After making his debut at April’s Rebellion and picking up a win over former TNA World Champion Steve Maclin, Mike Santana will rematch Maclin on tonight’s episode of Impact.
Former Knockouts title challenger Steph De Lander will be in action as she faces Xia Brookside. Kon will be by Lander’s side which means PCO, an admirer of De Lander and a foe of Kon, may not be far behind.
Former TNA World Champion Sami Callihan will battle the new-look Jonathan Gresham as the latter’s ink-stained macabre run looks to continue.
X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali will prepare for his impending title defense against Trent Seven with a one-on-one match against Leon Slater. The returning Champaign Singh, now known as Campaign Singh, will be in Ali’s corner.
In a battle between partners, ABC’s Ace Austin and Chris Bey will go head-to-head in an attempt to ease their recent strife.
Former TNA World Champion and current Tag Team Champion Eddie Edwards will take on former Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry.
This week’s show kicked off with a look back at The System vs. Matt Hardy and Ryan Nemeth match, and the aftermath, with Santino Marella making the matches for The System at Against All Odds. We also reflect on the X-Division title eliminator between Speedball Mountain partners, setting up Trent Seven vs. Mustafa Ali for the title at Against All Odds.
Chris Bey def. Ace Austin
After that, a shot of Cincinnati, OH. is shown before settling inside the Impact Zone. “Inevitable” Ace Austin is introduced and settles in the ring for the opening match of the evening. His ABC partner Chris Bey made his way out next and the match got underway.
Austin got Bey down to the mat early and controlled him before Bey worked his way back up. Fans chant for both guys with “ABC!” chants as they mixed it up in the early goings. Bey caught Austin with a big shot coming off the ropes, forcing Austin to roll out to the floor to re-group.
After he got back in the ring, Austin fought back, hoisting Bey up, before Bey escaped out the back door and ran Austin into the corner. He tried following in behind him at high speed, but ran into a back elbow for his troubles. Bey fought back and connected with a big drop kick, which shifted the momentum in his favor.
He hit a big back-elbow of his own for a two-count. Bey caught Austin with some knees against the ropes, but Austin answered back and brought Bey down to the mat with authority. Bey sold his back, so Austin focused his attack on it with two big suplexes for back-to-back pin attempts.
On the floor, Bey ran into a big kick from Austin on the ring apron that has him loopy. Austin looked for a big follow-up spot, but Bey had it well-scouted and avoided it. Both guys slowly got back to their feet and traded shots before Austin missed a middle rope kick, resulting in Bey connecting with a spine buster for a close two count.
An Art of Finesse comes up short, before Bey and Austin trade shots. Austin hits a click-click boom before stalking his ABC partner. Bey gets vicious in his own right with a little forearm chivalry. Bey rushed into a big kick from Austin off the middle rope in the corner for another close two.
Austin pulled out the playing card and called for the finish, but Bey had that well-scouted as well and countered with a big shot. He went for the Art of Finesse again but we see another counter. Seconds later, Bey rolled Austin up for the pin fall victory.
Bey tried to help Austin up afterwards, but Austin kept his back turned to him. He ended up turning around and the two shook hands and hugged before Austin held the ropes for Bey. Bey responded by doing the same for him and they left to the back together. After the opener, the show went into the first commercial break of the evening.
Xia Brookside def. Steph De Lander
After the break, Xia Brookside’s theme hit and she made her way out for the second match of the evening. The commentators talk about her getting the best of Ash By Elegance a couple of weeks ago, and footage is shown in split-screen format. The theme for her opponent hit and out came Steph De Lander.
The bell sounded and this one got started with Brookside stomping forward in tune with the claps of the fans inside the Impact Zone. The two locked up and Brookside went behind De Lander with a body lock. De Lander worked her way free and blasted Brookside with a single shot that drops her to both knees.
