Ciocco’s TNA Emergence 2025 Review

Well, hey there! Look whose back in the Impact Zone!

(Ere, sorry, that’s not a thing anymore, let me try again)

Back with you and TNA is me, and tonight we are going to get the latest installment of Emergence!

Fresh off of retaining his TNA World Title at Slammaversary, Trick Williams will look to retain once again as he takes on a former TNA Champion in Moose. In a battle between good friends, the Hardys will defend the Tag Team Titles against the Rascalz. The X-Division Title is on the line, as Leon Slater will defend against Cedric Alexander. The TNA International Title is on the line in a No-DQ match, as Steve Maclin will defend against Jake Something. We have a four-way Knockouts Tag Team Title match, as the Elegance Brand will defend against The Fatal Influence, the IInspiration, and the team of Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside. We’ll also have a career on the line, as Sami Callihan will face Mike Santana, and if Sami losses, he will be forced to retire. All of this and, perhaps, so much more tonight!

So, with that out of the way, let’s get ready to get Emerged in, well, Emergence!

Image Credit: OUR VERY OWN SITE!

Tonight, we are LIVE from The Cheasapeake Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The Drama King Matt Rehwoldt and Tom Hannifan are on the call tonight!

Video package to open us up. Pretty sure this was on the Pre-show, but just in case you didn’t catch it (like me), it’s a nice reminder.

Smart decision to put the X-Division on first!

TNA X-Division Title Match: Leon Slater (C) vs. Cedric Alexander

Nothing less than full-on chaos should be expected in this one!

The bell rings and we are under way. Alexander with a go-behind and takedown. Slater back up, but Alexander takes Slater to the ropes. Clean break is given, as Alexander implores Slater to bring it on. Slater takes Alexander down, cranks the knee, and looks for the Boston Crab, but Alexander gets himself out of bound. Slater taunts Alexander, he rushes in, missing widely, and Slater with a recoil enziguri. Handspring back elbow sends Cedric from the ring. Slater snaps the knee of Alexander on the apron, so Cedric sends him into the ring post and hits an STO. Alexander limps around, selling the knee, as he hits a side slam to Slater on the apron.

Michinoku Driver back in the ring by Cedric for a two count. PK to the back by Alexander, as Hannifan tells us this is the first PPV event in Baltimore in the company’s history. Alexander sends in Slater, hits a running forearm. Dropkick in the middle of the ring, cover, two count. Alexander with a hard whip to Slater, and he pinballs out of the corner. Another cover for a two count. Alexander grabs Slater, but Leon with a big kick to the leg of Slater. Slater tries another springboard elbow, but Cedric intercepts him and hits a release German. Another two count follows.

Alexander with a clothesline in the corner to Slater. He misses a chop in the other corner; Slater responds in kind. But Cedric again tries to send Slater through the ring post and into another dimension. The cover, two count. A second cover, two count. ANOTHER pin attempt, ANOTHER two count. Alexander takes Slater to the corner with punches and kicks. Alexander takes time to pose before going back on the attack. The fans seem split for both men as Alexander sends Slater in, but Leon fires back with a SHOTAI!

We reset, as Slater lands a kick to Alexander’s bad knee. Another one. Chops from Leon follow. Leon puts on the breaks, he hits a dropkick to the knee of Cedric, and his face meets the turnbuckle. Crossover splash from Slater! The cover, two count. Slater picks up Alexander, but he collapses, and Alexander hits a round kick to the head. A powerbomb from Cedric into the Fisherman Buster! The cover, Leon out at 2.8! Alexander looking Lumbar Check, but Slater grabs the ropes. Alexander with a punch to the kidney and he puts Slater on the top rope. HUGE slap heard around the city of Baltimore from Alexander. To the top, but Slater counters with a suplex in midair! The Swanton 450 is blocked by the knees of Alexander, but that wasn’t that smart since his knee is in bad shape.

