By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
TNA Genesis
Dallas, Texas at the Curtis Culwell Center
Aired live January 19, 2025 on pay-per-view, TNA+, and TrillerTV.com
TNA Genesis Pre-Show
-Gia Miller hosted the pre-show from a table set up on the stage. She was joined by Busted Open’s Tommy Dreamer, Mark Henry, and Dave LaGreca.
-Separate arrival shots were shown of Joe Hendry and TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth arriving. There were boos from the crowd when Nemeth was shown. The arrival shots continued to Jordynne Grace and then Tessa Blanchard.
-A pre-taped Jordynne Grace promo aired. She said no one wants Tessa Blanchard in TNA. She said she would send Blanchard back to obscurity where she belongs.
-“Miss NXTNA” Arianna Grace walked onto the stage wearing her Miss NXT sash (time for a new sash). She accepted full credit for the relationship between NXT and TNA.
Ashante Adonis came out and told Grace that she looked good today, but only today. Adonis headed to the ring and introduced himself as the main event. He played to the Dallas crowd and then asked, “How about them Commanders.” The crowd booed. Adonis said he was there to kick off the NXT and TNA partnership. He issued an open challenge that was accepted by Jake Something.
1. Ashante Adonis vs. Jake Something. Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldtz were on commentary. Adonis threw a towel over the head of Something once the bell rang and then threw punches at him. Something battled back and shook the ropes in Ultimate Warrior style. Something hit Into The Void and scored the clean pin.
Jake Something beat Ashante Adonis in 3:55.
Powell’s POV: A quick win for Something, who played to the crowd and was cheered despite playing a heel lately. Adonis isn’t featured as a high level player in NXT (well, his character is a high level player with the ladies in NXT!), so it’s no surprise to see him lose to a TNA regular on a TNA pay-per-view.
-Miller and the panel spoke about The System, which led to Moose and JDC walking out. Moose spoke briefly and JDC spoke about doing commentary for the next match.
-After a video package on the TNA Tag Title match, “The Rascalz” Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz spoke about facing Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy for the first time ever.
-LaGreca predicted a Rascalz win over the Hardys and was booed by the crowd.
2. Frankie Kazarian vs. Leon Slater. Together at last? Sign Guy and TNA’s vest jacket guy were next to one another in the crowd. JDC sat in on commentary. Slater picked up a near fall after hitting a Blue Thunder Bomb nearly seven minutes into the match. Kazarian came right back with a slingshot cutter for a near fall of his own.
Slater avoided Fade to Black and then booted Kazarian to ringside. Slater set up for a dive that Kazarian avoided, which drew boos from the crowd. Slater dove over the ring post and onto Kazarian instead, which drew cheers and a holy shit chant. Slater got Kazarian back in the ring and went for a 450, but Kazarian put his knees up and then held the tights while getting the three count…
Frankie Kazarian beat Leon Slater in 9:10.
Powell’s POV: A nice pre-show match. Kazarian has really found his voice while playing his current heel role. I’d really like to see Slater get a meaningful push at some point, but he was protected by Kazarian grabbing his tights.
-Miller and the panel gave additional thoughts on some main card matches. Miller said we’d hear from the TNA World Champion and his challenger one more time.
-A pre-taped Joe Hendry promo aired. Hendry spoke about how he put in the work and he has a chance to prove that he’s exactly who he says he is. Hendry said the world will be chanting “We believe.”
-TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth’s pre-taped promo aired. Nemeth said he’s heard the “we believe” chants. He said that everyone is behind Hendry and they should be. He essentially whispered while talking about how he would walk out with the championship.
-Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt spoke at their desk and ran through the main card lineup to wrap up the pre-show. Rehwoldt noted that The Northern Armory was banned from ringside during the “I Quit” match featuring Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana. Rehwoldt also said the X Division Title will open the main card. Hannifan thanked everyone for watching on various platforms in various countries.
