Reviews

TNA Impact Review – February 13, 2025

By Kristian Thompson • Published 14th February 2025
TNA Impact Review February 13

This week on Impact, the two main TNA Championships were on the line along with Josh Alexander’s final TNA match against Eric Young.

The show opened with the regular recap of last week’s show which saw Eric Young explain his heel turn, Jake Something challenge TNA World Champion Joe Hendry and NXT’s Fraxiom successfully defending their tag titles over the Nemeth brothers.

TNA Impact 13.2.25 from the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas

We are straight into the TNA World Championship match!

Match #1: TNA World Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Jake Something

I like Something. Every time he seems to get some momentum going he either gets an injury or they just shuffle him off TV. Then when they don’t know what to do with him, they throw him a World Championship match! Fine by me. Something powered Hendry into the corner early on. He missed a clothesline and they had a face-off. Hendry frustrated Something by out-wrestling him. Something did his running shoulder blocks but Hendry avoided a third and hit a back elbow. Something was sent to the outside and took a breather. He ran straight into some shoulder blocks back inside the ring. Hendry impressively powered up Something for a stalling suplex. He hit a backbreaker for a 2 count. Hendry hit a scoop slam for another nearfall.

(Commercial break)

Something was in control with Hendry in the ropes. Hendry surprised Something with a sunset flip pin for 2. He tried a roll up and scored another nearfall. Something hit a hard clothesline for 2. They exchanged strikes and Something got the upper hand in the corner. Hendry reversed an Irish Whip and sent Something hard into the opposite corner. Something nailed a big right hand that caught Hendry by surprise. He quickly followed up with a cover for a 2 count. Something wrenched at the neck of Hendry, who was seated on the right mat. Hendry fought to his feet and sent Something into the corner. Something bounced off the ropes into a clothesline. Hendry hit a spinning scoop slam and then a powerslam. He kipped up and the crowd was ready for the Standing Ovation. Something shoved him back into the corner and nailed a hard shoulder charge for a 2 count. Hendry avoided Into the Void. Something clotheslined him twice against the top rope. He missed a third one so Hendry clotheslined him over the top. Something pulled him down to the mat and hit a forearm. He backed up the ramp and charged onto the ring apron with another forearm. That was odd. Something went up to the top rope but Hendry cut him off. Hendry gave him a super Fallaway slam! Something got to his feet and Hendry put him away with a Standing Ovation for the win after 11 ½ minutes of TV time.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA World Champion: Joe Hendry

Analysis: ***1/2 That was a fun way to open the show and a good showing by both guys. It had a nice pace to it as the action really didn’t slow down the entire match. I don’t mind a World Title match to open the show but it was obvious that Hendry was winning.

Ryan Nemeth walked down to the ring with his ‘My brother’ shtick. He said Nic thought Hendry wasn’t a real champion and a fraud. Santino Marella power-walked his way to ringside. Something attacked Hendry from behind. Nic Nemeth ran down and nailed Something with a superkick. He hit another one, then Something ducked a third and Nemeth nailed Santino! Nic was frustrated and hit the mat in anger. Hendry and Nic checked on Santino, as Ryan blamed Hendry.

Analysis: That was wild. Santino didn’t even get to announce whatever it was he was going to.

Santino was backstage icing his jaw. The Nemeths ran up to him and Nic apologised. Santino said he had a lot of respect for the Nemeth family which is why the decision to suspend Nic for 4 weeks was a hard one. Ryan tried to argue but Nic told him to quit it.

Analysis: Ryan keeps pulling Nic into these situations and you wonder how long it takes before he snaps or goes fully heel. It’s an interesting storyline despite how annoying Ryan is. I thought Santino said one week but Hannifan said four on commentary.

George Iceman, and his 1900s-style glasses ranted about the fans on the entrance way as he introduced his team for the next match.

