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Welcome to PWInsider.com’s TNA iMPACT! coverage for August 15, 2024. Scheduled for tonight's TNA Impact on AXS TV and TNA+ is:
TNA Champion Nic Nemeth vs. Josh Alexander
Ultimate X Qualifying Match: Chris Bey vs. John Skyler vs. WWE NXT's Riley Osbourne
Ultimate X Qualifying Match: Ace Austin vs. Jason Hotch vs. Rich Swann
Moose vs. Mike Santana
Gisele Shaw vs. Tasha Steelz with several referees officiating
The show starts with a recap from last week. It shows Ash by Elegance getting involved in Jordynne Grace’s match with Rosemary, the setup for the Josh Alexander and Nic Nemeth match that will be taking place tonight, Joe Hendry’s match with Wolfgang, and Matt Cardona stopping PCO from making it to his honeymoon with Steph De Lander.
Ultimate X Qualifying Match: Chris Bey vs. John Skyler vs. WWE NXT's Riley Osbourne
On his way to the ring, John Skyler talks on the microphone. He tells the audience to shut up and informs them that Jason Hotch is warming up in the back, getting ready to win his qualifying match. He says that it doesn’t matter if it’s him or Hotch, the X at Emergence is coming down into Good Hands.
Just as the match is about to start, Frankie Kazarian’s music plays. He walks out and joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary. He is out to scout the competition for the match that exists because of him - Ultimate X.
John Skyler rolls out of the ring to avoid getting into the action, but Chris Bey immediately dives on him and tosses him back into the ring. Bey and Riley Osbourne take turns at striking Skyler. Bey goes for a quick roll up on Osbourne after Skyler is tossed from the ring, but Osbourne kicks out.
Osbourne and Bey lock up and then hit a bunch of reversals until Osbourne hits a running hurricanrana on Bey. Skyler pops back into the ring and hits Osbourne from behind before focusing on Bey. Bey reverses that into a series of corner chops. Skyler is able to throw Bey overhead into the corner and into Osbourne. This gives Skyler the advantage on Osbourne as Bey rolls out of the rings.
Skyler targets Osbourne’s back and gets him into a Boston Crab. Osbourne is able to kick him off into an attack from the outside by Bey. Bey strikes Skyler out of the ring. Osbourne does the same to Bey and then hits a big dive on both men.
Osbourne gets Skyler back in the ring and hits him with a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Bey is back in the ring and throws Osbourne into a spear by Skyler. Skyler tries to launch himself at Bey, but gets hit by a cutter. Bey then hits the Art of Finesse on Osbourne. Skyler tosses Bey into the ringpost and goes to steal the cover on Osbourne. At two, Osbourne reverses the pin and almost gets the victory.
They stand back up and Osbourne slams Skyler down. He goes to the top rope and hits a Shooting Star Press for the win!
Winner: Riley Osbourne, who qualifies for the Ultimate X Match at Emergence
A video is shown from earlier today when Nic Nemeth pulled up to the venue. Gia Miller approaches him and asks for his thoughts about his match with Josh Alexander tonight. Nemeth says that Alexander is the past of TNA. Nemeth is the future. In fact, the entire roster is the future of TNA. Tonight, he will stand over Alexander and prove how good he is.
Santino Marella is in the ring. Based on what happened last week, he calls for Matt Qdoba (Cardona) to come to the ring. Santino asks Cardona if he is proud of himself. Not only did Cardona make Steph Dillinger (De Lander) cry, not only did he hit Pico (PCO) with a brick…he also elbowed Santino in the jaw and his jaw was loose for three days! But…that’s not the way things are done in TNA, so Santino has a proposition for him.
Cardona says that he doesn’t work for anyone, including TNA. He works for himself. He admits to crashing the wedding and hitting PCO. He says that he also hit Santino and that if Santino wants to continue to get involved, he’ll do it again. Santino says that what Cardona just said was evidence. Santino used to watch Columbo and with Cardona’s evidence, he can have him prosecuted!
Instead, he’s going to give Cardona an opportunity to fight Pico (PCO) in Tampa. If Cardona doesn’t sign the contract, Santino is going to prostitute/prosecute (I don’t know if that slip up was on purpose or not, but the crowd enjoyed it and Cardona sold it nicely) Cardona and send him to jail.
“JAIL?!” Cardona asks. The crowd hits him with a “Prostitute” chant. Cardona says that he wouldn’t survive in jail. Santino says that Cardona, with his looks, would be very desirable. Cardona asks for the contract and he says that he and his lawyers will look it over. Cardona says that Santino can trust him. Santino is proud of himself. He says, “Santino 1 - Qdoba 0.”
