I’m probably more excited than I should be, so I’m expecting to be disappointed to a degree. Being a fan of TNA for nearly…20 years…wow, 20? God damn, I feel super old now. BUT! Not the point, being that I remember FSN, Spike, Weekly PPVs, Destination America, POP and now AXS era, this is pretty awesome. The three letters that never really died, much like ECW, and now when people refer to it as TNA; they’re not wrong anymore!

Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin as singles champions kicks off the brand well, The ABC are young guys who could really be the future of TNA, Knockouts division is rebuilding, but has a bit of unproven potential and thankfully on the preshow Crazzy Steve took the Digital Media title off of Tommy Dreamer!

This is just fun, so I don’t really have coherent thoughts. Let’s just get to the show!

#HardToKill is NOW! TNA is BACK! pic.twitter.com/gZWgYL892D

— TNA Wrestling (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 14, 2024

Ratings:

• Knockouts #1 Contender Ultimate X: Tasha Steelz vs Alisha Edwards vs Gisele Shaw vs Jody Threat vs Dani Luna vs Xia Brookside: Gisele wins – ** 1/4
• PCO vs Dirty Dango w/Alpha Bravo & Oleg Prudius
• PCO, Jake Something and Rhino vs Dirty Dango, Alpha Bravo and Oleg Prudius: PCO wins via PCO Sault – **
• TNA Knockouts Championship: MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) (c) vs Decay (Rosemary & Havok): Decay win via Assisted Sit out Chokebomb – ** 1/2 – TITLE CHANGE!!!
• X Division Championship: Chris Sabin (c) vs El Hijo Del Vikingo vs Kushida: Sabin retains via Cradle Shock – *** 3/4
• Josh Alexander vs Alex Hammerstone: Josh wins via C4 Spike – *** 3/4
• TNA Tag Team Title 4 Way Dance: ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) vs The Rascals (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake & Zach Gibson) vs Mike Bailey & Laredo Kid: ABC retain via 1-2-Sweet – *** 1/2
• TNA Knockouts Championship: Trinity (c) vs Jordynne Grace: Jordynne wins via Juggernaut Driver – *** – TITLE CHANGE!!!
• TNA World Championship: Alex Shelley (c) vs Moose: Moose wins via Lights Out – *** 1/2 – TITLE CHANGE!!!

Results:

Knockouts #1 Contender Ultimate X: Tasha Steelz vs Alisha Edwards vs Gisele Shaw vs Jody Threat vs Dani Luna vs Xia Brookside

Everyone scurries off into pairs to stop certain people from climbing early, and we get a quick stare down between Dani, Xia and Jody. Nothing fancy, just a little but of the Triple Threat style of wrestling to give Xia an early shine since she’s brand new to TNA, but Tasha kicks Dani’s head off to change the dynamic. Xia continues to showcase some of her offense while Tasha continues to show she’s too slow for some of the spots (look at the Satellite feed into the tandem move, and Tasha makes it look super awkward and slow). Jody and Dani get a few isolated minutes and Dani hits her with the ole Sack of Shit, into an Exploder, followed by another Exploder to Gisele and a Dive. Xia sees the opportunity, and flies into both Gisele and Dani. Jody decides to ignore climbing for the X and Cannonball’s into the previous three. I hate moves like that when they don’t make logical match sense.

Alisha I’ll give credit, she grabs Jody but Jody keeps climbing with Lish on her back. As she climbs the truss, Lish falls into the pile of 3, then Tasha cuts off Jody and goes for the Okurrr to the outside into the pile. Lish tries to sneak back into the ring, but Tasha cuts her off and…for Christ sake’s we don’t need a damned Tower of Doom…that move is so overused. Xia climbs on the other side, Gisele tries to stop her, but Dani plucks Gisele off the corner. Xia tries to slide across but slips onto Dani’s shoulders and eats a Powerbomb. Dani takes out Tasha and Jody, but now Lish tries to sneak across but she falls down onto Dani and turns the catch into a DDT.