Match #2: Ash & Heather-by-Elegance vs The King Bees

The commentators said King Bees were former NWA Women’s Tag Team Champions Charity King and Danni Bee. I don’t care what they’re called or where they’re from; we have a third women’s tag team on the show! Heather took King off the apron with a forearm and hit a dropkick on Bee in the corner. She tagged in Ash, who hit her handspring elbow in the corner. Heather hit a dropkick in the corner and Ash covered for 2. Ash hit a big forearm for another nearfall then tagged Heather back in. They hit a double-team Clamp Stamp for 2. Bee fought back with right arms. She nailed a big clothesline for 2. Heather pulled her down by the hair as she stretched for the tag. Ash tagged back in and nailed a snapmare. She tried to lock in a sleeper but Bee broke free. Bee chopped Ash against the ropes multiple times. They collided in the middle of the ring, which allowed both teams to tag in. King was finally in for the first time. She nailed a big spinebuster on Ash and a Samoan Drop on Heather but Ash broke up the pin. Bee tagged back in. King tried to give her a German suplex but Heather escaped to the top rope. The King Bees wanted a Doomsday Device but Heather sent Bee into King. Heather nailed the Spanish Fly on Bee for the win after 5 minutes.

Winners: Ash and Heather-by-Elegance

Analysis: **3/4 That was a fresh matchup and it was good to see another team featured. I’m not sure what The King Bees deal with TNA is but they worked a good match and the crowd was behind them. Ash and Heather aren’t technical wizards but they have good heel characters and got the win as the established team.

The Elegances humiliated The King Bees with ‘L’s for Losers with lipstick after the match. Spitfire ran down for the save.

Analysis: And we are back to the only feud in the division. Again.

There were highlights of Leon Slater and The Hardys 6-man tag team win last week. The winners were backstage chatting. Matt put over Slater as a top talent. Slater said The Hardys were the reason he got into wrestling. He hoped to team up with them again.

Mustafa Ali had a press conference. He renamed the Good Hands, the Great Hands. He appointed Tasha Steelz as his press secretary. Ali proclaimed himself as the #1 contender for the TNA World Title. He asked everyone in attendance if they agreed. There was silence. Tommy Dreamer walked in. He needs a proper haircut for a man over 50 years of age. Dreamer said Santana was standing in Ali’s way, not Dreamer.

Analysis: Ali throws himself 100% into his character. He really is brilliant. I hope he’s the next World Champion if Hendry is to drop it at some point this year.

Match #3: Frankie Kazarian vs Sami Callihan

Kaz took Red Cap Guy’s ‘King of the Morons’ sign at ringside and stomped on it. That looked funny. The match never began as Mance Warner attacked Callihan from behind and choked him out on the entrance way. That’s a good way to follow up on that feud, which has been given good TV time lately. Kaz made the referee hold up his hand in victory. Callihan stumbled to the ring. The referee didn’t think he could compete but Sami told him to ring the bell. Kaz missed a corner clothesline and Callihan hit a stunner. Kaz sold it like Scott Hall at WrestleMania X8. Callihan went for the Cactus Driver but Warner showed up on the ring apron. Kaz choked him out with the Crossface Chicken Wing from behind and Callihan tapped out. The proper match time was 90 seconds.

Winners by submission: Frankie Kazarian

Analysis: *1/2 A good way to progress the feud. Kaz picks up a cheap win which suits his character.

Callihan told Warner to get into the ring and they brawled. Security tried to separate them. Callihan charged at Warner in the corner. They were pulled apart again.

Analysis: This is a better version of Callihan, who I have been very critical of lately.

Gia Miller was backstage with Josh Alexander, who wrestles his last TNA match tonight. Alexander said he felt all sorts of emotions tonight. He’s annoyed that his last match has to be against someone he has looked up to for his entire TNA run. Alexander says tonight he will show Young how much TNA means to him.

Analysis: I don’t know why Alexander only started getting good at promos in his last month of TNA. He wasted 5 years on the microphone with boring dialogue and a lack of emotion.

There was a highlights package of JDC losing to Lexis King on NXT. JDC was backstage and sat down with Leon Slater. He didn’t think Slater was as good as everyone thought. JDC said The Hardys were using Slater and he was making a career off potential. Slater fired up and reminded him that his team won last week. He challenged JDC to a match next week and called him a ballroom dancer. They had a scuffle and Slater wanted a No-DQ match next week.

Analysis: These 60-second segments are more effective than doing the same thing with entrances in the ring, which can take 5-10 minutes.

