A video package airs for TNA Revival, hailing live from Nashville, TN. We see glimpses of TNA’s past greats like the original episode, to the Jeff Jarrett days, and the likes of Sting, Christian Cage, Kurt Angle, Abyss, Beer Money, Motor City Machine Guns, and then going into the Bobby Lashley, Drew Galloway, EC3, among others. Tonight, TNA brings TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION again… we’re ready to make an IMPACT, and it’s time for a REVIVAL of professional wrestling!
Pyro blows up for the return of TNA. It’s a big event welcoming the fans viewing at home with the commentary duo of Don Callis and Jim Ross. JR acknowledges Don West and Mike Tenay, saying it’s an honor to call the newest era of TNA Wrestling. And we kick off things with tag team action!
ELI DRAKE & MJF vs. JUNGLE BOY & LUCHASAURUS
This tag team match gets the rambunctious fans something to yell about. While they began to have fond memories of Eli Drake, MJF is bringing a different side out of Eli Drake. However, while fans weren’t as receptive to Jungle Boy, they got behind Luchasaurus with his large frame and unique look. When Jungle Boy tagged Luchasaurus in for the hot tag, while MJF tagged Eli Drake, it was on. At some point, MJF abandons ship and lets Luchasaurus hit Tombstone Age for the win.
After Jim Ross points out MJF leaving Eli Drake high and dry, they go to the back for an exclusive backstage interview with the legendary Tony Schiavone, who is standing by with record 8-time X-Division Champion, Chris Sabin. Schiavone asks Sabin what it means to be at TNA Revival tonight.
“Tony, it’s a pleasure to be here. It’s been five long years since I’ve been at a TNA show and this place will always hold a special place in my heart.” - Sabin
Schiavone references the 6-way Ultimate X Match where Ace Austin defends his X-Division Championship against six other men tonight, but Schiavone wants to know what the X-Division meant to TNA.
“The X-Division meant everything. We had no limits to what we could do. It wasn’t a weight division, but it was a mindset. TNA likely isn’t here today without the X-Division.”
Schiavone’s next question is who Sabin’s prediction is for tonight between the champion Ace Austin, TNA familiars with Brian Cage and Trevor Lee, two newcomers in Pac and Sammy Guevara, and of course, Sabin’s former tag team partner.
“That’s a stacked match, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what the X-Division can offer. I think it’ll be a match for the ages and something hard for the rest of the show to follow. If I had to pick, I can’t go against my guy, my ride-and-die. Shelley, go win this one for me!”
Tony is about to send it back to the ring when Sabin steps in.
“One more thing, Tony, if I may. Not many people know I tore my ACL last year and am still recovering, but I am a free agent. When I’m fully healed, I’m willing to hear any and all offers. But fair warning, if I do come home, ‘nine time’ has a nice ring to it.”
Tony Schiavone applauds the potential of Sabin signing to TNA, but rather than sending it back to JR and Callis, we get a video package of the X-Division greats, including Chris Sabin, Low Ki, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Suicide, Samoa Joe, and all the greats. We then get the six entrances for the Ultimate X match!
ULTIMATE X MATCH || X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
ACE AUSTIN(c) vs. ALEX SHELLEY vs. BRIAN CAGE
vs. PAC vs. SAMMY GUEVARA vs. TREVOR LEE
This match was everything people believed the X-Division to be. Don Callis even mentioned one match on the card being grateful they weren’t following this up. It was the definition of Total NONSTOP Action! At one point, TNA debuted a split-screen because action spilled into the crowd, highlighted by a Sammy Guevera dive from a guardrail onto Brian Cage and Trevor Lee down below.
One casualty came from this match where Trevor Lee was getting to the center to climb, but Brian Cage came and snagged Trevor’s legs for a powerbomb, but Cage did not get firm control of Trevor Lee prior, the Carolina Caveman hit hard and high on his head and rolled to the apron.
A few minutes later, after Pac, Shelley, and Guevara all helped powerbomb Cage from the ring into the tables set up outside the floor, they look and see Ace Austin scrambling to the center. They quickly realized and eventually, all four end up on the four cables. Guevara is the first to fall, then Pac, and after an exchange, Shelley bites Ace’s fingers to get him to lose his grip… Shelley grabs the X-Division Title!
Alex Shelley is the X-Division Champion for the first time since 2009! Ten long years without a singles championship in TNA. With chaos around him, Shelley takes a moment to soak it in the ring, before heading to the ramp and being embraced by Chris Sabin! Sabin turns to the crowd and raises Shelley’s hand as the new X-Division Champion.
Jim Ross and Don Callis recap the carnage around them, and as they clean up the mess, we have a package for the TNA Knockouts of the past. Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, Daffney, The Beautiful People, Brooke Tessmacher, and more are highlighted before the following contest being for the TNA Knockouts Championship.
TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP
TAYA VALKYRIE(c) vs. JORDYNNE GRACE
This match slowed the pace down from the previous match, but showed Valkyrie and Grace are the definition of very strong individuals who can carry the Knockouts division. It was Jordynne finishing an 11-minute match with the Fall From Grace to become the NEW Knockouts Champion!
As Jordynne Grace celebrated with the Knockouts Championship behind her in the ring, a clip catches Taya Valkyrie on the edge of the apron, feeling deflated and holding back tears after losing the title tonight.
Don Callis switches gears for us, mentioning there are two troubled individuals. One is numb to pain for a troubled upbringing, while the other inflicts pain for fun, and both are in a No Holds Barred match-up next. A brief video package explains Joey Janela and Darby Allin, showing clips from the independents of death-defying moments, as they square off in their TNA debuts now.
NO HOLDS BARRED MATCH
DARBY ALLIN vs. JOEY JANELA
This match was drawing comparisons to Abyss, Raven, and Sabu’s brutal contests in TNA’s past. The big spots were Janela ripping Darby’s boot off to staple his toe, Allin leaping from the top of the ladder and crashing into a barbed wire board, and Janela getting a pizza cutter sliced in his forehead. But with all the pain endured, Allin was close to finishing Janela off. Allin pulled the barbed wire board back out and slammed Joey Janela on it, but went up to the top rope to hit the Coffin Drop, but someone appeared and threw a FIREBALL up at Allin, causing him to lose balance and fall through the tables down below. The man revealed himself to be… JIMMY HAVOC! Havoc pries Janela off the barbed wire board and drops him to the outside, where he covers Allin for the win.
Jim Ross and Don Callis are trying to wrap their heads around what they just witnessed while Jimmy Havoc stands over the two. Janela realizes who is standing above him, but Havoc holds out his hand and after a split second to think, Janela accepts the assistance and they both leave together.
Following the brutal match, as they get things taken care of at ringside, Tony Schiavone is backstage with his guests, the challengers for the TNA World Tag Team Championships tonight, The Young Bucks! Schiavone asks the Young Bucks how it feels to be back in TNA.
“That’s right, we’re back. Many forget we cut our teeth in this company against some of the best tag teams TNA had to offer at the time. The Motor City Machine Guns, Beer Money, Team 3D, and we realized we had to go away for a while and become bigger fish in a bigger pond.” - Matt
“We just weren’t at the top of our level. So we went to Ring of Honor, we went to Japan, and we quickly rose to the ELITE of our business.” - Nick
“So we came back with All In, sold ten thousand seats, and Tony Khan came calling after he bought TNA Wrestling. He knows we’re the money makers, and tonight we’re going to be champions.” - Matt
Schiavone reminds the Young Bucks that Pentagon Jr. and Fenix are the top of the TNA division and are no slouches for the tag team division.
“We’re no slouches, either! This isn’t Generation Me we’re talking about. This is The Young Bucks! We set the NEW standard for tag team wrestling and we are going to be the NEXT TNA World Tag Team Champions.”
Now it’s time for the 20-man Battle Royal! This opportunity showcases 20 wrestlers for TNA Wrestling, all jockeying for the opportunity at the TNA World Heavyweight Champion next, whether that be Johnny Impact or Kenny Omega after tonight.
Introducing…
TNA original… Christopher Daniels!
The man who just aided Joey Janela… Jimmy Havoc!
Josh Alexander!
Another TNA original… Frankie Kazarian!
Killer Kross!
King Cuerno!
Being accompanied by Penelope Ford… Kip Sabian!
Madman Fulton!
Both members of Proud ‘n Powerful… Ortiz and Santana!
Scorpio Sky!
Swerve Strickland!
Both members of The Rascalz… Dez Xavier, Trey Miguel, and Zach Wentz!
Moose!
17… Billy Gunn!
18… Zack Sabre Jr.
19… Brian Pillman Jr.
And 20… RHINO!
20-MAN OVER THE TOP ROPE BATTLE ROYAL
This match was mainly a filler after a barbaric No Holds Barred match. The first man to be thrown over was Kip Sabian, who didn’t seem to care much now that he was leaving with Penelope Ford. The numbers began to dwindle. Notably, Kazarian and Daniels had an alliance that helped take out both members of Proud ‘n Powerful. Madman Fulton was recruited by Swerve Strickland to help take guys like Billy Gunn and Moose out, until The Rascalz outsmarted both Swerve and Fulton and got them taken out… only for Killer Kross to eliminate all three Rascalz.
Moments paused at the Final Four: Christopher Daniels, Killer Kross, Josh Alexander, and Frankie Kazarian. Alexander was making steam until Scarlett yanked Alexander’s boot, causing the distraction for Kross to smash Alexander in the back of the head with a rocking forearm, before dumping it over the top rope. Kazarian and Daniels saw the danger of Kross, teaming up as Bad Influence yet again, and working together to topple Kross over. With Daniels and Kazarian with an unique opportunity, both shook hands and went to war immediately. After moments hanging on the apron, blow after blow, Kazarian swings and misses for Daniels to then shove his best friend into the corner and dropping to the floor.
