Coverage

AJ’s NXT Stand and Deliver Night Two Results & Review 4/9/21

AJ moves on to reviewing night 2! How does it STAND up to Night 1? Did it Deliver? …see what I did there?

Published

4 years ago

April 9, 2021

Here we go with the second day of Stand & Deliver with Poppy kicks it off and we get more championship matches. Actually… we get nothing but championship matches along with an Undisputed co-Main Event between O’ Reilly and Cole. Will Day Two live up to the hype of Day One?

Let’s find out before we jump over to my championship football teams house for WrestleMania!

Results:

Ladder Match: Santos Escobar(c) vs Jordan Devlin(c) for the NXT Crusierweight Championship: Santos Escobar wins – *** – TITLE UNIFIED!!
The Way vs Ember Moon & Shotzi Blackheart(c) for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship- Ember and Shotzi win via Eclipse/Senton – ** ¾ – TITLE DEFENSE!!
Bronson Reed vs Johnny Gargano(c) for the NXT North American Championship- Gargano wins via One Final Beat –*** ¼ –TITLE DEFENSE!!
Karrion Kross vs Finn Balor(c) for the NXT Championship- Kross wins via Forearm Smash – **** – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Unsantioned Match: Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly- Kyle O’Reilly wins via Knee Drop – **** ½

Review:

Santos Escobar vs Jordan Devlin-

Both men start with punches back and forth as Jordan Devlin gets the upper hand in the beginning. Quick pacing between both men trading hits and arm drags before they head to the outside where Devlin hits a beautifully done Asai Moonsault to Escobar. Devlin is the first to put the ladder into play and hits Escobar with but not hard enough as Escobar catches Jordan on the Ladder. Santos goes to place the ladder in the corner and the two start to play a little game of seesaw to put the other in the ladder until Jordan Devlin goes for the ride. A good amount of fighting goes on to the outside as Santos hits Jordan with the ladder again from a dropkick, standing and in the corner to incapacitate Devlin. Santos goes for a second ladder as Devlin begins to stir. Santos goes to try to stop him and goes up after stomping on Devlin but the defiant Irishman stops him and swings the momentum into his favor from all the trash talking. Santos gets back to his feet and dropkicks Devlin down again, going to slingshot him into the standing ladder but Jordan goes to climb up after and get pulled down. Santos putting it all on the line and take down Devlin with a Suicide Dive and even then, Devlin ever resilient comes back in and starts to make some offense started, getting a burst of adrenaline and takes Escobar down.

We get our first high ladder spot as both men ascend the ladder, away from the titles as Devlin knocks down Escobar and goes for a sky high Moonsault onto Escobar before setting the ladder back in the center of the ring to go for the titles. Legado Del Phantasma rush in as he climbs and takes down Devlin and mollywops him (I need to use that word more). Devlin still… STILL defiant… and tosses a ladder at Escobar and sets it up right next to Escobar’s. They begin to fight and jocky for position until Devlin hits a Spanish Fly from the ladders. Devlin goes to slowly climb up the ladder now until Escobar also makes his climb to stop Jordan. They start fighting at the top until Santos Escobar headbutts Jordan Devlin off the ladder, onto a propped ladder in the corner to pull both titles off the rung.

The Way vs Shotzi Blackheart & Ember Moon-

The Way start the fight early as Candice and Shotzi start the match up and get frequent tags to fight off Shotzi. Ruthless, destructive and consistent with the tags and pinfall attempts as Shotzi gets a full beat down but constantly fighting back. As The Way gets Shotzi somewhat separated, Shotzi hits an enziguiri and gets the tag into Ember Moon where she takes it to The Way like a House of…. F… Fire. Ember goes for an Eclipse attempt but things go to chaos as they do the Tower of Doom. We finally get some balance as Shotzi and Ember get the advantage and take them out with some high flying offense, a (very over shot) Suicide Dive from Shotzi and a Cannonball from Ember as they get a near fall on Candice. The Way get a cheap momentum swing until Ember cuts them off. Two frequent tags from the champions and after an Eclipse from Ember into a Senton from Shotzi and the champs retain.

Bronson Reed vs Johnny Gargano

While Johnny gets his ring announcement and mouthing over his own part, Bronson stares over him and scares him into a corner (always fun comedy) before the bell rings.

Bronson takes Johnny to the corner and ragdolls him to the center and knocks him down quickly. Gargano tries to pick some of the pace up but gets out-powered and… out finessed Johnny in all honesty with a cartwheel as Reed takes firm control of the match. Gargano has to get out of the corner against Bronson and strikes him enough to daze the big man but not bring him down. Each strike is trying to bring the big man down and finally does after chop blocking Bronson and hitting lariat so the big man rolls out of the ring. Gargano tries to go to the sky but, Bronson catches Johnny but gets pushed into the announce table, hitting Bronson in the midsection over and over with his new offense to the ribs. As Johnny gets his stream rolling, he thinks going to the sky is a good idea and gets caught into a slam down, hurting Bronson in the process and gets a tiny bit of momentum going for him and hits a Suplex Death Valley Driver for a near fall.

Reed now goes to attempt a sky high suplex but Johnny catches him into the corner and hits a Backstabber in the corner to weaken the big man further. Gargano now building some momentum of his own now, hitting the superkick and attempting a Shiranui but Bronson gets a counter and does a suplex to go back to even. Gargano gets his speed going in the match now as he hits the Poison Rana and into a Tilt-A-Whir into a Garga-No Escape. Bronson tries to block it but gets a strike to his ribs again, applying the hold until there is a forced break. Bronson rolls onto the ramp and catches Gargano’s attempt at a One Final Beat and Razor Edge’s the champion back into the ring. Reed goes to the top and goes for the Tsunami Splash but found nothing in the pool as Gargano rolls away and hits a kneeling superkick. He goes for another kick but gets caught by Reed, Bronson Reed goes back to the top until Austin Theory catches the big man’s attention so Gargano can halt Reed’s second attempt at the Tsunami. After a reversal of a Super Frankensteiner, Austin helps Gargano get to the ropes for a break in the pinfall. Bronson not happy about it starts taking on both members of The Way and even goes air born himself with a dive onto Theory. Gargano goes for an advantage for a One Final Beat but gets caught into a Reverse Tombstone and another near fall.

Bronson Reed goes for another powerbomb but Gargano escapes and hits two more superkicks before getting hit by one of Reed’s own. Reed out of desperation goes for a moonsault to try to finish this but again, nobody home as Gargano hits a pair of Final Beats and scores the victory.