Both men get back to their feet. Kicks from Slater, chops from Alexander. Cedric ducks another kick and hits a German! A second one! A third one! Slater is still getting up! Nope, he hit the mat. Alexander hypes himself up. German is countered with a roll-up by Slater! Alexander with a roll-up! A counter by Slater! Slater dumps Alexander to the ring floor. SLATER CLEARS THE RING POST AND TAKES OUT CEDRIC WITH A SENTON! Back in the ring, Slater’s Swanton 450 is countered by Cedric into a Spanish Fly! Lumbar Check is countered; STYLES CLASH BY SLATER! Slater goes up again, SWANTON 450 CONNECTS! The Cover, Slater retains!
WINNER: Leon Slater (Still Champion)
TIME: 14:30
THOUGHTS: I expected this to be amazing, and it was, and then some. Smart move to put this match on first, TNA. You did good.
RATING: ****1/2

Post-match, Hannifan and Rehwoldt give the men a standing ovation. Cedric and Leon come face-to-face in the ring. Alexander offers a handshake, Leon accepts, and Cedric leaves the champion in the ring to soak it all in.

Tom and Matt run down the remainder of the card, and Tom said it after the match (and Matt reenforces), good luck to the rest of the roster after that opening match.

Gia Miller is in the back with Trick Williams and First Class. Trick says he needs no introduction. he has set attendance records, HUH. He’s brought the most fans to this company, HUH! He runs two companies. AJ Francis says he will put that bald Moose in place. No one was watching TNA until First Class took over. Rich Swann says everyone will see that, if you aren’t First Class, you are last. Trick says he apologizes for calling out Mama Moose, but he will have to do it again when he whoops her baby boy’s ass. LOL!

We see Mike Santana and Sami Callihan getting ready for their match later on tonight.

On to our next match!

Mustapha Ali W/The Order Four and Agent Zero vs. “The Complete” Matt Cardona

The bell rings, as Ali taunts Cardona before they lockup. Ali takes Cardona to the corner and slaps him on the chest. Ali with the go-behind, Cardona reverses, but Ali grabs wrist control. Cardona in control now, Ali flips out and into a headlock. Cardona sends him off, leapfrog, but Ali with an arm drag. Roll-up by Ali for a two count, and Ali channels his inner Scott Steiner and does push-ups in the ring. Ali with another go-behind into a snap mare. Ali ducks Cardona once, twice, but not a third time, as Cardona stuffs him with a lariat. Cardona with kicks in the corner and a forearm. Flapjack from Matt for a two count.

Bell clap by Cardona, and he sends Ali from the ring. The Good Hands take off their jackets, but Cardona with a baseball slide takes them both out. Ali tries a cheap shot, but Cardona sends Ali into the ring post, and Ali does a 360 and out. Cardona returns to the ring, goes back out, but Ali catches him with a thrust kick. Ali thinking powerbomb onto the floor or the announce desk, but Cardona with a backdrop. He sends Ali back to the ring, as Tasha Steelz admonishes him. Cardona with a missile dropkick, sending Ali out of the ring. Tasha has the ref, as Ali kicks out Cardona’s leg. Ali slides past the ring post, the Good Hands send Cardona across the ring post, and Ali with a draping DDT. Cardona is sent back to the ring, cover for a two count.

Ali taunts Cardona, asking him what makes you think you belong in the ring with me? Cardona hits a side slam in response. Ali back on the attack, but Cardona gets the boot up. Cardona goes up, but Ali drags him off the rope. Rolling Cutter from Ali for a two count. Ali looking for the twisting moonsault, but Cardona moves. Face buster by Cardona reverses his fortunes. Tornado DDT is blocked by Cardona; he hits his own DDT for a two count. Ali in the corner, Cardona looking for the Reboot, but Ali to the floor. Cardona doesn’t give him time to breathe and hits the Reboot through the ropes! Radio Silence is countered with a powerbomb by Ali for a two count. Ali screams you can’t hide from me, as he charges into a big boot! Tasha has the refs, but Cardona with Radio Silence to Skyler! The Reboot to Hotch, but Ali hits Cardona from behind! Ali with a 450 Splash, but Cardona reverses him into a crucifix for the flash pin!
WINNER: Matt Cardona
TIME: 9:40
THOUGHTS: Shocked that Cardona won this, as they were hyping Ali up as a potential title contender. Good match, but nothing spectacular.
RATING: ***

The beatdown is on post-match. Agent Zero enters to give Cardona a two-handed choke bomb. The System is here! They take care of the Secret Service and the Good Hands! Agent Zero lands on his feet on the floor! Ali keeps him at bay, as they have words. First Class is here now! It appears their tag team match is happening right now!

