TNA Sacrifice 2024 Review

TNA was back in Canada for Sacrifice with five titles on the line including Moose defending the World Title against Eric Young, plus Nic Nemeth versus Steve Maclin.

I discussed my interest in this show in my weekly review here so we will get right to the action on what should be a great night of wrestling. I will go play-by-play for most of the matches, but there were some technical issues throughout the show which caused a bit of interference in some bouts.

TNA Sacrifice: 8/3/24: St. Clair College in Windsor, ON, Canada

Countdown to Sacrifice

Pre-Show Match #1: TNA Digital Media Championship: Crazzy Steve (c) vs Joe Hendry

Steve came out first for some reason. Laredo Kid had travel issues so he was replaced by Hendry here. They have not featured this title on Impact (only XPlosion) for a while so I’m not sure what Kid did to earn a shot, if anything. Hendry is a former champion and popular with the crowd so he’s a good replacement choice here. Hendry made fun of Steve before the match by showing superimposed images of Steve, which was mildly amusing. This was a very basic match that went under 5 minutes. AJ Francis was on commentary and interfered, sending Hendry into the ring post. Steve finished Hendry off with Adonis’ Kiss and that was enough.

Winner AND STILL TNA Digital Media Champion: Crazzy Steve
Match Rating: **1/4

Pre-Show Match #2: The Rascalz vs Speedball Mountain

These two teams have been allied with Nic Nemeth and Steve Maclin as of late. Hannifan announced that Nemeth vs Maclin would start the main show. This was a much better match to hype the crowd up. There were 3-4 believable near falls throughout including an awesome Sunset Flip powerbomb double-team on Bailey. In the end, Miguel went to use the spray paint and hit his own partner, then Bailey hit a kick into a half and half-suplex from Seven for the pinfall win after 8 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: Speedball Mountain
Match Rating: ***1/4

TNA Sacrifice Main PPV Show

Match #1: IWGP Global Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs Steve Maclin

I personally don’t think this match needs a title to make it any bigger, but I felt that Nemeth would win regardless and now I’m almost certain that he will. This is the match that I am looking forward to most on the entire card. You could feel the intensity as they faced off before the bell rang. Maclin scored first with a cheap clothesline. Nemeth took his time to compose himself and took a breather on the outside. Nemeth hit a nice dropkick and a splash in the corner. Maclin countered a neckbreaker and tossed Nemeth shoulder-first into the steel ring post. The ‘Maclin sucks’ chants were pretty loud early on. Maclin tossed Nemeth into the guard rail and chopped him against it. He threw Nemeth back into the ring and scored a 2 count. Maclin continued the offense with a backbreaker for another nearfall. He kept calling Nemeth ‘Dolph’ and feigned apologising. That was pretty great. Maclin whipped Nemeth into the corner turnbuckle with force. He used the middle rope to drop a knee on Nemeth’s back. Maclin continued to work over Nemeth’s back in the mat and locked in a crossface at the same time. Nemeth got to his feet and broke the grip with an Olympic Slam. It’s true. Nemeth hit a running splash in the corner and starting biting Maclin, then transitioned into a neckbreaker. The crowd was very vocal, good signs early on. Nemeth dropped about 10 elbows on Maclin, including the last one from the top. The action spilled to the outside and Maclin hit a back suplex on the ramp. Back in the ring, Maclin missed his diving headbutt and Nemeth nailed the Fame Asser for 2. He nailed another splash in the corner but Maclin reversed an Irish Whip and had Nemeth upside down. Maclin tried to spear Nemeth in the corner but he missed and went through the bottom rope and crashed into the ring announcer’s area. I’m not sure if that was planned or not but it looked nasty. The referee counted to 7 so Nemeth went outside to bring Maclin back into the ring. Maclin was lying in wait and hit a knee to the face for a close 2 count. He hit a buckle bomb and a Tombstone Piledriver but Nemeth kicked out again! Maclin stomped away on Nemeth on the mat. Nemeth countered the KIA and went for a superkick but Maclin caught his leg and hit the KIA anyway. Nemeth rolled out of the ring before Maclin could make the cover. There were some ‘Technical Difficulty’ messages that came up on my stream which interrupted the match for about a minute so I missed a bit. Maclin swore at Nemeth and the screen went out again. Nemeth countered a KIA into one of his own but Maclin kicked out at the last second. At this point the quality of the video was almost unwatchable. Maclin went for another KIA but Nemeth hit 2 superkicks. Maclin was wobbly and fell right into the Danger Zone from Nemeth who picked up the win after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall and STILL IWGP Global Champion: Nic Nemeth

