wrestling / TV Reports
Ciocco’s TNA Turning Point 2025 Review
Image Credit: TNA
Loading...Hello, good evening, and welcome, one and all, to TNA Turning Point. Taking place from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida, we are hot off the heels of TNA’s landmark event, Bound for Glory, and even hotter off the heels of certain events that took place last night on Impact.
For the unacquainted, after a series of recap and interview dominated shows, Impact returned with a show featuring what was supposed to be a TNA Title defense by Mike Santana against Ryan Nemeth. However, after some NXT stars arrived and put a beating on the champion, Frankie Kazarian arrived, cashed in his Call Your Shot trophy and became the new TNA Champion. For those counting, that was 31 days and zero title defenses by Santana, after many months of chasing the World Title and then finally winning it.
At any rate, Turning Point should have some good to great action tonight, as we are set for two title defenses. The X-Division Title will be on the line, as Leon Slater will defend the title against Rich Swann. The Knockouts Tag Team Titles will also be defended by IInspiration in a 3-team match, also including the teams of Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside, and Tessa Blanchard and Victoria Crawford.
The TNA World Champion and the man he just dethroned 24 hours ago will be on the opposite sides of a team match, as Santana will team with Steve Maclin to oppose Nic Nemeth and Kazarian. Indi Hartwell and Dani Luna will face-off in a No-DQ match, Mustafa Ali will face Cedric Alexander, The System will do battle with the Rascalz, and YouTube personality BDE will take on AJ Francis. All of this and, I am sure, so much more in store for us tonight.
By the way, in case you didn’t notice, Turning Point is taking place at Full Sail University, the former home of NXT. I am sure, in no way shape or form, will there be ANY interference or chicanery from any NXT members. Nope, none at all…
Image Credit: 411mania.com
Tonight, we are LIVE from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida! Tom Hannifan and “The Drama King” Matt Rehwoldt will bring us the good word(s) tonight!
On tonight’s episode of Before the Bell!
–Jake Something ruined the return of the Hometown Man in his hometown of Orlando, when he defeated the HTM and Mance Warner in a 3-way Dance.
–Gia Miller interviewed BDE about his match tonight with AJ Francis. BDE says he is out to prove the entire world wrong, and that he is more than just a social media sensation. He became a professional wrestler, just like AJ went from being a football player to a wrestler, and he’s not good at either one. BDE is going to make him famous and give him a viral moment tonight.
-THE KING, the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Frankie Kazarian gave his King’s Speech. Frankie is a self-made man, and he knows he has earned this, and he deserves it. The King doesn’t want the fans to stop hating him, being jealous of him, and being envious of him, because he will never stop hating you. He assures us that he had nothing to do with the NXT wrestlers interfering in his match, as he would never plan an attack on TNA.
Frankie then called out TNA President Carlos Silva, and he confronted him on why he didn’t present him with the title belt like he does for every other TNA talent.
Silva takes the title belt and presents it to Frankie. He congratulates him, but he also says that they have opened an investigation into the attack the other night. And Frankie is involved.
Frankie says he is insulted and appalled by the accusations. Ryan and Nic Nemeth have arrived. Nic decries bullshit on Frankie’s story, claiming it is entirely convenient that Frankie was not attacked.
Frankie says maybe Nic wasn’t attacked after all, maybe he tripped over his own ego. Nic said you know he got attacked. Frankie calls Nic Mr. Money in the Bank, and he claims Nic is as big a scoundrel as he is.
Nic owns up to that, but he says he is calling his shot tonight. First, they get rid of the trash, then, he calls his shot.
Frankie tells Nic, King to man, that you need to trust the Champ.
Nic says he trusts Frankie as far as he can throw him, but for tonight, he will trust him, he will have his back, and later, he will have his title.
Good promo there. I was expecting this to be on the MAIN card, but it wasn’t, which is a tragedy to the CHAMPION!
Turning Point opens PROPER, with a recap of the events from Impact last night.
The Elegance Brand are here for the opening match!
