TNA Impact: Could an NXTNA coalition break The System?

Bob Kapur

TNA Impact: Could an NXTNA coalition break The System?

The NXT-TNA crossover continued on Thursday night’s episode of Impact Wrestling, and things are really starting to heat up. The show had double-duty to help the build for NXT’s Roadblock premium live event next weekend and also TNA’s Sacrifice special event taking place a few days after Roadblock. With seven matches taking place on the show, and all that building to do, on paper it might have seemed like an overstuffed episode. But it actually worked quite well – and particularly in the main event where a coalition of NXTNA stars joined forces to take on The System. And though they may not have won the battle, it looks like the war is going to get more and more interesting.

The show kicked off with the System, who headed to the ring. After the others bragged about how good they are, Moose had some words for NXT World Champion Oba Femi, who Moose will challenge for the title in two weeks at NXT Roadblock on March 11. Moose then said he was bothered that Jeff Hardy has pinned him twice despite Hardy not being who he used to be, and tonight he will end Jeff Hardy.

Brian Myers then said it was time to talk about recruitment. He said that the Colons, who made their company debut last week, might actually be System material. This brought out the Colons, Eddie and Orlando, who entered the ring. The Colons said that they respected the System. They said they were in TNA to show everyone who they are and what they can do. And rather than fight the System, they would fight with the system. They said if the System has their backs, they have the System’s backs. Moose ended the segment by saying that things go easy if you trust the System. All of them put their fists out in a salute, and they left the ring together.

In the back, Gia Miller interviewed the Knockouts Tag Team Champions, Spitfire (Dani Luna and Jody Threat). They will defend the titles against Ash and Heather by Elegance tonight, with the added stipulation that the losers having to be the personal concierge of the winning team for 24 hours. They said they have a lot of things they will make the Elegances do, and suggested that they would give the Elegances matching Mohawk haircuts.

The System were in the back and were confronted by Leon Slater and the Hardys. They all yelled at each other and a Security team got between them before any physicality could happen.

Match 1: Mike Santana vs. Oro Mensah

Oro became the latest NXT star to cross the line and compete in TNA. Things were going well for Mensah, even surprising Santana with a Springboard Single-Leg Dropkick, but shortly after that, he got caught going for a Flying Dive, and Santana took over.

Santana nearly got the win after a nifty sequence that saw him hit a Rolling Buck 50. Mensah hit a few variations of Rolling Boots to the Head, but Santana caught him in one attempt, picked him up and hit a big Buckle Bomb. Mensah bounced out of that, but then got rocked by a Spin the Block by Santana and it was oh-no for Oro.

This was a fine opening match, with both of them getting in some good showcase moves.

Winner: Mike Santana

A political ad aired for Mustafa Ali. It was more of a smear ad against Mike Santana, with Ali’s Cabinet and the video voiceover repeatedly calling Santana an alcoholic and questioing his 2-year sobriety milestone. Santana wasn’t pleased.

Backstage, Santana confronted Ali’s Cabinet and demanded to talk with Ali. The Cabinet tried to blow him off and he got angry. They said they would let Ali know Santana was looking for him.

Match 2: Tessa Blanchard vs. Kelsey Heather

Kelsey was local enhancement talent, and she lost that way. Tessa mauled her with big strikes and beat her up like Kelsey owed her money. Heather tried for some desperation roll-ups, but Tessa stopped that noise with a huge Cutter, and then ended things with a Buzzsaw.

This was a perfect re-introduction to the fans of what Tessa can do in the ring. She simply dominated, and it was totally effective.

Winner: Tessa Blanchard

After the match, Gia Miller went up to Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich, who they’d shown watching the match in the back. Before Masha could say anything, she was blind-sided by NXT’s Cora Jade. As Masha struggled to get back up to her feet, Jade said she woud beat Masha and win the title at Sacrifice, the TNA special event that takes place March 14th.

In the back, World Champion Joe Hendry was with Elijah, who was trumpeting about how well they teamed up last week. Hendry agreed, but wasn’t as enthusiastic, because he said he was expecting that Elijah will ultimately turn on him, motivated by his greed to beat Hendry for the title. Elijah understood why Hendry would feel that way, but assured Joe tha he had nothing to worry about – that they were friends and he had Hendry’s back.

