Reviews

TNA Impact Review – May 8, 2025

By TJR Staff • Published May 09, 2025 16:58 EDT
TNA May 8th Review

A bloody Dog Collar match between two heated rivals, Steve Maclin and Eric Young, headlined this week’s TNA Impact.

The opening video recapped last week’s show, with another 3-on-1 assault from the Northern Armory on Steve Maclin as well as Trick Williams getting the better of Joe Hendry again.

TNA Impact 8/5/25 from the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California by Kristian Thompson

Promo Time with Trick Williams

Williams was accompanied by security to the ring. They recapped Tuesday’s NXT show where Williams interfered in Hendry’s 6-man tag match, so Hendry distracted Williams during a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal where Elijah eliminated him. It’s Hendry vs Williams at NXT’s Battleground show for the TNA World Championship. Williams was very cocky and talked about his popularity with the ladies. He got the ‘What?’ treatment through his whole promo. Williams says he has copped a lot of abuse for taking out TNA’s favorite star, Hendry. He said that Hendry showed up to embarrass him first. Williams said Hendry wants to be liked by everyone but Trick wants to be respected. He said he will take Hendry out and take his title. Hendry’s music hit and he walked to the ring looking mad. The security blocked Hendry so he took them all out. Hendry got into the ring and they brawled. The security got back into the ring and separated them temporarily. Williams bailed to the floor and he yelled at his security who didn’t do a very good job. Hendry nailed one of the very slight security guards with the Standing Ovation.

Analysis: That was an entertaining opening segment. They have had 3 or 4 brawling segments now, so the feud has good intensity. I’m looking forward to their match at Battleground.

NXT’s Robert Stone was with Victoria Crawford backstage. Stone said the higher-ups wouldn’t like the Dog Collar match. He wished Crawford luck in her match later.

Analysis: The ironic thing was that after the bloody Dog Collar match in the main event, a memo went around TNA saying that from now on, there would be no more excessive blood or blading in matches. I don’t think TNA does it as much as AEW, and when they do, it’s usually warranted, but I am writing this before watching the main event.

Match #1: Rosemary vs Lei Ying Lee

I’ll go summary-style here because…well, it’s Rosemary. Rosemary hit some weak-looking punches on the mat early. She hit a nice T-Bone suplex as a follow up for a 2 count. Rosemary bit Lee in the corner and use the Upside Down to choke her out against the ropes. Xia Brookside on commentary was trying to act conflicted between supporting Lee and Rosemary. Lee hit a dropkick that sent Rosemary to the corner. She hit some punches in the corner and an Exploder suplex for 2. Lee ran the ropes, but Rosemary nailed her with a spear. Rosemary went into her knee pad and got out the brass knuckles. Brookside got on the ring apron and took them off her. Rosemary turned around into Thunderstruck for the win for Lee after 4 ½ minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Lei Ying Lee

Analysis: **1/2 They’re trying to create a storyline about Rosemary tempting Xia to go to the dark side, but it’s really not that interesting, even though both ladies are putting in a decent effort to make it work.

Trick Williams was leaving the building and had a stare down with Mike Santana. Santana ran into Sami Callihan and a dude with a goblin mask and hands on. That was very weird. Santana put Callihan over for his Barbed Wire Massacre match. Callihan appreciated that. First Class showed up and got in Santana’s face. The Goblin called AJ an ogre. Francis wanted to talk to Callihan. He gave Callihan props for his match. AJ wanted Callihan to fly First Class and become a champion again. Callihan said he wasn’t classy and left. Santana asked if AJ had a problem with him. AJ said he doesn’t have problems; he solves them.

Analysis: That was odd. It was Callihan’s best match in a long time but can he still go in a regular wrestling match? I don’t think so nowadays. Santana vs Williams would be fun. Judging by this segment, we might get Santana vs AJ first, though.

Maggie Lee Makeover

Ash, Heather and George were backstage with Maggie. There was annoying music and lots of accessories. My wife cuts my hair so I’m certainly not up with the makeover standards of 2025. They didn’t show Maggie’s face. I’m guessing this will continue throughout the night.

Match #2: The Great Hands vs The Aztec Warriors

John Skyler cut the same heel promo to the crowd that he does before most matches. It’s tiring. The Aztec Warriors are Octagon Jr. and Laredo Kid, just in case you forgot because TNA probably did as we haven’t seen them for a month. Jason Hotch and Laredo started off. Laredo hit a nice head scissors and tagged Octagon in. Octagon hit a nice twisting arm drag from the top rope. He took down an interfering Skyler but Skyler pulled him to the mat by his mask and tagged in. The crowd chanted some derogatory Spanish at Skyler but at least they had some heat in a match for once. Hotch tagged in and hit a rolling neckbreaker. He and Octagon ran into each other with a clothesline. Skyler tagged in and Octagon eventually got the tag to Laredo. The Luchadores hit dueling head scissors that took The Great Hands outside. Octagon hit a moonsault to the outside and Laredo hit a running dive where he was safely caught by Hotch. Octagon hit Skyler with a running forearm in the corner. They set Skyler up and Octagon hit springboard moonsault for the win after 4 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Aztec Warriors

Analysis: **1/2 That was an easy win for the Luchas, who are very popular. Hopefully they get on TV a bit more as a team.