Karrion Kross vs Finn Balor-

(Just because I feel like being a smart ass, my money is the guy that had to vacate their title because of a separated shoulder)

Balor goes to do a little size up with Kross and gets knocked down from a Collar and Elbow, Balor goes again for an arm wringer but Kross not having any of it until we get the third time being the charm where they have a proper exchange between the two and neither men can get the advantage again. Balor seems to have a little fun with it by smiling but Kross had enough after a knife edge chop, tossing Balor around and… Balor laughs… again. Even smacks Kross across the face and gets rocked by Kross now, not expecting it seemingly until Balor sidesteps in the corner and goes for the shoulder of Kross, straight jacketing and wearing the arm down before Karrion breaks the hold, going to more strikes and suplexes from his anger. Finn is put into a Tree of Woe and knocked down, hitting the midsection but with Kross’ hubris, Balor gets an opening and puts on an armbar. Kross gets out of it for a second until Balor reverses into an Arm DDT and applying more to the shoulder of Karrion Kross with the ropes in the corner. Kross attempts to get out of his predicament and counter Balor, only to get a spin kick to the midsection and double over to the ground to get a soccerball kick to the ribs and stomps against the ropes. Balor goes to hit the ribs and do more damage to the midsection of Kross but, Karrion gets the quick offense, knocking Balor down until both men are in the center of the ring after a swinging elbow from Finn.

There looks to be no momentum for anyone until Karrion grabs Finn’s foot and starts getting pissed off, Balor tries to escape but gets hit by a Northern Lights Bridge into a stiff lariat, keeping this momentum going as he lands a powerbomb but due to the midsection getting hit, it wasn’t all of it and gets a nearfall. As Kross shouts “Doomsday”, Balor gets some form of separation with kicks and even making sure he puts the monster down with a Slingblade, sizing up for the John Woo Dropkick but gets met with a Lariat. Kross lands a Doomsday Saito Suplex and sizes up for a Forearm Smash after but Balor senses it and hits the Bicycle Kick to stagger Karrion and hitting a couple of John Woo Dropkicks to knock Kross down. Balor lands the Coup de Grace but gets it countered into the Kross Jacket but Balor gets out quickly and stomps on Kross again to put him in a grounded abdominal stretch. Scarlett chants something to Kross to incite him and break the hold, beating down Finn and lands a second Doomsday Saito and a pair of Forearm Smashes to the back of Balor’s head to regain what he never lost.

Adam Cole vs Kyle O’Reilly

Before this match starts, I want to actually congratulate the crowd for actually realizing that Adam Cole is a heel and not shout “Bay Bay!” when Cole says it. I will be a little bit of an ass and start it with a quarter of a point before the bell rings.

They two stare each other down before they do the hockey fighting started until Kyle gets the early advantage with boots in the corner of the ring and taking it to Adam Cole in and outside of the ring. Adam Cole gets the advantage once they go outside but Kyle O’Reilly letting his anger fuel him and go to a full mount to fight off Cole and introduces our first weapon by seating Cole into a chair. O’Reilly goes to do Shin Kicks to Adam Cole until the third kick. Cole goes for a Piledriver attempt onto the chair but Kyle flips him out of it. Both men go to the ring again and Kyle goes to the top to apply a choke to Adam but, pushes Kyle off to the outside as Adam Cole gets the advantage now, introducing more chairs in the ring and one to use on Kyle. After a couple of shots to the back and a throw into the post, Cole rolls Kyle into the ring and applies the chair against Kyle’s neck, whipping him into the corner. The chair with the Undisputed Era logo under them now, Adam Cole repeating “You Ruined It” before hitting a neckbreaker onto it.

Adam Cole tries to bring more offense after but, O’Reilly actually gets some strikes in, trying to apply holds but Adam Cole actually hits an Ushiguroshi and more strikes to Kyle’s neck. Kyle getting his anger built up and goes for a combination of offense to break down Adam Cole. Kyle striking and gets momentum going, back suplex into the chair, a knee bar that Adam Cole had to get out of the ring physically to break the hold and dropkicked from the apron from Kyle. Adam Cole gets into the ring again and wants to use the chair again but O’Reilly actually stops Cole’s attempt to use it and gest a near fall. Out of more anger, Kyle O’Reilly goes to grab something else from under the ring and find a long piece of chain and slides it in before getting caught by Adam Cole, into a Hangman’s Neckbreaker onto the chain for nearfall of his own this time. Adam Cole now looks at the chain and ties the chain to the rope. Kyle wraps the chain after getting separation from Adam and kicks him with it, trying anything until Adam catches a kick and applies a Figure Four. They go to blows this time, punching each other and actually knock each other out a little bit. After Kyle gets some steam going, he goes to the ropes and gets decapitated with the chain and a backstabber for yet another near fall.

Adam Cole goes now to set up two chairs in the corner and picks up Kyle. They go to set up each other for the chair spot but they get further from it as Adam Cole lands a German, Kyle backsteps into the chairs for a Shining Wizard and yet another near fall as Adam goes to the outside to dislodge the steps and go for the Brainbuster to the steel steps. Kyle reverses and goes for a guillotine hold to weaken Adam and goes to do the Brainbuster himself. Kyle second guesses himself, doesn’t want to do it but they go to the announce table instead, trading blows, going for a big move as Adam Cole doesn’t get his Brainbuster and Kyle does it instead, hitting Adam’s head on the table. As Cole stumbles away, Kyle tries to regather himself and get some energy back before pursuing Cole to the crowd, only to get hit by a TV Monitor.

Adam Cole goes under the ring again to grab a toolbox and pours the contents out, grabbing a pair of pliers to pluck O’Reilly’s eyes but gets caught, then going for a tire iron but both men get stunned before being able to use it. After the two knock each other out again, Kyle looks around and grabs the chain again, wrapping it around Adam Cole’s arm and applying an Armbar then a Triangle Choke until the tire iron is in reach and Adam Cole uses it to break Kyle off of him. Both men crawl to a side and set up chairs to prop themselves up to do strikes from a seated position. As Kyle gets a little bit of an advantage, Adam Cole gets a low blow and gets the advantage, going for a superkick as well but only for a two. (I will also say, the quarter point that we had originally went away because people started chanting “Twist His Dick.” You gave me a modicum of hope. A modicum of maybe the fans won’t go into business for themselves… and then they failed.)

Adam Cole now wraps the chair around Kyle’s neck and even the referee is saying, “Dude stop. Come on. It’s Kyle!” to which Adam punches him after saying shut up constantly and going to the corner for the Panama Sunrise and goes for the pin… which isn’t being counted because of Adam Cole hitting him. Kyle rolls onto the ramp as Cole shouts at the ref and chases with a chair, tossing it like he was from the Sabu School of Chair Tossing and taking it further on the outside, bashing Kyle’s head into the Plexiglas barricade. Kyle pulls Adam’s head into the barricade now and goes for another guillotine choke but Adam drives Kyle back into the barricade and back to the ramp way until Kyle goes for another guillotine on the ramp. Adam Cole uses his momentum to drive Kyle through the steel ramp way. Cole kicks a hole through the ramp to drag Kyle back out and Kyle out of instinct, crawls into the ring and falls back out as Adam Cole chases him out to deliver and Brainbuster into the steel steps. Adam drags Kyle back into the ring for a pinfall and O’Reilly KICKS OUT BARELY. O’Reilly looks dead as Adam Cole sits him up for the Last Shot. Kyle falls over with no strength as Adam props him back up to hit the Last Shot but Kyle ducks this time and does a leg lock with a heel hook to Adam Cole. Adam reaches out to the previous chain to break it up and daze Kyle as he perches himself up for another Panama Sunrise. Kyle grabs Adam into an Ushiguroshi of his own, a heavy hitting PK and to add a little exclamation point, hits his own Last Shot, only for that to get a near fall as well.