TNA Knockouts Championship: Kelani Jordan (C) vs. M by Elegance
Special in-ring introduction for this one from our girl McKenzie Mitchell!
Or not, the Personal Concierge takes the mic, he wants the pukes to not be so miserable, and to welcome our soon to be TNA Knockouts Champion, M by Elegance!
M attacks before the bell, as Heather tried to distract the ref. The bell rings officially, and Jordan is quick to turn the tables. She hits a basement crossbody for a two count. M charges the corner, but Jordan ducks out to the apron. She springs back in, but she runs into a rearview from M! She takes too long celebrating, and Jordan dropkicks her right out of the ring.
Jordan to the top, and she hits a standing moonsault, wiping out M! The Concierge distracts the ref, so Heather shoves Jordan off the apron. M uses her height and strength advantage, as she rams Jordan into the apron and smacks her off the ring post. Back in the ring, M gets a two on a pin.
Irish whip and a dropkick from M, followed by more posing. Jordan with shots to gut, trying to create separation, but a clubbing blow from M stops that. Northern Lights with the bridge gets M a two. M chokes Jordan with her boot against the bottom rope. Snapmare, as M drives her knee into the small of Jordan’s back. Jordan to her feet, but M rips her right back down by her hair.
Jordan back to her feet again, but M hits a wheelbarrow into a German. M goes for the Elegant Moonsault, but no one is home. We see Xia Brookside, Lei Ying Lee, and Mara Sade watching the match in the back. Both women are back on their feet, forearm battle ensues. Jordan off the rope, but she runs into a pump kick from M. M off the ropes, but she runs into a SUPERKICK. Cartwheel back elbow is cut off by M. Roll-up by M gets a two. Jordan gets the cartwheel back elbow on a second try.
Both ladies jockey for position in the middle of the ring. Jordan with the leg lariat, cover for a two. REF, YOU SUCK chants as Jordan goes to the top. M grabs her foot, she’s shoved away, but M comes back and sweeps out the feet of Jordan. She hits a running elbow smash and hits a Michinoku Driver! She did the deal, but Jordan kicks out at two!
M back to her feet as the Concierge leads a REF, YOU SUCK chant now lol. M over the top of Jordan, but Kelani with the split-legged stunner! Jordan rolls M to her stomach and applies the single leg Boston Crab! M is able to kick her into the middle turnbuckle, but Jordan recoils with a stomp! Jordan to the top, One of a Kind! Kelani retains!
WINNER: Kelani Jordan (Still Champion)
TIME: 9:40
THOUGHTS: Good opening match, and I’m glad that, even though the rest of the Elegance Brand were at ring side, the interference was kept at a base minimal.
RATING: ***1/4
In the back, Gia Miller approaches the three women who were watching backstage. Lee says she has her eyes on Jordan, but Xia says that Lee will walk into her match next week as one-half of the TNA Knockouts Champion! Mara says that she can’t let Jordan run around here wilding out. Ryan Nemeth is here. He is mad that his brother is teaming with Frankie and not him. He wants to know why Mara’s hair is always wet when they have towels around the back, and they are free. This is dumb and lazy. he repeats, this is dumb and lazy. LOL!
Tom and Matt run down the rest of the card for tonight. Apparently, no one has seen Mike Santana tonight, so they wonder how that will affect the tag team match that he is supposed to take part in.
We get a replay of the NXT ambush on Santana last night.
Santino Marella, Ava, and Ariana Grace are in the back. TNA needs to be shown respect, says Marella. NXT came in here and beat them up, what do you know about this Ava? Ava says she didn’t know anything about it. Why would she jeopardize their working relationship? She tells Santino to manage his locker room, and she will manage her locker room.
Um, yeah, okay.
We see a digital exclusive from last night, where AJ Francis put BDE through a table with the Down Payment. That match is next!
BDE vs. AJ Francis
BDE ambushes Francis during his entrance with a Tope! He hits a second Tope! A third Tope! The bell rings, and BDE hits a corner splash, but Francis smacks him down to the mat. Francis throws BDE into the corner, but his charge misses. BDE with an enziguri, but he jumps into Francis. Francis catches him, but BDE lands on his feet. BDE jumps on Francis’ back. Francis fights off the sleeper by falling back to the mat.