De Lander hit a big fall away slam for the first pin attempt of the match. She then put the boots to Brookside and whipped her into the corner with authority. She does the same in the opposing corner but runs into a big back elbow from Brookside.
After some more back-and-forth action, De Lander went under the ring for a foreign object, but instead pulled out a foreign wrestler, as PCO emerged. De Lander stared stunned as PCO stood up and caught Brookside in his arms like a baby. Back in the ring, De Lander, still distracted, gets pinned by Brookside.
Once the match wrapped up, De Lander tried explaining to PCO that she didn’t want his help, and that he made her lose her match. He grabs her face and then pulls out a gift that he handed to her in a self-made package that had her name and a heart on it. She accepted it and put it in her top. He smiled.
Jordynne Grace On WWE NXT Recap
Footage is shown of TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace appearing on WWE NXT on USA Network earlier this week to be revealed as the challenger for WWE NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez at NXT Battleground. Her match against Stevie Turner on next week’s NXT on USA show is promoted.
First Class Attacks Laredo Kid
Rich Swann and AJ Francis confront Laredo Kid and faux congratulate him on becoming TNA Digital Media Champion before sucker-punching him and attacking him after Francis demanded a shot at the title. After this wrapped up, the show went into its’ second commercial break.
Kon Challenges Jake Something For Next Week
Backstage, we see a confrontation that Deaner gets in the middle of between Kon and Jake Something. Kon challenged Something to a match for next week and told Something not to listen to Deaner because he did and he regretted it.
Jonathan Gresham def. Sami Callihan
Back inside the Impact Zone, the familiar sounds of Sami Callihan’s theme hit and he came out to the ring for the third match of the evening. Jonathan Gresham headed out next and settled in the ring with his mask on. The bell sounds and the two have a big stare down. Callihan gives him a thumbs down and Gresham tries to bite him.
The two finally lock up after that and Callihan rushed Gresham into the corner. Gresham again attempted to bite Callihan’s arm. Callihan bends at the fingers of Gresham, who slowly pulls Callihan’s hand to his face in an attempt to bite him. Callihan loses his cool at that point and pie-faces him before biting Gresham’s dome himself.
On the floor, Callihan blasted Gresham with a big chop that sent him stumbling away. He blasts him with another one as he is leaning against the ring barricade. Callihan gets incredibly close into the camera and tried talking us into a mid-match break, but while doing so, we get a close-up shot of Gresham strangling him from behind.
After the break, we see Gresham still trying to bite and claw at the eyes of Callihan. The commentators point out the referee wearing a face mask and gloves per orders of Santino Marella, as everyone who has come into contact with Gresham since Under Siege has gotten ill. Callihan hits a pile driver on the hard part of the ring apron to Gresham.
Callihan trades shots with Gresham before hitting a Death Valley Driver for a close two-count. Callihan gives a thumbs up for a Cactus Driver ’97, but Gresham countered out of it. Gresham grabs Callihan while he was on his knees and tries summoning something, but Callihan fights back. Callihan noticed ink all over his hand and gets distracted. Gresham snuck in a low blow while the referee was avoiding getting ill and scored the pin.
Gail Kim Sits Down With Gisele Shaw
Gail Kim’s interview with Gisele Shaw is shown. Shaw talks about getting depressed after coming up short in her Knockouts title opportunity and dealing with injuries. Kim explained to her that starting from scratch is okay, and something you shouldn’t shy away from as long as you know what you’re fighting for.
Kim tells Shaw she can only figure out what that is. She tells her to do this as a Knockout, not the Quintessential Diva, starting next week. Shaw says she trusts Kim and will do exactly that. After this wrapped up, the commentators talked us into another commercial break.
Backstage Interviews With The System & Frankie Kazarian
Upon returning from the break, we see The System backstage. They are interviewed about tonight’s match with Joe Hendry. They say they have bigger things to worry about with Against All Odds coming up. They walk off and Frankie Kazarian walks up demanding the interviewer call him “The King of TNA.” She does, he says “You’re damn right,” and walks off.
