wrestling / TV Reports
Ciocco’s TNA Victory Road 2025 Review
Image Credit: TNA
Loading...Hey everyone! Tonight, TNA is on the road to Bound for Glory, as always coming up in October, but it is not just any ordinary road, no. They are on VICTORY Road! Tonight, the annual TNA show emanates from north of the border, from Edmonton…
Looks to the right
Alberta…
Looks to the left
CANADA!
Tonight’s card does not look like the very best that TNA has ever put on, but then again, what show has ever played out on paper?
We are scheduled to have three title matches tonight, as the X-Division title will be on the line, as Leon Slater defends against Myron Reed. The International Title is on the line, as Steve Maclin will defend against the King of TNA, Frankie Kazarian. And the Knockout’s Tag Team Titles will be defended by The Elegance Brand, as they go up against The IInspiration.
When it comes to non-title matches, we will have plenty, starting with a TNA vs. NXT match, as Mike Santana, ahead of his title match with Trick Williams for the TNA Title at BFG, will go one-on-one with Ridge Holland. Joe Hendry will go up against Eric Young, Moose will face the leader of the Order 4, Mustafa Ali, and Ryan and Nic Nemeth will face Matt Cardona and the very popular Hometown Man, All of this and, I’m fairly sure, most in store tonight!
It’s been reported on THIS VERY SITE (Cheap Pop!) That the main event will be the X-Division Title match, and I’m not too upset about that, especially in lieu of there being no World Title match.
So, without further ado, let’s get ready to travel the Road of Victory that leads to Bound for Glory!
Tonight, Victory Road takes place from the Edmonton Expo Centre in, you guessed it, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada! Tom Hannifan and the Drama King Matthew Rehwoldt will bring the action to us tonight.
Well, apparently the Director of Authority, Santino Marella is giving us the rest of Order 4 and The System, and that starts us off tonight.
The Great Hands and Special Agent Zero vs. Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, and JDC
Zero and Myers to start us off, and Myers wishes he didn’t come to work tonight lol. Zero with a release throw suplex, which is kind of cool. And it’s so nice, he does it twice lol. His momentum is thwarted by the feet of Myers, and he tags in Edwards. Eddie with chops, but he runs into a powerslam. John Skylar and Jason Hotch with the Tree of WHOA and they stomp away on Eddie. Skyler with a chin lock, Eddie to his feet, but John with the side Russian Leg Sweep for a two count.
Hotch in the match now. he sends his partner into a kick from Eddie, and Skylar charges the ring post. Eddie tags in JDC as he runs train over both of the Great Hands. He kicks Hotch crotch first into the corner and hits a slingshot leg drop. Falcon Arrow, JDC has done the deal, but Skylar with the save. Zero in now, but Myers and Edwards kick him away. JDC clotheslines Zero to the floor, but he’s still on his feet. Double team inside out by Eddie and Brian, Down and Dirty by JDC for the win.
WINNER: The System
TIME: 4:30
THOUGHTS: And this made the main card over the 3-way match between Alexander, Wentz, and Miguel! It was fine, they kept Special Agent Zero’s involvement to a minimum, and the System won.
RATING: **1/2
We get the introduction to the show proper.
We are back in the arena, as we get TNA chants. Carlos Silva and Santino Marella are in the ring as Ash by Elegance makes her way out to the ring.
Ash on the mic. She needed to come out and address something, so bear with her, this will be difficult. A year and a half ago, she came her with a goal, and she was mentally defeated. But TNA became her home, and this became her family. She came here to elevate the title and to represent the company to the best of her ability. But life throws you curveballs sometimes. She is no longer able to compete and do what she loves to do. So, with that said, she is stepping away from in-ring competition, and with a heavy heart, she has to vacate this title. But she is confident in this women’s roster, and they will hold the title with grace and dignity. Whether you cheered her or booed her and let’s be honest, you booed because she was a stuck-up bitch, she appreciates it, and she will be back.
She hands the Knockouts Title to Silva, hugs him, and then hugs Marella before taking her leave as the fans cheer. Definitely no booing her tonight.
