Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (7/21/22)

Seven takes on the Thunderstorm!

Published

3 years ago

July 21, 2022

Steven Mitchell

How the tables have turned.

Once upon a time in NXT UK, Trent Seven taught Sam Gradwell a thing or to about respect. But now, will the Thunderstorm return the favor? Or will Seven prove he is the absolute dirt worst?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Fallon Henley VS Isla Dawn; Isla wins.
Josh Morrell VS Dave Mastiff; Mastiff wins.
Emilia McKenzie VS Nina Samuels; Emilia wins.
Trent Seven VS Sam Gradwell; Seven wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Fallon Henley VS Isla Dawn!

The Cowgirl just came to the UK for a good time, but the Wicked Witch tried to creep on her. Fallon doesn’t play the spooky game, but will she start to believe in magic? Or will she give the enchantress a country style butt kicking instead?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, then break. Isla reaches for Fallon’s hair but Fallon slaps Isla’s hands away. They tie up again and Isla pulls hair! The ref reprimands, Isla lets off to kick and uppercut! Isla talks trash but Fallon ROCKS her back with forearms! Isla headbutts low, whips but Fallon reverses to back elbow and mule kick! Fallon runs, ducks the elbow and blocks the hip toss, but Isla blocks Fallon’s shoot around to the back. Isla facelocks, Fallon endures and powers up, then wrenches out to WRING the arm! Isla ends up on ropes, Fallon slides out to ROCK her with a forearm!

Fans fire up with Fallon and she gets in to cover, TWO! Fallon keeps cool but Isla throws body shots. Fallon CLUBS Isla, scoops her, but Isla slips out to CLAW Fallon’s back! Isla whips, Fallon reverses and runs in at the corner, but Isla slips out to the apron. Isla shoulders into Fallon, bumps her off buckles, then steps in to EuroUpper. The ref counts but Isla gets in Fallon’s face while choking her! Isla lets off to then SHINING WIZARD! Isla snapmares Fallon to UPPERCUT her in the back! Fallon grits her teeth but Isla runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Isla is annoyed and she clamps onto Fallon to dribble her off the mat.

Fans rally up, Isla drags Fallon up but Fallon throws body shots! Fallon ducks the haymaker to waistlock, but Isla bucks the O’Conner Roll. Fallon ducks the roundhouse, kicks back, but Isla hits low again. Fallon comes back with a sunset flip, TWO! Fans fire up but Isla knees Fallon low and throws her down by her hair! Isla stomps Fallon, drags her around and clamps onto the shoulders. Fallon resists the chinlock, Isla CLAWS her again, and gets the arms for a straitjacket stretch! Fallon endures as Isla digs a knee in, and fans rally up again. Fallon fights the hold, but Isla thrashes her around and JAMS the knee back in!

Isla bends Fallon back against the knee, but Fallon still fights up to her feet! Fallon backs Isla into buckles but Isla holds on! The ref counts, Fallon RAMS Isla into buckles and arm-drags free! Isla comes back to ROCK Fallon but Fallon ROCKS Isla! Fallon fires off and DECKS Isla! Fallon runs to FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up again and Fallon runs at the corner, big back elbow! Fallon keeps moving and she LARIATS Isla! Isla goes to ropes, Fallon pursues, and Isla YANKS Fallon into the ropes! ROUNDHOUSE! HALF NELSON SLAM! Cover, Isla wins!

Winner: Isla Dawn, by pinfall

Fallon fought hard but she couldn’t stop the Wicked Witch! Will Isla use this win to conjure up a new path to the NXT UK Women’s Championship?

NXT UK Media catches up with Sarray.

She says hello and they ask her how she’s enjoying her time in the UK. Sarray says she is enjoying being her very much. Any words for her fans in Japan? Sarray speaks in Japanese to say hello, and that she is enjoying the UK. She’s seen the London Bridge, the Harrods, but then she spots Meiko Satomura and asks her about that match challenge. Meiok has yet to actually respond. Please, accept her challenge. Meiko says okay. They’ll have their match! “But be prepared.” The Warrior of the Sun gets her match with the Final Boss, but will she still enjoy her time in the UK afterward?

Amale watches back last week’s episode.

Namely, her match against Stevie Turner, which she won. But that’s only secondary to Blair Davenport being on commentary, telling Amale that she’ll have no hope against her. NXT UK Media asks Amale her response. “You want to know my thoughts on Blair’s commentary? I’ll show you exactly what I think about it.” Amale storms out and asks around for Blair. She’s pointed in the right direction, and Amale barges in on Blair’s own little interview. Amale brings up the match of Amale VS Turner. Blair asks what Amale thought about her on commentary. Maybe she’s got a second career in wrestling.

Amale says she knows exactly what Blair is up to! Amale won’t give Blair the satisfaction of getting under her skin. She will keep all this anger for Blair waiting for the ring. See you then. Blair shrugs and says “Whatever.” Now go, she’s busy. Will The French Hope unleash her fury on the gothic terror? Or will Amale learn to #BewaretheHeir?

Josh Morrell VS Dave Mastiff!

#TurboTerry finally got a win in NXT UK off of Primate, who seemed a bit overzealous without Eddie Dennis in charge. However, Morrell now runs into an even bigger challenge in The Bomber! Will Mastiff be a brick wall for Morrell’s new momentum? Or can Morrell defy expectations again and get his second win?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Mastiff headlocks. Morrell endures, fans rally and sing, and Morrell brings Mastiff to a knee so he can handstand and walk out of the headlock! Fans cheer and Mastiff seems a bit surprised. They reset, tie up, Mastiff gets an arm and wrenches. Mastiff hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then wristlocks. Morrell endures again, rolls, cartwheels, and handsprings to then go up and break free! Mastiff nods, he respects the ability. The two go again, Morrell gets around to headlock, but Mastiff powers out. Mastiff runs Morrell over and things speed up.

Morrel tries to hip toss but Mastiff easily turns that around, only for Morrell to handspring through Mastiff’s hip toss. Things keep moving, Morrell ducks and goes up, but Mastiff holds him up. Mastiff throws Morrell but he flips and lands on his feet! But Mastiff blocks the lariat, CLUBS Morrell on the back, then shoves Morrell to the ropes to catch him on the rebound, BIG back suplex! Morrell writhes and fans rally up. Mastiff looms over Morrell, drags him up, and CLUBS him back down! Mastiff drags Morrell back up, CLUBS him again, and then reels him in for a snapmare. Mastiff clamps his hands right onto Morrell’s bad shoulders!

