TNA Against All Odds June 6, 2025

In Memorial to Donald Herrin Feb. 1, 1940, June 6, 2025

(quick note: I know it is a few days late. However, as you probably deduced. I got some horrible news right at the onset of my review on Saturday morning. My pop took me to my first wrestling card in 1980 in Lafayette, Louisiana. He took me to a few cards when I was much younger. In fact, the first time I became cognizant of wrestling was coming into the den and my pop was watching Bull Ramos – kids, ask your parents; maybe, your grandparents. He didn’t mind when I wanted to get some wrestling PPV and have friends over to watch. He is why I am here now doing this. He also was a man who believed on staying on task. The job had to be done if you could do it. While I thank Scott Keith and the entire BoD for their support and empathy. I wrote my eulogy yesterday so my peace has been said. I was given the task to cover TNA, so here I am. My pop did not want a funeral and wanted us to go on with our lives. Ergo, I completed this. Thank you for understanding.)

Fron Tempe, AZ it is Against All Odds 2025

The By Elegance Brand vs. Harley Hudson, Myla Grace and Xia Brookside

The pregame festivities are made that much more festive with the appearance of the Personal Concierge. Hey, did you know Arizona University had the most STD’s of any college in America? (Hannifan gently reminds us where at the home of Arizona State. Jokes to be made, but I will not.) Fret not, all the fans and the guy in the back of the production booth are all 40-year-old virgins. As fearless leader would say, huge if true. The Concierge tells us he will now present the old three women here that are not disease-ridden and out comes the By Elegance Brand. Rewholdt is all agog as the troika show up in devil spandex gear and tridents.

Next comes Hudson, Grace and Brookside. A quick review of Brookside and Rosemary’s Monster’s Ball match from Thursday. M and Grace start and Grace immediately gets the upper hand with a series of kicks and a back elbow into the turnbuckle into a double foot stomp in the buckle. Hudson tagged in and we get and a couple of arm twist into a doble suplex. Heather tagged and Hudson slams her down. Hudson gets a leg drop for two, but Ash trips Hudson into the rope and instigates Grace to come in the ring and distract the ref. this gives Heather and Ash a chance to land a back splash, draping DDT to the floor. Heather tags in and all three By Elegancians get in the ring as M hits a wheelbarrow into Ash, who uses her feet to push Hudson back to Heather’s knees. M gets two and a forearm smash into the old Deal Breaker face buster for two, as well. Ash tagged in and Ash chops away in eh corner. Heather tagged and Heather kicks away and gets two and then hits the chinlock.

Hudson powers up and hits a suplex to escape and crawls to the corner. She pulls Grace off the apron but forgot about Brookside? Okay, so Brookside gets tagged and is a flat on fire, hitting clothesline and a double body press to Ash and Heather. She connects on a Metepora to M and ducks a clothesline from Ash into a tilt-a—whirl that leaves Ash still bent. Heather comes in and Brookside pushes Heather into her; Heather held on to Ash for reasons. Those reasons, so Brookside could hit a neckbreaker/DDT combo on the two. Brookside gets two but M breaks it up, Grace hits M with a belly to back suplex. Grace is tagged and hits a back kick on M into what was defined as “nice move” by Hannifan and Rewholdt for two. Heather breaks it up at two but Hudson gets two jaw breakers to a stunner but M hits a running boot and knee breaker. Brokside hits a codebreaker but Ash hits a meteora. Whilst showing us her dance moves, Grace grabs her from behind but Ash reverses and puts Grace on the ropes. Whilst the referee is distracted, the Concierge hits her with the trident (the non-pointed side, for the record.) Heather and M land a slew of kicks and push Grace back into the ring as Ash hits the Rarified Air for the victory…By Elegance.

All four celebrate and the Concierge tells us to feast our eyes on the greatest TNA Knockout Champs on the all time and the best looking of all time. Not since Cleopatra have we seen power and beauty amalgamated.

But wait, what is that music and chryon? It’s the Iinspiration who look fantastic (don’t tell Meltzer) after a three-year hiatus to make future Iinspirations (wow, it has been that long, hasn’t It?) They make the title belt hand gestures. Both teams jaw at the other as the Iinspiration head back up the ramp and backstage.

Mance Warner vs. Steve Maclin

Warner (and Steph DeLander) arrived bathed in sepia tone. Maclin comes to the ring as the Rewholdt and Hannifan extol the virtues of Maclin. Hannifan mentions the Impact after Trick Williams beat Joe Hendry for the Impact title, Maclin was in the main event match against Matt Cardona and showed “what a true TNA Champion looks like.” (A little harsh, but we continue.)

