Tonight’s TNA Impact has a little something for everyone including a World title match and a wedding between PCO & Steph De Lander.
New champion Nic Nemeth will defend the title he won at last month’s Slammiversary against former X-Division Champion Mustafa Ali. Ali interrupted Nemeth’s title celebration last week to put this into motion.
After winning the TNA Digital Media and International titles at Slammiversary, PCO proposed to recent squeeze De Lander and the two will get married on tonight’s show with calamity sure to happen.
Joe Hendry will be on hand to give his thoughts after being attacked and pinned by Josh Alexander in the Slammiversary six-way World title match.
The Rascalz will take on X-Division Champion Mike Bailey, Trent Seven & KUSHIDA while Knockouts Tag Team Champion Masha Slamovich will go one-on-one with Spitfire’s Jody Threat.
The show will also see Ryan Nemeth battle Frankie Kazarian and the return to action of Rosemary following her surprise return at Slammiversary.
The Rascalz (Wes Lee, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs Speedball Mountain (“Speedball” Mike Bailey & Trent Seven) & KUSHIDA
Six-man tag-team action gets things started on this week’s show. After the bell sounds to get things started, it is Trey Miguel and KUSHIDA who kick things off for their respective teams. The two jockey for position and then it is KUSHIDA who takes Miguel down to the mat with a headlock.
They work their way back up to their feet and the pace picks up. Miguel tags in Wentz. Wes Lee also comes in and the three hit multiple triple-team spots. Lee tags in and goes to work on KUSHIDA, who fights back and tags in “Speedball” Mike Bailey.
TNA’s new X-Division Champion comes into the ring with rapid-fire kicks to the WWE NXT Superstar. He settles into a comfortable offensive lead and tags in Trent Seven, who picks up where Bailey left off, taking it to the former WWE NXT North American Champion.
Seven ends up running into a big boot from Lee in the corner, which allows The Rascalz member to regain some offensive footing. He tags in Wentz, who hits a Bronco Buster. Lee ends up hitting one at the same time in the opposing corner.
Tom Hannifan cackling like a fan-boy quips, “Sean Waltman, eat your heart out!” Very Michael Cole-esque. Miguel hits a big double stomp, but cartwheels and flips into a simple elbow from Seven, which shifts the momentum back in his team’s favor. He hits a DDT and tags in KUSHIDA.
KUSHIDA looks for a Hooverboard Lock on Lee, who ends up making it to his corner to get the much-needed tag. Wentz hits a big dive to Seven on the floor. Bailey kicks him from the apron and then splashes onto him with a springboard moonsault at ringside.
Back in the ring, Lee hits a flip into a big kick for a two-count. Seven tags in and climbs to the top, but Lee runs over and hits a kick that stuns him. He climbs up after him, but Seven counters and hits a super scoop slam off the ropes for a two-count of his own.
Lee walks into a super kick from Bailey and then a Seven Star Lariat from Seven. They go for Ultimo Weapon on Lee, but Wentz runs over to make the save before they can execute it. Lee hits a running back-elbow to Seven in the corner, and then tags in Miguel.
They hit a triple-team spot and then Miguel hits a diving splash onto KUSHIDA and Bailey on the floor. Lee and Wentz hit their double-team High-Flyer Flame on Seven in the ring for the pinfall victory.
Winners: The Rascalz
The commentators close it out by flashing the WWE NXT Great American Bash graphic on the screen to promote The Rascalz’ match at week two of the annual themed event from WWE NXT.
Jordynne Grace Issues TNA Knockouts Championship Open Challenge
We shift gears and head into a video segment featuring TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace. “The Juggernaut” goes on to issue another open challenge for her title for next week’s episode of TNA iMPACT on August 8. After this wraps up, the show heads into the first commercial break of the evening.
Campaign Singh Must Prove Loyalty, Credibility To The Campaign Tonight
When the show returns from the break, we shoot backstage for an interview segment. Standing by is Campaign Singh and The Campaign. We are told that this was supposed to be an interview with Mustafa Ali about his TNA World Championship shot in the main event this evening against Nic Nemeth.
