‘TNA Wrestling’ Review (May 23rd 2024)
Welcome to this week’s review of TNA Wrestling, Let’s get straight into the review and see what went down on the show…
Match #1: Matt Hardy & Ryan Nemeth def. The System
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
The match kicks off with Matt Hardy and Eddie Edwards locking up. Hardy grabs a Headlock, and the two go back and forth until Edwards catches Hardy in the corner with a series of Chops. Edwards attempts a roll-up, but Hardy bites his fingers and jerks his arms around. Hardy tags in Ryan Nemeth, who holds Edwards’ arm in place for Hardy to drop an Axe Handle and Nemeth to deliver a Headbutt. Edwards shoves Nemeth to the corner and tags in Myers. Myers strikes Nemeth, but Nemeth fires back with a Dropkick and starts talking trash to Alisha. Edwards takes advantage with a cheap shot to Nemeth and continues to chop and beat him down. He taunts Hardy on the apron before tagging Myers back in. Nemeth starts to fight back, but Myers chop blocks his legs and applies a leg submission, then tags Edwards back in. The System flattens Nemeth with a tag combo, with Edwards keeping the pressure on. Nemeth manages to hit a huge standing DDT and tags in “Broken” Matt Hardy. Hardy comes in on fire, dropping Myers with a Clothesline, a Hip Toss, and a Back Elbow, then bouncing Myers’ head off the buckle. Hardy grabs Edwards in a Bulldog while clotheslining Myers, taking them both out. Hardy then hits both men with a massive Double DDT. He locks Myers in an underhook submission, but Edwards breaks it up and goes for a Backpack Stunner on Hardy. Hardy evades and shoves Edwards into Myers, setting up the Twist of Fate on Edwards. Nemeth follows with a huge Crossbody, securing the victory and pinning the TNA World Tag Team Champions.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: The Rascalz def. Sinner & Saint
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Zachary Wentz starts the match against Travis Williams. The two engage in a back-and-forth battle, with Wentz executing an arm drag. They lock up again, with Williams showcasing his skills, leading to a standoff. Trey is tagged in, shoving Williams off the ropes, unaware that Judas Icarus has blind-tagged himself in. Icarus jumps in and grabs Trey, leading to some effective 2-on-1 offense. Judas tags in Scott, and together they continue the assault. Trey manages to turn the tide with an eye rake, and he and Wentz unleash a flurry of attacks. Wentz attempts a Star, but Williams kicks out, sustaining the damage. Wentz presses on, aiming for a Knee Strike, but Williams evades and counters with a Backhand. Both teams make tags, bringing in Icarus and Trey. Icarus delivers some punishing hits and attempts a Suplex, which Trey reverses, sending Icarus off the ropes. Icarus responds with chops, then goes for another Suplex. Trey counters but is halted by a boot from Icarus, who then successfully executes the Suplex. Icarus gains momentum and hits Trey with a boot, followed by Sinner and Saint tying Trey up for a huge combo. Despite the brutal move, Trey kicks out. As Travis and Judas prepare to set up another move, Wentz pulls Icarus out of the ring. Trey capitalizes, hitting a Spinebuster on Williams, allowing Wentz to finish with a Stomp, securing the victory for The Rascalz!
