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Welcome to PWInsider.com’s TNA iMPACT! coverage for January 2, 2025! Happy New Year!
Scheduled for tonight's TNA iMPACT! on AXS TV and TNA+ is the following:
*TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich & Jordynne Grace & TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions Spitfire vs. Tasha Steelz & Rosemary & Ash by Elegance & Heather by Elegance
*KUSHIDA vs. Ace Austin
*Joe Hendry kicks off the show
*Tessa Blanchard to appear
*Nic Nemeth, Mike Santana, and Jordynne Grace will be heard from
*Rhino vs. Ryan Nemeth
This week’s episode starts off with an “In Memory Of” for Jeremy Laymon (Jax Dane). My thoughts go out to Jax Dane’s friends and family.
A recap of Final Resolution is shown - Tessa Blanchard’s return and attack on Jordynne Grace, Joe Hendry becoming the challenger for the TNA World Title at Genesis, The Hardys retaining the TNA World Tag Team Titles, and Joe Hendry saving Nic Nemeth from First Class after Nemeth retained his TNA World Title against AJ Francis.
Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich, and Spitfire are shown arriving.
Joe Hendry makes his way to the ring to start off 2025. He says that him being the challenger for the TNA World Championship sounds pretty good. It’s been a goal of his and it’s his New Year’s Resolution. Genesis is all about a new beginning - the beginning of the Joe Hendry Era and a moment that will leave the world chanting “We Believe!”
Ryan Nemeth interrupts Joe Hendry, coming to the ring with a microphone. Ryan says that his big brother is not going to be happy about this. He says that Joe Hendry comes out every week - always whining, moaning, and complaining. Hendry is tarnishing Nic Nemeth’s legacy. Hendry thinks he should be a hero, main eventer, and champion, but he’s none of those things. He’s a mid-carder and a snake. He plays head games to get ahead in TNA. Ryan says that both he and Nic don’t trust Joe Hendry. No one else should trust him.
Joe Hendry says that Ryan is brave to share those stories. Well, Hendry has a story. He’s been having trouble sleeping and went to a doctor. The doctor suggested the Ryan Nemeth Comedy Special. 10 seconds in and Hendry was out like a light. So - if Hendry is a mid-carder, then Ryan is a janitor.
Joe Hendry says Ryan’s time for glory is up. Ryan says that he’ll continue having his time later against Rhino. Hendry says, “Later? Why not now?” With that, Rhino’s music hits and he comes out. Tom Hannifan gets confirmation that the match is happening next!
Rhino vs. Ryan Nemeth
They lock up and Rhino pushes Ryan Nemeth off. They circle and lock up again. Rhino grabs an arm and cranks it. Nemeth reverses it and cranks an arm of Rhino. Rhino sends Nemeth into the ropes, but Nemeth holds onto them. Rhino goes for a lock of hands, but Nemeth gets in a cheapshot kick and works over Rhino in the corner. Rhino fights it off and dumps Nemeth.
Rhino sets up for the Gore, but Nemeth rolls out of the ring. Rhino follows him out and chops at Nemeth. Rhino plays to the crowd. As he does so, Nemeth pushes him into the ring post. Nemeth sends Rhino into the ring and gets a one count. Nemeth rains down punches, hits a knee to the spine, and then rakes at Rhino’s face. Nemeth clubs at Rhino’s back and slaps on a chin lock. Rhino powers up, but Nemeth drags him down and goes for Ten Shots to the Heart. Rhino moves on the first one.
Rhino gets back to his feet and hits a TKO on Nemeth for a two count. Rhino blocks Nemeth’s strikes and hits a clothesline. He follows with a tackle and a shoulder in the corner. Nemeth rolls to the outside. Rhino reaches through the ropes for Nemeth, but gets raked in the eyes. Nemeth grabs a chair and brings it into the ring. Rhino stands on the chair so that Nemeth can’t pick it up and hits Nemeth with a clothesline. Rhino picks up the chair and hits Nemeth in the back with it. The referee immediately calls for the bell.
Winner: Ryan Nemeth by Disqualification
Gia Miller is in the back with Jordynne Grace. Miller talks about Tessa Blanchard returning at Final Resolution and attacking Grace. Grace says that it’s not about chaos - it’s about respect. Grace says that Blanchard wants to come back and say that it’s her locker room? No - Grace helped build it after Blanchard left. Grace has changed over the years, but Tessa is the same Tessa. Grace will be waiting to give Blanchard the warm welcome she deserves.
A TNA+ commercial airs.
The Rascalz are in the back. Zachary Wentz says that when you talk about the TNA World Tag Team Titles, you talk about the best of the best. Right now, the titles are held by absolute legends in The Hardys. Trey Miguel wants to know what people think about The Rascalz vs. The Hardys for the TNA World Tag Team Championships.