After a lock up, Warner clubs away at Maclin and grabs a headlock. After going to the ropes, Maclin responds with a back elbow, we get chop trades in eh corner which becomes fists. Maclin hits a back elbow and a flying knee smash which sends Warner to the floor. Maclin did a deft job adjusting on the run and adjusted a dive through the bottom and middle ropes which connected. Maclin sends Warner head first to the apron (is that the hardest part of the ring? Yes, yes it is, they tell me.) Maclin heads to the apron and drops the Cactus Jack elbow to the floor on Warner and, with crowd encouragement, drops another one. We get some discussion of Maclin’s philanthropy, which is actually kind of cool.

Maclin is back in the ring and attempts to suplex Warner back in the ring but DeLander grabs Maclin’s foot and trips the “Bulletproof” one. Warner takes advantage by chopping away at Maclin. Warner further capitalizes on his advantage with a sit out spinebuster for two. However, a whip into the turnbuckles is reversed and Warner heads, well, headfirst into the turnbuckles which Maclin turns into a clothesline into the ropes. Maclin keeps the advantage via series of clotheslines and a Thesz Press turns to a salvo of punches for Maclin. Maclin hits an Olympic Slam and another series of clotheslines for two. Maclin puts Warner into the Tree of Woe but Warner sits up but Maclin slides through to the floor unscathed. That is, until DeLander distracts Maclin which gives Warner a chance to head to the floor and clothesline Maclin. A series of headbutts by Warner gets reversed by Maclin into a Death Valley Driver by Maclin on the apron (guess what that is?) Maclin goes to the top rope but is once again distracted by DeLander, giving Waner a chance to climb to the top for a superplex. A Knee Pad Up, Knee Pad Down gets two. The crowd is chanting that this is awesome (a bit premature) and then “Let’s Go Maclin” (far more appropriate.) Both combatants are in the corner but Warner hits a Tornado DDT for two. Warner chops away but Maclin, umm..Maclins up Knee pad up and down gets two. Crowd chanting this is awesome (al little premature but okay, ) in the corner, Warner gets tornado DDT in corner for two. Warner chops away at Maclin, who Maclins up again and trades punches. They also trade boot smashes and a double clothesline spot drop both. Turnbuckle charge reversed into another Tree of Woe. Maclin gets Waner in the crosshairs, and the KIA does the job. Actually, warner did the job but you get the point.

Elijah feeling hot (101 valley of sun) not used to heat sweating, built on hype not heart talking points from

Eight man tag match

System vs. Hardys, Slater and ????????

The System walks to the ring with the standard System music and chryon Alicia is here, doing her South Boston best to anger the crowd (it works.) Then the Hardys and Slater arrive, Matt gets the mic and said he found a partner – right here in Tempe, AZ – and it is the masked Hometown Man. He is wearing a Barkley jersey. It looks like Cody Deaner and the announces deduce but with the mask, who Can tell? Maybe it’s James Harden returning to his alma mater.

JDC and Slater start. JDC gets a shoulderblock and some gyrating. They hit the ropes and battle for a backslide. Slater gets a takedown and we get the dueling slips and blocks. Slater hits the ropes or a backspring elbow. Matt tags in and drops the elbow on JDC’s arm from the second rope, Matt works the arm and then tags in Jeff who does the same. Jeff tags in Dee…..Hometown Man and he smashes the arm from the second rope. JDC tags in Edwards and the two start to slug away with Hometown Man getting the best of it finishing with a Dusty dance and a series of clotheslines. Hometown Man hits a bulldog out of the corner. Edwards back in but Man(? Hometown? You get the point) gets on the turnbuckle and delivers the nine-punch in the corner with the 10th being a big punch in the middle of the ring. Man puts Edwards back in the corner and hits a Sliced Bread. All the heels charge in the ring, followed by the faces and it is a schmoz-a-palooza. The faces clear the heels from the ring and stand tall. Once order is (relatively) restored, Moose is tagged. He missed a charge to the corner and Man goes up top for another 10-punch but Moose reverses it and a big boot to dropped HTM.

Edwards tagged in and chops HTM down but does manage to arise and tags Jeff. Jeff lets loose with a series of punches and a wishbone leg drop. Jeff hits a seated drop kick. Edwards blocked a Twist of Fate and hits a clothesline. JDC is tagged and slugs away at Hardy. Myers is tagged and puts the boots to him. Hardy tries to change momentum by getting up and hitting the ropes but Myers hits a knee to quell that Moose is tagged and he puts the boots to him. JDC is once again and the crowd again fires up a “Hometown Man” chant. JDC slows down the action with a headlock, Hardy tries again to get back to his feet but is clubbed down to the canvas. Myers is tagged but Hardy again slugs away. But Hardy slugs away at both System members and hits the turnbuckle for a Whisper in the Wind that hits both. Hardy makes the hot tag to Matt (as Myers tagged in Moose. Matt beats on Moose and gets a Tornado DDT in the corner. The heels once again hit the ring and the faces recreate the schmozz-a-palooza. Hardy hits the turnbuckle slams to JDC down the turnbuckles. Clothesline to Moose as Jeff hits the Poetry in Motion and then a Side Effect by Matt. Leon hits the Crossover for good measure. The heels again hit the ring and Myers throws Matt to the corner and Edwards gets a thunder bomb; Moose gets a backsplash and JDC and elbow drop. Moose gets a two count by HTM gets the save. HTM is a masked house on fire and clears the heels and hits a dive through the ropes to knock out Moose. We get another breakdown as the Hardys and Slater have Edwards, Myers and JDC in the ring to hit successive Twist of Slate and Twists of Fate. Moose, however, has HTM and powerbombs him on the apron (the hardest…you get the rest.) Jeff dives from the apron to the floor, though, to prevent further damage. Moose crawls back into the ring but finds himself surrounded by Slater and Hardys. Slater hits a leg lariat and then Matt and Jeff hit the twist of fate and Swanton. Moose. Slater dives over the turnbuckles to take out the heels. Slater goes to the top rope but Moose spears him in mid-air. Slater staggers to the corner. Moose sets up for another spear but Slater cradles him in mid run to get the three count.

