Reviews

TNA Impact Review – May 29, 2025

By TJR Staff • Published May 30, 2025 09:59 EDT
TNA Impact Review May 29

Steve Maclin defended his TNA International Championship against Matt Cardona on Impact, and we heard from the new TNA World Champion, Trick Williams.

This past Sunday at NXT Battleground, Joe Hendry lost the TNA World Championship to a (WWE) NXT wrestler in Trick Williams. There have been plenty of opinions on this title change over the past week, some positive and some negative, but it does have people talking. Is this a good thing for TNA? Is it the end of TNA because WWE are going to buy them out? Does it mean Joe Hendry is coming to WWE full time? I don’t know the answer to any of these questions, but the result of the match took me back to April 2021, when Kenny Omega (an AEW wrestler) defeated Rich Swann to become the (TNA) Impact World Champion. At the time, this really annoyed me because during the crossover, Tony Khan and Tony Schiavone did lots of promos, talking down TNA and acting like AEW was such a bigger promotion. At the time, TNA had no crowds because of the Coronavirus, so the TNA Championship being on AEW television did give it greater access. Then Omega lost the title but not to a TNA wrestler, but another AEW one in Christian Cage. This further showed the disrespect, in my view, that AEW had during this crossover. Thankfully, Josh Alexander won the championship back and brought it back to TNA.

Fast forward 4 years later and TNA are working with WWE. So far, we have had Joe Hendry on NXT TV a lot, but rarely have any decent NXT stars appeared on TNA TV except for Oba Femi when he was battling Moose and it was some of the best TV TNA has had this year. Mostly, it’s been lower names who have barely raised a reaction from the crowd. Jordynne Grace, when in TNA was regularly showing up in NXT, too. Hendry was tossed out of the Royal Rumble very quickly and lost at WrestleMania to Randy Orton in 4 minutes. Grace lost to Roxanne Perez on an NXT PLE, too. Great exposure? Yes. Does it make TNA or its champion look worthy? No. Throughout this crossover, I have regularly felt like TNA stars have felt lesser than the NXT stars. That shouldn’t be the case as NXT is the developmental brand. And the first time the TNA World Title is defended against an NXT wrestler, you wouldn’t expect them to win, I could assume that safely. So I thought. But it has happened. Is it disrespectful? Is it a chance to build up another TNA star to challenge Trick Williams? It might be both of those, but it might be none. With the lineage of the TNA World Title, I personally don’t think someone who is not in the company should hold the title. However, if Trick is the champion, then I hope he will be on TNA as much as a TNA wrestler holding that championship would be.

I won’t rant and rave, but I’m happy to let it play out and not take it as seriously as some other commentators. I will give props to Corey Graves and Vic Joseph, who called Hendry’s moves by their proper names, unlike one main roster commentator who gets away with barely knowing any wrestling maneuvers by name.

Now that I’ve had a bit of a preamble, let’s get to this week’s show!

TNA Impact 29/5/25 from the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario: Canada by Kristian Thompson

The show opened with highlights from NXT Battleground as Trick Williams defeated Joe Hendry to become the new TNA World Champion. Williams brought the championship into the ring and hit Hendry with a flapjack on the title, then followed up with the Trick Shot knee strike for the pinfall win. The commentators, Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt, were on screen speaking in a very somber tone to show their disappointment at TNA losing its main championship. We then went to the opening video.

Match #1: Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s Match: The Rascalz vs First Class vs The System w/ Alisha vs The Aztec Warriors

The System attacked Octagon Jr. before the match and Laredo Kid has opted not to find another partner and wrestle solo. Laredo Kid was on NXT this week and has an NXT North American title shot at Worlds Collide. First fall wins here. Kid and Trey Miguel started the match but AJ Francis made a blind tag and wiped them both out with a clothesline. I’m not sure if it was the lighting or what but Miguel’s skin looked green for some reason. Zach Wentz came in with a super kick. I think he tagged in. KC Navarro was legal for his team and The Rascalz double-teamed him with kicks. Brian Myers was next in. Laredo Kid flew through the air with a double dropkick. He was fired up and wanted revenge on The System. The referee ejected Alisha. She just shouldn’t be allowed out here at all. Ever. Especially to speak. Kid took advantage of this and took out both Myers and Eddie Edwards with a dive from the top. Francis was sent to the outside, then Wentz tossed KC over the top into his arms. The Rascalz did duel suicide dives to take out First Class.