Analysis: ***3/4 I’m actually not sure that it was ever a title match, as previously advertised, because the ring announcer didn’t announce Nemeth as retaining after the match. Obviously, I will have to go back and watch the last few minutes again because it was a little bit interrupted which was a shame. However, it lived up to the hype and was a great contest. I might bump it up to 4 stars on a second viewing. The intensity was great. This is the best rivalry that TNA has had in 12 months since we had Bully Ray vs Josh Alexander at Hard to Kill.

Match #2: TNA World Tag Team Championships: Bullet Club (c) vs The System w/ Alisha

Austin and Bey aren’t my favourite team and I was hoping that GYV would win the titles at No Surrender so I am fine with a win for the System here, then they would have two of the main titles in their stable. This was a very good tag match where I again had the dreaded technical issues. Alisha tripped Austin up, which led to the Roster Cut/ Boston Knee Party combination for the win for The System after 14 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW TNA World Tag Team Champions: The System

Match Rating: ***1/2

They had a video highlights package for PCO vs Kon, which they have built up well over the last few weeks. It’s not everyone’s dream match, but Kon has broken free from Deaner and is now a singles wrestler so PCO as a big man is a good first opponent.

Match #3: No-Disqualification Match: Kon vs PCO

Kon destroyed the timekeeper before the match, for some reason. He took a mic and told the fans that he was the baddest man in TNA. He then called PCO out, even though they have a match scheduled. Perhaps Kon is not that bright. The lights went out and PCO was in the ring. PCO went for the chairs early on in the match and set a stack of them up outside the ring. Unfortunately, he’s also not very bright and he stood on the ring apron so Kon could easily clothesline him back down onto the chairs. PCO fought back by ramming Kon into the steel ring post. He bounced Kon’s head off a trash can. PCO ran the ropes and hit a suicide dive to the outside. They exchanged shots with baking trays on the entrance ramp. Kon hit a back suplex on the stage. He repeated the dose and it looked like they were setting up for a spot where PCO goes through the stage. Kon went for the neck snap but PCO used the baking tray to nail Kon in the head. PCO choke slammed Kon off the stage through a bunch of tables. Kon sat up and crawled back onto the stage. They brawled back to the ring and tossed a bunch of chairs into the ring. PCO nailed a reverse DDT on a trash can then connected with the PCO-Sault whilst Kon was lying on a bunch of chairs. He covered Kon and that was enough for the win after 9 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: PCO

Analysis: *** That was fine for a weapons match between two wrestlers who are obviously limited with their movement during the match, so you expect a slower pace. I did not expect PCO to win, as they looked like they were building up Kon as a legitimate singles wrestler.

Match #4: TNA Knockouts’ World Tag Team Championships: MK Ultra vs Dani Luna & Jody Threat

All 4 women brawled outside the ring before the bell began for several minutes. Slamovich hit Luna with the Snow Plow then Slamovich and Threat started the match off in the ring. Slamovich hit a superkick as Threat felt the effects of the pre-match beatdown. Slamovich went for a cover but Threat kicked out at 1. She hit a swinging backfist and a modified powerbomb for 2. There was lots of yelling during this match, in many languages. Kelly tagged in for the first time and Luna dragged Slamovich to the outside. This distracted Kelly, so Threat rolled her up and got the surprise win after only 3 minutes of official ring time.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW TNA Knockouts’ World Tag Team Champions: Dani Luna and Jody Threat

Analysis: *1/2 Well, that was odd. It was 5-minutes all up, including the pre-match shenanigans, and a shock win for Luna and Threat. I’m fine with the result but MK Ultra did just win the titles back two weeks ago. And now they look like splitting up with Slamovich shoving Kelly down post-match. There are only 3 teams in the division, don’t break one up!

