Reviews

TNA Against All Odds 2025 Review

By TJR Staff • Published Jun 07, 2025 16:28 EDT
TNA Against All Odds 2025 Review

In the main event of TNA Against All Odds, Trick Williams defended his TNA World Championship for the first time against Elijah.

TNA has built a much stronger card for this month’s special, albeit with only two weekly shows to finalise it. There hasn’t been any interaction on TNA Impact TV since then between the two men fighting for the TNA World Championship. In fact, the TNA Champion hasn’t even been in TNA in person. If they want to feature someone from WWE, then they have to have them appear and not use tapings to blame that fact. This show aired on Friday night June 6th, one night after Impact TV this past Thursday.

The pre-show had only one match, which saw The Elegance Brand defeat Xia Brookside, Harley Hudson, and Myla Grace. That’s two pinfall losses for Grace over two nights which is disappointing. The Iinspiration then returned to TNA to show their desire to regain the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships. Wow, that was a surprise. Great to see Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay back in TNA. The women’s division continues to grow.

TNA Against All Odds from the Mullett Centre in Tempe, AZ by Kristian Thompson

There was the usual very good video package that highlighted the heritage of the TNA World Championship and the dilemma TNA is in by having an intruder come in and take the title. Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt were on commentary, as always.

Match #1: TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Mance Warner w/ SDL

Maclin took down Warner with a back elbow. He chopped away at Warner in the corner. That’s fun to say. Maclin’s Busaiku Knee took Warner to the outside. He hit a diving elbow to Warner, who was down on the floor. SDL held Maclin’s leg which allowed Warner to take advantage. He hit a big forearm in the corner. Maclin fought back with chops and they exchanged forearms. Maclin ran into a spinebuster and Warner scored a 2 count. Maclin responded with a clothesline. He nailed two more and a back fist, then the Thesz Press. Maclin nailed the Olympic Slam. He backed Warner into the corner and nailed a big clothesline for 2. They brawled to the outside and Warner hit a neckbreaker on the floor. He tossed Maclin into the ring for a 2 count. Warner took Maclin to the ring apron and hit a few headbutts. Maclin fought back with a DVD on the apron! Maclin went up top but SDL distracted him long enough that Warner could knock him off balance. Warner hit a superplex from the top rope. He made a slow recovery to pin Maclin but could only get a 2 count. Warner nailed a DDT for another 2 count. Maclin got to a knee so Warner chopped him a bunch of times. Maclin got to his feet and hit a bunch of strikes. He ran the ropes but right into a boot. They did the spot where they clothesline each other. Warner backed into the corner but Maclin hit his diving crossbody. Maclin nailed the KIA to retain the title after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA International Champion: Steve Maclin

Analysis: ***1/4 That was about as safe and solid as a show opener that you could expect. The commentators did a good job trying to put over how dangerous Warner was, despite him having no chance to win. Could Maclin be the man to take back the TNA World Title? Maybe, he’s certainly very popular at present.

Gia Miller interviewed Elijah, ahead of his TNA World Championship match. Elijah said Trick Williams doesn’t have the heart to carry the TNA title and make the company proud.

Analysis: Short and sharp. I think Elijah has done a good job with what he’s been given in his start to his TNA career.

Match #2: The System w/ Alisha vs The Hardys, Leon Slater & a mystery partner

I’m pretty sure they changed this match to 8-man tonight to get Jeff on the show, because he has not been advertised. Oh well, we aren’t in Canada anymore! Hardy looked like a lemon as he had yellow paint all over his skin. Matt introduced their partner as ‘The Hometown Man’ which was clearly Deaner in a mask so they’re turning this into a storyline. The crowd was not impressed. TNA has sucked at doing mystery partners lately. That killed the buzz I had in this match so I just watched it without play-by-play. It was your standard multi-man tag match with The System and their shenanigans. Credit to Deaner, as he got the crowd chanting “Hometown Man” as he broke up a pinfall towards the end. The Hardys and Slater hit Twists of Fate on 3 System members. Moose powerbombed Deaner on the apron. Jeff wiped him out with a dive to the floor. Jeff tossed Moose back into the ring. Slater hit a leg lariat and Matt nailed a Twist of Fate. Jeff hit the Swanton Bomb and Slater went for the Swanton 450 but Moose moved so Slater ran across the ring and dived over the top rope to wipe out the rest of The System. Slater went back into the ring and ran into a spear from Moose. Moose went to cover Slater, but Slater used an inside cradle to win the match after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Hardys, Leon Slater & The Hometown Man

Analysis: ***1/2 That was the typically solid multi-man match they’ve been doing with The System lately. I’m not a fan of Moose losing again, but surely now they build to Moose vs Slater at Slammiversary. It’s been building for a number of months and July is the time for a title change and the making of Slater as a big star.