AJ Francis and Rich Swann (First Cla$$) vs. Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers (The System)

Myers and Swann to start. Swann with a spin kick to the gut, but Myers reverses that. Edwards in. he sends Myers into a running knee. The cover for a two count. Edwards with a chop to Swann heard around the Bay, and Swann sells it like he got shot at close range with an AK-47. Edwards does it again. Myers is in, but Swann gouges his eyes. Swann with punches, but Myers with an Impaler. Francis distracts Myers, he catches Swann on the floor when Myers throws him out. Alisha Edwards talks crap to Francis, but Myers is sent into the ring post face first.

Back in the ring, Francis sends Swann into Myers and hits a big boot to Brian. Cover for a two count. Francis chokes Myers in the ropes and hits a chop to the chest. The fans seem split in support as Francis runs and hits a knee to Myers. Swann in with a Frog Splash to Myers. The cover, two count. Francis is back in, and he applies the dreaded chin lock of doom! Myers to his feet, he hits a SPEAR to Francis!

The tag, Eddie and Rich are in! Edwards sets his offense to stunlock. he sends Swann into Francis, sending him to the floor. Enziguri by Edwards, looking Backpack Stunner, but Francis is back. Misdirection causes Swann to kick Francis. Blue Thunder Bomb from Edwards! The cover, but Francis with the save. Myers is back. He screams and attacks Francis, but he recoils off the ropes and puts the boot into Myers’ face. Francis with a forearm to Edwards. He tags in legally and waits for Edwards to get up. The Down Payment is avoided, Edwards with a suplex to Francis! Enziguri from Edwards, he tries the Backpack Stunner on the big man, but here is the Secret Service! Myers takes them out on the floor! The Great Hands attack JDC and Myers! Suicide Dive by Edwards taking out the Good Hands. Agent Zero with the Choke Bomb to Edwards onto the apron! He sends Edwards into the ring. All the time, the ref was in the corner with Swann. Convenient. The Down Payment from Francis, and that’s game.
WINNER: First Cla$$
TIME: 8:30
THOUGHTS:The action was fine until the interference started, then it devolved into a cluster. Kind of a bummer, honestly, although I don’t know what my expectations were, anyway.
RATING: **1/2

Injury Update, brought to you by Bioflex! Trey Miguel is still out with a herniated disc. KC Navarro is out with a knee injury. Moose was attacked last night on Impact, but he has been cleared for his title match tonight.

McKenzie Mitchell introduces the special guest commentator for the next match, and it’s Joe Hendry! I say this Hendry kid is over! Hendry says the crowd is great, and everyone still believes in Joe Hendry. Hannifan says he will be in Philly for NXT Tuesday, so why is he here now? Hendry says he is here, like all these fans, to see some amazing professional wrestling.

Video package for Sami Callihan. He’s gained 60 pounds since he injured his leg. Gee, I wonder if this telegraphs anything at all.

Mike Santana vs. Sami Callihan *If Sami losses, he will retire

Sami has the mic before the match. First of all, how are you doing Baltimore. Second of all, tonight’s a big match. He has two of his lifelong friends here from his hometown celebrating their anniversary. Let’s cut the brass tacks, you saw the video you saw the stipulation, if I lose tonight, the Death Machine leaves his boots in the ring. But he will go down swinging the only way he knows how. Mike, what do you say we make this a Baltimore Street Fight?

Mike with the mic. Hey Yō Baltimore, how are we doing? He respects the history with Sami, but he didn’t come to Baltimore to play games. He wants the Death Machine.