Lish grabs Kendra her Kendo Stick and starts lighting up her opponents. Xia stops Lish with a Codebreaker, then we get a bit of a signature spam from all the women to neutralize each other. Ending in a stacked Pop Shove-It from Jody onto Xia and Lish. A bit more chaos ensues as they start to just swing and lay each other out. I ends up with Tasha, Gisele and Dani making a dash for the X. Gisele hits Tasha with the X, Dani loses her grip and Gisele manages to grab the X!

It’s taken a little bit, but Gisele might finally be on her way to get a real push. 

PCO vs Dirty Dango w/Alpha Bravo & Oleg Prudius

PCO goes back to an ROH flavored entrance of being shocked back to life by a team of ‘doctors’. 

Dango gets rocked quick, Alpha Bravo slides in to try and interrupt the PCO Sault and he’s successful. So Dango gets disqualified. Prudius slowly motions to the ring, and then Rhino comes out for the save. Dango and Bravo stop Prudius from engaging, but then the Depictionator of Authorization arrives to makea-a-tag-teams match. Three versus three, and Jake Something is the third member of PCO’s team.

PCO, Jake Something and Rhino vs Dirty Dango, Alpha Bravo and Oleg Prudius

Jake flies into the ring literally, and there’s a huge brawl. PCO Sault connects, Deanimator on Dango, and just a lot of the Babyfaces wailing on the heel team. PCO finally tags in Jake, and Jake keeps Dango on a string and rocks him with heavy lariats and strikes. Rhino comes in, Las Vegas pops, and the Manbeast is in control. Rhino heads to the far corner for a Gore but gets laid out with a Prudius Clothesline.

Bravo and Dango work over Rhino, tag Prudius in and now we get a glimpse of something that could be cool, but this isn’t the match for that. So Bravo tags back in with Rhino trying to fight back. Dango tags and we see typical quick heel tags, Dango tries to land an exposed Knee Drop from the top, but Rhino moves and Jake Something comes in fast. Dango counters Into the Void and shoves Jake into the corner. PCO tags himself in, Bravo tags out Dango, but PCO eats Bravo. Lungblower into a Guillotine Leg Drop, but Prudius attacks PCO and lays him out. Rhino and him have the stare down, Rhino manages to take him off his feet with the Shoulder Tackle. Gore aims for Dango, but Dango moves out of the way and lets Bravo eat the Gore. Jake Powerbombs Dango into Bravo, PCO Sault on Bravo, and he dead.

Who is that!?#HardToKill pic.twitter.com/WAp3fB7KqZ

— TNA Wrestling (@IMPACTWRESTLING) January 14, 2024

TNA Knockouts Championship: MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) (c) vs Decay (Rosemary & Havok)

Admittedly I’m gonna miss JesSICKa, but I’m definitely not gonna miss Courtney Rush. But I guess Rosemary’s return is worth the sacrifice.

Havok charges the championship corner, and Masha is on the receiving end of some fast offense. It’s not until Kelly grabs Rosemary’s feet to give Masha an opening, and the champions start to put some of their own aggression together. Kelly keeps the offense rolling until she gets a little cocky and starts to crawl over top of Rosemary. Rosemary does her ‘rise from the grave’ spot, and rains down some punches onto Kelly. Simultaneous tags to Masha and Havok, but Havok easily handles both Masha and Kelly at different points.

A little bit of chaos distracts Havok, Waterwheel Kick connects, Russian Death Device, but Havok kicks out at 1! Havok hits the Double Chokeslam on both women, they hit an Assisted Sit out Chokebomb finisher, and Decay wins!