Mustafa Ali vs. Jason Hotch

Hotch is out first with the Great Hands music. Ali is out next with the extra security and Steelz and John Skyler flanking him. Ali instructs Skyler to the announcers’ booth as a third man at the table. Ali is again locked in with scowl and looks of derision. Skyler gets headset and gets grilled on his stance on the latest incidents within Order Four. Skyler kiboshes any rumors and said the announcers should call the match objectively. Hannifan continues to push, asking about the issue with Steelz (who has been manhandled twice by Ali.) Skyler seems to lament the issue but goes the utilitarian route and said Ali has done far better than he has bad for the Foursome.

Both combatants trade armlocks and reversals Ali hits a headlock takeover to a cradle, which is quickly reversed and ends in a series of leg trips which Hotch tries to get a pin but Ali escapes with a bridge Matrix-style. A body slam takes Hotch down but Hotch backflips back to his feet and we get another series of reversals which Hotch ends with an armdrags. However, than ends up with an Ali reversal into a series of cradles and backslides which concludes with another two count for Hotch.

Ali gets back to his feet and but a tilt-a-whirl slam is also reversed. Ali hits and armdrag and then we get a series of armdrags until we hit a dual kip up and a stalemate. Ali now has frustration mixed with his derision. Ali pushes Hotch to the corner via arm and a hair grab. Hotch reverses but cannot hit Ali out of respect. Ali then reverses it; he feigns respect but then chops Hotch. We get then get a series of dueling chops. A series of reversals sees Ali thrown to the ropes and Hotch hits a dropkick. Ali bails to the apron but Hotch dropkicks him through the topes to the floor. Hotch jumps to the top turnbuckle but is met by Ali who back suplexes him to the apron (you know what that is) and Hotch ends on the floor. Steelz goes to check on Hotch as Ali looks away with derision.

Skyler, meanwhile had been giving quiet support to Hotch – even asking Steelz if Hotch is okay after the back suplex to the apron. Ali glares for a moment and possibly heard Skyler. Ali, though, hits atilt-a-whirl slam on the apron on Hotch. Steelz checked on Hotch but Ali scared her way and Skyler tries to quietly implore Ali to get them back in the ring as this is an exhibition. Hotch does end up in the ring and Ali rolls through the ropes to a neckbreaker for a two.

Ali slugs Hotch to the corner and then whips Hotch hard twice into the corner. The second time Hotch ends upside down. Ali sets up Hotch and tries to chop him but Hotch catches the hand and does a finger snap. Hotch then hits a Tornado DDT to the floor to a ummm.. divine excrement chant. Ali gets back to the ring and Hotch hits a bodypress for two. Meanwhile, Skyler’s support is starting to become louder by each moment. Ali reversed a suplex and eventually turned it to an earclap. However, Hotch hits a rolling kick for two. Ali again whips Hotch to the ropes but is met with a standing Spanish Fly for two-and-a-fraction. Hotch drags Ali to the ropes but Ali leg trips Hotch into the ropes.

Ali has the referee distracted but his cue for Steelz to attack Hotch is met with reluctance. Ali starts to walk after Steelz but it gives Hotch a chance to hit a somersault flip over the ropes. Ali gets back to the ring and Hotch hits a huge body press (really good elevation on this one) for two but Ali escapes with another matrix bridge. Hotch hits an UFO bomb for two. A powerbomb is reversed into a chop but Hotch reverses an Ali powerbomb into a huge clothesline. Skyler still trying to tow two lines saying the match was a gentleman’s agreement and no closed fist strikes. Ali attempted another rolling neckbreaker but is met with a Cave-In from Hotch for two. Ali an Hotch battle but Ali pushed Hotch to the corner for another Tornado DDT. Ali goes to the top and hits a 450 splash for the …..wait, Ali picks up Hotch at the two count. Now, Skyler gets out of the chair and tells Ali to finish it and that this gratuitous. Weird crowd dynamic as the crowd makes a whiplash turn to heel and chants “one more time.” . Skyler begged Ali not to do it, but Ali hits another 450, only to be met with Hotch’s knees. Skyler is now openly rooting for Hotch. Hotch and Ali try to battle but Ali hits an overhead suplex into the corner. Ali goes up one more time and now the 450 splash does the job.