Okay, so it silently has been turned into a Street Fight, understood. The fans chant STREET FIGHT as they shake hands. But Sami tries the Cactus Driver 97 early! Santana tries to Spin the Block, but that’s reversed. Santana with forearms, Callihan with a punch, Santana with an enziguri, but Callihan with a STUNNER! Callihan looks to run, but Santana in to cut him off. Santana with a moonsault to the floor from the second rope. Santana looking for something on the ramp, but Sami prevents it. Santana backs off, charges in, and eats a backdrop on the ramp. Sami grabs a chair from under the ring. He jams it into Santana’s gut and then hits him over the back with it. Callihan goes to the back, and he reemerges with a trash can. Santana with a kick, but Callihan gouges the eyes. Callihan has a picture of First Class, and he rips it across the hand of Santana.

Hendry: It’s bad enough getting a papercut, but the picture has AJ Francis’ face on it.

LOL!

Santana bits the hand of Callihan, so Sami takes the same picture and rips it across the lips of Santana. Ugh. Callihan charges in, but Santana with a boot, he hits a missile dropkick from the top. Cover, one count! Callihan punches Santana to stop his offense, and he gets the staple gun! Santana cuts off Sami, he tries a sunset flip, but Sami reaches for the staple gun instead! He staples Mike in the chest! Callihan raises the arm and staples Santana in the arm pit! Santana tries to fight back, but Callihan gets friendly with Mike’s yam bags. Santana kicks his hand away, so Callihan hits the Cactus Driver 97! The cover, Santana out at two! Callihan hits it again! The cover, another two count.

Callihan sends Santana to the corner, but he moves, and Callihan meets the chair he set up in the corner headfirst. Santana covers for a two count. Santana to the top, Callihan moves, but Santana hits the Rolling Buck Fifty! The cover, just a one count! Thumbs up, thumbs down, Spin The Block! Santana for the cover, that’s a career for Callihan. And, not for nothing, but it looked like Sami was supposed to kick out but he didn’t, and the ref counted three anyway?
WINNER: Mike Santana
TIME: 11:10
THOUGHTS: For Sami and the Death Machine gimmick, this one was tepid by all measures. Sure, he stapled Santana and gave him papercuts, but we have seen crazier shit than that from Sami. Also, Santana shouldn’t have been losing here to begin with, so the winner felt like an adamant conclusion.
RATING: **3/4

Santana won’t leave the ring post-match until Sami is where-to. He takes off his wrist tape, bumps fists with Sami, and leaves the ring. Sami takes a minute to come to the realization that his career is over, he takes off his boots, leaves them in the ring, and heads up the ramp.

We see highlights from Slammaversary last month. They are presenting Slammaversary Fade to Black, streaming on TNA+.

We return to see Hendry follow Callihan to the back. Callihan embraces some members of the roster. Eric Young says don’t fall for it. Hendry says stay out of this; this doesn’t involve you. Young says you are wrong, this all started because of you, Hendry. Young walks off, and Hendry shakes hands with Callihan.

On the countdown to Emergence, we see The Hometown Man defeat Ryan Nemeth. Ryan had to come to sweaty, stinky Baltimore, and he losses to the Hometown Man. What a joke. But this Thursday, his big brother comes back, and they have a contracted rematch clause for tag team titles. And they are coming back to the best brother tag team forever, and ever, and ever, and ever! Now, someone get Daddy his sleepy time tea!

Masha Slamovich is here ahead of the upcoming title match.

Tommy Dreamer wants to speak before the match. This is an amazing moment. He started wrestling at the age of 18, and he’s now 54. But this isn’t about him, no, this is about a young lady who came from China to pursue her dream. She couldn’t speak English, but that didn’t stop her. They are re-signing Lei Ying Lee to a new contract. YOU DESERVE IT chants. There is a contract on the table, and Lee signs it. Carlos Silva says that on behalf of TNA, they want to thank you and wish her all the best as a member of the TNA Family!