Steve Maclin and Mike Santana compete to No Contest
Back inside the Impact Zone, we hear the familiar sounds of Steve Maclin’s entrance tune. He settled in the ring for the next bout of the show, and then Mike Santana’s theme hit. Santana made his way to the ring through the crowd. The bell sounded and the two immediately got things started.
After an intense lock-up, Maclin tries to work on Santana’s arm. He kicked him in the bread basket, shot him into the ropes and blasted him with a back elbow for a quick pin attempt. Santana kicked out and started to take over with some offense of his own after winning a shoulder tackle contest with Maclin.
Santana sent Maclin out to the floor at ringside. He built up momentum for a big suicide dive or splash over the ropes, but Maclin ran around the corner to take away the opportunity. Maclin caught Santana with a big clothesline on the floor before hitting an old Cactus Jack style elbow drop off the apron.
Maclin yelled at fans to “Kiss my ass!” before blasting Santana with a big chop and bringing him back into the ring for a pin attempt. Santana connected with a rolling buck-50 and then sends Maclin face-first into the canvas for another close pin attempt. Maclin fought back but ran into a super kick that sent him to the floor, where this time Santana hit a follow-up dive through the ropes.
On the floor, Maclin fights back and re-enters the ring with a dive of his own. The Rascalz’ Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz hit the ring out of nowhere shortly after that, attacking both guys and forcing the match to be thrown out. The duo leave Maclin and Santana laying to end the segment.
Backstage With Jody Threat & Dani Luna
The Spitfire duo of Jody Threat and Dani Luna are shown backstage. Luna is told she has a match. They agree to do whatever it takes to get back to the titles. After this wrapped up, the show went into another commercial break.
Mustafa Ali def. Leon Slater
Upon returning from the break, a TNA digital exclusive is shown to explain how the next match of the evening, pitting TNA X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali against Leon Slater. Ali is led to the ring by Champagne Singh. He settled in the ring as the commentators hype his title defense coming up at Against All Odds against Trent Seven.
Out next is his opponent, Leon Slater, who looked to be ready for his big opportunity. The bell got it started and an arrogant Ali immediately strutted around and played to the crowd before extending a handshake of friendship to Slater. Slater slapped the hand away and things got started from there.
Ali established the early offensive lead and then hit Slater with a blatant slap to the face in the corner. He walked into a drop kick moments later, which allowed Slater to take over on offense. He hit a nice Van Gogh-bow to Ali for a two-count.
On the floor, Slater sent Ali into the ropes off the entrance ramp, before he crashed onto the floor a few feet below. Slater hit a diving flip into a splash on Ali off the entrance ramp before the show went into a mid-match commercial break as the action continued.
After returning from the break, it was all Slater in the offensive driver’s seat, taking it to the longtime vet. He hit a beautiful cutter off the ropes and then the action spilled out to the floor. Ali sent Slater back-first into the barricade after getting some distraction help from Champagne Singh.
Back in the ring, the two traded roll-up attempts. Slater hit a big neck-breaker on Ali for a close two-count. Ali fought back and bounced Slater’s head off the ring post inside the ring. Ali followed up with the top-rope 450 splash for the win in a hard-fought battle.
Joe Hendry def. Eddie Edwards
Backstage, we see Moose on a rampage as he looks for “Broken” Matt Hardy. A video package airs to promote next week’s 20-year anniversary show with Jordynne Grace vs. Allysin Kay for the Knockouts title and Laredo Kid vs. AJ Francis for the Digital Media title.
Also scheduled is Gisele Shaw’s return and Speedball Mountain vs. Mustafa Ali & Champagne Singh as well as Kon vs. Jake Something. The commentators then ran down the lineup for TNA Against All Odds on June 14 in Chicago, Ill. They hyped their return to 2300 Arena and the Slammiversary 2024 pay-per-view.
