TNA Impact Review – April 18, 2024

A Tag Team Championship match signifying the end of an era headlined this week’s TNA show along with a Moose-Nic Nemeth showdown.

TNA Impact: 18.4.24: 2300 Arena, Philadelphia: Pennsylvania

The recap video from last week’s show focused on the wild brawl between Josh Alexander and Hammerstone that opened the show, leading to a Last Man Standing match at Rebellion on Saturday night. Knockouts’ number #1 Contender Steph De Lander also put Jordynne Grace through a table after their contract signing.

Josh Alexander was on commentary for the opening contest, as Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt welcomed us to the show.

Match #1: Guido w/ Ray Jaz & Zack Clayton vs Hammerstone

I don’t think this is going to last long. Not sure why 52-year-old Guido is wrestling when you have two young guys accompanying him to the ring, unless this is simply to make Hammerstone look strong going into Rebellion. Hammerstone still had Alexander’s headgear on as he stared down his rival at ringside. Hammerstone tossed Guido around the ring to begin the match. He picked Guido up like a child and rammed him into the turnbuckle. Hammerstone hit another big hip toss half way across the ring. He nailed a clothesline in the corner but Guido blocked a second one. Guido tried to fight back with chops but Hammerstone nailed him with a backbreaker and followed up with a Fallaway Slam. Guido fell out of the ring so Hammerstone toyed with him and threw him back inside. He shoved Zack Clayton, so Clayton shoved him back and the referee saw it so ejected Guido’s friends. Clever from Hammerstone. He rolled into the ring and Guido went on the offense with a dropkick for a 1 count. Hammerstone powered out which sent Guido through the middle ropes. Guido came back in and chopped Hammerstone against the ropes. This didn’t do much as the big man overpowered him with a belly-to-belly. Hammerstone fitted Guido with Alexander’s headgear and put him in the Torture Rack. The referee stopped the match after 4 minutes.

Winner by referee stoppage: Hammerstone

Analysis: ** It was an entertaining squash match. Hammerstone is relishing this heel role and I think he’s doing a terrific job.

Hammerstone posed with the headgear after the match. He feigned going over to Alexander at the commentary booth but just walked up the ramp instead.

Analysis: This is going to be a great match at Rebellion. The rubber match needed a heel/face divide and going Last Man Standing is a good choice.

George Iceman was backstage with Ash-by-Elegance. Iceman announced that Ash would be at ringside for the Knockouts’ Title match at Rebellion. Xia Brookside interrupted and said Ash didn’t deserve a title match because she couldn’t beat Xia fairly. Xia told Ash that they have another match next week.

Analysis: They went early on this match, which got about 5 minutes, instead of building it up at Rebellion and now they’re going to do it again on free TV next week. Dumb.

There was a replay of Steph De Lander choke-slamming Jordynne Grace last week through a table last week. Grace cut a promo at the airport after her quick tour to Australia with Mickie James’ HER brand. That was about two hours from my house but we were on holidays. Grace told us that Matt Cardona was injured and wouldn’t be by SDL’s side at Rebellion. She said SDL couldn’t beat her without cheating. Grace said whatever trick SDL had up her sleeve, she would match it.

Analysis: Jordynne said on Twitter that she got a phone call to do this promo very late, meaning she didn’t have time for makeup etc. Some people might have wondered why she looked a bit different. She teased having some backup, so we will see what happens there. It should be a win for her at Rebellion.

Match #2: LSG vs Joe Hendry

I don’t know who LSG is and there was no video package or introduction for him. Even if he is just there to lose to Joe then that’s still poor. Hendry takes on Rich Swann at Rebellion. The crowd was firmly behind him with “We Believe” chants. That’s probably the loudest reaction he’s had for a while. Hendry mocked Swann’s attire. Hendry sent LSG into the top turnbuckle as he side stepped him. He hit a press slam and a Fallaway Slam. Hendry kipped up and got the crowd going and nailed a huge Standing Ovation for the win after 2 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Joe Hendry

Analysis: SQUASH I would’ve preferred a promo segment between Swann and Hendry but at least it’s TV for Joe.’