X Division Championship: Chris Sabin (c) vs El Hijo Del Vikingo vs Kushida

A triple collar elbow is kinda dumb, but they also realize that, so Sabin and Kushida team up real quick on Vikingo, but he fights back quickly and there’s rolling quick attacks. Speaking of rolling, Kushida lets the spots breathe for a second and then literally rolls forward and hits the Low Dropkick on Vikingo and we’re back to locomotion attacks. Kushida tries to focus on Vikingo’s arm, and gets in a few strikes before Vikingo stops him in his tracks with a kick, a flashing kick to Sabin and then continues the variety of kicks. Kushida gets kicked back into the Corner and Vikingo hits Flipping Dragonrana on Kushida into a standing Bow and Arrow.

Sabin lets the offense sink in a little before breaking it up. Sabin cuts off Kushida’s attempted Back Handspring and then slides between Vikingo’s Legs and rolls into the Boston Crab. Indian Deathlock tandem submission using Kushida as a tool against Vkingo. Sabin is in charge until Kushida turns the tables on creative tandem attacks. Kushida looks for a dual Hoverboard Lock, but Vikingo bails, Sabin fights it off and throws Kushida into the corner. Monkey Flip from Kushida, Vikingo turns it into a Flying Headscissors and goes as Kushida. The inadvertent assisted moves are pretty great and there’s never a ton of space between the spots.

Tornado DDT from Sabin off of Vikingo. Then Sabin hits the Pump Handle Michinoku Driver for 2. Vikingo starts to fight back, hits a Go To Sleep variation, followed by a Step Over 450 Splash onto the ramp. Kushida starts hunting for Hoverboard Locks. He’s got Sabin in a standing Hoverboard, so Vikingo just lands the Double Stomp while Kushida is prone. Springboard Canadian Destroyer from Sabin to Vikingo on the ramp. Kushida looks to take advantage, but Sabin slips under for the Avalanche Belly to Back Suplex. Cradle Shock…but no! Kushida tries to counter with Hoverboard lock, but Sabin fights it off. Vikingo can be seen crawling down the ramp trying to get to the ring as Sabin pulls off the Cradle Shock and retains!

Josh Alexander vs Alex Hammerstone

Fairly even start until Josh tries a quick Ankle Lock, so Hammerstone kicks him off, Pump Kicks Josh out of the ring, and then hits a Plancha before he basks in some crowd noise. As things head back in, Josh fights back and we’re back to a close parity. Hammerstone misses a Chop, so the Dragon Screw from Josh gives him a very meticulous advantage. Hammerstone gets back up, then Josh starts lighting him up in the corner with Chops; but those are just pissing off Hammer.

Hammer reverses the Irish Whip, Josh bounces out of the corner and a Belly to Belly leaves Josh reeling for a second. Hammerstone keeps going for power moves but Josh is doing a good job keeping out of anything big. Josh dodges another Pump Kick, Rocks Hammer, Scoops him up and drops him onto the apron and starts focusing Hammerstone’s back. Low Crossbody to the outside, Rolling Senton, and a Knee Drop into an Ankle Lock just keep pushing the advantage towards Josh. Hammer starts to Hulk up, and Josh tries to chop him down but a goozle into a Gorilla Press and then a swing out Uranage. Corner Lariats ala Vader or Kojima, Josh tries to comeback, Hammer with the Up and Over but seems to tweak something. Josh thinks he has a moment, but Hammer still pulls off the Scoop Power Slam.

Pump Kick, gets blocked, Hammer gets wrestled down, Ankle Lock, into a Grapevined Ankle Lock, but Hammerstone manages to barely get to the ropes. Hammerstone tries something but sells the leg, Josh charges and Hammer manages to pull off the Nightmare Pendulum, but he can’t cover. By the time he tries to go for a pin, Josh is aware enough to roll to the outside. Hammer has to limp to the apron, goes for a Death Valley Driver, and gets it on the second shot. Rolls Josh in, heads to the top for a Missile Dropkick, TKO, kick out at 2! They stand up, Fightning Spirit spot, Hammerstone blocks a Rolling Forearm with his neck, German Suplex into a Powerbomb, for only 2. Nightmare…no Inside Cradle from Josh. Forearm to the back of the head from Josh, German Suplex, C4 Spike, and Josh pulls it off!