Marella on the mic. To relinquish the title is something that is hard to do, and it hurts. Also, the Knockout’s Tag Team Title match is being moved to Thursday, because they are having a Battle Royale tonight! And the final two competitors will face-off to crown a new Knockouts Champion. Oh, and that match is coming up next!
Women’s Battle Royale to crown the new Knockouts Champion
Looks like we have Dani Luna, Jody Threat, Alisha Edwards, both ladies from the IInspiration, Heather and M by Elegance, Xia Ling Lee, Xia Brookside, and Kelani Jordan are here. Someone has been eliminated, and both Tom and Matt were like whatever lol.
Threat was eliminated by her former tag team partner Luna. That’s cold lol. Lee and Brookside work together for a while. Xia has been eliminated by Luna, and Lee comes to blows with her. Lee has Luna up on her shoulders, but she fights out and hits a big lariat to Lee. Luna tries to eliminate Lee, but everyone else gang up on her to eliminate her lol.
The IInspiration and The Elegance Brand square up. Heather and M fight out it out. Lee and Jordan eliminate both the IInspiration and The Elegance Brand at the same time, moving them on to the finals
WINNER: Lei Ying Lee and Kelani Jordan
TIME: 4:50
THOUGHTS: Pretty creative solution to a dower situation. I always love me some Lei Ying Lee, so I’m cool with that.
RATING: **3/4
Gia Miller has Indi Hartwell in the back. She says a lot is going on in the KO Division, and as the referee for this match, Indi is going to call it right down the middle. She can scout her potential opponent for the title match she is owed. Not only will she make sure that whoever wins makes it to Impact this Thursday, but the winner of this match is going to get the best version of Indi Hartwell!
The Nemeth Brothers are here!
Ryan and Nic Nemeth vs. Matt Cardona and the Hometown Man
Cardona and Ryan Nemeth to start us off. Cardona takes Ryan to the ropes, but Ryan shoves him away. Cardona with a clothesline and another one. The cover for a two count. CHELSEA’S HUSBAND chants lol. The Hometown Man is in now, as he rings the arm of Ryan. Ryan clobbers him with forearms and takes in Nic Nemeth. The Hometown Man does the Road Dogg punches and sends him to the corner. HOMETOWN MAN chants as he hits a running butt bump to Nic. HTM throws Ryan out of the ring and then hits the elbow drop. He goes to the top, but Ryan grabs his foot. HTM misses and Nemeth with a thrust kick. He tags in Ryan, and he pins the HTM for a two count.
We see Joe Hendry in the back, as it looks like someone has left him laying. Hannifan says it is being reported that he was attacked by someone. No shit, dude.
Quick tags by the Nemeth Brothers. Ryan sends HTM to the corner, mocks Cardona’s chant, but he misses his corner charge. Cardona and Nic in, and Matt runs through both brothers. Double knees to Nic and a dropkick, as Cardona fires up. Corner clothesline, and Nik is in the spot for the running boot. UnprettiHER by Cardona, but Nic kicks out at two. Radio Silence, but Nic moves once, but not twice as he hits it. But Ryan tagged in, and he hits Cardona with a DDT for a two count. The HTM is in, and he hits a crossbody to both brothers for a two count! SUPERKICK by Nic to Cardona! The HTM looking for the Hometown Slice, but the brothers fight it off and hit the Hart Attack!
The Nemeth Brothers show off, but Cardona pulls Nic out of the ring and the HTM rolls up Ryan for the pin!
WINNER: Matt Cardona and the Hometown Man
TIME: 6:15
THOUGHTS: It was a match that existed. I got nothing else.
RATING: **
Post-match, the Nemeth Brothers attack because they are sore losers. THEY RIP OFF THE HOMETOWN MAN’S MASK, BUT WE DON’T SEE HIS FACE AS CARDONA COVERS HIS FACE WITH HIS T-SHIRT! The Nemeth Brothers take the mask and gloat as they head up the ramp.
A-Game, the official hydration drink of TNA Wrestling!