Morrell endures as Mastiff leans on the hold. Morrell throws an elbow but Mastiff dribbles him off the mat! Fans rally, Mastiff drags Morrell up again, and he has those shoulder claws back in. Morrell throws a heavy body shot, Mastiff throws him down again, but Morrell handsprings through that! Morrell boots from the corner but Mastiff blocks, so Morrell kicks Mastiff with both feet! Morrell goes up, leaps, but into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Morrell is still in this and Mastiff is surprised. Fans rally up again as Mastiff drags Morrell up. Mastiff whips and RAMS into Morrell with a low headbutt!

Morrell sputters but stands back up, and Mastiff DECKS him with a forearm! Mastiff eggs Morrell on as Morrell gets up again. Mastiff DECKS Morrell again, stalks him, then drags him up again. Mastiff whips, but Morrell goes up to sunset flip! Mastiff is too big, he YANKS Morrell right up and into a GERMAN SUPLEX! But Morrell lands on his feet again! Morrell SHOTGUNS Mastiff, but Mastiff comes back! Morrell avoids the senton! And STANDING CORKSCREW MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Mastiff survives but fans fire up as Morrell runs in and SHOTGUNS him out of the ring! Mastiff staggers up, Morrell builds speed and FLIES! Fosbury Flop at the ramp!

Fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as Morrell gets back to his feet. Morrell drags Mastiff up but that’s a lot of dead weight. Morrell puts Mastiff in at 5 of 10, and then hurries up onto the apron. Mastiff stands, Morrell slingshots to go up and over! Morrell runs in, into a FLAPJACK! Mastiff deadlifts to POWERBOMB! And then deadlifts again, for the ROLLING SENTON! Cover, TWO!?! Morrell survives and shocks everyone! Fans are fired up for Morrell but Mastiff is grinning. Mastiff seems to like the toughness form Morrell, but he fireman’s carries again. Morrell flails, but Mastiff still hits ROLLING SENTON, and a BACK SENTON! Cover, Mastiff wins!

Winner: Dave Mastiff, by pinfall

The Bomber finally puts Morrell away, but it was quite the fight! Mastiff helps Morrell up to show he at least won Mastiff’s respect. Will Morrell be able to make a comeback in his next match?

Sha Samuels and Noam Dar sit in the back.

The East End Bookie is of course bummed over what happened last week, because those who bet on Mark Coffey keep coming to collect! “It’s never-ending!” He’s got kids, y’know! Three of ’em! Sha doesn’t even remember placing bets for some of these guys! Dar keeps trying to plead Sha’s case but it’s no good. And of course, Wolfgang’s in on the action, too. Sha is brought to tears over this! And also to red faced rage. Does he even have the funds to cover all this?

The day finally ends, Sha and Dar have nothing left but each other. But while they can make more money, how are they supposed to get the Heritage Cup back? Sha says Dar let them down. And the flask is empty because they can’t afford it! Dar takes his cut of what’s left and goes. A couple hours later, after Sha’s dozed off from despair, someone comes knocking. Even Johnny Saint has come to collect?! Well, Sha’s probably got… HE RUNS FOR IT! Will the NXT UK GM get his payout one way or another?

The NEW NXT UK Tag Team Champions have a photoshoot.

Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen pose with their titles and are still feeling great. NXT UK Media asks them if they heard about the challenge put forward by Mark Andrews & Wild Boar. They did, and they have a response. They respect the hell out of Andrews & Boar, and it would be an honor to face one of the best teams in the UK. Briggs says the UK crew took real good care of them, Briggs & Jensen owe them. One night out on the pub is on them, and that title match is on, too. See y’all in the ring, boys! Will these good ol’ American boys have another good time in London? Or will the UK tag titles come home through South Wales Subculture?

Emilia McKenzie VS Nina Samuels!

Meiko Satomura’s protégé has felt more like a third wheel with Sarray around, but she wasn’t going to let the Leading Lady turn her into a buzzworthy headline. Will Nina end up on the front page with a win over the pouting protégé? Or will #SuplexMillie turn her into old news?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and fans sing for Millie. But Nina pulls hair to put Millie in the corner. The ref counts, Nina lets go of hair to RAM her shoulder in. Nina lets off but Millie BOOTS her, then goes up to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up and Nina staggers, but Millie runs in to RAM her shoulder in! And again, and again! Nina shoves Millie away, then goes up to sunset flip! TWO, Nina hurries to throw Millie down by her hair! And again! The ref reprimands, Nina stops and she stomps Millie down. Nina brings Millie up but Millie blocks the buckle bump to give Nina the bump!

Millie stomps Nina, the ref counts and Millie lets off, only for Nina to BOOT Millie down! Nina kicks Millie to ropes, brings her up and CHOKES her on the ropes! Nina makes Millie smile with the fishhooks but the ref counts. Nina lets off, then pulls Millie back against the ropes with a motorcycle stretch! The ref counts again, Nina lets off at 4 to dropkick Millie in the back! Roll up, TWO! Nina stomps Millie around but fans rally up. Millie gets to ropes, Nina drags her up and talks trash to TOSS her by her hair! The ref reprimands again, Nina drags Millie up to TOSS by her hair again! Nina shakes off the hair in her hands before storming after Millie.

Nina stomps Millie, the ref counts, but Nina fires off more! Nina stops at 4, fans boo, but Nina just storms back up on Millie. Millie throws body shots, but Nina DECKS her! Nina shocks herself, and hurries to cover, ONE!! Millie grabs at the ropes but Nina stands her up in the corner. Nina puts Millie up top, talks trash and SLAPS Millie! Nina soaks up the heat from the fans, but Millie avoids the step-up kick! Nina is stuck up top with Millie, and Millie fires off elbows and hammer fists! The ref counts, Millie shoves Nina to the floor! Nina manages to land on her feet, and she hurries back up, only for Millie to ROCK her!

Millie drags Nina in to throw Nina by her hair! And again! Millie is unleashing that fury Meiko told her to use, and Millie hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Millie snarls, watches Nina flounder, and runs in at the corner, but Nina moves! Millie POSTS herself, Nina rolls her up, TWO!! Nina is shocked but she hurries to drag Millie up. Millie SLAPS Nina back! Nina is furious, but she swings into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Millie SPEARS Nina down! Cover, Millie wins!

Winner: Emilia McKenzie, by pinfall

That “killer instinct” finally kicks in, and Millie gets a big win! Will she be waiting on the other side of the coming showdown between Satomura and Sarray?

Andy Shepherd joins Ilja Dragunov and Wolfgang for a sit-down interview.

Andy says ahead of next week’s huge NXT UK Championship match, he wanted to bring together challenger and champion. He welcomes them and thanks them for joining him. “There has been a lot of talk about respect between the both of you.” Wolfgang, what is it you respect most about Dragunov? Wolfgang says he’s been here since day one, and he’s seen everybody who has held that title. It’s been something Wolfgang’s wanted since 2017. He was there at the first ever tournament, he made it to the semifinals, and he was there when Dragunov took the title off someone no one thought possible in the Ring General. That deserves respect.