O’Reilly grabs the chain and puts it in the corner and wraps the chair around Adam Cole’s leg as Kyle slowly claws his way to the top rope, only to get caught from the chair by Adam Cole. Adam sets up a chair and Kyle in the corner as the smack talk continues on Adam’s side only to get a low blow from Kyle. O’Reilly wraps the chain around his leg, and drops it on Adam Cole’s neck, perched on the chair to end the fight.

Overall Score: 7.5/10

It wasn’t as strong as night one in my opinion but it was still a damn good show. I felt that the Unsanctioned Match was a little too… long.

I liked that it was don’t get me wrong but, it felt it went on five or ten minutes more than it should have to me. Everything else was fine. A good amount of things fell flat to me like the tag match and the main word throughout these two nights was “Stay Defiant” but, all in all, it was pretty good. Santos goes on to continue his Cruiserweight warpath, Karrion Kross returned to look like a monster again even when it looked like Finn wanted to play with him more than dismantle him. Kyle O’Reilly looked money in that match and Adam Cole… well I would say it’s call up time but I am kind of… hoping not if they had him get stretchered out. I want him to get called up along with maybe Finn. AJ has a falling out with Omos and we get a Bullet Club Reunion like we have never se—Oh wait. Ahem…

Who knows. We might get the leaders in a stable or something down the line or even tag together but there is one thing I know for sure. WrestleMania has something to prove after all of that.

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/21/24)

B Block tags in!

Published

39 mins ago

November 21, 2024

Steven Mitchell

Will B Block be Mighty? Or will it be tranquilo?

TMDK is already going strong with Zack & Ryohei winning in A Block, but can Shane & Mikey do it in B Block? Or will Naito & Hiromu have their own fun?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
Six Man Tag: Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
Six Man Tag: Gabe Kidd, SANADA & Gedo VS Taiji Ishimori, KENTA & Chase Owens; Taiji, Kenta & Chase win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bishamon & Shoma Kato; LIJ wins.
Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask; TMDK wins.
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS The Filip Brothers; The Filip Brothers win.
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE; Taichi & Taka win.
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Narita win.
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls; Naito & Hiromu win.

PLAY BY PLAY

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS The Filip Brothers!

The Ace has done many things in NJPW, but he has yet to win a World Tag League trophy! Will the Master Heater help him to finally check off that achievement? Or will Tome the Taiga & Stevie the Phoenix become living legends off Tanahashi’s name?

The teams sort out and Tanahashi starts against Stevie. The fans rally for Tanahashi at the bell and the two circle. Stevie shows off that he has good abs, too. The fans do applaud Stevie’s muscles, and Stevie ties up with Tanahashi. Tanahashi slips around to waistlock but Stevie switches. Tanahashi switches, Stevie switches back. Tanahashi wrenches out to have a wristlock. Stevie reaches for ropes but Tanahashi keeps him back. Stevie CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes! The ref counts, Stevie stops, but he hits a BODY SHOT in the corner. Stevie whips corner to corner, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY!

The fans fire up for the air guitar, and Tanahashi tags Jado. Tanahashi & Jado double whip to DOUBLE SHOUDLER TACKLE! Tome runs in but gets DOUBLE ELBOWS for it! Jado fires hands on Tome while Tanahashi fires hands on Stevie. Jado & Tanahashi double whip and the Filip brothers collide! Then Tanahashi TOSSES Stevie while Jado TOSSES Tome! The fans cheer, Jado joins in on his own air guitar! The fans rally while The Filip Brothers throw a fit. They regroup and say they’re outta here! They’re just gonna give Tanahashi the win? The ring count starts while Jado eggs the Filip Brothers on. So the Filip Brothers come back!

Jado KICKS Stevie in the ropes! Jado drags Stevie in but Tome CHOP BLOCKS him! Then Tome BLASTS Tanahashi! The Filip Brothers stomp Jado, then Tome tags in. Tome drags Jado around by a leg, to DDT the foot! Tome talks trash, “Old man, old knees!” Then Tome drops an elbow on the leg! Jado endures as Tome pulls on the toehold. Jado tries to fight back with a chinlock but Tome just pulls the leg harder! Jado crawls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Tome slowly lets off, just to pull on the leg again! The ref reprimands and counts so Tome lets go for real this time. Tome “apologizes,” then stalks Jado to a corner.

Tome fires body shots, then he brings Jado over. Tome bumps Jado off buckles, then puts the bad leg in ropes. Tag to Stevie and Tome pulls the leg for Stevie to kick! Stevie taunts Tanahashi, then stomps away on Jado! Tome drags Jado around while Stevie talks trash on Tanaashi. The ref is busy with Tanahashi while Tome pulls Jado’s leg into the post! Then Tome SLAMS the leg into the steel! Tanahashi protests but Stevie drags Jado up. Stevie CHOPS Jado, brings him around, and tags Tome. The Filip Brothers mug Jado, then Tome brings Jado around to scoop, SLAM, and LEG DROP! The fans do applaud for how impressive that was. Tome covers, TWO!

Tome stands on Jado’s bad leg while he shows his tiger claws. The fans are torn but Tome stomps Jado’s bad leg. Tome drags Jado around, twists at the foot, then says one more time just for Jado! LEG DDT! Tome mocks Jado while Jado crawls, but the fans rally up. Tome stomps Jado, then tags Stevie. Tome brings Jado up to snapmare, and then he runs to BOOT Jado down! Stevie KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Stevie taunts Tanahashi with phoenix claws, then covers, TWO! Jado toughs it out but Stevie eggs him on. Tanahashi coaches Jado and Stevie throws a forearm. Jado fires up and wags his finger.

Stevie fires more shots but Jado leans into them! Jado powers up, but Stevie kicks low! Stevie runs, but Jado CHOPS him down! Jado runs and he CLOBBERS Stevie! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Jado crawls over, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans rally as Tanahashi runs to FLYING FOREARM Stevie! Tome runs in but Tanahashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans cheer as Tanahashi fires hands. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Stevie, then he climbs a corner. SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Stevie is still in this but Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi builds speed, but Stevie ducks the slingblade! But Tanahashi catches the lariat! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs again. Stevie rises, but he still avoids the slingblade to ROLLING ELBOW! And DROPKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Stevie and Tanahashi sit up slowly, and Tanahashi fires the first forearm! They go back and forth, and they egg each other on! Tanahashi ROCKS Stevie, but Stevie ROCKS Tanahashi! The forearms continue to fly, and Stevie gets the edge! Tanahashi roars to fire a strike fest! Stevie roars, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW for the Phoenix! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tanahashi and Stevie crawl, hot tags to Jado and Tome!

