Andrew’s TNA Xplosion Results & Match Ratings: 3.22.2024

This episode at least has a match with storyline significance, so that’s an upgrade from last week. However, it looks like we’re gonna continue the one match and a ton of clips formula; which I completely hate.

At least it seems like the Around the Ring interview is with Bhupinder Gujjar. That’s cool information because he hasn’t been on the show all year, so I thought he was fired or something. So may

Ratings:

Masha Slamovich w/Killer Kelly vs Rosemary w/Havok: Rosemary wins via Spear – ** 1/2

Results:

TNA+Flashback Moment: 5/1/2014, IMPACT!, Eric Young vs Bobby Roode, World Championship 

Again they’re opening the show with a throwback match, but at least Hannifan opened the show running down the original content aspects of the show. But if this is going to turn into mostly clips, 1 interview and 1 match, I’m not really sure why this exists. 

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

5. The System beats down Speedball Mountain & Nic Nemeth

4. Chris Sabin’s failed rematch

3. Rich Swann heel turn

2. Tag Team Title Match at Rebellion: The System vs Speedball Mountain

1. World Title Match at Rebellion: Moose vs Nic Nemeth

Around the Ring with Gia Miller was always one of the highlights of the Xplosion return and it was the only borderline watchable thing last week. He talks about getting an alumni distinction award from Saint Claire college. Bhupinder shows an ability to be kinda relatable when he talks in a relaxed way. He apparently likes to dance, so they dance a little at the end, and its charming. 

TNA+Flashback Moment: Kazarian vs Jay Lethal, Genesis 2011, X Division Championship

Masha Slamovich w/Killer Kelly vs Rosemary w/Havok

Oh finally something I haven’t already watched! With all of the dirt sheet articles, most of us probably know that it looks like Killer Kelly is done with TNA. So I’d like to think that Masha will win this to start building her singles credibility up and Kelly will be the one to take the blame for any future failures. 

I’m not sure what kind of Matryoshka voodoo doll Havok tried to distract Masha with, but it allows for Rosemary to take early advantage until Masha drops Rosemary with a Side Salto Suplex. Masha tries to send Rosemary into the corner to keep up the offense, but The Upside Down helps shift momentum. Rosemary postures to the crowd, Masha manages to kick her feet out to crotch Rosemary on the top turnbuckle, then an corner assist Power Slam swings the match back again.

Rosemary hits her Dead Rising spot, drops Masha with a Slingblade into an Exploder out of the corner, and Masha kicks out at 2. Masha blocks a suplex attempt and turns it into a Double Triangle Full Nelson style of submission. Rosemary slips it, John Woo dropkick from Masha, Rosemary tries to counter the charge, but a few counters from both women and Masha hits a Cross Armbreaker! Kelly gets involved, grabs Rosemary, Masha tries to Spear the restrained Rosemary, but Rosemary slips it and levels Kelly. So Rosemary hits her own Spear and that’s the finish!

Overall Score: 3/10

I do hate the WCW Worldwide copy and paste. I really was enjoying what it did for the first 3 months with 2 under card matches and some charm. But these last two weeks have felt like a waste of time.

Just release Around the Ring as a YouTube exclusive or something and throw Xplosion in the dumpster. Plus if you still need the bonus match, make it a TNA+ exclusive match. You could argue that Xplosion fills the same slot, but with the Don West Top 5 being a hollow list with no personality, its a waste what should be a kind gesture. Plus the abbreviated 2 flashback matches, this is a stupid waste of time. A 45 minute show with only like 12 minutes worth content to care about.