But what Wolfgang really respects most is that Dragunov will take on anyone. Dragunov was the one to call Wolfgang out for this title. How can Wolfgang not respect that? The Czar says he gives that respect back 100%. There is a reason he chose Wolfgang. Dragunov doesn’t think Wolfgang gets the credit he deserves these last few years. There would be no Ilja Dragunov without people like Wolfgang! Andy says that, just as Wolfgang said, Wolfgang has seen all of Dragunov’s title defenses. The list is a who’s who of NXT UK and beyond. Does Wolfgang believe he can do what none of those men could? Can Wolfgang take this title from Dragunov?

Wolfgang will tell us exactly why he can do that. Dragunov’s never been in the ring with Wolfgang. Dragunov doesn’t really know what Wolfgang’s capable of. And when Wolfgang gets in that ring with him, Dragunov will realize that asking Wolfgang for this match may have been the biggest mistake he’s ever made. Dragunov says it wouldn’t have made sense to challenge Wolfgang if Wolfgang didn’t have that state of mind. This is a chance for Dragunov to see “the true Wolfgang,” because he has seen Wolfgang hiding. Wolfgang is in the shadow of Gallus, and Dragunov feels sorry for him. He means that. Because Wolfgang isn’t just some guy in Gallus, he’s a lion!

Dragunov wants Wolfgang to look at himself. Wolfgang is part of something, but when does he get to shine? Wolfgang says, “497 days, I was a champion alongside Gallus.” Yes, that was a tag team championship. But it is very different to stand alone. Wolfgang will face Dragunov alone, and Dragunov hopes Wolfgang will rely on himself when Dragunov looks inside him. Wolfgang says the UK title already belongs to Gallus. Dragunov says the title belongs to “those who are willed to fight against anything. Being injured but you continue to go.” Wolfgang says there’s a fine line between bravery and stupidity. He sees this as doing Dragunov a favor.

Wolfgang says he will take away the responsibility Dragunov has, and will take the weight off Dragunov’s shoulders to carry this brand on his back, and carry NXT UK forward with Gallus Boys on top. Well, then Wolfgang will have to bite very, very hard to get even a piece of what the NXT UK Champion, UNBESIEGBAR, the Czar, Ilja Dragunov, is made of. Both men stand up and stare down. The main event of next week is coming, who leaves knowing this is their kingdom?

Trent Seven VS Sam Gradwell!

The “Savior of British Sports” tore down Moustache Mountain and everything he had, all so he could be the center of attention. But that just makes him the “absolute dirt worst” in the eyes of Gradwell and everyone who used to respect Seven. Will the Thunderstorm rattle Seven’s kidneys, wobble his jowls, and slap some sense into him? Or will Seven do anything and everything he can to deny Gradwell that satisfaction?

The bell rings and Seven throws his towel at Gradwell to then BOOT him! Seven says “I am the best around here!” and runs in at Gradwell, only to be thrown out! Gradwell then DIVES! Direct hit and Seven hits barriers! Gradwell whips Seven into more barriers, then keeps him from running away! Gradwell CHOPS Seven, stalks him around the way, and keeps him from escaping with big forearm shots! Fans taunt Seven for being a “COWARD! COWARD!” and Gradwell ROCKS Seven with a haymaker. Seven slides into the ring, but Gradwell trips him up and drags him out! Gradwell scoops and SLAMS Seven on the floor!

Seven writhes while Gradwell checks his knee brace. Gradwell drags Seven up, puts him in the ring, and fans chant “You Deserve It!” But Seven CHOPS Gradwell at the ropes, and short arm LARIATS Gradwell down! Gradwell is on the floor and Seven soaks up the heat. Fans rally, “We Want Tyler!” but Seven wags his finger. Gradwell rises at 6 of 10, and slides in at 8! Seven eggs Gradwell on and Gradwell rushes in, but into a full nelson and DRAGON SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Seven is annoyed with Gradwell and he CLUBS Gradwell down. Seven kicks Gradwell around, KICKS him in the side, then CLUBS him down again!

Seven drags Gradwell up while claiming HE is British Strong Style. Fans chant “No You’re Not! No You’re Not!” but Seven KICKS Gradwell, then parodies the Bruiserweight’s favorite pose. Gradwell eggs Seven on, Seven kicks him, but Gradwell throws body shots. Seven CHOPS, Gradwell throws a body shot, but Seven CHOPS and CHOPS! Gradwell snarls and takes those CHOPS! Fans fire up with Gradwell, Seven can’t even get Gradwell with the feint! So Seven just kicks Gradwell’s bad knee! But Gradwell wrenches out of the DDT to ROCK Seven with forearm after forearm! Seven falls for Gradwell’s feint! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!

Fans rally and Gradwell runs in at Seven to forearm smash! Gradwell whips Seven corner to corner the other way, Seven bounces off into a back drop! Fans again chant “You Deserve It!” as Gradwell clotheslines Seven out of the ring! Seven tumbles and Gradwell goes out after him. Gradwell FLYING FOREARMS off the apron! Direct hit, but Gradwell does have to check his leg. Gradwell drags Seven up to throw down fists, the ring count is 5 of 10, and Gradwell puts Seven in at 6. Seven runs to DIVE! Direct hit into the barriers from that huge Low-pe! Fans fire up and Seven soaks it all in. Seven then lets his hair down and he kicks Gradwell around.

Seven puts Gradwell in, taunts the fans, and then gets on the apron. Gradwell CHOPS Seven! Gradwell climbs up the corner, drags Seven up to join him and CLUBS away on his back. But Seven shoves Gradwell down! Gradwell holds his bad knee, hobbles back up and he ROCKS Seven with a haymaker! And CHOP him again! Gradwell climbs up again and he stands on the top rope, for the underhooks, SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!! Fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Gradwell covers, TWO!! Seven bails out and wants to retreat again, but Gradwell runs him down at the ramp! Gradwell drags Seven back to ringside, but Seven picks him up, SHINBREAKER on the steel steps!!

Fans boo but Seven puts Gradwell in the ring. Gradwell clutches that knee, but Seven throws hands! Seven takes away the knee brace! Seven stomps Gradwell, gets the bad leg, and then kicks away on the thigh! Seven ties up the legs into a FIGURE SEVEN!! Gradwell grabs Seven’s beard to sit him up, but Seven SLAPS Gradwell! Gradwell SLAPS Seven back And again, and again! Gradwell still endures the hold, turns things over, now Seven endures! Seven can’t reach Gradwell but he crawls for the rope, ROPEBREAK! The ref undoes the hold and fans are thunderous as both men slowly rise.