Jado rallies on Tome, then whips him to ropes. Tome KICKS Jado, but Jado roars! Jado LARIATS Tome down! The fans fire up as Jado shakes the ropes! Jado storms over to Tome, brings him up, but Tome kicks the bad leg! And kicks it again! Jado hobbles but Tome kicks him more. Tome runs, but Jado DUMPS him out! Tome is on the apron but Jado brings him in through the ropes! DRAPING DDT! Cover, Stevie breaks it! The fans fire up as Tanahashi storms in. Tanahashi kicks Stevie, then he and Jado double whip. They BODY SHOT, KNEE LIFT, and then whip Steive, but Stevie BOOTS Jado! And SUPERKICKS Tanahashi!

Stevie calls to Tome and they reel Jado in! But Tanahashi roars! Tanahashi dodges Stevie and SLINGBLADES Tome! Jado hurries to flip Tome over, CROSSFACE! Tanahashi catches Stevie into a CROSSFACE of his own! The Filip Brothers endure stereo submissions, but Stevie drags Tanahashi away to the apron. Tome feels around for ropes, but Jado rolls him away! Tome rolls free, has the legs, and he has a FIGURE FOUR!! Jado endures, but Tome thrashes him around, and Jado TAPS! Filip Brothers win!

Winners: The Filip Brothers, by submission (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)

Tome & Stevie are already proving to be valuable additions to the Bullet Club’s arsenal! Will this win over the former four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and by extension the former three-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, be just the beginning of the Filip Brothers’ legend?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS Great-O-Khan & HENARE!

Just5Guys is back down to Just4Guys after Sanada’s betrayal, but so what? They’re still gonna change everything! Will that begin with a big win over the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions? Or will the Dominator & Face of Fury conquer the Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker?

The teams sort out and while Taka insists he start, Taichi is staring down Khan. But it is Henare who steps up, so Taichi fist bumps Taka and lets him start. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Henare and Taka circle, feel things out, and Taka wants a knuckle lock. Henare obliges, but then Taka pokes him in the eye! Taka runs and RAMS Henare, but Henare stays put. Taka runs again, RAMS Henare, but Taka almost falls over! Henare roars, runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT! Henare rebounds to CLOBBER Taka! The fans cheer and Henare drags Taka up. Henare bumps Taka off buckles to then fire off fast hands, and a HEADBUTT!

Khan runs in to BLAST Taichi! Khan goes out after Taichi while Henare storms up on Taka in a corner. Henare stomps Taka, then hauls him up to a fireman’s carry. Khan sends Taichi into railing while Henare hits a WASTELAND SLAM to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Taka toughs it out and the fans rally, but Henare talks trash on him. Henare hauls Taka up again to bump off buckles. Tag to Khan and Khan gives Taka some Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! And then a feint, to an UPPERCUT! Khan says he’s smarter than Taka, then he puts Taka in the corner. Khan hops up and fans cheer as he sits on his throne!

Taka flails, the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls Taka’s arms back. Khan hops down to tag in Henare, and the Empire mugs Taka. Henare stalks Taka, Taka fires body shots in return but Henare eggs him on. Taka fires more shots, but Henare CHOPS! Henare whips, Taka reverses, and Taka wrangles Henare into a JUST FACELOCK! Henare scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go quickly, but Khan hurries to BLAST Taichi down! Khan stomps away on Taka while the ref reprimands. Henare & Khan fist bump, and then Henare stalks Taka. Henare has the half nelson, but Taka fights the full nelson!

The fans rally, but Henare powers up to have the ULTIMA NELSON! Taka endures, flails, reaches out, but Khan keeps Taichi on the outside! Taka fights around, but Henare pulls him back to center! Taka desperate reaches out, but he’s fading! The ref checks but Taichi storms in to CLUB Henare! Henare lets Taka go to DECK Taichi! Henare snarls and goes back to Taka. Henare says it’s done! Taka rises as Henare stomps around, RAMP- DROP TOEHOLD! Roll-up, TWO! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Henare survives, and he BODY BLOWS! Taka sputters and Henare growls again. Henare runs, but Taka redirects him!

Henare dodges the boot to KNEE low! But Taka JUMP SOBATS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Henare and Taka crawl, hot tag to Taichi! The fans rally as Taichi fires Kawada Kicks on Henare! Taichi whips, Henare reverses, but Taichi BOOTS Henare down! Khan runs up, Taka dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Khan bails back out and Taichi runs at Henare. Taichi BOOTS Henare, then reels him in to DANGER- NO, Henare fights the saido! Henare whips, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up while Henare is down! Taichi waits on Henare and the fans rally up.

Henare slowly rises, but he blocks the buzzsaw! Henare CLUBS the leg, ROCKS Taichi, but Taichi KICKS Henare! Henare fires a forearm, but Taichi ridge hand chops! Henare fires a flurry of forearms, but Taichi SOBATS! Taichi then runs at the corner, but Henare ELBOWS him! FLYING CHUCK! But Taichi rises! AX- BERSERKER BOMB! Both men are down, and Henare crawls over, hot tag to Khan! Khan storms right up on Taichi, drags him to his feet, and reels him in to fireman’s carry takeover! Then another wrench and MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags Taichi up again, SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO!

Khan drops into the KATAGATAME! Taichi endures the head ‘n’ arm triangle, fights around, reaches out with his legs, but Khan puts all his weight on the hold! Taichi still manages the ROPEBREAK! Khan sits Taichi up into a SLEEPER! Taichi fights up, but Khan makes it an IRON CLAW SLEEPER, into the ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights free with ridge hand chops! Khan Mongolian Chops in return! Taichi spins, but into the IRON CLAW RACK! Khan swings around, SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, Taka breaks it! Henare runs up to kick Taka and TOSS him! Khan drags Taichi up and the Empire whips him to a corner.

Khan runs in to LARIAT! Henare runs in to NATIVE KNEE! Feed to the SAYANAGI, and then wrench into the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Cover, TAKA BREAKS IT AGAIN! Henare UPPERCUTS Taka but Taka fires hands on the Empire! Taka runs, into a BOOT SUPERKICK COMBO! Taka falls out of the ring and the Empire goes back to Taichi. Henare hauls Taichi up, fireman’s carries, and Khan waits, but Taichi slips fere! Taichi shoves Henare into Khan! DOUBLE AX- NO, Khan & Henare both dodge, and they BODY BLOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Cover, TWO!?! Taichi survives that double impact, but the Monster Rage boils over!

Henare drags Taichi up, fireman’s carries again, and Khan runs, but into Takai’s MICHINOKU DRIVER! Taichi slips free of Henare, Henare elbows him! Henare runs, into DOUBLE SUPER K!! OFF COME TAICHI’S PANTS!! Taka keeps Henare down with JUST FACELOCK while Taichi hits TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Taichi tops it off with BLACK MEPHISTO!! Cover, TAICHI & TAKA WIN!!