Mike Santana is walking around in the back. Edmonton, what’s up? Are you ready? Trick Williams, you sent your boy Ridge Holland at me, and he is entering hell. He has sacrificed 17 years for this, and Holland might be that man one day, but right now, it’s about Santana. He is entering Bound for Glory, and he is walking out TNA World Heavyweight Champion!
Santana enters through the crowd as we get ready for the next match.
Mike Santana vs. Ridge Holland
Santana waits for no one, as he attacks Holland as he enters the ring. He sends him quickly from the ring and hits a Front Flip Senton over the top and to the floor onto Ridge. Santana with chops, Holland fights that off for a minute, but Santana throws Holland into the ring steps. Santana uses the ring steps to attack Holland, but Ridge catches him and throws him face first against the ring apron.
Back in the ring, Holland with the Michinoku Driver to Santana for a two count. Santana with a back elbow to Holland, and another one out of the corner for a two count. Holland with a power slam counter and then a Scoop Slam follows. Cover for a two count. Holland argues with someone at ring side as the fans chant SAN-TAN-AH. Holland tries The Redeemer, but Santana fights out of it.
Both men to their feet, punches and lariats from Santana. Holland with a whip, but Santana fires back with a flying lariat. Running corner chop by Santana. Mike catches the foot of Holland and hits a corner enziguri. Rolling Buck Fifty countered by Holland, but Santana counters with the DVD for a two count. Santana to his feet, Spin the Block is countered. Holland goes behind, shoves Santana off, but Mike back with the Rolling Buck Fifty. Cover for a two count. Holland puts himself in the corner and eats a CANNONABLL from Santana. Mike sits Ridge on the top rope and goes up. SUPERPLEX BY SANTANA! He wants the Three Amigos, but Holland counters with a power slam for a two count.
Both men crawl towards each other and get in each other’s face. Ground forearms, then standing forearms ensue. Santana with the pump kick, Holland misses the lariat, SPIN THE BLOCK BY SANTANA! That’s a win for Santana!
WINNER: Mike Santana
TIME: 7:55
THOUGHTS: A competent match. Santana had to win, since he was the man going into BFG and fighting for the TNA World Title.
RATING: **3/4
Post-match, Trick Williams’ video wall plays, and he enters the ring behind Santana! Holland trips up Santana so Williams can hit Santana with his title belt! He taunts Santana and celebrates as he leaves the ring.
Bioflex Injury report!
Speaking of people wanting to be cleared, Matt Hardy is in the back, getting his neck worked on by the Doctor. He implores the Doctor to clear him until the Doctor gives in and says, “You know what, Matt? You’re Cleared.”
Video package for the incoming match.
Moose vs. Mustafa Ali
Ali plays keep away from Moose early on. Ali slides under Moose, then ducks his clotheslines and escapes to the floor. While Ali is gloating, Moose sneaks out the other side of the ring and hits a pump kick. He returns Ali to the ring, who greets Moose with a kick to the head. His chop in the corner has no effect, as Moose literally brushes it off lol. Moose with his own chop, and Ali definitely felt that one. Moose sits Ali on the top rope, and he dropkicks Ali out of the ring and to the floor.
Moose heads to the outside, as he dissembles the ring steps. Moose tries a powerbomb, but Ali out the back with a thrust kick. Ali hits a tornado DDT to Moose on the floor. He returns Moose to the ring and hits a springboard moonsault. Not only does Moose kick out at one, but he also throws Ali out to the ring apron lol. Ali back in with a running neck breaker for a two count this time.
Ali takes time to gloat. Ali with a chinlock to Moose, as the big man fights to his feet. GTH by Moose, but it’s countered by a Rana by Ali! Moose to the floor, here comes a suicide dive by Ali into the barricade! Back in the ring, Ali takes too long and misses the 450 Splash. Moose with a big kick as Ali rolls through. Both men on their feet, chops are traded, Moose says, “ALI, SCREW YOU”, but his kick is blocked. Moose counters into a lariat, however. His powerbomb is countered by a Canadian Destroyer, getting Ali a two count.