Post-match, Skyler checks on Hotch but Ali kicks Skyler’s hand away and then berates Skyler in the ring. Skyler fecklessly takes it as Ali wanted Hotch to stand.. Hotch makes it to his feet and Ali offers his hand for respect. Hotch goes to accept but Ali pulls the hand away and walks out the ring and up the ramp, greeted with a very loud ummm..anal orifice chant. Skyler walks up the ramp as Hotch stayed in the ring, getting a very warm round of applause.

We get an interview with the Inspiration. Asked why now and why the By Elegance brand, they both reference their child bearings. They call By Elegance team discount perfume models and decry that they were lucky they got to be champions whilst they were gone having future inspirations. Don’t tell Meltzer, but Cassie Lee looked great. Actually, they both did.

Rewholdt was upset that he doesn’t want to be inspired but wants to be elegant. Well, yeah.

Look back at Last Tuesday’s NXT’s Wiliams vs. Santana match.

First Class Penthouse segment with Mike Santana, but Santana is nowhere to be found. AJ Francis welcomes ladies and gentleman to the Penthouse but especially the ladies (I laughed.) Francis re-introduces himself and KC Navarro. He said Navarro was not only a TNA All-Star but the man who saved Trick Williams and helped him defend the “TRickNA” title. Navarro was wondering why everyone was upset by this. But he said this was well thought out and went over the education of both. He said he and Francis were both smart: Francis said he went to college (the Internet confirms that he is a proud Terrapin and University of Maryland alumnus, so the statement has logic.) Navarro did not go to college but Francis is smart enough for both of them. As proof, he got a phalanx of high quality security. Francis said it has it on their shirts so you know its real (the logic, again checks.) The crowd tells the duo shut the for unlawful carnal knowledge up. Navarro yells pardon me to the crowd and Francis reminds the crowd there are children there (yeah!!) He said TNA officials were worried about bad publicity regarding the Williams victory but Navarro points out the IG views and the social media watches, so it still counts as publicity. While he was taught to never answer a question with a question, he has to break his grandmother’s rule. He then runs down the all the incidents in their feud and Navarro answers each incident with Mike Santana’s name. This earns a…Spanish term for anal orifice chant from the crowd.

Undaunted, Francis is here to offer goodwill and not the goodwill where this fan got his clothes (Navarro points at the guy and belittles the fan’s shirt, shoes and glasses.) Santana was still invited to the Penthouse but Santana is not here. However, the screens show Santana walking into the building which Navarro sees but by the time he can get Francis to turn, it is back on the Penthouse logo.

Santana entered the arena via the stands (no yeeting,) makes his way to the ramp and fights off the security (even with the title on the shirts. Apparently, not 4Imprint certain of their quality.) Santana grabs Navarro and powerbombs on the Penthouse table. Francis had run backstage as Santana approached but returned to clock Santana with a champagne bottle. Francis then grabbed Navarro by the arm and dragged him to the backstage (so we’re back to being friends, I guess)

Masha Slamovich vs. Lei Ying Lee

(hype for match from last week.)

But first, we get Indi Hartwell and is the third person to the table. Quick side note, Hartwell has no charismatic mic skills. Her additions were superfluous at best. And, she said she dreamed of being a TNA announcer. Sure.

Lee heads to the ring first, followed by Slamovich. Hartwell did talk briefly about her history with Lee. Slamovich and Lee exchange respect. Slamovich eventually hits an armdrag after a series of reversal attempts. Another series of leg take downs and reversals earns another nod of respect. Slamovich hits a back elbow off the ropes but when Lee reverses a throw to the ropes for a dropkick. Lee gets the first sustained offense in the corner with a 10-punch corner spot and an overhead suplex for two. Slamovich gets a leg scissor to drop Lee to the ropes and then Slamovich hits Lee with a running knee on the apron and a running clothesline. Slamovich took to the air over the ropes but stopped when Lee saw her. A roundhouse kick by Lee from the floor misses as Slamovich ran to the turnbuckles and then a cannonball to the floor. Slamovich then set Lee up by the ring steps for a suplex but Lee reverses it and clubs away. In a very impressive feat of strength, Lee hoisted Slamovich on Lee’s shoulders and carried her up the ring steps for a slam to the floor.

Back in the ring, Lee gets a series of stomps in the corner and then hit a spinning neckbreaker for two. Slamovich kicks out and started to chop away which turned to a series of kicks. However, a snap piledriver is reversed to a cradle for two. Slamovich recovered and kicked Lee to the Apron but Lee tripped Slamovich as attempted to run the ropes. Lee spun Slamovich around to slug her and then hit a draping DDT to the floor. Lee got a two-count from that back in the ring.