Mustafa Ali turned up at ringside and went berserk, attacking the Warriors. He choked Octagon against the ring apron until The Rascalz came down for the save.

Analysis: You don’t see it very often in TNA this year, because the attendances have been so good, but when they were focusing on Ali close up you could see a lot of empty seats over his shoulder. The arena has around 5,000 seat capacity but I couldn’t find how many tickets were sold.

Match #3: Trey Miguel w/ Zachary Wentz vs Mustafa Ali w/ Tasha Steelz & The Great Hands

Ali unleashed on Miguel early on. Miguel used his speed to avoid Ali’s offense. Ali snapped and hit a nasty powerbomb. He pounded Miguel against the mat. Ali took Miguel to the outside with a draping DDT on the floor. He tossed Miguel back into the ring and nailed his rolling neckbreaker. He hit a crazy standing twisting moonsault like it was just a regular move, for a 2 count. Ali hit a German suplex with Miguel’s arms trapped, with a bridge for 2. He went for another rolling neckbreaker but Miguel caught him in mid-air with a cutter. Miguel hit a number of punches and took Ali out with a moonsault. Ali bailed to the outside, so Miguel hit a dive to follow him. He tossed Ali back into the ring and hit a Meteora for 2. They exchanged roll ups, then Miguel hit a palm strike. Ali took Miguel to the outside and ordered the Great Hands to take care of him. Wentz interfered and wiped them out with a moonsault. Ali slammed Wentz’s head into the steel ring post. Miguel came out of nowhere with a sliding DDT to the floor. Miguel tossed Ali back into the ring. Steelz got up onto the ring apron to distract the referee. The Great Hands hit a double chokeslam on Miguel on the ring apron. Ali got Miguel up into a twisting Flatliner for the win after 8 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Mustafa Ali

Analysis: ***1/4 There were plenty of shenanigans, but they worked a fun match, and we saw a really intense side of Ali, which I prefer over the cowardly, political heel he regularly shows. The story is that Ali has changed after his feud with Santana and he will do whatever it takes to get his respect back.

They showed some highlights of last year’s Under Siege match between Mustafa Ali and Ace Austin.

Steve Maclin cut a passionate promo earlier in the week about putting his friendship with Young in the rearview mirror as he takes Eric Young out in a Dog Collar match.

There was a pre-taped promo from Indi Hartwell w,ho talked about watching TNA growing up. She said she wanted to turn her plastic TNA championship belts into real TNA gold. Hartwell named some great Knockouts that she inspires to be. Indi said she’s just getting started in TNA and is ready to show everyone what she is capable of.

Analysis: Indi comes off as very genuine in her promos. She always has. I hope she does well in TNA.

The Hardys Speak

The Hardys seemed to have a different start to their music, or maybe I just haven’t noticed. They haven’t spoken since losing their TNA World Tag Team Titles at Rebellion. Matt took the mic first and thanked the fans for all their support. He said that he was sorry that they let them down at Rebellion. Matt said even though The Nemeths cheated, they should be good enough to overcome that. Matt has heard the murmurings wondering what the future holds for them. There were ‘TLC’ chants. Matt said they would claw, scratch and grind their way back to the TNA Tag Team Titles (I would’ve laughed if he said WWE by mistake there because surely that’s where they’re going). Matt allowed Jeff one line mentioning ‘obsolete’ and told The Nemeths their title reign is about to be deleted. The Nemeths showed up looking cocky. Ryan tried to speak amongst the boos. He told The Hardys that they did let the fans down and they blew it. Ryan said he and Nic would take the division to new heights. The fans booed Nic too. Nic called themselves the greatest brother tag team of all time and that they run TNA now. Nic offered The Hardys their rematch at Under Siege in a Ladder match. Nic knew that Jeff can’t travel. Ryan said they’d have to cancel the match. Santino Marella came out and said that Matt could choose a partner to team with him for Under Siege. It’s Jeff vs Nic next week.

Analysis: They got there in the end. I like the way they bounce off each other. They can play this out for a few months yet, hopefully.

Match #4: Victoria Crawford vs Brittnie Brooks

This hasn’t been a good show so far, and if I remember Crawford’s wrestling skills, it’s not going to get any better now. Brooks is Chris Bey’s girlfriend. Brooks was fired up with a Thesz Press. Crawford hit a throat thrust and a Northern Lights suplex for 2. Brooks backed Crawford into the corner. Crawford rolled through with a leg scissors and the Axe kick for the win after 2 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Victoria Crawford

Analysis: * An easy win for Crawford, who ended it very quickly. It didn’t really show off what she could do.

Crawford was going to cut a promo but TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich walked down to the ring. She took down Crawford but Tessa Blanchard came from behind with the Buzzsaw. Santino Marella was back to break up the shenanigans. He said it was going to be Crawford and Blanchard vs Masha and a partner of her choice next week. The fans chanted for Santino but Robert Stone cut him off. Stone said he was going to pick Masha’s partner, NXT’s Nikkita Lyons.

Analysis: This is an interesting choice in Lyons, who is not a great worker. I don’t like this dueling authority storyline. Actually, I don’t like this show very much at all so far.

Match #5: Dog Collar Match for the TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/ The Northern Armory

Maclin has almost done more for this title in a month than TNA did for the Digital Media Title in 5 years. The combatants were chained together by the neck. They had a standoff in opposite corners. Maclin took Young down with forearm. Young took Maclin to the corner and wrapped the chain around his face, then choked him out in the corner. Young grazed the chain across Maclin’s face and he was busted open. They fought on the entrance ramp and Young hit Maclin across the back multiple times with the chain. There was a lot of blood from Maclin already. Young went into the ring and choked Maclin with the chain across the ring post. Travis Williams and Judas Icarus took cheap shots at Maclin at ringside. Maclin continued to bleed profusely. Young tossed him back in the ring but Maclin recovered and did a suicide dive to take all 3 heels out. They went back into the ring and Young struck the open wound of Maclin. Maclin whipped Young into the corner but Young bounced onto the ring apron and pulled the chain so that Maclin went throat-first into the top rope.

(Commercial break)

Young was choking Maclin out with the chain as we returned to the action. They had shots of 4 men, Matt Cardona, Elijah, Mance Warner and Ace Austin, watching at ringside or backstage who will fight in a #1 Contender’s match next week. Maclin fought back with clotheslines. His blood was all over Young. Maclin hit a Thesz Press and some head butts. He whipped Young over and over with the chain. Icarus came in but ran into a clothesline. Williams copped a back breaker. Maclin hit an Olympic Slam on Young for 2. Young was busted open now. He reversed a KIA but Maclin still hit the Busaiku Knee. Maclin hit his Jar headbutt from the middle rope for 2. The action spilled to the outside. Maclin put the chain around Young’s neck and dragged him the floor. Williams and Icarus interfered again so Young dragged him from the apron to the floor. He tossed Maclin back into the ring and covered him for a 2 count. Young went to the top rope. Maclin cut him off quickly and set him up in the Tree of Woe. Williams came in and copped a powerbomb. Maclin hit the Buckle Bomb on Icarus. He hit his corner spear on them both. Maclin turned around and Young hit him with a piledriver for a very close 2 count. Nice nearfall there. Young went to the top but Maclin dragged him off with the chain. Maclin nailed the KIA for the win after 12 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA International Champion: Steve Maclin

Analysis: ***1/2 That was (hopefully) a fitting way to end this rivalry and allow Maclin to move on to other feuds. There was a lot of blood from Maclin early; I would assume the blading went a little wrong because it was literally in the first 90 seconds of the match. That worked a good, brawling match and used the chain well. Some of the spots with the chain looked nasty, so they put over the match type well. Maclin winning is certainly the right call.

There were only about 30 seconds left in the show, so Maclin celebrated as Impact went off the air.

Final Rating: 5.5/10

It’s barely a pass mark for TNA this week. It was a largely uninteresting show. You can tell this is not the big-PLE season as it’s the same feel in WWE at present. That time from April to August where the shows aren’t as big or important, and the viewers can certainly feel that. I liked Ali vs Miguel, especially the more ruthless side of Ali that we are seeing. The main event Dog Collar match was bloody and brutal, but nothing on the Barbed Wire Massacre from a month ago. The build to Under Siege is slow and we still have half a card to complete which I’m sure they will over the next 2 Thursdays. It’s good to see the Nemeth/Hardys feud continuing but I’m not sure why they’re making Tessa Blanchard the sidekick in the TNA Knockouts title feud. She should’ve won at Rebellion. All the authority stuff is lame and doesn’t make sense. It’s just lazy writing. Just because we are doing NXT/TNA crossover stuff, doesn’t mean we need dueling people in charge.

The next TNA PLE is Under Siege on May 23 from the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario. Here’s the card so far:

* TNA Knockouts Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Victoria Crawford
* TNA World Tag Team Championships: The Nemeths (c) vs Matt Hardy and a partner of his choosing
* Joe Hendry & Elijah vs Trick Williams & Frankie Kazarian
* Eddie Edwards vs Cody Deaner

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!