Ali flips from the mat and up to the top rope, but Moose kicks him in the head and follows him up. Ali gauges the eyes of Moose and counters him with a Bell Clap. Ali jumps right into the Go to Hell! Moose with the pin, but Ali out at 2.8! Moose’s spear hits the middle turnbuckle. Ali tries a suplex, but Moose counters with a powerbomb attempt. Ali out and he hits a vertical suplex to Moose! Ali takes more time to taunt the fans, and then he taunts Moose with round kicks to the chest of Moose. Ali talks that trash to Moose, Moose shoves him away, he hits a thrust kick to Moose. Ali off the ropes, Moose runs around Ali as he lands on his feet and hits the SPEAR! The cover, but Ali had his foot off the ropes!
Moose on the floor, he runs around the ring, but remember the steps that Moose took apart earlier? Yeah, Ali hits Moose with a back body drop onto the steps. Irony lol. Moose is returned to the ring, Ali to the top rope, 450 Splash! THE COVER, BUT MOOSE SITS UP WITH ALI IN HIS ARMS! Ali looks like he just dumped in his nappy of fear LMAO! Ali punches away Moose, but he absorbs them and hits a headbutt to Ali! Moose’s SPEAR attempt is countered by Ali. Backslide is countered, powerbomb, countered, Moose catches Ali on his roll through and hits a huge powerbomb! The cover, but Ali is out at 2.8! Ali’s escorts/dancers come down to the ring side, and they surround Moose. While the ref is distracted, one of them hit Moose with a low blow. Ali to the top, 450 Splash, and this time, Moose does not kick out. Ah, the one who hit Moose in the ding-ding was Tasha Steelz lol.
WINNER: Mustafa Ali
TIME: 12:25
THOUGHTS: A pretty good match overall. They played the big man-little man formula as well as they could have, and while there were some stalling/slow spots, the action and the counters were on point.
RATING: ***1/2
The battle between Darkness and Believing is coming up next!
Before the match, Eric Young has the mic. His opponent couldn’t be here tonight, and he doesn’t know why.
(Um, he was, we saw him laid out in the back of the arena earlier, Eric).
That makes him the winner of this match. He knows this city doesn’t understanding winning because they have been losers for a decade. This isn’t a farewell, this isn’t goodbye, this was on purpose. This was a cleansing. This was inevitable, and he is gone forever. Say goodbye…
Lance Storm Pause
To Joe Hendry!
Or not, because Joe is here!
Eric Young vs. Joe Hendry
Hendry storms the ring and launches an assault on Young. Eric with forearms to slow him down, but Hendry fights back with back body drop. Young up and over in the corner, but Hendry throws Young right out of the ring. Hendry to the floor, and he continues the assault on Young. Hendry returns Young to the ring, but Eric uses the ref to distract Hendry and hits a DDT to Joe. Young starts the attack, as he stomps on and stands on Hendry in the corner. Hendry back to his feet with forearms, but Young with an uppercut to stop his momentum. Cover for a two count.
WE BELIEVE chants as Young slams Hendry head-first into the corner. Eric chokes him out in the corner with his boot. Young with punches to level Hendry, as he applies a neck crank. Hendry back to his feet, but Young goes around and applies a sleeper. The fans get behind Hendry as he gets back to his feet but AGAIN Young puts on a sleeper hold. I know a fellow Ryan who would not appreciate this level of poverty lol. Hendry back to his feet but AGAIN Young with another sleeper.
(All this is doing is putting me to sleep)
Young grounds Hendry, as Joe fights to keep his wits about him. Hendry’s arm hits the mat, the ref raises his arm, but Joseph Hendry is not done yet. Hendry escapes by swinging Young around while still in the hold and hitting a vertical suplex. Now that was power.
Both men to their feet, EY runs into a boot and then some lariats. Hendry with a Rana, and the fans love it! Fallaway Slam by the man whose name we should say, least we believe in him. Hendry turns around, ZOOM IN, We Will Rock You Stomps. Young gouges the eyes, though, but Hendry with a shoulder tackle. Angle Slam by Hendry gets him a two count.
