So we get some No Surrender story implications with Kushida versus Moose, we get GYV vs ABC II, Jake Something confronts Kaz in the ring and Savannah Evans gets her shot to stay with Gisele or go to the chopping block with Jai Vidal.

Even if some of the matches vibe like they’re gonna be gimmicky finishes, we should see some story movement at least.

"Will Ostrich and Speedball Mike Alexander was definitely five stars." @DirtyDangoCurty continues to show his clear and obvious disdain for pro wrestling. #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/yiW7oxEpQR

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 16, 2024

Ratings:

• Jake Something vs Frankie Kazarian: Kaz wins via Dirty Pinfall – ** 3/4
• Savannah Evans w/Gisele Shaw vs Jordynne Grace: Grace wins via Kinniku Buster – **
• Best 2 Matches out of 3 for the Tag Team Championships, Match 2 (GYV 1-0): Grizzled Young Vets vs The ABC (c): ABC wins via Prawn Hold – *** 1/4
• Digital Media Championship: Rhino vs Crazzy Steve (c): Steve retains via Pinfall after Title Belt Shot to Head – **
• Deaner vs Joe Hendry:
• Killer Kelly w/Masha Slamovich vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat: Dani wins via Victory Roll – * 1/2
• Moose vs Kushida: Moose wins via Lights Out – *** 1/4

Results:

Jake Something vs Frankie Kazarian

Kaz takes a moment early as he retreats to the ropes when Jake tries to walk at him. Kaz sneaks him, tries a Whip, but Jake holds fast and uses his size and power to take over the match. Thesz Press into an Irish Whip that flings Kaz out of the ring, Kaz looks shocked, collects himself, tries to get back in the ring but Jake Lariats Kaz back to the outside. After a little showmanship, Jake goes to follow up but Kaz shoves him into the steps, then gets to the apron, thumbs the eye and gets Jake chasing into a Guillotine Leg Drop, and Frankie is back in control.

After a quick near fall, Kaz goes for a few chops and Jake asks for more. So the chops are just pissing the big man off, but Kaz works him into the corner, the ref calls for a break and Kaz breaks into the ropes so he can land a cheap shot when the referee turns for space after the “break”. Jake puts the brakes on an Irish Whip again, but when he tries to grab Frankie, Frankie floats over and lays in a few strikes to try and chop the big man down. Jake tries to fire, comes off the ropes but Kaz Scoop Slam into the Springboard Guillotine for 2. Chicken Wing attempt but Jake fights it off. Kaz goes for the Backdrop, Something rolls with it, gets some distance, so when Kaz turns his eats a Discus Forearm and here comes the big man.

Throws a few strikes, tries a Spear into the corner, but Kaz moves and Jake stops himself. Chicken Wing attempt from Kaz, Jake fights it off, turns it into a Michinoku Driver for 2! Jake goes for Into the Void, but Kaz counters into a Chicken Wing attempt, Jake shakes him off, Kaz baits him into the Inside Out DDT for 2. Jake tries the corner Spear again, but Kaz up and over; this time Jake eats the post! Kaz drags Jake to the top turnbuckle, wants the Flux Capacitor, but Jake counters looking for an Avalanche Powerbomb, but Kaz slips it and then picks the ankle as Jake crashes hard off the turnbuckles! Kaz with the Fold Up Cover in the corner, and grabs the ropes for leverage and the 3 count!

.@TheEricYoung invites @FrankieKazarian to the ring to sort out their problems man-to-man next week. #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/aR2XLskpPp

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 16, 2024

Savannah Evans w/Gisele Shaw vs Jordynne Grace

With Gisele looking like she barely wants to be associated with Savannah, Savannah comes out angry and plows through Jordynne. Snap Suplex, Windmill Punches, Spear into the corner and a Butterfly Suplex for 2. Jordynne finally starts to stifle Savannah’s offense with a Back Elbow. Sunset Flip from Jordynne is blocked, but Jordynne turns around and kicks Evans into the corner. Suplex into a Vader Bomb for 2!

Big Boot from Savannah gives her a shot and she climbs the ropes near Gisele to tell her that she’ll handle it, but the distraction allows a big Backfist from Jordynne and the Kinniku Buster for the win!

Gisele hits the ring, lays out Jordynne with the X. Savannah grins and thinks Gisele is still with her, but then Gisele clocks Savannah as well! Denouement and Gisele poses over Jordynne with the X and title. 