Match #3: Grizzled Young Vets & Mustafa Ali vs Cody Deaner, Jake Something & Rhino

I like this pairing of the GYV & Ali. Deaner said it was up to the people to decide if they should have a handicap match or 3 on 3 and they cheered so he introduced Rhino as their partner. Something and Gibson started, but the fans wanted Rhino so Something tagged him in early. Rhino chopped away on Gibson in the corner. Drake protected Gibson from a whip in the corner and made the tag. Rhino took Drake over the top rope onto his partner and then knocked Ali off the apron. Ali & GYV regrouped on the floor with a team meeting. Rhino blocked a kick from Drake and clotheslined him. He tagged Deaner in who went to work with right hands. Deaner nailed Drake with a back elbow and then tripped him up on the mat. He used some knee drops to the back, but wriggled free and tagged Ali. Ali chopped Deaner in the corner. He avoided a corner attack but Deaner caught him with a Thesz Press and elbow drop off the ropes for a 2 count. Ali thumbed Deaner in the eyes and tagged in Drake. He made a quick tag to Gibson and they hit a double clothesline on Deaner. Another quick tag to Drake who stopped Deaner from tagging in Rhino. Drake tagged Ali back in again but Deaner sent him over the top to the ring apron. Drake distracted him so Ali hit a rolling cutter for 2. Ali tried to lock in a neck wrench but Deaner got to his feet and hit a jawbreaker. Ali hit 2 running dropkicks in the corner and went for a third but Deaner hit him with a clothesline that sent Ali inside-out. The crowd chanted for the Gore but Drake tagged in and used Deaner’s back to hit a step-up dropkick on Something to knock him off the apron. Gibson tagged back in and they tried to double-team Deaner but he ducked a clothesline and tagged in Rhino. Rhino hit a shoulder thrust in the corner on Gibson. He set up for the Gore but Gibson blocked it with a kick. Something tagged in and nailed the GYV with multiple shoulder blocks then a double clothesline. Something destroyed Gibson with a forearm and tagged in Deaner. Something launched him from the top for a crossbody on Gibson. Ali broke up the pin but Something lurked behind him. Drake got in his way to block the chokeslam. Something followed Ali around the ring but both members of GYV launched through the ropes with a suicide dive. Ali nailed him with a third one which took Something off his feet. All 3 heels tossed Something into the steel ring post. Gibson tagged in Drake, then Ali and they triple-teamed Deaner in the corner. Deaner was getting destroyed but Rhino snuck in and Gored Drake out of his boots. Gibson sent him out of the ring but Deaner took he and Ali down with a bulldog/clothesline combo. Deaner missed a splash on Ali but followed up with a kick in the corner. Ali nailed him with a Sunset Flip Bomb after the distraction from Drake, then the 450 for the win after 12 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Mustafa Ali & GYV

Analysis: ***3/4 I thought that was a very good tag match with lots of great action. There was barely a nearfall which meant the finish really mattered and looked impactful. Ali’s repertoire fits more of a face character but his other ring mannerisms are so heelish that it balances out. He’s such a great athlete. This added interest to Ali vs Something for me and even though I think it will be an obvious win for Ali, the fans will pop big when Something eventually gets his hands on the champ.

The System was complaining to Santino Marella about Time Machine interfering in their business. Marella made it The System vs The Motor City Machine Guns and the winners will face Speedball Mountain at Rebellion. Decay also stopped by and invoked their rematch clause for Rebellion.

Analysis: It’s odd that they know Shelley and Sabin are leaving but they keep putting them in spots that look to the future. Weird.

Steve Maclin cut a taped promo reminding the fans that he won the first match in the new TNA (really it was a pre-show match).

Analysis: He’s not even on Rebellion even though the commentators said he’s making his way to the PPV. Which one is it then?

Eric Young was walking in the dark backstage, when some creepy music and flashes came up on the screen. The evil Eric Young in the mask appeared. Young said he needed this version to come back at Rebellion. The evil Young in the mask said you always need me and he never went away. Young said he needed to get rid of Frankie Kazarian once and for all. The masked Young said he could help with that.

Analysis: That was interesting. I prefer heel Young much more but we won’t be getting that, probably just an unhinged version at Rebellion because it’s Full Metal Mayhem.