The System walked up and tried to intimidate them, saying that the System runs the show.

Match 3: KC Navarro (w/ AJ Francis) vs. Steve Maclin

Navarro used his speed to evade Maclin which was a smart tactic.

Until he got caught and driven hard to the mat with a Powerbomb. Maclin then blasted him with multiple strikes to the back and a Low Running Clothesline. An attack on Maclin by Francis behind the referee’s back allowed Navarro to take over. As he worked over Maclin, Eric Young and the Northern Armoury came out to the entrance ramp, and Francis started jawing at them.

Meanwhile, Maclin got his second wind and he picked up from before, using his smash-mouth offense to beat the tar out of Navarro. Navarro used some well-placed kicks to ground Maclin and Navarro nearly got the pin after a Frog Splash. But Maclin dodged another aerial attack and dumped Navarro flat on his face. Crosshairs and the KIA by Maclin and it was all over.

Maclin stared at Young and glared at the Northern Armoury. Young gave him a slow-clap before he and the NA left.

This was another good match. The clash of styles led to some good moments before the very definitive win by Maclin.

Winner: Steve Maclin

In the back, Tessa Blanchard had words with Lei Ying Lee, saying that Lee wasn’t on her level. Director of Authority Santino Marella walked onto the scene before things got too heated. He said that Lee will get to show Blanchard if she’s on her level when they face each other at Sacrifice.

Match 4: Ash and Heather By Elegance (w/ the Stooge George Iceman) vs. Spitfire (Dani Luna and Jody Threat) (c) – for the Knockouts Tag Team Championship

The Elegances wore Minnie Mouse inspired gear in honour of the show taking place in Orlando, home of Disney World.

Ash and Threat had a pretty even battle of strength early on, but when Heather got in the ring, she wasn’t able to hang with the power of Spitfire. Interference from the Stooge helped Heather take control when he tripped up Jody on the ropes. But the Elegances couldn’t keep the advantage for long, and soon, Luna was throwing Ash around at will.

Some dirty tactics swung the pendulum back in favour of the challengers temporarily, but the momentum kept changing hands. In the end, though, Spitfire were able to power up and take it home. After taking Ash out, Luna hit a fantastic Powerlift German Suplex on Heather and Spitfire followed that up with the Pressure Drop (a double-team move that saw Threat physically throw Heather at Luna who caught her and hit a Powerbomb) for the pin and successful title defence.

After the match, Spitfire celebrated while the Elegances and the Stooge were distraught that they would have to act as the personal concierges for the champs.

This was a good match and the crowd got really into it by the end, particularly the big finish.

Winners, and still Knockouts Tag Team Champions: Spitfire

Backstage, Spitfire were making the Elegances hand-carry their ring-gear which apparently smelled foul. The Stooge came in and volunteered to do it instead, but Santino Marella walked in. He reminded everyone that the stipulation dictated that Ash and Heather had to do the concierge service, and froze Iceman out.

Match 5: Mance Warner (w/ Steph DeLander) vs. Sami Callihan

Warner rushed at Callihan at the bell, but Callihan dodged it, and when Warner rebounded out of the corner, Sami hit a Stunner. Warner rolled to the floor and Sami followed him. But instead of going after Warner, he got a chair and smashed Warner with it. The referee immediately called for the bell, disqualifying Sami for using the weapon.

Callihan went for another chair shot, but Warner evaded it. Warner then blasted Sami with the chair. He was going for more blasts with the chair, but a bunch of Security guards ran in to try to restore order. They both broke free and tried to continue the brawl, and Security kept breaking it up.

Cut the music for Santino Marella, and he came out to the entrance ramp, where he announced that Sami and Warner will compete in a Street Fight at Sacrifice.

Winner, by Disqualification: Mance Warner

Wes Lee, accompanied by Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe, came down to the commentary desk before the next match.