Gradwell gets Seven but Seven spins, Gradwell ducks the backhand to STO!! Cover, TWO!! Seven survives but the fans still rally. Gradwell sits Seven up to rain down fists! Gradwell then reels Seven in but that bad leg is slowing him down. Gradwell fireman’s carries but Seven rakes the eyes, and CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! Ripcord, SEVEN STAR LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Seven is shocked but the fans are loving this! Seven snarls and he grabs the knee brace. Fans boo but Seven puts the brace on his arm! Seven stands Gradwell up, ripcord, but Gradwell ducks to ripcord and ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Seven survives and Gradwell is beside himself!

Fans rally up again, and now Gradwell looks at his knee brace. Gradwell picks it up, the ref says not to do it, but Gradwell is furious. Seven wants mercy, but then the ref grabs the brace from Gradwell! Seven LOW BLOWS Gradwell while the ref puts the brace outside! Ripcord, SEVEN STAR LARIAT!! Cover, Seven wins!!

Winner: Trent Seven, by pinfall

Seven won, because he IS the absolute dirt worst! But Seven isn’t satisfied with beating Gradwell, he wants to HURT Gradwell! But wait! TYLER BATE is here!! He runs in through the crowd, so Seven runs away through the crowd! The Big Strong Boy is back for vengeance on the man who betrayed him! Will Bate bury Seven in the rubble of Moustache Mountain?

My Thoughts:

A great episode here, and great stuff going into the following weeks. I thought we were supposed to already be getting Meiko VS Sarray for the NXT UK Women’s Championship with last week’s promo, so this week’s promo was technically unnecessary, but still delivered well enough. Good promo from Amale and Blair to set up a match, and that’ll be good stuff. Pretty sure Blair wins, though, so that she can go after the title again. And NXT UK is really good at those sit-down interview promos, Dragunov and Wolfgang had a very good exchange, and their match coincides with the go-home week for SummerSlam, so that’s going to be a lot of great programming.

We also got a hilarious bit from Sha and Dar, where just about everyone in NXT UK bet on Mark Coffey, even Johnny Saint. Very good match from Fallon and Isla, and that was a bit of a surprise that Isla won given how the rest of these NXT 2.0 VS NXT UK matches have gone. At the same time, it is better that NXT UK isn’t just being eaten alive by NXT 2.0, fans need to see NXT UK on par or else they won’t care about anyone who gets moved over from UK to the States. Great match from Morrell and Mastiff, but I figured Mastiff would win. Morrell is a great talent, though, and with Jack Starz hurt, Morrell might end up another honorary Bomber to have something to do as a story.

Good promo from Briggs & Jensen to accept the challenge from Andrews & Boar. Briggs & Jensen got their first defense done with Pretty Deadly and someone in the UK can win these belts back, but I don’t see it being Andrews & Boar. At this point, that team is still new, we need a little more time to see how those two work as a team, and then maybe they can get the belts off another team. Good match from Millie VS Nina, but it makes sense Millie wins here. Millie needs to get back on an upward trajectory if she’s to ever challenge for the title. And of course, we got an awesome main event out of Seven VS Gradwell. Again, of course Seven cheats to win, but what a great moment for Bate to show up and scare Seven off like that. That grudge match is coming, it is going to be wild.

My Score: 8.4/10

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Published

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Steven Mitchell

Tanahashi’s Final Road to New Beginning!

Evil couldn’t end President Ace, but will The House of Torture still take the NEVER Openweight Six Man Championships from him?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
YOSHI-HASHI & Katsuya Murashima VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oiwa & Jackson win.
8 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino & Togi Makabe VS The United Empire; ELP, Jado, Shota & Makabe win.
Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Taiji Ishimori; Sanada & Taiji win.
Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins and become the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK; TMDK wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg VS The House of Torture!

Evil tried to make WrestleKingdom 19 the last time we saw President Ace in this ring but he failed! However, his minions will not stop in trying to ruin the rest of Tanahashi’s last year. Will Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Sho take these titles back to the House? Or will The Ace, Joker & Rook stand tall?

The House walks out here showing off the belts they literally stole back at New Year Dash, but now the tables have turned! Tanahashi and team attack The House from behind! The fans cheer as The House finally tastes their own medicine! Tanahashi snatches back the belts so that he, Yano & Oleg can stand with them in the ring. The House protests but they’re one to talk. The introductions are skipped, the bell rings, and the brawl is back on as Tanahashi’s team goes back out after The House! Yano whips Sho, but Sho reverses to send Yano into railing! Sho stomps away on Yano, then helps Ren mug Oleg!

Yujiro turns things around on Tanahashi, and then he brings Tanahashi out to No Man’s Land! Sho bends Oleg’s fingers, puts his hand through the railing and pulls! The fans rally for Tanahashi’s team while the ref reprimands The House. Yujiro puts Tanahashi in, then he, Sho & Ren all stomp away! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The House all put one out on Tanahashi. Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, then he and Sho double whip Tanahashi corner to corner. Yujiro runs in but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi then dropkicks Sho’s leg, then he dropkicks Narita’s leg! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs at Yujiro.

Yujiro dodges, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up again as Tanahashi air guitars. Tag to Yano and he TOSSES Yujiro out! Yano then brings Yujiro out into No Man’s Land, then to the back of the crowd to THROW into some open chairs! The fans cheer as Yano brings out that Great Bash Heel side, but the ref reprimands Yano. Yano tells the ref to leave him alone, and he has a chair! The ref stops Yano from hitting Yujiro! Yano argues with the ref, but now Sho & Ren mug Yano! The ref reprimands them but the mugging continues. Ren leads the ref away so Sho & Yujiro can CHOKE Yano with a chair!

The fans boo while The House also beats up Oleg & Tanahashi. Yujiro drags Yano up and then brings him back to ringside to POST him! Ren brings Oleg around with a headlock and sends him into railing! Then more railing! Then into the crowd! Yujiro uses Yano’s red chair to CHOKE him! The ring count finally starts, but Ren JAMS Oleg up with a chair! The count reaches 10 of 20 and The House returns to the ring. Yano is still down at 15! The fans rally, Yano rises up at 17, and he lurches in at 19! The fans cheer but Yujiro is annoyed. Yujiro drops a leg, then an elbow, then a HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Yano stays in this, but Ren sends Tanahashi into railing! Yujiro tags Sho, Sho CHOKES Yano with a boot to the neck! The ref counts, Sho stops, then Sho TOSSES Yano out! Sho keeps the ref distracted while Ren JAMS Yano up with a chair! Ren pushes Yano in, Sho covers, TWO! Yano survives and Sho is frustrated. Tag to Ren, he drags Yano up, and Ren whips Yano to ELBOW him down! Cover, TWO! Ren BLASTS Tanahashi off the apron! Ren grins as the ref now keeps Oleg back. Ren CHOKES Yano on the ropes, Sho joins in to CLAW Yano’s eyes, but then the ref counts. Ren lets off and Yano flops down.

