By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
TNA Impact (Episode 1,070)
San Antonio, Texas at Boeing Center at Tech Port
Simulcast live January 23, 2025 on AXS TV and TNA+
[Hour One] Impact opened with a video package that recapped the TNA Genesis pay-per-view… Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt were on commentary…
Footage aired of Gia Miller’s parking lot interview with TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella from earlier in the say. Santino spoke about the show going live and said there would be a couple surprises. A car pulled up behind Miller and Marella. Miller asked if the car contained one of Santino’s surprises, but he said he couldn’t tell… The Impact opening aired…
New TNA World Champion Joe Hendry was introduced by ring announcer McKenzie Mitchell. Hannifan and Rehwoldt were shown at their ringside broadcast table. Hannifan credited the fans with making the live show happen. The crowd gave Hendry a “you deserve it” chant.
Hendry said whenever he had an uphill battle, all he had to do was listen to the fans chanting “we believe.” Hendry said he went to Santino and told him that he will be a fighting champion and will defend his title against anyone from anywhere. Hendry told the fans to trust him when he says anything can happen, because for the first time in eight years Impact was live.
Santino walked onto the stage and congratulated Hendry, then confirmed that he spoke to him about being a fighting champion who will defend the title inside and outside of TNA. Santino said he had someone who took him up on the offer and that person will face Hendry in the main event.
Matt Cardona made his entrance and was identified as the person who will challenge Santino for the TNA World Championship in the Impact main event…
Footage aired from Genesis of Mike Santana beating Josh Alexander in an I Quit match, followed by Alexander saying he quit the match and also quits TNA…
Footage aired of Eric Young confronting Alexander backstage and ask if he was really going to quit and leave after everything…
Backstage, Eric Young spoke with Steve Maclin and told him that Alexander is worth saving. Maclin wasn’t happy with Young, who explained that he reached down and pulled up Maclin and will do the same for Alexander. Maclin said Young doesn’t owe Alexander anything.
Josh Alexander entered the picture ands aid he wasn’t there to make excuses for his behavior and everything that’s happened. Alexander said he was there to say he respects both men and wanted to thank them for everything. Young shook hands with Alexander, but Maclin left him hanging…
Hannifan and Rehwoldt ran through the list of previously advertised matches and were cut off by an ad before Hannifan could throw to break… [C]
Powell’s POV: I guess TNA is out of practice with live commercial breaks given that they said it’s been eight years since Impact aired live. Hendry’s promo was short and sweet, but I like that they wasted no time in revealing Cardona as a surprise challenger for the main event.
Gia Miller knocked on Nic Nemeth’s door for an interview, but Ryan Nemeth came out instead and tried to cover up Nic name on the sign next to his dressing room. Nic came out and said he would address TNA and everyone in San Antonio next week. Ryan explained to Miller that he could let any lunatic off the street talk to his brother…
The Concierge stood in the ring wearing a cowboy hat. He took it off, stomped on it, and told the Texas fans that they are all trash. The Concierge introduced Ash By Elegance and Heather By Elegance, who came out “riding” stick horses.
Powell’s POV: Pepe from WCW sired foals? Who knew?!?
Rosemary made her entrance followed by TNA Tag Team Champions “Spitfire” Jody Threat and Dani Luna, and then Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich…
1. Masha Slamovich, Jody Threat, and Dani Luna vs. Rosemary, Ash By Elegance, and Heather By Elegance (w/The Concierge). Ash slapped Threat across the face to start the match. Threat responded with a forearm that put Ash down on the mat.
Heather struck Threat’s back with one of the stick horses, which led to an early near fall for Ash. Hannifan said the last match on a live Impact featured Bobby Lashley vs. Eddie Edwards in a title vs. title match back in 2015. Luna performed German suplexes on Ash.
NXT’s Cora Jade made her entrance and walked to the ring with an envelope in her hand. Once she arrived at ringside, she handed the envelope to Slamovich, who opened it and found a photo of herself with a red X over her body. Ash shoved Luna into Slamovich and then rolled up Luna and pinned her…
Rosemary, Ash By Elegance, and Heather By Elegance defeated Masha Slamovich, Jody Threat, and Dani Luna in 6:35.
