By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)
TNA Lockdown
Chicago, Illinois, at Credit Union 1 Arena
Aired live August 23, 2026, on pay-per-view and TNA+
Pre-Show Review
Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt checked in from a table at ringside. Rehwoldt noted that this was the most requested PPV for TNA to bring back. Hannifan noted that currently injured wrestler Chris Bey performed the theme song of this week’s PPV. They sent the show to a hype package for the Jason Hotch vs. Mustafa Ali match…
Gia Miller checked in from ringside (forgetting to code change because she’s in her southern accent). Gia interviewed a fan who was trying to act sassy…
Entrances for the opening match took place…
John’s Thoughts: I really like the new theme Rich Swann’s been using. It’s original music made for him, has a good beat, and also has a little bit of Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” sprinkled in. Lionel’s “All Night Long” is a leitmotif that Swann has used all his career.
1. “The Righteous” Vincent and Dutch vs. Rich Swann and BDE. There was no commentary during the match since Rehwoldt and Hannifan weren’t on the headsets. Swann and BDE swarmed Vincent with tandem offense. BDE got a two count after an assisted bulldog. Dutch blind tagged in and swatted BDE out of the air with a clothesline. The Righteous cut the ring in half on BDE.
BDE got a window of opportunity with some kicks and punches. Vincent cut BDE off and told him he’s only trying to help him. BDE rolled up Vincent and used the kickout to tag in Swann, who took down Vincent with Road Dogg punches. Swann hit Vincent with a Lethal Injection and hit Dutch with a Flip Dive. Swann hit Vincent with a Frog Splash for a nearfall. Vincent hit BDE with a hook and took down Swann with a spinning side slam.
BDE broke up Vincent’s pin with a Frog Splash. BDE tagged in and hit Vincent with a rolling Codebreaker and Cody Cutter for a nearfall. Dutch shoved BDE off the top rope and tackled Rich Swann into the announce table. Vincent hit BDE with an assisted Springboard Bulldog (Stratisfaction) for the win.
The Righteous defeated BDE and Rich Swann via pinfall in 7:52.
John’s Thoughts: A lot of BDE matches are predictable, but it’s also a part of his long term character development. The YouTuber turned Wrestler is progressing smoothly with his on-the-job training. He’s someone I hope WWE doesn’t scoop up into the Performance Center because I’d like to see this investment in character development pay off. I also like the Kouhai-Sempai relationship between BDE and Swann. It can possibly lead to a feud between the two in the end? I also can’t wait until they find a way to get Rich Swann back in the main event picture given he’s still peak in the ring and in peak physical condition.
The System were backstage cutting a promo to hype up their Lethal Lockdown match. Cedric Alexander hyped up his match against Leon Slater. They all ended their promo saying that “you cannot beat The System”…
The SUIT Daria Rae joined the pre-show panel. Rae talked about how she likes the young talent in Lethal Lockdown, but she can’t bet against The System. Hannifan asked Rae what went into bringing back Lethal Lockdown. Rae said she made the best business decision for the company. Hannifan noted that Rae wrestled in WWE’s elimination chamber, and asked her what it was like competing in a match like Lethal Lockdown. Rae talked about having to fight against multiple people and the cage structure.
Hannifan sent the show to the Cedric Alexander vs. Leon Slater hype package. The preshow team gave their thoughts on the match. Rehwoldt claimed that all of Leon Slater’s record breaking footage will be deleted if he loses (oh boy! ugh). Tom Hannifan welcomed former WWE wrestler Candace Michelle. Hannifan asked Candace how she’s felt working with the Knockouts. She talked about working with them backstage and they’ve all been great. She said she’s excited to see what they can bring in a steel cage. The panel continued to talk about the Knockouts on the show…
Tom Hannifan announced Elijah vs. AJ Francis for the opening match of the show. Hannifan sent the show to Gia Miller who interview a “fan” at ringside. The EC3 jacket guy! (I actually got to talk to him at a TV taping recently. Really nice and dedicated TNA fan). EC3 jacket guy predicted that the Hardys will beat the Nemeths…
Entrances for the next match took place. Trey Miguel came out cosplaying as Spider-Man (Wearing the Peter Parker colors with a Miles Morales-like hoodie)…
2. Agent Zero vs. Trey Miguel. Trey went for some of his lucha moves, but Zero kept a firm base and used his size to block it. Trey dumped Zero to ringside. Trey went for a Suicide Dive, but Zero swatted him out of the air. Zero worked on Trey with methodical offense. Zero got a two count after an End of Days. Trey kicked off Zero’s chest and flipped to the top rope to hit Zero with a diving Meteora.
Trey used an enzuigiri to dump Zero to ringside. Trey hit Zero with a step up flip dive. Zero recovered and body slammed Trey on the apron. Trey caught Zero with kicks. Zero deadlifted Trey from his kees and tossed him on the ropes. Trey rolled up Zero with a Victory Roll for the victory.
Trey Miguel defeated Agent Zero via pinfall in 5:12.
John’s Thoughts: Welp? That was a fine enough match. I liked the clash of styles with Trey looking like he hasn’t missed a beat and Zero looking strong with his power moves. Not the biggest fan of Agent Zero losing clean. I get that they protected him a tiny bit because Trey had to pluck a win (I love me some plucky wins from babyfaces), but there’s an aura of mystery behind Agent Zero and you kinda wipe away a bit of that by taking away his invincibility. Zero looked good in the ring here which is why I think TNA needs to protect the big man, especially if he every breaks out to singles competition.
A hype package aired to hype up the Elayna Black vs. Xia Brookside match in Black’s hometown of Chicago. Indi Hartwell joined the pre-show panel. Daria Rae acted annoyed. Indi said she’s next in line for the Knockouts title. Rae said title matches aren’t given, they’re earned. Indi talked about how everyone including the fans know she’s earned it.
Rae said it was her decision to not bring her back to TNA. Indi said that all of Rae’s decisions suck. Rae told Indi to Tread Lightly. Indi said they should change Daria Rae’s name to Diarrhea Rae. One fan in the crowd chanted “Diarrhea Rae”. Indi was a good sport and said “that’s my guy!”. Rae told Indi to watch herself. Rae left and the stagehands were setting up the steel cage…
John’s Thoughts: Indi’s diarrhea joke didn’t catch on, but her giving the one fan that chanted it made me smile. That’s the fun authenticity and positivity that made Indi fun in NXT. I like that TNA didn’t rush the title onto Indi like they do to for most former WWE wrestlers. They always find a way to have her be relevant, while not wrestling for the title, which gives the women’s division storyline depth. Given Daria’s a pretty good wrestler, I wouldn’t mind them booking towards an Indi Hartwell vs. Daria Rae match.
Hannifan sent the show to a Moose vs. Frankie Kazarian hype package. Hannifan and Rehwoldt gave their thoughts on the match. Hannifan welcomed CM Punk’s good buddy, Ace Steel, who hyped up the Chicago crowd. Hannifan noted that the last wrestling show to happen in this arena was a WCW show. Steel gave his thoughts on the Moose vs. Kazarian match and he predicted Kazarian due to him being a veteran. Ace then gave his thoughts on the Hardys vs. Nemeths match, predicting that Ryan Nemeth will go splat…
Hannifan sent the show to Gia Miller in the cage. Miller talked about how intimidating the steel cage feels. She gave a good and melodramatic explanation of how epic the steel cage is. The pre-show panel were smiling due to how epic Gia got (she sounds like a totally different person when she doesn’t code change. Reminds me of the time she threatened to kill Tessa Blanchard before their match). Hannifan then hyped “The Phenomenal Son” Avery Styles, AJ’s son, appearing on Lockdown. Hannifan and Rehwoldt then hyped up the opening match of the PPV, Elijah vs. AJ Francis. Hannifan closed the pre-show…
John’s Thoughts: While still skippable, the TNA pre-shows are way better than NXT pre-shows. NXT pre-shows run on autopilot and offer no watchable value since all the recap videos appear on the main show. The TNA pre-show has some fun matches, but not too much like AEW shows. They also give good enough recaps to catch up viewers who don’t watch weekly TV while also offering minor storyline development. It’s not a waste of time.
Main Show Review
[Hour One] The show started off with an instrumental of Star Spangled Banner for the National Anthem segment. They then sent the show to the introduction video, featuring a Chris Bey music video where he performed the theme song of the PPV, “Fade Away”…
Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt were on commentary…
Entrances for the opening match took place…
1. AJ Francis vs. “The Drifter” Elijah in a Steel Cage Match. AJ started the match immediately with a running knee strike for a two count. Elijah used a knee to block the Down Payment. Elijah hit AJ with a jumping clothesline for a nearfall. Elijah it AJ with Undertaker’s Old School. Elijah hit AJ with a Stunner for a nearfall.
John’s Thoughts: Now he’s stealing Steve Austin’s moves? He’s been using Undertaker’s moveset and pulled out a Brock Lesnar F5 on Thursday. This guy really wants to be a WWE 2K create-a-wrestler.
AJ turned the tide a bit by tossing Elijah several times into the steel cage. Rehwoldt hyped up how there was no give in the steel cage. AJ staggered himself after running into the cage after Elijah dodged. AJ held on the cage to block a Sunset Bomb. Elijah pulled harder to hit Francis with the Sunset Bomb for a two count. Elijah shoved Francis off the top rope and hit him with an Elbow Drop for a nearfall.
Elijah climbed to the top of the cage and went for a Super Old School off the top of the Cage scaffolding. AJ dragged Elijah and then climbed up to the top to trade strikes with Elijah. Francis used a headbutt to knock Elijah down. Elijah staggered AJ and hit him with a Super Brainbuster from the top of the cage. Francis kicked out at two. A random dude wheelchaired Expressions to ringside.
Elijah tossed Francis into the cage to block a spear. AJ reversed an Old School into a Cash Out for a good nearfall. AJ ordered the referee to open the cage, and he did. Hannifan claimed you can’t win the match via escaping the cage in this match. Elijah dragged AJ back in the ring and hit him with an F5 for a nearfall. Elijah went to close the door, and Expressions slammed the door in Elijah’s face.
Francis gave Elijah a spear for a two count. Expresssions took off the neckbrace and was totally fine and not injured. He started elbow dropping his jacket like he was Ric Flair. Elijah did a tightrope into a Canadian Destroyer. Expressions broke up Elijah’s pin. Elijah tossed Expressions several times into the cage. Elijah hit Expressions with a Tombstone Piledriver. While Elijah was getting up, Francis hit Elijah with a Moonsault followed by the Down Payment Chokeslam for the victory.
AJ Francis defeated Elijah via pinfall in 13:29.
While Francis had his back turned, Home Town Man handed Elijah a guitar. When Francis turned around, Elijah hit Francis with a Super El Kabong from the top rope.
John’s Thoughts: A really good match with a bit of a contrived finish. Lots of hard work by both men. Elijah is going a bit overboard, stealing other wrestlers finishers with no context, but he did put on a good performance overall. AJ Francis is criminally underrated as an in-ring talent and he’s consistently one of my personal favorite wrestlers to watch on PPV. He delivers and goes above-and-beyond when needed. I loved this match until they went a little bit overboard getting Expressions involved. Expressions is decent, but he comes off as a discount-bin Lil Yachty (and that’s a fact because Lil Yachty is an international superstar while Expressions is a YouTuber that comments on soccer). I like Francis getting the win and hope they move on because I feel like the new creative team can utilize AJ’s range of talents to put on some entertaining TV.
Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt checked in on commentary and thanked injured wrestler Chris Bey for providing the theme song for the PPV. The commentary team ran through the advertised card of the show.
Gia Miller interviewed Allie and asked her if she found a tag team partner. Allie said she called, texted, and even used a Ouija Board to try to call Rosemary, and heard nothing back. She said she made more calls and found someone to team with her. Allie said we’ll all find out when The Elegance Brand finds out…
A taglines graphic aired for the Knockouts Tag Title match. The Personal Concierge made his entrance. He said the Elegance Brand shouldn’t be locked up like felons, because the fans are felons and should be locked up. The Concierge said when they win the tag titles, they’ll leave Chicago like The Bears did. He said he’s also been hanging out with the Green Bay Packers…
The Elegance Brand trio made their entrances dressed up as sexy cops. Tom Hannifan said “Mr. Elegance looks like a male stripper who’s about to quit” (Great line!). Allie made her entrance first. Her mystery partner was her former tag team partner Kiera Hogan who came out with some very cool looking princess gear. Hannifan noted that Kiera was a former tag team champion with Tasha Steelz…
2. Allie and Kiera Hogan vs. “The Elegance Brand” M by Elegance and Heather by Elegance (w/Mr. Elegance, The Personal Concierge) in a Steel Cage match for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships. Allie dominated M to start the match. Kiera and Heather tagged in. Kiera hit Heather with a neckbreaker. Allie tagged back in. Allie and Kiera worked on Heather with tandem offense. Allie got a two count on Heather. Mr. Elegance tried to scale the cage. The distraction allowed Heather to hit Allie with a baton. The heels cu the ring in half on Allie for a bit.
Kiera tagged in and hit Heather with a Hip Attack in the corner. Kiera hit M with a hip attack on the rope. Kiera kicked off M to hit her with a leg drop. Allie slammed Heather. M gave Allie a Michinoku Driver. Kiera hit M with Spear and took herself out. The Concierge grabbed handcuffs at ringside. Heather was so petite, that she slipped out of one of the cage holes. Rehwoldt said “I know Heather is petite, but hot damn!”. I agree with Rehwoldt’s “hot damn”.
Heather handcuffed Allie to the cage while M was battling Kiera. Allie escaped the handcuffs. She didn’t need Allie, because Keira hit M with a Paige Turner for the victory.
Kiera Hogan and Allie defeated M by Elegance and Heather by Elegance via pinfall in 7:35 to retain the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships.
TNA President Carlos Silva presented the tag belts to Kiera and Allie. Hannifan noted that Allie was wearing a shirt in honor of former TNA Knockout Rebel, who was diagnosed with Terminal ALS…
John’s Thoughts: A nice and logical surprise with Kiera Hogan as the mystery partner. Logical given that Kiera and Allie have teamed together in the past (in those gawd awful Undead Realm skits from back in the day). The finish of the match was a bit off as the camera was focus on Allie and Heather dealing with the handcuff, while that ended up not coming into play and Kiera almost won off frame. Not the biggest gripe though as I’m looking forward to a potential breakup of the Elegance Brand, especially if they end up putting the TV Title on M. Bonus points to Heather for being so petite, that she can fit out of those cage holes. Meanwhile, I’m happy to see Kiera back in TNA as she was totally wasted in AEW’s Ring of Honor void (though I’m happy she got to get dat bag though). I can’t wait until Kiera Hogan to become a singles wrestler as she had such a great “girl next door” personality, I always thought she had the potential to be the top babyface of a company.
A hype package aired for the Frankie Kazarian vs. Moose match…
A string quartet were on the stage where they did background instrumentals for Moose’s entrance. The String Quartet was called “ATLYS”. Moose sat up from a throne before heading to the ring. Frankie Kazarian made his entrance, and mocked Moose by sitting on Moose’s throne for a bit…
John’s Thoughts: Epic entrance for Moose! I love me some good string instrumentals. I’d hire the band to see if they can record it permanently for Moose to use regularly.
3. Moose vs. Frankie Kazarian in an “Escape the Cage” match. Frankie immediately tried to escape the cage, only to be dragged down several times. Moose hit Kaz with Ten Punches in the Corner. Kazarian sidestepped Moose into the buckle. Moose recovered and hit Kazarian with a run up Crossbody. Moose hit Kazarian with a Spear. Moose hit Kazarian with a 2nd Spear. Moose was about to walk out, but Kazarian used middle fingers to provoke Moose.
This allowed Kazarian to hit Moose with a backdrop into the cage. Kazarian worked on Moose with methodical offense. Frankie hit Moose with Angels Wings. Moose no sold some punches and yelled “F-ck You!” before giving Kazarian a headbutt, Uranage, and Senton. Kazarian tripped and tangled Moose in the steel cage, which allowed Kazarian to hit Moose with a Springboard Leg Drop. Moose reversed Fade to Black. Kaz reversed a power bomb.
Moose and Kazarian traded Yay Boo punches. Moose let out another “F you” while trading strikes with Kazarian. Kazarian gave Moose a swinging neckbreaker. Moose and Kazarian started to climb the cage. Moose hit Kazarian with a crazy Spanish Fly from the top of the cage.
[Hour Two] Moose went for a slingshot move, but Kazarian hit Moose with a Cutter. Kazarian was dragging himself to his feet while positioned next to the cage door. This allowed Moose to hit Kazarian with a Spear; but in the process, he speared Kazarian through the cage door to cause Kaz to win once he landed on the ground.
Frankie Kazarian defeated Moose via escaping the cage in 14:15.
John’s Thoughts: A fun match with both men putting in a little bit extra to put on an awesome cage match. So far, they’ve mixed things up all night to not cause the usual diminishing returns we’ve gotten in past Lockdown shows. While the stipulation almost telegraphed Frankie winning, I’m not adverse to giving the heel the storytelling advantage in favor of building up heat. Moose is protected by the fluke finish. This can help set up for a potential rematch on TV or even at Bound for Glory.
A hype package aired for the Xia Brookside vs. Elayna Black match…
Hometown girl Elayna Black made her entrance first. Knockouts Champion Xia Brookside made her entrance next…
4. Xia Brookside vs. “The OnlyOne” Elayna Black in a Steel Cage Match for the TNA Knockouts Championship. After the bell rang, Xia yelled to Elayna that Chicago is garbage. She also yelled that Elayna was a bitch. Elayna slammed Xia to the mat and hit her with a running front kick. Elayna tossed Xia around the ring. Xia backdropped Elayna to the apron against the cage. Xia followed up with a dropkick into the cage. Indi Hartwell was watching the match backstage.
Xia wrapped a belt around her fist. Elayna was already bleeding from the head. Brookside punched and pummeled Elayna with belt punches. Xia then jabbed the spike of the belt into Elayna’s head. Xia licked Elayna’s blood off her hand to invoke a “you sick f-ck” chant. Xia then used the belt to choke Elayna with a Half Nelson against the 2nd rope. Xia got a two count. Xia then jabbbed her nails into the forehead of Elayna.
Xia used the belt to trap Elayna against the cage. Xia dropkicked Elayna while she was trapped. Elayna’s blood was Crimson Mask levels at this point. Xia put Elayna in a key lock while showing off Elayna’s crimson mask. Elayna went for an elbow smash, but Xia dodged and slammed Elayna back to the mat. Xia gave Elayna a double knee in the corner. Xia gave Elayna a Side Russian Legsweep for a nearfall.
Elayna and Xia brawled to the top rope. Black got a moment of respite after hitting Xia with a Super Back Suplex. Elayna and Xia traded Yay Boo forearms. Elayna got Xia to her knees and hit her with a slingshot stomp. Elayna hit Xia with an Exploder for a two count. Xia reversed Black with a Codebreaker and Darkside DDT for a nearfall. Hannifan noted that nobody has kicked out of the Darkside DDT. Elayna hit Xia with Blackout for a nearfall.
Xia grabbed a foreign substance. Elayna rolled up Xia for a two count. Xia Brookside threw the powder into Elayna’s face and rolled her up for the win.
Xia Brookside defeated Elayna Black via pinfall in 12:54 to retain the TNA Knockouts Championship.
TNA President Carlos Silva presented the Knockouts Belt to Xia Brookside…
John’s Thoughts: One positive from TNA immensely limiting the amount of blade jobs and crimson masks from their hardcore matches is that when they do pull them out, they mean something. The crimson mask helped here and both women had a fun garbage style match that didn’t overdo it with the weapons. The match was crafted very well and to me it looked like Xia was the one leading and calling it. Only real weak part was they rushed an Elayna Black face turn just because they’re in her home town.
A hype package aired for the Jason Hotch vs. Mustafa Ali match…
The Order 4 made their entrance cosplaying as Mafia members (Hey! Tony D’Angelo called and he…Uhm, I kid! Tony D’s Cosplaying The Punisher these days anyway). Jason Hotch made his entrance, which had overlay graphics (which we saw last week). Jason Hotch’s wife and daughters were shown at ringside…
5. “Top Notch” Jason Hotch vs. Mustafa Ali (w/John Skyler, Mila Moore, Tasha Steelz, Agent Zero, Secret Service) in a Steel Cage Match for the TNA International Championship. Hotch tangled Ali in a cage Tree of Woe. Hotch it Ali with rapid Superkicks. Hotch recovered and hit Ali with a Super German Suplex. Hotch turned Ali inside out with a clothesline for a nearfall. Hotch hit Ali with a springboard DDT for a nearfall. Hotch dropped an MF bomb while brawling with Ali (lots of cursing tonight). Hotch went for a Super Pile Driver, but it fell apart.
Hotch hit Ali with a Sitout Bomb for a nearfall. Ali surprised Hotch with a DDT for a nearfall. Agent Zero opened up the cage door. Tasha Steelz slammed the cage shut. Mila Moore got in Tasha’s face and ate a forearm from her. Hotch accidentally knocked Tasha Steelz out while going after Ali. John Skyler carried the unconscious Tasha to the back. Ali caught Hotch with a Suicide Dive through the door. Ali and Hotch brawled at ringside. Hotch backdropped Ali at ringside. Hannifan noted that you need to get a pinfall or submission in the ring.
Hotch knocked Ali to ringside off the cage. Hotch climbed to the top of the cage and hit Ali with a Crossbody from the top of the cage, to the floor, and through a table (The replay showed Ali getting up in the air well enough to break Hotch’s fall. Ali’s so damn talented). Hotch got up selling the fall and injured ribs. Hotch spat out blood and crumpled to the floor. Ali got up and started smirking. Ali stole a green dinosaur plushie from Hotch’s daughter and kicked it in the cage to bait Hotch.
Mila Moore handed Ali a lighter. Hotch ran back in the ring and took down Ali before he could burn the dinosaur. Ali recovered and put Hotch in a cage Tree of Woe. Ali ripped off the belt from Hotch’s trunks. Ali started to whip Hotch’s chest while he was trapped in the Tree of Woe. Ali dragged Hotch to the top rope. Hotch shoved Ali off the top rope, climbed to the top of the cage, and hit with with a Cave In from the top of the cage for a nearfall.
Ali recovered and hit Hotch with a Spear. Ali put the dinosaur on Hotch’s chest and hit him with a 450. Hotch kicked out. Ali hit Hotch and the dino plushie with another 450 for the victory.
Mustafa Ali defeated Jason Hotch via pinfall in 14:17 to become the new TNA International Champion.
John Skyler stormed the ring to check on Hotch while Moore and Zero carried Ali to the back. Hotch limped over to hand his daughter the dinosaur plushie. Hotch’s baby girl was crying as her bloodied dad handed her the dinosaur. Skyler helped carry Hotch to the back…
John’s Thoughts: Any time you see Mustafa Ali’s name on the card, there’s a good chance he’ll be the frontrunner for match of the night. Hotch is one hell of a wrestler too, and this was a killer cage match. Ali was great at bumping around like a maniac as usual, and Hotch flew around amazingly too. The whole “family” card does get a bit overplayed, but they built up Ali terrorizing Hotch’s family which made it logical. I liked Hotch showing extra aggression. I’m okay with the quick title change and it adds another chapter to this very fun Summer story.
Gia Miller introduced the son of AJ Styles, Avery Styles, to the stage. Avery made his entrance to his own theme, while doing his dad’s famous hoodie pull off. Gia asked Avery what he has to share to the TNA fans. Avery said everyone knows what TNA means to him and his family. He said AJ wouldn’t be what he is without TNA. He said Avery Styles won’t be what he can be without TNA. Avery announced that he officially signed with TNA Wrestling.
Frankie Kazarian suddenly made his entrance to confront Avery. Frankie said as the King of TNA he’ll be the first person to welcome Avery aboard. He said he and AJ Styles are closer than brothers. He said he, AJ, Samoa Joe, and Christopher Daniels formed a bond that can’t be broken and they all made TNA what it is today. Kazarian warned Avery that there are snakes in the locker room and will want to take him out because of his last name. Kazarian said you cant’ trust the locker room, but you can trust him. Kazarian headed to the back and let Avery have his moment…
A hype package aired for the Cedric Alexander vs. Leon Slater match…
John’s Thoughts: A completely logical move for Avery given his father’s status as the face of TNA. This will also offer him a good pipeline into WWE too. What’s going to be fun is he already has a pre-made nepobaby storyline given recent reports at an indie show. He’ll have to prove that he’s no nepobaby, and maybe not a “nympho baby” too (sorry Zilla! I kid). That could make for a fun story that they are seemingly playing into with Kazarian potentially playing the role of unc to him. Like Zilla, I’m actually looking forward to see what this generational wrestler can bring to the ring?
A long graphic aired to explain what Slater loses if he loses his match. Cedric Alexander would have beaten Moose for the title if this happens. Amazing Red will be the youngest TNA X Division Champion again. Austin Aries will have the sole record for being the longest X Division Champion…
John’s Thoughts: Ugh. This is some “Only in TNA” mental BS. It also doesn’t make sense why Cedric will ask for this stipulation as it mostly favors Austin Aries of all people. Does this mean if Cedric wins, they’ll go above and beyond to wipe the records away from Wikipedia too?
Entrances for the next match took place. Tom Hannifan reminded viewers of how USC’s National Championships and Reggie Bush’s Heisman was taken away from him to take away that legacy (And Pete Carroll ran and dipped over to the Seahawks)…
6. Leon Slater vs. Cedric Alexander in a Last Man Standing Steel Cage Match for the TNA X Division Championship (If Cedric wins, all of Leon Slater’s records will be wiped from the history books). Both men traded strikes early on. Slater caught Cedric with a back elbow off the top rope. Cedric lawn darted Leon into the cage and busted him open. Leon staggered to his feet and hit Cedric with a release Blue Thunder Bomb. Slater dragged Cedric to the top rope and gave him chops. Cedric recovered and gave Slater a Super Michinoku Driver.
[Hour Three] Slater beat the ten count and hit Cedric with a Canadian Destroyer. Slater pressed Cedric against the cage and he started bleeding. Slater hit Cedric with a delayed Helicopter Blue Thunder Bomb. Both men traded kicks in the corner. Slater and Cedric brawled to the top rope. Slater hit Cedric with a Super Final Cut. Both men beat the ten count and Rehwoldt noted both men used each other to help get up. Slater put Alexander back down with a kick combination.
Slater hit Alexander with three Lumbar Checks. Slater hit Alexander with a Swanton 450. Alexander couldn’t beat the ten count.
Leon Slater defeated Cedric Alexander in a Steel Cage Last Man Standing Match in 13:15 to become the new TNA X Division Champion.
TNA President Carlos Silva presented Leon Slater with the X Division Championship…
John’s Thoughts: A fun match with a handful of things going against it. The work was fine, but we know that both of these men could have gone further with 5 more minutes. At this point, the law of diminishing returns is kicking in because most of the matches earlier in the show did every thing this match did and more. What also took away from this match was the stupid ass stipulation which does nothing to add stakes and instead insults the intelligence of the viewers. On top of the cage match diminishing returns, the night is getting long and the watch fatigue is kicking in. While this was a good match, it almost became a buffer by default.
The camera backstage caught Daria Rae talking to someone on the phone about Indi Hartwell. Rae said she’ll the mystery person on Thursday. Santino Marella called Daria over. Elijah was laid out backstage. Rae told Santino to try to figure this out…
Bear Bronson made his entrance. Fabien Aichner was out next…
7. “The System” Bear Bronson, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, and Alisha Edwards vs. Fabien Aichner, Ricky Sosa, KC Navarro, and Jada Stone in a Lethal Lockdown Match. Fabien Aichner and Bear Bronson traded hands and slams early on for a stalemate. Brian Myers was the next out for The System to give them the numbers advantage. KC Navarro was out next to toss Myers into the cage and hit Bear with a Tornado DDT. Eddie Edwards was out next, but he ate a Suicide Dive from KC Navarro at ringside. Myers and Bear managed to recover and get the advantage without Eddie. Eddie eventually helped join in for the number advantage.
Ricky Sosa was out next for his team. Sosa dropkicked Myers and gave Bear and Eddie hands. Sosa jumped off Eddie and hit Bear with a cutter. Sosa was the only person standing, which allowed him to lead the crowd in a Bang Bang Sosa Sosa chant. Alisha Edwards was out last for her team. Rehwoldt noted that Alisha has become the only woman to have competed in Ultimate X, Monster’s Ball, and now Lethal Lockdown.
Jada Stone made her entrance and climated to the top instead of using the door. Stone hit the pile of wrestlers with a Moonsault from the top of the cage. Bear Bronson started to toss chairs in the ring. The cage lowered to officially start the match.
The babyfaces grabbed weapons from the roof of the cage and used them to take down The System. KC used a barbed wire bat to grind into Myers’s forehead. Jada beat up Alisha with a broken kendo stick. KC hit Eddie with a flying kendo swing. Hannifan noted that the stick almost hit him when it slipped away. Alisha gave KC and Ricky a low blow to help her husband. Alisha punted Aichner in the balls too.
Stone beat up Jada with a Kendo Stick. Stone found the black bag and poured out thumbtacks. Alisha quickly escaped a Samoan Drop attempt. Hannifan reminded viewers how Alisha was put through tacks last year at Bound for Glory. Stone recovered and gave Alisha and her self a Superplex right into the thumbtacks. Aichner was the only man standing with a trash can. Aichner put a Trash can on a fallen Eddie and hit him with a Coast to Coast Van Terminator.
Bear swung a barbed wire bat into the gut of Aichner. Bear also hit KC. Bear gave KC a Drill Claw onto Aichner. Bear set up a barbed wire table in the corner. KC slipped away from Bear and Sosa hit Bear with a Head Shot into the barbed wire table. Myers hit KC with a Roster Cut on a chair. Sosa hit Myers with a Blue Thunder Bang on the thumbtacks. Sosa grabbed a spool of barbed wire and wrapped it around his arm. Sosa gave Myers a Barbed Wire Head Shot. Alisha broke up Ricky’s pin.
Eddie hit Sosa with a Boston Knee Party. Hannifan noted that Eddie was limping with a leg injury. Eddie gave Ricky Sosa a Package Pile Driver onto open chairs for the victory.
The System defeated Ricky Sosa, Fabien Aichner, KC Navarro, and Jada Stone via pinfall in 17:42 to win the Lethal Lockdown Match.
John’s Thoughts: While I’m a bit worn out at this point with cage matches, I’m not going to take away from the effort of the wrestlers here as they put on a pretty fun garbage-style match. Plus points for Alisha being a champ again by being the one to take the big thumbtack spot for the 2nd year in a row. I’m okay with the heels picking up the win as TNA needs to build up strong heels to take down (though The System have never truly been “strong” per se). You shouldn’t just put the young guns early, as they could use a challenge to conquer (does Aichner count as a “young gun”?). This allows them to set up something on TV and bigger matches at BFG.
Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt checked in on commentary. Hannifan pointed out the piece of wood that flew at him during Lethal Lockdown (I know the feeling. Flying broken wood flew at me during the Wicked Garden match a few months ago). Tom Hannifan advertised Destination X in November. Rehwoldt hyped M by Elegance vs. Jada Stone for the Knockouts TV Championship for Impact this Thursday. They also announced Trey Miguel and Jason Hotch vs. Mustafa Ali and Agent Zero for Thursday…
The Nemeths made their entrance. Matt Hardy came out to his Broken Matt theme. The Matt Fact of the week was “Matt and Jeff Hardy have a stronger brotherly bond than the Nemeths”. Jeff Hardy came out to his heel theme to join Matt. Their babyface “Loaded” entrance theme played as they headed to the ring. Tom Hannifan noted that Jeff Hardy is the only person on this show to have competed on the first Lockdown PPV against Raven…
8. Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy vs. Nic Nemeth and Ryan Nemeth in a Steel Cage Tornado Tag Match for the TNA Tag Team Championships. The Hardys used tandem offense to dominate the opening minutes of the match. The Nemeths tried to climb away and the Hardys followed. Nic hit Matt with a Fame Asser. Jeff broke up Nic’s pin. Ryan hit Jeff with Paydirt. Nic hit Jeff with a Danger Zone. Nic kicked out of Ryan’s pin at two. Matt sidestepped Nic, causing him to hit Ryan with a Stinger Splash.
Matt slammed Nic to the mat. Ryan escaped a Twist of Fate. Matt and Ryan took each other out with clotehslines. Jeff hit Nic with a Twist of Fate. Nic hit Jeff with a Superkick to leave all four men lying. Jeff hit Nic with a modified Poetry in Motion. Matt hit Nic with a Side Effect. Ryan broke up Jeff’s pin. The Hardy s gave Ryan a wombo combo into a Plot Twist for a nearfall. A “we want tables” chants ensued. Rehwoldt yelled that there was already a table set up!
Ryan gave Matt a low blow. Jeff broke up Ryan’s pin. Nic gave Jeff a Superkick. Ryan gave Jeff a hanging DDT for a nearfall. Nic tuned up the band. Matt blocked Sweet Chin Music and hit Nic with a Side Effect. Matt took down Ryan with a clothesline. Matt gave Ryan a Twist of Fate and put him on the table. Jeff paused when going for a Twist of Fate and then climbed to the top of the cage. This allowed Nic to recover and save Ryan.
Jeff and Nic crotched each other on the top rope. Ryan reversed a Twist of Fate for a two count. Ryan ate a Twist of Fate and stumbled on the table. Matt climbed half way up the cage and gave Ryan an elbow drop through the table. Nic hit Matt with Danger Zone for the victory.
Nic Nemeth and Ryan Nemeth defeated Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy via pinfall in 11:58 to become the new TNA Tag Team Champions.
The Nemeth Brothers popped open champagne bottles to celebrate their title win. TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater made his entrance with a mic. Slater said his legacy in the X Division has been cemented, and he can only think of one more thing to add to the TNA history books. Leon Slater announced that he was going to cash in “Option C” at TNA Bound for Glory to become the young World Champion in TNA History.
Slater handed the X Division belt to Carlos Silva to make things official. Nic tried to jump Slater from behind, but he laid out both Nemeths with kicks. Leon Slater posed with the World Title belt to close the show…
John’s Thoughts: A noteworthy match with the title change, but not necessarily PPV main event worthy. I am surprised with the title change, as Ryan Nemeth is sticking out there as the obvious fodder target. I guess they wanted to drape Nic Nemeth in gold to boost his profile? Eh? We’ll see how that works. Sorta kills the equity the Hardys built from that long feud with the Righteous, only to lose the straps their first match out. So does Nic do double duty at Bound for Glory, because the Hardys need to be on the show to sell tickets and we’re already booking Nemeth vs. Slater?
I assumed from miles away that they were going to put the belt on Slater for Option C, notably because he started mentioning the world title and they’ve pushed him into the X Division title’s orbit again. This will be interesting because Slater is presumably WWE bound given how much TV time WWE is willing to give him without a WWE contract. Overall, this was a great, but exhausting show. I wanted to give the show an A- grade, but I’ll have to bump it down a bit to a B+. Notably due to the law of diminishing returns hurting the whole steel cage aspect of the show. No fault of the wrestlers, as I give them credit for trying to subvert that law by mixing it up, but once you’re up to 8 cage matches in one show, it’s tough to force variance.
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