Ren drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Ren breaks free, knees low, then runs up. Yano dodges, clinches, and BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up, Yano hot tags Oleg! Oleg jumps in and CLOBBERS Ren! Oleg then deadlifts Ren, but Sho attacks! The fans boo, Sho runs, SPEAR bounces off of Oleg! Oleg then deadlifts Sho! Shake, Shake, Shake! But Yujiro CLUBS Oleg! Yujiro & Ren double whip, but Oleg DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! The fans fire up and Oleg runs at the corner to SPLASH Ren! Then he scoops and TOSSES Ren! The fans fire up as Oleg then runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Ren survives but Oleg deadlifts Ren right to the fireman’s carry! Ren fights free, CHOKES Oleg, but Oleg breaks free! Oleg winds up but Ren ducks the chop! Ren CHOKES Oleg, the ref counts, but Oleg CHOKES Ren! The fans cheer, and then Oleg TOSSES Ren to the corner! Tag to Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Oleg and Tanahashi haul Ren up, double whip him corner to corner, then Tanahashi sends Oleg in! Oleg ELBOWS Ren, then Tanahashi SPLASHES! Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Ren into the drop zone! Oleg goes up, up and VADER BOMBS! Tanahashi goes up to SUNSET SENTON! Cover, Yujiro breaks it!

Oleg CLOBBERS Yujiro for that, then goes out after him. The fans fire up as Tanahashi powers up. Tanahashi runs, but Sho gets a cheap shot in! Ren BOOTS Tanahashi, tags Sho, and Sho BLASTS Yano! Yujiro turns things around on Oleg and now The House double whips President Ace! Sho runs in to forearm SMASH! Yuijro BOOTS! Ren ELBOWS Tanahashi! Ren & Sho snapmare Tanahashi, then hold the legs open! Yujiro shoves the ref aside, then FALLING HEADBUTTS Tanahashi down low! The fans boo but now Sho covers, TWO!! Tanahashi survives and Sho argues with the ref! The fans rally for Tanahashi, but Ren has his repaired pushup bar!

Ren takes aim, Tanahashi dodges, SHOTEI! Sho kicks, Tanahashi blocks to DRAGON SCREW! Yujiro runs up, but gets caught into a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls for his corner! Hot tag to Yano! Yano unties a buckle pad! The fans cheer, Yano whips, but Sho reverses! Yano stops from hitting the buckles, then he dodges Sho to send him into bare buckles! Yano rolls Sho up, TWO!! Sho escapes but Yano hurries to get Sho’s legs! Oleg hops in, CATAPULT into Oleg’s BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up as Yano then stands Sho up, ONIGO- NO, Sho fights free! Sho dodges, but the ref stops him from hitting a low blow!

The ref and Sho argue, but Yujiro & Ren mug Yano! They double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Yano then sends Ren into Yujiro to DOUBLE LOW BLOW them! Atomic drop for Sho! Tanahashi runs up, SLINGBLADE! Oleg deadlifts Sho right into a fireman’s carry and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! But YOSHINOBU KANEMARU is here! The Heel Master gets on the apron, but Young Lions already apprehend him! Yano hauls Sho up, for ONIGOROSHI!! Cover, KANEMARU TOSSES THE YOUNG LION ONTO THE REF! The fans boo but Kanemaru attacks Yano! But then Yano hits him with an atomic drop!

Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS!? Sho LOW BLOWS Yano!! Sho rolls Yano up, HOUSE OF TORTURE WINS!!

Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

What a travesty! A miscarriage of justice! Evil isn’t even here, but his army of darkness just won the gold! Yano is upset, Tanahashi is disappointed, but Oleg is mad! Oleg storms back in, only for Yujiro to BELT SHOT him down! Yujiro then kicks Oleg out, and shows he’s pretty sore from the low blow. Will these belts help the House feel much, much better?

Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & YOH VS TMDK!

The Fierce Warrior won the New Japan Ranbo to earn his shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, so that means he and Zack Sabre Jr. will do battle for the New Beginning! Will the Rogue Luchador & Direct Drive help Goto gain the upper hand? Or will Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles help The Mighty Front Man prepare for war?

The teams sort out while all of TMDK’s title belts are put aside. The Japanese Young Punk steps to Despy, so Despy accepts. The fans cheer and the bell rings. Despy and Fujita stare down while the fans rally. Despy has the majority, and the two circle. They feel things out, Despy facelocks but Fujita slips around to waistlock. Despy slips out, moves around, but Fujita stays on him. They go around, break, and the fans cheer. They tie up, Despy wrenches to hammerlock, but Fujita elbows free to hammerlock back. Despy switches, Fujita switches, repeat! They go hammerlock for hammerlock, but then Despy top wristlocks to wrangle FUjita!

The fans cheer, Fujita fights up, but Despy shifts to a cording hold. Fujtia whips but Despy reverses and arm-drags! Fujita comes back, he avoids the arm-drag, and then he CHOPS! Despy is stinging, but Fujita CHOPS him again! And CHOPS him again! The fans cheer, Fujita CHOPS again, but now Despy CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS, Despy ends up in the Mighty corner, and Eagles tags in. Eagles CHOPS, but then Despy CHOPS! Eagles shoves Despy and says he’s bored. He wants Yoh! The fans rally for Yoh, so Despy tags him in. The fans cheer as Yoh and Eagles circle. Wait, Yoh starts up the “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!”

Eagles is rather amused, and says not bad. Eagles starts it up for himself, but Yoh sneaks up! Eagles stops the schoolboy and sits on the cover, TWO and Yoh has the sunset flip! TWO, both men stand and point at the other! The fans applaud, then Yoh kicks low. Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Eagles runs in, Yoh sidesteps but Eagles hurdles. Eagles RANAS then WHEEL KICKS! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer. Eagles puts Yoh in a corner, and he says “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE!” CHOP! “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” CHOP CHOP CHOP!

The fans cheer while Yoh flounders around. Eagles whips, Goto sneaks a tag, then Goto & Yoh DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Eagles! They BLAST ZSJ and Fujita, then call to Despy! Despy says no thanks, they can go ahead. “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT on Eagles’ back! Goto asks if Despy is sure he doesn’t want in, and Despy says it’s fine. Goto CLUBS Eagles, but Eagles fires body shots! Eagles fires a forearm, but Goto knees low! Goto fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights free. Eagles waistlocks, Goto elbows free and runs, only for ZSJ to trip him up! Eagles BLASTS Yoh & Despy off the apron while Fujita basement dropkicks Goto!

