TNA Rebellion 2025 Review

All of the titles were on the line as TNA Rebellion invaded Los Angeles, with Joe Hendry facing Ethan Page and Frankie Kazarian in the main event.

TNA had built a decent card for their April PPV. I wasn’t as engaged with the product as I usually am, having been at the children’s hospital for the past three weeks. However, I did watch the last three Impact TV episodes, and the feuds have been strong going into Rebellion. I thought it might be a night for a couple of title changes.

The Countdown to Rebellion kick-off featured two matches:

* Fatal Influence defeating Xia Brookside, Lei Ying Lee & Rosemary after 9 minutes. It was a fine match to start the night. Xia contemplated using the brass knuckles, which threw her off her game, and she succumbed to Jacy Jayne’s discus forearm. I expect a turn to the dark side for Xia soon.

* Elijah had an open challenge and defeated TMDK’s Shane Haste in 6-minutes.

TNA Rebellion 2025 from the Galen Centre in Los Angeles, CA by Kristian Thompson

The opening video hyped up the main feuds on the card. I liked the look of the arena. There was certainly more space at ringside, which is fine. They had the scaffolds set up for Ultimate X, so we are kicking off with that.

Match #1: Ultimate-X Match for the TNA X-Division Championship: Moose (c) w/ Alisha vs. El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Leon Slater vs. Matt Cardona vs. Sidney Akeem vs. KC Navarro

This is going to be hectic so I will cover it as best as I can. I’m not a huge fan of this match type, but I guess if Moose retains then it can be another feather in his cap especially as a bigger wrestler in a match full of high-flyers. Moose and Cardona were taken out of the ring early. The other 4 went for the title from their corner. Cardona and Moose stopped them with steel chair shots. Moose chopped Cardona but ran into a clothesline. Cardona went for Radio Silence but Moose nailed him with a powerbomb. Moose stood on the steel chair to try and reach the title but Vikingo flew from the top rope and nailed him with a cutter. Navarro came in but ran into a Vikingo boot. Vikingo nailed a dropkick from the top rope. He missed double knees in the corner. Navarro hit a 305 and taunted the crowd. He went to the top rope but Akeem knocked him off. Akeem hit a twisting cross body. He hit a step up kick on Cardona. Cardona recovered quickly with a clothesline. Slater came in and hit a spinning kick on Cardona, then a handspring back elbow. Slater thought about going to the top but Moose met him in the ring. Slater chopped Moose to the outside. He flew out of the ring but Moose caught him in mid-air. Moose wanted a powerbomb but Slater turned it into a hurricanrana. Slater turned around and Vikingo hit him with a suicide dive through the ropes. Cardona took out Vikingo on the floor. Akeem went to dive through the ropes but Cardona stopped him with a forearm shot. Navarro dropkicked Cardona through the ropes. Akeem avoided a kick and took out 4 wrestlers with a moonsault to the outside. Akeem started climbing the scaffold. Moose sprung to the top after him and nailed a superplex. He followed up by power bombing him over the top onto the other 4 wrestlers. Moose still wasn’t keen on climbing the scaffold so he got Alisha to do it. Alisha wasn’t really interested either but she did it anyway. Alisha almost made it to the title but slipped off and Moose caught her. Slater nailed Moose with a superkick so Alisha fell on top of him. Vikingo came back in. They battled on the top. Slater propelled off Vikingo to grab the overhead ropes. He reached for the title but Vikingo knocked him off with a dropkick. Navarro sent Vikingo to the outside. Akeem met him in the corner. KC sent him flying with an eye gouge. He took Vikingo down with a kick. Navarro climbed the scaffolding and made it to the cable. He got close to the championship but Slater pulled him on top of his shoulders. Navarro turned it into a crazy spiked DDT from the cable. Navarro hit Cardona’s own Reboot on him in the corner. He was all clear to scale the cable again. Cardona came back and pulled him to the mat. He sent Navarro to the outside. Cardona began to climb but Akeem hung him up on the ropes. It was Akeem’s turn to scale the cable. Navarro tried to reach him but he kicked him off. Moose tried to pull Akeem off but he flipped higher and on top of the cable. He dived off the cable and took Moose out. Akeem, Vikingo and KC battled on the top turnbuckle. Slater hit a dropkick on Vikingo. There were 4 men in the corner now, with Moose and Cardona battling in the middle of the ring. Slater superplexed KC onto Moose and Cardona. Vikingo hit an insane Destroyer on Akeem on the ring apron from the top rope. That was ridiculous. AJ Francis got into the ring and hit the Down Payment on Vikingo. The crowd was all over Francis. He helped KC by allowing him onto his shoulders. Moose appeared and nailed Francis with a spear. Navarro had the title in his hands but Moose powerbombed him. Moose ran into Radio Silence from Cardona. Slater with a leg lariat on Cardona. He climbed the top rope but hesitated. Slater continued to climb to the top of the scaffold. He was now on the top. Slater flew through the air with a Swanton 450 on the pile of wrestlers but they didn’t really catch him and he crashed really hard onto the floor. That was really nasty and not well executed by the other wrestlers. However, Slater was the first one up which was good to see. He went back into the ring and scaled the cable. Slater was right there at the title. He tried to unhook the championship and was successful. Slater was almost to the floor when Moose appeared and speared him in mid-air. Moose picked up the championship to retain after 15 minutes.

