was gonna vacate the belt because of the injury. So at least that’s good crowd manipulation and the crowd was willing to play with it instead of just try to get themselves over.

But still, the first match that was interesting was the International Championship Qualifier 3 way, and it still wasn’t wonderful, it was just serviceable. The main event was overbooked but it was pushing the EY and Maclin story forward so I can only be so critical. As to not mince words though, this was a bad episode. Santana going full Crime Drama Murderer, Callihan calling for a Barbed Wire Massacre match…I mean it all feels entirely cringe and edgy just for edgy sake. Sure I didn’t mind the last one which I think was OVE vs LAX. It was actually a solid match during the Twitch/Covid years. But did we learn nothing from the stupid nail bat spot? That doesn’t sell tickets (especially when it announced so shortly before the event). So it’s just senseless hardcore garbage for the sake of being a senseless hardcore garbage match.

Could it be entertaining? Sure. I liked Sami…100 pounds ago, and Mance used to be interesting in MLW. But whatever they’ve done so far this year, has been pissed in dog water. I’d rather get an enema from a blow torch than subject myself to whatever that’s gonna be. But alas…coverage dictates I can’t play with fire apparently.

Bad episode, better than last week and next week is gonna suck. iMPACT for 2 hours followed by 2-3 hours of Unbreakable right after iMPACT on a THURSDAY.

The Franchise VS The Most Wanted!

Bandido finally took the ROH World Championship from Chris Jericho, and now he’s stepping onto the Proving Ground with perhaps one of the best in Jay Lethal!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Johnny TV & MXM Collection VS Ryan Matthews, Jordan Kross & Drake Daniels; Johnny & MXM win.
• Marina Shafir VS Nixi XS; Marina wins.
• Preston Vance w/ The Frat House VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins.
• Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Dominic Garrini, Kevin Ku & Davey Bang; Dustin & The Von Erichs win.
• ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido VS Jay Lethal; Bandido wins and denies Lethal a title match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Johnny TV & MXM Collection w/ Taya Valkyrie VS Ryan Matthews, Jordan Kross & Drake Daniels!

The obsession with tag team gold has shifted from the ROH World Tag Team Championships to the ROH World Six Man Tag Team Championships, as evident by how Mansoor & Mason Madden are bringing the belt they stole from Dustin Rhodes! But will #MXMTV earn their shot at a proper title shot? Or will their obsession cloud their judgment?

The trios sort out and Johnny starts against Jordan. They keep the Code of Honor and the bell rings. The fans rally as the two circle, and then Johnny dodges to roll, do some breakdancing and a “Johnny-rooni,” to then pose. That’s not just taunting Jordan, that’s sending a shot at Sammy Guevara! Johnny even kips up! Jordan and Johnny circle, tie up, but then Jordan mocks Mason with the twerking! The fans cheer, MXM is upset, but Johnny grabs Jordan for a MOONLIGHT DRIVE! Johnny KICKS Jordan in the side, then SHINING WIZARDS! The fans boo but Johnny drags Jordan onto the ropes. Johnny CHOKES Jordan, the ref counts, but Johnny lets off at 4.

Johnny argues with the ref, Mason asks what the five fingers said to the face. Taya SLAPS Jordan! Get it? Johnny dodges Drake, and he hits the FLYING CHUCK! Johnny then RAMS Jordan into the corner, tags Mansoor, and Mansoor fakes the chop to say look up. Then he CHOPS, CHOPS! Tag to Mason, Mansoor BLASTS Ryan, then Mason sends Mansoor in for a LARIAT! Mason adds an ELBOW, then feed to the atomic drop! Mansoor runs, he bumps Drake aside to then dropkick Jordan’s legs out! Mason pulls up for the HIP ATTACK! The fans cheer as MXM pose, but then Mr. & Mrs. TV kiss right in front of the camera.

Ryan tags in, he CLUBS Mason, but Mason doesn’t budge! Ryan apologizes, and claims it was Drake. Mason HEADBUTTS Ryan to the corner! Mason then fires body shots, H O T T O~ G O~! And then the GRIZZLY MAGNUM! The fans fire up as Mason puts Ryan in the corner, then tags Mansoor. Mansoor feeds Ryan to Mason’s scoop, SIDEWALK SLAM LEG DROP COMBO! Fans fire up for the Catwalk Combo, then MXM points to Johnny. Johnny & Taya kiss again, and MXM cheer. Ryan flounders, Mansoor keeps him from his corner and ROCKS him with a forearm. Mansoor scoops, Ryan slips free, tag to Drake!

Drake fires hands on Mansoor, then whips, but Mansoor reverses. Drake ducks ‘n’ dodges but Mason tags in! Mansoor picks Drake up and Mason runs, LEG LARIAT SPINEBUSTER COMBO! The fans rally, Mansoor rolls through to haul Drake up. Johnny tags in and goes up, DOUBLE STOMP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER COMBO! MXM TV is all fired up and the fans cheer. Jordan runs in, but Mason picks him up! Ryan runs in but gets a BOOT! Then Mason CHOKE SLAMS Jordan! Johnny drags Drake to center, and MXM TV stands over him, to POSE! Then they get Drake up, for a TRIPLE CENTER FOLD! Cover, MXM TV wins!