Match #4: Xia Brookside vs NXT’s Cora Jade

Jade distracted Brookside in last week’s #1 Contender Battle Royal. They have been trading verbal barbs for a few weeks. They both played some mind games early on. Brookside hit a head scissors and a dropkick. She didn’t quite hit her Monkey Flip smoothly but Jade rolled out of the ring to sell it well. Jade rolled back into the ring and faked an ankle injury. She smashed Brookside in the face with a forearm to gain the advantage. Jade choked Xia in the middle rope then hit a running elbow strike for 2. She stretched Brookside out in the corner. Brookside fought back with a roll up for 2 but then ran into a clothesline, leading to a 2 count for Jade. Jade hit a springboard stomp to Brookside’s back for 2, then a suplex for another nearfall. She started screaming because she doesn’t realise that 99.9% of wrestling matches don’t end after a suplex. Jade used her knee in Brookside’s back to stretch out her arms. Xia almost got to her feet but Jade pulled her down by the hair. She went back to the stretch. Brookside got back to her feet and went off the ropes for a clothesline. She hit a running head scissors. Jade blocked a corner attack but received a back elbow. Brookside hit Broken Wings in the corner and a Legsweep for 2. She put Jade on the top rope for the Brooksy Bomb. Jade kicked her off. She missed a big boot in the corner but sent Brookside into the middle turnbuckle. Jade hit a running knee in the corner. Brookside avoided Jaded but missed a spinning kick. She nailed an enziguiri. Jade hit a running knee against the ropes and Jaded for the win after 7 ½ minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Cora Jade

Analysis: **3/4 They had a few little sloppy moments early but it worked into a decent match by the end. I think I’m enjoying the wrestling in TNA more over the last 2 weeks as we see some fresh match ups, which are mostly first-timers.

Arianna Grace tried to talk to Tessa Blanchard again. Tessa abused her. Santino Marella walked by and told her to stop. Marella accused Tessa of avoiding matches lately. She said she works by her own schedule. Blanchard laughed off Santino’s threats of consequences so he set up a match next week.

Analysis: I like Tessa’s work schedule. Show up to work to sit in her locker room and talk to her boss for 60 seconds.

The Rascalz Speak

Trey Miguel and Zac Wentz were in serious mode. They were sick of Tyriek, Tyson and Wes Lee. Miguel thanked Ace Austin for teaming with them lately. He wanted a piece of Lee and his friends. They showed up. Lee said they were happy to take The Rascalz out and marched to the ring. Austin showed up and distracted Lee. Wentz and Miguel did dives to the outside. They pulled Lee into the ring and double-teamed him. Dupont ran in for the save. He crushed Wentz and Miguel in the corner. Igwe and Austin brawled. Lee hit a chop block on Austin to take him down. Wentz and Miguel recovered but Lee hit a double low blow. Igwe and Dupont tossed them to the floor. They squashed Austin in the corner. Lee nailed the Cardiac Kick to flatten Austin.

Analysis: Dominant heel beatdown from Lee, Dupont & Igwe. They’re an effective and dangerous team. 6-man tag team match is incoming.

First Class cut a quick pre-taped promo. AJ Francis said they had a big announcement to make. He said it’s no secret they were on a little bit of a dry spell. Francis said it was time for an upgrade.

Analysis: Maybe that means a new member?

Match #5: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Savannah Evans

This is Evans’ first-ever championship match. She will not be winning; I can guarantee that. Neither woman really got a decent ovation. The crowd was pretty quiet at the start of this match. Evans was dominant early and hit a choke bomb on the apron then a scoop slam on the floor. Back in the ring, Evans pounded Slamovich with clubbing blows to the back. Slamovich tried to fight back with a spinning kick but ran into a knee. Evans hit a nice spinning back suplex for 2. She hit an Avalanche in the corner then tossed Slamovich half way across the ring. She missed a clothesline and Slamovich sent her into the bottom turnbuckle. Masha hit a dropkick from the middle rope. She nailed a big boot in the corner and a spinning heel kick for 2. Evans avoided Requiem but copped a big kick to the head. She nailed a big boot and then sat down on Slamovich for 2. They exchanged forearms and Slamovich got the upper hand. She charged at Evans but Evans picked her up and hit a swinging neckbreaker for 2. That was a unique move. Slamovich countered a Full Nelson attempt and hit a Busaiku knee for 2. Slamovich couldn’t lift Evans up for the Snow Plow so she hit Requiem instead for the pinfall win after almost 8 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA Knockouts World Champion: Masha Slamovich

Analysis: **1/2 They worked hard and the commentators tried to put it over as a big match but with no build to it at all the crowd didn’t really react. It was another fresh challenger for Slamovich, which is positive and good for TNA to see how Evans goes in the spotlight. I think she did well but she’s not at that top level yet.