After trading forearm smashes, Lee hit a quick series of strikes which Slamovich reciprocated. Slamovich missed a roundkick while Lee landed one of her own for two. Lee went to the top rope and pulled Slamovich to the second turnbuckle but a gourdbuster his broken up but Lee does slam Slamovich to the ring. Undaunted, Slamovich runs back to the top turnbuckle and hits a huricanrana for two.

The crowd, at this point, broke into dueling “Let’s Go, Masha/Let’s go, Lee” chant. After struggling to get back to their feet, Slamovich hit Lee in the corner and landed a knee strike and a running big boot and rolling kick for two. Another piledirver is reversed to a backdrop by Lee. A kick is reversed by Lee into a back elbow and another spinning heel kick is turned into a Stretch Muffler Suplex by Lee. Lee then hit a flurry of roundhouse kicks, hand strike and a penalty kick for two. Lee elevates Slamovich to her shoulders but Slamovich reverses out of it and into a series of dueling rollups which Lee ends with a Meteora to a kneeling Slamovich for two. Lee goes to the top but Slamovich catches her and hits an avalanche Death Valley Driver and a knee strike for two. Slamovich is steadfast in landing her piledriver but Lee reverses another one into a sitting facebuster. Yet another piledirver attempts is reversed into a rollup. However, an undaunted Slamovich finally hits the piledirver for the victory.

Before we recover, the lights turn red and we get the return of….Killer Kelly who walks to the ring with a chain in tow. She holds the chain up over their head and then drops it at Masha’s feet. Kelly then walks backstage.

After a Border Brawl recap[ and a Zoneify ad, we go back and Santana defiantly does not want a concussion check, telling officials he is fine. Santana storms away. Rewholdt chastising Santana for putting his hands on a medical staff member.

Joe Hendry vs. Frankie Kazarian

Kazarian out next to moderate boos and jaws with some fans at ringside. But next is..Joe Hendry (clap, clap) who seems downbeat and not his usual aplomb. We do get the hand wave from side to side so that helps. Hendry does the turn but with a sterner look on his face.

Hendry attacks Kazarian at the bell and drops him. Hendry chops away at Kazarian at the corner and a high hoptoss gets him out of there. Hendry slams Kazarian into the turnbuckles and whips hi across the ring over the turnbuckles and to the floor. Hendry slams Kazarian to the ring and then the corner. He then slams Kazarian on the floor. Hendry gets in the ring and rolls quickly out to slam Kazarian again n the floor. Hendry then slams Kazarian to the ring but is met with a right hand by Kazarian but Hendry catches a body press to a fallaway slam for Hendry and we get another turn with a stern look. Hendry wanted to end it early with the Standing Ovation but Kazarian bails to the apron. Hendry is on the apron headbutts him and then threatened a standing ovation to the floor but Kazarian goes to the eyes and then knocks Hendry down to the apron. Kazarian slams Hendry’s leg to the leg on the ring steps. Back in the ring, Kazarian chopblocks Hendry and stomps away at the leg (nice psychology.) Henry continues to kick the leg and draped Hendry’s leg for a diving knee capper. He then drapes the leg of Hendry on the ropes and then does a jumping stomp on it. Kazarian continues to damage the leg by stomping on it. Kazarian kicks Hendry in the leg to drop him again and then slams the knee into the canvas as Kazarian mocks Hendry and the fans. More leg work via stomping and bad mouths Hendry. Hendry tries to rally and we get dueling forearms smashes (Hendry) and punches (Kazarian.) Yes, it does come with the “yeah/boo” crowd responses. Kazarian wins the brawl.

Kazarian goes back to the leg with a single leg crab. Crowd gets a huge “We believe” chant as Henry makes way to the ropes and takes hold. Kazarian plays to the crowd and chops away and throws Hendry to the ropes but his leg can’t maintain momentum and Hendry slumps to the canvas. “Let’s go, Hendry” chant from the crowd. Hendry again grabs ropes to break another leg submission. Kazarian slaps around Hendry who gets to his feet and starts to uppercut away on Kazarian but a clothesline is reversed to a backstabber and low clothesline. Kazarian hits the ropes but a springboard leg drop is missed. Hendry pushed a charging Kazarian into the corner and Hendry hits a running cutter but still grabbing his leg so he couldn’t fully capitalize. Hendry makes it to his feet and slugged away at Kazarian dropping him with a series of clothesline, still favoring his leg. Hendry grabs Kazarian and, hobbling on one foot, hits a fallaway slam. Hendry gingerly kips up and gets an agonizing version of the turn. A standing ovation is reversed via kick to the leg by Kazarian, who goes behind and hits a chicken sing, but Hendry reverses that into a high suplex for two counts. Hendry feeling the crowd’s belief. Kazarian rolled to the apron as the two ducked punches. Hendry tried a shoulder block to the torso but Kazarian lept up hit a Guillotine legdrop from the apron. Kazarian hits a leaping DDT over the ropes for two. Kazarian stalking Hendry, grabbed the leg and hits an ankle lock. Hendry kicked Kazarian to the ropes and grabbed a small package for two. Hendry followed it with an Olympic slam for two-and -a fraction. Hendry motioned for the Standing Ovation and got Kazarian up only for it to be reversed to a Sister Abigail for two. Kazarian had Hendry up for a Fade to Black, only for Hendry to reverse it to a rollup for two. Hendry picked up Kazarian again but Kazarian reversed it to a chicken wing as Hendry slumped to the canvas. The referee checked the arm, but Hendry ummm Believed up at the third arm check and got to his feet and ran Kazarian to the turnbuckles. Hendry put Kazarian on the top turnbuckle.