Francis talks that mad smack as he chokes BDE across the bottom rope. He chokes him across the top rope and then smacks him in the chest. Some fans chant ONE MORE TIME, so Francis obliges them lol. Hard Irish Whip by Francis, as he asks IS THAT THE BEST YOU GOT FOR ME? BDE tries to fight back, but Francis squashes him in the corner. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, as Francis hits the Tennessee Whiskey. He bends BDE around the ring post and picks him up. BDE sneaks out the back, however, and shoves Francis into the ring post. BDE on the apron, he hits a PK and a second PK. He tries a snap Rana, but Francis catches him and hits an apron powerbomb.
BDE appears to have died on the floor, as Referee Frank Gastineau counts him. At the count of 9.99999999, BDE beats the count. Francis stands on him to the count of four. He puts a chin lock on BDE. BDE to his feet, hits some elbows, catches Francis with a boot, and he hits a DDT! Cutter from BDE! BDE to the top, missile dropkick! The cover, Francis kicks out at two. BDE does his best Shawn Michaels impersonation, but Francis catches his kick. Francis goes for the Down Payment, but BDE turns it into a Destroyer! BDE does the R-V-D thumbs, running knee strike! Francis kicks out at two. BDE to the very top, Frog Splash, but the pool is empty. TFL by Francis. Down Payment follows, but Francis doesn’t take the pin. He decides to talk some smack, as BDE eggs him on. He hits a second Down Payment, and this time, it’s curtains.
WINNER: AJ Francis
TIME: 8:35
THOUGHTS: In his first singles match, BDE put in one heck of a performance, and to be honest, I expected this to be a tad bit sloppy. But it surpassed my quite modest expectations, for whatever that proves to be worth.
RATING: ***
Bioflex Injury Report! Mike Santana has an undetermined injury, and his status is undetermined. Elijah had his torn triceps looked at again, and he is OUT. Nic Nemeth has been cleared for action tonight after being attacked last night.
Gia has Steve Maclin in the back. Gia wants to know if he has heard from Santana. Steve says he hasn’t, so if you do, let him know. But if he can’t go, it doesn’t matter to Maclin. Whether it’s 2-on-1, 3-on-1, 5-on-1, 7-on-1, 10-on-1, it doesn’t matter. Maclin will stack everyone up. If the NXT kids want a fight, they should pick a fight with him. He will bag them, tag them, send them back to that place on the corner of Forsythe, and he will continue to be dominant.
It’s time for no rules!
No-DQ Match: Dani Luna vs. Indi Hartwell
Luna waits for Hartwell in the aisle, but Indi arrives with a steel chair, and the action gets underway. Luna beats Indi with a kendo stick, but Hartwell shoves a chair into the gut of Dani. They fight back to ring side, Luna takes a drink of A-Game, but Indi punches her in the gut. Indi takes a swig, and she spits it in the face of Luna.
Luna rolls into the ring, as Indi chucks some chairs into the ring. Not content with that, Indi throws in a trash can, the trash can kid, and a ladder. Luna hits a baseball slide into the ladder and into Indi. Luna goes under the ring and pulls out a rather large screwdriver. She uses it to choke out Indi. Indi back to her feet, she kicks Luna away, and Dani misses her screwdriver attack and hits the ring steps. Indi shoves Luna into and over the ring steps, and she pulls out a table from under the ring, as Matt tells them to stop pulling up the ring apron lol.
Luna attacks Indi from behind. Both women are on the apron now, Luna throws powder into the eyes of Indi and hits a German from the second rope to bring her back to the ring. The cover, two count follows. Dani has another kendo stick, as he beats Indi with it. She then selects the trash can, and hits Indi with it so hard that it bounced another three times. Luna with the stop sign, as she beats Indi with it, and then punches it out of the ring.