A digital exclusive is shown. Frankie Kazarian has figured out how to get himself back into World Title contention. Eric Young walks in and says that he’s been screwed, too. That brings in Steve Maclin, who is frustrated with the two TNA originals complaining about being screwed. He stares down Kazarian who leaves. Maclin then smirks at Eric Young.
A video of Steve Maclin is shown. He talks about how, since Slammiversary, things haven’t been going as planned. He had complete control of the championship match, but he got caught. He has made it his goal to get back to the World Title and he’ll keep stacking bodies until it happens. He singles out Eric Young. He says that they’ve never competed against each other and he plans to change that. Eric Young is a flagbearer of TNA, but Steve Maclin is the new blood of TNA. Eric Young will be the first body stacked.
Gisele Shaw vs. Tasha Steelz (with several referees officiating)
During the entrances, Tom Hannifan recaps why extra referees are out for this match - due to Tasha Steelz and her nefarious wins over Gisele Shaw over the last few weeks.
Steelz charges at Shaw and Shaw ducks. She hits Steelz with some chops and then goes for a charge of her own. Steelz blocks it, but Shaw regains control. She gets Steelz in a big press and drops her down into a slam for a two count. Steelz rolls out of the ring. Shaw goes for a dive, but Steelz moves, so Shaw slides out of the ring. Steelz pushes Shaw into the post and steps.
Steelz grabs a wrench from under the ring. One of the extra referees sees it and reports it to the main referee. The wrench is confiscated. Back in the ring, Steelz gets the advantage and hits a running knee for a two count. Steelz goes for a strike, but Shaw is able to block it and hits a series of strikes of her own.
Shaw grabs Steelz and dumps her down on her head. After a two count, Shaw hits a big spinebuster, followed by Shock and Awe for a two count. Shaw goes for a knee strike, but Steelz ducks, lands a superkick, and hits a big jawbreaker for a two count.
Steelz tunes up the band, but the superkick gets blocked. Shaw gets Steelz up on her shoulders, but Steelz grabs at Shaw’s face. She gets Shaw down for a pin and puts her feet on the ropes for leverage, but one of the extra referees breaks it up. Steelz jaws at the referee, which allows Shaw to hit a kick and the Denouement for the win!
Winner: Gisele Shaw
Mike Santana vs. Moose is supposed to be next, but it is shown that he Santana down on the ground in the back thanks to The System, who stands over him until security shows up.
The issue between Joe Hendry, Wes Lee, and Pete Dunne from NXT is shown. On Tuesday, they will face each other in a triple threat to determine who will face Ethan Page for the NXT Championship.
The System comes to the ring. Alisha Edwards says that she knows everyone was ready to see Moose vs. Mike Santana tonight, but unfortunately…Santana is not medically cleared. Moose will have the night off. No, wait!...Mike Santana’s music hits. He is shown in bad shape (favoring his arm), but pushes off an official in order to make his way to the ring.
Mike Santana enters through the crowd. Brian Myers attacks, but Santana lays him out. The same with Eddie Edwards. Santana makes it to the ring and lays out JDC, but is attacked from behind by Moose.
Moose vs. Mike Santana
The bell rings and Moose puts the boots to Santana. Santana tries to fight back, but Moose throws him hard into the corner. Twice. Moose taunts the crowd at ringside and then hits a bunch of 12 to 6 elbows on Santana on the apron. Moose hits a big chop on Santana with Santana sitting on the apron.
Santana tries to fight back on the floor and creates some separation, but Moose hits a Uranage on the apron. They return to the ring and Moose slows down the pace with calculated strikes while Santana is down. Moose hits an arm ringer and tosses Santana to the outside where he lands a series of strikes on Santana’s arm.
Moose lays out Santana with some kicks to the face and a slam on the floor. With Santana down, Moose punches at Santana’s head. The referee goes out to break it up, so Moose gets in his face as he heads back into the ring. This allows The System to throw Santana into the post.
Santana almost gets counted out, but makes it into the ring just in time. Moose gets on top of him right away and punches him in the head some more followed by a choke. The referee breaks it up and Alisha Edwards lays it into Santana with the referee’s back turned.
Santana slowly makes it to his knees and tells Moose to bring it. Moose hits him and Santana spits at Moose. Moose hits him again and Santana finds some energy to take the advantage on Moose. He charges at Moose, but Moose targets the arm again.