(Commercial break)

Myers had Kid in a sleeper hold as we returned to the action. He backed Myers into the corner and Francis tagged in. The fans chanted “Uncle Phil” at him which I found funny. He and KC made quick tags in and out to control Kid. Francis choked him out using the middle rope then hit a splash in the corner. He stood on Kid’s chest in the corner and hit his running Tennessee Whiskey knee shot. KC tagged in and scored a 2 count. KC hit a snapmare and double stomp for 2. He followed up with a running elbow in the corner. Francis tagged himself in. KC didn’t seem too happy about that. Francis told him to get in line so KC feigned hitting him. Francis fell on top of KC and tried to pin him as the commentators wondered if that was legal. I assure you, it was not. The System backed Francis into the corner so Edwards could tag in. Kid made it to Wentz for the tag. Wentz used his speed to hit a running knee in the corner on Edwards. He nailed a PK and a running moonsault but Francis broke it up with his own running senton. Kid tagged in but was caught in mid-air by Francis. Kid avoided the Down Payment and nailed a spinning DDT but Miguel broke up the pin. Miguel kicked The System out of the ring and wiped them out with a dive on the outside. Wentz hit a running knee strike and a crossbody over the top rope on KC. Kid went up high. He hit a twisting splash on the mountain of humanity outside. Kid and Francis were legal I think. Francis nailed him with a Down Payment from the top rope. Miguel made the blind tag and Francis didn’t realise. Miguel nailed a Meteora on Francis then he pinned Kid for the win after 9 ½ minutes.

Winners by pinfall and #1 contenders: The Rascalz

Analysis: ***1/2 A fast-paced and exciting way to open the show. I’m glad the tag team division is heading back in the right direction. The Rascalz winning makes sense as they will face the heel team of The Nemeths at Against All Odds.

The Nemeths were watching on a screen backstage. They were interviewed by Gabby LaSpisa as Gia Miller was off this week. Nic said he was impressed but Ryan said they would be champions forever.

Analysis: Heels lie. That should be a very good match at Against All Odds.

There was a ‘During the Break’ clip of AJ Francis being frustrated at KC Navarro. Mike Santana attacked them both with a crutch. They cut away back to the commentators which was odd timing. There was a video package for the two new Knockouts: Harley Hudson, who is British, and Myla Grace, who is Irish. I wish they hadn’t been interviewed together because it looked far too chummy. But I’m glad there’s more talent in the women’s division now. They were interrupted by George Iceman, who was looking for Santino Marella. In the women’s locker room? Right.

Match #2: Raj Singh vs Mustafa Ali

Ali beat Singh in 2 minutes with a 450 Splash which he should because Singh is not good enough to wrestle ahead of other talent on the roster.

Winner by pinfall: Mustafa Ali

Analysis: SQUASH

The Great Hands beat down Singh after the match. Tasha Steelz wasn’t happy about it so Ali grabbed her by the hair but he let go. The Great Hands nailed Singh with The Favour as Order 4 stood tall.

Analysis: Ali continues his unhinged behaviour as of late.

Arianna Grace was backstage with her dad, Santino Marella, which we can say out loud now. Grace was disappointed at losing to Tessa Blanchard. I’m disappointed I watched the match because it was awful. Tonight father and daughter team up to take on Robert Stone and Tessa Blanchard. Grace surprised Marella with Jimmy Korderas as the special referee.

Analysis: Great to see Korderas back. He was always a rock-solid WWE referee.

Hannifan ran down the injury report, which has become a cool new feature over the last month. Tessa Blanchard has TMJ (jaw injury) after her match on Sunday but has been cleared to compete. Octagon Jr. has the dreaded ‘undisclosed injuries’ which kept him out of tonight’s tag team opener and Steve Maclin has been cleared to compete after suffering a skull fracture in his match against Eric Young a few weeks back.