Match #3: Jason Hotch vs Mustafa Ali w/ Tasha Steelz & John Skyler

It’s great to see Hotch getting a singles match here. He’s very talented. I like this storyline (except for Ali hitting Steelz) because it gives TNA a chance to see how the fans respond to Hotch as a solo guy. Plus, it gets Ali on the show when he hasn’t been in a feud apart from the infighting in a few weeks. Ali hit a snapmare and roll up using his legs for 1. He was schooling Hotch early on but Hotch tried a quick pin for 2. Hotch used a backslide for another 2 count. Ali was frustrated in the corner. No one could get an upper hand until Ali hit a palm strike to Hotch’s chest. Hotch came back with one of his own. They had a chop-off and Ali hit a shoulder block that took Hotch down. Hotch came back with a dropkick then a baseball slide that sent Ali to the floor. Hotch went to the top but Ali sprang up onto the ring apron and hit a German suplex on the apron. What a great spot. Ali tossed Hotch back into the ring. He changed his mind and pulled Hotch back out to give him a backbreaker on the apron. Steelz was concerned about Hotch so Ali started yelling at her. Ali hit his rolling neckbreaker back in the ring for a 2 count. He went back to the palm strikes to the chest of Hotch. They went to the outside and Hotch nailed a Tornado DDT on the floor. He put Ali back into the ring and hit a crossbody from the top for 2. Ali boxed Hotch’s ears but Hotch fought back with a dropkick then a running Spanish Fly for a very close 2 count. Ali bailed to the floor for a break. He stalked Steelz so Hotch dived through the ropes and took him out. Hotch went to the top for a huge splash for 2. Hotch nailed the UFO Bomb for another 2 count. He missed a corner clothesline so Ali connected with a kick. Ali ran into a double stomp for a 2 count for Hotch. Ali avoided a reverse DDT attempt and rolled him up for 2. He nailed the Satellite DDT from the middle rope. Ali finished off Hotch with a perfect 450 Splash but he pulled Hotch off the mat before the 3. John Skyler walked over to Ali and said that was enough. Ali went back to the top for another 450 Splash but Hotch got his knees up and used an inside cradle for a 2 count. Hotch ran at Ali but Ali connected with an overhead suplex that sent Hotch’s legs into the turnbuckle. Ouch. Hotch went back to the 450 to the back for the win after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Mustafa Ali

Analysis: ***3/4 That was a very entertaining match that continued a very strong story that Ali and friends are involved in at present. They tested the waters by having Hotch branch out in singles and he passed with flying colours. Skyler was effective on commentary and then at ringside being conflicted about choosing Hotch or Ali. I thought he would turn on Hotch to cost him the match but Ali won clean.

Ali told Hotch to get to his feet after the match. He feigned a handshake and walked away. The tension continues.

Gia Miller interviewed The Iinspiration. She wondered why now was the time to return to TNA. The ladies discussed being away and having children. They said they were sick of watching The Elegance Brand and their perfume commercials and it was time to inspire the Impact Zone once again.

Analysis: That will be a popular return amongst the fans. That’s 3 Aussies in the Knockouts Division now!

First Class Penthouse w/ Mike Santana

AJ Francis and KC Navarro cost Mike Santana the TNA World Championship on Tuesday’s NXT show. This segment has completely bombed the few times it’s been on, but it should be passable with a big name like Santana. Navarro said he can’t understand the outrage of the fans; he thinks they did a good thing by keeping the title off Santana. Francis said TNA management were not happy with their actions on Tuesday. They brought out a security crew to protect them from Mike Santana. The crowd chanted some unsavory things towards them. KC bit back with “Pardon me?” instead of the ‘What?’ chant. Very clever. KC recapped their social media numbers from Tuesday. Francis recounted all of the times that Santana has annoyed him over the past few weeks. This was getting to be a long segment already. Francis invited Santana out but he knew he wasn’t there. They showed Santana walking into the building on the Tron. Santana’s music hit and he came through the crowd like usual. He took out all the security with ease. Francis left Navarro alone. Santana powerbombed him through the table. That’s ironic as these segments literally bomb. Francis came back and smashed a champagne bottle over Santana’s head. He dragged KC to the back.

