PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

LAST STOP BEFORE SLAMMIVERSARY: TNA IMPACT ON AXS TV REPORT

Welcome to PWInsider.com’s coverage of TNA Impact! for July 18, 2024!

Scheduled for tonight's edition of TNA Impact on AXS TV/TNA+:

Last stop before Slammiversary

Slammiversary main event contract signing

TNA Tag Team Champions The System vs. Matt & Jeff Hardy

NXT's No Quarter Catch Crew vs. The Rascalz & KUSHIDA

Xia Brookside vs. Alisha Edwards

Mike Santana vs. Johnny Dango Curtis

Impact! starts off with a video package of the events from last week - the scuffle between Frankie Kazarian and Nic Nemeth, along with the tag team match between Moose and Steve Maclin vs. Joe Hendry and Josh Alexander.

Tom Hannifan welcomes us to the show as the entrances for the first match get started.

NXT's No Quarter Catch Crew vs. The Rascalz & KUSHIDA

Zachary Wentz and Charlie Dempsey start things off. They lock up and Dempsey works the arm with some catch wrestling. Wentz reverses it and they run the ropes. Dempsey hits a big uppercut and brings Wentz to the corner. Wentz tags in Trey Miguel and they hit a big tag team move. Trey Miguel uses his speed to bring down Myles Borne. Borne gets back the advantage and brings in Tavion Heights. KUSHIDA is brought in. KUSHIDA distracts the official as The Rascalz work on Heights.

Heights is able to shake off The Rascalz and take down KUSHIDA. Dempsey tags back in. He begins to work KUSHIDA’s back with a big backbreaker. Dempsey wraps up KUSHIDA’s legs and tags Heights back in. Heights throws KUSHIDA into the corner and throws in some blows on the ground. Borne is tagged in and KUSHIDA is able to fight off their double team.

KUSHIDA rolls through and tags in Wentz. Wentz comes off the top rope for a double drop kick. He shows off some power on Borne with a big German suplex. Dempsey is tagged in, but Wentz and Miguel are able to isolate him and they end up hitting a triple team drop kick on him with KUSHIDA. With all three members of No Quarter Catch Crew on the outside, The Rascalz and KUSHIDA all hit a dive over the top rope to lay the NXT team out.

KUSHIDA tries to hold down the fort inside the ring as the No Quarter Catch Crew attempt to make their way back in and he is able to slap on the Hoverboard Lock on Heights. Dempsey tries to break it up, but KUSHIDA doesn’t break the hold until Dempsey gets in a Hoverboard Lock of his own. KUSHIDA reverses it and The Rascalz lock Heights and Borne into submissions, as well. 

All three members of No Quarter Catch Crew lift their opponents for a big slam and the crowd chants “This is Awesome!”

KUSHIDA begins to kick at the leg of Dempsey and hits a Pele kick to bring him down. Miguel holds Dempsey on the ropes for a big top rope move from Wentz and KUSHIDA. As they set up the move, Jonathan Gresham comes out and distracts KUSHIDA. KUSHIDA runs at him and they go into the back. Wentz hits the move solo. He goes for a pin on Dempsey, but the NXT team breaks it up.

Everyone is down. Trey Miguel is bleeding from the lip. It’s now three on two with NXT having the advantage. Miguel is thrown out of the ring and No Quarter Catch Crew takes advantage of the three on one on Wentz to get the pin.

Winners: No Quarter Catch Crew

Tom Hannifan runs down the matches for tonight, along with the contract signing for the TNA Heavyweight Title match at Slammiversary. We got to commercial.

Back from commercial, Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel sit down in a familiar dark room. Trey Miguel looks at Wentz and asks, “How long has Dez been here?” Wentz says, “That’s not Dez…it’s Wes now.” Trey says, “I’m not calling him Wes. What if there’s a fire!” Wentz urges Trey to call Wes by his new name and Trey agrees. Wes Lee says, “It’s not that hard.” 

Trey pokes Wes to make sure he’s real. Wes says he’s not a hologram or a clone. He says it’s been four years since they’ve been in the room. Wentz makes a…suggestion for old times sake. Wes says no! He says, though, that since Slammiversary is on Saturday and The Rascalz have been having issues with No Quarter Catch Crew, he’s thinking that the three of them can run wild on them together. Wentz makes a…suggestion again and Wes agrees this time.

Tom Hannifan talks about the Women’s Tag Team Championship match (The Malisha vs. Spitfire) and Four-Way women’s match (Tasha Steelz vs. Faby Apache vs. Gisele Shaw vs. Xia Brookside) on Saturday.