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Jake Something & Cody Deaner def. The Good Hands
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Deaner starts the match by wrenching Hotch’s arm and delivering a knee drop onto it, asking the crowd if they want more, to which they enthusiastically respond. He continues with a few more Knee Drops before tagging in Jake Something, who flattens Hotch with a massive right hand. Jake then drops Hotch face-first, hesitates, and tags Deaner back in. Hotch retaliates by raking Deaner’s eyes and landing a right hand. He tries to whip Deaner, but Deaner reverses and drops a fist into Hotch’s face after he hits the turnbuckle hard. Hotch manages to snatch a headlock and tags in Skyler, who takes control. Skyler punches Deaner, Snapmares him, and drops a knee, then tags Hotch back in. Hotch sets Deaner up on the buckle, and The Good Hands double-team him. Skyler continues the assault, and Hotch kicks the rope into Deaner’s face. Deaner reaches out for Jake Something’s hand, trying to make a tag but is unable to. Hotch executes a Side Suplex on Deaner, and Skyler tags back in, hitting a Side Russian Leg Sweep. The Good Hands attempt a double team, but Deaner ducks and tags in Jake Something. Jake lifts Hotch up and begins to dominate. He goes for a Double Chokeslam, but The Good Hands counter. However, their counter backfires, and they both eat a huge Double Clothesline from Jake. Jake then tries for a Powerbomb, but Hotch kicks him in the face. Skyler cheap shots Deaner, who retaliates by knocking Hotch off the top buckle. Deaner feeds Skyler into “Into The Void” delivered by Jake Something.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Jordynne Grace def. Marti Belle
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
In the match between Jordynne Grace and Marti Belle for the Knockouts Championship, the two wrestlers lock up, with Grace starting strong by hitting Belle with a Shoulder Tackle and sending her into the corner. Belle manages to evade Grace’s next move, countering with a Back Elbow and then dropping Grace with a significant move of her own. Grace takes a few shots but manages to hang on, grabbing Marti by the hair. Marti responds with a forearm and sends Grace face-first into the buckle, following up with a Hip Attack and then a knee to Grace’s face. Belle attempts a Suplex, but Grace blocks it and counters a Russian Leg Sweep, striking Belle with crushing forearms. Belle sets up for her finishing move, Hells Bells, but Grace reverses and lifts Belle, dropping her with a Death Valley Driver. Grace then places Belle on the top rope, but Belle fights back, hitting Grace with a forearm. Despite Belle’s efforts, Grace kicks out at one. Belle tries for Hells Bells once more, but Grace counters with the Juggernaut Driver for the victory, retaining her Knockouts Championship.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #5: Tasha Steelz def. Jody Threat
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
The two knockouts, Jody and Tasha, start the match by locking up, but Jody quickly takes control, bringing Tasha down. Tasha manages to grab hold of the ropes, forcing a break. They circle the ring, preparing to lock up again, but Tasha resorts to poking Jody in the eye to gain the upper hand. Tasha follows up with a Chop and sends Jody off the ropes. However, Jody turns the tables, delivering a Chop and a Back Elbow before unleashing multiple Clotheslines in the corner. Jody charges at Tasha, but Tasha counters with a Bandera, sending Jody to the apron. Jody fights back, dragging Tasha to the apron as well. Tasha escapes and hits a Backstabber on the apron, gaining momentum. Tasha continues her assault with a European Uppercut, followed by a roll-through and a PK Kick. Jody retaliates with a series of Clotheslines, then executes a Double Knees and a German Suplex combo. She runs at Tasha, but Tasha counters with a kick, only for Jody to respond with a Powerbomb. Jody goes for her finishing move, Pop Shove It, but Tasha evades and counters with a Cutter, securing the victory in the match.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Trent Seven def. Speedball Mike Bailey
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Speedball and Trent engage in a fast-paced exchange, starting with Arm Drags. Bailey enters the fray but meets a Chop from Trent. The action intensifies as Trent runs into a kick from Bailey, leading to a Forearm exchange between the two. Bailey impressively Handsprings into a series of kicks on Trent, who then retreats to the apron. Bailey attempts a boot, but Trent catches it, only to be sent to the floor by Bailey, who follows up with a Moonsault. Bailey gains momentum with a top rope Missile Dropkick, followed by Chops to Trent. Trent responds with Chops of his own, leading to a spirited exchange. Bailey allows Trent to reciprocate a back chop, and they continue trading blows. After a show of sportsmanship with a handshake, Trent drops Bailey with a DDT and follows up with a side powerslam. He then goes for his signature Seven-Star Lariat, but Bailey reverses with a running Shooting Star Press. As the match progresses, both wrestlers exchange impactful moves, with Bailey showcasing resilience despite Trent’s offense. Mustafa Ali is seen entering the arena with a security team. Bailey and Trent’s intense rivalry continues, culminating in a dramatic sequence of moves, including a Poison Rana and a Seated Scoop Slam off the top rope by Trent. Ali’s presence at ringside adds tension to the match, as Bailey and Trent pull out all the stops to secure victory. The match reaches its climax with a series of near falls and hard-hitting moves, ultimately leading to Trent hitting the Birminghammer on Bailey for the win after Champagne Singh showed up out of nowhere and knocked Bailey off the top rope costing him the victory, Trent advances to face Mustafa Ali for the X Division Championship at Against All Odds.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
What an interesting episode of TNA this week. We had two former AEW wrestlers put together as a team and pull off a good match; then we got a great match from The Rascals and the as-yet-unsigned Sinners & Saints. The next few matches were OK, featuring not only the progression of a long-running story between Deaner and Something but also some interesting match-ups – in particular the appearance of Marti Belle. Then the main event ramped things up with a great (and pretty guaranteed) match between the two members of Speedball Mountain. This week’s show was definitely an improvement over recent weeks in my eyes!