However, Kazarian slithered out and chop blocked Hendry, who was still standing on the turnbuckles. Hendry dropped to the canvas as Kazarian covered Hendry with his feet on the ropes for the victory.

Kazarian was elated for the as Hendry grimaced in frustration and agony. Kazarian is met by Gia Miller. Miler asked what Kazarian would call that. Kazarian’s response? “That’s called winning, dummy. Something Hendry has forgot how to do.” He then scampers up the ramp as a hobbled Hendry tried to give pursuit. Hendry was on the ramp in frustration and agony.

Backstage Cardona is approached by Robert Stone, Victoria Crawford and Tessa Blanchard. Stone wanted to talk to Cardona “one bro to another.” He knows Cardona is the special ref. Stone signatures to Blanchard and Crawford and Crawford produces an envelope full of cash. Cardona said he would not turn down free money (smart, very smart.) And Stone alluded to looking the other way if the other two women would get involved.

Rascalz vs. Nemeths

(TIL or Today I heard moment: before the ersatz graffiti spray, there’s a bong hit sound, I hear that correctly, right? Yeesh.. I need to hobble outside and yell at clouds.) The Rascalz still represent the 419, so nice job, Lima. The Nemeths match it with a zipper being done and a woman saying “oh, my God.” (disgruntled grunt.) Rewholdt extols the virtues of the Nemeths and wheedles us to see “Final Destination” as see the girlfriend of Ryan Nemeth. Quick check of the internet shows, yeah, okay. Nice. No love for the Therapy Through Lucid Dreaming? Okay…Rewholdt then goes through the top teams that held the tag title and Nemeths should be mentioned with them.

Ryan and Zachary Wentz start. Hannifan also mentioned Wentz’ history with NXT. Ryan goes low and grabs a headlock and tags in Nick. They hit stereo back elbows and then flying elbow drops to Wentz. Standing arm twists by Nick gets reversed via a roll, kip up and back flip to an armdrag by Wentz. Both hit the ropes and Wentz goes low to trip Nick and then hits a sliding dropkick. Wentz tags Miguel and they hit the Motor City Machine Gun double team spot (which finishes with a sliding drop kick by Miguel) for two. Nick stomps Miguels le and a boot rake drops Miguel down. Nick tags Ryan who leaps from the top rope to hit an elbow drop to Miguel’s arm. Crowd rankles Ryan by chanting “that’s his brother” and Hannifan drops a “nepo baby brother” reference. Ryan has the arm but a similar roll, kip up and flip gives Miguel a chance to reverse and grab an armbar of his own. Wentz tags and he chops down at Ryan’s arm from the top rope. Wentz reverses a throw to the turnbuckle into a drop kick and twisting back body press. Wentz hits the ropes but Nick gets his knee up. Wentz turns and slugs Nick to the floor but Ryan charges Wentz and knock him to the floor. Nick lands a superkick. Ryan gets Wentz back in the ring and gets a two count. Nick tagged in and Nick again gets a boot and boot rake Nick taunts the crowd and struts around before hitting an elbow drop for two. The two slug away but Nick gets the advantage by stomping on Wentz’ leg. Ryan gagged and should blocks Wentz in the turnbuckle. “He’s adopted” chant breaks out as Wentz tried to slug way only for Ryan to push Wentz to the corner. Both Nemeths pound away on Wentz. Nick stomps on Wentz’ arm but Wenz’ tries to escape the corner but slugging Wentz but Nick kicks Wentz down.

Wentz again tries to hope crawl to the corner but Ryan runs around the ring and knocks Miguel to the floor just when Wentz gets to him. Nick drags Wentz back to the corner as Ryan continues the heat segment. They hit a back suplex/neckbreaker combo for two. Nick slaps and pushes Wentz around until Wentz hits a back spring leaping knee that drops Nick. Wentz succeeds this time with the hope crawl and gets the hot tag to Miguel who hits a top turnbuckle dropkick to Ryan. Miguel goes to the ropes and slides under a Ryan punch and reverses it to a huricanrana. Wentz tagged back in and Migel hist a codebreaker/neckbreaker combo as Wentz hits a running shooting star press for two. More tag team goodness as both Rascalz kick away at Ryan which leads to a double foot stomp. Ryan heads to the floor to consult with Nick but the Rascalz hit stereo dive through the ropes. Wentz tags Miguel and both go to opposite turnbuckles to hit a Meteora and Swanton combo but Ryan’s kicks out. Rewholdt rejoices as Hannifan gives the Nemeth respect. Miguel hits an uppercut but Rayn reverses it and puts Miguel on the top turnbuckle but Wentz kicks Ryan in the leg and sets up a draping DDT .This brings in Nick to stop that as they all fight as Miguel leaps from the top and hits a tower blockbuster on Nick as all four are now on the canvas.