Dani sets up a chair in the middle of the ring. Indi stops her offense and slams her face first into the chair. She charges in, but Luna with a drop toehold to Indi into the chair! Luna sits Indi in the chair and hits a lariat to Indi! The cover, two count. Luna ejects the trash can from the ring and sets up the ladder in the corner of the ring. Luna jams a chair into the gut of Indi and then goes to the outside to collect more chairs. Luna sets up a chair in the opposite corner from the ladder.
Dani jams another chair into the gut of Indi, then sets that one up in the other corner. Indi grabs on to the foot of Luna, so Dani kicks her off. Indi does get back to her feet, and she hits Luna with a kendo stick. She gets too overzealous, though, and she gets a drop toehold into the corner into a chair. Springboard Blue Thunder Bomb from Luna, but Indi kicks out at two. Dani picks up the kendo stick and smacks Indi with it.
Luna puts on a cross-face with the kendo stick. She slides the stick down to Indi’s throat. Indi makes it back to her feet, as she rams Luna into the chair until she releases the hold. Indi throws Luna into the ladder in the corner, as Hartwell resets the ladder to the mat. Spinebuster from Indi to Dani onto the ladder! The cover, but Luna kicks out at two.
Luna escapes to the apron. Indi goes for an uppercut, but Luna snaps her neck over the top rope. Luna thinking German, but Indi with a big boot, as Dani gently rolls onto the table. Indi climbs to the top rope, ELBOW DROP FROM THE TOP TO LUNA AND THROUGH THE TABLE! EAT YOUR HEART OUT, MACHO MAN!
Indi rolls Luna onto the apron, she drags her over the top rope and back into the ring. Luna with a shot to the throat of Indi to drive her back. Luna gets up another chair, but Indi recovers and hits the Hurts Donut to Luna into the chair! The cover, the win!
WINNER: Indi Hartwell
TIME: 14:00
THOUGHTS: A fun brawl that, while it had its violent moments, also managed to cap itself in terms of insanity. That is not always a bad thing, and these women delivered in this match.
RATING: ***1/2
We see Santino and Ariana in the back. Ava arrives. She says she hired extra security for tonight. Santino says he went to Costco and got cameras linked to Wi-Fi. He apologizes for how he acted earlier. Ava says she accepts that apology and leaves. Santino says to tell her Papa he says hi lol.
Matt and Tom debate the actions of Frankie Kazarian. They mention, again, that no one has seen Mike Santana yet tonight.
The Knockouts Tag Team Titles are on the line next!
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles: The IInspiration (C) vs. Tessa Blanchard and Victoria Crawford vs. The Angel Warriors (Xia Brookside and Lei Ying Lee)
Tessa has the mic before the match. Unfortunately, she is not medically cleared to compete tonight. But let her absence prove that she and Victoria operate on another level from the people in Orlando. There are three kinds of people in Orlando: retirees, Disney Rejects, and crackheads. Tessa is enlisting someone that they know they can trust, the Bombshell, Mila Moore!
The bell rings, as Lee and Cassie battle for control. A quick roll-up by Lee gets her a two count. Cassie gets rolled up again by Lee for another two. Jessie McKay gets the tag, and they take out Lee. They also take out Crawford and Moore. They do corner charges to Crawford and Moore and then do the double hip pose that Matt hates lol.
Moore tags in, with a suplex to Moore for a two count. Brookside comes in, and the Angels hit some double team moves. Another two count follows. Crawford kicks Lee in the gut, and Moore drops Lee throat first across the top rope. Two count follows. Crawford gets the tag, and she kicks Lee into her team’s corner. Moore with the quick tag, as she stomps away on Lee in their corner. Moore grounds Lee and applies a choke sleeper. Lee gets back to her feet, but Moore throws her right back to the mat. Moore takes the arm of Lee and knees it. Moore knocks both Cassie and Jessie off the apron as she tags in Crawford.
Crawford tries to keep Lee in her corner, but Lee escapes and tags in Brookside. Tilt-a-world head scissor to Moore from Xia. Double knees to Crawford to take her off the apron. Top rope crossbody to Moore, the cover is broken up by the champions. Crawford in, she throws Brookside into a big boot from Moore. Another pin, but it’s broken up again by the champions.