Alisha Edwards (with Masha Slamovich) vs. Xia Brookside

They start off trash talking before Xia Brookside pushes Alisha Edwards and then puts her in a headlock. Alisha counters to an arm wrench, which Xia uses the ropes to flip out of. Brookside charges into the corner, but Alisha moves and hits a big time backstabber. She follows up by choking Xia on the ropes and kicking her hard in the chest.

Alisha snaps Xia over and stands on her hair as she pulls on her arms. Alisha goes to do it again, but Xia counters. Alisha counters back with a big slam, followed by punches. Alisha wraps Xia up and uses her legs to drive her head down into the mat. Alisha throws Xia into the ropes and Xia is able to use the momentum to bring Alisha down. Xia goes for the pin and gets a two.

Xia hits a running attack in the corner and gets another two count. Xia goes to the second rope and hits a cross body on Alisha. Another two count. Masha Slamovich warns Alisha of an incoming corner attack. Alisha moves and Xia flies to the outside. Masha goes to attack Xia, but Spitfire comes and beats down Masha.

Back inside, Xia stops Alisha from coming off the ropes. She hits the Brooksy Bomb for the win! Spitfire comes into the ring to celebrate with Xia Brookside as we go to commercial.

Winner: Xia Brookside

Back from commercial, B-roll footage airs as Mike Santana says that since coming back to TNA, he’s had a mission to go after the top spot. He knew it would be tough because the roster is stacked. But he thrives in the trenches. When the odds are stacked, he feels at home. JDC came after him and joined The System. He says that JDC is going to regret it.

Tom Hannifan throws to a video of Mustafa Ali getting “jumped” by Mike Bailey earlier today as Ali pulled up in his limo. Bailey is shown reaching into the back window and trying to drag Ali out.

Back in the arena, Mike Bailey marches out and takes a microphone from the announcer’s table. He goes into the ring and says that he and Mustafa Ali need to put an end to things right now! He is not leaving the ring until Ali comes out and fights him. 

Mustafa Ali appears on the screen with Campaign Singh and an upgraded security team (bulletproof vests, helmets, and nightsticks). Ali accepts the fight for tonight, as long as Bailey earns it. If Bailey wins the Secret Service Gauntlet, Ali will fight Bailey tonight.

The Secret Service Gauntlet

Four security team members come out and line up at the bottom of the ramp as Mike Bailey is in the ring. One of them enters the ring and Mike Bailey drops him with a crescent kick and a quick pin. One down.

The second security team member comes in and Mike Bailey makes quick work of him, as well. The third member comes in. Bailey goes to attack, but the security member exits the ring. Bailey hits a dive and continues to beat him up outside of the ring. Bailey toys with his food for a little while before getting the pin.

The fourth security team member comes in. Bailey hits a judo throw and locks in an armbar. The security team member is able to grab the ropes. He gets a quick shot in on Bailey’s leg, but Bailey shakes it off, hits some signature moves, and gets the pin.

Campaign Singh comes out and says that it was a valiant effort. He says that he knows everyone is expecting Mustafa Ali, but Mike Bailey must defeat him first. Singh calls Philadelphia hostile as they boo him.

Mike Bailey vs. Campaign Singh

A security team member attacks Bailey from behind, allowing Singh to enter the ring and get the advantage on Mike Bailey. Mr. Singh hits a big ura-nage for a two count. He lays in some punches and hits a backbreaker. 

Bailey is able to grab a quick small package, but Singh kicks out. Mike Bailey hits a spinning kick and then the Ultima Weapon. He gets the pin.

Winner: Mike Bailey

Mustafa Ali’s music hits. The upgraded security comes out first with no sign of Mustafa Ali. Mike Bailey is completely focused on the ramp where the already beaten security members and Singh are licking their wounds. With his focus on them, he doesn’t see that one of the upgraded security members has snuck into the ring. The security member lays out Mike Bailey. The security member takes off his helmet and it’s Mustafa Ali!

Ali beats up Bailey and then forces the ref to make the three count. The referee obliges and Ali celebrates with Singh in the ring.

Back from commercial, Ali is in the back with Singh and his security. “Don’t you love it when a plan comes together?” he asks. He officially announces that his match on Saturday against Mike Bailey has been removed. Santino Marella shows up and tells Ali to never touch an official again. He says that the “match” that just happened wasn’t official. Therefore, the match on Saturday is still on (he threatens to fire Ali if he doesn’t wrestle) and he hopes Mike Bailey kicks his ass. Ali tells Santino that what happens to Mike Bailey is “on him.”

