TNA Against All Odds 2024: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights
On the heels of a historic appearance at NXT Battleground, TNA Knockouts champion Jordynne Grace issued an open challenge to any competitor, from any company, who wanted a shot at her title Friday night at Against All Odds.
One of the staple events of TNA Wrestling, the show also featured Matt Hardy's return to the world title picture as he challenged Moose in the night's main event.
The world champion was not the only member of The System in action, though, as Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards defended their TNA World Tag Team Championships against brothers Nic and Ryan Nemeth.
Would Grace be able to overcome her unknown challenger or would the pressure of two high-profile encounters in less than a week prove costly?
Did The System continue its reign of dominance over TNA or would Hardy and the Nemeth brothers bring it to an end?
Find out with this recap of Friday's live event special.
Match Card
1 of 12The match card for Friday's event included:
- TNA World Championship: Matt Hardy vs. Moose (c)
- TNA Knockouts World Championship Open Challenge: Jordynne Grace (c) vs. TBA
- TNA World Tag Team Championship: Nic and Ryan Nemeth vs. The System (Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) (c)
- X-Division Championship: Trent Seven vs. Mustafa Ali (c)
- Mike Santana and Steve Maclin vs. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zach Wentz)
- PCO vs. Rich Swann
- Joe Hendry vs. Frankie Kazarian
- Josh Alexander and Eric Young vs. Ace Austin and Chris Bey
- Countdown to Against All Odds: Sami Callihan vs. Jonathan Gresham
- Countdown to Against All Odds: Alisha Edwards and Masha Slamovich vs. The Hex (Knockouts Tag Team Championships)
Sami Callihan vs. Jonathan Gresham
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"Death Machine" Sami Callihan and "The Octopus" Jonathan Gresham kicked off the Countdown to Against All Odds Friday.
A brawl between the two ate up two-thirds of the contest before the competitors finally entered the squared circle and the match was officially underway.
Moments later, Gresham tore at the protective mask worn by the referee to protect against the dangerous ink the heel had utilized on opponents of late.
Kushida returned, shoved a paper towel in Gresham's mouth and retrieved the ink, creating a distraction that Callihan capitalized on with a spike piledriver for the win.
There was nothing to the actual match. When the combatants got into the ring, it was time to rush to the finish, which understandably drew "that was weird" chants. The whole ink gimmick is weird and while the crowd was far from silent, the match felt colder than it should given the talent involved.
Result
Callihan defeated Gresham
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- The referee sported a face mask and gloves to sell the danger of the ink Gresham recently utilized.
- Gresham sickeningly attacked the left hand of his opponent, "snapping" his fingers.
- The bell finally rang seven minutes into the "match," which spent its opening time on the arena floor.
Knockouts Tag Team Title Match: Alisha Edwards and Masha Slamovich vs. The Hex
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The Hex's Allysin Kay and Marti Belle challenged Knockouts tag team champions Alisha Edwards and Masha Slamovich in the night's next match.
On several occasions, Kay and Belle appeared to have victory in hand, only to have Slamovich or Edwards narrowly avoid defeat. Late in the match, a near-fall sparked an eruption of "that was three" chants from the fans in Chicago.
All of it was for naught, though, as Slamovich hoisted Belle up on her shoulders and Edwards delivered a top-rope bulldog for the win.
The action here was solid but above that was an incredibly hot crowd that was eager to see new champions crowned, proof that The System faction was working. Edwards was the most hated competitor on the show through two matches. That can be traced to her place in that faction.
The win is a big feather in the cap of the champions, who defeated a legitimate and established team to prove they are credible titleholders and a team to be taken seriously.
Result
Edwards and Slamovich defeated The Hex to retain
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Tom Phillips put over The Hex's five-year history as a team and why that proves problematic for an inexperienced team like Edwards and Slamovich.
- The heat for Edwards was off the charts as the Chicago fans made their disdain for The System apparent.
Mike Santana and Steve Maclin vs. The Rascalz
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Mike Santana and Steve Maclin put their differences aside Friday to battle a common enemy in Trey Miguel and Zach Wentz of The Rascalz.
In what may go down as the best match of the show, the two teams had the crowd in Chicago fired up from the get-go, with nonstop action, and great in-ring chemistry, both between partners and opponents.
Late in the match, Santana and Maclin finally appeared to settle their differences as they set Wentz and Miguel up in opposite corners and launched themselves at them. Three seconds later and the unlikely partners secured the hard-fought victory.
The Rascalz have long been an elite tag team so the idea of them stealing the show from the opening spot on the card is no surprise. Santana looked great here and Maclin has been the unsung hero of TNA Wrestling for the last year.
Those three ingredients made for a great match; one that will likely challenge for Match of the Night honors.
Result
Maclin and Santana defeated The Rascalz
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- This is not the same Santana we saw after his AEW career. He is in incredible shape, maybe the best of his career, and moved with a speed and snap we have not seen since the days of LAX.
- Maclin exploded into the match off a tag but Miguel and Wentz did a great job of stunting his momentum and working him over.