ZSJ spins Goto around to be on the apron, then gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans cheer and ZSJ brings Goto out to UPPERCUT him down! ZSJ brings Goto up to UPPERCUT again, then UPPERCUTS him again! Goto stumbles and falls, Eagles CHOPS Yoh, and Fujita CHOPS Despy! ZSJ brings Goto up and wrenches his arm, then wrenches it again. But Goto fires forearms in return! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again, the CHOPS continue by the ramp side, and ZSJ puts Goto in. Eagles tags ZSJ in whiel Fujita and Despy CHOP each other back and forth. ZSJ clamps on a headscissors and he squeezes tight!

Goto endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go cleanly and brings Goto to the corner. Tag to Fujita and he stomps Goto. Fujita drags Goto up while fans rally, and Fujita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fujtia wrenches again, ELBOW BREAKER! And again, ELBOW BREAKER! Fujita wrenches, top wristlocks, and he wrangles Goto to the mat. Fujita STOMPS that arm, then he tags Eagles. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions get Goto’s arms while ZSJ steps in to have a leg! Goto endures as TMDK cycles through the armlocks and leglocks! Red Shoes counts but TMDK keeps rotating before he reaches 4!

Then TMDK returns where they started, and Goto endures the DOUBLE STRAIGHT ARMBARS and INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Red Shoes counts, all three men let go at 4! ZSJ stands, he still has the deathlock, and he bridges back! Goto endures, keeps his shoulders up, but ZSJ stands to tag in Eagles. Eagles drags Goto around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! Tag to Fujita, they drag Goto up, and they double whip him to ropes. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down, ZSJ hops in for a NECK TWIST! Goto sits up into a DOUBLE PENALTY KICK! Cover, Despy breaks it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands.

Despy stands down, but Fujita BLASTS him off the apron! Fujita drags Goto up, wrenches, and whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP, then he snapmares to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Fujita coordinates with TMDK. Fujita drags Goto up, and he wants to do the Chaos drum thing? ZSJ isn’t so sure but Eagles is for it. Eagles steps in, but Yoh runs up! Eagles kicks Yoh, and “Se~ no!” Eagles & Fujita DRUM on Yoh! The fans cheer and ZSJ acts like he doesn’t know what’s going on. The fans cheer for ZSJ to join in, but he puts up the X, that’s not for him. Eagles & Fujita DRUM away on Goto!

Goto stands up and grabs Fujita by the face! Eagles CLUBS Goto, he and Fujita double whip, but Goto DOUBLE LARIATS first! The fans fire up while they’re all down! ZSJ storms in and grabs Goto’s leg! ANKLE LOCK! Goto endures, fights around, and rolls through to throw ZSJ! ZSJ comes back to RAM Goto, then he runs, only for Goto to RUN him over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Despy! Despy runs at the corner to ELBOW Fujita! Despy reels Fujita in for a suplex, high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despy fires up and the fans are with him! Fujita underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Fujita fights free!

Fujita swings but Despy blocks the chop! Despy knees low, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! The fans cheer while both men are down! Fujita roars while he rises up, and he storms back to Despy. Fujita waistlocks, deadlifts Despy, but Despy fights the suplex with elbows! Despy is free, but Fujita runs up to slip around and backslide! Despy rolls through, Fujita KICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Fujita fires up again. Fujita drags Despy back up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Despy fights that. Despy wrenches, but Fujita ROCKS him! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return!

Fujita and Despy keep the wristlock while they fire forearm after forearm back and forth! The fans rally up as the shots go faster and faster, but then both men wobble! Fujita fires a forearm, then another! Despy ROCKS Fujita in return! Despy runs, Eagles slips in, SOBAT! Fujita UPPERCUTS! Eagles scoops Despy but Yoh makes the save! Eagles kicks Yoh, he and Fujita double whip, but Yoh reverses to crisscross them into each other! FALCON- NO, Eagles slips out, but Yoh switches! Yoh feeds Eagles to Despy’s ELBOW! Yoh reels Eagles back in, FALCON ARROW! The fans fire up but Fujita runs up!

Despy & Yoh double kick, double whip, but Fujita DOUBLE SHOTGUNS! Fujita kips up, the fans fire up, and Fujita whips Despy, but Despy reverses to SPINEBUSTER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita and Despy crawl for their corners, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! The fans fire up as both men run in, Goto LARIATS ZSJ! Goto roars and the fans are with him! Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ survives and Goto fires up again! Goto fireman’s carries but ZSJ pulls on an arm! Goto powers out and ROCKS ZSJ!

Goto runs, ZSJ wrangles him to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Eagles & Fujita BLAST Yoh & Despy off the arm! They have Yoh & Despy stuck on the outside with armlocks while ZSJ has the DISARMER! Yoh breaks free of Eagles and DROPKICKS ZSJ! Eagles returns to SUPERKICK Yoh! Despy is in, Eagles slips around and feeds him to Fujita’s MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and TMDK drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms on Eagles & Fujita! They DOUBLE CHOP, then double wrench! MAX- NO, Goto fights free and kicks Fujita! Goto deflects Eagles’ kick to LARIAT! Fujita kicks Goto, runs, but Goto follows! LARIAT!

ZSJ RAMS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while ZSJ clutches his head. Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down! Goto drops onto ZSJ for a cover, TWO!! ZSJ is up, Goto sends him into a corner! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into a GOTO SAN SHIKI!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, BOOTS Goto, then runs! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ KCIKS the lariat, PELES the other arm, then SWEEPS the legs! Goto falls, but then sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up and ZSJ hurries to drag Goto back up.

ZSJ scoops, ZACK- NO, Goto slips free and has the SLEEPER! Goto sits ZSJ and rolls him, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! ZSJ has the legs, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH, with bridge!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall

It was a fast and furious finish of technical holds, but who else but the best technical wrestler in the world would pull it out? Goto is frustrated for getting caught like that, but will he avenge himself in just 12 days?

As for TMDK, Eagles starts off by saying, “G’day, Sendai!” Eagles then pretends to check his watch, and asks, “Rocky doki desu ka? <Where is Rocky?> Zabishii. <How lonely.>” The fans chuckle at Eagles’ fake crying, and Eagles then tells Yoh & Rocky that next month in Osaka, see you then! The fans applaud, and then Eagles offers the mic to Fujita. The fans cheer Fujita on, and Fujita accepts. “That lariat turned me inside out, so I’ll keep this short! I’m beating El Desperado!” The fans cheer that, ready to see Fujita challenge Desperado for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on Tuesday, February 4th!