Match #3: Ash-By-Elegance w/ George Iceman vs Lei Ying Lee

Lee ducked a clothesline and sent Ash backing into the corner with kick attempts. Ash went to the floor to escape so Lee followed her. Lee caught her with a snapmare for a 1 count. She hit a dropkick against the ropes. Ash tripped her up into the corner and stomped away at Lee. Ash suplexed her into the bottom rope for a 2 count. She choked Lee with her knee against the middle rope and hit a kick to the head. Ash followed up with hip strikes for a 2 count. She missed a legdrop and a splash in the corner. Lee fought back with right hands and a jumping knee. She nailed a thrust kick on Ash and some right hands in the corner. Lee hit an Exploder suplex for 2. Ash took out Lee’s knee from behind and hit a double knee stomp for 2. She was busted open from the mouth. Ash hit some kicks to the chest. Lee got to her feet and absorbed the blows. She caught another kick attempt with another Exploder. Lee nailed the Thunderstruck kick and finished Ash off with a spinning neckbreaker for the win after 5 ½ minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Lei Ying Lee

Analysis: **3/4 I liked the intensity in the match. Ash can have good matches when she is serious and drops the shenanigans. Lee has had some rough moments that have caused some injuries in her career but the crowd were with her here.

The TNA Knockouts World Champion, Masha Slamovich, made her way to the ring. Slamovich said last week she wanted to face Lee. She said she would see Lee at Against All Odds. They shook hands.

Analysis: That will be a win for Masha. Just a different opponent to face between big PLE shows.

There were highlights from Mike Santana’s appearance on NXT, where he beat Tavion Heights and then confronted Trick Williams. Santana did really well in his promo and had the crowd on his side. NXT did a good job of putting him over, too. Santana gets his TNA title shot on this week’s NXT show. I’m figuring it will be a dodgy finish.

Trick Williams appeared via satellite. Williams said he needs first class flights and private transport. He ran down Brampton for not providing that. Williams told Santana to be careful. He called the company TrickNA and trashed ‘Average’ Joe Hendry. That was it.

Analysis: Not the start for Trick’s title reign that I wanted. Hannifan went off after the interview cussing, but it was bleeped out.

Match #4: Mance Warner w/ SDL vs Bryce Hansen

Warner beat the young man around the ring with knee strikes and an Implant DDT within 90 seconds.

Winner by pinfall: Mance Warner

Analysis: SQUASH That was the second quick match of the night. Warner is coming for Maclin’s International title.

Rosemary had a taped promo where she was happy that Xia Brookside embraced the dark side at Under Siege. The feud continues.

Match #5: Santino Marella & Arianna Grace vs Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford

Turns out Blanchard wasn’t cleared, so Crawford steps in. Why is Alisha there? Go away. At least we are doing this match tonight and not at Against All Odds. Do the people in charge realise that Stone just screams his entire promo? My goodness, he is Ryan Nemeth levels of painful. Stone banned the Cobra from the match and installed Alisha as enforcer of the match. How does he have any power? This storyline gives me a migraine, even for wrestling standards. Stone had a stupid Sheriff badge around his neck. It was his first match in TNA for 8 years. He tagged out quickly so Santino had to, as well. Crawford was scared of Grace (probably in fear of a concussion) so tagged Stone in. Blanchard tried to interfere so Korderas sent her to the back. Crawford tagged back in. Grace backed her into the corner with a hip attack. She almost couldn’t get her over for a suplex but she managed it on the second attempt. Stone distracted her so Crawford tossed Grace off the top rope and scored a 2 count. Crawford grounded Grace with a sleeper but not for long. Grace hit a jawbreaker. Stone took Santino off the apron with a cheap shot. Korderas stopped Santino from entering the ring. Crawford took out Grace’s knee and got a 2 count. She hit a Northern Lights suplex for 2. Crawford tried a front facelock but Grace fought out with shots to the mid-section. She nailed a back suplex and tagged in her dad. Stone tagged in, too. Marella nailed Stone with jabs and a hip toss. He hit a jumping head butt and Grace took out Crawford with a crossbody off the top. Stone pulled the referee out of the ring to stop the 3 count. Stone tossed Korderas into Santino. That should be a DQ. Stone tossed Santino into the steel ring steps. Grace grabbed him by the hair on the ring apron. Crawford kicked Grace in the back from behind and hit the axe kick. Alisha went into the ring and Stone pinned Grace for the win after 7 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Robert Stone & Victoria Crawford

Analysis: *3/4 That might have been worse than Blanchard vs Grace on Friday. It went far too long. End this storyline at Against All Odds, please.

Eric Young cut a quick promo backstage on Moose after pinning him in an impromptu 6-man tag at Under Siege. Moose confronted Young and ran down Canadians again. He reminded Young that he beat him for the TNA title once before. The X-Division title match for next week was on.