TNA Genesis Pay-Per-View
Ring announcer McKenzie Mitchell introduced Camyrn Wright, who performed the national anthem while standing at the bottom of the entrance ramp… A Genesis video package aired…
The broadcast team of Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt checked in. Hannifan said it was a golden era and they are ushering in a new beginning for TNA. Ring announcer McKenzie Mitchell finally received a graphic was welcomed back to the company on commentary by Hannifan. Entrances for the opening match took place…
Powell’s POV: It’s nice to see McKenzie Mitchell back on pro wrestling television. I was surprised when she was released from her NXT deal. Mitchell’s husband Vic Joseph continues to work for NXT as the play-by-play voice of the brand (and has somehow maintained his sanity despite working with Booker T every week). By the way, Jade Chung wrapped up her run with the company.
1. Moose (w/Alisha Edwards, JDC) vs. Ace Austin for the X Division Title. The bell rang to start the match and Austin immediately hit a shotgun dropkick. Moose battled back and ran Austin into the ringside barricade. Moose dove at Austin at ringside, but Austin moved, causing Moose to crash into the barricade.
Austin threw Moose back inside the ring. Austin set up for a move on the apron, but he had to stop and kick JDC away. When Austin went for a springboard move, Moose grabbed Austin by the throat and chokeslammed him on the ring apron.
Hannifan said this event drew the highest paid attendance for any TNA pay-per-view event in history. Austin rallied with a jackknife pin attempt and got a two count. Austin put Moose down with a side Russian leg sweep and then followed up with a leg drop. An “ABC” chant broke out for Austin’s tag team with the injured Chris Bey.
Austin used the side of his feet to spike Moose’s head on the apron and then covered him for a two count. Moose stuffed The Fold. Moose caught Austin on the top rope and then hit Go To Hell for a near fall.
Moose caught Austin on the ropes and set up for Go To Hell again, but Austin countered into a huracanrana. Austin used a head-scissors to pull Moose off the apron to the floor. The production team missed it live, but a replay showed JDC running Austin into the ring post.
Austin avoided a Moose spear that ended up taking out JDC. Austin hit The Fold finisher on the floor and then rolled Moose inside the ring. Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers came out. Austin spotted them and performed a Fosbury Flop dive onto them.
Austin went for a dive from the middle rope and was speared by Moose, which led to a really good near fall. Moose set up for another spear while the crowd chanted “this is awesome.” Austin sidestepped Moose and rolled him into a pin for two. Austin used another rollup to get a near fall.
Austin went for a springboard move, but this time Moose speared his back. Moose followed up with another spear and then covered Austin for the three count.
Moose defeated Ace Austin in 14:45 to retain the X Division Championship.
After the match, Edwards and Myers entered the ring and joined the others in surrounding Austin. Steve Maclin and Eric Young came out and ended up hitting simultaneous suicide dives on Edwards and Myers…
Powell’s POV: The final minutes of the match were really good. I thought they might go with Austin given the feel-good nature of him getting a win to honor Chris Bey. Aside from that, I’m just not a fan of heavyweights holding the X Division Title no matter how many times they use the weak “no limits” excuse.
2. Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers (w/Alisha Edwards) vs. Steve Maclin and Eric Young. Maclin and Young worked over Edwards and Myers in and around the ringside area. Alisha stuck around, but Moose, JDC, and Austin apparently headed to the back at some point during the brawl.
The referee officially called for the bell to start the match once Maclin and Edwards were in the ring while their partners were at ringside. Alisha got involved from ringside and Maclin was isolated by the heel duo for a stretch. Alisha drew a “you suck” chant while working the crowd at ringside.
Young eventually took a hot tag and worked over both opponents. Eventually, Maclin tagged in and had Myers hung up in a tree of woe. Maclin was about to charge him, but Alisha entered the ring and blocked his path. Myers used the distraction to his advantage by spearing Maclin for a two count. The referee somehow missed Alisha’s involvement.
Myers went up top, but Maclin sent Edwards into the corner, which crotched Myers. Young took out Edwards with a neckbreaker. Maclin speared Myers from behind in the corner while Young dove onto Edwards at ringside. Maclin hit a double underhook DDT on Myers and then covered him for the three count.
Steve Maclin and Eric Young defeated Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers in 7:30.