Another Divine Excrement chant assumes which turns to a quick TNA chant and then..a “We want R-Truth” Chant? C’mon fans, you’re better than this, I think? All four slug away on the ropes. Wentz runs into Nick and both crash to the floor. Ryan tries to cradle Miguel with some trunks for leverage that gets two as does an Implant DDT. All four are back in the ring as the Rascalz both superkick the Nemeths. The brothers are in the corner as the Rascalz take turn running into the Nemeths. Wentz a dropkick to clear Nick and an assisted drop kick nails Ryan in the corner. Miguel hits a spinebuster and launches Ryan into Wentz superkick. Ryan was draped on Miguel’s knees as Wentz went to the top rope. However, Nick pushed Wentz to the floor and broke up a roll up by Miguel. Nick hit the Danger Zone and then Ryan hit the Big Hollywood ending to Miguel for the victory.

Meanwhile, Jodi Threat is in the back doing a merch photo shoot and hype until Eric Young knocks on the door and barges in and threatens security and the TNA title is held by an NXT punk. And hey, Sami Callahan knows enters the frame and talks to Young about it not being him and then states he, too, is angry an NXT punk has the title, but he is going to go about it the right way. He said Young need to get his stuff together and leaves the building; yelling “you know I’m right” as he walks out the door. BTW, is it me or is Eric Young morphing into a more chicken and brocooli’d Goldberg?

Robert Stone vs. Santino Marella

Recap of the feud. But first, entrance of our special referee, Matt Cardona, wearing the referee’s….tights, elbow and knee pads? Stone is out first in his monogrammed Bathrobe with Crawford and Blanchard in tow. And, those are some tight tights on Stone. And they’re white? Blood, perhaps? Marella is next and gets a good pop. Arriana Grace is in tow with her dad.

During the pat down, Cardona notices a bulge ….not that, type; but that would explain the tightness of the shorts to visibly display brass knuckles. Marella willingly gives up the baton he had hidden. That was nice of him.

Marella chases Stone out of the ring. Back in the ring and Marella gets two duck behinds and takedowns. Stone gets to the ropes. Stone goes low and runs Stone runs Marella to the ropes and chops Marella in the corner. Marella reverses that into harder chops in the corner. Marella whips Stone to the ropes but holds on and bails. Marella follows him and starts to pound away on him. Doble karate chops and uppercut batters Stone around the ring as they go into the crowd to brawl. Marella picks up Stone and atomic drops him on the barricade in the stands. After posing in the crowd, Marella slugs Stone back into the ring. Marella tries to get back in the ring but Crawford and Blanchard hold on to the legs. Stone distracts Marella as the duo start to pound away at Marella. Ston runs Marella into the turnbuckle twice, the second time face first. Stone chokes out Marella with his boot on the rope. Stone distracts the ref again as the duo again beats on Marella. Stone whips Marella to the turnbuckle again. “Ref, you suck” chant emerges. Stone lands a Bret Hart elbow from the second turnbuckle. Stone grabs a headlock. Marella powers up to back suplex his way out. Marella suplexes Stone twice. Marella gets the cobra but we have a snakenapping as Tessa steals the cobra and runs up the ramp with it. Stone cradles Marella with his feet on the ropes for extra leverage. Cardona stops the count and kicks Stone’s legs (nice old school move.) Stone argued with Cardona about a late count. Stone pushes Cardona. Cardona pushes Stone into a Marella roll up for two. Back up Stone rushes Marella as they run the ropes and a double clothesline drops both. Stone grabs his badge but Cardona sees it and Marella grabs it and admonishes him.

Meanwhile, Crawford runs into the ring and axe kicks Marella. Stone covers him but for a two count. Stone starts to paintbrush and taunt Marella who has had enough, and slugs away at Stone. Dueling punches turn into a hip toss for Marella but Crawford grabs the rope to interfere. That brings out Grace to stop her. While everyone is distracted. Stone low blows Marella. Stone covers but gets two as Cardona counts two slowly. Stone to the top but Arriana Grace, after a couple of attempts, crotches Stone on the top turnbuckle. Stone crumples to the canvas as Marella superkicks Stone. Diving headbutt but Marella seems lost without the missing cobra. But, fret not, Grace has a backup cobra to give to her pop. The cobra connects and Marella is back in control of authority. As the crowd serenades him with ‘you still got it.” Gia Miller back to interview Marella, Marella tells the crowd “we did it.” He is on cloud 10. He dedicates the match to everyone watching here and electronically. Marella sold victory nicely.

