TNA iMPACT! Review - November 21, 2024

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich def. Alisha Edwards in a No Disqualifications Match

Despite the breakout year she's had, Alisha was in no way a threat to Slamovich, so it was smart to have her attack Slamovich before the bell even rang (even though it didn't make me think the outcome would be any different). It was wise to keep this short and sweet because of the predictability, but I'm not sure the stipulation was necessary. Tasha Steelz attempted to attack Slamovich afterward before Jordynne Grace made the save.

Ash by Elegance def. TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion Jody Threat

The basic booking in the Knockouts tag team division continues. Ash and Heather by Elegance teaming up to target the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship makes sense, but there's no story beyond that and thus it's difficult to care, especially when the matches are largely average. This was no exception, but it did accomplish what it needed to ahead of the (likely) championship clash at Turning Point.

Frankie Kazarian Confronted Mike Santana; Kazarian def. Rhino

Santana made it clear in his promo that he has his sights set on the TNA World Championship and Kazarian said the same. They had a quality exchange on the mic to set up their match for Turning Point, a challenge Kazarian originally declined because he claimed he'll have that day off before it was made official later on. The subsequent match between Kazarian and Rhino was decent, but it never really out of first gear.

Leon Slater and Laredo Kid def. The System (JDC and TNA X-Division Champion Moose)

If Moose vs. Kid for the TNA X-Division Championship was added to the Turning Point card after this, then I don't know why this bout was booked in the first place. The System have had no issue with Slater and Kid to my knowledge, not to mention you'd think Slater would get a title shot considering he won for his team here. It was a well-worked match, but the booking feels rushed.

Joe Hendry Vowed to Win the Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl Match at Turning Point

I realize the Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl match is an annual tradition for TNA, but it's a better gimmick for an episode of iMPACT! than it is for one of their monthly events. It feels like an excuse to get as many people on Turning Point as possible. I mean, what does Hendry gain from taking part in it? This was an extremely generic promo hyping up the Turkey Bowl and nothing more.

Savannah Evans def. Brittany Jade

Evans has had quite a few pushes over the years and nothing has really stuck, so we'll see if she can get something going this time. This was a pretty standard squash match where she was able to establish her dominance. She attacked Lei Ying Lee a few weeks ago, so we know that will be her first feud back, but that seems like a strange pairing since both of them need to rack up wins.

Trent Seven, Jake Something and Hammerstone def. Ace Austin and TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardys

The Hardys and Austin will be facing The Rascalz and Kushida in a six-man tag team match at Turning Point, so this felt like a warm-up for them before then. Something and Hammerstone have formed an alliance in recent months, but Seven was a random partner for them. At least he picked up the surprise win for his team by pinning Austin to keep his momentum going after betraying Mike Bailey. This was an enjoyable main event. Kushida and The Rascalz made the save afterward. I'm say it's possible that they'll face the heel trio on next week's episode before Turning Point, but I'm not positive there's a show next Thursday due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Overall Show

There's some distance between Bound for Glory and Turning Point, yet the latter screams "filler show" on paper. Most of the matches should be good, but TNA is evidently still in rebuilding mode. The injuries and Bailey's departure haven't helped, either. Plus, the holidays are approaching and TNA tends to go on hiatus around then until the new year. In the meantime, these editions of iMPACT! have been solid albeit unspectacular.

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