Winners AND STILL TNA X-Division Champion: Moose

Analysis: **** That was an exciting way to open the show. I think I liked it far more than (recent) previous Ultimate X matches as it wasn’t ALL high-flyers in the ring and everyone brought something different to the match. It can also be difficult to book interesting finishes to these types of matches. However, the ending was excellent because it played into the story of Moose not wanting to scale the scaffold as he was afraid of heights. Slater and Vikingo were particularly great in this match, and Akeem has had two strong showings in TNA now. Apart from the bump Slater took, it was all done cleanly and well.

Match #2: TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championships: Ash & Heather by Elegance (c) vs. Spitfire vs. NXT’s Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson vs. NXT’s Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley

This hasn’t been built very well because Ash has been overseas for a few weeks. The NXT teams are probably better than the TNA teams, to be honest. Legend and Jackson are far better than any of the women in the match, apart from Luna. This is first-fall to a finish and only two in the ring at once. Paxley and Ash started the match. Ash tagged Heather straight in. Paxley stalked Ash around the ring, so she tagged in Luna out of fear. Luna targeted Paxley’s left shoulder. She tagged in Threat, who hit her corner clotheslines on Paxley. Spitfire double-teamed Paxley with scoop slams and scored a 2 count. Paxley hit a knee strike and tagged in Dolin, who nailed Luna with a dropkick in the ropes for 2. Dolin hit a forearm but Luna fought back. Ash tripped Luna up but Threat dived through the ropes to take her out. Paxley hit a moonsault to the other women on the outside, then Dolin hit a twisting splash onto the pile of bodies. Legend picked up Heather and tossed her over the top rope onto the rest of the women. She picked up her own tag partner and tossed Jackson onto the others, too. Jackson tagged herself in but Dolin rolled her up for 2. Jackson hit a monkey flip. Heather tagged herself in and almost rolled Jackson up for 3. She ran into a dropkick. Luna tagged in for Jackson. She pulled Heather over to the corner and tagged in Threat. Spitfire hit a double-stalling suplex on Heather for a 2 count. Ash went to break it up, but Threat moved, and she splashed Heather. Luna nailed Heather with a trio of German suplexes. Dolin nailed Threat with a sliding German suplex and Paxley tagged in and scored a 2 count. Legend came in and put Paxley onto her shoulders. She tossed her down onto Jackson for a sit-out powerbomb but the pinfall was broken up by the Elegances. Ash and Threat tagged in. Jody nailed a bunch of chops and a UFO powerbomb for 2. Legend came in and gave Ash a backbreaker. Luna took out Legend but Jackson hit her with a top rope dropkick. Paxley with an enziguiri on Jackson. Ash hit a DDT on Dolin. Threat and Ash battled on the top turnbuckle. Maggie Lee ran down the ramp and hit at ringside. She held Ash’s leg so she didn’t get superplexed off the top. They did the same spot in both corners where two women superplexed one of the others. Ash stayed on the top and nailed Threat with the Rarified Air for the win after 10 minutes.