- The babyfaces displayed some impressive tag team chemistry. Perhaps a run at the gold should be in their future.
PCO vs. Rich Swann
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PCO silenced AJ Francis and scored a pinfall victory over Rich Swann, defeating him with the PCO Sault.
The match was almost secondary to what unfolded after it.
The French Frankenstein had previously asked Steph De Lander on a date and, after seconds of deliberation, she agreed to a big pop from the fans.
This was all Francis, who is great at being a heel, getting heat with the crowd beforehand and the storyline development after. The match itself was a backdrop, which is somewhat disappointing given how much PCO still puts his body through at this point in his career.
Also, Swann is a competitor who is above playing second fiddle, especially in a company for which he has meant so much over the years.
At least the PCO-De Lander stuff is fun.
Result
PCO defeated Swann
Grade
C
Top Moments and Takeaways
- TNA digital media champion AJ Francis cut a promo touting Scottie Pippen over Michael Jordan to irritate the Chicago fans ahead of the match.
- Every bump the 56-year-old PCO takes looks painful at this point—especially the ones in which his body contorts in ways it was not meant to.
TNA Tag Team Championship Match: The Nemeth Brothers vs. The System
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Ryan and Nic Nemeth had their sights on capturing the TNA World Tag Team Championship Friday night.
Unfortunately, the deceitful Dirty Dango feigned having their back, only to betray them late in the match, leading to a successful defense by the hated System's Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers.
The action was solid, if not slightly overbooked, and ended with an embrace between Dango, Myers, and Edwards.
World champion Moose, who made his presence felt late in the match, was not quite as accepting of Dango, creating a new and intriguing story thread moving forward.
Result
The System defeated The Nemeth Brothers
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Dirty Dango returned to TNA after months away and factored heavily into the outcome.
- The crowd's disdain for Edwards' fauxhawk was intense, with chants of "f**k your fauxhawk!"
Joe Hendry vs. Frankie Kazarian
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Joe Hendry's name has been all over social media this week as fans wonder whether the teases they have heard across WWE programming indicate a potential cameo with the company.
Perhaps all of the attention paid to the Scottish-born competitor proved distracting.
He suffered a disappointing loss to Frankie Kazarian, who had to resort to a loaded right hand to knock the uber-popular babyface out to secure the win.
There was some good, old-fashioned wrestling here. It was not flashy, and Hendry is incredibly popular, which allowed Kazarian to get some quality heat throughout.
Kazarian winning was an interesting choice, and Ace Steele popping up afterward to continue his mentorship of Hendry by punching the heel in the mouth and seemingly overshadowing the babyface was equally as...interesting.
Still, Hendry is a burgeoning star and TNA would be wise to capitalize on the popularity now rather than letting it unnecessarily fade.
Result
Kazarian defeated Hendry
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Hendry referenced Desperado and Spy Kids while calling attention to the fact that Kazarian bears a striking resemblance to Antonio Banderas. He really does.
- Steele's involvement in this storyline could be interesting as he installs in Hendry the traits needed to be great. The key will be not to allow him to take precedence over Hendry. He is the clear star and the creative forces must realize that.
X-Division Championship Match: Trent Seven vs. Mustafa Ali
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Chicago's own Mustafa Ali entered Against All Odds as the reigning and defending X-Division champion.
He would leave the same way, but not before a hellish battle with Trent Seven.
Forced to go it alone, without the interference of Campaign Singh, Ali weathered the storm of his driven and determined challenger. He even overcame an ill-fated attempt at a belt shot that ended with him enduring a Birming-hammer and nearly losing his title.
Ultimately, Ali wiped out Seven's knees, delivered a 450 splash to them, and cranked a sharpshooter to force the submission and earn the win.
The match was every bit as good as you would imagine based on the talent involved. Seven is really good and doesn't get enough credit for it and Ali ate all of this up. His character work was great, his in-ring was equally as good, and he shined in a strong championship defense.
Result
Ali defeated Seven to retain his title
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Seven rocked Ali with a Seven Star Lariat at the bell for a two count, establishing the tone from the onset.
- Anyone who thought Ali would roll into his hometown and not show out was gravely mistaken.
Josh Alexander and Eric Young vs. Ace Austin and Chris Bey
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ABC's Ace Austin and Chris Bey celebrated two years as a tag team Friday night with a battle against "World Class Maniac" Eric Young and the returning "Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander.
Despite combatting two former world champions, Austin and Bey's chemistry fueled them to victory.
The former tag champions absorbed everything their opponents threw at them long enough for Young to throw an errant punch that knocked Alexander out. ABC capitalized, with Austin delivering The Fold and Bey stacking Alexander up for the victory.
The long-lasting effects of this one will not be in the continuation of this program, but in where Young and Alexander go from here. One would assume the latter will take exception with his former rival knocking him out and costing them the victory.
How Young responds, and whether things escalate beyond that, will ultimately determine whether we are in store for the latest chapter in what was once an intensely personal rivalry.