.@Ashamae_Sebera will be making her TNA in-ring debut NEXT WEEK. #TNAiMPACT @MeanGiaMiller @IamGeorgeIceman pic.twitter.com/wYjVqyd6Ps

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 16, 2024

Best 2 Matches out of 3 for the Tag Team Championships, Match 2 (GYV 1-0): Grizzled Young Vets vs The ABC (c)

Gibson and Bey start, but Gibson wants Ace after they injured him last week. Bey doesn’t want to oblige, so he shakes off everyone chanting for Ace. Gibson tries to run roughshod early, but Bey goes for the redirect on the rope run, into a Thesz Press, rains down a few punches and then tags in Ace for quick tandem moves. After some quick spots, Ace tags back out and Bey tries to keep the momentum going, but Gibson drives him into the GYV corner and tags in Drake.

Bey doesn’t eat too much offense, turns things around on Drake quickly and tags Ace back in. Assisted Russian Leg Sweep, into Click Click Boom for 2. Ace lays in a few Forearms before the GYV plan takes shape and Drake shoves Ace into his corner, distracts the ref and Gibson ties up Ace’s bad arm. Big Running Dropkick from Drake while his arm is restrained and Ace spills out. Drake collects Ace and then stay focused on the bad arm. The Triangle Arm Breaker into a Gibson tag and then he focuses short arm Shoulder Tackles on the bad arm, Ace tries to reach to tag out, and Gibson throws Ace via the bad arm and tag Drake back in.

GYV is having a field day finding different ways to attack the bad arm. Stomps, Key Locks, Double Wristlocks, great job focusing the injury. Assisted Shoulder Breaker after laying out Bey! But only a 2 count! Ace grabs the ropes to avoid Gibson’s offense. In and out Shoulder Block, then a Triangle Kick gives Ace a chance to tag out, but Drake tags himself in and blocks Ace. Ace Scoop Slams Drake with one arm basically, ducks the Lariat and tags in Bey! Hot tag time! Knocks off Gibson, a few quick strikes on Drake, Dives out to Gibson, Enzuigiri on Drake when he tries to use the numbers a bit, Gibson comes in and they start a tandem move but Chris dodges, Brainbuster on Drake after Gibson gets knocked out of the ring. Gibson slides back in but so does Ace, Double Kicks, attempt the 1-2-SWEET but Ace’s arm is too banged up. Gibson pulls him out and shoves him into the steps. Bey tries a Plancha but gets swatted away. DOOMSDAY DEVICE from GYV – but only for 2! Gibson tries to set up something, but a Back Elbow into Art of Finesse for space! Ace crawls to the corner, calls for the tag, and simultaneous tags for Drake and Ace.

Ace fights both men, does well until the Arm Wringer on the bad arm screws him over. They set up Grit Your Teeth, Bey picks Gibson’s leg, Drake gets rolled up by Ace and Ace transitions it into a Japanese Clutch/Prawn Hold for the win!

"It is during times of great change that leadership is needed most." @MustafaAli_X continues his campaign for the X-Division Championship. #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/j1rV7rfaf4

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 16, 2024

He’s still as captivating as chewing on cardboard while being subjected to NPR. But at least the try smarmy thing works for a heel. 

.@SuperChrisSabin appears to be cracking under the pressure of @MustafaAli_X's campaign to take his title. #TNAiMPACT @TheJasonHotch @TheJohnSkyler pic.twitter.com/yZye2li7bD

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 16, 2024

Digital Media Championship: Rhino vs Crazzy Steve (c)

I’m a little mad that the title isn’t defended on Xplosion because “Digital Media” title. But this is the main show, so I can’t really be TOO angry.

Rhino comes out fast, rocks Steve early and then goes under the ring for a table. You can take the man out of ECW but…yeah, we know how that goes. Steve manages to counter Rhino and then he sees the table; and he puts the table back under the ring. I…don’t think I’ve ever seen that before.

Steve does say “No one gets what they want, except for me”, so he’s playing heel nicely. Simple offense on the outside, Rhino Suplexes Steve on the ramp, throws him back in, and then when Rhino tries to enter the ring and the ole middle rope kick for the Low Blow.  Steve goes for his title, the referee stops him, then Steve goes for a corner Senton since that’s where Rhino is propped up and he misses! Shoulder Block into a TKO, for 2! The crowd starts chanting “Gore” but Steve hits a Jawbreaker. As Steve tries to continue he eats a Spinebuster.

