‘TNA Wrestling’ Review (Mar 28th 2024)
Welcome to this week’s review of TNA Wrestling, the next show on the “Road To Rebellion.” Let’s get into the review and see what went down…
Match #1: 8-4-1 Match – Jody Threat, Havok, Masha Slamovich & Alisha Edwards, Dani Luna, Rosemary, Xia Brookside & Steph De Lander. WINNER: Steph De Lander
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
The 8-4-1 match begins as an 8-Knockout tag team match with the winning team immediately facing off in a 4-way match. The winner of that will become the #1 Contender for the Knockouts World Championship, held by Jordynne Grace! Threat hits Brookside with running double knees. Brookside takes Slamovich down with head scissors. The match begins to break down as everyone gets involved. Luna hits an assisted Blue Thunder Bomb on Luna. Slamovich counters the Luna landing but Luna rolls her up to score the pinfall victory. Before the 4-way match gets underway, a furious Masha Slamovich attacks Dani Luna and tosses her into the steel ring post. De Lander redirects Rosemary’s spear into Brookside, causing Brookside to collide with Ash By Elegance, who is watching the match from ringside. Ash sends Brookside into the steel ring post, but the referee ejects her. Out of nowhere, Matt Cardona appears in the ring and takes out Rosemary with Radio Silence. De Lander capitalizes, putting Rosemary away with the TKO.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Grizzled Young Vets (Zack Gibson & James Drake) def. Cody Deaner
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
The Grizzled Young Vets double team Deaner in the corner. Deaner fights back with a series of strikes to Gibson. Deaner hits a bulldog out of the corner but Gibson counters the follow-up Deaner DDT. Drake chokes Deaner with his scarf, allowing them to capitalize with Grit Your Teeth. Drake pins Deaner to win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Josh Alexander def. Tracy Williams
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Alexander attempts a vertical suplex but both men go crashing over the top rope to the floor. Alexander hits his signature running crossbody on the apron. Back in the ring, Alexander hits a Northern Lights suplex into a bridge for two. Williams fights off a C4 Spike attempt, then dumps him high on his neck with a suplex. Alexander hits a rolling senton out of the corner, followed by a knee strike to the back of Williams’ next. Williams rolls out of the Ankle Lock but Alexander catches him with a powerbomb backbreaker. Williams hits a unique DDT on the top turnbuckle. Williams locks in an STF submission but Alexander counters into a German suplex. Alexander connects with the C4 Spike to win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #4: Eddie Edwards def. Mike Bailey
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
As Speedball Mountain prepares to challenge Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers for the TNA World Tag Team Titles at Rebellion, it’s singles action between Mike Bailey and Eddie Edwards tonight! Bailey is in control following a dive over the top rope, taking out Eddie on the floor. Myers provides a distraction at ringside, allowing Eddie to capitalize with a modified Blue Thunder Bomb on the apron. Bailey counters a Backpack Stunner, then creates separation with a dropkick off the second rope. Bailey hits a running Shooting Star for two. Bailey soars with a springboard Moonsault to the outside. Edwards prevents Ultima Weapon, then successfully hits the Backpack Stunner for another near fall. Bailey hits a series of strikes before Edwards turns him inside out with a clothesline. Alisha distracts the referee while Myers grabs Bailey on the apron. Trent Seven neutralizes Myers before Eddie kicks him to the floor. Alisha grabs the leg of Bailey, which gives Eddie time to avoid a second Ultima Weapon attempt. Eddie hits the Boston Knee Party to win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Steve Maclin def. Chris Sabin
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
It’s main event time as former TNA World Champions collide, Steve Maclin and Chris Sabin! Sabin targets the left arm of Maclin in the early going. Maclin drops him gut-first over the top rope to gain control. Maclin wears his opponent down as he delivers a back suplex. Sabin bites Maclin on the top rope, then soars with a missile drop kick. Sabin hits a neckbreaker, followed by a DDT for two. Sabin locks in a Crossface but Maclin rolls to the ropes in order to break the hold. Sabin crashes and burns on a slingshot crossbody, as Maclin capitalizes with a diving knee. Sabin avoids Caught in the Crosshairs but gets turned inside out with a clothesline. Maclin hits Mayhem For All for another near fall. Both men exchanges strikes in the middle of the ring. Nobody is home for the SCUD Missile as Maclin collides with the floor. Maclin barely makes it back into the ring before the referee’s 10 count. Sabin spikes with the Satellite DDT but it’s not enough. Sabin is Caught in the Crosshairs but the damage to the left arm prevents Maclin from hitting the follow-up KIA. Maclin fights through a bridge and successfully hits the KIA to win.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
This week’s episode of TNA was, compared to previous weeks, a little less exciting and a lot more “pro wrestling.” And by that I mean there seemed to be a lot of focus on backstage stuff, interviews, promos etc. and not so much the storytelling in the ring. For me anyway. What we did get, in terms of in-ring action, was good for the most part. The 8-4-1 match had a surprise entry AND said surprise when on to get the win. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, TNA do with Steph De Lander. I know TNA are reportedly moving to pay-per-appearance fees which means they can get wrestlers in for shorter stints but will that affect storylines going forward? Tracy Williams did a fantastic job in his match against Josh Alexander, giving the latter a new challenge – which is good seeing as he’s made his way through, and defeated, most of the current roster! Personally I think the wrong man won the Edwards/Bailey match but that’s personal taste. As for the main event… Maclin was a monster in this one! Though Sabin didn’t hold back either, both men delivering a great main event to end the show.