Winners AND STILL TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions: Ash & Heather by Elegance

Analysis: ***1/2 It was probably Ash and Heather’s best defense so far and one of the better KO’s Tag Title matches in recent memory. The only thing that was hard to follow was who was legal in the match, as it was so fast-paced. I thought Ash and Heather would retain, with the odds against them, and there was no reason to do a title change. It’s time for Threat and Luna to go back to singles wrestlers.

Match #3: The Rascalz & Ace Austin w/ Sean Waltman vs. The System

This is probably the match that I had the least amount of interest in, as there’s really nothing on the line here. JDC missed the show due to the dreaded ‘travel complications,’ so Moose is doing double duty. The Rascalz did some quick tags early and double dropkicked Brian Myers. Eddie Edwards tagged in and so did Austin. He nailed a neckbreaker and a splash in the corner. Edwards tried for a clothesline, but Austin blocked it and hit a leg sweep. Edwards avoided the Fame Asser and hit a chop. Austin escaped a suplex attempt and tagged in Miguel, who came in with a crossbody. Miguel took out Myers from the apron. Edwards hid behind Alisha on the outside. Miguel got back up on the apron and Alisha held his leg, so Edwards knocked him to the floor. Edwards went to the floor and chopped Miguel against the apron. He tossed Miguel back into the ring and tagged in Moose. Moose choked Miguel out with his shirt while the referee was distracted. Waltman informed the referee. Myers tagged in and tried for a crossface. Miguel got to his feet but ran into a back elbow. Edwards tagged in and hit a knee drop. Myers made a blind tag and Miguel rolled Edwards up but he wasn’t legal so Myers hit him in the back of the head with a superkick. Miguel escaped a sleeper attempt. He fought out of the corner but ran into a lifting Flatliner from Myers. Myers lined up the spear but Miguel hit a knee strike to finally attempt to make a tag. Moose and Edwards took Wentz and Austin off the apron so Miguel was alone again. The System triple-teamed Miguel and Edwards hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for Moose to cover for only a 2 count. Moose wanted a back suplex but Miguel fought out and tagged Wentz. Wentz flew from his corner and hit a double dropkick on Edwards and Myers. He nailed Moose with a superkick. Moose reversed an Irish Whip but Wentz hit a handspring knee strike for a 2 count. Austin came in and hit the Lighting Spiral. Wentz tagged in and nailed the Spiral Tap from the top. Moose was done but Edwards broke up the pin. Everyone was in the ring now. Austin hit the Fame Asser on Edwards. Miguel hit some jiving punches on Myers. They went to do a tribute to Waltman but Alisha got into the ring. Alisha slapped Waltman so he gave her an X-Factor! They did the DX chops. There was a trio of Bronco Busters. Waltman nailed a perfect spinning heel kick on Myers. Austin and Miguel wiped out Edwards and Myers on the floor with dives. Back in the ring, Moose hit the pump kick on Wentz. He lined up the spear but Wentz hit the X-Factor. Wentz hit the UFO cutter on Moose to pin the champion after 12 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The Rascalz & Ace Austin

Analysis: ***1/2 This was a match that could’ve just been on Impact, but they did a good job to get the crowd involved. The second half of the match was pretty exciting. The first half dragged a bit with Miguel in peril. There was a bit of nostalgia stuff with Waltman which was fine. I still don’t really understand the pairing with The Rascalz, unless it’s some pot reference or maybe they all just like the colour green. He could still move well by the looks of it. Moose getting pinned doesn’t really matter, as it was his second match of the night, and maybe now Wentz can claim a title shot, which would be fine as the crowd loves him.