Steve pulls out the Abdullah the Butcher fork from his kick pad, so the referee goes to take it from him, Steve throws it across so the ref has to collect it. Steve then uses the title Belt, which was only placed in a corner, to clock Rhino and make the pinfall defense!

Deaner vs Joe Hendry

AJ Francis cuts off Hendry’s music with his own remix diss version. The crowd starts to immediately shit on it though. They chant “boring” and “start the match”. I also never expected to hear an “AJ Sucks” chant in TNA. I do love how Deaner is just in the corner watching all of this, Francis thinks he shocked Hendry but he reveals ANOTHER AJ Francis video! And it’s an AJ Styles “I AM” parody! 

Deaner just attacks Hendry after the video goes off, Francis hits the ring Chokeslams Hendry and admonishes him while Rich Swann hits the ring, lays out Deaner and has a stare down with Francis.

The match never happened, but the I Am parody was worth it.

Killer Kelly w/Masha Slamovich vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat

Kelly charges but Dani dodges and hits a few quick Suplexes as Kelly crawls to the ropes to ask Masha what to do. It’s a little deranged in a cute way, when Dani tries to keep up pressure, Kelly trips her into the ropes distracts the ref and Masha gets a cheap shot in. Kelly starts smacking and kicking the hell out of Dani chiding “You like that?”, now I don’t think she’s a Kirk Cousins fan, I just think she’s that beautiful type of sadistic crazy. Kelly definitely pushes the edges of most people’s Hot/Crazy scale.

Dani fights to her feet using her power, slams down Kelly and Kelly reaches to Masha to block a German Suplex, Masha gets pulled up to the apron, Jody breaks up the arms being locked up, Dani pushes Kelly forward, MK Ultra bash heads, Victory Roll from Dani for the win! MK attack Dani and Jody afterwards, but Decay make the save.

Guess we’re heading to that Triple Threat at No Surrender I was figuring on.

Moose vs Kushida

Kushida starts quick, some early arm attacks for the Hoverboard Lock, a big Suicida to leave Moose reeling, but he eventually stops Kushida and uses his size to his advantage. The formula to the match is a little basic, Kushida finds a few opportunities to go after the arm, and pepper in some quick offense; but its never effective or believable enough to slow down Moose. Moose starts his version Garvin Stomps as he tries to shake out the arm Kushida has worked on.

Kushida tries to fight back to his feet and eats the Million Dollar Dropkick, then Moose starts choking him with his boot. They go to the outside, Moose slaps him once and Kushida tries to fire, lands a few Slaps and Kicks to the bad arm before getting Scoop Slammed and Moose just rolls into the ring to recover. Kushida crawls back in around 8, and Moose goes into Full Mount raining down punches, and then he dumps Kushida out again. Moose tries the Jacknife on the outside, Kushida counters it into the ropes and on the apron, locking in a Cross Armbar for a while, breaks the hold, PK to the arm, Back to Back Moonsaults for 2 and then Hoverboard Lock attempt! Moose gets his feet to the ropes, but Kushida pulls him to the middle, Moose fights up, Powerbomb attempt, nope, Tanaka Punch, Nope, Powerbomb again turned into the Yoshi Tonic for 2! Back Handspring Elbow from Kushida, but he misses, Moose hits the ropes, Lights Out! Moose wins!

Overall Score: 6.75/10

This was an amusing episode. Dango’s segment was amazing, Hendry’s “I Am” parody was gorgeous (Francis’ parody remix wasn’t bad either) and Mustafa may have found a gimmick that can support his lack of charisma. Some solid matches, a bit of build, and the gimmicked matches led to something. Something losing to a dirty pin doesn’t hurt him and just helps Kaz’s heel turn, Savannah getting destroyed puts a nail in the SHAWntourange coffin, Steve using a bunch of cheap tactics prolly lengthens the Rhino angle and Dani getting a surprising win over Kelly most likely sets up a Triple Threat for the Knockouts Tags.

While it points were forgettable, and the whole Ash by Elegance thing was terrible…like it came off like cringe soap opera trash. So I need this to take a big turn real quick or this will just be another “TNA gonna TNA” staple moment. But hey, we will get a decisive third match for the Tag Team Championships, and ABC vs GYV have been solid matches, so you can only expect more of the same from the decider.

Decent enough show with a lot of moving pieces.