TNA IMPACT! LIVE IN PITTSBURGH

It's been said a few times here on BCP+, but TNA Wrestling is the proverbial hidden gem when it comes to pro wrestling in 2025. Any time I'm able to attend an Impact! taping, I'm blown away by the show structure, storylines, and in ring. It's always very reminiscent of the NXT Black and Gold glory days of old. Last Night, at The UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA, it was no different, even adding a few surprises along the way. 

​

The show opened with a massive ovation for the former TNA World Champion, Joe Hendry. We were fortunate enough to chat with Mr. Joe Hendry this week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Tapings. Joe made it very clear during the interview and LIVE on Impact! that he had his sights set directly on Trick Williams and that TNA World Championship. He stated that the people have continued to believe in him and that he is now on his road to redemption! Cue Santino Marella, who makes the official announcement that Joe Hendry will get his rematch against Trick Williams for the TNA World Championship at Slammiversary in New York!! Great start to the show here to get the crowd hyped. 

​

The opening match saw Zachary Wentz of the Rascalz w/ Trey Miguel take on one half of the TNA World Tag Team Champions in Ryan Nemeth w/ Nic Nemeth. Wentz really is incredible to see in person, delivering an amazing corkscrew cross body, among the best I've ever seen. Ryan tries to cheat with a belt shot, but Wentz and Miguel are one step ahead, and Wentz wins this one in quick fashion with an amazing spiral tap variation. 

​

Up next, the Knockout's Battle Royal for the #1 Contender spot to the TNA Knockout's Championship which featured The Iinspiration, The Elegance girls, Spitfire, Xia Brookside, Lei Ying Lee, Myla Grace, Harley Hudson, Rosemary, Victoria Crawford, and a few notable indie names in Katie Arquette, Mila Moore, and Jada Stone. Early on The Iinspiration girls and Elegance girls take each other out of the battle royal, or so we think. Next primarily the indie names in Arquette, Moore, and Stone go out. The final two are Tessa Blanchard and Indi Hartwell. However, Ash by Elegance sneaks back in and eliminates BOTH to win!! 

​

(Shout out to indie talents Jay The Key Evans and Chris Steeler on their stellar Security run ins!)

​

Post-match we get a stare down from Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich on the ramp BUT The NXT Women's Champion Jacy Jayne comes to the stage and joins the fray. This is a very interesting move by Jayne, but I like this for her, especially if she is trying to prove why she deserves to the be the top gal in NXT. 

​

The somewhat unhinged version of Mustafa Ali humbled John Skylar in a Call to Arms match. This was a quick match where both competitors were seemingly tied to respective corners at the start of the match. Ali showed his dominance and went to hit Skylar with a chair post match, but Tasha interferes. Before Ali can proceed, none other than Pryme Cedric Alexander makes his arrival on TNA Impact! 

​

Up next, The Northern Armory take on The Hardys in a fairly quick bout. Great job by both teams here, but the Hardys are still performing on another level. It's incredible to see them flawlessly perform night after night, and STILL get the biggest POP from the crowd. The Hardys seal the deal with a Swanton Bomb from Jeff, before taking the time to put over Mr. Leon Slater on the mic. 

​

Slater addresses and thanks the crowd for their support as he heads in to Challenge Moose for the X-Division Championship July 20th, at Slammiversary in NY. Lots of love for Leon "Hardy" before he goes to sit at commentary for Moose's triple threat match. Moose handily destroys both his opponents in Shane Sabre, Jake Painter. 

​

The Main Event for the evening was an absolute BANGER. I have to give Santana AND AJ Francis their flowers on this Street Fight. All the usual street fight cliches, chairs, garbage cans, etc., BUT everything meant something. Fighting in the crowd, Francis going high-risk and even performing a Styles' Clash on Santana. KC Navarro, who is sidelined with a reported dislocated left knee, played his part from the Fir$t Cla$$ lounge table routing on his partner. We here at BCP+ want to send our well wishes to KC. Navarro at one point gave Franics a champagne toast glass and bottle, which inadvertently helped Santana win the match with a big time lariat after a smashed bottle on the dome. HELL of a match. Take the time to go back and watch this one. 

​

Post-match TNA World Champion Trick Williams makes his way to the ring to brawl but Joe Hendry makes the save. What a way to end the night!!

​

For all things TNA Wrestling keep it right here on BCP+

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​