Daniels celebrates in the ring as Kazarian is left with hands on hips, shaking his head as he walks to the back, yet Christopher Daniels knows he’ll have to watch the main event a little closer tonight!
A small video package plays before the TNA debut of CHRIS JERICHO!
CHRIS JERICHO vs. HANGMAN PAGE
Jericho’s debut in TNA was a little lackluster, on both accounts. Many got excited for what this match could be, but minutes in, people realized Jericho was a step slower and Hangman was sloppier than hyped at the press conference. Jericho had Page in the Liontamer, but Page got to the ropes. Jericho went to take the turnbuckle pad off. When the official realized it, Jericho was arguing with the official, yet strategically placed. As Hangman’s pulling himself up with the ropes, he gets caught with a pair of brass knuckles by a man who turns his face from the camera and vanishes. Jericho relents on his argument and goes to grab Hangman Page, pulls him to the center, and locks in the Liontamer once again, only for the official to call for the bell due to the lifeless Hangman Page.
Chris Jericho gets his hand raised in victory, acting as if he did all the work, while Jim Ross and Don Callis are confused as to who the mystery man was, and why he attacked Hangman Page… or if there’s any association to Jericho, as JR is very familiar with Jericho’s antics.
Jim Ross and Don Callis take a moment to recognize the official members of the TNA Wrestling men’s roster:
Ace Austin
Alex Shelley
Billy Gunn
Brian Cage
Brian Pillman Jr.
Chris Jericho
Christopher Daniels
Darby Allin
Dez Xavier
Eli Drake
Fenix
Hangman Page
Jimmy Havoc
Joey Janela
Johnny Impact
Josh Alexander
Jungle Boy
Kazarian
Kenny Omega
Killer Kross
King Cuerno
Kip Sabian
Luchasaurus
MJF
Madman Fulton
Matt Jackson
Moose
Nick Jackson
Ortiz
Pac
Pentagon Jr.
Rhino
Sammy Guevara
Santana
Scorpio Sky
Swerve Strickland
Trevor Lee
Trey Miguel
Zach Wentz
Zack Sabre Jr.
Jim Ross affirms that the Knockouts division will be announced this Thursday Night on Impact! We then send it straight to the ring for the TNA World Tag Team Championships.
TNA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
LUCHA BROS(c) vs. THE YOUNG BUCKS
After a “letdown” for the Jericho-Hangman match, this was anything but. Fenix, Pentagon, Matt, and Nick were all ready to go for this one. Fans were out of their seats most of the match after superkicks, Mexican destroyers, and nearfalls. The Young Bucks hit Fenix with not one, but two BTE triggers, and Fenix only perked up with them. Fenix would go on an onslaught and Pentagon Jr. would join in after he revived himself on the outside. In the end, it was a Fenix Driver, followed by a Penta Driver (both on Matt Jackson) as the Lucha Bros RETAIN!
The Lucha Bros get a standing ovation, but the Young Bucks likely deserved that as well, as they clutch onto their tag team titles for a huge win in a 23-minute match.
The night is drawing to a close, but before the main event, Jim Ross and Don Callis highlight what to expect on this Thursday’s Impact episode:
The Knockouts are introduced
Killer Kross, Swerve Strickland, and Madman Fulton in 6-Man Tag action against The Rascalz
We hear from Chris Jericho
Rhino vs. Scorpio Sky
Zack Sabre Jr. vs. King Cuerno vs. Sammy Guevara
And now it’s time for our main event!
TNA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
JOHNNY IMPACT(c) vs. KENNY OMEGA
Johnny Impact was rocked early by Kenny Omega in this match, as Don Callis marveled at how different Omega is than anyone in the States, or anyone on this roster. Omega got to a point where he was chilling, but Johnny fought back and once he caught an opening, he went all-in on Omega before getting a couple close falls. The match slowed down once again with some big moves by both combatants, but Johnny Impact slipped on the End of the World attempt and caught himself from falling on the ropes. As Impact went back up to the top, Omega snuck up under him and tried hitting the One-Winged Angel, but Impact slid out of the way and tried the Moonlight Drive, only to be knocked down a peg and get hit with the Rain Trigger, followed by the V-Trigger. Omega quickly got Impact on his shoulders for the One-Winged Angel and that’s all she wrote!
Kenny Omega’s music blasts as TNA has a new world champion to begin their new era! What will TNA deliver as “Impact” debuts on YouTube, broadcasting live, this Thursday? Find out with your NEW era and the NEW TNA World Champion.
FADE TO BLACK