TNA Tag Team Title 4 Way Dance: ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) vs The Rascals (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake & Zach Gibson) vs Mike Bailey & Laredo Kid

GYV and ABC start off for ownership of the Alphabet. Ace gets worked over a bit by both Vets, but when Bey finally comes in we do get a hot moment for the champions. Rascalz blind tag Zach Gibson as he reels, then Rascalz light up Bey. Bey stumbles into the Mexican Speed corner. Things get hectic as all 8 men get in there at some point and the referee has to forcibly settle things and call in two people.

Gibson and Speedball face off, Bailey hits the rapid fire kicks but the GYV work together fluidly and you see a lot of quick Tandem Attacks, Drake flies over a prone Bailey and connects a Missile Dropkick onto Laredo out of nowhere. Bailey keeps looking for a tag, and in Speedball’s desperation he kicks Drake into the Rascalz corner and Wentz tags himself in. Drake and Wentz argue and fight a bit, which gives Bailey the chance to fight back and get out of the match finally. Laredo Kid takes out Drake and Trey, Wentz tries to take advantage of things, but Laredo turns the attack into an Avalanche Michinoku Driver, only for 2! ABC take a blind tag in, and start flowing until Ace screws up his Triangle Kick. He loses his footing while Bey has Wentz in a Torture Rack, but goes back to the it and hits it. He calls to Bey that it was his bad, so he owns the botch, which is smart. But hell this action is quick, complex and its just bodies everywhere.

Bailey hits a Moonsault to the outside. Laredo kid slips in the bad corner, but Bailey makes the save, Tornado Kick, into Ultima Weapon for 2 because The Rascalz make the pinfall save! Trey takes out Miguel, UFO Cutter from Wentz on Bailey. Spinebuster, Superkick, Double Stomp by The Rascalz, but Ace breaks it up. Double Cold Cock, Cut Off Dropkicks from The ABC, 1-2-SWEET! ABC RETAIN!

TNA Knockouts Championship: Trinity (c) vs Jordynne Grace

The reveal was sadly Dana Brooke now being called Ash by Elegance, which is stupid. So TNA gonna TNA I suppose. 

Well it feels like the reveal of Dana Brooke did nothing for the crowd or this match. The match starts slow, but not meticulous slow, just stupid slow, and Trinity’s combination kicks look slow, weak and bad. It’s a lot of Trinity going for bad offense, and Jordynne just catches her and drops her. Very slow Crossbody from the top rope, into her weird little Headscissor’s Spike…but again…this has been bad.

Patrick Mahomes got his helmet cracked on his scramble. Damn, that’s crazy…oh the match is still going on? Jordynne has manhandled Trinity, Trinity gets in a few desperate Backdrops, there’s a strike spot where Grace asks for more punishment and still fights through it to trade. Bulldog into the middle turnbuckle from Trinity finally starts looking alright, Split-Legged Moonsault gets Trin a 2. Trinity tries to fight from the corner, Spinning Backfist from Jordynne, Kinniku Buster for 2! Jordynne drops down on the Cradle attempt, Trinity rolls things into the Starstruck, but Jordynne fights through it for a near fall, Rear View from Trinity for 2!

Jordynne fights through another Starstruck, just stands up, Trinity tries to grab the ropes as they come up but a Wheelbarrow Suplex rocks Trinity, Juggernaut Driver for the win.

TNA World Championship: Alex Shelley (c) vs Moose

DeAngelo Williams comes out with Moose and the rest of The System. Harkening back to their tag match together at Slammiversary 2017 against Chris Adonis and Eli Drake. 

Moose goes for the handshake, Shelley slaps it away, Moose palms his face and Shelley Water Mists Moose in response and then fires right after him. Shelley tries to work the left arm and wrestles Moose down to the mat. Shelley really is going for the ground game, but Moose immediately finds the ropes and tries to get this back up to a vertical position. Working over the left arm from different angles continues to be Shelley’s gameplan, but he gets a little arrogant and Moose makes him pay with that beautiful Okada Dropkick. The champion powders, and Moose follows, lighting him up with the one arm, bouncing Shelley’s face off the apron and Moose is starting to use his size and power to his advantage.