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles 4-Way Match: The Elegance Brand W/The Persona Concierge (C) vs. The Fatal Influence W/Jacy Jayne vs. the IInspiration W/Mara Sade vs. Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside W/Masha Slamovich

The Personal Concierge wants to talk! They say that one of the best poets of all=time came from Balitmore, so he has poem for us.

They say Roses are Red
They say violets are blue
But these fans suck
And so do all of you!

Damn, why isn’t Ice Man writing hip-hop songs? He’s so good lol.

Apparently, Ash is not competing tonight, so Heather and M will be defending on behalf of the Elegance Brand.

Jessie McKay and M to start, but M tags in Fallon Henley instead. Jessie catches Fallon’s foot and hits a spinning back elbow. She rolls her up for a two count. Side gut wrench from Jessie. Jessie uses Fallon to tag M into the match, and she drags M into the match. Jessie and Cassie Lee with a double team knee to M and they post. M tags in Xia Brookside. They trade counters and it comes to a standstill, as they slap hands in appreciation. Xia takes in Jasmin Nyx. Heather is in now as well. Nyx with a roll-up to Heather, and M in to break it up. Fatal Influence with a double flapjack to Heather and a tandem rolling cutter. The cover, two count. Cassie tags Heather so she is legal. Cassie sends in Jessie, who hollers, and elbows Nyx. The cover, that’s broken up.

M and McCay are legal now. M with a bow-and-arrow, Heather from the top with an elbow drop! The cover, two count. Brookside is in. Her and Xia with a double team necktie clothesline. The cover, two count. Heather grabs Xia, M with a bicycle kick! The cover, two count. Henley and Nyx are in now. Pump kick from Nyx. The cover, that’s broken up. Henley sends her partner into a boot from Brookside. Xia with a clothesline to Falloon. Ling Le is in, and she cleans house of Fatal Influence. Punches in the corner to the crown of Henley. Brookside in, she uses her partner’s back to hit an elbow drop. Ling Lee has Nyx up; she spins her right round into a face buster! The cover, but Jacy puts Nyx’s foot on the rope. Sade calls Jayne a cheater, and they start shoving each other! Sade throws Jayne into the ring! Sling blade by Sade! Rolling encore from the double champion! Masha goes after Jacy! Ash in the RING! EVERYONE IS FIGHTING IT OUT! Referee Paige ejects Masha, Ash, and Jacy from the match! I mean, it’s only fair, NGL.

Brookside from the top takes out The Elegance Brand! Ling Lee takes out Fatal Influence! It’s down to M and Cassie. but here comes Xia and Ling Lee! Heather joins in! Fatal Influence are back! Jessie with a crossbody to Henely and Nyx! Suerplex by Cassie to M! THIS IS AWESOME chants! Everyone hits their shit spots! It ends with Cassie and Jessie trying to hit the Idolizer on M! Heather with a shot from one of the tag team titles to Cassie! M with the cover, they retain!
WINNER: The Elegance Brand (Still Champions)
TIME: 11:20
THOUGHTS: A lot of chaotic fun. All the women got time to shine, and we even had some underlining stories built into it going into and coming out of it. Good stuff, and our first good match since the opener.
RATING: ***1/2

We see Indi Hartwell defeat Rosemary on Countdown to Emergence. Hartwell says that she has made it clear that she wants to win the Knockouts Title. Dani Luna says if it wasn’t for her, she would have mist in her eyes and would have lost. Indi says she appreciates her, but she has to do it on her own. Dani says yeah, that’s cool. Jacy, Ash, Masha, it doesn’t matter, cause Indi Wrestling is coming for the Knockouts Title.

Video package for the upcoming International Title match. Apparently, Something has never won a title in TNA yet, and Maclin has not lost a singles match since April. Something’s got to give!

Frankie Kazarian is here to commentate this next match, and Tom calls him Nefarious Scum.

Frankie: That’s King of TNA, by the way.

I agree! Screw Hannifan!