Next week’s Live Impact:
* No-Disqualification match: JDC vs Leon Slater
* Joe Hendry Concert Encore

Match #6: Eric Young w/ The Northern Armory vs Josh Alexander

There are new masks for all members, so at least TNA is trying to give them some form of difference from Alexander’s version of the stable. There was a flurry of offense early on from both men. They took turns chopping each other in the corner. Alexander rammed Young in the corner. He hit 10-punches in the corner. The crowd still wasn’t 100% behind his face turn. Alexander hit a running back elbow. He had his eyes on Williams and Icarus at ringside. Young raked his eyes in the corner to get the advantage back. Alexander caught him with a kick in the ropes and then his running crossbody that sent Young to the floor. Alexander tossed him back into the ring. Williams and Icarus eyed him off. Young tossed Alexander throat-first into the top rope.

(Commercial break)

Alexander tried a couple of back slides and got 2 counts. He rolled up Young for 2 again. Young hit a big boot and had the Dragon Sleeper in the corner. Young nailed a diving elbow across the surgically-repaired neck of Alexander for 2. He tossed Alexander to the floor. Williams started beating Alexander down as Young had the referee distracted. Young threw Alexander back into the ring and scored a 2 count. He tried to lock in the sleeper hold. Alexander fought out with elbow strikes. Young clubbed him hard on the back of the neck. Alexander blocked a corner attack and hit a dropkick out of the corner. Both men were doing on the mat until the count of 8. Alexander bashed Young with forearms and chops. He sent Young flying with a back body drop then a rolling senton. Alexander climbed to the top and dropped the knee over the back of Young’s neck. He went for the ankle lock but Young stood up and grabbed the ropes. Young tossed Alexander face-first onto the top ring rope. He went up high and nailed his elbow drop for 2. Alexander’s headgear had come off at this point. Alexander escaped a Death Valley Driver and nailed the Styles Clash for 2. He put Young on the top rope and leveled him with a forearm. Young used some body shots to fight back. He wanted a piledriver from the top but Alexander slipped down and locked Young in the ankle lock. Young almost fought him off with kicks, so Alexander turned it into a Sharpshooter. Williams got up the ring apron for the distraction. Alexander avoided the piledriver again but Young countered the C4 Spike attempt. Alexander got hold of the ankle lock again. Icarus got up on the apron so Alexander swatted him down. Williams tried to interfere so Icarus tossed Young one of the masks. Young nailed Alexander with the mask to the head. I don’t think the mask is a great choice for a devastating weapon. Young hit the piledriver to win the match after 15 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Eric Young

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a solid main event that could’ve gone either way and either guy winning made sense to me. Young winning helps the momentum of his newly-established group more so they went with that. The mask shot was silly because afterward you see him kick it out of the ring and it barely makes it under the ropes because it’s so light. That’s not a heavy weapon, folks.

Impact went off the air with The Northern Armory waving goodbye to a fallen Alexander.

Analysis: I’m sure they had a ‘Thank You Josh’ segment after the show to celebrate his great contribution to TNA. I’m sure he put some people off-side by trying to leave TNA at the start of 2024 but for me he had some excellent matches over the years; my favourite singles ones being the hour-long bout against Mike Bailey and his first of two against Will Ospreay. His World Championship reign included many high-quality defenses and of course there’s his tag team run with Ethan Page, which I wouldn’t have covered because it was before I started reviewing TNA. He has been their best male wrestler for the last 5 years, without a doubt.

Final Rating: 6.75/10

It was another pretty good show this week. This was a great card that would’ve fitted in better with their live show at Full Sail next week. At the time of writing, they only have one match announced so hopefully they build on that during the week. It felt like there was a lot of wrestling on this week, with 6 matches. I really enjoyed the opening World Championship match as I am a fan of both guys. The main event between Eric Young and Josh Alexander felt like a good way to end that rivalry and Alexander’s time in TNA. They had plenty of time and put a nice match together. The 3 women’s matches were all solid this week and I liked that they tried out Savannah Evans as a title contender to Masha Slamovich. We know Cora Jade awaits her; but when is the question.

The next TNA monthly special is Sacrifice on March 14th from El Paso, Texas.

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/X handle is @thomok6 as well. Thanks for reading!