The Hardys walk into the frame. Matt Hardy has very kind words for The Rascalz and calls them extreme. He says that TNA Genesis is a huge show and deserves to have a huge match. The Hardys vs. The Rascalz would be amazing. However, The Hardy Train is on a roll lately. If The Rascalz are down for it, then it’s on. The Rascalz accept.
KUSHIDA vs. Ace Austin
Please consider going to tnawrestling.com/bey to help support Chris Bey.
KUSHIDA tries to slip under a lock up, but Ace Austin tries to fight it off. KUSHIDA does get behind and brings Austin down for a moment. Austin gets back up. KUSHIDA swipes at Austin’s legs, but Austin climbs the ropes to avoid it. Austin comes down and locks up with KUSHIDA. They trade hand and arm holds until KUSHIDA drags Austin down and tries to lock on a leg submission. Austin makes it to the ropes for the break.
They lock up again and Austin goes behind. KUSHIDA drops down and tries to go for another leg submission. He transitions it into a headscissors. Austin bridges out and slaps on a side headlock. KUSHIDA quickly reverses back into a headscissors. Austin gets out again and sends KUSHIDA into the ropes. KUSHIDA hits a tackle and then goes to the ropes again. KUSHIDA goes for the cartwheel dropkick, but Austin reads it and hits a dropkick of his own. KUSHIDA goes to the outside and Austin hits a dive.
They trade shots on the outside and Austin goes to the apron. Austin handstands to avoid a KUSHIDA strike, but KUSHIDA grabs Austin’s arm and drags him down. KUSHIDA locks on an armbar on the apron.
Back from commercial, KUSHIDA sends Austin to the outside and hits a baseball slide into Austin’s arm. KUSHIDA sends Austin back into the ring. Austin challenges KUSHIDA to hit him. Austin slaps at KUSHIDA until KUSHIDA hits a big kick to Austin’s arm. KUSHIDA continues to work over Austin’s arm. Austin reads KUSHIDA coming off of the second rope for an attack on his arm and tackles him down. Both men are slow to get up.
They exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. KUSHIDA gets some kicks in on the arm of Austin, but Austin fights through it and hits a Side Russian Leg Sweep, followed by Click Click Boom. Austin tries to lift up KUSHIDA, but he struggles to do so. He eventually hits a gutwrench powerbomb for a two count.
KUSHIDA is able to recover and hits the cartwheel dropkick. He hits a palm strike in the corner on Austin and lifts him up. Austin slips through, but KUSHIDA reverses and locks on an ankle lock. KUSHIDA kicks at Austin’s arm again and hits a big palm strike for a two count. KUSHIDA rushes at Austin in the corner, but Austin avoids it and kicks KUSHIDA in the face.
Austin hits a running clothesline in the corner and then follows that up with a series of short clotheslines. He lifts KUSHIDA to the top rope and goes for the step up headscissors. KUSHIDA blocks it and then hits a handspring kick. Off of the top rope, KUSHIDA hits a flipping armbar and then cranks the arm on the mat. KUSHIDA locks on a triangle choke. Austin lifts KUSHIDA up, but KUSHIDA punches out of it.
Austin goes for the Art of Finesse, but KUSHIDA blocks it. Austin blocks Back to the Future. Austin hits a spin kick. Both men are slow to get up. When Austin does get up, though, he sets up for and hits The Fold for the win!
Winner: Ace Austin
After the match, Ace Austin calls for a microphone. He thanks everyone for sticking with him during Chris Bey’s absence, along with the love and support everyone has shown for Chris. Chris Bey told Austin that it’s his time for a big singles run. They have been top guys for a while, but it’s time for Austin to become THE top guy and go for THE top title. He wants Nic Nemeth and the TNA World Championship. Moose’s music hits.
Moose is offended. Austin says that he wants the top title and didn’t mention Moose’s name. The TNA X-Division Championship is the flagship title of the company. Without the X-Division, TNA wouldn’t be TNA. Without Moose, TNA wouldn't be the hottest wrestling company right now. So…if Austin wants the top title, then he should be going for the X-Division Championship. But it’s OK, Moose just learned that Ace Austin is afraid of him.
Moose goes to talk smack about Chris Bey, but Austin cuts him off and calls him a piece of (bleep). He tells Moose that he was the X-Division Champion three times and carried the division for years. He might be banged up and Moose might be in a suit, but he’s willing to become a four-time X-Division Champion right now.
Santino Marella’s music hits. He appreciates how both Austin and Moose are fired up. However, it’s not the right time for all of this. But…it’s clear that Ace Austin is the Number One Contender. Therefore, at TNA Genesis, it’ll be Moose vs. Ace Austin for the X-Division Championship.