Singh is on the phone with Ali, who appears upset. Singh frantically talks about how he will prove his loyalty to The Campaign and his credibility tonight. After he hangs up, he appears nervous about how he’s supposed to do that.
Rosemary vs Kristara
Back inside the iMPACT Zone, TNA Knockouts star Rosemary is introduced. She makes her way to the ring for her comeback match. Already in the ring is her scheduled opponent for tonight, Kristara.
After the bell sounds to get things started, Rosemary bum-rushes Kristara and gets the early offensive jump on her. She beats her down and lets out screams and shrieks after hitting big moves.
She hits her finisher for the pinfall to pick up an easy victory in what was a quick and basic match. She heads out to the ringside area and grabs a nap-sack and heads back into the squared circle with it.
She kneels over her fallen opponent and pulls a black rose out of the bag. She lays it on her chest and crosses her arms over it. Ash By Elegance was shown watching on a monitor backstage during and after the match.
Winner: Rosemary
The System Are Regrouped And Refocused Following A Rough TNA Slammiversary
We shoot to The System in a backstage interview segment. The group are still wearing the same red, white and blue gear that they wore last week on the show, due to being in the Montreal market.
Each member takes a turn speaking into the camera about how the group may have been dealt a blow or two in recent weeks, but they are still the most dominant force in all of professional wrestling.
They will show why you must trust in The System. After this wraps up, the show heads into another commercial time out.
Campaign Singh Confronts, Challenges Mike Santana
Backstage, we see Mike Santana sitting on a stairwell talking about how recent weeks have proven that there are some cracks in The System. As he continues talking, he is cut off by Campaign Singh. He stands up. Singh nervously tells him that he is challenging him to a match tonight.
Josh Alexander Still Refuses To Fully Explain His Actions
We head back inside the iMPACT Zone where “The Walking Weapon” Josh Alexander is introduced. He doesn’t come out. He is introduced again. Once again he doesn’t come out. The commentators inform us that Gia Miller is with him backstage.
A fired up Alexander talks to Miller about how he doesn’t care where he is supposed to be right now. He says he’ll talk right here. He rants briefly about fans believing in Joe Hendry, but how it is he who has carried TNA on his back for years. He gets annoyed and walks off without saying much once again.
Frankie Kazarian vs Ryan Nemeth
Things move on to the next action scheduled, which is a singles match pitting Ryan Nemeth one-on-one against Frankie Kazarian. Nemeth comes out first, followed by Kazarian. The bell sounds and Kazarian immediately steps through the ropes and calls over the ring announcer.
Kazarian orders her to once again introduce him, but this time insists she remind everyone that he is, in fact, “The King of TNA.” Nemeth acknowledges the groans from the crowd to that announcement, and in doing so, turns his back on Kazarian.
Kazarian quickly charges at him from behind and sneak-attacks him to get the early offensive jump on “The Hollywood Hunk.” Nemeth fights back and shifts the offensive momentum in his favor, isolating the arm of Kazarian and working over the limb.
Nemeth hits a picture-perfect dropkick as Kazarian started to fight back. He grabs him and begins turning him what a Rude Awakening-style neckbreaker, but Kazarian avoids it and hits a big counter that allows him to settle into the offensive drivers seat.
As he does, the show heads into a mid-match commercial break as the match continues. When the show returns, Kazarian is still in control of things, but not for long, as Nemeth gets his second wind and unleashes on the self-proclaimed “King of TNA” with a ferocious flurry of strikes.
Nemeth hits a gut-wrench suplex for a two-count as things slow back down. Nemeth heads to the top-rope and leaps off with a cross-body splash for another close pin attempt. After kicking out, Kazarian starts to fight back. He hoists Nemeth up for a Fade To Black, but Nemeth escapes out the back door.
Kazarian slingshots Nemeth from the ring apron outside of the ring ropes, over the ring ropes, into a perfectly-timed cutter. He immediately follows up with the pinfall for the victory.
Winner: Frankie Kazarian
Josh Alexander Unnecessarily Attacks Ryan Nemeth
When the match wraps up, Kazarian heads over to say something off-mic braggadocios about being the “King of TNA” to the commentators at ringside. As he heads to the back, we see Josh Alexander emerge and walk past him.