Match #4: Rosemary w/ Havok vs Jody Threat w/ Dani Luna

I have very little interest in this match. These two teams clash at Rebellion to my delight. Threat took down Rosemary with a shoulder block early. She nailed a powerslam for 2. Threat did her series of clothesline in the corner and hit a nice T-Bone suplex for another 2 count. Rosemary came back with a single-leg dropkick. She mounted Threat with right hands. Rosemary began biting Threat in the corner. She blocked a corner attack and locked in the Upside Down in the ropes. Rosemary nailed a forearm in the corner and a suplex of her own and then a German for 2. She locked in a submission in the centre of the ring but Threat was able to reach the ropes and break the hold. Threat blocked a running attack with an elbow. She fought back with right hands and a Pump kick, then a running knee in the ropes. Threat followed up with a release German suplex and a big clothesline for 2. Rosemary tried a Tiger Driver but Threat bent her in half with a diving clothesline. She did her weird sit up routine and Threat caught her with a kick to the face for 2. Havok got up on the ring apron for the distraction and Rosemary hit the spear for the win after 7 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Rosemary

Analysis: ** They tried hard but I didn’t really enjoy this. Rosemary isn’t really on Threat’s level and it was telling with some of the spots. There was a lot of grunting in the match and that was kind of off-putting too. I really don’t like the Decay stable so anything they do really just makes me want to fast forward but you can’t really cover a show if you skip through segments!

There was another Jonathan Gresham vignette. He was sitting in the meeting room getting some advice from some at the head of the table (not Roman). The man warned Gresham to avoid wearing masks. Gresham fired up and said he had gone for years by being unheard. He said no one wanted to see the real face of Gresham. They cut to a park bench with Gresham sitting next to himself in the octopus mask.

Analysis: This is a bit of a reboot for Gresham which is great. He is a fantastic wrestler and they were doing good things with his heel turn and then he just wasn’t on TV for a long while.

They did the tag lines for the main event and both teams entered.

Match #5: TNA World Tag Team Championships: The System w/ Alisha vs The Motor City Machine Guns

This is Sabin and Shelley’s final performance in TNA. That alone tells you who is winning here. Edwards and Shelley started the match off. Edwards had a side headlock but Shelley bounced off the ropes with a shoulder block. Sabin tagged in and targeted the left arm but Edwards made it to Brian Myers for the tag. Edwards tried to interfere so Shelley cut him off with a kick to the head. The System regrouped on the entrance ramp.

(Commercial break)

Shelley was in control of Myers as we returned to the action. Myers slipped free and tagged in Edwards who slammed Shelley into the top turnbuckle. He nailed a hard chop that sent Shelley to the mat. Shelley fought back with a jawbreaker and Sabin nailed him with a Dragon Screw on the ring apron. Sabin nailed a dropkick to the knee and tagged in. He hit another Dragon Screw for a 2 count. Sabin backed Edwards into the corner and targeted the knee with kicks. He pulled Edwards over to the challenger’s corner and tagged Shelley back in. Myers tried to interfered so the Guns put both heels in Figure 4 Leg locks. Edwards made the ropes to break the legal hold. He was holding his left knee. Shelley ran the ropes but Alisha tripped him up. He grabbed her by the hair so Alisha slapped him in the face. Edwards chopped Shelley down hard and made the tag to Myers. Alisha slapped Shelley again whilst Myers distracted the referee. He tripped Shelley as we went to another break.

(Commercial break)

Edwards was in the ascendency against Shelley as he nailed him with a hard right hand. He tried to ground Shelley against the mat with a face lock. Edwards nailed a cheap shot on Sabin to knock him off the ring apron. Shelley gave Edwards a back body drop but Sabin wasn’t there to tag in. Myers tagged in but Shelley hit a Flatliner against the bottom turnbuckle, then tagged in Sabin. Sabin hit a flying crossbody on both members of The System. He hit a step-up DDT on Myers, using Edwards as a stepladder. Sabin nailed a running dropkick on Edwards for 2. He knocked Edwards out of the ring, then both of the Guns hit a double baseball slide on Edwards. Shelley set up Sabin for a suicide dive to the outside. Shelley nailed a running clothesline in the corner on Edwards. They put Myers on Edwards’ shoulders and Sabin nailed a dropkick into Shelley’s Flatliner for a close 2 count. Edwards blocked a Cradle Shock but ran into Shelley’s clothesline. Sabin went for a superkick but hit Shelley instead. Myers nailed Sabin with a running knee. Sabin avoided a double team move and hit a big running boot on Edwards in the corner. Myers made a blind tag and Edwards backed Sabin into the corner. Edwards hit the backpack stunner and Myers timed his elbow drop perfectly for maximum impact and almost got the 3 count on Sabin. Sabin ducked the Roster Cut and tried a crucifix pin for 2. Sabin nailed a cutter and they double teamed Edwards with a dropkick. Sabin hit another big boot in the corner on Myers. Alisha got up on the apron and distracted Shelley. Myers tossed Sabin into Shelley, causing him to fall from the top turnbuckle. Then he nailed the Roster Cut and Edwards hit the Boston Knee Party to retain their titles after 15 minutes.