Match #5: Josh Alexander vs (Alexander) Hammerstone

This is the second match between these two, after Alexander won at Hard to Kill. I gave that one 4 stars so I’m hoping for that or better here. Hammerstone is a TNA wrestler now, so that’s great news. He looks like a cross between Matt Morgan and Brock Lesnar. He’s a big dude. Hammerstone went for a pump kick as soon as the bell rang. Alexander avoided it and hit a side headlock takedown. Hammerstone powered out of it with a back suplex but Alexander didn’t let go of the headlock, which was unique. He went for another back suplex but Alexander slipped out the back and went for the anklelock. Hammerstone powered out and sent Alexander off the ropes into a back body drop. He pummelled Alexander with ten clotheslines in the corner. Alexander fought back with ten chops in the corner. It was hard-hitting early on. Alexander hit a German suplex but Hammerstone popped straight up and clotheslined Alexander over the top rope. Alexander made it back to the ring apron and they brawled there. He kicked Hammerstone off the apron but Hammerstone swept the legs of Alexander out from under him. Hammerstone nailed a powerbomb on the ring apron and scored a 2 count back in the ring. He sent Alexander off the ropes and clobbered him with a forearm to the back. Hammerstone repeated the dose and nailed a backbreaker. He posed to the fans in the corner and then whipped Alexander hard into the opposite corner. Alexander fought back with right hands but Hammerstone levelled him with one shot of his own and a stiff kick. Hammerstone speared Alexander in the corner but Alexander jumped on him with forearms. Hammerstone turned this into a bear hug and made it back to the centre of the ring. That’s not a move you see very often. Alexander boxed the ears of Hammerstone to break the hold. He jumped off the middle rope but Hammerstone caught him and launched him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Hammerstone scored a nearfall again. He backed Alexander into the corner with right hands. Alexander tried to chop his way out of trouble but he clobbered him down again with a shot to the back. Hammerstone whipped Alexander hard into the turnbuckle, as he continued to target the back of his opponent. He was definitely playing more of a heel here, rather than just an introductory character that we saw in January. Alexander blocked a corner attack with a back elbow, then hit a diving knee across the neck of Hammerstone. Both men were fatigued and took to the count of 8 to get back to their feet. They exchanged right hands, with Alexander taking control this time. He tried a clothesline but Hammerstone is just too big. Hammerstone missed a pump kick and Alexander landed a German suplex. Alexander held on for 9 more suplexes! That’s seriously impressive stuff, right there. Hammerstone was exhausted and rolled out to the ring apron so Alexander picked his moment and nailed him with the running crossbody. They brawled around the ring a bit and Hammerstone just made it back into the ring at the count of 9. He fell out of the ring and Alexander hit a running senton over the top rope. Back in the ring, Alexander finally took Hammerstone down with a clothesline for a 2 count. Hammerstone bounced Alexander’s head off the top turnbuckle and climbed to the top rope. He didn’t look confident with his dropkick attempt and Alexander trapped him in the ankle lock. Hammerstone fought out of it and went for a clothesline attempt in the corner. Alexander moved and Hammerstone squashed the referee. Alexander trapped Hammerstone back in the ankle lock and forced him to tap out but there was no official to see it. The crowd let him know that he tapped out. Alexander wanted the C4 Spike but couldn’t lift Hammerstone. Hammerstone went for a right hand so Alexander went to block, then Hammerstone kicked him with a low blow! Hammerstone hit the Nightmare Pendulum to win the match after 19 minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Hammerstone

Analysis: ***3/4 I’m not rating that match higher than their Hard to Kill match, however, I liked this one better for a few reasons. Firstly, there was a clear face/heel dynamic which always make a match a better watch. Secondly, they have established Hammerstone as a top threat by putting him over. And lastly, I liked how Hammerstone targeted the back and Alexander sold it a lot better than the knee on Thursday night. It was a lot slower than the previous match, with less quality, but what they did was more meaningful.