The theme for The System hit and out came Eddie Edwards accompanied by Brian Myers. He settled in the ring and posed on the ropes in the corner as the show went into a pre-match commercial break. Upon returning, Joe Hendry’s catchy tune hits and he settled in the ring to loud “We Believe!” chants.
Hendry cut a quick pre-match promo and then the bell sounded to get the final match of the evening officially off-and-running. “We Believe!” chants again filled the Impact Zone in Cincy as Brian Myers gets on the apron before the two even touch.
Nic and Ryan Nemeth’s theme hits and out come the opponents for Edwards and Myers at Against All Odds. The commentators pointed out how The Nemeth’s refused to allow The System to cheat their way to victory tonight. They remained at ringside as the match got underway.
Hendry took the early offensive lead over Edwards, as the commentators questioned how one can stop Hendry-Mania. Hendry muscled Edwards up and held him for a delayed slam into a pin attempt. As Edwards started to fight back and take over control, focusing on the lower-back of Hendry, the main event cut to a mid-match commercial break.
Upon returning from the break, Edwards is shown yelling “Shut up!” at fans in the Impact Zone attempting to rally behind Hendry. Edwards chops Hendry down to size to kill his attempted offensive comeback. Edwards stops fighting in favor of taunting Hendry and adding insult to injury with wimpy slaps and head-shoves as he tried getting up.
The commentators remind the viewing audience at home that Moose is mysterious in his absence at ringside, as he is still rampaging around the building in search of “Broken” Matt Hardy. Meanwhile, Hendry hit a few back-to-back clotheslines and a fall-away slam to take over control of the action.
Edwards tried re-grouping at ringside with his fellow members of The System, but Hendry was having none of it, as he followed out behind him and continued to keep the pressure on him. He rolled Edwards back into the ring and then muscled him into the corner, following up with shoulder-shots to the stomach.
Hendry hits a Cutter coming off the ropes like a Bulldog-attempt for a close two-count. Fans break out into another “We Believe!” chant in support of Hendry as he continued looking for ways to finish off the larger Edwards. Edwards ran over Hendry with a big clothesline that shifted the momentum back in his favor.
Edwards looked to climb to the top-rope, but Hendry popped up and cut him off. Hendry climbed up after him, but Edwards headbutted him way down to the mat below. Hendry quickly scrambled back up and hoisted Edwards up from the middle rope for a Super-Fall Away Slam. He went for the cover, but only got two.
Eddie sat Hendry on the top turnbuckle and slapped the holy hell out of him, eliciting a collective gasp from the fans inside the Impact Zone. Edwards climbed up and connected with a super-plex, which he follows up with a Tiger Driver. He goes for the immediate cover, but somehow Hendry kicked out at two.
Another loud “We Believe!” chant from the fans brings some much-needed life back to Hendry. Hendry avoided a Boston Knee Party and countered with a Standing Ovation for the pin fall victory in an excellent main event to close out action inside the ring on this week’s show.
Moose Knocks Out “Broken” Matt Hardy To Close Out The Show
Backstage, Moose yells, “Matt, don’t be a coward. I’ve searched this whole building, I know you’re here!” ‘Broken’ Matt Hardy then appeared, claiming to be Moose’s destiny. The two broke out into a brawl, with Hardy yelling “Delete!” while landing some shots.
The TNA Champion got hold of a steel chair and went to work on the bread basket of Hardy. He stuck his head through the steel folding chair and ran him face-first into the garage door with authority. He grabs another chair and baseball swings it at the one around Hardy’s head. He leaves Hardy laid out snoring and walks off to end the show.
That’s how this week’s show went off the air. Thanks for joining us and follow me on Twitter/X.
Next Week:
Jordynne Grace vs. Allysin Kay (Knockouts title)
Laredo Kid vs. AJ Francis (Digital Media title)
Speedball Mountain vs. Mustafa Ali & Champagne Singh
Kon vs. Jake Something
Gisele Shaw’s return
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