TNA International Title Match: Steve Maclin (C) vs. Jake Something

The bell rings and we are under way. Maclin with a side headlock, Something bodies Maclin. Jake misses a clothesline, and Maclin is pulled from the ring by Something. Maclin picks up Something and slams him face first on the apron. Maclin with chops, but Jake reverses and sends Steve into the ring steps. Maclin cuts off something with a gut punch, and he throws Jake face first into the ring steps. Jake comes back on the apron, but Steve is clotheslined back into the ring. Busaiku Knee from Maclin! The Jar Headbutt from Maclin. The cover, two count.

BTW, Frankie keeps calling Jake other surnames and not something. And it’s awesome.

Maclin with a lariat to Something. Cover for a two count. Maclin throws himself into another lariat as the fans chant, WE WANT TABLES. Both men back to their feet, Jake with clotheslines, a stomp, and he roars like the Hulk. Maclin with a forearm, Jake with his own, and it breaks down into a hockey fight. Something steps on Maclin’s foot and hits a big forearm. Something does the Warrior rope shake. Powerbomb is countered, as Maclin hits repeat smacks and a headbutt to Jake. Angle Slam from Maclin! Maclin with a suicide Dive, but Anti-Air from Jake puts him on the floor. Jake gets in the face of Frankie, and he hits Into the Void! Jake shakes the barricade and hits a powerbomb onto the ring steps to Maclin!

Something drags Maclin up the ramp, but he settles for throwing him up the ramp. Jake looking for another powerbomb perhaps, but Maclin with a backdrop saves him from taking a fall to the floor. MACLIN FLIES OFF THE STAGE AND TAKES OUT SOMETHING ON THE ARENA FLOOR! Maclin beats Something back to the ring. Maclin looking KIA, but Something reverses it, only to run into the ring post. Maclin puts Jake in the Tree of WHOA! Maclin with the SPEAR, but Something absorbs it, and he has an inverted Dragon Sleeper! The rope break won’t save Maclin in this match! Maclin breaks free and headbutts Jake, who is still in the Tree of WHOA! Maclin with a SPEAR! A second SPEAR! A third SPEAR! KIA! Maclin retains!
WINNER: Steve Maclin (Still Champion)
TIME: 12:20
THOUGHTS:Just two big guys beating the ever-loving shit out of each other, nothing wrong with that. While that was going on, we got amazing commentary from Frankie Kazarian, the star of the show so far!
RATING: ***1/2

Gia is here to get a word from Maclin. She congratulates him on retaining his title and she wants to know how he feels. Maclin says let him catch his breath. He wanted Jake to show him something, and he did. He is built for this title, but not tonight. Frankie walks by, and they go face-to-face. Frankie says he wouldn’t take advantage of him; that’s not the man that he is. But Steve rolls into the ring and implores Kazarian to get into the ring. Frankie walks away, leaving Maclin to stand by himself in the ring.

A-Game, the official hydration drink of TNA!

We see Moose and Trick Williams preparing for the title match main event. We see The Hardys hang out at Jimmy’s Seafood and take pictures with fans and partake in a Q&A. Apparently, they are going to throw out Duel first pitches at a game between the Athletics and the Twins next month.

It’s time for some more chaos!

TNA World Tag Team Championship: Matt and Jeff Hardy (C) vs. The Rascalz (Myron Reed and Zachary Wentz)

The bell rings, as Matt and Wentz will start us off. HARDY chants as Matt goes behind. Wentz rolls out and has wrist control, but Hardy reverses. Wentz flips all over the place, as Hardy slides out and looks befuddled lol. Hardy with a side headlock, takeover into a grounded headlock. Wentz up, he sends in Matt, but Hardy with a shoulder tackle. Wentz with a dropkick, another one, a third one! Matt walks to his corner to take in Jeff, so Wentz tags in Reed.