Hendry puts Young on the top rope, he goes up, but Young takes a page from the Jon Moxley playbook and bites Hendry’s head like an apple. Young with the elbow drop from the top for a two count. Young mocks the stomp and clap, he has Hendry up, but Hendry escapes. Uppercuts by Hendry, but Young catches Hendry with the piledriver! The cover, but Hendry is out at two! Young threatens the referee, Hendry from behind, but EY blocks the ref’s vision and kicks Hendry in the ding-ding!
EY leaves the ring and grabs some chairs from under the ring. Travis Williams and Judas Icarus are here! One takes Young, the other the ref, as Hendry hits the Standing Ovation on Young onto the chair he put in the ring! The pin, the win!
WINNER: Joe Hendry
TIME: 11:20
THOUGHTS: It was nice to see the fire out of Hendry after being “Questionable” to compete tonight. Bringing out Williams and Icarus to stop Young from using the chair continues that story that they have going. A fine match, but the repeat sleeper holds by Young knocks a bit off the rating for me.
RATING: ***
Post-match, Hendry celebrates, he shakes hands with Williams and Icarus, and everyone takes their leave.
We see the events of this past week’s NXT, where the members of TNA Wrestling hit the ring after the Oba Femi-Trick Williams match, inciting the NXT roster to come out and a brawl started.
On Before the Bell, we see AJ Francis give a Down Payment to Matt Hardy through the table. Despite this, the match will still go on. Yay. I did love Francis trolling the Edmonton fans by wearing a Florida Panthers shirt lol.
AJ Francis vs. Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy has the mic. He says he spoke to Santino Marella, and he told him that this match will be a tables match. Matt is going to put his big ass through a table!
Hardy clotheslines Francis from the ring before the bell. Mackenzie Mitchell announces the match rules, and THEN the bell rings lol. Straight away, Matt grabs a table, but Francis puts it back under the ring as the fans boo lol. Hardy throws Francis into the ring steps, but he jumps off the same steps into a straight punch by Francis. AJ rubs Matt’s face into the ring steps before putting him back in the ring. FUCK YOU AJ chants, and it’s nice to hear some other fans getting sassy lol.
Francis chokes Hardy out in the ropes and then taunts the fans. Hard Irish Whip by Francis, Hardy takes a seat, and Francis hits the Tennessee Whiskey. He re-enters the ring but misses his back splash senton. Hardy with a Twist of Fate to Francis! Hardy goes back out and slides a table into the ring. Francis steps on the table, stopping Hardy from opening it up. Francis sets Hardy up in the corner against the table. TFL is avoided by Hardy, and AJ just misses running into the table. But not a second time, as Francis charges and explodes the table, but that’s not the end of the match, as the winner has to offensively put their opponent through the table. Hardy takes Francis from the wreckage and does the DELETE corner spot. Tornado DDT by Hardy out of the corner, as Matt leaves the ring and gets a chair.
Hardy puts the chair around the head of Francis and tries the Twist of Fate, but Francis spikes the chair leg into the face of Hardy! Francis sets up Hardy in the chair, but he misses and hits his face off the chair seat. Hardy with forearms to the back of Francis, but AJ cuts him off by throwing the chair into the face of Hardy Ala Sabu or RVD. Francis to the top, he takes too long showing off, allowing Hardy to clobber Francis with the chair. Hardy to the top rope, AHHHHHHHHHHHHH, and an avalanche Side Effect! A smattering of HOLY SHIT chants as Hardy has brought a fresh table out from under the ring.
Hardy sets the table up and renters the ring, only to eat a TFL from Francis! Francis leaves the ring, grabs Hardy’s TNA Tag Team Title belt, yells at Hannifan that this should be his, and he reenters the ring only to eat a Twist of Fate! Hardy hammers Francis in the head with his title belt not once but twice, and it sure was nice! The second shot lays Francis out on the table. Hardy climbs to the very top and hits a leg drop to the outside through Francis and the table to win the match!