Match #6: Mustafa Ali & The Grizzled Young Vets vs Time Machine

GYV replaced The Good Hands which makes the match better, and makes Ali look even more arrogant as a heel. Shelley inserted himself into the match after Ali and The Good Hands injured Kevin Knight Thursday night. The match was action-packed throughout. Kushida had the Hoverboard Lock on both GYVs at one point. He was able to kick out of the Doomsday Device, too. Sabin flew through the air and took Ali out on the entrance ramp. The Good Hands ran down and Sabin took both of them out, too. Sabin was possessed and turned Ali inside-out with a clothesline. He tossed Ali back into the ring but Drake ran in as interference. Sabin took him down with a cutter. Gibson tried to stop them but he got a triple dropkick. Ali got the same treatment in the corner. Shelley made the blind tag on Sabin. Ali was on his back and raked his eyes. Sabin went for a big boot in the corner but hit Shelley instead. GYV hit Grit Your Teeth on Shelley followed up by the 450 from Ali for the win after 15 minutes.

Winners by pinfall: GYV and Mustafa Ali

Analysis: ***1/2 That was very good and played heavily on storyline which is always a good thing. I thought there would be some form of miscommunication or even Shelley turning heel, but perhaps not yet. I’m glad to see the Vets back on the winning list and Ali is in fine form at present.

Match #7: TNA Knockouts’ Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs Tasha Steelz vs Xia Brookside

There’s not much story here. They couldn’t be bothered naming a #1 Contender, so they just made the third match between Brookside and Steelz a draw so that they could throw them in this match. Ash by Elegance was watching again from ringside. Steelz got rid of Brookside early in the match so she and Grace battled it out for a bit. Grace countered a bulldog attempt with an uppercut. She nailed a Muscle Buster on Steelz, whilst clotheslining Brookside at the same time. What a powerhouse. Grace clotheslined both women in the corner. Brookside blocked a corner attack and hit some hard forearms to Grace. Grace caught her as she went for a crossbody. Steelz dived from the top and took Grace down with a bulldog, as she held Brookside. Steelz covered Brookside for 2. She chopped Brookside down hard and went for a suplex on Grace. Grace reversed it into one of her own. She went for a clothesline but Steelz tripped her up into the middle turnbuckle. Steelz used Brookside as a launching pad to hit a reverse DDT. Brookside broke up the pin by punting Grace hard. Grace recovered and gave both women an aeroplane swing- she had Steelz in the traditional spot and Brookside on her back. That was wild. Brookside recovered and locked in a submission on Grace then turned it into a Russian Legsweep. Brookside escaped a DVD attempt from Grace and they battled on the apron. She connected with a kick and Steelz hit a Codebreaker on Grace. Brookside hit Grace with a crossbody from the top rope to the floor. She tossed Steelz into Ash, which caused Ash to spill her champagne all over her dress. Ash ran up the ramp in embarrassment and George fell over as they left. Brookside tossed Steelz from the top rope onto Grace back in the ring. Ouch. Grace recovered and hit the Vader Bomb on Brookside but Steelz broke up the pin. Steelz locked Grace in an arm bar but Grace rolled through for a 2 count. Steelz with a superkick on Brookside and tried for a springboard Bulldog on Grace. Grace held on and put Steelz on Brookside’s shoulders, turning it into a Code Red! Grace finally put Brookside away with the Grace Driver after 13 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA Knockouts’ Champion: Jordynne Grace

Analysis: ***1/4 That was pretty good in the end and they worked really hard to make it believable that one of the challengers could walk away with the gold. In my mind, there’s no one even close to Grace’s level so my interest wasn’t that high to begin with knowing that it’s almost a certainty that she’s winning. I liked a lot of the spots where they used all 3 women and Brookside stood out as trying some innovative offense here.