Jeff grabs a headlock on Reed. Jeff shoves him off and does his dance. Reed shoulders Jeff and does some dancing himself. Jeff has his foot caught, but he rolls through with a thrust kick. Reed rolls out and kicks out Jeff’s leg. Matt makes a blind tag, so Wentz comes in. Double shove by the Hardys, they catch the legs of the Rascalz, and send them from the ring. Matt isolates Wentz in their corner. Matt with the bottom rope catapult into a leg drop from Jeff. The cover, two count. Matt tags in, and he stomps Zachary in the corner. Matt misses his charge, Wentz with a run-up knee. Matt returns the favor and tries to DELETE Wentz.

Jeff with the tag, and a double team suplex by the Hardy Brothers. The cover, two count. Jeff rolls Wentz through and hits a dropkick to the back. Cover for a two count. Matt tags in. They try to corner Wentz, but he goes underneath Matt and kicks him into Jeff, sending him from the ring. Reed gets the tag, and he tries to get Matt our of sorts. Reed with a leg drop to the back of Matt’s head. Cover for a two count. Reed isolates Matt into his corner and tags in Wentz. Zach tags in and puts on a chin lock. Matt to his feet, Wentz with a springboard, but he jumps into a side effect.

Jeff and Myron get the tags. Jeff does his VINTAGE offense. He charges Reed in the corner, goes up and hits the basement dropkick. The cover, two count. Jeff sits Reed on the top rope and goes up. Superplex from Hardy, Reed in with a Frog Splash to Jeff, but Matt in with a leg drop from the top! The Rascalz are stacked up, Poetry in Motion, but they catch Jeff and use him to kick Matt to the Matt, and they use him to hit a leg drop on Matt. Wentz with a dive to the outside to Matt, and Reed covers Jeff for a two count. Lung Blower by Wentz, Reed from the top with a double stomp! The cover, two count. The tag, but Matt sends Wentz to the floor. Reed with a Stun dog Millionaire to Matt. Reed looks for Flame On, but Matt catches him out of the air and Jeff hits a Twist of Fate! SWANTON BOMB from Jeff to Wentz! The cover, the retention!
WINNER: The Hardys (Still Champions)
TIME: 11:50
THOUGHTS: Lethargic for the most part, although I guess that is by design, as the game plan was for Matt and Jeff to slow down the younger and more athletic team. Not bad, but it could have been a good bit more than it was.
RATING: ***1/4

Bound for Glory Ad incoming. That’s less than two months away now! We get a rundown of the upcoming events, leading up to BFG on October 12th.

First Cla$$ are back! This is a brand new episode of the First Cla$$ Penthouse! He is your host, AJ Francis. And this is my co-host, Rich “Homie” Swann. And together, they make up First CLa$$! Now, before Moose is put down by Trick later on, they want to talk to these people. Francis and Swann were born here as Baltimore boys, who turned into Maryland Men. Francis went on to become a Maryland Terrapin, Go Terps! Swann has been in the business for twenty years, and he has seen many people get laid down. But Baltimore raised him and made him ready for this. But to become Maryland Men, they had to do one thing, says Francis. They needed to get out of this dump! No one can ever achieve anything here! This is why Francis moved to Texas, and Swann moved to Florida.

Poe, the Baltimore Ravens mascot, is here! Francis doesn’t know how he got out here. He is a legend in this city, but this is AJ’s city. And one thing he learned is, if you don’t act right, you can get hurt.

The System is here. Francis has a fit.

Alisha: Do You…
Francis: No one wants to know anything from you.

So, Mrs. Edwards slaps Francis in the face lol. Francis says this show is over, this is the worst episode of the Penthouse in the worst city of the world, and he is happy to get out of here, because you don’t deserve us. Poe does the Ray Lewis dance, and that was certainly a segment lol.

It’s time for the MAINNNNNNNNNN EVENT!

TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Trick Williams (C) vs. Moose

We’re going to get special ring announcing from McKenzie for this match. Trick, apparently, wears the world title upside down, and that offends Tom to no end.

Trick on the mic. He excuses McKenzie from the ring, making him a heel by default. He says he has all the love and respect for Moose, I mean, they did tag together, they lost, but that was Moose, but they can talk about later. They are former NFL guys, HUH! But everyone knows there is only one real bird, and it is the Philadelphia Eagles!