Winners: Taichi & Taka Michinoku, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Khan & Henare earn 0)

What a shocker! The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions just lost the opening round match! Does this already doom their chances of becoming World Tag League Champions? Will Taka & Taichi have the golden tickets to the titles?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS EVIL & Ren Narita!

The Ace took a hard loss earlier tonight, but now his fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions are in action! Will The Joker & The Rook suffer the same fate? Or can they put The King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style behind Bars?

Oh of course Evil & Narita attack during the introductions! Narita goes after Oleg and throws him out, while Evil throws water all over Yano! The bell rings but the fight spills to the outside! Evil CLAWS Yano’s eyes, then whips him into railing! Narita does the same to Oleg on the other side! Evil brings Yano out to the crowd, and BOWLS him into chairs! Narita does the same with Oleg on the other side! Evil CHOKES Yano with a chair, then CLUBS him on the back. The ref reprimands The House so Evil brings Yano back to the ring. Narita joins him and they stomp away on Yano! The ref reprimands and says this has to be 1v1!

Evil & Narita ignore the ref to double whip, but Yano grabs ropes! Yano taunts The House, and Oleg runs in to DOUBLE LARIAT The House down! The fans fire up and now Yano & Oleg turn the tables on The House! Yano whips Evil, but Evil reverses and Yano hits railing, right in front of Abe-san! Narita does the same to Oleg on the other side! But Oleg storms back up on Narita! Evil hurries to attack Oleg, and The House mugs him. They bring Oleg in, to DOUBLE SUPLEX to the floor! Oleg writhes and Narita keeps on him while Evil grabs Yano’s favorite red chair. Evil JAMS Yano up with the chair!

The fans boo, but then Evil RAMS Yano into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san! The ref reprimands Evil but Evil doesn’t care. Evil drags Yano up and puts him in the ring. The ref helps Abe-san so he misses Narita untying the blue buckle pad. Evil drags Yano up, and whips him into the bare steel! Yano falls in a heap, Evil stands on him for a cocky cover, TWO! Evil argues with the ref, but then tags in Narita. Narita stomps Yano around, brings him up and whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Narita drags Yano up, taunts Oleg, but the ref stops Oleg from storming in.

Narita whips Yano into the steel buckles! Evil tags in, and he has the House of Torture shirt. Narita distracts the ref while Evil CHOKES Yano with the shirt! The fans boo, Oleg protests, but the ref misses it all. Evil throws the shirt away to cover Yano, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil is furious but the fans fire up as Yano stays in this. Narita tags in, he brings Yano up, and he DECKS Yano! Narita stomps Yano around, then stands on him. Narita talks trash, then stomps Yano again! Yano gets up and he pulls Narita’s hair! Narita CHOKES Yano! The ref reprimands, Narita lets go at 4.

Narita whips but Yano reverses to throw Narita down by his hair! Hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Narita! And he CLOBBERS Evil! The fans fire up and Oleg deadlifts Narita for the gut wrench! Shake, Rattle & THROW! Narita tumbles and Oleg kips up! The fans fire up and Oleg runs in at the corner to SPLASH! Oleg then scoops Narita to SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Narita stays in this but Oleg picks him up while rolling back! Oleg then deadlifts Narita again, into the fireman’s carry! But Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Oleg! The ref counts, but Oleg breaks the grip! Oleg CHOSP Narita!

Oleg runs, but Evil hits a cheap shot! Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Yano and Oleg endures! Oleg clasps hands, but Narita BREAKS the grip! Oleg flails, reaches out, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and the ref counts, but Narita holds until 4. Narita is frustrated but he tags in Evil. Narita wrenches Oleg’s arm and Evil CLUBS it. Evil wrenches the arm and Narita CLUBS it! The House double kick, and DOUBLE- NO, Oleg fights the double suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX The House! The fans fire up and Oleg hot tags Yano! Yano unties a white buckle pad! Evil runs up, Yano dodges and CLAWS the eyes!

Yano whips, Evil reverses, but Yano stops himself. Yano taunts Evil, then dodges! Evil hits buckles, Yano rolls him up! TWO! Yano fires up and the fans are with him! But Evil kicks low! Evil runs, but he fights off the atomic drop! But Yano dodges the lariat to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up while both men are down, and Yano rises! Yano drags Evil up, but Evil CLAWS Yano’s eyes! Evil runs, but into an atomic drop! Yano trips Evil, has the legs, and he CATAPULTS Evil into Oleg’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up again and Oleg goes out after Narita. But Narita JAMS Oleg with the pushup bar!

The ref stops Narita from getting in the ring with the pushup bar, but then DICK TOGO shoves Yano into the ref! The fans boo as The Spoiler would have to show up! Dick & Narita stomp away on Yano, then they double whip him to a corner. Dick runs up to ELBOW Yano! Narita hits an ELBOW of his own, then Evil LARIATS! Evil snapmares Yano, and Dick climbs up! The House sets Yano up for the DICK CHOP! Evil calls for the ref, the ref returns as Evil covers, TWO!! Yano survives and shocks The House! The fans fire up but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil slashes his throat, then hauls Yano up. EVERY- NO, Yano shoves Evil at the ref!

The ref curls up in a corner, and Yano takes aim, but Narita stops the low blow! But then Yano sends Narita into Evil! Oleg DOUBLE SHOTGUNS The House! The fans fire up as Oleg goes out and takes care of Narita. Yano runs, and he CHOP BLOCKS Evil down! Then roll up, but Evil drags the ref down!! Dick grabs Yano into the SPOILER CHOKER!! The fans boo as Evil then sets Yano up for MAGIC KILLER!! The ref is back up and Evil covers again, The House wins!

Winners: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Yano & Oleg earn 0)

The NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions all suffer loss tonight! World Tag League aside, will this only lead to the downfall of President Ace at WrestleKingdom 19? Or can someone finally and completely tear down The House of Torture before the year is over?

World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls!

Much like Hiroshi Tanahashi, the Uncontrollable Charisma has yet to hold the WTL trophies. Will Los Ingobernables de Japon make this whole tournament tranquilo? Or will Hysterical Haste & Mad Mikey make it mighty?

The teams sort out, but even now Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. TMDK gets annoyed but the pants finally come off. Mikey eggs LIJ on but Hiromu pie faces him. Mikey slaps back! Red Shoes has everyone hold on, and Mikey backs off. Finally, it is decided that Mikey will start, and then LIJ fist bumps. The fans applaud as Hiromu steps up. The bell rings, both men rush in, but Hiromu dodges Mikey to swing on Shane! But Shane blocks the shot and has Hiromu caught! Mikey runs up, Hiromu slips away, so Mikey hits Shane! Hiromu dodges Mikey again, runs, and RAMS Mikey, but Hiromu’s the one that wobbles!