Analysis: The blow-off match is coming. No more talk segments, please.

Match #4: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Lei Ying Lee

Indi Hartwell joined the commentary booth for this match. Lee has no chance here but hopefully they put on a good showing. Lee had neon pink braids in which was a new look for her. The IWC will probably complain about that like they did with Guilia’s hair. Lee got the upper-hand early with a pop-up dropkick. She hit some strikes in the corner and a nice suplex for 2. The crowd was pretty quiet early on but seemed interested. It’s hard when there’s two face wrestlers against each other. Lee missed a splash in the corner and tumbled to the outside. Slamovich feigned diving to the outside then did a senton with Lee not expecting it. Slamovich wanted to suplex Lee onto the steel steps but Lee blocked it. Lee picked up Slamovich in a powerbomb position and carried her up the steps, then tossed her to the floor with power. That was unique. Lee tossed Slamovich back into the ring and covered her for a 2 count. She continued the attack with stomps in the corner and a swinging neckbreaker for 2. Lee tried a pin with a bridge for another nearfall. Slamovich tossed her onto the apron and hit a superkick. She took too long to follow up so Lee tripped her up and hit a hard right hand to the face. Lee nailed a draping DDT on the floor and brought Slamovich back into the ring to avoid the count out. Slamovich was able to kick out again. They exchanged right hands in the middle of the ring. Lee ducked a kick and nailed one of her own. Lee took Slamovich to the top rope. Slamovich fought her off with right hands but Lee pushed her to the mat. Slamovich came back with a hurricanrana from the top. The fans had dueling chants going. Slamovich hit a rolling kick for a 2 count. That might have been her first of the match. Lee caught a spinning heel kick attempt with a suplex. She nailed a few kicks of her own then a step-up knee strike. Lee hit a PK for a close nearfall. Slamovich rolled Lee up for 2. Lee tried a roll up of her own then a Meteora for 2. Lee went to the top rope but Slamovich cut her off with head butts. She hoisted Lee up onto her shoulders with a DVD from the top rope. Slamovich hit a stiff running knee but Lee kicked out. Nice sequence there. She tried Requiem but Lee rolled her over for a 2 count. Slamovich went back to the piledriver and connected to retain her title after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA Knockouts Champion: Masha Slamovich

Analysis: ***3/4 That was a great match and certainly exceeded my expectations. I don’t have any statistics but I’m willing to bet that this could’ve been Lee’s longest ever televised singles match. She looked really good out there, showed off some new moves and what she can do with a decent amount of ring time. Their counter moves looked smooth and the crowd was into it. Best match of the night for me, so far.

After the match, Killer Kelly made her return after being out for a while from having a baby. Kelly was Slamovich’s tag team partner. Kelly dropped her chain in front of Slamovich, perhaps signaling that their partnership is over.

Analysis: Another great addition to the KO division. Kelly didn’t get much of a singles run then they put her with Slamovich. That could be a fun feud.

There were highlights from last weekend’s Border Brawl event which had one of the weakest-looking line ups I’ve ever seen TNA put up so I skipped it.

Match #5: Joe Hendry vs Frankie Kazarian

This match has been such a long time coming that they are in a bit of a predicament with how to book it. Hendry needs a win after dropping the TNA World Title but you can’t keep having Kaz lose, especially as he holds the guaranteed championship match from his gauntlet trophy. Hendry took Kaz down straight after the bell. He tossed Kaz across the ring and into the turnbuckle. Hendry sent Kaz over the top rope. It was not the fun-loving Joe tonight. Hendry tossed Kaz into the ring post then a scoop slam on the floor. He rolled back into the ring to break the count. They went back into the ring and Kaz scored with a right hand. He bounced off the ropes but Hendry caught him with a Fallaway. Kaz rolled to the ring apron to avoid the Standing Ovation. Hendry picked him up on his shoulders but Kaz wriggled free. He wanted the Standing Ovation on the floor but Kaz poked him in the eye then sent Hendry’s knee into the steps. Kaz targeted the left knee back in the ring. Hendry rolled under the ropes to get a break. He tried to fight back but Kaz hit a backstabber. Hendry rallied with a cutter but struggled to follow up because of his knee. Hendry hit some clotheslines and another Fallaway. He struggled but nailed the stalling suplex. Kaz rolled to the ring apron and got his guillotine leg drop. He used the slingshot DDT to score a nearfall. Hendry rolled out of the anklelock and hit the Olympic Slam for a 2 count. Kaz fought out of the Standing Ovation and hit the Sister Abigail for a 2 count. Hendry rolled out of Fade to Black and got a 2 count. Kaz broke free of an Attitude Adjustment attempt and locked in the Crossface Chicken Wing. Hendry dropped to a knee and almost passed out. He hulked up and got to his feet, then backed Kaz into the corner to break the submission. Kaz rammed Hendry’s knee into the turnbuckle. He rolled up Hendry and put his feet on the ropes to win the match after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Frankie Kazarian