And lastly, that brings things to The Front Man. ZSJ takes the mic to say, “People of Sendai, thank you very much!” The fans cheer, but then ZSJ tells “Ko-kun” and “Robbie-chan” to “cut that drumming bit. It was lame.” The fans chuckle again, and ZSJ says 2025 isn’t the Year of the Snake. No, it’s all orange! ZSJ promises that TMDK won’t just paint NJPW orange, but the entire world! “Osaka will be here soon enough. Goto, this is your last chance. Let’s make the most of it.” The fans like the sound of that! ZSJ says they’ll end with this: This year revolves around TMDK! Arigato gozaimashita! The fans are ready, will the New Beginning in Osaka be Mighty?

My Thoughts:

A very good event for NJPW, though “Road to” always indicates more tune-up filler than thriller. Gabe Kidd going after Yota Tsuji and the Global Heavyweight Championship is an interesting development, but that is going to be a great match. The NEVER Openweight Six Man Championship match was really good stuff, and I was only a little surprised that The House of Torture won. Firstly, Tanahashi has to lose those titles at some time, so might as well pull off the Band-Aid now before The New Beginning events. Then this works with the story from Oleg and Josh Barnett where Barnett wants to help Oleg reach that singles title level.

And very good Six Man Tag main event to not only build Goto VS ZSJ but also Desperado VS Fujita. Great win for TMDK, but we have a lot of other Road to New Beginning events to build Goto VS ZSJ. A lot of filler 10 Man Tags are on the schedule, but I probably won’t be bothering with those. Despy VS Fujita will be great, but Fujita and Eagles are already the tag champions, so I don’t see Fujita winning. As for Goto VS ZSJ, ZSJ said it himself that this is very likely Goto’s last chance at ever being the top champion in NJPW, but I don’t see Goto winning. It’ll be an epic battle, but I feel like ZSJ is going to stay on top.

My Score: 8.7/10

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Coverage

Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.30.25

Are we gonna get consecutive weeks of momentum or we gonna get the “LOL TNA” moment already?

Published

11 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Andrew Balaz

Coming off the first Live iMPACT! in 8 years, it has been pretty universally agreed upon that it was not a bad show. Good favor, a larger audience then they’ve had in years and TNA actually did fairly well establishing themselves as not a third rate duelist.

Let’s see if the good tidings continue or if things start to well…TNA.

The official liaison between @WWENXT and TNA, @AriannaGraceWWE, was rudely interrupted by Tessa Blanchard while speaking with @MeanGiaMiller!

Watch #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn pic.twitter.com/8ImgauBAiO

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Ratings:

Cora Jade vs Hyan: Cora wins via Jaded – ** 1/2
Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 3/4
Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali: Ali wins via 450 – ** 3/4
Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint: No Contest? EY Turned Heel – N/A
Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek: Wes wins via Cardiac Kick – ***
Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$: Kaibas win via Danger Zone – ***

Results:

Nic Nemeth comes out to talk, doesn’t complain and says he’s just gonna dust himself off and start again. Ryan comes out to complain on behalf of “hiissss brrooother” and run down Hendry. Nic is playing babyface still and Ryan is instigating is typical little brother fashion. Nic tries to appease Ryan saying this could be a big year for both of them, so Fir$t Cla$$ music hits and KC Navarro cuts them off and hands off to AJ Francis. Ryan get mad at them interrupting, Nic tries to calm the situation but Ryan decides to agree to a tag match that Nic doesn’t seem like he wanted to go there. But Santino comes out and makes it official.

EXCLUSIVE: @XiaBrookside welcomed @WWENXT's @CoraJadeWWE to #TNAiMPACT, but things got HEATED fast!

Don't miss #TNAiMPACT TONIGHT at 8/7c on @AXSTV in the US, @Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and streaming worldwide on TNA+!

Get 1 month FREE of TNA+ with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/LP8ghA78Pv

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 30, 2025

Cora Jade vs Hyan

Hyan tries a Pump Kick, Cora catches it, lays her out and kicks her feet up in the corner getting cocky. Snapmare with the Hair, into a Springboard Single Stomp from Cora, Hyan is getting throttled along the ropes and putting up much of a fight to start. Hyan is usually just enhancement talent in TNA, even though she does have a solid pedigree in the indies and internationally. Hyan finally moves so Cora smashes herself into the corner, Wasteland from Hyan for a 1 count, Cora counters Hyan’s attempted offense and then hits Jaded for the win!

The match did what it needed to, Cora tried to lay in the boots further, Xia runs out to make a save but Cora baits her into a false sense of security and goes after Xia. So Masha comes out for the save on the person who made the save. Cora comes off looking pretty good and Masha scaring her off helps Masha’s aura.

.@MeanGiaMiller tries to get answers out of @WesLee_WWE, @TyriekIgwe_WWE and @_Tysonwwe_ for his attack on The Rascalz ahead of Lee's match with @The_Ace_Austin TONIGHT on iMPACT!

Watch #TNAiMPACT now on TNA+: https://t.co/9IIhMDrtkn

Get one month FREE with code: NXTNA pic.twitter.com/UIU5GgiylE

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 31, 2025

Brian Myers w/The System vs Leon Slater

Myers grabs the quick Headlock into the Shoulder Tackle and welcome back to 1997 wrestling starts. Myers got cocky, shot Leon into the ropes and eats a Shoulder Tackle from Leon, so a little showboating from Leon gets under Myers skin and causes him to make a few missteps. Leon hits the Feint Mule Kick into the Handspring Back Elbow for 2, but when he tries to continue, Myers pulls him down into the buckles. Myers looks for a Spear, Leon Leap Frogs and Myers eats turnbuckle. He powders, the System shields him from a dive, and we’re starting to see the numbers game come into play.

A Thrust Kick from Myers rocks Leon as he’s coming back in, Strong Irish Whip into a Gator Roll and then Sleeper Hold. Again, offense brought to you by Bill Clinton. Leon gets away from the Sleeper, tries to hit the ropes and Myers does his Baseball Slide Trip. Slow heel moves from Myers, Sleeper, Facelocks, Back Elbows…just slow classic heel offense. Leon tries to fire, eats a Knee Lift. Irish Whip but Leon counters by hoping the ropes to the apron, quick pop shot and then Springboard Crossbody into a series of Lariats and a Shotgun Kick! Leon has the momentum, Blue Thunder Bomb for two! Leon goes to the top, Myers is up, Leon rolls to the other side to avoid Myers, Myers eats a Leg Lariat from Leon and Myers pushes off, Bicycle Kick, Thrust Kick into Implant DDT for only two! Myers looks to Spear, gets rolled up in a Small Package, Kick out, dumped outside, Leon flies over the corner onto Myers!