Eric Young is sitting in the back. Steve Maclin is pacing. Maclin is pissed. Young tells him to calm down - his time will come. Jonathan Gresham enters the frame. He’s pissed, too. The System enters the scene. They are talking about how they’re going to get their tag titles back. Young, Maclin, and Gresham rain punches down on them.
Jordynne Grace is shown in the back - waiting for both her match and Tessa Blanchard.
A TNA Genesis commercial airs.
The TNA Moment of the Week is shown - The Hardys vs. DCC vs. Decay from January 26, 2017 on iMPACT!
Ryan Nemeth is getting checked by the doctor in the back. The doctor can’t tell what’s wrong with him as Ryan is doing more complaining than anything else. He complains about Rhino and Joe Hendry. Nic Nemeth enters and wants to know what’s going on. Rhino comes in and says that it was Ryan who brought the chair into the ring in the first place in their match earlier. Santino Marella comes in and says that next week, it’s going to be The Nemeth Brothers vs. Rhino and Joe Hendry. Rhino believes he can beat both of them. Joe Hendry enters and says that it’ll be a great preview for his win at TNA Genesis.
Mike Santana comes to the ring with Josh Alexander’s headgear. He says that he’s been trying to find the words to say after what happened at Final Resolution, but he’s just going to do what he does best - speak from the heart. He’s pissed and upset, but he’s used to obstacles - whether it was the streets, going through rehab, or leaving a comfortable place/committing career suicide to come back to TNA. It’s time for him to get back to the path of purpose - becoming the standard of TNA. As he says this, he holds up Josh Alexander’s headgear.
Josh Alexander and The Northern Armory come to the ring. Alexander says that everyone wants to be the guy, but very few can actually obtain it. He’s always liked Santana. Santana has heart and Alexander feels like they were cut from the same cloth. Alexander says that “iron sharpens iron” and talks about the wars between The North and LAX. Well, The North sent LAX packing. Santana bet on himself back then and did nothing with it. Being the guy can’t be willed into existence. You can’t just say it, you have to make it happen.
Alexander talks about beating Christian Cage for the TNA World Championship and losing it right away. He didn’t complain. He just went out and beat person after person in his climb to being the standard. So now, he’s going to speak from the heart. As long as Alexander is in TNA, Santana will never be “the guy.”
Alexander goes to leave the ring. Santana asks him where he is going. He’s not done with Alexander. Santana says that Alexander is right. Alexander beat everyone and became the face of TNA. But…was it Alexander or was it Alexander sucking up to the man with the pencil? No, Santana says that it was Alexander. He knows what Alexander is capable of. However, he knows he can beat all three men in The Northern Armory. Therefore, next week he wants to go through The Northern Armory in one night.
Jordynne Grace is shown waiting again. Masha Slamovich and Spitfire let her know that their match is up next. Santino Marella shows up and says that he cares about the security of everyone, so he’ll handle things in the back. He calls for security to watch for Tessa Blanchard.
A TNA Genesis commercial airs.
Frankie Kazarian is in the back. He knows that everyone is excited for Nic Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry. You know who has cool sunglasses and doesn’t give a damn, though? Frankie Kazarian. He’ll be watching the match, though. He then sees Leon Slater and tells him that he has “it.” Slater will never be a king, but can be a prince. Kazarian offers to help Slater. Slater seems into it. Kazarian says that Slater can start by carrying his trophy for him. Slater is not here to run errands or be a young boy, though. Kazarian tells him to go “create his legacy…just don’t forget who paved the road.”
As Slater walks away, JDC enters the frame and tells Kazarian that he thinks Slater has potential. He just needs something…maybe a cool moniker. What about “The Future.” They agree that it’s a stupid idea.
Nic Nemeth comes out to the ramp with a microphone. He talks about taking on Joe Hendry at TNA Genesis. He knows that the fans believe in Joe Hendry. Guess what? So does he. He went toe-to-toe with Hendry at Bound for Glory and Hendry was close to becoming the champion. Nemeth is proud of Joe Hendry. One of the greatest honors in Nemeth’s life, though, is representing TNA as the World Champion. He lives for it. He says that TNA Genesis will be special.
Nic Nemeth then talks about the tag team match that was made for next week - The Nemeth Brothers vs. Rhino and Joe Hendry. Ryan Nemeth comes out. He tells Nic that Joe Hendry is a snake and will stab him in the back. Therefore, next week - Rhino and Joe Hendry will see why the name “Nemeth” is synonymous with greatness. Nic reminds Ryan why they are in the match (Ryan) and tells him to calm down. Nic storms away.
