TNA GENESIS 2025 REVIEW

Throughout it’s history, you can pinpoint the nights that professional wrestling made a pivot. Pay-per-views like Bash at the Beach in 1996, WrestleMania I, All-In 2018 all hold a certain feel in regards to changing the way operated. Well, you can add TNA Genesis 2025 to that list. This night was legendary from the pre-show to the main event. It was as much of a beautiful buffet of professional wrestling as it was an emotional love letter to day one TNA fans. This will go down in history as a game changing PPV. This was the night that WWE decided to operate outside it’s bubble. The result of that is a craving for more.

 

We got our first surprise of the night in the pre-show, hosted by the illustrious team of hall of famers at Busted Open on SiriusXM. The crowd was put on edge for the rest of the night, as NXT’s Ariana Grace walks out to break up the panel, followed by Ashante “Thee” Adonis with an open challenge that Jake Something accepted and won.  The win itself was a nod to the relation between WWE and TNA. It wasn’t going to be just a WWE controlled relationship. This was going to be a partnership where both companies would be seen as equals. Ending the pre-show was a great match between Loen Slater and Frankie Kazarian, where Kaz picked up the win after a desperate grabbing of the trunks.

 

X-Division Championship: Moose (c) defeated Ace Austin

Kicking off the PPV was a power versus speed match between Moose and Ace Austin. Moose, unveiling a new X-Division belt, also took on the role of Goliath in this match. This had a lot of great back and forth. I also have to point out the ABC chants during this match, as the crowd acknowledged Chris Bey. We wish you the best in your recovery, Chris! Ultimately, Goose and the System proved to be too much and he picked up the win. After the match the system surrounded Ace but Steve Maclin and Eric Young came out to make the save!

 

Eric Young & Steve Maclin defeated Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards

There was some confusion to the start of this match. There was no entrance and the bell didn’t ring. This led to “ring the bell” chants. However, I was so excited because I never got to see Eric Young wrestle live that I didn’t notice they never rang the bell. I loved the pace of this match because they seemed to just not stop until Maclin hit the KIA on Myers. A real treat of a tag match.

 

Knockouts Tag Team Championship: Spitfire (c) defeated Ash by Elegance & Heather by Elegance

I have to say this. Ash by Elegance is SUCH an entertaining character. Her and Heather by Elegance coming out dressed as Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, only to cheer the Philadelphia Eagles was instantly one of my favorite moments of the night. However, Spitfire was all grit. I became a real fan of Dani Luna’s as well. Her ability to change the complexion of that match on a dime was insane! I would love to see her eventually chasing that Knockouts Championship.

 

 

Tessa Blanchard defeated Jordynne Grace

Many people have this as their match of the night and for great reason! Tessa Blanchard, love or hate her, embraced all of the hate (there was a “she’s a racist” chant) and used it to her advantage. So much so, that by the end of the match people were chanting in support of her... Not I. Jordynne Grace is an absolute star and a consummate professional. These two put on one hell of a match and it looks like that was the last match in TNA we’ve seen for Jordynne. If it was, it was a hell of way to go out.

 

I Quit Match: Mike Santana defeated Josh Alexander

The first time in a very long time that I got goosebumps for an entrance was watching Mike Santana enter through the crowd at the Curtis Culwell Center. Check out the interview with him on the website. That interview made me want to root for him. Watching him enter through that crowd and go through this brutal match with Josh Alexander and not once think of giving up made this MY match of the night. It was such a beautiful story being told in the ring. The Walking Weapon tried everything he could to break Santana’s will, but in the end Santana prevailed. After the match, Alexander shook Santana’s hand like he said he would. Then he quit TNA!

 

TNA World Tag Team Championship: Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy (c) defeated Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Before we get to the loudest moment of the evening,  Fraxiom pulled up ringside seat to this match! And then, The Hardys walk out and the place goes CRAZY. I had tears in my eyes and goosebumps on my arms. I honestly can’t recall much from this match because I was so much in the moment as a fan that I reverted back to my younger years of fandom. I can tell you for certain that this was like watching a mirror match. TNA’s tag division is going to be in good shape for years to come. Matches like this are reasons why.

 

Knockouts Championship, Raven’s Clockwork Orange House of Fun match: Masha Slamovich (c) defeated Rosemary

Very rarely do you get to see a women’s hardcore match. This was my second one watching live. I can certainly tell you that it’s a way different experience than a men’s hardcore match. My respect level for both women for the depths that they went for this match went through the roof. Masha went through a table and I was legit concerned. She is one tough mother trucker! So is Rosemary, though! But a piledriver through chairs proved to be too much.

 

TNA World Championship: Joe Hendry defeated Nic Nemeth (c)

Our main event was one for the ages. You could tell that it was Joe’s night. Ryan Nemeth tried to assure us it wasn’t, but Santino (POP!) banned him from ringside. To add to the drama, Ryan returned during the match to sit in the audience. Kaz came down to try to cash in his Cup, but out walks JBL! He gives Kaz a Clothesline from Hell, cleans Ryan’s clock, I mark completely out, Hendry hits the Standing Ovation! Nemeth kicks out, counters a second attempt, gives Hendry a super kick and a Danger Zone! Hendry kicks out! The crowd knows it now… it his night! Hendry hit a fall away slam then hits the Standing Ovation for the 1,2,3!! We all need cigarettes! Everyone is happy!  AND NEW!

 

We end the show with Hendry saying this doesn’t happen without all the support from both the fans and the locker room. He thanks the fans and sends us home happy. BUT, it’s what he said on Busted Open the day after this win that matters. He called out the one and only John Cena. And ladies and gents, I am here for it!