Match #4: TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) vs Eric Young w/ The Northern Armory

Maclin won the title just 10 days ago at Unbreakable. This story has been all about Young trying to get Maclin to join his stable. Judas Icarus and Travis Williams tried to attack Maclin as he walked to the ring but he took care of them with ease. Maclin was on fire as the bell rang. He tossed Young to the outside, then leapt through the ropes and took the heel trio out. With the referee distracted, Williams tossed Maclin into the steel steps. Young dragged Maclin into the ring for a 2 count. He choked Maclin out against the bottom rope then drilled him with a right hand. Maclin sent Young into the corner but he flipped to the ring apron, slipped under the bottom rope and nailed a ring hand. Maclin got the upper hand and trapped Young in the Tree of Woe. Williams got into the ring to free Young and Icarus held Maclin’s leg. The referee was watching all of this and finally sent them to the back. That got the crowd up and about. Maclin clotheslined them over the top rope and went for the spear on Young in the corner. Young pulled himself up and Maclin went crashing to the floor. That was well done. The doctor checked on Maclin as he took a rough fall on the floor. Maclin was busted open so Young exposed the wound. He brought Maclin back into the ring for a 1 count. Maclin nailed the Thesz Press and an Olympic Slam for 2. He went to the top but Young cut him off quickly. Young wanted a superplex but Maclin trapped his leg in the ropes and stomped him from the top. He nailed his corner spear for 2. Young went to the top, but this time, Maclin cut him off. Maclin wanted the KIA from the top, but Young bit his forehead, sending Maclin crashing to the floor. Young hit his top rope elbow drop for 2. Young was incensed and contemplated punching the referee. Maclin sent him to the ring apron but Young gouged his eyes. Young nailed the DVD on the ring apron. That was rough. Young sent Maclin back into the ring and put his feet on the ropes for a nearfall. They exchanged right hands and Maclin nailed the Busaiku Knee. Yung escaped the KIA. He tried for a piledriver but Maclin slipped over the back and sat down on the pin to retain his title after 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA International Champion: Steve Maclin

Analysis: ***1/2 It was a good match between two veterans. I much prefer this heel version of Young, which enables him to do more dastardly things and has a wider moveset. They work well together.

After the match, Williams and Icarus were back, this time with steel chains. They knocked Maclin to the mat. Young wrapped the chain around Maclin’s neck and choked him out using the middle rope. Young held up the title and the chain, while Maclin was passed out on the floor.

Analysis: An effective post-match beatdown means that this isn’t over. That’s okay with me, as they are working hard, and the story is solid.