System surrounds Leon, tries to get a few shots, but Leon has some quick offense for everyone. In the chaos, Lish puts a Ring on Myers’ hand so a Loaded Punch into Roster Cut and Myers wins!

Laredo Kid vs Mustafa Ali

Slow start with Ali being arrogant into a Lucha stalemate section where there’s Satellite counters, Headscissors and a powder to break the nonsense. Corner counters, Overhand Chops from both, they tussle on the top rope, Ali backflips off the ropes, Laredo tries a Crossbody but Mustafa hits a Dropkick. Grounded Abdominal Stretch from Ali, Laredo tries to fight up and out, but Ali slams him back down, talks smack, slaps him and then eats a Michinoku Driver out of nowhere! But only a two count! Ali manages to pull Laredo into the corner pads, tries a dirty pin with feet on the ropes but the referee sees it, Laredo tries a Roll-Up in the disarray, Ali kicks out, they run back and forth, Ali just slides out thinking he’s outsmarted Laredo but Laredo hits the Suicida for a solid pop. Ali pokes the eye and grabs at the mask, Laredo is off kilter, Ali baits Laredo through the corner, hits the Draping DDT off the apron, slides Laredo back in and 450 for the win.

Eric Young & Josh Alexander vs Sinner & Saint

Jabroni duo comes out, and they look stupid, their music is generic Hot Topic trash and the one with hair walks like he’s pretending to be a Delirious fused with a Dinosaur. They look so insanely pathetic.

Dino-nerd tries a stand switch and suplex but Josh no sells and looks like the older sibling judging the little sibling’s stupidity. Bald jabroni tags in, does nothing, blind tag just for Josh to single handedly lay both out. Of course they’re trying to establish the loser squad, so the eventually have a good defensive moment that catches Josh and isolates him in their corner. He still mostly takes care of both of them. This is honestly pathetic.

Locomotion counter switches in the corner before a Shotgun Kick wipes out Josh, Dino-nerd tries a Lio Rush style splash but misses, Josh tags out, EY looks to tee off but he turns and lays out Josh. EY turns heel…that was not on my Bingo Card, but I’m not mad about it. EY has the maniacal look in his eyes again, so Sanity or Violence by Design could be back? Can he call the group SAnitY since they’re working with WWE now?

Ace Austin vs Wes Lee w/Tyson & Tyriek

Things start slow then a few quick strike spots from Ace. A grounded Heel Kick and Enzuigiri rocks Wes, Wes slingshots back in, Sunset, Ace dodges tries to stay crouched to get cute but Up Kick from Wes kicks Ace in the face. Wes crotches Ace on the top rope, Enzuigiri, Suicida leaves Ace laying on the ramp. Wes hits the Street Fighter combo in with Ace shoved in the corner, the crowd chants “Boring” so Wes revels in the negativity and mockingly does the Rascalz taunt. A few quick shots and Ace kicks out at one and holds the ropes as Wes just lights him up with kicks. Ace asks for more, and goes full Strong Style. A few round kicks to the chest before Wes decides to do the hell thing and a Spinning Thrust Kick to the side of the face. Wes puts Ace in a Key Lock and Ace struggles to his feet before barely slipping the lock.

They trade strikes, Triangle Kick misses for Ace but he manages to connect after with a strike, a few more, Click Click Boom, Seated Miz Lariats in the corner, Wes falls out of the corner, Triangle Kick for the near fall, but the offense isn’t over and Ace hits the Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb! Ace looks for The Fold, Tyson and Tyriek make their presence felt, Ace does the apron dance and kicks them both in the face. Wes gets dumped out of the ring, Ace with a Fosbury Flop (not the best one he’s done), Tyriek picks the ankle long enough to slow down Ace as Ace walks into the Cardiac Kick!

Wes and crew attacks Ace after the match, so The Rascalz make the save. We’re obviously going to get a 6 man soon, and this is perfectly fine.

Kaiba Boys (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) vs Fir$t Cla$$

AJ starts with Ryan and just shoves him away and demands Nic, Nic gets the best of AJ but AJ tags in KC and KC gets in a few quick shots, some cute counters and showboating before eating a Dropkick from Nic. AJ comes in to try and take out Nic, the Kaibas take out AJ and then dump KC into AJ’s arms and hold the ring going to commercial.

During the commercial a little blind tag and Spiderman in the ropes taunt from KC caught Ryan off guard so First Class is in control. AJ is beating the hell out of Ryan in the ropes, then hits Tennessee Whiskey for the “Money Money Money” taunt. KC tags himself in and starts slapping Ryan around, Dropkick into 305 as KC cuts off Ryan from Nic, throws Ryan in the corner, Rolling Uppercuts, Snapmare, Roll through, Chest Stomp into a near fall. KC tags in AJ and a little tandem offense gives them another near fall but Mokuba refuses to lose…so far. AJ steps on Ryan’s chest and then lays in a few Overhand Chops. AJ slowing things down, looks for a power move but Ryan slips it into a Sleeper Attempt but AJ counters and slams Ryan down for another two count. Two Sidewalk Slams after getting bounced out of the corner, but Ryan keeps kicking out.

AJ takes Nic off the apron, looks for another Sidewalk Slam but Ryan turns it into a Satellite DDT. Simultaneous tag time, KC eats the fire from Nic, two Lariats, Stinger Splash, Rude Awakening, 10 Count Shots to the Heart for…AJ breaks it up! AJ looks for a Down Payment but Nic slips, Superkick, Ryan tries to rock AJ to no avail so they both Lariat AJ out and Avalanche Polish Hammer from Ryan lays out AJ. KC tries the Flash Pinfall but Nic rolls out, a few quick shouts, Spinning Heel Kick from KC for a 2 count. Nic hits a FAMEasser into Danger Zone after Ryan’s blind tag so Ryan gets the cover as Nic just laughs and takes it in.

Overall Score: 6.25/10

Nothing to really be offended by. Some of the stuff was a little low stakes or obvious filler, but stories moved forward with Cora, Wes and the Kaibas. Plus you know, Eric Young turning on Josh is a little unexpected. EY has been the fill in Dreamer/Scott with the “Ra-Ra” speeches and feel good crap for significant shows, so having him go back to Maniac is a nice twist.

Tessa also steering into this “Locker Room bully” persona is smart. It’s not a stretch from what people already think, so steering into the skid is very smart. I may not have been blown away by anything in this episode, but it was definitely decent and did a solid enough job showcasing the partnership and not making the TNA talent feel like an after thought.

All in all, very nice.