Winners AND STILL TNA World Tag Team Champions: The System

Analysis: ***1/2 That was pretty good. They continue to play on the miscommunication between Shelley and Sabin, whereas they really should’ve made this the main event and given them a proper send off. Even though this was taped a few weeks back, they would’ve known they were out the door and could’ve given them another 10 minutes and really played it up. Instead, it just felt like a regular tag team match with The System cheating to win. I expect them to beat Speedball Mountain on Saturday.

The commentators listed a bunch of musical acts for Rebellion, all of which I have never heard of. I watch for the wrasslin’ gents!

Promo Time with Nic Nemeth

Nemeth came out to a big ovation. I was pretty set that he was locked in to become champion on Saturday but it all seems too obvious. With no Maclin on the show, I have a feeling they aren’t done and Maclin screws him out of the title. Nemeth went into the crowd and skolled a beer like the Sandman used to do. He finally got into the ring and hyped up his championship match at Rebellion. Nemeth said Las Vegas is where he made his debut but Moose cut him off instantly. He walked to the ring with no companions. Moose stood in the ring with Nemeth with a microphone. He said he knows that Nemeth had a story to tell tonight but his story is going to be losing to Moose at Rebellion. Nemeth fired up and wondered why Moose thought the TNA fans and management wouldn’t get behind him as their champion. He said from day one, Nemeth stated his intentions, even from wearing a TNA shirt and he’s here to stay. Moose said he’s sure the people would love to see Nemeth beat him at Rebellion. He even thought that management and the locker room would like to see Moose lose at Rebellion. Moose said the problem is, what happens to Nemeth after. He said that Nemeth has always fumbled the ball when he has been given it his whole career. Moose called Nemeth a choke artist and Nemeth threatened to choke him out right now. Nemeth said he’s heard it all before and right now he’s in the best place he’s ever been, mentally and physically. He said Moose expected to get into the ring with the old Dolph Ziggler (boos) but instead at Rebellion Moose will face the man who’s going to take his title. Moose got in Nemeth’s face and held up his championship as the two men stared each other down. He backed down as Nemeth’s music played to end the show.

Analysis: I enjoyed that. There were some strong comments from both men. I think the match will be very good at Rebellion. Nemeth shows great fire in his TNA promos. It feels fresh and I’m still undecided on picking him to win the title.

Final Rating: 6.5/10

It was another episode of Impact where the storyline and build to the PLE was better than the in-ring action. My match of the night was the 6-man tag team match which I thought was exciting. The tag team match between The System and the MCMGs was enjoyable but too predictable for me. I will be sad to see them leave TNA and I think they will get lost in the AEW shuffle if that’s where they are headed. Whatever they do, I wish them well and will be watching them wherever the journey takes them.

The next TNA PLE is Rebellion on Saturday. Here’s the card with my predictions in bold:

* TNA World Championship: Moose (c) vs Nic Nemeth
* TNA X-Division Championship: Mustafa Ali (c) vs Jake Something
* TNA Knockouts’ Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs Steph De Lander
* TNA Tag Team Championships: The System (c) vs Speedball Mountain
* TNA Knockouts’ Tag Team Championships: Spitfire (c) vs Decay
* Full Metal Mayhem: Eric Young vs Frankie Kazarian
* Last Man Standing Match: Hammerstone vs Josh Alexander
* Rich Swann vs Joe Hendry

Any feedback or comments are welcome. My email address is kristian.l.thompson@gmail.com in case anybody wants to get in touch with me and my Twitter handle is @thomok6 as well. Thanks for reading!