Mikey taunts Hiromu then runs, but Hiromu drops down, and Naito trips Mikey! Hiromu slides out and LIJ send Mikey into railing! Naito then sets Mikey up for Hiromu to CROSSBODY from the apron! The fans fire up as Hiromu keeps going, and he CROSSBODIES Shane on the floor! The fans fire up again, and Naito puts Mikey in. Hiromu tags in Naito then he CHOPS Mikey. LIJ double whips, but Mikey breaks the double clothesline! Naito still drop toeholds and Hiromu basement dropkicks! Naito covers, ONE! Naito clamps onto Mikey with a chinlock and he digs a knee into Mikey’s back. Red Shoes reprimands as Naito smothers Mikey.

Mikey endures and pries at the hold. Mikey bends Naito’s finger, but Red Shoes reprimands that. Naito clamps the chinlock on again, then brings Mikey up. Naito shifts to a cravat for a neck wrench, and he brings Mikey over to the LIJ corner. Hiromu tags in and CLUBS Mikey on the back. Hiromu CHOPS, then whips, but Mikey blocks! Hiromu CHOPS again, then whips, but Mikey again blocks! Mikey eggs Hiromu on, so Hiromu stomps Mikey’s foot! Hiromu whips, Mikey reverses, but Hiromu ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into a SPINEBUSTER! Shane runs up to BLAST Naito, then hurries back so he can tag in.

Mikey tosses Hiromu out to Shane, and Shane whips Hiromu into railing! The fans are torn but Shane high-fives Fujita on commentary. Shane drags Hiromu up to then hit an APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Shane brings Hiromu into the ring. Hiromu crawls to a corner and Shane lines up a shot. Shane runs up to UPPERCUT, then he reels Hiromu in, HALF HATCH PLEX! Then basement DROPKICK! Shane flips Naito off but Naito just smirks. Shane covers Hiromu, TWO! Shane clamps onto Hiromu’s arm, pulls on it, and KICKS Hiromu in the back! Hiromu hobbles away to a corner but Shane follows him.

Shane drags Hiromu up, tags in Mikey, and TMDK double wrench to double SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they split the wishbone! Hiromu writhes, but Shane KICKS him down! Shane flexes, Mikey covers, TWO! Mikey sits Hiromu up, and he DIGS at Hiromu’s eye! Red Shoes reprimands, Mikey brings Hiromu up, and taunts him as the “light heavyweight.” But Hiromu CHOPS Mikey! Mikey CHOPS Hiromu off his feet! Mikey then BLASTS Naito off the apron! Mikey double knuckle lock covers, TWO! Mikey grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Mikey bumps Hiromu off buckles hard, then tags Shane.

TMDK again split the wishbone on the Timebomb, and Mikey mocks Hiromu’s pain. Mikey KICKS Hiromu on his way out, then Shane CHOPS Hiromu! The fans rally and Shane drags Hiromu up. Shane bumps Hiromu off buckles in a neutral corner, then UPPERCUTS him again and again. Shane flexes before he UPPERCUTS again! Shane fires up, the fans are torn, but Hiromu BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Hiromu dodges! Shane hits buckles and falls back, but he hurries to anchor Hiromu! Hiromu breaks free, blocks a kick, blocks a punch, and DRAGON SCREWS Shane down! The fans fire up while both men crawl!

Shane and Hiromu rise up, and Hiromu hot tags Naito! The fans fire up as Naito CLUBS Shane. Naito whips Shane, ELBOWS him, but Shane comes back, only for Naito to atomic drop! Naito runs and ELBOWS Shane down, to then basement DROPKICK! Naito brings Shane up, Shane pushes free, but swings into a spin! Naito holds Shane in place, trolling Mikey as he does, before the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses, Mikey gets mad, but the fans applaud. Naito covers, TWO! Shane stays in this but Naito BLASTS Mikey! Naito then clamps onto Shane with the leg hook nelson! Shane endures and fights around while the fans rally up.

Shane pushes Naito around, tries to stack him, but Naito pushes Shane back down! Shane rolls and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go on his own for once, and then brings Shane up. Naito CLUBS Shane into a corner, CLUBS him some more, then hoists Shane up top. Naito climbs, but Shane slips under! Shane brings Naito out but Naito fights to then RANA! The fans rally as Naito runs, but Shane DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up while both men are down! Shane crawls, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey winds up and runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Mikey whips Naito back in for another LARIAT!

Mikey brings Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Naito slips free. Naito waistlocks but ducks Mikey’s elbow, only to take a DDT! Mikey sits Naito up, throws off an elbow pad, and then SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Naito survives and Mikey is frustrated but the fans fire up. Mikey drags Naito up, brings him around, but Naito fights the lift with elbows. Mikey CHOPS Naito, whips him, but Naito reverses to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Naito reaches out, crawls for the LIJ corner, and the fans rally up. Naito tags in Hiromu, and LIJ goes after Mikey. They double whip Mikey but Mikey KICKS Naito!

Hiromu says whoa, no no no, but Mikey runs up on him. Hiromu dodges Mikey, and then sends Naito at him!? Then Hiromu picks Naito up to make him RANA Mikey to a corner! The fans fire up as Hiromu runs corner to corner to LARIAT! Hiromu snapmares Mikey to then basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu fires up and the fans are with him! Hiromu drags Mikey and says he’ll end this! But Mikey fights the suplex! Hiromu still tries, but it’s Mikey who suplexes! Hiromu slips free to waistlock, but Mikey switches and sends Hiromu to the TMDK corner! Tag to Shane and then feed to an UPPERCUT!

Mikey lifts Hiromu, Shane runs up, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Shane hurries to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB Hiromu! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Shane and Mikey coordinate, they’ll just hit Hiromu harder! Mikey scoops, but Naito makes the save! Naito sends Mikey at Shane but TMDK avoids a collision. Shane BOOTS Naito down, kicks him out, and Mikey says now it’s time to end this! Shane drags Hiromu up, but Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS away on TMDK, but TMDK DOUBLE SLAP him! Then they double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDT!!

The fans are thunderous as Hiromu turns things around on TMDK! Hiromu crawls for the LIJ corner, hot tag to Naito! The fans fire up as Naito steps right to Shane. Naito throws those heavy elbows, but Shane clinches Naito! Naito fights the lift with more elbows! And more elbows! Shane wobbles but Naito ELBOWS him down! The fans fire up and Naito goes to a corner. Naito drags Shane up, reels him in, and ESPERANZA! The fans fire up again and Naito resets in the corner. Shane rises, Naito runs up, but Mikey LARIATS him down! TMDK says it’s time, and they haul Naito up! POWER BOTTOM!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Naito survives! TMDK KICKS Naito around, then drags him up. Mikey scoops, but Hiromu SHOTGUNS Shane! Naito slips down, Mikey scoops him again, but Naito makes it DESTINO!! Hiromu watches Shane rise, and SUPERKICKS! Naito ENZIGIRIS Shane and Hiromu hits a HIROM-CHAN BOMBER! ROLLING JACKKNIFE! TWO!! Shane survives but Naito storms up on him again. Naito wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTI- NO! Shane stays up, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS him! Hiromu BOOTS Mikey from the apron, then he push-starts Naito’s TORNADO DDT!