A commercial for next week’s iMPACT! airs. Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt talk about next week’s action and TNA Genesis.
In the back, the security guard in the back is down. Other security guards and Santino Marella are checking on him and wondering what happened.
TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich & Jordynne Grace & TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions Spitfire vs. Tasha Steelz & Rosemary & Ash by Elegance & Heather by Elegance with The Personal Concierge
Masha Slamovich and Tasha Steelz start things off hot, exchanging hard strikes right away. Slamovich tangles Steelz up in the ropes and hits a kick to the head. Slamovich hairmares Steelz a few times and then gets reversed by Steelz. Steelz charges in the corner, but Slamovich stops her and lifts her to the second rope. Steelz swings out of it and tags in Rosemary.
Rosemary rushes Slamovich in the corner, but Slamovich gets her legs up and drives Rosemary down. Jordynne Grace tags in and double teams Rosemary with Slamovich. They slam Rosemary down hard. Slamovich slams Grace down onto Rosemary for a two count. Grace hits a couple of tackles for a two count. Ash by Elegance runs in and goes after Grace. That triggers everyone to enter and go after each other. Grace, Slamovich, and Spitfire hit a four person suplex. Slamovich and Grace then hold the ropes so that Spitfire can hit a dive on their four competitors.
Back from commercial, Heather by Elegance gets caught by Dani Luna. Luna hits a fallaway slam. Luna hits the ropes and gets tagged by Jody Threat. Spitfire hit a series of running strikes on Heather for a two count. Threat goes for a slam, but Heather wiggles out and tags in Steelz. Threat tackles down Steelz and tags in Luna.
Luna slams Steelz. Luna slams Threat onto Steelz and covers for a two count. Steelz hits a jawbreaker on Luna and tags in Ash. Ash goes for a suplex, but Luna powers out and tags in Threat. Spitfire hits a delayed double suplex on Ash for a two count.
The Personal Concierge distracts Threat, allowing Ash to attack from behind. Ash takes control of Threat in the corner. She stomps at Threat and gets a two count. Ash tags in Heather. Heather works over Threat’s leg and then slaps on a chinlock. Threat powers up and runs the ropes. Heather drags Threat down by the hair and gets a two count. Heather rains down punches on Threat. Threat tries to fight back, but Heather cuts her off. Heather distracts the referee, allowing Rosemary to attack Threat. Heather snapmares Threat and gives her a big kick in the back for a two count. Rosemary tags in and stomps on Threat.
Back from commercial, Rosemary still has control of Threat and tags in Ash. Ash stomps down on Threat in the corner and gets a two count. Threat is whipped into the corner. Ash hits a handspring back elbow for a two count. Ash slaps on a chinlock. Threat powers out of it, but Ash drags her down and gets another two count. Ash sends Threat into the corner and tags in Rosemary.
Rosemary gives Threat an elbow and slaps on a chinlock. Threat tries to fight out of it, but Rosemary throws her into the corner. Threat knocks her opponents off of the apron, but Rosemary grabs her and lifts her to the second rope. Threat fights Rosemary off and hits a spinning suplex. Both women are slow to get up. Threat is able to tag in Grace. Ash tags in.
Grace comes in hot and takes it to Ash. She hits a rolling fireman’s carry and tries the Juggernaut Driver. Ash fights it off, but Grace hits a slam and a Vader Bomb. Steelz breaks up the pin and tags herself in.
Grace cuts Steelz off and tags in Slamovich. Slamovich hits a series of strikes and a rolling kick. Rosemary breaks up the pin. Luna powerbombs Rosemary. Heather hits a spinning DDT on Luna. Grace drops Heather. Ash drops Grace. Threat slams Ash. Steelz kicks Threat. Steelz hits the Blackout on Slamovich. Spitfire break up the pin.
The Elegance Brand goes after Spitfire on the outside. Grace and Slamovich try to double team Steelz, but Steelz fights it off. She hits a cutter on Grace. Slamovich hits Requiem on Steelz, though, for the win!
Winners: Masha Slamovich, Jordynne Grace, and Spitfire
As Masha Slamovich, Jordynne Grace, and Spitfire celebrate their victory, Tessa Blanchard runs into the ring and attacks Grace. Rosemary pulls Slamovich out of the ring and spits mist in her eyes. Blanchard and Grace fight all the way to the back. Blanchard wraps a strap around Grace’s throat and drags her all the way outside and closes the door. Back in the ring, The Elegance Brand is holding up the TNA Knockout Tag Team Titles as the episode fades to black.
Thank you for following along with PWInsider.com’s coverage of TNA iMPACT! What did you think of this week’s iMPACT!? What do you think of the way that Genesis is shaping up? Let me know at matt.tenhoeve@gmail.com. See you next year!
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