Match #5: Falls Count Anywhere Match: Mike Santana vs Mustafa Ali

This has been the best storyline in TNA this year, apart from Joe Hendry winning the World Title. Kudos to both men because after 2 matches and months of feuding, it’s still going strong. The referee didn’t even have time to ring the bell before they started brawling. Santana hit a super kick. Ali sent him into the corner but Santana back body-dropped Ali to the floor. Santana botched a diving move to the outside but Ali still sold it. The crowd was kind. Santana got the steel steps from around the ring. I love how the wrestlers expect us to believe that they can hardly lift them when they can lift giant men all over the ring for 20 minutes, multiple times a week. Ali went back into the ring and tried a suicide dive, but Santana sidestepped and sent him into the steps. Oh my, that was an amazing crash and burn. Ali thankfully didn’t land on his head. Santana covered him on the floor for 2. Ali started walking to the back, so Santana ran up the ramp and dived off the stage to take him down. Santana hit a moonsault from the fan rail and knocked Ali down for another 2 count. A fan handed Santana his popcorn so he hit Ali with that. Probably not as threatening as a steel chair but I laughed. Ali rammed Santana into a wall by the exit. Some of the secret service agents held Santana down and beat him up. Ali dived off the top of the balcony with a crossbody but Santana kicked out at 2. Ali took Santana back to ringside. He bounced his head off the ring apron then went searching for some weapons. Ali set up two steel chairs at ringside. He wanted a powerbomb but Santana sent him crashing through the chairs with a back body drop. Ali was down on the floor so Santana went to the top. Ali recovered and smashed Santana over the back with a chair. He set up the chair against Santana’s body on the ring apron and hit a Coast to Coast dropkick! Santana fell to the floor so Ali covered him for 2. Ali took Santana back into the ring and they traded kicks in the corner. He ran at Santana who sent him face-first into the middle turnbuckle. Santana wanted Spin the Block. The Great Hands pulled him out of the ring. They got a table from underneath the ring. The crowd love that. Skyler and Hotch set it up near the announce table. They put Santana on the table and Ali nailed the 450 splash through the table! Ali crawled to the cover but Santana just got the shoulder up. Great nearfall. They threw Santana back into the ring and got the steel steps. Skyler and Hotch set the steps up in the corner. They pulled out some handcuffs. Santana fought back with a double rolling cutter. He handcuffed the Great Hands to the ropes, right in front of the steel steps. Santana went searching for something underneath the ring. He found a barbed-wire baseball bat. Ali came out of nowhere and hit him with a rolling neckbreaker. He missed the 450 and ran into a Spanish Fly but Tasha Steelz broke up the pin. Steelz got a table from under the ring and set it up at ringside. Ali wanted to suplex Santana from the ring to the floor. Santana pulled Ali by the arm and he went crashing into the steel post. Steelz tried to strike Santana but he caught her on the apron. Santana hit a very safe sit-out powerbomb on Steelz through the table! Ali came from behind with a chair shot to the back. Ali got another table from under the ring and brought it into the ring. He set it up in the corner near the Great Hands. Ali put Santana on the table and climbed to the top rope and on top of the steps. Santana cut him off. He walked over to the Great Hands. Santana stood on top of the steel steps and superplexed Ali through the table! Ali somehow kicked out at 2! He crawled to the corner and grabbed the barbed-wire bat. Santana wasn’t aware and Ali smashed him in the face with the bat. Ali wasted time taunting the crowd. He turned around and Santana was up and bloodied. Santana caught the bat and destroyed Ali with Spin the Block to win the match after 20 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Mike Santana

Analysis: ****1/4 That was an excellent match that was full of chaos and weapons. You could complain about the interference, but it fits the story because it’s always been about Santana overcoming the numbers and Ali always having backup. Ali is just about the best wrestler in the world at making someone else’s offense look devastating. He makes simple spots like going into the turnbuckle or the ring post look so much more impactful than other wrestlers. I’m happy that they pulled off such a great match to end the rivalry.

Before the Knockouts Title match, Indi Hartwell was interviewed at ringside and announced as a new TNA signing. That’s a great addition since TNA needs more talented women wrestlers.

Match #6: TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) vs Tessa Blanchard

