Andrew’s TNA Xplosion Results & Match Ratings: 2.2.2024

So much to my chagrin, it seems like Champagne Singh still has a job, so Shera and Singh will continue to be jobbers and worthless until they add Rohit Raju back or TNA gets smart and cuts bait with Singh. Literally sign anyone else from India, this dude can’t talk, he’s boring to watch, and you give him no real momentum to care about what he’s saying. The definition of waste of a roster spot.

On a somber moment, as I’m covering this while it pops up on YouTube, I just saw that Toby Keith passed away, and TNA posted a small memory with condolences.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of country music legend Toby Keith – who appeared on the very first TNA event. We offer our condolences to his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/wvrfPGBJx0

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) February 6, 2024

Ratings:

• Rhino vs Champagne Singh: Rhino wins via Gore – * 1/2
• Jason Hotch w/John Skyler vs Rich Swann: Hotch wins via Vertigo – *** 1/4

Results:

Rhino vs Champagne Singh

Even commentary calls him bottom shelf Champagne, so yeah, he’s worthless. Early going is simple strikes and slow back and forth with some crowd pandering, but nothing crazy. Rhino lands three chops, whip to corner, Hip Toss out, Gore set up, but Singh powders. Rhino tries to pull him up by the ears but Singh uses the top rope to hyperextend Rhino’s arm, Armbreaker on the injured arm, and then when we get back from commercial, Singh is still working over the left arm.

Singh manages to counter most of Rhino attempts at coming back, throwing him bad side first into the post, quick strikes, an old school Middle Rope Axe Handle. But as soon as Singh misses a move, Rhino quickly puts together a comeback, bounces Singh off the top turnbuckle a few times and then the Gore sends us home with the expected result.

Crazzy Steve hits the ring afterward, Low Blow from behind, hits him with the Digital Media Title and Crazzy Steve lords over him telling him “He’s here to add notches to the belt, and Rhino can be the first.

Don West, You’ve Got to be Kidding Me! Trending Topics of the week:

5. Return of Cross the Line as the Theme Song

4. Nic Nemeth winning debut against Zachary Wentz

3. Kazuchika Okada returns after 13 years!

2. Mustafa Ali sends a message

1. Jordynne Grace competing in the Royal Rumble

TNA Flashback Moment of the Week: No Surrender 2009, World Championship Match: Matt Morgan vs AJ Styles vs Kurt Angle vs Sting vs Hernandez

They showed a good portion of the classic title match, I was surprised, but this was the height of TNA with 5 of the bigger players. I still wish Matt Morgan was given a title run.

Gia Miller “Around the Ring” interview segment, with Jody Threat. This cute, quirky, more personal interview is charming. They start with discussing their mutual love of Brunch. Jody does teach us the difference between a Bloody Mary and a Ceaser, so Canadians can rejoice. Really, they just start talking about perfect Brunches and having a quirky conversation. 

Jason Hotch w/John Skyler vs Rich Swann

Now this is an interesting situation, Swann is on a TNA losing streak. He lost to Maclin at Hard to Kill, he lost to Hendry last week, and you gotta wonder if this is a trap match. Oh look AJ Francis (fka Flop Dolla) comes down to commentary since he’s been trying to recruit Rich to his side.

Collar and Elbow tie up, into some basic offense until Rich rips off a few quick moves including a Frankensteiner, as he tries to continue but Hotch powders. Commercial break again, and Rich is hitting some combination punches, drives Hotch into the corner, Chops heard ’round the world, into Corner Punches, but Skyler distracts Rich at 4, and then Hotch Snake Eyes into a Lariat for a near fall.

Hotch tries to keep Rich down with a nerve hold, but he fights back, goes for a Discus Punch but Hotch counters into a DDT. Choked against the ropes, Hotch distracts the ref, Skyler cheap shot. Swann tries to Up and Over Hotch, but he catches him in a Three Quarters Neckbreaker for 2, and then tries to hold in a Headlock. Rich fights back up, Jawbreaker, Strike Exchange, that devolves into Superkick into Rebound Rolling Forearm, Hotch tries a Moonsault but Swann hits the Superkick into Lethal Injection for 2.

Rich motions to the top turnbuckle, but gets distracted because of AJ, takes too long, whiffs on the Phoenix Splash, Inverted Corkscrew Brainbuster (Vertigo) from Hotch, and HOTCH WINS!

Overall Score: 6/10

So for all the Flop Dolla haters, he made a ton of sense on commentary today. Gia even tried to make a joke if he was going to go for the Rold Gold-en Gloves Championship; but AJ ran with is and just said “if it makes him money, sure”. Then with Rich getting distracted because of his own issues with AJ when AJ was only standing up and cheering him on, makes Rich look brain dead. I know babyfaces are historically imbeciles when they hear music or see someone they don’t like, they’re essentially all guard dogs with ADD, but this was not AJ’s fault.

Getting about 60% of the No Surrender match as a highlight, Steve and Rhino’s wrinkle, Gia’s interview and the main event were really fun. Champagne Singh is still the low point of any and every show he’s on. But it was a slightly better show than last week since more things happened.