WINNER: Matt Hardy
TIME: 9:40
THOUGHTS: With the rebranded TLC match coming up at BFG, it only made sense for Hardy to win this match. Francis played the perfect foil for Hardy in this match, even if it was pretty meh.
RATING: **1/2
Speaking of, we get a video for the match between the Hardy’s and Team 3-D at Bound for Glory
We promote Immersed, a behind the scenes look at TNA like you have never seen it before, available to stream on TNA+.
The crowning moment for a new Knockout’s Champion is upon us. Indi Hartwell is the ref for this match, and she looks fantastic in her referee outfit!
TNA Knockouts Title Match: Kelani Jordan vs. Lei Ying Lee
Mackenzie with the special in-ring introductions for this one, and I’m definitely not complaining! 😉
Indi proves she is a through referee as she pats down both women before the bell. Both ladies shake hands and the match is on. Both women struggle for control, as Indi separates them. Kelani gets the better of the exchange this time and takes Lee to the corner. Lee grabs arm control, but Jordan rolls through and reverses control. Lee sweeps out the legs of Jordan, rolls over, and puts on a front face lock. Jordan to her feet, off the ropes, but Lee with a big shoulder block. Jordan with an arm drag off the ropes and she drop kicks Lee from the ring. Jordan to the apron, Lee misses her sweeping kick, and Jordan returns Lee to the ring.
Lee meets her with some kicks and a running knee strike for a two count. Jordan with a snapmare into a stalling splash for a two count. Jordan has Lee up, but she escapes, and pins are exchanged. Jordan bridges out with a backslide for a two count. Jordan sweeps the legs, one count. Lee returns the favor and gets the same one count.
Both women take a moment to compose themselves, as Lee wants to shake hands. Jordan obliges, as the fans counter TNA and NXT chants. Jordan with a roll up for a two count, but Lee kicks Jordan to the corner. Running Meteora, Lee sets herself and punches away on Jordan in the corner. Overhead suplex by Lee gets her a two count. Lee has Jordan up, spinning face buster attempt, but Jordan out the back door. Both women almost collide with Indi, Jordan with a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count.
Jordan applies a single leg Boston Crab. Lee tries to get to the ropes, but Jordan pulls her back and kicks away at the trapped leg of Lee. Lee kicks Jordan out of the ring to break the hold. Jordan to the apron and she goes to the top, but Lee catches her with palm strikes. Jordan tries to fight back, but Lee with more palm strikes. Lee jumps to the top and hits a top rope Rana to Jordan!
Both ladies to their feet, forearms are traded as neither woman gets the advantage. Jordan with a kick to the gut and hits repeat forearms. Lee back to her feet, and she strikes Jordan with a lot of fury. Lee with a thrust kick, snapmare into a basement dropkick for a two count. Lee sets up Jordan, but she escapes and hits a thrust kick. Jordan charges Lee, but she avoids and rolls her up. She transitions into the Blue Thunder Bomb! The cover, but Jordan kicks out at two. THIS IS AWESOME chants, and I agree, way better than a lot of what we have seen so far tonight.
The fight spills out to the floor, as Lee slams Jordan on the apron. Jordan off the apron with a dropkick. Back in the ring, Jordan whips Lee into the ropes and hits a spinning back elbow. Jordan’s kick is captured, and Lee applies the cross-face. Jordan separates the hands of Lee and rolls her up for a two count. Jordan hits Lee with a face plant and then goes to the top rope. Frog Splash from the very top, but Lee kicks out at 2.5! Jordan argues the count with Hartwell, as she goes to the top again. Hartwell was checking on Lee, and Jordan hits One of a Kind on Indi!
Lee hits Jordan with Thunderstruck! The cover, but Indi is still out of it! When she finally gets over there, Jordan kicks out at 2.8! Lee tries to pick up Jordan, but her back gives out and Jordan rolls her up for a two count. That’s countered with another two count. Stunner by Jordan! One of a Kind by Jordan and she is the NEW Knockouts Champion!
