In the days leading up to tonight’s show, one thing weighed heavily on fans’ minds: the new NXT Partnership. The instant reactions to TNA Genesis are rolling in now, and people are still left wondering. Luckily, Genesis was a very fun show overall. The TNA roster has plenty of talent, which they showcased tonight. If fans watched to see WWE NXT, they likely left with a favorite TNA wrestler or two. Below are initial thoughts on the match card and the results for each contest.
Massive news for everyone. @WWE, @ThisIsTNA, and, most importantly, fans around the world. This valuable partnership will help prepare both companies for the next generation of this industry. https://t.co/xUSAlAnGW3
— Triple H (@TripleH) January 16, 2025
Reaction to TNA Genesis NXT Appearances
The pre-show had Ashante Adonis putting over Jake Something’s raw power and athleticism, officially kicking off the NXTNA collaboration after the big announcement. Later in the night, team Fraxiom, Nathan Fraser and Axiom came out to watch the Tag Team matchup.
That was ultimately a quick appearance, but Trey Miguel landed on Nathan Frazer, setting up an NXT Tag Title match between them and The Rascalz for TNA Impact Live.
Cora Jade made it known that she was down to fight for the Knockouts championship with a surprise appearance. Those were the only three crossover moments, though.
View this post on Instagram
Nic Nemeth (c) vs Joe Hendry – TNA World Championship
The believers were out in full force in Dallas, and it felt like TNA’s trajectory was going to change undeniably. Joe Hendry’s 2024 would make almost any wrestler in any company envious. A hit song and a cultural moment across the internet is basically rocket fuel for a professional wrestler. Still, throughout that entire period, TNA didn’t pull the trigger.
Finally, on a Sunday night in Dallas, Joe Hendry won the TNA World Championship. The match was good, though not as good as his loss to Nemeth in their first meeting. Ryan Nemeth and Frankie Kazarian each got involved, only to be dispatched by JBL’s enigmatic clothesline punisher gimmick.
Hendry withstood some late offense to turn the tide and claim the top prize in the company that made him a household name in professional wrestling. It wasn’t the best match on the card, but it was the one that had the fans most invested by a mile, which is what a main event is all about.
#ANDNEW TNA World Champion @joehendry
Watch #TNAGenesis on TNA+: https://t.co/KvBYOFReSB pic.twitter.com/aUSHNWwMqH
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 20, 2025
Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Rosemary – TNA Knockouts World Championship Clockwork Orange House of Fun match
The Clockwork Orange House of Fun matchup escalated the violence fast and didn’t stop until the bout was over. The story was interesting; an original hardcore Knockout felt replaced in the division.
The current champion is the worst offender due to her violent reputation. Slamovich carried a lot during the match as the younger, more athletic performer. Still, Rosemary did what she does best with her usual violent antics and made sure to give Masha a quality title defense.
After the match, Cora Jade from NXT returned the favor for the TNA Knockouts Champion’s visit last Tuesday. That will be a match to watch for the future.
Jordynne Grace vs. Tessa Blanchard
Between Jordynne Grace’s almost inevitable departure from WWE and the controversy that still hangs over Tessa Blanchard, many people were split on whether they would like or dislike the match.
Then the bell rang, and the women involved made the decision simple. The match started hot; the crowd was hot and mostly against Blanchard.
The close falls were incredible, and the women kept the feud burning hotter than all of that. Grace and Blanchard made it painfully apparent to everyone at TNA and NXT, really everywhere, that they are two of the best women in the industry.
The intensity lasted until the final bell, with two turnbuckle spots and a Magnum to win her return and match and send Grace off to greener pastures.
Matt & Jeff Hardy (c) vs The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) – TNA World Tag Team Championships
The Hardy brothers predictably had some of the loudest crowd support of the night. One of the perks of being a living legend is you are never not over at the start of a match.
For a match that was clearly meant to be a “generational meeting,” the old versus young dichotomy went away quickly for both TNA teams to get into arguments with NXT’s Fraxiom, who came out at ringside with the NXT tag team titles.
Once security removed the duo after an errant strike from Trey Miguel, the match got back to its established story of the younger guys trying to outwork the smarter veterans. Both teams kept a solid pace, with The Rascalz innovating as Matt and Jeff played the hits.
That was enough, though, as the Hardy’s retained with a Twist of Fate and Swanton combo.
