‘TNA Wrestling’ Review (Jan 18th 2024)
Welcome to this week’s review of TNA Wrestling, which is the first weekly show under the return to the TNA branding! Let’s get into the review and see what went down…
Match #1: X-Division Scramble – Jake Something def. Laredo Kid, KUSHIDA, Trey Miguel, Mike Bailey & El Hijo del Vikingo
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Don’t blink as six of the X-Division’s best clash in a Scramble match where it’s every man for himself! Miguel hits KUSHIDA with the Lightning Spiral, doing damage to Kid in the process. Something clears the ring but gets down with a head scissors from Vikingo. Something bounces back with a powerbomb to Vikingo, sending him over the top rope into a pile of bodies on the outside. Bailey soars with a step-up Moonsault to the floor before Kid picks him off the top rope with a Spanish Fly. Something puts Kid away with Into the Void to win.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Xia Brookside def. Tasha Steelz
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
After competing in Knockouts Ultimate X at Hard To Kill, Xia Brookside makes her iMPACT! television debut against a former Knockouts World Champion, Tasha Steelz! The early advantage goes to Steelz as she hits the Three Amigos. Steelz gets a bit too confident as Brookside capitalizes and begins to build momentum. Brookside hits the Broken Wings double knees, followed by a neckbreaker for two. Brookside counters a cutter into the Brooksie Bomb to score the huge victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake & Zack Gibson) def. Eric Young & Frankie Kazarian
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
A veteran tag team in the Grizzled Young Vets lock up with TNA Wrestling veterans, Eric Young and Frankie Kazarian!Young bites the hand of Drake, allowing Kazarian to capitalize with a spinning neckbreaker. Gibson makes the blind tag as Drake dives through the ropes, taking out Kazarian on the outside. The Grizzled Young vets cut off the ring and employ quick tags to wear Kazarian down. Kazarian creates separation with a suplex to Gibson but when he tries to make the tag, Drake pulls Young off the apron. Minutes later, Kazarian is able to fight free and make the much-needed tag to Young. The pace quickens as Young goes on the attack. Kazarian inadvertently strikes his own partner, leading to Grit Your Teeth and the win for the Grizzled Young Vets.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: PCO def. Jai Vidal
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
PCO hits Vidal with a thudding Chokeslam, followed by the PCOSault to score the dominant victory.
My Score: 0 out of 5
Match #5: Josh Alexander def. Will Ospreay
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Josh Alexander and Will Ospreay meet in one of the most highly-anticipated rematches of all time! Alexander hits a running crossbody, sending both Ospreay and himself spilling to the outside. Alexander locks in an Ankle Lock on the floor but Ospreay breaks free and hits a tornado DDT. Back in the ring, Ospreay soars with a phenomenal springboard forearm. Alexander bounces back with a powerbomb backbreaker combo. Ospreay sends Alexander crashing through a table with a Tiger Driver off the apron. Alexander makes it back into the ring before the referee’s 10 count but Ospreay immediately catches him with a springboard dropkick. Ospreay goes for the Hidden Blade but Alexander collapses before he can connect. Alexander is fired up but Ospreay shuts him down with a Spanish Fly for two. Alexander counters the Oscutter with a mid-air forearm shot. The fight spills to the ramp where Alexander spikes him with Piledriver. Alexander tosses Ospreay back in the ring, then locks in another Ankle Lock. Ospreay sends him face-first into the turnbuckle to break the hold. Ospreay hits a Posion Rana off the top, followed by the Hidden Blade but it’s not enough to keep Alexander down. Alexander turns him inside out with a running clothesline, then hits the Styles Clash for a near fall of his own. Alexander hits a thunderous C4 Spike to put Ospreay away and score the victory.
My Score: 5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 4.5/5
What a cracking first episode of the new era of TNA Wrestling. In fact, I think this week’s show outshone even the Hard to Kill pay-per-view from last week! A superb opening X-Division match set the tone for this one; and despite the squash match from PCO (totally in character for the character IMHO), everyone looked like they were putting in their best effort. Mainly because THEY all knew the show was closing what WE all knew going in would be an instant classic… and it did not disappoint. Ospreay is the best in the world and Alexander is right up there with him – the two had great in-ring chemistry, told a great story and sold like there was no tomorrow. Beautiful! Roll on next week!