He heads into the ring and picks up Nemeth, hitting him with his finisher for no reason. He leaves him laying, never says a word, and heads to the back as fans once again sing “Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye!” at him.
Masha Slamovich (w/ Alisha Edwards) vs Jody Threat (w/ Dani Luna)
After this, the show heads to another commercial break. When we return, we head straight to the ring for Knockouts action, as the TNA Knockouts Tag-Team Champions Masha Slamovich and Alisha Edwards head to the ring.
Slamovich settles inside the squared circle for advertised singles action. Her opponent, Jody Threat, makes her way out accompanied by her Spitfire tag-team partner Dani Luna. The bell sounds and off we go.
Threat comes out strong, but it is Slamovich who ultimately settles into the early offensive lead, which she maintains for several minutes before Threat starts to show signs of life.
Threat hits a running double knees to the spine of Slamovich as she was draped over the bottom rope. She follows that up with a back suplex and a big clothesline for a close two-count. For the second time, Edwards hops on the ring apron.
This time, Luna runs over and yanks her down. Edwards sends her face-first into the steel ring post for her efforts. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Slamovich hits a gut-wrench powerbomb on Threat for another close two-count.
While the referee is distracted, Edwards wraps one of the Knockouts title belts around the middle turnbuckle. It backfires, however, as Threat knocks her off the apron and then drop toe-holds Slamovich face-first into the belt. She follows up with her finisher for the pinfall victory.
Winner: Jody Threat
Joe Hendy Needs The Believers To Continue To Believe
Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt talk about Joe Hendry being the hottest rising star in the pro wrestling business right now. We then head to a video package with new comments from Hendry.
He talks about the fans believing in him and how he needs them to continue to support him as he continues to ascend the ladder in the business.
He talks about obstacles he has faced as he has transitioned into being somewhat of a full-time WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling crossover performer. After this wraps up, we head to another commercial break.
Campaign Singh vs Mike Santana
After the show returns, we hear the familiar sounds of the entrance theme music for Mike Santana. Out he comes for our next match of the evening. Already in the ring is the man who challenged him earlier tonight, Campaign Singh.
As soon as the bell sounds to get the match underway, Singh charges at an unsuspecting Santana and attacks him from behind to get the early offensive jump in the bout. This doesn’t last long at all, however, as Santana quickly takes back over.
Santana wears out Singh for another minute or two and then finishes him off with his Spin The Block finisher for the easy pinfall victory. It looks like Campaign Singh will need to find another way to prove his loyalty and credibility to Mustafa Ali and The Campaign.
Winner: Mike Santana
Once the match wraps up, Santana talks about what happened at TNA Slammiversary and sends a message to Moose, before vowing before God, his girl and his baby that he will become TNA World Champion.
He says he needs Moose to understand something and tells him to look into the camera. (That’s your job, Mike! He’s supposed to look into a television set!) He promises Moose that he’s going to hurt him and makes it clear that a “hit” has been put out on him as of this moment.
Nic Nemeth (c) vs Mustafa Ali (TNA World Championship)
When the show returns from the break, we learn some match and segment announcements for next week’s episode of TNA iMPACT on August 8 from Tampa, FL. (see below). After that, we return inside the iMPACT Zone in Montreal where the familiar sounds of Mustafa Ali’s theme hits the house speakers.
The former TNA X-Division Champion takes his time coming out and settling inside the squared circle for his big title opportunity. The “Tale of the Tape” graphic for this TNA World Championship bout flashes on the screen, as Hannifan and Rehwoldt quickly run down some of the more interesting statistics.
After that, the entrance tune for the reigning and defending TNA World Champion hits. Out comes the man who promises to be a fighting champion, Nic Nemeth. As he poses on the ropes in the corner with his title raised high in the air, we head to a quick pre-match commercial break.
When the show returns, the bell sounds to get this title tilt officially off-and-running. Nemeth slaps a side-headlock on Ali and controls him, but Ali escapes and puts Nemeth in one of his own. Ali slowly starts to settle into the initial offensive lead.