Moose (c) vs Ace Austin – TNA X-Division Championship
Chris Bey’s injury has played a significant role in the feud, shifting his partner Ace Austin away from the World Title and into the X Division to try and claim his 4th championship. The match was very good, and both guys played their roles well.
Moose continued to show his power and dominance over the traditionally smaller X-Division talents. Austin played the gutsy babyface throughout the match.
He broke out his traditional high-flying offense and even hit a memorable moment of outpowering Moose on the outside. The System made their presence known, using a full-court press to defeat Ace despite his best efforts.
It made Moose’s team look dominant before the brawl and loss later in the show, and it made Chris Bey’s loss even more noticeable, as the numbers game was too much to overcome.
Josh Alexander vs Mike Santana – I Quit Match
As a more casual observer of TNA wrestling, the instant reaction to TNA Genesis is that Mike Santana and Josh Alexander should be the focal point of future programming. Both Santana and Josh Alexander looked like significant stars.
There was an Eddie Guerrero theme to the match, which went over well in Texas. It didn’t hurt that they beat the actual blood and sense out of one another.
Without a doubt, Mike Santana and Josh Alexander should be the standard for whichever company they end up in. This beating for the TNA star proceeded to the announcement that Josh Alexander quit TNA, which has been hinted at before.
The future may be uncertain for Alexander, but if he really is going elsewhere, he has a violent goodbye sure to turn heads.
.@Santana_Proud is INSANE! @Walking_Weapon
Watch #TNAGenesis on TNA+: https://t.co/KvBYOFQH33 pic.twitter.com/Yt2aGvjC6T
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 20, 2025
Spitfire (Jody Threat & Dani Luna) (c) vs Ash by Elegance & Heather by Elegance – TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships
Spitfire retained in a reasonably quick match that didn’t change much for either team. Ash and Heather, by Elegance, continue to do too much. Dressing as the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, then cheering for the Eagles before the match started.
They are a serviceable foil for the division but not quite championship-ready, and that, too, was on display. It was still an enjoyable watch, though, and the live crowd rewarded the effort with some of the more consistent noise of the night.
#ANDSTILL TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions@JodyThreat & @DaniLuna_pro
Watch #TNAGenesis on TNA+: https://t.co/KvBYOFReSB pic.twitter.com/13gQwn61kG
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 20, 2025
Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers vs Steve Maclin & Eric Young
The start of this match, right after The System of Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers helped Moose retain his TNA X Division Championship, was memorable. The brawl that kicked off the match gave the whole bout an anxious energy, even when the wrestlers slowed things down. Luckily, they did very little to slow it down.
Steve Maclin won the match with a KIA pinning Brain Myers in the center of the ring after a chaotic match. It is not likely the end of their involvement with The System, but it is a fun addition to their feud.
.@SteveMaclin and @TheEricYoung hit the ring, saving @The_Ace_Austin before turning their fury on their TNA Genesis opponents @Myers_Wrestling and @TheEddieEdwards!
Watch #TNAGenesis on TNA+: https://t.co/KvBYOFQH33 pic.twitter.com/Biz82rxEvL
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 20, 2025
Frankie Kazarian vs Leon Slater – Pre-show
The pre-show match pitting Kazarian against Slater continues the feud that started when Frankie belittled Leon Slater’s skill with an offer to carry his Call Your Shot Trophy.
Slater’s match with Trent Seven on the Go Home show was more entertaining in a lot of ways, with only a few high spots from Slater to remember. Slater getting involved with JDC and The System was an interesting development to follow, though. Overall, it was a fine match to accompany the impromptu showcase for Jake Something against NXT’s first crossover under the new deal.
Reaction to TNA Genesis Other Moments
The show was action-packed with a few other announcements, like their Rebellion show for Los Angeles, and a Chris Bey injury package was aired for fans to donate to if they choose.
Apart from those announcements, another JBL main event appearance, and the realizationvs that God himself gave Santino Marella his authority, there were no other developments. We learned nothing about the 23 mystery, and most of the crossovers were open-ended moments.
The NXT announcement probably did a lot to hype the show, but it did not play an integral role. What the partnership looks like will need to be determined later, but fans of pro wrestling should check out a fun show. At the very least, Hendry’s big moments, Santana vs. Alexander and Grace vs. Blanchard, are worth seeking out.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header image credit – TNA Wrestling. Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Catch the TNA Wrestling Genesis 2025 replay on TNA Plus.
