‘TNA Wrestling: Turning Point 2024’ PPV Review
Last year’s Turning Point emanated from Newcastle, England and came at a time when Impact was riding high on their UK tour and news that the TNA brand was returning in the new year (aka this year). But we’re a year on from that now and TNA has been through numerous changes – including departures behind and in front of the camera, and a new working relationship with WWE… So what will this year’s pay-per-view bring? Let’s check it out!
Countdown to Turning Point:
Match #1: Rosemary def. Xia Brookside & Savannah Evans
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
It’s 3-Way Knockouts action! Brookside leaps off the second turnbuckle but she’s caught by Rosemary and Evans, who drive her into the apron. Evans misses a big boot in the corner as Brookside goes on the attack. Brookside hits Evans with a splash, followed by running double knees to Rosemary. Everyone is down following a flurry of action, culminating with a reverse DDT from Rosemary to Brookside. Brookside hits Evans with the Brooksie Bomb. Rosemary pulls her off the pin and puts Brookside away with the Spear.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Turning Point:
Match #1: Mike Santana def. Frankie Kazarian
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Mike Santana takes on Frankie Kazarian to kick off Turning Point! Santana dives through the ropes, knocking Kazarian back-first into the guardrail. Kazarian bounces back with his signature Guillotine leg drop, before shoving Santana to the floor. Kazarian spikes him with a DDT on the apron but Santana makes it back in before the referee’s count of 10. Santana creates separation to begin building momentum. Santana connects with the Rolling Buck 50 for two. Santana counters the slingshot DDT into a Northern Lights suplex. Kazarian hits the slingshot cutter for a near fall of his own. Santana puts Kazarian away with Spin the Block for three!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl – Joe Hendry def. Brian Myers, Eric Young, Hammerstone, Rhino & John Skyler
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Whoever loses must wear the infamous turkey suit – or be fired! Before the match begins, Skyler puts a target on his back when he speaks his mind to his opponents. The action is fast and furious as Hammerstone appears to fight through an injury. Rhino picks Myers, Skyler and Young off the top with a Tower of Doom out of the corner. Hendry hits Myers with the Standing Ovation to score the victory!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: X-Division Championship – Moose def. Laredo Kid
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Moose defends his newly-won X-Division Title against Laredo Kid! The fight spills to the outside where Moose whips him into the steel guardrails. Moose tries to rip off the mask of Laredo Kid but to no avail. Moose distracts the referee, allowing Alisha Edwards to attack Laredo from the outside. Laredo counters the spear into a pinning predicament for two. Laredo leaps off the top rope, taking out Moose on the floor. Laredo soars with the Laredo Fly but is unable to quickly capitalize, and Moose kicks out at two. Moose gets his knees up on a 450 attempt, followed by a Spear. Moose hits another Spear to win!
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Steve Maclin def. Josh Alexander
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Josh Alexander and Steve Maclin collide with No Disqualifications! They brawl around the ringside area where Alexander hits a back body drop on the solid concrete. Back in the ring, Alexander secures an Ankle Lock until Maclin breaks it up with use of a trash can lid. Alexander places a trash can over the head of Maclin before erasing him off the apron with a running crossbody. Maclin dropkicks a door into the face of Alexander. Alexander attempts a Piledriver into a pair of steel chairs but Maclin counters into an Alabama Slam. Alexander hurls a chair into Maclin’s face, then drops him over the top rope through a table on the floor. Maclin turns the tide as Alexander is Caught in the Crosshairs numerous times. Maclin has the match won following the KIA but pulls Alexander’s shoulders off the mat. Maclin pours a bag of bullet shell casings on the mat. Maclin counters a top rope C4 Spike into a KIA into the shell casings. Maclin scores the pinfall to win!