Ali makes the mistake of gloating after getting Nemeth down and out in the corner. This allows Nemeth time to recover, and he comes back at Ali with a vengeance. He picks up the speed and pace, as he hits the ropes and runs over Ali with a massive clothesline.
Moments later, Ali sends Nemeth sternum-first into the turnbuckles with a rib-cracking ferocity. Nemeth returns the favor, plus some, as he does the same to Ali, but sending the former X-Division Champion face-first into the middle turnbuckle with even more momentum.
Ali grabs Nemeth and hits a modified electric chair slam on the unforgiving floor at ringside. We see officials checking on Nemeth as Ali gets back up and celebrates his work, gloating to the crowd as they loudly boo.
On that note, the show shifts gears and heads into a mid-match commercial break as this championship clash continues. When things return, we see Ali get closer and closer to stealing the win, and potentially the title, with cheap heel tactics. Ultimately, Nemeth picks up the win with The Danger Zone to retain.
Winner: Nic Nemeth
PCO, Steph De Lander Wedding
Once the main event title tilt wraps up, the show heads into another commercial break. When it returns, Hannifan and Rehwoldt set the stage for the nuptials of PCO and Steph De Lander, mentioning Santino Marella will preside over the ceremony.
We shoot back inside the iMPACT Zone in Montreal, where Rhino comes out in his ring gear with a tie on. We are informed that he is the best man for the groom, PCO. Next out comes the TNA Digital Media and Quebec International Champion to chants of “PCO! PCO!”
He settles in the ring next to the best man Rhino and Santino Marella. “Here comes the bride” plays next and out comes the beautiful bride-to-be, Steph De Lander, in an extravagant white wedding dress with a bouquet of flowers.
Hannifan pulls another Michael Cole, pretending to get choked up at how beautiful this scene is. Marella begins in his comedic broken English-style of presiding over the ceremony. He informs us that the bride and groom have decided to read their own vows.
De Lander says she takes PCO to be his unlawful, undead bride. She promises to never bolt on him, nor complain when the electricity bill is really high. She promises to always make him love and keep him in stitches with her sense of humor. She rhymes, poem-style, about how they are meant to be. She finishes with “’til death do us part.”
Marella tells “Pico” (not gram) that it is his turn. PCO lets out a big roar into the microphone, and that’s it. Marella responds, “[Laughs] Okay! Now the ring presentations!” De Lander puts a ring on PCO’s finger. PCO goes to do the same, but has to take it off the stiff, cold, cut off finger of his dead grandmother, which he pulls out of his pocket on the spot. Eek!
“If anyone has a good reason why these two shouldn’t get married, speak up now or forever shut-up-your-face!” Marella says as the final line. Of course, someone does. The theme for AJ Francis hits and out he comes with his First Class brother Rich Swann.
Francis assures them that they’re only out to be witnesses to the freak show. They have no intentions of spoiling the party. Santino reveals he got certified at ICanMarryYou.com and then says, “normally I’d say you can kiss the bride.” He follows up, “this is Montreal, though, so you can French-kiss the bride!”
The theme for Matt Cardona hits and out comes “The Indy God” to crash the festivities. He comes out with a gift in-hand with a giant bow on it, as Hannifan and Rehwoldt remind everyone of Cardona’s past with De Lander. Cardona walks into the ring and reveals his gift was a piece of a cinder block. He walks right up to PCO and knocks him out with it.
He tears down the wedding set as fans boo and a sad-looking De Lander watches on. Cardona stops from leaving the ring. He heads back in and snatches De Lander by the hand. He tries yanking her forcefully out of the ring with him, but she freaks out and yells off-mic about this being her day, questioning why he is doing this to her.
He backs off in the corner as she continues to freak out on him. Cardona exits the ring and yells back off-mic, “What are you doing? You’re with me! It’s not supposed to be this way!” We see De Lander crying in the ring as PCO slowly gets back to his feet. That’s how this week’s show wraps up. Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter/X.
Next Week in Tampa, FL. (8/8/2024)
* KUSHIDA vs. Jonathan Gresham
* Joe Hendry Will Be In Action
* Ultimate X Qualifiers Begin For TNA Emergence
* Jordynne Grace’s TNA Knockouts Title Open Challenge
Comments