The fans fire up again and Naito brings Shane back up. Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shane & Mikey earn 0)

Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa won last night, but Shane & Mikey lost tonight, so TMDK as a whole is 1-1! Is their dream of a truly mighty World Tag League final already in jeopardy? Or can the former tag team champions prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

As for Naito & Hiromu, they of course take the mic, and Naito says, “Buenas noches, Funabashi~!” Naito knows this tournament technically kicked off two days ago, and that this is Naito’s first entry to this tournament in two years, with a new partner, Hiromu Takahashi. But the finals will be in Kumamoto, and it will be this “openweight team” going for those trophies! The fans cheer that! Naito continues by saying that maybe some know this, but NJPW has had five events in Chiba over the course of 2024. In February, May, August, October, and now in November. Unfortunately, that means this is the last time this year they will be here.

But with that in mind, let us end on a great note. Naito does the math, and says the last time they did a role call here was in April of 2016! Eight years ago! So everyone, are you ready for the first role call specifically in Funabashi? The fans cheer and Naito says the only way to end tonight is of course with… Wait, tranquilo, assen na yo. The fans cheer as Hiromu sits up for this. “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer and Naito drops the mic. Will the Stardust Genius and Ticking Timebomb make a run at the top of this tag league?

Here are the B Block standings!

Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-0, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-0, 2 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 1-0, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 0-1, 0 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 0-1, 0 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-1, 0 points

My Thoughts:

A great round for B Block to start their own round robin, with quite some surprises. Not so much The Filip Brothers winning because Jado being on Tanahashi’s team, Jado is the liability much like Tomoaki Honma is for Shota Umino in A Block. Taichi & Taka getting that win off Henare & Khan was the biggest surprise because usually Taka is the “liability” on the team. But I suppose with Yuya Uemura out with injury and Sanada having betrayed them, Just Four Guys had no choice but to send Taka in. Great stuff in that win, but I’m not sure the chances of them winning those titles in some sort of “Road to WrestleKingdom” type tag title match.

Very good stuff from Yano & Oleg VS Evil & Narita but duh, The House of Torture cheats to win as usual. In a roundabout way, the story of Tanahashi and Evil building towards their WK19 match is like how ZSJ and Shota are really just building towards their own match through this tournament. And much in that same way, it takes just a bit of the drama out as Tanahashi won’t really be taking the losses when Jado can eat those pins or tap to those holds. And obviously, if The House of Torture is winning, it’s because of cheating so anyone can win it for them and Evil will be rolling towards WK19.

But we got a great main event from LIJ VS TMDK, but it was less surprising that LIJ won out. Shane & Mikey already came into this tournament having taken a loss, their redemption story back to the titles will be taking the long road. But with Naito never having won a WTL tournament, and obviously this being Hiromu’s first, they could have quite the run. They should at least be second place and narrowly miss out on the finals.

My Score: 8.9/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.21.2024

Let’s pretend last week didn’t happen? Okay? So tonight’s iMPACT! has to be better…right?

Published

2 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Andrew Balaz

So things can’t get much worse than last week unless this ends up a negative score. Hopefully we got the filler episode or the TNA equivalent of A Feast for Crows, out of the way. I’d like at least a high school level attempt at logically telling a story, not bad promos and story beats almost as bad as Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail.

The show kicks off with the Knockouts title match featuring Lish. Now while I’m not gonna put Lish over for her ringwork, but her character work is great. So being a NO DQ match, we should get more gimmick and less “work rate”. I will just make it known before the show happens, I am very sick of Tommy Dreamer’s booking (or whoever really has it). Literally none of the stories matter, they aren’t consistent with the storytelling and are squandering the brand equity and good faith returning to TNA has granted them. Lots of potentially decent pieces on this roster, just booking is written by a blind kindergartner who’s just pulling a lever on a See ‘N Say and making that an angle.

The Rascalz and KUSHIDA are confident heading into #TNATurningPoint! @ZacharyWentz @TheTreyMiguel

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/7N7e9L00hs pic.twitter.com/Av19OnPnHt

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 22, 2024

Ratings:

TNA Knockouts Championship NO DQ Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Alisha Edwards: Masha retains via Package Piledriver – ** 1/2
ASH by Elegance w/Personal Concierge & Heather vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna: ASH wins via Rarefied Air – **
Rhino vs Frankie Kazarian: Kaz wins via School Boy w/ Feet on ropes – ** 1/4
Moose & JDC vs Leon Slater & Laredo Kid: Slater wins via La Magistral – *
Savannah Evans vs Brittany Jade: Evans wins via Full Nelson Bomb – SQUASH
The Hardy Boyz & Ace Austin vs Birminghammer Daddies (Hammerstone, Jake Something & Trent Seven): Trent wins via Birminghammer – ***

Results:

TNA Knockouts Championship NO DQ Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Alisha Edwards

Lish starts off during the introductions, hits a big Forearm and starts laying into Masha in the corner. Lish grabs Kendra, takes a swing, but Masha ducks it and gets a little bit of revenge before a trash can lid stalls Masha’s Suicida. Lish throws Masha back in the ring, along with a chair. Throat Chop from Lish, followed up with a DDT onto the chair and Lish gets an early two count. Lish puts the chair in the corner, bounces Masha’s face off of it a few times before trying to set up for a Corner Crossbody, but Masha moves and Lish eats the chair. Masha grabs a trash can, pops the crowd and tries something but Lish puts the brakes on the initial attack before Masha just smashes Lish’s face into the can, sets her up in the corner, looks for a Superplex through the can, but Lish block and gouges the eyes, slips between her legs and the Avalanche Powerbomb onto the can gives Lish another two count!

Kendra comes into play again, a few quick cracks just seems to piss off Masha, she fires, grabs the kendo stick from Lish and beats on her a few times before the Package Piledriver seals the deal and Masha retains!

Tasha Steelz attacks after the pinfall, so Jordynne makes the save for Masha so they can have a moment before their match at Turning Point.

ASH by Elegance w/Personal Concierge & Heather vs Jody Threat w/Dani Luna

ASH plays the powder to annoy the babyface gimmick, but after the second time Jody steps on ASH’s hand when she tries to quickly break the count and powder again. A few suplexes give Jody the early advantage, but she misses the Spear into the corner and posts herself. Heather uses the moment of distraction to hit Jody with a Neckbreaker and ASH grabs a cheap two count. ASH works Jody over in a corner, distracts the referee again so Heather attacks one more time. The crowd is surprisingly loud for a Jody comeback…but ASH does the ole hair slam into a Headlock.

Jody finally powers up for the comeback, rope spot with the Knees to the back and German Suplex but ASH uses the hair pull to stop Jody from continuing…momentarily. Jody is beating on ASH in the corner, perches ASH, looks for the Superplex but Heather tries to get into the ring to distract the referee, Concierge helps to anchor ASH, so ASH fights off Jody, hits Rarefied Air and wins the match!