All six Knockouts are in the ring now, and it’s time to grab a partner and throw hands! It ends up being Moore and Brookside, as Moore hits a back suplex to Xia. Lee gets the blind tag, and she kicks Moore in the head, dropping her to the apron. Lee snaps the arm of Moore around the ring post. Lee off the apron, she wipes out Crawford and Moore on the floor! The Inspiration hit the Idolizer on Brookside to retain their titles!
WINNER: The IInspiration (Still Champions)
TIME: 8:25
THOUGHTS: A fairly good, albeit short, match. And even with the bait-and-switch of Tessa for Mila, it didn’t disappoint, as Moore more than held her own and played the heel role perfectly.
RATING: ***
TNA Studios presents, “Bound for Glory, Fade to Black”, available on TNA+!
From three teams of Knockouts to two three men teams we go!
Order 4 vs. The Hardy’s and Cedric Alexander
Alexander and Hotch will start us off, 24 hours after they faced off last night on Impact. Counters and leapfrogs early, but Alexander gets the upper hand with a leg sweep and a PK for a two count. Matt Hardy tags in, and Cedric holds Hotch in place for a double axe handle from the second rope. Matt tries to separate the shoulder of Hotch, but he escapes and tags in Skyler. Matt does the same arm wringer to Skyler, then proceeds to DELETE him in the corner. Skyler turns it around and tags in Ali.
Matt turns the tables, though, and sends Ali from the ring. Matt takes in Alexander, they tease a Shield Bomb, but Alexander instead powerbombs Skyler out of the ring and onto Hotch and Ali. Order 4 huddles up on the floor, as Ali tells the camera man to back off.
Ali returns to the ring and locks up with Alexander. Ali takes Alexander to the corner and chops him. Cedric is unphased, while Ali pretends he is putting away a loaded gun lol. Cedric throws him into the corner, chops him, throws him into the ropes, and he hits Ali with a pop-up powerbomb for a two count. Alexander shoves Ali into Hotch, he looks for the Lumbar Check, but Tasha distracts the ref, and Ali gouges the eye of Alexander.
Cedric rolls out to the floor, and here comes Special Agent Zero, who boots Alexander in the face. We have a meeting on the floor, as the ref warns everyone. Matt Hardy slaps Ali in the face anyway. Back in the ring, Skyler talks trash to Alexander, but he eats a Falcon Arrow! Ali sneaks in and kicks Jeff Hardy off the apron. Cedric with an enziguri to Skyler, he goes for the tag, but Matt is taken off the apron by Ali.
Hotch in, he hits lariat for a two on Alexander. Hotch to the apron, he rolls in, but Alexander catches him on his shoulders and hits a DVD. Alexander FINALLY tags out to Matt, while Skyler enters. Hardy with punches and a suplex. He wants the Twist of Fate, but Hotch is back, and Matt sends him form the ring. Matt with a sloppy attempt at the Side Effect. He wants the TOF, but Ali hits him with something we don’t see.
Matt is now trapped in the Order 4 corner, as Ali is in the match. He whips Matt, but Matt gets his foot up and they collide. Both men tag out, as Jeff Hardy and Hotch enter. Jeff with some clotheslines, a neck breaker, and a splash for a two count. Jeff tags in his older brother. Poetry in Motion to Hotch. Twist of Fate from Matt into a Lumbar Check from Alexander! The cover, but Ali and Skyler break it up.
Matt ends up on the floor, as Ali hits a tope to Matt. He turns around into a PK from Cedric, while inside the ring, Jeff hits another neck breaker. The shirt comes off; Tasha is on the apron. Jeff throws Hotch into Steelz, and Matt hits a double Twist of Fate! Matt with the cover, but Special Agent Zero pulls the referee out of the ring. He gets into the ring after removing his sunglasses and blazer. Alexander slides chairs into the ring, and the Hardys beat Zero out of the ring and to the back. That leaves it 3-on-1 in the ring, as Ali hits Alexander with a low-blow and he rolls him up for the win.