They go back and forth with some strikes. Santana reverses the Uranage into a two count. Moose hits a big boot. Santana gets thrown into the corner, but he rolls back and catches Moose in a cutter, followed by cannonball for a two count. Santana is feeling the momentum. He goes for Spin the Block, but it’s blocked. Moose hits the ropes and Santana is able to hit Spin the Block on the second try. He’s slow to the pin, though, and Moose rolls out of the ring.
Santana follows him out and throws him back into the ring. He kicks Moose through the ropes. Moose is able to get a hold of Santana’s arm, though, and drags it down over the ropes. He follows that up with a Spear for the win.
Winner: Moose
The System hovers over Santana after the match until Joe Hendry’s music hits. He runs down with a chair, so The System exits the ring. Joe Hendry tells The System that they are making a lot of enemies. Hendry says that The System seems to understand strength in numbers. Therefore, next week, Moose and JDC will be facing two more enemies of their own - Matt and Jeff Hardy!
In the back, Jody Threat and Dani Luna talk about Alisha Edwards and Masha Slamovich being cheaters. They want another shot at the titles.
The interference by Ash by Elegance in the Jordynne Grace vs. Rosemary is shown. Jordynne Grace is shown talking about how she thought she was done with Ash by Elegance. If Ash wants a fight, she’ll get one.
Ultimate X Qualifying Match: Ace Austin vs. Jason Hotch vs. Rich Swann (with AJ Francis)
AJ Francis joined the commentary desk.
The match starts off with a bunch of athletic reversals until Rich Swann takes control on Ace Austin. He’s striking him down until Jason Hotch returns to the action. Austin gets back involved and disposes of Swann to the outside. This allows Hotch to take back the advantage, though.
Hotch is striking Austin down on the mat until Swann comes back in. Hotch is disposed of and Swann and Austin exchange some hard strikes. Hotch comes back in and takes Swann’s back. Austin hits a sunset flip, which causes Hotch to German Suplex Swann. Swann lands on his feet. There are a series of reversals until Austin and Swann hit a big double team on Hotch. Austin almost gets a two on Swann with a roll up.
Austin goes for a running strike, but Hotch grabs him. Austin goes to the outside and Swann hits a big dive on both men. Austin pushes Swann into Francis at the desk and then focuses on Hotch. He tosses Hotch into the ring. With the referee’s back turned, Francis takes out Austin. This brings out Chris Bey, who hits a dive on Swann and Francis.
Hotch and Austin are in the ring. Hotch misses a corner attack and Austin hits a kick. John Skyler comes out and distracts Austin, allowing Hotch to get a roll up for the win!
Winner: Jason Hotch, who qualifies for the Ultimate X Match at Emergence
In the back, Matt Cardona is with Santino Marella. Cardona looked over the contract and it’s looking good. However, he has a better idea - what about Matt Cardona, Steph De Lander and a Mystery Partner vs. PCO, Rhino, and Xia Brookside in Tampa. Santino agrees, but wants Cardona vs. Pico (PCO) at Emergence. Cardona agrees and signs the contract. Santino is proud of himself again. “Santino 2 - Qdoba 0.”
TNA Championship Match: Nic Nemeth (champion) vs. Josh Alexander
During the Tale of the Tape, Tom Hannifan says that there is a 30-minute time limit due to the TV time remaining.
After Jade Chung makes the introductions, Josh Alexander and Nic Nemeth circle the ring and lock up. Alexander quickly goes behind and slams Nemeth down. Nemeth answers with some nice amateur wrestling of his own. They go back and forth with some holds before Alexander hits a hip toss on Nemeth. The crowd is on Alexander’s case, so he goes out and kicks the guardrail.
Josh Alexander gets control when he returns to the ring. Nemeth has trouble getting out of Alexander’s control before finally driving Alexander into the corner. Nemeth gets on Alexander’s back, but Alexander drives Nemeth into the turnbuckles. He regains the advantage on Nemeth, slowing down the pace and grinding Nemeth’s face in the ropes.
Alexander hits a big forearm to the face of Nemeth. Then the back. Nemeth starts to fight back, though, with a series of strikes, but Alexander sends Nemeth into the corner HARD. Alexander starts to do his version of the Garvin Stomp with Nemeth on the mat. Nemeth tries to fight back, but Alexander shuts it down with a forearm. Nemeth then fights out of the corner and slams Alexander’s head into the turnbuckles. Nemeth hits the ropes, but Alexander stops his momentum again.
Alexander hits a series of running strikes - a forearm and a boot, followed by a slam. He goes to the top rope, but Nemeth takes out his legs. Nemeth goes up on the ropes as well, but Alexander is able to get Nemeth to fall with an arm extension. Alexander goes for a moonsault, but Nemeth rolls out of the way.