Powell’s POV: Good work from everyone involved, including Alisha. Even so, this felt like a match that belonged on the Impact television show more than pay-per-view, so it was a good call to keep it brief and action packed.
Hannifan turned things over to the French broadcast team of Mark Blondin and Handsome JF, who spoke in French briefly. Hannifan and Rehwoldt ran through some of the upcoming matches for some reason…
The Concierge stood in the ring and introduced Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance. The duo came out dressed as Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. The Spitfire entrance followed and the duo received a better reaction than usual…
3. “Spitfire” Jody Threat and Dani Luna vs. Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance (w/The Concierge) for the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. The Concierge did a cheer with his team before the opening bell. The Elegance duo threw their pompoms at the champions and attacked them to start the match. The champions battled back and performed a double suplex on Heather, which led to Luna getting a two count.
Heather rolled to the floor. Luna went for a suicide dive, but Ash kicked her while The Concierge distracted the referee. Luna was isolated by the challengers until she hit Ash with a nice single leg kick.
Threat took a hot tag and worked over both challengers. Threat had Heather pinned when Ash hit her with a meteora to break it up. Ash performed a Backstabber on Threat and then Heather followed with a middle rope double stomp that led to Ash getting a two count.
A short time later, Threat performed a cannonball from the ropes onto both challengers. Luna checked in and hit Ash with a couple German suplexes. Heather performed a crossbody block on Luna.
Threat hoisted up Heather and tossed her over the top rope. Heather barely grabbed the top rope and appeared to hit the side of the ring on the way down.
Luna booted legal woman Ash, who was on the apron. Luna stood on the ropes and pulled her over into a German suplex. Threat and Luna hit the Pressure Drop on Ash, and then Threat covered her for the three count.
“Spitfire” Jody Threat and Dani Luna defeated Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance in 9:35 to retain the Knockouts Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: This match exceeded my expectations. I’m mildly surprised by the outcome, as I thought this would have been a good time to move the titles to the Elegance duo. They can always run it back on television, but I’m not sure what’s next for Threat and Luna otherwise.
A TNA+ ad aired… Highlights aired of Frankie Kazarian beating Leon Slater on the pre-show…
Frankie Kazarian sat backstage and spoke about his win. Kazarian said he’s a gift to pro wrestling and said he’s laser focussed on the TNA World Championship match. Kazarian said he hopes Nic Nemeth and Joe Hendry tear each other limb from limb because then he’ll have a decision. Kazarian showed off his Call Your Shot trophy and asked whether he would let Nemeth and Hendry settle their business or if tonight would be the night the king would claim his crown…
A video package set up the Jordynne Grace vs. Tessa Blanchard match. Blanchard made her entrance followed by Grace…
4. Jordynne Grace vs. Tessa Blanchard. The bell rang and both women ran toward the middle of the ring. Grace used her shoulder to drive Blanchard into a corner of the ring and then tossed her twice in the ring and then to ringside. Grace performed a suicide dive and then hit a Jackhammer on the floor.
Grace hoisted up Blanchard on her shoulders and walked up the ring steps. Blanchard slipped away and then slammed Grace on the ring steps. Blanchard heeled it up before going for a huracanrana, but Grace caught her and flung her into the barricade. Grace set up for a powerbomb, but Blanchard held the ropes and double stomped her (the powerbomb attempt looked pretty contrived, but the rest has been good).
Blanchard took offensive control and performed a slingshot splash that led to a two count. Blanchard barked at the referee over her count. Blanchard followed up with a reverse DDT moments later to get another two count.
A short time later, Blanchard caught Grace on the ropes and had her in position for another reverse DDT, but Grace pulled Blanchard’s head into the turnbuckle several times. Blanchard pulled Grace into double knees.
Blanchard went up top, but Grace cut her off with a palm strike and then joined her on the ropes. Grace stood on the top rope and executed a fallaway slam, which drew “holy shit” chants from the crowd while both women stayed down momentarily.
Both wrestlers traded punches as they got to their feet. Grace lawn darted Blanchard into a corner and then hit a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. There were some boos from the crowd, but Blanchard clearly kicked out in time. Blanchard performed a Destroyer style move and got a near fall.