TNA Tag Team Championship Match: The System (champions) vs. Matt & Jeff Hardy

Big reaction for Matt and Jeff Hardy during their entrance. They are teaming up for the first time in seven years inside of a TNA ring.

Jade Chung introduces both teams and Matt Hardy and Brian Myers start things off. They lock up. Brian Myers brings Matt into the corner and taunts him. Matt pushes him down and taunts him back. Matt counters into an arm wrench and brings in Jeff Hardy. That brings in Eddie Edwards. The Hardys throw out Myers and hit Poetry in Motion on Edwards. Edwards and Myers take a breather on the outside as The Hardys pump up the crowd.

Myers comes back in and hits a cheap shot on Jeff Hardy as they tease a test of strength. Edwards is tagged in and he goads Matt into trying to get into the ring. With this distraction, The System work over Jeff. The System hit some quick tags and strikes in the corner. Hardy is able to hit a jawbreaker on Edwards and tags in Matt.

Matt slams Edwards a few times and knocks Myers off the mat. He drives the head of Edwards into the turnbuckle. He does the same to Myers. Matt goes to the top rope, but Edwards stops him. Matt hits a swinging DDT for a two count.

Myers runs around the ring, attacks Jeff, and then slides into the ring for a spear on Matt. The System has the advantage going into a commercial break.

Back from commercial, Myers still has the advantage on Matt Hardy, but Matt hits Myers in the midsection a few times before Myers is able to get him back down. Edwards tags in. Matt is whipped into the ropes and is able to counter to bring Edwards down. Myers runs in and knocks Jeff Hardy off the mat to keep the advantage. The System continues to work over Matt in the corner. Edwards hits a series of close up clotheslines on Matt for a two count. Myers tags in.

Edwards puts Matt on the second rope and goes for the backpack as Myers waits on the ropes of the opposite corner. Matt pushes Edwards into the corner, dropping Myers. Matt is able to tag in Jeff, who uses a downed Edwards to hit Poetry in Motion on Myers. He hits a leg drop on Myers, but Edwards attacks from behind. Jeff hits Whisper in the Wind on The System. Edwards breaks up the count.

Both Hardys hit Twists of Fate on Myers. Jeff goes up to the top for a Swanton Bomb. JDC runs out and pushes Jeff off the top rope, as the referee calls for the bell.

Winners: The Hardys by Disqualification

The System then beat up The Hardys, with JDC and Edwards putting a chair around Jeff’s neck as they throw him into the ring post. Myers is making Matt watch.

Referees and officials come out to stop the beatdown. Matt checks on Jeff and the doctor calls for a neck brace for Jeff Hardy. A stretcher is brought out for Jeff, as officials try to get The System to leave. The medical staff is shown taking care of Jeff Hardy while JDC is still in the ring. We go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Mike Santana comes out and goes right after JDC, who is still in the ring.

JDC vs. Mike Santana

Mike Santana goes on the attack right away. The action goes to the outside, with Santana retaining the advantage.

During the match, they cut to Matt Hardy going with Jeff Hardy into the ambulance. Tommy Dreamer stops him and says that Reby is hurt, though. Matt rushes to her side and she is clutching her arm. She says that “it was JDC.”

Back in the ring, Santana is working JDC in the corner. He whips him across the ring, as Tom Hannifan talks about it being a horrible night for The Hardys. JDC is able to pull Santana into the corner. He removes the protective padding from the middle turnbuckle and grinds Santana’s head into it. He then hits a backbreaker on Santana onto the stairs.

On the outside, JDC bites at Santana’s forehead. He throws him back into the ring and hits a chop in the corner. JDC goes back to biting the forehead, as Tom Hannifan says to stay tuned to all TNA social media accounts for updates on The Hardys.

Santana is able to fight back, but JDC throws him to the outside. JDC tries to hit him with a chair, but he misses and hits the ring post. Santana uses the swing and a miss to lay out JDC. Both men are down and ref starts the 10 count. The ref gets to 9 and both men JUST make it into the ring in time.

They trade punches and corner attacks. Santana hits a big Death Valley Driver for a two count. Santana takes off his elbow pad and tries to Spin the Block. JDC ducks and hits an Air Raid Crash for a two count. JDC brings Santana to the corner and sets him up on the top rope. He hits a Falcon Arrow from the top for a two count.