WINNER: Order 4
TIME: 13:30
THOUGHTS: Yeah, no, I wasn’t feeling this one. The interference, the slow-motion action, and some botches didn’t help. There were some decent spots, like Ali’s Tope to Matt followed by Alexander’s running apron PK to Ali, but it just wasn’t clicking for me.
RATING: **1/4
We get an ad for Full Sail University.
We cut to multiple cameras in the back for some reason.
From 6-men tag to 8-man tag!
The Rascalz vs. The System
So, the story leading up to Genesis in January is that JDC has announced he will be retiring after that show is over. Also, Desmond Xavier is back in TNA with his original Rascalz teammates.
JDC and Myron Reed to start. JDC wrestles Reed to the mat, but Reed reverses it. Reed leapfrogs Reed and snaps off a Rana. Reed feigns shock while Tom runs down the history of Johnny Dango Curtis. Another lockup, this time Reed with a top toehold and a leg drop.
Trey Miguel and Brian Myers in the ring now. Miguel scores a two after a roll-up. Myers with a thrust kick, sending Miguel to the System corner. Eddie Edwards in now, as they struggle for am control. Miguel gets to his corner and tags in Zachary Wentz. Edwards with a Manhattan Drop, shoves Wentz away, and hits an overhead suplex. Wentz responds with a thrust kick and a crossbody for a two count.
Xaiver gets the tag, while Moose gets the tag for his team. Desmond avoids Moose, hits some low kicks, and then kicks Moose in the back of the head. Xaiver gets a little too cute and spins right into a Moose lariat. Moose charges the corner, but he finds nobody home. All four Rascalz enter the match and blitz him with kicks. Moose kicks out at two after that flurry.
Myers back in the match, as he grounds Wentz, who apparently must have been legal. News to me lol. Wentz off the ropes and he hits a corkscrew kick. Tags are made, Xaiver and Edwards are in. Xaiver sits Edwards down, Myers back in, he eats a snapmare and a dropkick to the back of the head. Satellite DDT to Edwards, Xaiver scores a two off of it. Xaiver to the top, but Edwards with an enziguri. Edwards collects him and hits a backpack stunner.
Moose with the tag, and in retaliation, he kicks all the Rascalz off the apron. He climbs the ropes and kicks Xaiver from the top and down to the floor. Urinage to Reed from Moose. Moose with the Go To Hell on Xaiver for a two count. JDC gets the tag. Moose tries to set up Reed, but he escapes temporarily. JDC comes down rather awkwardly on his right leg.
We have a redux, as Moose is left in the ring with three of the Rascalz. They drive the big man from the ring, but Xaiver flies out of the ring only to get caught by Moose and he eats a apron powerbomb. Wentz scores a corkscrew splash to Moose. From here, everyone hits everyone. Usually, we call this “get your shit in” lol.
Myers sets up Edwards for the Xaiver on the floor. FLAME ON FROM MYRON REED, AS HE DROPS JDC ONTO THE ENTIRE PILE! Reed back in the ring, but JDC sends him to the floor. JDC sends Xaiver into a Blue Thunder Bomb from Edwards, senton splash from Myers, and the top rope leg drop from JDC. The cover, but Wentz saves it with a top rope splash.
You know, I’m not sure why there is a referee in this match, because everyone has been in the ring for like an hour. I’m not complaining, though.
Soup Kitchen from the Rascalz, but Moose throws Miguel onto the pile with a powerbomb to break the pin up. Okay, that was creative. Miguel off the ropes, Edwards catches him, but they both spill out to the floor. Reed’s cutter is stopped by Moose’s headbutt. Moose off the ropes and right into a cutter from Reed! Wentz with a UFO Cutter to Moose! Double team enziguri to JDC! Half fire flame to the floor by Miguel! Set up splash and then the Spiral Tap by Xaiver wins it for the reunited Rascalz!