Maggie Lee Makeover Reveal

George Iceman has rebranded Maggie as M By Elegance. I can’t remember what she looked like beforehand so the whole thing is lost on me. They drank champagne until Myla Grace and Harley Hudson interrupted. Why do we have so many people in TNA with the surname Grace? Hudson said they’re here to make an impact and tossed a drink in M’s face.

Analysis: This was just filler but it was nice to see the new girls get some TV and some revenge for Iceman interrupting their introduction to TNA earlier in the show.

Next week:

* TNA X-Division Championship: Moose (c) vs Eric Young
* The Nemeths & Frankie Kazarian vs Matt Hardy, Leon Slater & Mike Santana
* Monster’s Ball: Xia Brookside vs Rosemary
* Heather & M vs Myla Grace & Harley Hudson

Analysis: That’s the first women’s Monster’s Ball in three years. Hopefully, that puts an end to that rivalry. It will be the night before Against All Odds, so I’m sure they’ll finalise the card then.

Match #6: TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Matt Cardona

At least an NXT wrestler winning the TNA title allows this secondary title to get a bit of a boost. Maclin hit a backbreaker early for a 2 count. Cardona still hadn’t had time to get his singlet off as Maclin hit him with a dive on the outside. Maclin bounced Cardona’s face off the ring apron. He hit an elbow drop from the apron to the floor. Maclin took too long following up so Cardona tossed him into the ring steps. Cardona wanted a piledriver on the ramp but Maclin tossed him over with a back body drop.

(Commercial break)

Cardona was choking Maclin in the ropes with his t-shirt as we returned to the action. He hit a neckbreaker and followed it up with a second one. Cardona hit a third neckbreaker for a nearfall. He clubbed Maclin across the forehead with forearm shots. Cardona wrenched at the neck of Maclin, then Cardona sent him into the corner. Hannifan continued ranting about Trick Williams not being bothered to show up to TNA. Maclin hit a running clothesline to get back into the match. They exchanged forearms in the middle of the ring. Cardona ran into another clothesline. Maclin hit a Thesz Press and a back elbow, then the Olympic Slam. He followed up with a clothesline in the corner and another one in the centre of the ring for a 2 count. Cardona hit a straitjacket neckbreaker for 2. He went to the top rope but Maclin took him down with a superplex for a 2 count. Maclin wanted his top-rope headbutt. Cardona got to his feet and used the ropes to knock Maclin to the mat. Cardona hit the Reboot in the corner. He hit a second one but Maclin caught the third attempt and threw Cardona face-first into the mat. Maclin hit the Busaiku knee and a headbutt from the middle rope for 2. Cardona went to the outside so Maclin followed. Cardona went back inside and gave Maclin a low blow kick using the ropes. He used his wife’s finisher, the Unprettiher, for a 2 count. Cardona brought the championship into the ring. The referee took it off him. Cardona reversed a KIA attempt. Maclin went for a clothesline but Cardona ducked and Maclin almost ran into the referee. Cardona nailed Radio Silence for 2. He couldn’t believe it. Cardona went to the middle rope but Maclin caught him in mid-air with a powerbomb. Maclin hit his corner spear with Cardona in the Tree of Woe. He finished Cardona off with the KIA for the win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA International Champion: Steve Maclin

Analysis: ***1/4 That was a solid and competitive main event between two reliable veterans. Maclin will move onto Mance Warner now.

Santana cut a quick promo backstage to close the show, saying he will bring the TNA title back home on Tuesday on NXT.

Analysis: I feel that will have a controversial finish, maybe a double count-out, but Santana will finally get his moment at Slammiversary.

Final Rating: 6.25/10

This felt like a better show overall than the last few weeks, which have been pretty devoid of anything memorable. There were two squash matches which brings the overall rating down a bit for me, but there was some solid action tonight in the opening Fatal-4-Way tag match and the main event International title match. Lee vs Ash was also a decent women’s match on the show. The card for Against All Odds is looking strong and the interest around the TNA title being in the NXT camp will have some traction online and has me intrigued.

The next TNA monthly special is Against All Odds on June 6th. Here’s the lineup so far:

* TNA World Championship: Trick Williams OR Mike Santana vs Elijah
* TNA Knockouts Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Lei Ying Lee
* TNA World Tag Team Championships: The Nemeths (c) vs The Rascalz
* TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Mance Warner
* Joe Hendry vs Frankie Kazarian
* Santino Marella vs Robert Stone: Winner gets authority over TNA

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!