Winners: Johnny TV & MXM Collection, by pinfall

When you look good, you feel good, and MXM TV certainly feels good after that win. They hold up their stolen title, and then they drag the ref into POSING with them! But will The Sons of Texas bring these fashionable thieves to justice soon enough?

The Von Erichs talk with Dustin Rhodes backstage.

Marshall wants The Natural to understand, they saw what MXM did. Dustin & Sammy can handle their business, they’re Texans! The Von Erichs know all about that. But the moment MXM even touched those titles, it frankly pissed Marshall off. The Von Erichs just got here, barely proved themselves, and what kind of tone does that set? Ross has his brother calm down, and says that where they come from, you don’t touch what you didn’t earn. They saw what happened, and now it is time to give ROH a reminder of what respect looks like. Dustin nods, and he tells MXM TV to listen closely.

“You wanted to get our attention? Well, now you’ve got it. You stealing my title was very juvenile, and stupid. And yes, I’m calling you all stupid. At no time in my 37 year career have I ever backed down from a challenge, and I’m not about to start. So that’s why I brought in the heavy hitters. Texas’ favorite sons, The Von Erichs, and The Natural, Dustin Rhodes! So how about you, MXM, and you, Johnny TV, show up next week, if ya got the balls, so we can rearrange your pretty faces and get back what’s mine?” The Sons of Texas have thrown down the gauntlet, will MXM TV accept? Will they regret ever stealing from the living legend?

Backstage interview with Bandido.

AEW shares footage from after Dynasty and the ROH World Championship match. Alicia Atout congratulates Bandido and his familia, as he defeated Chris Jericho to once again be ROH World Champion. What does this moment mean to him? Bandido takes a moment, and says this means everything. When he was just a child starting in this sport, he just dreamt of this moment. Now it is come true! He is grateful to God to be here with his family and this championship. He isn’t the real champion, his mama is! She’s always taking care of him, his brother, his sister, the whole family. The familia celebrates together, will they all have even more to celebrate as Bandido is back on top of ROH?

Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs VS Dominic Garrini, Kevin Ku & Davey Bang!

We heard from The Sons of Texas, and now we’ll see them hit the ring together again! Will they be doubling down on that message to MXM TV with a huge return win? Or will they learn that #ViolenceIsForever?

The trios sort out and Dustin starts against Kevin. The fans rally for Dustin, but Kevin kicks the hand away! No Code of Honor here, but the bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Dustin headlocks, but Kevin powers up and out. Dustin runs Kevin over, keeps moving, and hops over the dropdown. Kevin sets up but Dustin says, “Not Today!” UPPERCUT! Dustin then arm-drags Kevin into an armlock. The fans rally, “You Still Got It!” but Kevin fires a body shot. Kevin whips, Davey gets a cheap shot in, but Dustin DECKS him! Kevin takes a swing, Dustin dodges, and Kevin is sent into Dominic! Kevin then staggers into a SNAP POWERSLAM!

The fans fire up as Dustin drags Kevin over, and tag to Ross. They whip, Dustin drops down and Ross DROPKICKS! Kevin staggers, tags Dominic, and Dominic knees Ross! Dominic CHOPS, whips, but Ross reverses. Ross hits a HIP TOSS, then he arm-drags! The fans rally as Ross arm-drags again, then JUMP RANAS! Cover, TWO! Dominic stays in this but Ross stays focused. Ross headlocks, Dominic powers up and RAMS him into the corner! Dominic keeps Ross trapped, Marshall protests, and the ref holds Marshall back. This just lets Team Violence Is Forever mug Ross behind the ref’s back! The fans boo but VIF gets away with it all!

Dominic tags in Davey and Davey stomps Ross. Davey drags Ross up but the fans rally. Davey UPPERCUTS Ross’s arm, sends him to a corner, and ELBOWS him! Davey GRINDS Ross’s face off the ropes, then tags Dominic. Dominic ROCKS Ross, tags Kevin, and Kevin CHOPS Ross. VIF double whips, but Ross crisscrosses them into each other! Ross reaches for his corner but Kevin waistlocks to keep him back. Feed to Dominic, ROUNDHOUSE SAIDO COMBO! Cover, TWO! Ross survives but Dominic drags Ross over. Tag to Kevin, then they stand Ross up. Suplex and- NO, Ross slips free! He shoves Dominic into Kevin!

Ross hurries, hot tag to Marshall! The fans fire up, Davey tags in, but Marshall dodges him and Kevin to BOOT Dominic! DOUBLE LARIATS for Kevin & Davey! Then forearm after forearm, Marshall DECKS man after man! ROLLING ELBOW for Davey! ROLLING ELBOW for Kevin! Marshall fires up and LARIATS Davey in a corner! Then he runs to LARIAT Kevin in a corner! Marshall calls his shot, the fans fire up, and Marshall CANNONBALLS Davey! Cover, Kevin & Dominic break it! But Ross goes up, and he CROSSBODIES VIF down! Dustin storms in, he and Ross LARIAT VIF up and out of the ring!