WINNER: The Rascalz
TIME: 14:20
THOUGHTS: The match started off with a tepid pace, and you knew that it wasn’t going to last. The thing that surprised me, however, is how The System were able to get as nuts and chaotic as the Rascalz were. This was a lot of fun with all the insane moves and game of one-upmanship was Hella fun.
RATING: ****1/4
Santino is on his phone in the back. Eric Young emerges from the locker room and questions whether Santino is the mastermind of his NXT attack. He says he actually admires them for doing this. He shoves a piece of paper towards Santino and says that the Cleansing will happen, and they will take care of all of this.
X-Division action on tap!
TNA X-Division Title: Leon Slater (C) vs. Rich Swann
The bell rings, as both men struggle for early lock-up control. Slater gives a clean break to Swann, as they talk some to one another. Slater takes Swann over and down to the mat. He pins the arms of Swann to the mat. Swann to his feet, Slater drives him to the corner, and he gives a clean break again.
Slater with a cravat on Swann. Rich tries to roll through, but Slater won’t let go. He tries a snapmare, but Swann lands on his feet. Swann off the ropes, he snaps off a head scissors and does his dance! Swann with a dropkick to the chest of Slater. Slater fires back with a running kick, sending Swann to the floor. Slater with a springboard corkscrew plancha!
Slater returns Swann to the ring and hits a running corner kick to the face. He follows Swann to the opposite corner and hits a running elbow. He tries a third time, but Swann cuts him off this time with a boot. Swann rolls through and hits a flying lariat. Swann lines up a kick to the back, but Slater escapes to the corner. Swann follows him in and hits a chop. To the other corner we go, as Swann hits another chop. Slater reverses it with one of his own, but Swann knocks Slater down with a chop.
Swann’s rolling back splash meets the knees of Slater. Slater kicks Swann to the corner, but Swann sends Slater out of the ring, as he smacks his face off of the ring steps. The doctor checks on Slater, Swann to the floor, Slater returns him to the ring. Slater to the top, but he misses his crossbody block. Swann takes Slater to the corner and tries to slow things down, but Slater hits a spinning side slam to Swann.
Slater has Swann up on his shoulders, but Swann attacks the bad eye of Slater. Slater sends Swann to the floor, Swann back to the apron. He springs back in, but Slater catches him with a cutter for a two. Slater sets up Swann for the Styles Clash, but Swann brings his arms together and kicks Slater in the face until he escapes. Swann with bicycle kick and a neck breaker. Swann goes to the top, crossbody to Slater! The cover, two count.
Swann up to his feet, Slater grabs his leg, as Swann goes back to the bad eye. Chops ring out from both men. Swann with shots to the head, so Slater hits a big kick. Swann with a chop to the eye. Off the ropes, but Swann is caught by Slater and he hits Utopia! Slater to the top, Swann avoids, he ends up on the apron. Swann avoids the Springboard Cutter into a snap Rana for a two count! Cutter from Swann! Swann to the top, 450 Splash! The cover, Slater out at 2.5!
THIS IS AWESOME chants, and it, indeed, is awesome. Swann to the top, but Slater cuts him off and goes up with Rich. Swann with rights and a headbutt, sending Slater to the mat. Slater is back, though, and he hits an arm drag from the top! Styles Clash by Slater, Swann out at two! Slater to the top, Swanton 450! The cover, Slater retains!
WINNER: Leon Slater (Still Champion)
TIME: 13:25
THOUGHTS: Tom and Matt mentioned that this was Swann’s first singles match in TNA in a year. And I wouldn’t have known any better. Granted, working with the Young Gun Slater definitely helps, but Swann still has so much left in the gas tank. They balanced mat wrestling with the high-flying theatrics, and it was the right amount of time!
RATING: ****1/4
Post-match, Gia says that everyone is thinking of Leon. Apparently, Leon lost his grandmother. They show the graphic, and we get a VALERIE chant. That’s class. Slater says that he wouldn’t be here without his mom, his sister, and his grandmom. Gia says you have another title match next week. Leon says he feels better about that match because his tag partner is BOUNCY! You know him, he’s wrestling GUNTHER on Monday, and then on Tuesday, they team up to win the NXT Tag Team Titles. They are the best team across all time, you heard.