Analysis: ***1/2 A pretty good match between two of TNA’s best. There’s almost nothing I despise more in wrestling than when they adopt the ‘target a body part’ booking when the wrestler had no pre-existing injury. It just hurts the match quality. These two are capable of a lot better if they were just given the freedom to tell a better story. A cheating win is right up Kaz’s alley.

Gia Miller interviewed Kaz straight after the match and called out his cheating. Hendry tried to chase him off. It looks like they are running a Hendry losing streak sort-of storyline. It will only give him more fan support.

Robert Stone was kissing up to Matt Cardona, who, for some reason, has been made the Special Guest Referee for Stone’s match. Stone presented him with a wad of cash.

Analysis: Stone is trying to buy his way to a win, which fits his character. Will Cardona be swayed?

Match #6: TNA World Tag Team Championships: The Nemeths (c) vs The Rascalz

The Rascalz had no chance here so I didn’t have much interest in this match. It was a very even match throughout with the crowd obviously behind The Rascalz. Miguel hit a blockbuster on both Nemeths from the top. Wentz sent Nic over the top with a crossbody. Ryan tried a roll up on Miguel with a handful of tights and scored a 2 count. He hit a nice jumping DDT for 2. The Nemeths went for a double-team neckbreaker on Miguel but Wentz made the save. Miguel tossed Nic into Ryan in the corner. They went for their double team finisher but Nic made the save with a superkick to the head of Miguel. He nailed the Danger Zone and Ryan connected with the Hollywood Ending for the win after 13 minutes.

Winners by pinfall AND STILL TNA World Tag Team Champions: The Nemeths

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a fine tag team match with The Nemeths using double-teams and cheating to get the win. The Rascalz were just another team for the heels to beat, so my engagement in the match wasn’t high, hence a condensed summary of that match.

Match #7: For Authority of TNA: Robert Stone w/ Victoria Crawford & Tessa Blanchard vs Santino Marella w/ Arianna Grace w/ Special Guest Referee: Matt Cardona

This has been a really bad storyline but Santino continues to lift it out of the mud with a mix of comedy and passion. He’s such a great performer. The whole idea here is that Cardona is going to help Stone win, even though he is a TNA wrestler. He found brass knucks in Stone’s trunks and gave them to the ringside crew. Santino admitted he had a night stick and gave it to Cardona. Stone bailed to the outside early to consult the ladies. Santino outwrestled him early on. He took him to the outside and they fought in the crowd. Santino bounced Stone off the guard rail. They went back to the ringside area and Santino continued with the right hands. Crawford held onto Santino’s leg as he tried to get back into the ring so that allowed Stone to get the advantage. Crawford slapped Santino, right in front of Cardona. Stone bounced Santino off the turnbuckle and choked him out in the corner. Blanchard and Crawford continued to cheat. Stone whipped Santino hard into the turnbuckle. He hit a nice knee drop from the middle rope for 2. Santino fought out of a side headlock and hit a back suplex. He pulled out the Cobra but Blanchard took it away. Stone rolled up Santino with his feet on the ropes but Cardona refused to make the 3 count. Stone pushed Cardona in the chest into a roll up from Santino for 2. They ran into each other with a clothesline. Crawford gave Stone his sheriff badge to use. Cardona stopped him. Crawford ran in and nailed Santino with the axe kick but Santino kicked out. Santino rallied with right hands and a hip toss. Crawford tripped him up again. Stone nailed a low blow and they totally messed up the count as Cardona pulled his hand away well before the 3 count. That was bad. Stone went to the top rope, and Grace tried twice unsuccessfully to knock him off, but was prevented from doing so by her own wardrobe malfunction. This is turning into a mess. Santino hit a diving headbutt and a spare Cobra to mercifully win the match after 10 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Santino Marella

Analysis: ** That started off entertaining and turned into a near-disaster in the last few minutes. It wasn’t actually the wrestlers in the ring that were at fault, more so the referee and the interferers. Thank goodness we can move on from this.