Match 6: Frankie Kazarian vs. Ace Austin

Austin started off in control, having the speed advantage and possibly the strength advantage as well. But Kazarian had the wily experience, and after using Austin’s momentum against himself, he took over.

The fast and furious action continued with the advantage changing hands a few times.

Austin hit a Spinning Springboard Kick that sent Frankie to the floor. Austin was going to follow that up with a Flying Dive to the outside, but Frankie planted himself between Igwe and Dupont and Austin thought better. Instead, he rolled out to the floor where he was able to blast Kazarian with another strong Boot to the Head. Before he went back in the ring, Austin exchanged words with Lee and his NXT cohorts. Lee then got up from commentary and distracted Austin, which allowed Frankie to capitalize, hitting Austin with a nifty Slingshot Cutter and that was enough to keep Austin down for the count.

After the match, the NXT Three were going to beat down Austin, but the Rascalz ran in wielding chairs. With the odds evened up, Lee, Dupont, and Igwe headed for the hills.

This was fine. Austin can do some really impressive things in the ring, and him versus Lee should be like classic X-Division fare.

Winner: Frankie Kazarian

In what was supposed to be a comedic segment, they showed a video of Spitfire ordering the Elegances to carry their bags, and then travel with their smelly dog.

Ryan Nemeth came out to the entrance ramp to announce that his brother Nic will be making his return to TNA at Sacrifice.

They showed highlights from this week’s episode of NXT where Moose defended his X-Division Championship against Lexis King and then was confronted by Oba Femi to set up their match at Roadblock, and the Hardys competing aginst the No Quarter Catch Crew and the announcement that they would face NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom at Roadblock.

Match 7: The System (Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, and Moose) (w/ Alisha Edwards) vs. the Hardys (Matt and Jeff Hardy) and Oba Femi

Jeff wasn’t as animated as usual during his entrance, so look for the System to win this match – he’s always had boo-boo face. But let’s play it out, shall we?

Moose and Femi were the two in the ring when the match started, but Moose tagged out before any contact was made. Things got frantic early with every member of the System getting sent to the floor, taking the show into an ad break.

Back from commercials and the Hardys were in control, but a distraction by Alisha and a perhaps legitimate injury to Jeff’s leg? allowed the System to take over. Moose took a shot at Femi on the apron and that bought Jeff some space, and he hit a ChinBuster on Moose and then tagged in a fresh Matt, who took over.

As Matt battled Moose, others got involved in the fray. Eddie tried to surprise Femi with a Flying Dive to the floor, but Femi caught him and planted Eddie back-first against the edge of the ring apron – ouch.

But Myers smahsed Femi’s head into the ring steps.

More chaos ensued, including the referee getting smashed when Myers broke up a pinfall attempt.

WIth no ref, all bets were off, and a six-way brawl ensued. A highlight saw Femi fully absorb a huge Running Kick to the Head by Moose, and seemingly power up from the move, as he was able to catch a charging Moose and drop him hard with a Spinebuster.

After that, the Colons ran into the ring and attacked Femi. But after he dispatched them, he got hit by a Spear by Moose. Brian Myers walloped Matt in the head from behind and Matt staggered into a Spear by Moose. The referee came to and counted the pin. Jeff’s face never lies.

This was a good closer. The anticipation from the crowd when Moose and Femi were in there together should hopefully translate to a good match at Roadblock. Doubtful that they would have Moose win the NXT Championship at that event – though it would be a pretty cool moment.

Winners: the System

After the match, the System and the Colons were in the ring celebrating when Matt Hardy finally was able to pick himself up. They were ready to swarm him, but out came Joe Hendry and Elijah and they ran to the ring. As they made their way down the ramp, the System and the Colons made their escape. They were halfway up the ramp when Santino Marella’s music hit and he came out to the entrance stage.

Marella announced that Jeff Hardy would challenge Moose for the X-Division Championship at Sacrifice in a Ladder Match.

In addition, Santino said that there would be a 10-Man Tag Match at Sacrifice as well. Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, JDC, and the Colons vs. Joe Hendry, Matt Hardy, and three partners of their choosing.

The show came to a close with the rival gangs pointing and yelling at each other

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