Blanchard was showered with boos as expected. They have built this up well, but I thought they might leave it until Slammiversary as it’s the last real big match that Masha can have with the current KO’s lineup. It might have a screwy finish that requires a rematch, we will see. Slamovich hit a twisting senton to the floor before the match had even begun. She hit a Busaiku knee as the bell rang and almost got a 3 count. Slamovich hit the Snow Plow but Blanchard kicked out. She was on fire early. Blanchard fought back with a Dragon Screw for 2. She hit a Fisherman’s suplex but dropped Slamovich on her knee. She tossed the champion into middle rope and hit a dropkick. Slamovich blocked a superkick on the apron. She tried to suplex Tessa back into the ring but Tessa turned it into a reverse DDT off the ropes for 2. Tessa talked trash whilst Slamovich was down. She targeted the knee again. Tom Hannifan mentioned Indi Hartwell had signed with TNA. What is that?! Awesome news, but make it a big deal! Tessa tied Slamovich up in the Tree of Woe. She went back to the left knee and hit another dropkick in the corner for a 2 count. Tessa taunted the crowd and then put Slamovich in a leg lock. Slamovich tried to break the hold by pulling her hair. Tessa stacked her up for a surprise 2 count. She continued the assault on the left knee. Slamovich reached the rope to break the hold. Tessa punted the knee of Slamovich. She went for Magnum but Slamovich caught her in mid-air. Blanchard turned it into a Destroyer. She took too long to follow up so Slamovich hit a Code Red. Slamovich, unwisely, hit a kick with her bad leg. She nailed a German suplex for 2. Blanchard blocked a Requiem attempt and used a Jacknife cover for 2. She hit another Dragon Screw and locked in a modified Figure 4 Leg lock. Blanchard starting biting Slamovich’s forehead until the referee noticed. She turned it into a front-face lock but Slamovich could reach the ropes. Blanchard talked trash in the corner and kicked Slamovich repeatedly. She chopped her a few times then lifted her to the top. Slamovich tried to fight back. I think the crowd was chanting “Boring”. Blanchard hit a modified Magnum out of the corner for a close 2 count. I think they were chanting “CM Punk” now. Slamovich avoided the Buzzsaw. There was “Let’s go Cena”, “Cena Sucks” chants next. Losers. Slamovich hit a sit-out powerbomb for 2. Blanchard kicked the injured knee and hit a cutter. She nailed Buzzsaw but Slamovich kicked out at the very last second. Blanchard climbed to the top turnbuckle. She wanted Magnum. Slamovich fought back with a right hand. She climbed to meet Tessa for a superplex. Blanchard blocked it and hit an open-palm strike. Slamovich fought back and nailed a Death Valley Driver from the top then a Boston Knee Party for the closest of 2 counts. Slamovich trapped Tessa in an armbar and she tapped out after 15 minutes.

Winner AND STILL TNA Knockouts Champion: Masha Slamovich

Analysis: ***1/2 That was a result that I wouldn’t have predicted, as Tessa has been booked so strongly since her return. I’m not a huge fan of a match that really slows down the pace because of a targeted body part like a knee in this match, but it’s a heel move so it makes sense. The crowd was stupid towards the end with the chanting. It wasn’t like the match was boring, they just hate Tessa and I guess wanted to put her off. Enjoy the wrestling that you paid for, nerds. The last 5 minutes were really good, but overall, it wasn’t at the heights it could’ve got, which also plagued Jordynne Grace’s title reign as she had mostly good matches but not often excellent ones. I’m not sure where Tessa goes from here, as she’s clearly the best in the division, and it’s not like there’s anyone else worth feuding with at present.