Match #8: TNA World Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs Elijah

Hannifan was going crazy as Williams made his entrance, bagging him for not turning up to TNA or caring about the title’s legacy. I like how they continue to put over the importance of the title. Elijah has probably been doing the best work of his career in this TNA run and I am enjoying his work of late. The crowd were doing stupid ‘What’s Up?’ chants during the start of the match and some ‘What?’ chants later on. Elijah was in control early on and used the ring apron to bounce Williams’ head off. He nailed the Drive By knee shot on the apron and got a 2 count back in the ring. There were TNA wrestlers watching backstage and it gave me throwbacks to WWE Survivor Series 2001 where I thought that WCW/ECW might win and then they would actually take over the WWE. Kayfabe! Williams hit a Trick Kick and mounted Elijah with right hands. He nailed a flapjack for a 2 count. Williams hit some chops and a jumping knee for a 2 count. The crowd started to rally behind Elijah with “TNA” chants. He fought back with some chops and a dropkick out of the corner. Elijah ran at Williams but got caught with a Falcon Arrow for 2. Williams teed off with some right hands but missed a leg lariat. Elijah connected with a jumping clothesline. He followed up with an Atomic Drop and a big boot. Elijah hit a running forearm in the corner and a neckbreaker for 2. Williams countered a scoop slam attempt. He wanted another Falcon Arrow but Elijah hit the Drift Away (Cross Roads) for a 2 count. Williams backed Elijah into the corner. Elijah countered a Uranage with a hip drag. Williams hit the Book End for 2. They exchanged right hands in the middle of the ring. Elijah avoided a powerbomb and slammed Trick off an aero plane spin. Williams rolled Elijah up for a 2 count. Elijah used a backslide and almost got the 3 count. He tried a Sunset Flip pin for 2. Williams hit a pop-up punch that sent Elijah out of the ring. Elijah blocked a baseball slide and hit a twisting neckbreaker on the floor. He tossed Williams back into the ring and climbed to the top rope. Elijah hit a nice elbow drop from the top for 2. He chopped Williams in the corner and wanted a superplex. They messed up a little and Elijah fell to the mat. Williams ran into a jumping knee. AJ Francis went down to ringside and held Elijah’s leg so Williams could hit a reverse DDT and almost scored the 3 count. Elijah dived through the ropes and took out Francis. He tossed him into the steel post. Elijah went back into the ring and Williams tried to use his guitar to hit him over the head. Elijah wrestled the guitar back but the referee took it off him. Francis slipped Williams the TNA World Title and he clocked Elijah over the head but he kicked out at 2! Williams measured Elijah and missed the Trick Shot. He hit a back elbow and sent Elijah into the exposed middle turnbuckle that was uncovered earlier in the match. Trick hit the Trick Shot to retain the title after 18 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA World Champion: Trick Williams

Analysis: *** That took a while to work into because for most of it they just seemed to be going through spot after spot with not much psychology or flow. The shenanigans at the end brought the crowd into it, especially after Elijah kicked out of the shot with the title. I don’t think Elijah was believable as a TNA World Champion so the crowd was quiet for the most part (except for the moronic chants) and they’re getting used to Williams. It was probably one of the weaker PLE main events in recent memory. It looks like the story might be that Santana takes out Williams’ heavy in AJ first, then gets the title shot at Slammiversary. Easy story to write. You’d think!

Williams celebrated whilst AJ Francis looked on, pleased with himself.

Final Rating: 7/10

That was probably the quality that I expected from this card. It’s pleasing that TNA can put on that kind of line up with only two weeks build, whereas other months they have longer time and put together shows that aren’t so exciting. The Knockouts Championship match was the best of the night for me, just ahead of Jason Hotch vs Mustafa Ali in a match that hopefully allows Hotch some more singles action. Everything on the show was solid, with the only really average match being the one between the two men who aren’t full-time wrestlers so we can let that slide. The main event was okay, but I’m hoping for a more exciting main event scene in the future. The questions about Joe Hendry still remain, as he suffered another loss. Overall, a solid night for TNA with some cool returns, especially in the women’s division.

The next TNA PLE is Slammiversary on July 20th. There’s actually no other show whatsoever advertised on their website after that. I find that very strange.

Genesis: 7.5/10

Sacrifice: 7/10

Rebellion: 7.75/10

Under Siege: 6/10

Any feedback or comments are welcome. My email address is [email protected] in case anybody wants to get in touch with me and my Twitter/X handle is @thomok6 as well. Thanks for reading!