Shelley catches Moose, and starts going for the arm, and utilizing the old adage of ‘ever see what a chainsaw does to a tree’. He keeps chopping Moose down at the legs and finding different ways to injure Moose’s left arm. Shelley looks to go for his own Hoverboard Lock, and Moose is trying to fight back and throws Shelley into the corner with Snake Eyes! Moose hit Garvin Stomps on the downed champion, and lords over him, taking his time with deliberate slaps. Shelley fires but then eats an Uranage for 2! Shelley tries to fire with an Enzuigiri, eats a Pump Kick from Moose, Moose tries a Powerbomb but Shelley pulls off a DDT and both are selling.

They rise slowly, Shelley with the John Woo kick to the corner, a Forearm Splash, and now looking for a Brainbuster but Moose counters, Shelley breaks it with his knee, dumps Moose to the outside, looks for a big Dive, Plancha redirect because Moose moves, picks the ankle and bounces Shelley’s face off the apron. Sliced Bread, countered, Moose tries to drive Shelley into the post, Shelley slips out the back and then hits Shell Shock on the outside. Shelley looks willing to accept a count out victory, but Moose slides in at 9. Punt Kick, Flat Liner into the Middle Turnbuckle from Shelley, goes for the School Boy, only 2, Forearm, 2, floats over to the Border City Stretch, but Moose counters. Powerbomb from Moose and only a 2! Moose goes for Lights Out but misses, Shelley with a few big Lariats but they aren’t doing a ton. SHIRANUI but only for 2!

DeAngelo Williams walks out, as well as the rest of The System. Sabin and Kushida take out Edwards and Myers, but DeAngelo is still there. Moose charges, low bridge and Moose spills out to the ramp. Chokeslam attempt from Moose, but no, Suplex attempt from Shelley and definitely no. Powerbomb countered, and then Facebuster from Shelley, sending Moose face and left shoulder first into the ramp. They both get back in, Chop exchange, Moose seems to be getting the best, even with only one arm at this point. Rolling Forearm 3 times from Shelley, Kawada Kicks, PK got countered by a Headbutt from Moose, Moose hits the ropes, HUGE LARIAT FROM SHELLEY! Misawa, Kawada, Suzuki and Kobashi homages, Superkick into a Shell Shock attempt but Moose spins out, Shell Shock attempt again, spin out from Moose, he hits the ropes and LIGHTS OUT! MOOSE WINS!

1983 Vince Niel shows up! Nic Nemeth’s music hits, he sneaks up behind Moose, hits the Zig Zag, and runs into the crowd, and the crowd is totally loving it. 

Overall Score: 7.25/10

Well I’ll admit it wasn’t as awesome as I was hoping for, and that Dana Brooke with the dumbest name imaginable really took a dump on any momentum the show had. Moose going over is great, Gisele winning the Ultimate X is nice if they let her be more aggressive and less chicken shit heel with a team. Not sure if Trinity losing means she’s on her way out, but she might be back on the road to WWE since that match really had bad pacing and poor contact for the better portion of the early goings. I was happy to see Hammerstone in TNA, but judging from how that match went, he obviously hasn’t agreed to anything with TNA. Also I won’t overlook the 4 Way Tag, it would’ve been a bit better if there were less noticeable botches and hitches, but it was still crazy entertaining.

The rest of the show was…alright. Given the fact the last month or so was highlight reels, parody shows and not a lot, this really felt like a clean restart. So I’m hoping it will just take a little bit of time and momentum to find their new TNA rhythm, but Ash by Elegance is almost as cringe as Emmalina. I have no clue why they would give Dana Brooke attention. Nic Nemeth was the biggest confirmation of the night, so lets see if Ziggles can help revitalize this new era of TNA.