Nemeth is able to hit a big neckbreaker. He goes for Shots to the Heart, but Alexander rolls out of the way. Alexander extends Nemeth’s arm again, picks him up, and throws him over the top rope onto the mat. Nemeth is holding his ankle and leg. Alexander is now in full control.
Alexander gets Nemeth in a head and neck crank back in the ring. Nemeth is able to strike out of it, though, and gets a burst of energy. He gets a series of strikes in the corner, but Alexander is able to hit a German Suplex in the middle of the ring. And another. He goes for another, but Nemeth grabs the top rope. Nemeth reverses and hits a German Suplex of his own for a two count.
Nemeth hits ten Shots to the Heart on the downed Alexander. The crowd chants “Ten more times!” Nemeth goes for a superkick, but Alexander catches it and locks in an ankle lock. Nemeth is able to get out of it and, despite the leg pain, hits a Fame-Asser for a two count.
They exchange some strikes. Alexander hits a rolling senton and then a big knee to the neck off of the second rope for a two count. Alexander stomps on Nemeth’s leg and locks on an ankle lock. Nemeth is able to kick out of it and locks in a sleeper.
Alexander gets to his feets, falls back, and slams Nemeth on his back. Alexander gets up and locks in an ankle lock again. Nemeth is able to get out of it again and slaps the sleeper back on. Alexander is able to stand up again and drives Nemeth into the turnbuckles. Nemeth is able to hit a superkick, though, which knocks off Alexander’s headgear. Alexander rolls out of the ring.
Nemeth goes to the outside, Alexander slips away from Nemeth, grabs him, and sends Nemeth into the steel steps. Alexander sends Nemeth back into the ring. He drags Nemeth up and hits a backbreaker for a two count.
Alexander drags Nemeth back to his feet, picks him up, and places him on the top turnbuckle. He follows him up and tries to hit a body to back suplex, but Nemeth counters into a pin. Alexander rolls through. Alexander charges into the corner, but Nemeth hits the Danger Zone. Nemeth is slow to the cover, though. He finally makes it to Alexander, but Alexander rolls out of the ring.
Nemeth follows him to the outside and hits a big DDT. Nemeth throws Alexander in the ring and gets a two count. Nemeth goes for a Danger Zone, but Alexander ducks. He grabs Nemeth and throws him between the ropes and into the corner post twice. He picks Nemeth up and hits Snake Eyes into the middle turnbuckle.
Alexander drags Nemeth into the middle of the ring and goes for the C4 Spike. Nemeth escapes it and hits the Danger Zone. He goes for the cover and the bell rings. The time limit has expired!
Winner: Time Limit Draw
Nic Nemeth is still the TNA World Champion. The crowd is chanting “Five More Minutes!” Nemeth wants it, too. He’s asking for it, but Alexander rolls out of the ring and starts to walk up the ramp. Nemeth chases him and brings him back to the ring. Alexander kicks Nemeth low and claims he wants five more minutes now, too. He won’t be getting it, so he chases the referee from the ring.
Alexander goes to the outside and grabs the TNA World Championship. He brings it into the ring, stands over Nic Nemeth, and tells him that the title belongs to him. Alexander continues to stand over Nemeth as he raises the belt over his head. He stares at the camera, before dropping it and heading up the ramp. At the top of the ramp, he says that it’s “his time” as the show fades to black.
ten-Hoeve’s Highlights
Both Riley Osbourne and Jason Hotch will get a big opportunity at Emergence in the Ultimate X Match. Hotch had a really strong showing in the triple threat match tonight.
I didn’t get a chance to type up too much of what he said during the match, but Frankie Kazarian on commentary was really good. I am digging this heel run of his.
I very much enjoyed the interactions between Matt Cardona and Santino Marella. They played off of each other nicely. Obviously, Matt Cardona has a plan that Santino isn’t catching on to. I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out.
The main event was VERY good. Tom Hannifan’s comment about the 30-minute time limit made me suspicious, rightfully so as it turns out, but I kind of forgot about it as the action was going on. Once the time limit expired, it clicked and I was like, “Oh yeah!” Both Josh Alexander and Nic Nemeth worked their butts off and provided a match filled with drama that was both technical and hard hitting. They clearly aren’t done with each other and I am more than OK with that. I’ll happily watch more from these two. If you didn’t watch tonight’s match, I suggest giving it a look!
What did you think of the show? What did you think of the main event? Who do you think Matt Cardona’s mystery opponent is going to be? How are you liking the build to Emergence? Let me know at matt.tenhoeve@gmail.com. See you next time!
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