Result
ABC defeated Alexander and Young
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- The commentary team of Phillips and Matthew Rehwoldt put over the significance of Against All Odds to ABC: it was at this event two years ago that they had their first match as a team.
- Alexander pulled out an old-school, Mick Foley-esque Testicular Claw on Bey. A true student of the game.
- Young sported the red and black, maple leaf gear, and for longtime fans of TNA, that is such a welcome throwback to the days of Team Canada.
Knockouts Championship Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Tatum Paxley
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At NXT Battleground, Tatum Paxley and TNA's Ash By Elegance cost Jordynne Grace the opportunity to defeat Roxanne Perez and win the NXT Women's Championship.
Friday, Paxley answered Grace's open challenge for a shot at the Knockouts World Championship while Ash watched from the entranceway.
The NXT star turned in the performance of her career and probably silenced some doubters along the way as she hung with The Juggernaut in what was a good, competitive, back-and-forth match.
The ending was predictable, with Grace delivering the Juggernaut Driver for the undisputed victory, but it did not adversely affect the overall quality.
After the match, Ash By Elegance attempted a sneak attack with a pair of bejeweled knuckles, only to be sent crashing to the arena floor. Grace added insult to injury, pouring champagne all over her prospective No. 1 contender for good measure.
Result
Grace pinned Paxley to retain her title
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Paxley maneuvered around the mat, waving Grace on, taunting the champion in an attempt to sucker her into an attack.
- It is a testament to how much Paxley has grown as a performer, and as a character and between the ropes, that she would be chosen for this position. She has breakout potential and working with different wrestlers from different backgrounds will only help her.
- Grace scored a near-fall off a Muscle Buster from the top and Paxley answered moments later with a close call off the Lobotomy from the middle rope.
- Paxley grabbed at Grace's ears, looking to take advantage of an injury caused Sunday at Battleground when the champion's earrings were ripped out.
TNA World Championship Match: "Broken" Matt Hardy vs. Moose
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The System dominated Friday night, with Alisha Edwards retaining the Knockouts Tag Team Championship alongside Masha Slamovich and TNA world tag team champions Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers controversially overcoming the challenge of Nic and Ryan Nemeth.
It was against that backdrop that world champion Moose took to the squared circle for his main event defense against Matt Hardy in a "Broken Rules" match.
The wild, chaotic main event featured spots that played into the Broken persona and others that served as mind games played with the champion. Late, Hardy found himself in control after delivering a double-leg drop from a ladder, to Moose, and through a table.
A save by his wife, Reby, amid interference from Alisha appeared to have the challenger in a position to win the title. An errant spear to his significant other, through a table, distracted Hardy enough for Moose to put him down with a spear of his own for the win.
A post-match beatdown by The System saw them lay into the defeated challenge, as well as the Nemeth brothers and Joe Hendry, only for Jeff Hardy to make a major return to the company and clear the heels out.
The brothers Hardy stood tall to close out the show, signifying the beginning of another run for the future Hall of Famers in TNA.
Given what Matt and Jeff were given to work with at their previous stops, TNA is the best fit for them. They can flex their creativity without having to go over the top with the physicality and risk. It worked well for them in their last run with the company and introduced the wrestling world to the idea of cinematic wrestling.
Perhaps the innovators of so many different elements of wrestling as we know it today will find one more way to leave their mark on the industry.
Result
Moose defeated Hardy to retain his title
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
- Rehwoldt revealed that Moose has not lost a singles match in over a year but Hardy has not had a singles match in over a year. A great statistic to further explain the already obvious dichotomy between the two.
- The "Broken" character is a lot of fun and TNA has always understood how to use it to maximum effect, but that does not mean it is not somewhat stale. Hopefully, Hardy finds ways to evolve it in the coming weeks and months, if the intent is to keep that character around.
- "For the love of Brad Pitt, what's in the box?" Phillips asked as Hardy introduced a mysterious cardboard box into the proceedings.
- Moose removed a throwback New England Patriots helmet, put it on, and rushed toward Hardy, who sent him over the top rope and crashing into a ladder that did not give an inch. Ouch.
- Reby Hardy came to her husband's aid, fighting off Alisha and delivering a Twist of Fate to eliminate her from the equation amid chants of "Delete!" from fans. Moose proceeded to pull her into the way of his charging opponent, who drove her through a table and set up the finish.
Overall Grade
12 of 12TNA is one of the most consistent promotions in professional wrestling.
There is a ton of pride in the company by those who work there and the efforts are on full display during these monthly live event specials and their four big pay-per-view events.
This was no exception.
Were there are few questionable creative decisions? Sure, but there was far more good than bad on this show, including a breakout performance by NXT's Tatum Paxley, a reminder of how great the TNA tag team division is, more dominance from The System, Jordynne Grace making the most of her renewed spotlight with another outstanding performance, and the surprise return of Jeff Hardy to cap it off.
The show was strong and should have fans intrigued and even excited heading into Slammiversary.
Grade: B+
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