WINNER: Kelani Jordan (New Champion)
TIME: 15:15
THOUGHTS: This match was really, really good. The match itself was great on its own, but considering the events that took place making this match bore out of necessity and on the fly, it makes it even that much better. Another reminder that you should let your women go out and give it their all.
RATING: ****1/4
Post-match, Carlos Silva presents the title to Indi, who presents the title to Kelani. Sportswomanship is shown between Indi and Kelani, Lee and Kelani, and then Ash by Elegance returns to embrace Kelani at the top of the ramp.
Video package for the upcoming International Title Match.
TNA International Title Match: Steve Maclin (C) vs. Frankie Kazarian
Tentative start to this one, despite the hostility that exists between these men. Early lockup favors Maclin, but Frankie reverses it and ground the champion. Kazarian with a chop, Maclin looking KIA, but Kazarian escapes to the apron. Frankie back in the ring, they talk crap, and Steve shoves Frankie to the mat. Kazarian tries a sneak attack, but Maclin cuts that off and hits a lariat. He has Kazarian in the corner as he clubs Kazarian in the back before winding up for the last one. A back breaker by the champion gets him a two count. Frankie to the apron, he tries to hit the slingshot leg drop, but he misses. Not to be outdone, the diving missile by Maclin misses and hits the floor. Kazarian taunts him, slaps him, and returns him to the ring.
Kazarian hits the slingshot leg drop back into the ring as he taunts the crowd. Maclin fights back with punches, but Kazarian hits a charging forearm for a two count. Hard Irish Whip by Kazarian puts Maclin back on the mat. Maclin’s lip is busted open, as Kazarian charges the corner, but he runs into a kind-of sort-of Urinage from Maclin. Kazarian cuts him off, grounds the champion and chokes him out before switching to a cravat. Maclin to his feet, but Kazarian with a neck breaker for a two count. Maclin back to his feet, Angle Slam is countered by Kazarian. Chicken Wing is countered by Maclin with a roll-up for a two count. Kazarian sends off Maclin, but Steve with a Triple H approved face buster and a lariat to follow. Both men are down as the referee checks on them.
The match resets, as both men are up to their feet, and Maclin hits lariats and a Thesz Press. Corner clothesline by Maclin followed by a hook clothesline, as Steve is fired up. Angle Slam by Maclin for a two count. Kazarian looking for the Chicken Wing, Maclin counters out with the Busaiku Knee! The Jar Headbutt by Maclin gets him a two count. Maclin sets up Frankie in the tree of WHOA! He panders to the crowd, but that gives Kazarian time to counter out with a cutter for a two count! Another Chicken Wing attempt, Maclin thinking Boston Crab, but Kazarian fights out. KIA is countered, back elbow by Kazarian, he snaps Maclin’s face off the top rope. Kazarian to the top, but Maclin cuts him off. Maclin goes up, his strikes cause Frankie to precipitously lean over the edge. Maclin with a Superplex from the top, transitions into a neck breaker, but Frankie rolls out of the ring.
Kazarian catches Maclin with another neck crank over the top rope, his springboard leg drop connects for a two count. Maclin put on the top by Kazarian, Flux Capacitor is countered, as Maclin sends him to the mat. Another Jar Headbutt, but it misses, and Frankie finally gets the Chicken Wing. Maclin fights out and sends Kazarian from the ring. SCUD connects for Maclin this time. Maclin traps Kazarian in the corner in the Tree of WHOA and looks for the Crosshairs, but Maclin is distracted. El Mesias is here! Maclin hits him with a SCUD, but Mesias just pops right back up! Maclin reenters the ring and kicks the ropes into the ding-ding of Maclin! Springboard Cutter by Frankie, and we have a new champion!
WINNER: Frankie Kazarian (New Champion)
TIME: 15:05
THOUGHTS: A good match between two good wrestlers. Anytime that Frankie Kazarian wins a title is a good day in my book. Maclin was a great inaugural International Champion, but the time was right for the title to change hands.
RATING: ***1/2
Video package for Bound for Glory.