Powell’s POV: For newcomers or those who haven’t watched TNA recently, Slamovich used to give her future opponents photos of themselves with red X’s over them. The match was fine for what it was, but it felt like kind of a strange choice to open the live show with.
Josh Alexander made his entrance with “The Northern Armory” Judas Icarus and Travis Williams. Hannifan said Alexander was contractually obligated to appear despite claiming that he quit at Genesis.
The fans booed while Alexander stood in the ring with a microphone. Alexander recalled quitting TNA at Genesis. Alexander thanked TNA for giving him an opportunity to come out and address this while noting that they certainly didn’t have to.
Alexander said he’s been a wrestler for 20 years and has prided himself on being unbreakable, an iron man, and a guy who gives everything he has when he gets in the ring. He said he broke at Genesis.
Alexander said he threw everything he had at Mike Santana and it wasn’t enough. “That’s why he is the new standard in TNA,” he said. Alexander said he didn’t like the man he saw when he looked in the mirror over the last few months.
Alexander said that with his time in TNA coming to an end, he doesn’t want to be remembered as the man he’d been over the last few months. He brought up his son Jett and said he has only known his father as a TNA wrestler.
Alexander recalled watching the first TNA show in 2002 and said he was mesmerized and inspired. Alexander told the fans they have no reason to trust him, but his six-year run at TNA has been a dream come true. Alexander said it was time for him to step away.
Alexander told Icarus and Williams to relax because they have all the talent in the world. Alexander said the Motor City Machine Guns also recognized their talent. Alexander said they are the best up and coming tag team and he told them to do it the right way.
Icarus and Williams said Alexander can’t leave them. Alexander said he can and he’s done. Williams told Alexander that he doesn’t understand, he can’t leave. When Alexander turned around, Williams clipped the leg of Alexander. Icarus and Williams roughed up Alexander.
Eric Young ran out for the save and got a mic. He told Icarus and Williams that you don’t mess with Texas or him. Young challenged Icarus and Williams to face him and Alexander in a tag team match on next week’s show. Icarus and Williams nodded in approval…
Powell’s POV: I hope this is a ruse. The fans clearly want to hate on Alexander, so I hope they will lean into that before he makes his exit (if he’s actually leaving once his contract expires).
Hannifan hyped The Hardys vs. Moose and JDC for after a break… [C] The System members all walked onto the stage and then Moose, JDC, and Alisha Edwards headed to the ring while Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers went to the back. The entrance of Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy followed to a great crowd reaction…
2. TNA Tag Team Champions Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy vs. Moose and JDC (w/Alisha Edwards) in a non-title match. Moose and JDC attacked the Hardys and then the referee rewarded them for it by calling for the bell to start the match. The Hardys battled back quickly and Jeff hit Poetry In Motion on JDC.
Alisha grabbed Matt’s foot to cause a distraction and then Moose hit him from behind to put the heel duo on the offensive. Graphics appeared on one side of the screen that displayed upcoming matches and segments. Matt fought off JDC and made a hot tag to Jeff, which got a rise out of the crowd.
Jeff put Moose down with a Twist of Fate and then went up top. Alisha distracted the referee while JDC stopped Jeff from hitting his finisher. Matt pulled JDC down wot ringside and worked him over. Moose ran up the ropes, but Jeff knocked him down with a headbutt and then hit him with a Swanton Bomb before pinning him…
TNA Tag Team Champions Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy defeated Moose and JDC in 5:20 in a non-title match.
After the match, the broadcast team spoke at ringside briefly about the NXT Tag Team Title match. The Hardys were o their way to the back when the number 23 flashed on the video screen while a voice said it’s just a number. Hannifan noted that today is January 23… [C]
Powell’s POV: Doh! They’ve been doing the 23 thing for weeks now and I never made the connection with the live show airing on January 23. Anyway, I am not surprised by the outcome of the match, but I am surprised by Moose taking the loss rather than JDC. Are setting up Jeff with an X Division Title match?
Sami Callihan was in the ring coming out of the break for an in-ring promo. Callihan said he’s sick of the 23 mind games and called out whoever is responsible for it.
Steph De Lander walked out and said, “23 is me.” She named herself the new TNA Digital Media Champion and claimed she won the belt in the divorce (with PCO).
[Hour Two] De Lander said she would introduce Callihan to her new boyfriend. The 23 bit occurred again. Mance Warner appeared in the ring and put Callihan down from behind. De Lander gave the TNA Digital Media Championship to Warner, who hit Callihan with it. Warner and De Lander made out in the ring…
Powell’s POV: Well, that beats my guess that the 23 videos were Callihan playing mind games to set up a turn on PCO. For those who missed it, PCO smashed a TNA Digital Media Championship belt with a hammer at Sunday’s GCW show. Quite frankly, he did TNA a favor. I was hoping the company would finally give up on that horribly named belt, but it just won’t go away. My disinterest in this worthless title aside, it’s great to see De Lander back following neck surgery. Warner is a talented guy who has the gift of gab. I assume we’re in for some bloody matches between him and Callihan. Here’s hoping that TNA has a policy against unprotected chair shots to the head because Warner wasn’t shy about giving them or taking them in MLW and GCW.
A video hyped the AEW Rebellion pay-per-view for Sunday, April 27 in Los Angeles, California at Galen Center…
NXT’s Arianna Grace joined the broadcast team… Entrances for the NXT Tag Team Title match took place…
3. Axiom and Nathan Frazer vs. “The Rascalz” Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz for the NXT Tag Team Titles. Grace sat in on commentary for the match and claimed Axiom and Frazer are her best friends. There were NXT and TNA chants shortly before all four men down in the ring for a moment. Dueling chants for the two teams started.
Wentz hit Axiom with a superkick and then went for a springboard move, but Axiom caught him with a superkick of his own. Frazer went for a springboard move moments later and was caught with a double superkick. The Rascalz performed a Doomsday Neckbreaker on Axiom for a near fall.
Wes Lee came out and distracted the referee while Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont came out and crotched Miguel on the top turnbuckle. They pulled Wentz to ringside and ran him into the ring steps. In the ring, Axiom hit a top rope Spanish Fly on Miguel. Frazer followed up with a Phoenix Splash and then Axiom covered Miguel for the win…
Axiom and Nathan Frazer defeated “The Rascalz” Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz in 9:10 to retain the NXT Tag Team Titles.
Mike Santana was shown walking backstage while Hannifan hyped his appearance for after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Fun while it lasted, but I wish these teams had roughly double the match time and a better finish. Of course, Lee is a former member of The Rascalz, so while the cheap finish was disappointing, it’s logical that he and his new allies cost Miguel and Wentz the match.
Mike Santana made his entrance through the crowd. Santana said his father taught him to be a man of his word and he said he’s done that since he returned to TNA. Santana said he went toe to toe with one of the best wrestlers. He credited Josh Alexander with carrying the company on his back and reaching the point that the show was able to go live. Santana said his goal in 2025 is to be the TNA World Champion.
Mustafa Ali walked out dressed in a suit and had four “secret service agents” stand on the stage while he went to the ring. An Ali chant broke out once he entered the ring. Ali told the fans to settle down and then announced that he has signed with TNA.
Ali said there was work to be done and the company needs great leadership. Ali said he is that great leader. He said he wants to give the fans something to believe in. Ali said he was launching a campaign to become the next TNA World Champion.
Santana stood in the corner and shook his head in disgust. Ali told the crowd to remember, “In Ali we trust,” to wrap up his promo. Ali went went to the apron and never made eye contact with Santana, who simply watched him leave the ring…
A. security guard knocked on Tessa Blanchard’s locker room door. Blanchard walked out and the security guard told her that she’s next. Blanchard smiled as she exited the camera shot… [C]
Powell’s POV: I’m happy that Ali is back, but I’m just not a fan of his sports entertainment politician gimmick.
Tessa Blanchard made her entrance and soaked up the boos while standing on the stage with a mic in her hand. Blanchard said it felt good to be back in Blanchard Territory. Blanchard said people in the business say that San Antonio was the proving ground and where legends were made. She said her family owned San Antonio.
Tully Blanchard was shown in the crowd. Tessa said her grandfather Joe Blanchard brought pro wrestling to cable television even before WWE. She said these days, San Antonio can’t even get a real sports team, and the Spurs don’t count. She said San Antonio is best known for losing The Alamo.
Tessa pointed out her father in the crowd and said he’s a WWE Hall of Famer and an original member of the Four Horsemen. Tessa said her father and grandfather looked at her and saw something inside her that was greater than any Von Erich, Steve Austin, or a Funk. Tessa said they told her that she is going to be great.
Tessa said most parents don’t tell their children they will be great. Tessa said the fans could say whatever they want about her, but they will never hear that she is not great. Tessa said the standard in TNA has been raised and it’s time to put up or shut up. She said she took out the trash at Genesis and she answers to no one…
Powell’s POV: Say what you will about Tessa, but she delivered a good heat seeking promo. That said, I’m surprised they didn’t do something to set up her next match.
The broadcast team spoke at ringside while a tale of the tape was shown for the TNA World Championship match. They were interrupted by the sound of entrance music.
Frankie Kazarian made his entrance with the Call Your Shot trophy (it’s TNA’s version of a Money in the Bank contract). Kazarian joined the broadcast team.
The entrances of Matt Cardona and Joe Hendry followed. McKenzie Mitchell delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match… [C]
4. Joe Hendry vs. Matt Cardona for the TNA World Championship. McKenzie Mitchell delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. Kazarian stated on commentary that he might knock John Layfield’s teeth out if he showed up again.
Hendry performed a delayed vertical suplex on Cardona, who sore a t-shirt to start the match. Cardona eventually took off the t-shirt and used it to choke Hendry at ringside. Cardona jumped off the ring steps and was caught by Hendry, who gave him an Attitude Adjustment on the apron. Hendry hoisted up Cardona again, but Cardona raked his eyes and then ran him into the ring steps. [C]
Cardona put Hendry down with a Straight Jacket and got a two count. Cardona followed up with the Reboot. Cardona caught Hendry with a shot to the throat and then hit a missile dropkick from the middle rope. Cardona DDT’d Hendry and covered him for a two count.
Cardona accidentally took out the referee with a shot that was intended for Hendry. REF BUMP!!! Hendry hit a Popup Powerbomb and got a visual pinfall while the referee was down in the corner and unable to make the count.
Cardona hit Hendry with a low blow and then looked into a ringside camera and smiled. Cardona went to ringside and grabbed the TNA World Championship belt from the timekeepers area.
John “JBL” Layfield came out and stopped Cardona from returning to the ring. Layfield put Cardona down with a short-arm clothesline. Hendry and Layfield locked eyes for a few seconds and then Layfield made his exit.
Cardona hit Hendry with the TNA World Championship belt and covered him. The referee was down, but he eventually made it over to make a two count. Hendry ducked another title belt shot attempt and then hit the Standing Ovation and got the three count…
Joe Hendry defeated Matt Cardona in 16:05 to retain the TNA World Championship.
Hendry celebrated his title win while Cardona thanked viewers for joining them for the first live edition of TNA Impact in eight years…
Powell’s POV: A solid main event. I doubt there are too many people who fall into this category, but anyone who hasn’t watched TNA since the last time the show went live must be thinking “same ol’ TNA” based on the ref bump. I’m happy they went with Hendry retaining. They pulled the rug out from under his fans when he failed to win the TNA World Championship at Bound For Glory, so it would have been pushing it to have him lose the title to Cardona or Kazarian in his first title defense.
Overall, this was a good show with some fun surprises. It obviously meant a lot to people in TNA to have a live Impact after all these years. Good for them. They’ll be going live again on February 20 from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. I will be back later tonight with my weekly same night audio review of TNA Impact exclusively for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons).
If this was always live I’d watch it much more often. Maybe they can get there with some of that WWE money