Preview for Slammiversary on July 20 in Long Island, NY.

Inspiration back on TNA this coming Thursday. And hey, let’s review the Williams/TNA (or TrickNA) Title Saga.

Trick Williams vs. Elijah

Elijah cuts a quick promo before hitting the ring. Trick Williams out next with a loud “Whoop That Trick” chant. Despite that, he jaws with the fans. Wiliams has a great aura as he the ring intros unfold.

Prolonged lockup ends in stalemate. Elijah gets the first advantage with a twist and a series of arm bars. Wiliams flips out and garbas an armbar of his own and jaws at the fans some more. Elijah makes it to the ropes, backflips into an arm bar headlock takeover, Williams reverses it, as does Elijah. Williams chops and kicks Elijah but misses a clothesline into the corner. Elijah tried to punch Williams, who used head movements to frustrate Elijah, who only hit air. Elijah missed a clothesline as Wiliams’ punches away into the corner and hits his clothesline. Williams charges at Elijah in the corner but is back dropped to the apron, where Elijah hits a turnbuckle assisted forearm to the head. Elijah to the floor and slams Williams to the apron four times (hardest, blah blah blah( Elijah goes to the other side gets a full head of steam and connects with a hip attack as Santino and Nemenths watch with Henry and Xia Brookside. Elijah back in the ring and does the top rope walk into a meteora for two. Elijah chops away at Wiliams in the corner. Williams is thrown into the turnbuckle but backflips over Elijah and hits a tornado kick to a rebounding Elijah.

Williams punches away at Elijah throws him into the ropes and hits a flapjack for two. Williams chops away at Elijah and Williams continues to jaw at fans. Eliah blocs a chop into his own series of chops but Wiliams reverses to an uppercut and a flying shoulderblock for two. Williams hits the chinlocks as the crowd chants “TNA.” Elijah powers up and tries a snapmare but Williams holds on to the headlock, Elijah punches away but Wiliams holds steadfast. Williams does let go with a snapmare and a jumping side kick. Williams goes to the corner and exposes a middle turnbuckle. Williams throws Elijah to the corner but Elijah reverses it into a mule kick but Williams catches Elijah and hits a Michinoku Driver for two. Williams slugs away and whips Elijah into the ropes but Elijah dodges a clothesline and jumping side kick for a flying clothesline.

Both combatants to the canvas. But Elijah is up with a series of clothesline and reverses aa whip to the topes into a verse atomic drop and then a boot to the head. Elijah to the turnbuckle and nails Williams with a twisting neckbreaker for two. Williams reverses a body slam and pushes Elijah to the ropes but is pushed away. Williams rolls but is up to catch Elijah on his shoulders but Eliah reverses it into a Shell shock for two. Elijah up to a large TNA chant but Williams shoulderblocks him to the corner. A series of shoulderblocks land but Elijah catches a running Shoulderblock with a big boot. An urinagi by Williams is reversed into a headlock takeover but a second urinagi connects for two. Williams visibly frustrated but Soaks in the boos of the crowd. Dueling chops with the prerequisite “yeah/boo” chants. Wiliams gets the other hand with a capiorea kick but a powerbomb is reversed and Elijah carries Williams on his shoulders for an airplane and gets two for his efforts. Williams a quick cradle for two but Elijah garbas a backslide for two, a sunset flip- for two for Wiliams. Elijah hits the ropes but a pop up upper cut drops Elijah to the canvas and to the floor. Wiliams heads to his vicinity but Elijah grabs the legs to trip Williams and turns around to hit a draping neckbreaker. Elijah tosses Wiliams into the ring as Elijah goes to the top rope and hits an elbow drop for two. Elijah puts Wiliams on the top turnbuckle and chops away at Williams. Elijah losses his footing but conti9nues to brawl.

AJ Francis makes his way to the ring as Elijah comes off the turnbuckle and lands a leaping knee to a leaping Williams. Elijah struggles with a bodyslam as Wiliams reverses it and Francis grabs Elijah’s leg and the challenger crumples to the canvas with Williams on top of him for a two-count. Eliah glares at Francis and hits a top rope plancha to Francis and beats him around the ring. Elijah pushes Francis to the corner but Williams has time to grab the guitar but misses a swing. Elijah gets the guitar but the ref forcibly takes it from him. This gives Francis a shot to get the TNA belt and hand to Williams. Williams gets the belt shot but only for two. Wiliams to his feet and sets a trick shot but Elijah ducks and charges Williams. Williams, though, trips up Elijah and he goes head first into the exposed turnbuckle (see, everything pays off eventually.) Williams hits the Trick Knee and retains the belt.

The crowd, cheering “TNA” the whole match, changes course and stats a “Whoop That Trick” chant. Hannifan signs off the broadcast with the warning “Pride comes before the fall” and we close the show.