Match #7: TNA World Tag Team Championships: The Hardys vs The Nemeths

This has been a really good rivalry and I have enjoyed the Nic Nemeth heel turn. The four men brawled to kick the match off. The Hardys took back their titles that The Nemeths stole at the Hardy Compound. There were very loud chants for Matt and Jeff. The bell rang but all 4 were still in the ring at once. It seemed to be Matt and Nic starting off when it died down. Matt blocked a superkick and hit a DDT for 2. He hit a slingshot with Nic against the middle rope. Jeff tagged in and they hit a double back elbow for 2. Nic poked the eye of Jeff. He tagged in Ryan. Ryan speared Jeff in the corner. He choked Jeff against the bottom rope and got a 1 count. Ryan took Jeff to the mat but missed an elbow drop. Matt tagged in and did his Delete head smashes against the turnbuckles. He hit a corner clothesline on Ryan and the Side Effect for 2. Ryan escaped the Twist of Fate and Nic hung Matt up on the ropes. He turned around into a DDT from Ryan for a 2 count. In came Nic off the tag. He hit Matt with a flurry of strikes. Ryan nailed some cheap shots from the apron. Nic hit a snapmare and his elbow drops. He pulled Matt into the corner and tagged in Ryan. Ryan hit a snapmare and attempted a sleeper hold. He grounded Matt to the ring mat with a front face-lock. Matt blocked a suplex and used an inside cradle for a 2 count. Both men had a clothesline in mind and took each other down. They made it to their corners so Jeff and Nic were legal. Jeff was on fire with clotheslines and an Atomic Drop. Jeff hit an elbow drop for 2. He measured Nic for the Twist of Fate but Nic avoided it. Jeff was sent into the corner but hit the Whisper in the Wind for a 2 count. He nailed the Twist of Fate but Ryan broke up the pin. Matt tossed him to the floor. The Hardys nailed the Plot Twist but Ryan broke it up again. Matt again tossed him outside. He pummeled him with forearms. Jeff rolled up Nic for 2. Nic nailed the Famer Asser for 2. He measured Jeff for a super kick but he avoided it. Matt tagged in and they hit Poetry in Motion. Side Effect from Matt and a splash from Jeff. Matt saw Ryan trying to get into the ring and Matt accidentally got in the referee’s way to stop her 3 count. That was awkward. Matt hit the Twist of Fate on Nic. Jeff wanted the Swanton but Ryan stopped him. Matt tossed Ryan into the announce table. He hit a neckbreaker on the floor. Matt got a steel chair from underneath the ring. He was going to powerbomb Ryan on it but Ryan back body-dropped him through the chair. Ryan tried to enter the ring so the referee stopped him. What about the other 20 times he entered illegally?! Nic hit a low blow on Jeff and the Danger Zone. Ryan tagged himself in and pinned Jeff to win the titles after 12 minutes.

Winners AND NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: The Nemeths

Analysis: *** It was just decent. The problem with Ryan is that he’s been booked like such a loser for a long time that you try to take him seriously and it actually is even more detrimental. He tags in, hits a snapmare and a sleeper and then tags out again and the rest of his involvement is breaking up pins or other heelish stuff. I know he’s an annoying character and Nic will eventually work it out and turn back again, but it does dumb down the content a bit for the viewer. A cheap win for the heels but I am happy with the title change as it justified Nic moving away from the singles scene for a while.

Match #8: TNA World Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs Frankie Kazarian vs NXT’s Ethan Page