Grace avoided a hammerlock DDT and then put Blanchard down with a spinebuster for a near fall. Blanchard grabbed Grace’s head while lying on the mat and threw forearms at her. Grace blocked a slap and then hit Blanchard. Grace powered up Blanchard fora move, but Blanchard slipped away and executed a neckbreaker that led to a near fall.
Blanchard sent Grace to ringside and then hit her with a twisting dive. Grace came back and hoisted up Blanchard before walking up the ring steps. Grace performed a rolling Death Valley Driver from the ring steps to the floor, which drew “holy shit” chants followed by “this is awesome” chants.
Back in the ring, Grace got Blanchard on her shoulders while standing on the middle rope. Blanchard executed a crucifix bomb from the ropes for a near fall. Blanchard showed frustration over not getting the pin.
Blanchard caught Grace in an octopus hold. Grace slipped out and then bounced Blanchard off the top rope and onto the mat. Grace used a suplex to get a two count. Grace set up for a Deadeye, but Blanchard slipped away and put Grace down with a cutter for a near fall.
Blanchard pointed to a corner of the ring and then went up top. Blanchard rolled through when Grace avoided whatever she was going for. Grace got Blanchard in position for a reverse Alabama Slam. Blanchard tried and failed to pull off the middle turnbuckle pad. Grace spun around a couple times before hitting the move for a near fall.
A short time later, Blanchard tried to remove a bottom turnbuckle and it didn’t budge. Moments later, Blanchard drove Grace into the bottom turnbuckle pad for a near fall. The broadcast team covered for it by saying that Blanchard moved the pad enough that it was a factor.
Blanchard pulled at the middle turnbuckle pad and finally ripped it so that it slid onto the ropes. Blanchard bulldogged Grace into the exposed turnbuckle. Blanchard hit Magnum (leaping from the ropes and hitting a Codebreaker on the way down) and got the three count.
Tessa Blanchard defeated Jordynne Grace in 20:15.
Powell’s POV: Blanchard finally won a hard fought battle with the turnbuckle pads. Oh, and she also pinned Grace. Seriously, did someone triple knot those damn turnbuckle pads? Blanchard was the obvious winner given that Grace’s contract will reportedly expire this month. This was the match of the night thus far and it will be tough to top, but the next match could be a contender.
A video package set up the I Quit match. Josh Alexander made his entrance. Mike Santana was shown in the concourse and then he made his entrance through the crowd…
5. Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana in an I Quit match. The Northern Armory duo of Judas Icarus and Travis Williams are banned from ringside. Santana sent Alexander to ringside and followed him to the floor, but Alexander rushed back inside the ring and was booed.
Santana sent Alexander back to ringside and hit him with a flip dive. Santana ran Alexander into the barricade a couple of times. The barricades were sliding, so Alexander wisely took light bumps. The fans chanted for tables and then Santana obliged by pulling one out from underneath the ring.
Santana set up for a powerbomb, but Alexander slipped away and then hit him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the floor. Alexander ran Santana at the ring steps. Santana’s leg barely hit the steps as he did a somersault over them.
Santana sold a knee injury. Alexander targeted the injured knee by putting Santana in a Figure Four around the post. Alexander dominated the offense for the next few minutes. Santana eventually came back and hit a cannonball in the corner.
A short time later, Santana avoided a top rope moonsault and then hit a Death Valley Driver. Alexander caught Santana in an ankle lock. The referee asked Santana if he wanted to quit. “No, god dammit,” Santana replied. Santana rolled out of the ankle lock and lost his boot in the process.
Santana charged Alexander, who backdropped him over the top rope and through the table below. The referee asked Santana if he wanted to quit. “I don’t quit,” Santana said to a nice pop. Alexander slid a table and the bottom half of the ring steps inside the ring. Alexander slammed Santana at ringside. Santana told the referee to get the mic out of his face.
Alexander slammed a chair over Santana’s bad knee multiple times and the referee asked the question. Santana laughed and said there’s no quit in his blood. Alexander pulled out a zip tie and then slammed his elbow into Santana’s head repeatedly. Santana came up with a little blood on his forehead. He wiped some on his hand and then licked his hand.