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #5: The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) & Ace Austin def. Zachary Wentz, KUSHIDA & Matt Riddle
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
After Trey Miguel was unable to compete due to travel issues, Matt Riddle is revealed as his replacement for this huge six-man tag team match! Ace and The Hardys work the arm of KUSHIDA in the early going. Riddle hits Austin with a Fisherman’s suplex for two. Riddle goes for a running senton but Austin gets his knees up. Jeff takes out Wentz and KUSHIDA with Whisper in the Wind. The Hardys continue the attack with Poetry in Motion to Wentz. Jeff hits a Canadian Destroyer on Wentz. KUSHIDA connects with a double handspring back elbow to both of the Hardys. Jeff fights off the Hoverboard Lock, then soars with a Twist of Fate to win!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: 2 Out of 3 Falls match for the Knockouts World Championship – Masha Slamovich def. Jordynne Grace
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
Jordynne Grace challenges Masha Slamovich in a 2 Out of 3 Falls match for the Knockouts World Championship! Slamovich attempts a Package Piledriver but Grace counters into one of her own on the hardest part of the ring. They brawl on the floor where Slamovich hits a Piledriver on the floor. Slamovich breaks the referee’s count, not wanting to win the first fall by countout. Back in the ring, Grace stacks up Slamovich to score the first fall. Grace locks in a Full Nelson to continue to wear Slamovich down. Slamovich transitions into a Sleeper but Grace breaks it up with a modified driver. Grace attempts the Grace Driver but Slamovich counters into a rollup to score the second fall. Rosemary is seen watching on from the top of the walkway. Meanwhile, Slamovich hits Grace with a sitdown powerbomb in the ring. Slamovich connects with the Package Piledriver to win the third fall and retain the Knockouts World Championship!
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #7: TNA World Championship – Nic Nemeth def. Eddie Edwards
The following is courtesy of tnawrestling.com:
It’s main event time at Turning Point as Nic Nemeth puts the TNA World Title on the line against Eddie Edwards! Alisha Edwards gets involved from ringside, putting her hands on Nemeth while Eddie has the referee distracted. Eddie is in control as he wears Nemeth down in the early going. Nemeth creates some much-needed separation, the hits a series of elbow drops. Nemeth accidently superkicks the timekeeper after Eddie ducks out of the way. Back in the ring, Nemeth soars off the top with an elbow drop for two. Alisha trips up Nemeth from ringside, as Eddie capitalizes with a backbreaker. Eventually, the referee ejects Alisha from ringside. Eddie almost puts Nemeth away with his trusted Backpack Stunner. Nemeth bounces back with the Famouser for a near fall of his own. Alisha Edwards is back at ringside and cracks Nemeth in the head with the title. Eddie hits the Boston Knee Party but it’s still not enough to keep Nemeth down. Eddie is sent to the Danger Zone but kicks out just in time. Brian Myers is out next but is neutralized by John Layfield with the Clothesline from Hell. Amidst the chaos, Nemeth hits one final superkick, followed by the Danger Zone to win!
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
What an odd pay-per-view. We got some REALLY good matches, some of the best we’ve had from TNA in months but the whole thing felt like TNA of old, focusing on “stars” from “bigger” promotions and seemingly giving them more of a spotlight than home-grown talent. This is probably why a lot of said talent is moving elsewhere! Though kudos to Santana and Kazarian, both of whom returned to the promotion this year and show how it SHOULD be done when you’re a former/current TNA wrestler… Same with Jordynne Grace who, rumour has it, is headed to WWE in the near future. If that is the case, and she’s putting over Masha – a wrestler who came into TNA on a high then floundered somewhat – you’ve got to hand it to her sheer professionalism. However… For me, TNA have lost it when they’re pushing the over-the-hill Hardys instead of using them to get younger talent over. And then there’s Matt Riddle. WTF are TNA thinking? Are they so desperate that they think his name recognition outdoes his bad reputation? I hope this was a one-off, or at least a short-term contract, because signing Riddle is, IMHO, a big mistake. Thankfully his debut came late in the PPV so didn’t sour me on the show too much. Though having that fantastic women’s championship match as a follow-up was the right decision. By the time Grace and Slamovich finished, I had almost forgotten about Riddle. Almost… I wish I totally could have if I’m honest!