Santana rolls outside. JDC tries to use a chair again. Santana ducks and throws JDC into the ring post. Santana grabs the chair and hits JDC in the back. The referee immediately calls for the bell.

Winner: JDC by Disqualification

Santana hits JDC with the chair a few more times. Security comes out to stop him and Santana throws them all away. He then hits Spin the Block on JDC on the outside. Inside the ring, Santana celebrates the beatdown as JDC is shown on the outside all bloody. We go to commercial.

Back from commercial, Tom Hannifan is sitting with Jordynne Grace. Jordynne Grace says that Ash by Elegance has had a front row seat for her title reign up until Ash by Elegance went on her vacation recently. Jordynne says that being on the TNA return show and in the Royal Rumble were mind blowing dreams come true. Tom Hannifan talks about this reign’s accolades and mentions Jordynne’s appearances in NXT. Jordynne said that it’s a crazy time in professional wrestling. Tom Hannifan says that Ash by Elegance spoiled Jordynne’s opportunity at NXT Battleground to be a double champ in both TNA and NXT. Jordynne says that the possibility of doing that isn’t over. However, the focus is on Ash by Elegance on Saturday. She says that Ash by Elegance is overly confident, which is dangerous. She’s going to let Ash know that she’s not untouchable. Jordynne says that she’s not worried about Ash by Elegance’s Personal Concierge. 

In the back, Ash by Elegance’s Personal Concierge is shown on the phone talking to Ash by Elegance. He’s talking about how Ash is all set up with the best stuff for Saturday. As he is doing so, Rosemary quietly sneaks up behind him. She looks really angry, but doesn’t do anything before disappearing. Ash by Elegance’s Personal Concierge senses something, but is able to walk away unscathed and never notices Rosemary. 

Slammiversary Main Event Contract Signing

Santino Marella is in the ring and brings out the competitors for the Six-Way Main Event for the TNA Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary: Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin, Frankie Kazarian, Joe Hendry (Tom Hannifan talks about Hendry’s appearance on NXT during his entrance), and Moose. Tom Hannifan explains that no one is sure about Nic Nemeth’s health, so his status for Saturday is in question.

Santino says that this should be easy. Everyone is just going to sign the contract and that’s it. He makes note of the empty seat, which is supposed to be for Nic Nemeth. Nic then appears on video. He calls Moose a coward champion. He can’t wait to tear it up with Josh Alexander. He says that he can’t wait to wrestle Maclin again. He says that Kaz can kiss his ass. As for Joe Hendry, even he is rooting for Joe Hendry…just a little bit. He tells Santino to “keep being Santino.” As for his health, he has a partially torn labrum. He blames himself for being hurt. He says that he’ll be at Slammiversary and medically cleared despite the injury, though, and claims he’ll be winning the title.

Santino confirms what Nic says about his health and then tells everyone to sign the contract. Maclin and Alexander have some words as they sign. Kazarian tries to read the fine print, but eventually signs. The crowd is fully behind Joe Hendry as he goes to sign, but Moose rips the contract out of his hands. He signs it and gives it back to Joe Hendry.

Just as Hendry goes to sign, AJ Francis and Rich Swann come out. AJ Francis says that they are confused. The men in the ring might be signing the contract, but AJ Francis is the one in the main event. He takes credit for Slammiversary being such a big show.

He enters the ring and says that he respects everyone in the title match - everyone but Joe Hendry. He tells everyone in the ring that, after their match on Saturday, they better thank him for the house since he’s the main event. 

Santino says that he doesn’t appreciate AJ Francis spitting in his mouth while he was talking. He tells AJ Francis to get out of the ring. AJ Francis tells Santino to make him, as PCO is shown creeping into the ring. PCO attacks AJ Francis from behind and lays out Rich Swann. He flips over the table and dives onto AJ Francis on the outside.

With them out of the way, Moose kicks Hendry as Kazarian attacks Alexander. Maclin takes out Kazarian, as Moose lays out Alexander. Moose stomps on Hendry, as Kazarian and Maclin battle on the outside.

Moose sets up the table and goes to powerbomb Hendry through it. Alexander interrupts the attack and Joe Hendry is able to hit the Standing OVation on Moose through the table. Josh Alexander hands Joe Hendry the contract and he finally signs it.

Thank you for reading PWInsider.com’s coverage of TNA Impact! Join us on Saturday as we bring you live coverage of TNA Slammiversary! See you then!

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet