Nemeth stays a fighting champion, Hendry earns title shot at Genesis

Sully Khan

Promo poster for TNA Final Resolution 2024.

Coming to a sold-out crowd live from Center Stage in Atlanta, it’s TNA’s last major show of the calendar year, aptly named Final Resolution.

There’s a lot of action to get to tonight so let’s dive right in!

PRE-SHOW

1P. Leon Slater vs. JDC

Kicking the night off, high-flying Leon Slater comes out to a warm reception from the ATL crowd. Now’s a good time to remind everyone that he’s only 20 years old.

JDC tried for an early pinfall after a Russian leg sweep but only got a partial count. he then followed up with a beautiful Falcon Arrow, again unsuccessful on the pin attempt.

Not to be outdone, Slater used his explosive offense and covered, only getting a one-count. He landed a beautiful face kick that knocked JDC to the outside. He then flew off the top of the corner for a big splash.

Classic heel finish.

Winner: JDC of The System via pinfall

Gia Miller was on camera for an announcement. Hammerstone has sustained an injury and will not compete tonight. Jake Something makes a statement that he doesn’t need a replacement and will compete alone.

2P. Frankie Kazarian vs. Jonathan Gresham

Atlanta’s own Jonathan Gresham came out to an eruption of cheers from Center Stage.

Frankie insisted that Jade Chung announce him right “as the King of TNA”. Gresham goes for the Octopus in the corner ropes after Kazarian gets in some cheap shots to start the match.

Getting chopped by Gresham must feel like getting clubbed. Ouch. But Kazarian’s frustrations build as he can’t get the three-count on a pinfall attempt after some big moves.

Kazarian counters a mid-ring pinfall attempt with a Chicken Wing submission attempt. It does not work. So, of course, Kazarian pokes his eyes.

Winner: Frankie Kazarian via Chicken Wing

MAIN CARD

1. Moose (c) vs. Kushida for the TNA X Division Championship

Coming off his victory against Cody Deaner last night, Moose is looking to keep The System’s winning ways going tonight against the Time Splitter.

Kushida goes for the left arm / shoulder of Moose. But that doesn’t slow the big man down as he holds Kushida upside down and swings him into the steps outside of the ring, and then out on top of the apron.

Moose stops the ref at NINE of a count-out. He runs around the ring but Kushida dodges and pushes Moose into the same steel steps. Advantage: challenger.

Kushida makes the left arm of Moose a focal point. But the champion gouges the challenger’s eyes. A big “Go to Hell” with one arm only yields a two-count. These two know each other well. The commentary team points to their first match eight years ago in Japan.

A one-armed cover after a uranage again only got to two.

Kushida gets in some good offense as the champ is relegated to using one hand. A “Back 2 the Future” followed by a cover only gets a two-count for the challenger.

Moose went for a big move off the ropes but Kushida counters with a Hoverboard lock in the middle of the ring. Despite the lock being on the weakened left arm, Moose gets his right arm to the rope, saving his championship for now.

He lands a big spear in the middle of the ring.

Winner: Moose retains via pinfall.

Gia speaks with First Class ahead of AJ Francis’ big match tonight. He says he’s been working his whole life for this moment and that he’s the “biggest, baddest man walking, talking”. The world and everything in it is apparently his. Gia seems less than impressed.

2. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz) vs. Jake Something vs. PCO and Sami Callihan

PCO’s entrance is haunting. What’s not to love about the French-Canadian Frankenstein?

Wentz and Callahan start us off in this three-way tag team match. Jake Something tags Callahan when Wentz plants him in that corner.

The Rascalz get some great offense on Something, tributing MCMG. He’s wise to make a “business decision” and tag himself out after that. PCO comes in for him and runs over both the Rascalz.

PCO uses his power and size advantage over both the Rascalz. The crowd is definitely behind Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz. Wentz rallies and lands a beautiful German suplex on Something. Callahan breaks up a pinfall attempt and then throws Wentz onto PCO and Something outside the ring.

A massive PCO-sault crashes down onto three men outside as Callahan recovers. Something powerbombs Miguel onto Wentz and then powerbombs Callahan. Oh yeah, he then powerbombs PCO, who quickly gets back to his feet. Miguel and Wentz land big splashes in the ring off the top rope.

“Bedlam” is an appropriate word for a match like this.

Winners: The Rascalz via pinfall on Jake Something.

A show of respect from those involved was interrupted by another reference to 23. “What was that”? chants took over.

Eric Young approaches Steve Maclin and puts him over, saying he’s got his back.

3. Trent Seven vs. Ace Austin

Trent rips away the “We Love Bey” t-shirt from Ace’s hands before the match starts. Don’t mess with someone who’s going through emotional trauma. When will heels learn? Oh well, back to the action!

Ace tries a big move off the rope but Seven gets to the rope and disrupts him. Seven only cares about winning, not concerned with anything else.

Very few wrestlers might be able to out-chop Trent Seven. He’s fundamentally sound but his chops sound like they tenderize the meat. British Strong Style is alive and well with Seven.

On his knees, at the mercy of the chops, he seems to absorb them. A DDT pinfall only yields a two-count. Austin misses a second high kick on the turnstiles and gets dropped. Seven grabs the Bey t-shirt and rips it. Here comes the Ace counter! Bicep clubs in the corner. Seven only stays down for a two-count.

Austin gets some chops of his own in. Maybe not quite as heavy but not light. “The Inevitable One” only gets a partial count after a beautiful athletic move, planting Seven in the middle of the ring.

Seven lands a Birming-Hammer on the edge of the apron. Ace gets his foot on the rope at two of the count. Ace lands some nice kicks but Trent Seven lands a piledriver. ONLY A ONE-COUNT! Not just yet, Trent. Not yet! Off comes the bandana.

The “Art of Finesse” finally connects twice in a row.

Winner: Ace Austin via pinfall.

Kazarian cuts a promo, putting himself over as he claims that he’s sitting on his throne. He appears to not be done.

4. Jordynne Grace vs. Rosemary

In case you didn’t notice, it’s Friday the 13th! Rosemary comes out wearing a Jason mask.

It’s been a tough stretch for Jordynne. These two wasted no time as Rosemary rushed her as the bell rang.

Jordynne gets Rosemary to the top but the counter comes in the form of a bite to the back of Grace’s leg, cuing the ref to warn her. Rosemary gains the upper hand but the crowd is still firmly behind Grace.

As Kushida did with Moose, the focal point of Rosemary’s offense is Grace’s left arm. One fan in the front row really wants Rosemary to win. The ref gets up to a six-count as Grace was laying outside for some time but she gets back in… Only to get pulled into a chokehold.

An open-palm strike from Grace only stifled the Demon for a few moments. A World’s Strongest Slam did not land. A hard-hitting backfist from Grace only gets her a two-count.

Rosemary gets Grace into a sleeper-hold… but they’re on the entrance ramp. Grace is too powerful and gets out of it, stalling Rosemary.

Back in the ring, Rosemary spears again but, again, only a two-count. Grace hits the Shades of Samoa.

The rumors were true. Tessa Blanchard is back in a TNA ring, laying waste to Jordynne Grace. A promo for Genesis airs and Gia Miller asks Tessa what’s going on. She pushes Gia and walks down a ramp off-camera.

5. Joe Hendry vs. Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana vs. Steve Maclin

Eric Young joins the commentary desk. Joe Hendry’s entrance music has no business being way too catchy.

There was an early tease of a three-on-one agreement to gang up on Josh Alexander but that was probably never an option for anyone. The winner becomes the #1 contender. The three of them did get offense on him and knocked him out of the match momentarily.

240 pounds is apparently light enough for Hendry to carry and showcase around the ring. He plants Maclin but the offense doesn’t go anywhere as the other two get involved.

Lots of chaos in this one. Maclin understandably singles out the Walking Weapon. Joe Hendry gets involved, allowing Alexander to stifle him with a Dragon Screw in the ropes.

“Walking Weapon … We believe!” Great chants from the sold-out Atlanta crowd. Alexander and Hendry have an extended exchange, cuing more “we believe!” chants. No “walking weapon” counter this time. Santana takes on Alexander next. The commentary team says that this is essentially a three-on-one handicap match for Alexander. They all want that spot.

Santana is the recipient of a belly-to-back suplex from Alexander. Maclin sustains a German suplex onto the entrance ramp. Santana counters and covers Alexander for a two-count.

Hendry and Maclin held up Alexander for a street-sweeper from Santana. Crazy move and the fans chant “TNA!” Joe Hendry lands a fallaway slam on Santana. It’s pretty clear who the crowd is behind.

Alexander lands a Torcher Rack Bomb on Santana. But no one potential contender can get a real advantage. Hendry lands on all three opponents as they’re outside the ring, ;eading to a well-deserved “This is awesome” chant.

Alexander zipties Santana to a gate outside the ring. It takes him a comically-long amount of time to secure it… and the chant to let him know “YOU CAN’T ZIPTIE!”

Winner: Joe Hendry becomes the #1 contender via pinfall on Josh Alexander.

An extended video package for Chris Bey plays. Following that, Nic Nemeth cuts a promo to remind everyone he’s a worldwide fighting champion and how good he is.

6. Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Tasha Steelz in a Falls Count Anywhere match

The only and only Santino Marella stalls the introductions. He bans Alisha Edwards and The System from interfering at allIt’. Picking her up to carry her out, he also says she’ll be fired if she returns to the building, banning her from the premises.

Getting Steelz to the outside, Masha hits a tope suicida and wipes out the security. Steelz recovers and plants Slamovich on the steel steps, tailbone first. She only stays down for a bit, no doubt surprising her opponent. But the Boricua Badass maintains control. A pinfall attempt is unsuccessful.

Masha gains momentum. Outside the ring, she goes for a huge kick but a counter and draping DDT gives Steelz only two on the floor pinfall.

More “TNA” chants rile up the crowd as this intensely physical match continues.

Masha lands a superplex off the top rope but she’s unable to cover for a pinfall attempt. With both on their knees in the middle of the ring, both women slug it out. Slamovich gets another two-count after landing more offense.

Masha tries a package piledriver on the outside of the ring. Steelz bites her thigh to get out of the predicament. Steelz hits her with a cutter on the entrance ramp, her back sustaining damage as well on the drop.

After gettign a cut on her elbow, Slamovich gets hit with a Bulldog at the steel of the entrance. Her back hits the ramp hard. Steelz almost hit a Blackout. It did not matter that they were not in the ring. Masha hits a Requiem.

Winner: Masha Slamovich retains via pinfall.

A promo video for the Tag Team Title match plays. “La Sistema” vs. “The Hard Boyz”, next!

7. The Hardyz (c) vs. The System in a Tables match

It’s very clear (and so obvious) who the crowd is behind.

Poetry in Motion landed early on Eddie Edwards. The Hardy Boyz got him with two Plot Twists, one right after the other. He bounced like a basketball on the mat. The Hardys are the first to bring a table into the ring.

Vintage Hardys.

Jeff almost gets the early table splash on Myers but lands crotch-first on the ropes after getting disrupted by Eddie. The second drop lands, but Eddie Edwards moves the table. The System later connect on Matt, putting him through a table. “Fuck The System!” chants ring out at various points throughout the match.

Despite the odds against him, Jeff fights valiantly. He’s never been one to give up. Myers smashes his head into the crushed table that Matt was sent through.

Jeff hits Myers with a Twist of Fate on the ramp. He sends Myers through a table to even the contest.

Eddie Edwards gets real vicious with Jeff at ringside. A fan slaps him and gets tossed. The crowd chants “You fucked up!” It’s tough to say if that was part of the show. Didn’t seem to be.

Jeff Hardy with an atomic drop and then a flurry of moves, digging himself and his brother out of the disadvantage again. Myers hits Matt with a low blow then saves Eddie from a Twist of Fate from Jeff.

They pull Jeff hardy into the crowd and continue the beating. They take him out an exit door onto the mezzanine level, where a table is conveniently there for them. Matt makes the save, out of nowhere. Jeff is laid on a table and the legs give out. The ref clears up any possible confusion, saying he wasn’t driven through by The System.

The Hardys bring out a fresh table with Edwards on it. Jeff Hardy start climbing up the stands. He gets to the top and hits a Swanton Bomb!

Winners: The Hardys retain via Jeff planting Edwards through a table.

8. Nic Nemeth (c) vs. AJ Francis

Some early offense only rendered a one-count for Nemeth, the story in this moment being the pure and raw strength of the challenger.

After a few moves lays out the champion, Frankie Kazarian shows up without music but with his trophy, assuring Francis he wasn’t getting involved. He joins the commentary desk.

KC Navarro distracts Nemeth and Francis nails him from behind on the outside of the ring. He brings him back in for a cover but barely gets a one-count. KC Navarro finds a way to get involved without being disqualified as Francis distracts the ref. Nemeth tries to pick up Francis but falls into a cover, forcing himself to exert energy to get out of it.

With Francis on the second rope, Nemeth powerbombs him but only gets two on the count after covering the 330-pound challenger. With Francis in the middle of the ring, Nemeth lands nine elbow drops. Climbing to the top rope gives Francis enough time to recover and bring the champ down faster then he might have expected.

Nemeth hits a DDT and then powerbombs the challenger. A Shot to the Heart only gets a partial count. Navarro gets him out of the ring.

A massive TFL from the challenger got him 2.5 on the count, close as close can get.

Landing on the outside, KC Navarro tells him to get to the top rope and finish off the champion with a Vader bomb. Nemeth gets his foot on the bottom rope. The ref finally ejects Navarro from ringside and the challenger is of course not happy. Boo hoo!

Nemeth lands on his feet and hits a Danger Zone but the challenger kicks out at two. He next tries and lands a Famouser after he evades a Moonsault from the big man. Nemeth goes for a superkick but Francis comes back with a Neckbreaker. Two on the cover.

Down Payment lands for the challenger but Nemeth rolls out of the ring as he lands by the ramp. Standin on the ramp, Francis launches the champ over the top rope into the ring. He covers with a foot on the champ’s chest, not enough to win.

He continues the beatdown, picking up Nemeth but a Famouser counter followed up by a Danger Zone.

Winner: Nic Nemeth retains via pinfall.

KC Navarro returns to spoil the celebration. But the Face of Faces (that nickname works, right?) makes the save and tosses the heels.

Both the champ and his #1 contender pick up the title together, staring each other down and exercising their jaws at each other to close the show as Nemeth’s music plays.

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