There was only 15 minutes left after entrances and introductions so it’s not going to be a long main event. You don’t have to have 35 minute main events on every show like AEW, but 15 minutes in the main event of one of your main PPVs in the year is a bit disappointing. Page and Kaz predictably targeted Hendry early. Hendry tried a Standing Ovation on Kaz, who popped out the back and went for the Chicken Wing. Hendry sent him to the outside and took out both men with a dive. Hendry posed for the fans and went back to focusing on Page. He wanted a powerbomb but Kaz came back in. Hendry hit a pump kick on Kaz. Page attacked him from behind and nailed a bunch of right hands. He hit a suplex on Hendry on top of Kaz who was hung up in the middle rope. Page hit a back elbow on Hendry. Kaz went looking for weapons under the ring. Hendry and Page clotheslined each other. Kaz sprung into the ring with a roll up on Hendry for 2. Nice. He hit a neckbreaker on Page for 2. Kaz teed off on Hendry with right hands. He rolled Hendry up for 2. They did a double pin spot for 2. Kaz tried to lock Page in the Chicken Wing. He backed Kaz into the turnbuckle. Hendry splashed them in the corner. Page had a Guillotine on Hendry but the champ turned it into a suplex. Kaz hit a double springboard legdrop and covered Page for 2. He tried covering Hendry and still only got a nearfall. Page avoided the Fade to Black. Kaz escaped from a Standing Ovation attempt. Page picked up Kaz for a powerslam and ran through Hendry before hitting the move and a nearfall. Page went to the top rope. Hendry connected with a right hand and hoisted him onto his shoulders. Kaz joined the fray and hit right hands on Hendry. He tried a Fade to Black from the top but Hendry turned it into a roll up for 2. Hendry tried a powerbomb but Kaz held on to Page from the top turnbuckle and hit a superplex from Hendry’s shoulders. Fantastic spot and amazing strength from Kaz. Kaz hit a Guillotine legdrop on Hendry. Kaz lined up Page on the outside but Page hit him with a belly-to-belly-suplex that took out the timekeeper and another official. I don’t think they were quite ready for that. Page hit a draping DDT on Hendry at ringside. He set up the table on the floor. Page was about to hit the Ego’s Edge on Hendry through the table but Kaz nailed him with the trophy to the ribs. Kaz tossed Hendry in the ring and hit the slingshot DDT. He did the Hendry spin and wanted the Standing Ovation. Hendry blocked it and went for an Olympic Slam but Kaz nailed the Fade to Black. Page broke up the pin. He ran into a backstabber from Kaz. Kaz went for a springboard legdrop but Page hit a Code Breaker for 2. Hendry picked up Page for an Olympic Slam for 2. Kaz hit Angel’s Wings but Joe barely kicked out. Nice nod to Christopher Daniels in a triple threat match. The crowd chanted their appreciation. All three men brawled in the centre of the ring with right hands and chops. No one could really get the advantage until Kaz took down Page with a clothesline. Kaz tried to lock in the Chicken Wing on Hendry. Page ran at them but they sent him to the floor with a back body drop. Kaz brought Hendry down to the mat. The champ looked to be fading. He got a second wind and made it to his feet. Hendry sent Kaz to the ring apron. Kaz picked him up for the Fade to Black. Hendry avoided it and sent Kaz through the table with an Attitude Adjustment. That was a rough landing. Hendry went back into the ring and Page tried hitting him with the championship. Hendry avoided it and went for the Standing Ovation. Page escaped and nailed a cutter on top of the title but Hendry kicked out. Page wanted the Ego’s Edge. Hendry slipped out the back and hit the Fallaway Slam. He nailed the Standing Ovation to retain the title after 14 minutes.

Winner AND STILL TNA World Champion: Joe Hendry

Analysis: **** That was an action-packed and fun main event. They utilized some clever spots with all 3 men and used the 14 minutes to the full. You could tell that they were rushing in the last few minutes but it made for an exciting finish. I didn’t expect Hendry to lose but there were enough close moments where you thought it could be possible. It was Hendry’s best match in a while.

After the match, NXT’s Trick Williams showed up and hit his Trick Shot knee strike on Hendry. Williams was embarrassed by Hendry and NXT Champion, Oba Femi, on Tuesday. Williams hit another Trick Shot and told the TNA fans to suck it. Williams held up the TNA title and tossed it on top of Hendry as Rebellion closed.

Analysis: The NXT/TNA crossover is probably at the highest point at the moment and this will be a very good next feud for Hendry. Bring it on.

Final Rating: 7.75/10

That was TNA’s best PLE out of the 3 in 2025. They gave us three matches over the 4-star mark, in my opinion, with my favourite being Santana vs. Ali in Falls Count Anywhere. The show opened with one of the best Ultimate X matches that I can recall since I returned to watching TNA. There was nothing on the show that I didn’t enjoy but I thought the Knockouts title match could’ve been better, however they decided to do a slower match with a focus on softening up Masha Slamovich’s knee.

The main event triple threat match was fast-paced and gave all 3 guys many spots to shine. I thought it was a great night of wrestling and certainly recommend watching those 3 matches that I rated highly, but everything on the show was decent.

Here are my TNA PPV reviews so far this year.

Genesis: 7.5/10

Sacrifice: 7/10

Rebellion: 7.75/10

I’ll be back later in the week with a review of the live Impact show.

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!