Mike Santana comes out for a promo, and about a minute into, the stupid channel switches into Picture in Picture mode. DURING A PROMO. So I have no clue if anything being said is clever, well done or why Frankie Kazarian showed up. Anthem needs to get their act together, this is embarrassing. Apparently we come back in time for the punchline and because they’re both gunning for the World Title Santana challenges Kaz to a Turning Point match because “no nights off”? What kind of moron e-fed story is this? And Tom throws to Picture in Picture as soon as Rhino comes out to kick off the Kaz match…but the commercial break already happened. Sad.

Rhino vs Frankie Kazarian

Lots of stalling from Kaz, since this is supposed to be during PiP, so dumb stuff like powdering, opportunistic throwing Rhino face first into the steps…so on and so forth. Just slow paced dumb stuff until we’re supposed to be “back”, so now Rhino will start…yup Uppercut cuts off Kaz, Lariat, a few Knife Edge Chops into some Short Arm Shoulder Tackles. Kaz powders, tries to grab his Call Your Shot trophy, referee takes it away from him, Kaz runs into the ring and tries to grab his scarf, ref again disarms him but Kaz kicks the middle rope into Rhino for a near fall. Kaz starts laying in some fists and chokes with his shin, cocky cover for 2.

They start just throwing hands, because reasons…Rhino gets the best of it and connects with a few Lariats and a Shoulder Tackle into a Belly to Belly for a two count. The crowd is behind Rhino, a few more Lariats, Gore set up, but Kaz sidesteps it, School Boy with the feet on the ropes for the win.

.@SteveMaclin's journey of discovery forces him to confront elements of his past.

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/7N7e9L00hs pic.twitter.com/g82wDEBdnu

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 22, 2024

This vignette is hot garbage in my opinion. Trying to frame PTSD as trust issues in half baked choppy Netflix recap of a Burn Notice knockoff.

Moose & JDC vs Leon Slater & Laredo Kid

Yeah this match is useless on paper. Laredo is such a filler enhancement talent and even if JDC could eat a pin against say Leon…there’s no way Leon is beating Moose for the X Division title. So aside from a time filler, this match serves no purpose.

JDC starts and eats offense from both Laredo and Leon, as is expected, but I really can’t be dragged into caring about this match. Laredo is joke, Leon is someone they want to hype up but he’s got no discernable personality aside from “British”. Laredo breaks up a pinfall attempt, John Woo Dropkicks JDC into the post after dodging a Spear, Moose catches a Laredo dive and turns it into an Apron Powerbomb, Leon flies over the post to wipe out Moose, locks up JDC in the La Magistral, and its over.

So as I alluded to, it’s technically just a way to set up a challenger for the X Division title, but even if the match is good, Leon shouldn’t beat Moose unless he brings a rifle.

Hendry is out talking, as per usual, and doing his usual thanking the fans for believing and saying all the babyface things. Is definitely cookie cutter, he’s passionate so he sells the basic words well, but it’s basic shit.

Savannah Evans vs Brittany Jade

Skye Blue from wish is the jobber that Savannah gets to eat. Propels Jade across the ring, corner splashes a few times, throws her into the ropes, Jade goes for a Flying Headscissors but Savannah blocks the momentum and reverses it, Facebuster, Samoan Drop, and now Full Nelson Bomb to kill the jobber. There we go, no one is shocked and it didn’t really do anything for Savannah, it was more just a basic reminder of her power moves. Nothing flashy, so if Lei Ying Lee loses, then she’s dead in the water.

The Hardy Boyz & Ace Austin vs Birminghammer Daddies (Hammerstone, Jake Something & Trent Seven)

The Seven Star Hammer Daddies or Birminghammer Daddies…not sure which I like more. Think I’m leaning towards Birminghammer Daddies.

Hammer and Matt start, Matt has control, Jake tries to make the save but ends up eating the Delete Buckle Face Smashes. Matt tries to Double Coconut Jake and Hammer, but they no sell, beat their chests and drop Matt. Hammer works over Matt a little, tags in Trent and then Matt counters whatever Trent tries and gets Jeff in. Classic Senton/Legdrop Doubles, Jeff’s Low Dropkicks, and just typically classic Hardy stuff. Jeff looks for Twist of Fate, Bop and Bang counters, Trent hits a Flowsion and tags out to Jake. Jeff and Matt do some veteran tactics with a blind tag as Jake tries to chase Jeff. But the referee tells Jake that Jeff isn’t legal just in time for Matt to hit a Chop Block and tandem Hardy offense, Ace gets involved in some of the fun and finally gets tagged in. Ace has Jake in the corner, Hammer tries to break things up but Ace moves and Hammer collides with Jake, Trent gets sent in, Double Poetry on the stacked up heel team, they go for Twists in Triplicate…but the heels shove off and powder.

After the picture in picture, we know the heels had control with basic heel stuff, but Ace clears the apron with a big Double Dropkick, Enzuigiri to Trent to try and lunge, but Jake and Hammer pull the Hardys off the apron. Tandem Powerbomb from the Daddies, Trent hits the Seven Star Lariat, but Ace kicks out at two! Birminghammer attempt is slipped, X Plex attempt but Ace turns it into a Flatliner! Ace tags in Jeff and Trent didn’t look for the tag! Jeff hot tag, wipes out the apron, through the legs Double Leg Drop, Flashing Elbow, but the Daddies come in and we get to the signature spam moves for moves sake moment. Matt counters a tandem Back Body Drop with the Double DDT, Twists in Triplicate are hit, Swanton Bomb is called for but Jake and Hammer put a stop to that.

Ace tries to fly on the big men but they catch him, so Jeff gets up and connects the big splash to assist Ace. Plot Twist on Trent! Swanton Bomb from Jeff, 1-2-but Hammer and Jake pull out Ace. Hardys almost fall victim to the Final Chapter, but slip it and hit Stereo Twists of Fate. Referee is checking on the outside stuff, counters The Fold with a Low Blow, Birminghammer wins the match for the Birminghammer Daddies!

Hardyz try to attack Trent, but the big men stop them, they look to make an example out of the veterans, but Rascalz and Kushida make the save.

Overall Score: 4.5/10

Still not what I would call a “good” episode, but at least there was a semblance of trying to remember stories they had going on, a couple alright promos and vignettes. But between the Picture in Picture mistiming, the Maclin vignette being inane and three matches in the middle that mean literally nothing in the grand scheme of things just makes the show feel both bloated and lacking at the same time. Genesis better be the start of a new booker, because literally everything since Scott left has been kinda stupid. A few obvious connections got made and that was fine, but the reimagining of The System swagger (or lack thereof), Hendry becoming the Tetsuya Naito of TNA and the desolate Knockouts Division really makes this a hard product to get any consistency out of much less tolerate what they hand us.

The main event was at least tolerable, give Trent and Ace something with Speedball leaving and Bey injured, and potentially setting up Hammer Daddies to challenge for the tag titles, I’m not mad at that. If I had a say in things, Hardyz should drop the belts to either Hammer Daddies or First Cla$$.

So this was better than last week, but that’s a low bar, and with next week being a Thanksgiving Special, this was technically the Go Home for Turning Point. So next Friday is hopefully a good show, because that card looks bad.