Alexander hit Santana with his C4 Spike finisher. Santana shot up and fired up. Santana went for a Buckle Bomb, but he came up short and Alexander hit the mat rather than the turnbuckles.
Santana got Alexander on the top rope and pulled him down with a huracanrana. Santana followed up with a frog splash. Santana hit an STB (discus clothesline) that knocked Alexander’s mouthpiece out of his mouth and the headgear came off his head. The referee checked on Alexander, who didn’t quit.
Santana got the zip tie that Alexander introduced and then tied Alexander’s hands behind his back. Santana hit another STB, but Alexander declined to quit. Santana placed a chair in front of Alexander in a corner of the ring and then hit the table and Alexander with a cannonball. Alexander declined to quit gain.
Santana pulled a loaded sock out and beat Alexander with it. Alexander bled from the forehead and the mouth. When the referee asked Alexander if he wanted to quit, he said Santana would never be the guy. Santana set up to stomp Alexander’s face onto the piece of ring steps that were in the ring, but Alexander said he quit.
Mike Santana beat Josh Alexander in an I Quit match in 23:15.
After the match, Santana got the mic and told Alexander to get up and face him like a man. Santana said he kept his word by coming to Dallas and doing what he said he would do. Santana told Alexander that it’s time to keep his word by shaking his hand. The crowd chanted “shake his hand.”
Alexander shook Santana’s hand and then asked for the mic. Alexander said he’s a man of his word. He said he quit and then shook Santana’s hand. Alexander said Santana is the standard in TNA now. “I quit tonight, but I quit TNA too,” Alexander said before rolling out of the ring…
Powell’s POV: I like the call to follow up a match with a bunch of near falls with the match that had no near falls due to the I Quit stipulation. Both men worked hard and I like that Alexander was used to elevate Santana, who has to be in line for a title shot at TNA Title shot. Or will they stretch it out until TNA Slammiversary is held in his home base of New York in July? It’s no secret that Alexander’s deal is expiring next month. Was this really the end of his TNA run or swerve in that they intend to get more out of him before his deal reportedly expires on February 15.
A video package set up the TNA Tag Team Title match and then entrances for the match followed. The Rascalz were cheered, but the Hardys received the pop of the night thus far. The two teams shook hands in the middle of the ring.
NXT Tag Team Champions Axiom and Nathan Frazer made a surprise entrance. Axiom and Frazer brought their title belts and chairs to ringside. They sat down on the chairs in front of the entrance ramp to watch the match…
6. Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy vs. “The Rascalz” Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz for the TNA Tag Team Titles. There was a chant for the Hardys as the match started. The Hardys had the first stretch of prolonged offense as they worked over Wentz. Jeff went for a Twist of Fate, but Wentz avoided it and put him down with a knee strike. Miguel tagged in and the Rascalz doubled up on Jeff, which led to Miguel getting a two count.
Matt put Wentz down with a Side Effect at ringside. Matt tossed Wentz over the barricade while Miguel watched from the ring. Matt and Jeff worked over Miguel and hit him with a Plot Twist. Jeff went for the pin, but Wentz returned to break it up. Miguel tagged out and then Wentz missile dropkicked both Hardys.
A short time later, Wentz performed a slide kick that caused the Hardys bump into Axiom and Frazer. Wentz stood on the ropes and held them open while Miguel did a suicide dive that took out Axiom and Frazer rather than the Hardys. The Rascalz were apologetic initially, but the teams bickered. TNA security came out and escorted Axiom and Frazer to the back.
After some back and forth action, Wentz set up for a cutter from the ropes, but Matt shoved him to ringside. Matt put Miguel down with a Twist of Fate. Jeff hit Miguel with a Swanton Bomb and then pinned him…
Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy defeated “The Rascalz” Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz in 14:00 to retain the TNA Tag Team Titles.
Powell’s POV: The surprise appearance of the NXT Tag Team Champions was fun and turned out to be eventful in terms of their issues with both teams. As much as I dig Miguel and Wentz, there’s just no reason to take the titles off the Hardys right now when they are arguably the most popular act in the company right now.
A Chris Bey video package aired along with details on the Go Fund Me campaign set up to help with his recovery from the injury…
Nic Nemeth was shown warming up backstage. Joe Hendry was shown in another part of the backstage area…
A video package hyped TNA Rebellion for Sunday, April 27 in Los Angeles, California at the Galen Center…
The broadcast team announced Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz on Thursday’s live edition of the Impact television show. The broadcast team hyped other upcoming dates…
Powell’s POV: I’ll be doing a live review of the live Impact on Thursday, so stop back and watch along with me.
A video package set up the Knockouts Title match and then entrances took place…
7. Masha Slamovich vs. Rosemary in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match for the Knockouts Championship. There were weapons hanging above the ring, in the ring, and outside the ring. The weapons included a ladder, a piece of a cage, barbwire boards, ladders, chairs, trashcan lids, a stable fun, and brass knuckles.
Masha was working over Rosemary with weapons when Rosemary sprayed green mist in her face. The referee gave Slamovich a bottle of water and a towel to wipe her face (which kind of goes against the spirit of the match). A short time later, Rosemary played to the crowd while standing on the apron. Slamovich charged and used a crossbody block to knock Rosemary off the apron and through a table at ringside.
Rosemary regained control of the match and then pulled out Janice, the board with nails sticking out of it. Rosemary kinda hit Slamovich in the gut with the weapon. Rosemary also introduced thumbtacks on the stage, which Slamovich took a bump on.
Rosemary brought Slamovich back to the ring and hoisted her on her shoulders in front of a barbwire board, but Slamovich slipped away. Slamovich hit a Snowplow onto the barbwire board and covered Rosemary for a near fall in what really should have been the finish. Slamovich went to the ropes and double stomped Rosemary onto the barbwire board for a near fall.
Slamovich climbed to nearly the top of a ladder in the ring. Rosemary shoved the ladder over, causing Slamovich to crash through the front table of two tables on the floor. Rosemary covered Slamovich for a near fall on the floor.
Back in the ring, Rosemary set up four chairs and placed Slamovich on top of them. Rosemary went up top, but Slamovich sat up and then joined her on the ropes. Slamovich performed a piledriver from the ropes onto the chairs below and then pinned Rosemary.
Masha Slamovich defeated Rosemary in a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match in 14:05 to retain the Knockouts Championship.
After the match, NXT’s Cora Jade walked out while Slamovich was holding up her title in the ring. Sign Guy was expecting her, as he held up a sign that read, “Cora, I Saved You A Seat.” Jade entered the ring and went face-to-face with Slamovich. They jawed at one another and then Slamovich held up her title belt, which Jade followed by motioning for a belt around her waist…
Powell’s POV: Good lord. The effort was definitely there from both wrestlers, but the feud never got heated enough to justify the need for this type of match. Rather, it felt like they had an over the top hardcore match for the sake of having an over the top hardcore match. It also didn’t help that the live crowd likes both women, so they just cheered for the carnage rather than pulling for one wrestler over the other. The bump that Slamovich took from the ring through the table at ringside was really frightening, as it looked like she came within inches of hitting her head on the other table.
A video aired for Thursday’s live edition of Impact in San Antonio and noted that tickets are still on sale…
Santino Marella stood on the stage with the pre-show crew of Gia Miller, Mark Henry, Tommy Dreamer, and Dave LaGreca. Marella had the guests deliver their predictions for the main event. They were interrupted when it was time for Dreamer’s pick.
Ryan Nemeth came out and said “my brother” repeatedly while saying he wouldn’t be happy and didn’t care what Dreamer thinks, among other things. Santino banned Ryan from ringside during the main event. Santino had security escort Ryan to the back… A video package set up the main event…
Powell’s POV: The Santino segment filled time while they cleaned up the debris from the previous match. If they were going to ban Ryan from ringside, then why did they spend so much time on the go home show making it seem like he was going to be a big factor in the match? It took the focus away from Hendry potentially winning the title and left me bracing for a lousy finish. Of course, we could still get a lousy finish even without Ryan, but I hope not. Will this be a brief main event or can they run past the top of the hour?
A spotlight was on McKenzie Mitchell while she stood in the middle of the ring. She said it was time for the main event. Joe Hendry came out first to a strong reaction and “We Believe” chants once his music stopped. Nic Nemeth made his entrance and received some cheers. Hannifan said they were sold out and then thanked the host venue, the city of Dallas, and the “TNA family.”
8. Nic Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry for the TNA World Championship. McKenzie Mitchell delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Hendry was cheered loudly and received more “We Believe” chants, while Nic was booed.
Hendry got Nic down when Ryan showed up in the crowd and held up a ticket. Rehwoldt said Ryan was a paid customer (so, um, did Ryan buy a ticket for this sold out show beforehand just in case he was banned from ringside?).
Nic took control and dropped an elbow on Hendry for a near fall. Nic applied a chin lock just a minute before the top of the hour, so they are definitely going over the three-hour mark. Hendry came back with a backslide for a two count, but Nic dropkicked him to go back on the offensive momentarily.
Hendry put Nic down with a cutter. Hendry fought back again and another round of “We Believe” chants broke out. Hendry went for his Standing Ovation finisher, but Nic avoided it and went for a sleeper that Hendry avoided. Nic headbutted Hendry, who then powerbombed Nic for a near fall roughly twelve minutes into the match.
Hendry placed Nemeth on the top turnbuckle and set up for a move, but Nic headbutted him and knocked him off the ropes. Nic performed a crossbody block that Hendry rolled through. Hendry set up for an Attitude Adjustment that Nic countered with a Fameasser for a near fall. Hannifan said Nic has been on the receiving end of a few AA’s over the years and knows how to counter.
Nic went up top. Hendry ran up and caught Nic and then performed a fallaway slam. Both men remained down on the mat.
Frankie Kazarian walked out with the Call Your Shot trophy and climbed onto the apron. John Layfield was shown in the crowd. Layfield went to ringside, pulled Kazarian down, and clotheslined him. A “JBL” chant broke out. Layfield punched out Ryan, just as he did during the previous Nemeth vs. Hendry match. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
In the ring, Hendry hit his Standing Ovation finisher and covered Nic for a close near fall. Hendry acted stunned while Hennifan said no one has kicked out of the Standing Ovation before.
The crowd chanted “one more time.” Hendry tried to oblige, but Nic slipped away. Nic sent Hendry into the turnbuckle, superkicked him, and then hit Danger Zone for a near fall. Nic acted stunned that he didn’t get the pin.
Nic tuned up the band and went for a superkick, but Hendry stuffed it and hit a fallaway slam. Hendry followed up with a Standing Ovation and then covered Nemeth for the 1-2-3.
Joe Hendry defeated Nic Nemeth in 19:10 to win the TNA World Championship.
After the match, Hendry went to ringside and hugged his family members. Hendry entered the crowd to continue his celebration with the fans. Hannifan wrapped up the show and then the TNA logo appeared to end the pay-per-view…
Powell’s POV: A solid match with a couple of needless distractions, but they came through with the big title change to close the show. I’m even more baffled by the go-home show taking attention away from Hendry’s title quest and instead making it seem like fans should be braced for a cheap finish involving Ryan Nemeth. Nevertheless, they came through with the crowd pleasing title win for Hendry that they didn’t give the fans at Bound For Glory.
Overall, this was a good pay-per-view in a bigger than usual building that was filled with a lively crowd. The show going past the top of the third hour added a little mystery as far as when the main event would end, but the one-hour pre-show made this a longer than necessary show. I continue to miss the days when there were no pre-shows for pro wrestling pay-per-views, but I’d gladly settle for 30-minute pre-shows. Anyway, I will have a lot more to say about TNA Genesis in my same night audio review for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by voting for the best match and grading the overall show in our post event polls.
Join us for a live review of Thursday’s live edition of TNA Impact along with our usual weekly live reviews of WWE Raw, NXT, AEW Dynamite, WWE Smackdown, and AEW Collision.
I believe