Well then, I want Trick to reign forever!

The match gets underway, and Williams tries to overpower Moose, but Moose isn’t having any of that. Williams low bridges Moose to the floor. Williams dusts himself off, but Moose pulls him from the ring and to the floor. Moose slams the apron, he has Williams up for a powerbomb, but Trick reverses with a Rana. Moose with a pump kick, but his charge misses Williams and finds the ring steps instead. Williams goes in to break up the count and goes back out to land punches on Moose. Williams goes to throw Moose in, but he falls back off the apron and to the floor. Williams tries to slam Moose’s face off the apron, but he blocks that, and Williams eats the apron. Williams reverses Moose and sends him shoulder first into the ring post. Williams with chops in front of Moose’s family, but he reverses that and sends Trick to the ring.

Williams takes control back in the ring. Williams misses the leg lariat, Moose charges the corner, jumps, and hits a moonsault to Williams! Trick catches his momentum though and hits an overhead throw to Moose into the corner. Williams with a scoop slam to Moose. Williams poses then covers Moose for a one count. The fans sound like they are saying MOOSE WHOOP THAT TRICK in unison. I mean, I get what they are saying, but it sounds so funny to hear it run together.

Both men to their feet, Moose off the ropes, Williams with a flapjack. He shows off and implores Moose to get to his feet. Williams chops Moose from corner to corner. Moose absorbs the last one and fires back with his own. Williams kicks out the leg of Moose and hits a running neck breaker. The cover, two count. Williams wants the fans to chant his name, as he brushes Moose’s head with his boot. Moose to his feet, he absorbs the offense and sends Williams to the corner. Charge in the corner, standing Urinagi and a senton splash! The cover, two count. Pump kick by Williams, but he runs into a Pop-Up Powerbomb from Moose! The cover, Trick out at two. Moose with a kick to Williams, standing Urinagi from Wiliams. He picks up Moose and hits a DVD! The cover, two count. Williams suplex is countered, chops from Moose. Moose puts Williams in the corner and goes up top. SUPERPLEX FROM MOOSE! He holds on and wants another suplex, but Trick counters with his own suplex! THIS IS AWESOME CHANTS!

Both men get to their feet and trade shots. Moose looks to get the better of it, until Trick hits a gut punch and an uppercut. SPEAR BY MOOSE! Trick, wisely, gets out of bounds so he cannot be pinned. Moose to the outside, he comes around the corner and charges Williams, but Trick back drops Moose through the timekeeper’s table! Trick returns Moose to the ring. Trick misses the Trick Kick, Moose almost runs into the ref, but Trick hits a flying lariat to the ref! Moose with the SPEAR in the middle of the ring, but of course the ref is down! Williams jumps into the arms of Moose, and he eats a Bucke Bomb! Trick is back with the Trick Shot! The ref is alive and slowly counts a two on Moose.

Trick puts his hands on the official, but he thinks better of it. His leg lariat is avoided by Moose, big headbutt instead. Moose misses his spear and hits the corner. Another Trick Shot from Williams! Moose is still moving, so he gets a second Trick Shot! The pin, Trick retains!
WINNER: Trick Williams (Still Champion)
TIME: 16:45
THOUGHTS: I will admit that it is been quite a while since I saw that kind of fire from Moose, and he didn’t look out of place in the main event of a PPV show once more. However, the present and the future of TNA is Trick, and the kid has all the talent in the world. Trick N A indeed.
RATING: ***1/2

Carlos Silva hands the title to Trick, as he celebrates with the belt. And with that, we are done!

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

TNA Emergence was buoyed by a handful of awesome matches, and if you are short on time, I implore you to check out the X-Division Match, followed by the Knockouts Tag Match, the International Title Match, and the Main Event. A lot of stuff hovered around average to good territory, and one complaint I could have about match time could also be applied the other way, as some matches did need a little bit more time to unfold. Interference ran roughshod over back-to-back matches, but all toll, there was more good than bad.