Davey climbs up, leaps at Marshall, but he gets caught into the IRON CLAW!! Davey is fading, Marshall tops it off with a scoop and SWINGING SLAM!! Cover, Sons of Texas win!

Winners: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs, by pinfall

A big return indeed, and a big win for the REAL ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions! But will they get that stolen belt back from MXM TV? Or will Johnny, Mansoor & Mason keep playing games?

Taya Valkyrie speaks.

“I have been in ROH now for two years. Clawing, fighting, waiting patiently- I mean, well, not so patiently sometimes, for an opportunity at a championship. And now, I finally have it. The opportunity to go after Red Velvet and the Women’s TV Championship. But there’s one person in my way, and that’s La Catalina, La Diva de la CMLL. Now, Catalina, I understand what kind of crazy it takes to leave your country, follow your dream, and find your place within this artform and sport, cuz I did it. I wrote the book, I am the blueprint, you basically copied me. And if you think La Diva is gonna get in the way of La Wera Loca, then you don’t know me.

“So on that night, in mi casa, may the best woman win. And we all know who that is.” Taya has made the challenge, Catalina will return to ROH to accept it, but then who moves on to face The Chef in her kitchen?

ROH World Championship Proving Ground: Bandido VS Jay Lethal!

This is already a historic Proving Ground match as the two-time and NEW ROH World Champion is going to put the longest reigning (combined days) ROH World Champion to the test! Can Bandido beat The Franchise in ten minutes or less? Or will Lethal earn himself his golden ticket back to the title scene?

The fans duel already as the two men step up. The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and we’re on the clock. Bandido and Lethal circle, the fans rally, and the two tie up. Lethal waistlocks, Bandido switches, Lethal switches, repeat. They go around and around, Bandido ends up on the apron and he HOTSHOTS Lethal! Lethal runs back up but Bandido jumps over the slide! Bandido then ASAI MOONSAULTS, but Lethal moves! Bandido lands on his feet, both men go to the apron, and Bandido blocks a kick! Bandido CHOPS, then LARAITS Lethal into the ring, but Lethal lands on his feet! Lethal DROPKICKS Bandido down!

Lethal builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Bandido tumbles to the ramp! The fans fire up as Lethal shows some Black Machismo, then he CHOPS Bandido. Lethal puts Bandido in, climbs up, and aims for the MACHO- NO, Lethal blocks Bandido’s boots! The fans “WOO~!” with Lethal and he steps through, but Bandido makes it a cradle! TWO, and Lethal CHOPS again! Bandido goes to ropes while Lethal shakes out his hand. Bandido comes back and CHOPS! Bandido eggs Lethal on, and Lethal nods. Lethal CHOPS! Bandido CHOPS! The fans rally up and the CHOPS just start flying fast ‘n’ furious!

Bandido CHPOS, CHOPS, CHOPS, then whips, but Lethal reverses to CHOP! Lethal runs, but Bandido POP-UP CUTTERS! The fans fire up as Lethal staggers, and Bandido runs in at the corner. Lethal BOOTS Bandido, runs up, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Lethal runs back in, but into another BACKBREAKER! Another scoop, then the torture rack! Lethal fights the arm hook, Bandido still finds it, X KNE- NO!! Lethal blocks that knee, CLUBS that leg, and DISCUS LARIATS Bandido inside-out! The fans fire up, Lethal has the legs, “WOO~!” FIGURE FOUR- NO, Bandido kicks! Lethal blocks that kick, steps in on that leg, but Bandido cradles again! TWO!!

Bandido kicks, Lethal blocks, DRAGON SCREW! Lethal steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Lethal has the iconic hold on and Bandido endures! Bandido flails, reaches out, but his shoulders are down! The ref counts the cover, TWO as Bandido sits back up! The fans duel, Bandido reaches out, but Lethal puts on the pressure! Bandido still fights towards the ropes, but Lethal drags him back to center! The fans rally, Bandido fights his way around to the side, ROPEBREAK! Lethal lets go, then he brings Bandido around to SMASH the knee off the mat! Lethal drags Bandido up, stomps that bad leg, then KICKS the leg!

Bandido hobbles, Lethal KICKS the leg again, then he KICKS the leg out! Bandido is on his knees and fans chant, “One More Time!” Lethal obliges and KICKS that leg! Lethal then calls his shot, but Bandido reels him in! Lethal ELBOWS free, ROCKS Bandido again, then whips. Bandido reverses, Lethal handsprings, but into the torture rack! X KNEE!! Bandido hobbles but he takes aim! Lethal’s on the ropes, Bandido runs in! BLACKJACK 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, Bandido wins!

Winner: Bandido, by pinfall (denies Jay Lethal a title match)

This match was fast ‘n’ furious, but Bandido wins with time to spare! More importantly than that, he shows Lethal respect by shaking his hand and even hugging it out. The champ surely has a long line of contenders forming at this very moment, but who will get their shot at The Most Wanted?

My Thoughts: