TNA Impact Review – November 14, 2024

This week’s TNA Impact was headlined by World Champion Nic Nemeth facing off against Brian Myers.

This week’s show opened with a recap from last week’s show, with Joe Hendry continuing his beef with the Nemeths and Moose capturing the X-Division Championship against Mike Bailey. It was reported on our site this week that Bailey’s deal with TNA was up on November 1. He will most likely be heading to AEW. That will be good for his bank balance but I’m not sure it is a great career move. He will likely be lost in the shuffle with a lot of other wrestlers that AEW struggles to write storylines for. There’s no doubt Bailey is a tremendous in-ring competitor, but he lacks charisma and could definitely use a manager.

TNA Impact 7/11/24 from the Crown Arena in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Match #1: Mike Santana vs KC Navarro

Francis wanted Santana to join First Class last week but he rejected them so AJ bravely pushed KC into a match with Santana this week. Santana went for Spin the Block from the outset, but KC slipped out and retreated to the floor. The action spilled back into the ring and Santana blocked a bulldog but KC dropkicked him into the corner. KC and AJ celebrated on the ring apron so Santana dropkicked KC to the floor. Santana tossed him back in the ring and nailed a big chop in the corner, then repeated the dose on the other side. The crowd was very loud early on in the night. Navarro tried a roll up but Santana just stood there and blocked it, then nailed him with a running elbow for 2. Santana tossed Navarro to the outside but Francis got up in Santana’s face. This allowed Navarro to hit a suicide dive to the floor which knocked Santana down. Navarro tried some chops back in the ring but they did little damage. He sent Santana off the ropes and hit a lovely-looking dropkick for only a 1 count. Navarro hit some upper-cuts in the corner and a double stomp for 2. He went for a running cutter but Santana shoved him off. Navarro tried a crossbody but Santana caught him and sent him face-first over his head into the mat. Santana hit a massive sit-out powerbomb for a very close nearfall. He decapitated Navarro with Spin the Block for the win after 7 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Mike Santana

Analysis: *** For an extended squash match, that was really fun. Santana has impressed me with his offense in the last few months. He came back to TNA and really didn’t do much for me, but he has certainly got leaner and fitter, as well as expanding on his wrestling arsenal. Navarro selling like a champion certainly improved the match quality, too. A fun opener.

Nic Nemeth was backstage with Gia Miller. He addressed Eddie Edwards, who he will be defending his championship against at Turning Point. Nemeth knew The System would try and cheat but he said he would continue to steal the show and remain champion. His brother, Ryan, chipped in and said he would be in Nic’s corner. Ryan said he would take care of Joe Hendry later. Sure Ryan, and I’m Santa Claus.

There was a recap of Trent Seven’s attempted murder of Mike Bailey last week. He beat him so badly that Bailey left TNA. So now there’s no storyline for Seven. Way to go, TNA.

The Hardys and Ace Austin were trying to have an interview with Gia Miller. Seven interrupted them. He said the focus should be on him. Seven shoved Jeff and then Hammerstone and Jake Something attacked. Santino Marella told them all to back up.

Analysis: That was random. Hammerstone and Something were just waiting in the wings with Seven? Maybe a new heel stable? I’d be okay with that. Anything to re-energize the tag team division.

Match #2: Jake Crist & Alan Angels vs The Rascalz

Crist hasn’t been here for months but they don’t address that. Why aren’t we allowed to talk about history in wrestling? The Rascalz hadn’t wrestled in TNA for 4 months and then lost last week so they need to win tonight. Crist and Miguel started off the match. Miguel kicked Crist into the corner and make the tag to Wentz. They had a little tribute moment for the recently-injured Chris Bey and then Miguel tagged in again. Angels tagged in too, then Crist held the leg of Miguel so Angels could hit a half-and-half suplex for 2. He nailed a Fisherman’s suplex for another 2 count. Crist tagged in again and teed off on Miguel with right hands. He hit a clothesline for 2 and then there was another quick tag to Angels. Crist hit a springboard moonsault and Angels did a really cocky cover for 2. Miguel ducked a strike and hit a German suplex to finally make the tag to Wentz. Crist was in, too. He hit a German suplex from the mat and a running Shooting Star for 2. Miguel tagged in and they tried some combination moves but Angels dragged Wentz out of the ring. Miguel went to the top but the referee was distracted by Crist, so Angels knocked him down. Crist hit a cutter and Angels nailed a splash from the top but Wentz saved the match up. Stereo superkicks from the Rascalz, then Wentz kicked Crist out of the ring. Miguel nailed a big spinebuster on Angels. He held Angels down for Wentz to hit the top rope stomp. Wentz flew over the top to take out Crist, so Miguel pinned Angels for the win after 6 ½ minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Rascalz

Analysis: **1/2 It was an entertaining tag match, even with the result being pretty obvious. However, there were a few times in the match when I started thinking about a second-straight loss for the Rascalz and then them going down that storyline path but they ended up with the win. I don’t mind the team of Crist and Angels. They worked well together and if it’s another tag team in the division going forward then I’m all for that. Let them cut some promos; just not the awful Mic Check, please.

Spitfire was backstage discussing their recent matches with Ash and Heather. They’re square at 1 win each. The video kept moving all over the place with some graphics which was annoying.

There was a promo for Genesis which seems to be replacing Hard to Kill as the big January PPV.

Match #3: The Northern Armory vs Eric Young, Steve Maclin & Jonathan Gresham

There was no explanation as where Judas Icarus and Travis Williams have been. This feels like a far bigger match than Nemeth vs Myers so I felt they should’ve used this as the main event. Maclin and Icarus started off. Williams tried to run in but Maclin knocked them both down easily. Maclin ran the ropes and Gresham made a blind tag. He caught Icarus in mid-air and nailed a stalling German suplex. The crowd is really behind the newly-turned face in Gresham. He tagged in Young who hit a nice high dropkick. Young and Maclin nailed a kick with Icarus against the ropes. Maclin tagged in and scored a 2 count. Alexander grabbed hold of Maclin from behind in his corner and pulled him down, which allowed Icarus to make the tag. Alexander pummelled Maclin in the corner. Maclin fought back with body shots. Alexander hit a Northern Lights suplex with a bridge for 2.

(Commercial break)

Maclin and Williams were the legal men. Maclin ducked a kick and nailed the Busaiku Knee. He dived to his corner to make the tag to Young. Alexander tagged in and ran into a neckbreaker. They traded counters and Young hit an awesome Young Blood neckbreaker for 2. That was cool. Alexander ducked a clothesline and began his German suplex assault. He nailed a few and rolled to his corner to tag in Icarus. This gave Young time to tag Gresham. Both men hit a flurry of right hands on each other. Icarus chopped Gresham to the mat, but he kipped right up into an enziguiri! Icarus avoided a German suplex and hit a running knee. He nailed a gut wrench suplex for 2 and tagged in Williams. Icarus hit Gresham with a stunner. Williams and Icarus both hit dropkicks on Gresham in the corner. He tagged in Alexander. Alexander went for the C4 Spike but Gresham rolled through for a close 2 count. Gresham hit a head scissors and took out Alexander’s knee. He went to the top rope but Williams knocked him to the ring apron, allowing Alexander to hit his running crossbody to the floor. Icarus tossed Gresham back in and he and Williams hit Sudden Silence on Gresham. Alexander rolled into the cover but Maclin was able to break it up. Maclin chased Alexander around the ring but lured him back in so Icarus and Williams could nail him with dropkicks. Alexander went for the anklelock but Gresham kicked him off and tagged in Young. Young nailed the Death Valley Driver. He set up Alexander in the corner and tagged in Maclin so he could hit his corner spear. Young was about to deliver the top-rope elbow but Maclin wouldn’t relent on Alexander with right hands. Young dragged him off and clotheslined an incoming Williams. Gresham went flying through the air with a springboard moonsault to take out Icarus. He hit a suicide dive to the outside on Williams. Back in the ring, Icarus tried a crossbody to the outside, but Gresham pushed Young out of the way and took the blow himself. Alexander shoved Maclin into Young, who fell off the apron. Alexander took out Maclin with the C4 Spike for the win. The match lasted around 10 minutes of TV time.

Winners by pinfall: The Northern Armory

Analysis: ***1/2 That was very good from the action that we saw before and after the break. I actually thought I’d get sick of this feud but it hasn’t actually motivated Young and Gresham who are putting in really good performances lately. I think some more promo time from Alexander’s lackeys wouldn’t go astray. They are very talented, but have no real presence. I didn’t like how Maclin was straight up and talking to his teammates about the loss, after taking the C4 Spike. You should be down and selling that until the commercial break.

Frankie Kazarian and his Gauntlet Cup cut a promo backstage. He was annoyed that they focused on Rhino last week in a highlights package. Kaz bragged about beating a TNA Hall of Famer to win the Gauntlet. Rhino confronted him. He said he didn’t need a trophy to prove that he could beat Kaz.

Analysis: That’s probably a match for next week which is fine.

Steve Maclin was furious backstage. He bumped into Santino Marella. Maclin wanted another match against Alexander. He argued with Young. Gresham said he had their backs. Young said Maclin had trust issues and needed to sort himself out.

Analysis: This is all playing out well. I guess we get another Alexander vs Maclin match perhaps with a stipulation for Turning Point.

Match #4: Joe Hendry vs Ryan Nemeth

Hendry had a new and improved video package for Ryan, after last week’s embarrassment. This time it had a photo of him teaming with Nic, quickly followed by The End. Hendry asked to watch it one more time. Nemeth snapped and attacked Hendry from behind. He backed him into the corner with right hands and took Hendry to the mat for a 1 count. Hendry fought back with uppercuts and a headbutt. Nemeth took Hendry down with a sleeper attempt. Hendry got back to a vertical base and broke the hold. Nemeth backed him into the corner and hit a spear. He hit a snapmare and went back to the sleeper. Hendry got to his feet but Nemeth pulled him back down to the mat. Nemeth nailed a neckbreaker and went to the top rope. He was distracted by the crowding them him that he sucked. Hendry hit him with a press slam off the top. He nailed a few clotheslines and a Fallaway slam. Hendry kipped up and the crowd was ready for the finish. Hendry hit the Standing Ovation with one arm for the easy win after 5 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Joe Hendry

Analysis: **1/2 An easy win for Hendry. Putting him against Ryan made sense storyline-wise but he has so little momentum that the outcome was always going to be a Hendry win.

Match #5: Rosemary vs Jada Stone

There were highlights of Rosemary beating Wendy Choo in a No-DQ match last week to end their storyline/partnership. Stone tried to be aggressive early but Rosemary used her strength to swat her to the mat. Stone slipped through her legs with speed. She tried some strikes but Rosemary wasn’t really fazed. Rosemary tossed Stone into the corner but ran into an enziguiri. She ran at Rosemary who caught her with a sidewalk slam for 2. Rosemary choked Stone against the bottom rope. She hit a diving clothesline and choked Stone out with the Upside Down. Rosemary screamed at the camera about not needing anyone, anymore. She went back into the ring and hit a splash in the corner, then a T-Bone suplex for 2. Rosemary had Stone trapped in a neck wrench. Stone wriggled free and hit a jawbreaker. She hit a headscissors, which sent Rosemary into the corner. Stone took too long to follow up so Rosemary nailed the spear, then As Above So Below for the win after 3 ½ minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Rosemary

Analysis: *1/2 There wasn’t much to that. I’m not sure where they go with Rosemary now. They could have her challenge Masha Slamovich if they need a heel going forward.

There was a recap of The System Ceremony, that must’ve been on before the show. They all got matching rings. Moose needs to speak into the microphone properly or speak louder. His promos are poor lately. Here comes the walking mute button in Alisha Edwards with a microphone. My goodness, she is horrifically painful to listen to. She botched her promo so the fans let her know about it. Alisha fumbled through some more words and hyped up Brian Myers. The fans were really putting her off but I’m guessing she was playing it up. She said Eddie would beat Nic Nemeth at Turning Point. Alisha thought last week’s tag team loss was a fluke so here’s Knockouts Champion, Masha Slamovich, to question that. Masha challenged her to a fight for the title next week in a no-disqualification match. Tasha Steelz walked out to stand with Alisha and then Jordynne Grace joined the action. She wanted her rematch. Grace will face the winner of Alisha vs Masha at Turning Point.

Analysis: That’s an easy way to set up another Masha vs Grace match, without creating unnecessary storylines. Slamovich will be the champ for a long time, I feel.

Next week on Impact:

* TNA Knockouts Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Alisha Edwards
* Jody Threat vs Ash-by-Elegance
* Frankie Kazarian vs Rhino
* Trent Seven, Jake Something & Hammerstone vs The Hardys & Ace Austin

Analysis: I enjoyed typing that lineup more than I enjoyed the entire show tonight. It has felt like a very long evening.

Ryan Nemeth was backstage with the trainer, complaining that Joe Hendry had injured him. Nic and Santino were there. Kaz was lurking around as Nic went through Gorilla to the main event.

Analysis: The idea of Myers beating Nemeth is so unbelievable that they need to create as many distractions as possible before the match.

Match #6: Non-Title Match: Nic Nemeth vs Brian Myers w/ Alisha & Eddie Edwards

Joe Hendry came down as an equaliser before the match. He joined commentary. Hannifan called it “incredible” which might be the biggest stretch in sports history. There was a commercial break and then we were back for the start of the match. Nemeth went for a superkick but Myers ran out of the ring. The last time they fought, Nemeth beat Myers in 7 seconds so Nic was trying to recreate that here. Nemeth ran into the ring and Myers was waiting with stomps. He tossed Myers into the middle ring rope and distracted the referee, so Alisha could choke Nemeth out. Nemeth hit a dropkick. He whipped Myers hard into the turnbuckle then nailed a clothesline. Myers blocked a superkick but Nemeth hit a back suplex. He set up for the superkick again, but Eddie grabbed his leg in the corner. The referee ejected him. Nemeth tossed Myers over the top rope. Alisha was there, so Myers drove Nemeth into the steel steps.

(Commercial break)

Myers was in control with a spinebuster for a 2 count. Nemeth fought back with right hands but Myers hit a drop toe hold. He stomped on Nemeth’s head then nailed a back suplex for 2. Myers tried for another one, but Nemeth landed on his feet and hit a dropkick. They announced the Turkey Bowl match for Turning Point and put over wearing the turkey suit as if it was some career disaster. Hendry has entered that match but it seems like a waste of 6 wrestlers. Nemeth nailed a neckbreaker. He went to his 10 elbow drop routine and scored a nearfall. Nemeth set up for the superkick but Myers ducked and hit an enziguiri. He nailed the Implant DDT for 2. Myers set up for the spear but Nemeth hit the jumping DDT, then a Fame Asser for 2. I like it how Nemeth still thinks he can win a match with that move after all these years! Myers was in the corner with the referee. Alisha hit Nemeth in the back twice with a kendo stick. Myers bounced out of the corner with a spear! He rolled into the cover but Nemeth kicked out. Hendry carried Alisha to the back. Myers rolled up Nemeth and held his tights for a 2 count. Nemeth’s pants came right down, which I didn’t need to see, then he nailed a superkick. Nemeth hit the Danger Zone with half his ass hanging out for the win after 11 ½ minutes of TV time.

Winner by pinfall: Nic Nemeth

Analysis: *** It was never going to be a classic match because it was all too obvious, but they worked well together. The constant interference really interrupts the flow of these matches.

After the match, Eddie Edwards slid in from ringside and attacked Nemeth from behind. Edwards and Myers stomped on Nemeth until Hendry made the save with the kendo stick. He hit Myers and Edwards in the ribs. Nemeth popped up and Hendry went to hit him, because he moved quickly, but Joe stopped himself. That was a good teaser. Hendry told Nemeth he had his back but there was still tension there. The fans wanted a hug but that wasn’t happening. Impact went off the air with Nemeth and Hendry staring down each other. And then there was Steve Maclin angrily driving off somewhere as the credits played.

Analysis: I feel that the Nemeth/Hendry story will stay in the mix, even with Nemeth having other opponents, until there’s an explanation about John Layfield or a full turn by Nemeth. It’s good storytelling to keep it in our mind and also tries to show the fans who were upset by Hendry losing again at Bound for Glory that he’s still in the title picture.

Final Rating: 6/10

It felt like a really long show this week. I’m not sure if that’s down to me being tired or not, but there were 6 matches and only one got a decent amount of TV time so it felt like I watched a lot of entrances and post-match shenanigans. The Turning Point build continues and we are heading towards another Slamovich vs Grace match, which I’m in favour of. Eddie Edwards brings it to the big singles matches so Nemeth vs Edwards will be great. And the rest of the undercard, with The Hardys needing new opponents, as well as another Maclin vs Alexander match, have developing stories.

The next TNA monthly show is Turning Point on November 29th. Here’s the card so far:

* TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Eddie Edwards
* TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Alisha Edwards or Jordynne Grace
* Turkey Bowl (Loser must wear the turkey suit): Joe Hendry vs PCO vs John Skyler vs Brian Myers vs Hammerstone vs Eric Young

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!