Match #8: TNA World Championship: Moose (c) vs Eric Young

This is probably just as predictable as the previous match as I only see Young getting a title shot because this show is in Canada. They seem to be booking Moose and The System like the Bloodline with lots of interference. Moose tried to spear Young from the ring of the bell but Young dodged out of the way. He bounced Moose’s head off the top turnbuckle ten times. They fought on the outside area and Young repeatedly rammed Moose into the ring apron. Moose was doing his best HBK selling impression there. He bailed to the outside and Young followed him. Moose tried a powerbomb on the ramp but Young hit a back body drop. Back in the ring, Moose hit a running knee to the injured ribs of Young. Moose pounded away on the ribs. He stretched Young out against the steel post. They continued to fight around the ring. Moose tied Young’s arms under the bottom rope, so he couldn’t defend himself and chopped him hard. He went for another chop against the post, but Young moved. Young bounced Moose’s hand off the ring steps, which looks odd. Back in the ring, Moose launched Young onto the top rope with a slam. Moose stomped away on Young, who was down on the mat. He picked up Young in a bear hug (the second one of the night!) and took the hold down to the mat. Young finally fought out and hit a German suplex. There was one very loud fan throughout this match who constantly screamed ‘ERIC YOUNG’ and did all the counting of the chops etc. very, very loudly. Moose took Young to the top and hit a superplex. He took too long to follow up as he was abusing the fans, so Young nailed a suplex. He followed up with a DVD but Moose kicked out at 2. Young went to the top rope but Moose cut him off. Young punched him off and nailed his big elbow drop that never beats anyone yet the commentators carry on like it’s a finishing move. Anyway, Moose kicked out at 2. Young called for the piledriver. Moose backed him into the corner. He went for a clothesline but Young blocked it. He went to the middle rope but Moose nailed him with the Sky High for a 2 count. They went head to head with right hands. Young was throwing everything he had left at Moose. The referee was distracted with Moose throwing his wrist tape, so Moose raked the eyes of Young. Moose ran right into a clothesline from Young. Young nailed the piledriver but Moose got his foot on the bottom rope. He called for it again to the delight of the fans. Moose dropped his body weight to the mat to avoid it. He tossed Young against the top rope and nailed a spear but Young kicked out at 2. I hate that spear, he barely even grazed him and spends more effort flipping in the air. Ridiculously stupid move. Hannifan said it was only the second time someone had kicked out of Moose’s spear. I reckon my 18-month old son could kick out of that. They battled on the ring apron and Young destroyed Moose with a piledriver but he was a few inches from being anywhere near the apron, so Young kept it very safe. Young hit another piledriver on the floor! He tossed Moose back into the ring and called for a 4^th piledriver. Moose’s cronies came down the ramp but Young spotted them so he hit a crossbody through the middle rope. Young went up top and hit Moose with the Canadian Destroyer. Moose wasn’t kicking out of that so Edwards pulled the referee out of the ring. The referee was about to DQ Moose but Young pleaded with him not to. The referee decided to send Edwards and Myers to the back. Someone came out from the crowd and choked Young out with some kind of tie. He slammed Young hard down on the ramp. It was revealed to be Frankie Kazarian. He tossed Young back in the ring and Moose speared his way to victory after 22 minutes.

Winner by pinfall AND STILL TNA World Champion: Moose

Analysis: ***1/2 They worked hard and put together an entertaining match, even though the result was never in doubt. I guess it was a little surprising that Kaz was the one to interfere and not Edwards and Myers which cost Young. I suppose that means we are not done with Kaz and Young yet. They shouldn’t have had their match two weeks ago. Instead, it should’ve been built up. Anyway, it was a perfectly acceptable main event, despite having minimal build and not really being a match I wanted to see or deserving of a title match. At least the crowd was right behind EY for the entire time, so that came across positively on TV. The crowd was terrific from the pre-show until the end and one of the more vocal audiences that I can remember TNA having.

Final Rating: 7/10

I enjoyed Sacrifice. It was a good evening of wrestling, along with furthering some storylines and finishing others. The best match on the card for me was the opening bout between Nic Nemeth and Steve Maclin. They brought a great intensity that has been evident in their promos and that transitioned really well into the ring. I hope they fight again soon. Everything else on the show was perfectly fine without being must-see, except for the Knockouts’ Tag Title match which was very short with a surprise winner. If you only had limited time to view certain matches, I’d watch Nemeth/Maclin as well as Alexander/Hammerstone as that had some nice character work from Hammerstone and they worked a different match to Hard to Kill. It also sets up a third bout at Rebellion.

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 handle is @thomok6 as well. Thanks for reading!