For the next two weeks, NXT Gold Rush will take place at MSG, with titles from NXT, EVOLVE, TNA, and AAA on the line!
This January, from Dallas, Texas, Genesis, the first event of the 2026 calendar!
The guys run down the rest of the events for the 2025 calendar year.
Our tag team main event is up next! Time to see if Mike Santana can, in fact, go.
TNA International Champion Steve Maclin and Mike Santana vs. TNA World Heavyweight Champion Frankie Kazarian and Nic Nemeth W/Ryan Nemeth
Well, Maclin came out first, but there’s no Santana anywhere to be found.
Maclin on the mic before the bell. He says it looks like it’s just himself. So, screw it, as he drops the mic and proceeds to attack both Nemeth and Kazarian. He hits a SCUD to Kazarian, and returns Nemeth to the ring, where he elbows Nemeth in the back of the head. Angle Slam from Maclin for a two count. Maclin sets up Nemeth in the corner, looking for the crosshairs. He knocks Kazarian from the apron first, then hits Nemeth. The cover, but Nemeth gets his foot on the rope.
Maclin stalks Ryan Nemeth up the ramp. Mara Sade appears behind Ryan. She whips her hair, Ryan turns towards Maclin, then back to Sade, who hits him with a SUPERKICK! Maclin shakes hands with Sade and returns to ringside, where Kazarian ambushes him. Kazarian returns Maclin to the ring. He hits chops and punches and hits a snapmare. Cover for a two count. Frankie chokes Maclin against the bottom rope. Scoop slam and a springboard leg drop from the Champion for a two count.
Nemeth gets the tag, as he scraps the boot across the face of Maclin. Maclin tries to back Nemeth off, but Nic with a neck breaker. He hits a standing elbow drop for a two count. Kazarian with the tag. He hits a running double axe handle to Maclin.
Another quick tag out to Nemeth. Both men sit Maclin on the top rope and look for a double superplex. They argue amongst each other, allowing Maclin to knock both men to the mat. Maclin gets his balance and hits a missile dropkick to both men.
We see someone arrive outside in a vehicle. It’s Mike Santana! He is here! We see him walk in the front of the building, past security and Santino. He tapes up his arm and wrist and heads in and takes his spot in the corner. Maclin tags out, and Santana proceeds to wreck Nemeth, while Kazarian plays keep away from Santana. Nemeth evades Santana once, but not twice, as he hits a DVD on Nemeth. Santana takes flight and hits a tope suicida to Kazarian!
Nemeth on the apron with Santana, he kicks him in the bad arm and sends him back to the ring. SUPERKICK from Nemeth! The cover, Santana out at two. Maclin comes in, he clotheslines Nemeth to the floor. Kazarian snatches up Santana, looking Fade to Black but Santana escapes. SPIN THE BLOCK FROM SANTANA! THE PIN, THE WIN!
WINNER: Mike Santana and Steve Maclin
TIME: 10:20
THOUGHTS: I would lament the fact that the main event of the show barely made it past ten minutes, but obviously this was by design. Santana was questionable to compete in this match, and his entrance made do with an arse kicking for both Nemeth and Kazarian. A good main event, but not that great.
RATING: ***
Post-match, Santana and Maclin celebrate their victory. Nemeth goes to the floor and grabs the trophy. He’s going to cash in.
But wait, The NXT Stars are here! They attack Nemeth, Maclin, and Santana, but not Kazarian. Wait, never mind, they turn their attention to Kazarian after all. Saint and Sinner arrive to try and help out, but they are overwhelmed. Security is here, because they obviously always do their job.
Oh, wait, no.
Santino Marella is here! He argues with Stacks, his future Son-in-Law, but he gets attacked from behind by Brooks Jansen! The Hardys are here with chairs, but unfortunately for them, they, too, have no luck against the NXT stars. The insurgents hold the ring as the show comes to an end.
And with that, we are done!
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