Speaking of BFG, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love, and Mickie James will all be going into the TNA Hall of Fame for the class of 2025. This will also be the first time that the class is comprised of all women, and that is absolutely awesome.
It’s time for the MAIN EVENT of the evening!
TNA X-Division Title Match: Leon Slater (C) vs. Myron Reed
The bell rings, and Myron wants to shake hands. They do, but Myron doesn’t let go at first. Lock-up, go behind by Slater. Reed counters with wrist control. Slater rolls through and goes behind Reed. Reversals ensue, as both men reset. Reed misses wildly with kicks, Slater misses a dropkick, but Reed gets a bit of Slater’s head with a leg drop. Slater doesn’t like this, so he shoves Reed away. Reed takes Slater to the corner, he feigns a punch, but Reed pats him in the chest. Slater shoves Reed across the ring, so Reed fires back. Slater sent to the corner, Reed to the apron, back in, he hits a lung blower. His follow-up is cut off with a dropkick by Slater. Reed hits the floor, and Slater hits a springboard cross body to the floor.
Slater returns Reed to the corner and measures him with chops in the corner. Reed tries to reverse it, but Slater reverses the reversal and chops him again. Slater with the mounted punches and a cross body from the top to Reed. The cover, but Reed kicks out at one! Slater looks like he just was asked to figure out a rubix cube lol. Slater runs into a Rana by Reed, who rolls him up for a two count. Slater back up, but a thrust kick from Reed drops him again. Slater charges in, but Reed with a springboard leg drop. Matrix Move by Reed and a pop-up enziguri. Reed bounces Slater off the top rope and launches him in a powerbomb motion. That was interesting. Reed gets a two count off of that. He sizes up Slater, he tries to put Slater on the top again, but he gets out. Reed tries to do the Matrix again, but Slater catches him on his shoulders and hits the Utopia! The cover for a two count! That was an amazing reversal.
Slater to the top rope, but Reed crotches him in the corner. Reed to the top, Slater escapes, Reed springboards out of the corner but Slater with the most conventional kick to the face lol. Slater takes flight, clears the corner, and wipes out Reed! HOLY SHIT chants, and I agree! Reed returned to the ring, Swanton 450 is avoided, but Slater scores with a leg lariat. Slater rolls through, Reed grabs the ropes and reverses them to the apron and to the floor. They are still locked up! Stun dog Millionaire by Reed! Reed to the top, Slater moves, and Reed lands on his feet. Slater on the apron, BUT REED WITH THE FLAME ON OFF THE APRON AND TO THE FLOOR ON SLATER! Reed returns Slater to the ring, he goes to the top, 450 Splash connects! Reed with the cover, Slater kicks out at 2.5!
X-DIVISION and FIGHT FOREVER chants from the crowd, as Reed with straight punches to Slater. It only serves to fire Leon up, though, as he slaps Myron. Slater’s Leg Lariat, Reed with the Matrix into the pop-up CUTTER! Reed puts Slater on the top; Reed’s move is countered in mid-air by Slater! Leon to the top rope now, Swanton 450 connects! The pin, the win for the champion!
WINNER: Leon Slater
TIME: 13:45
THOUGHTS: Holy Action Main Event, Batman! They didn’t even get 14 minutes, but did they load this up with awesome action and astonishing counters at any rate. It seemed to be too early for Slater to lose the title, but damn if you couldn’t have an amazing X-Division Main Event at any rate.
RATING: ****1/2
Post-match, Silva presents the X-Division Title to Slater, and sportsmanship is shown between Slater and Reed. Santino Marella is here post-match. After he pumps up the X-Division and the champion, he says he has been in negotiations for a match that he really wants to see. LISTEN TO THIS! This man is going to challenge Slater for the X-Division Title at Bound for Glory. And here he is!
It’s Je’Von Evans! He has always wanted to have a match in a TNA ring, so at Bound for Glory, it will be himself and Leon Slater for the X-Division Title! Things are about to get really bouncy, YA HEARD?
And with that, we are done!
