Hard To Kill
Promotional poster featuring Alex Shelley, Moose, Trinity, and Jordynne Grace
PromotionTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
DateJanuary 13, 2024
CityParadise, Nevada
VenuePalms Casino Resort
Tagline(s)“TNA Wrestling Is Back”
Pay-per-view chronology
← Previous
Bound for Glory		 Next →
—
Hard To Kill chronology
← Previous
2023		 Next →
—

The 2024 Hard To Kill was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling. It took place on January 13, 2024, at the Palms Casino Resort in Paradise, Nevada. It was the fifth event under the Hard To Kill chronology, the first event promoted under the TNA name to broadcast live since Bound for Glory in 2016, the first TNA-branded PPV to take place since One Night Only: Rivals in 2017, and the first overall TNA-branded event to be held since the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling Special! in 2020.

Twelve matches took place at the event, including three on the pre-show. In the main event, Moose defeated Alex Shelley to win the TNA World Championship. In other prominent matches, Jordynne Grace defeated Trinity to win the TNA Knockouts World Championship, ABC (Chris Bey and Ace Austin) defeated The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz), Laredo Kid and Mike Bailey, and Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson) to retain the TNA World Tag Team Championship, Chris Sabin defeated Kushida and El Hijo del Vikingo to retain the TNA X Division Championship, Josh Alexander defeated Alex Hammerstone, and in the opening contest, Gisele Shaw defeated Alisha Edwards, Dani Luna, Jody Threat, Tasha Steelz, and Xia Brookside, in a Knockouts Ultimate X match to become #1 contender to the TNA Knockouts World Championship.

The event was also notable for the TNA debuts of DeAngelo Williams, AJ Francis, Ash by Elegance and Nic Nemeth; the latter three formerly known as Top Dolla, Dana Brooke and Dolph Ziggler respectively.

Production

Background

On October 21, 2023, at Bound for Glory, Impact Wrestling announced that the 2024 Hard To Kill would take place on January 13, 2024, at Palms Casino Resort in Paradise, Nevada. At the same time, Impact announced that it would revert to its former Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling name beginning with the same event.[1][2] Originally founded as NWA: Total Nonstop Action in 2002, and affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the NWA branding would eventually be dropped, and the promotion would be known as TNA Wrestling from 2004 to 2017.[3]

Storylines

The event featured several professional wrestling matches, with results predetermined by TNA. Storylines are produced on the company's weekly program, Impact!.[4]

At Bound for Glory, Jordynne Grace won the Call Your Shot Gauntlet to earn the right to challenge for any title of her choice. After the match, Grace stated that she will challenge for the TNA Knockouts World Championship at Hard to Kill. Later in the night, Trinity successfully defended the Knockouts World Championship against Mickie James, setting her up to face Grace at Hard To Kill.[5] According to reports by Wrestling Observer, Trinity's contract is set to expire after the event, and it is expected that this will be her final match with the promotion.[6]

On Week 1 of Impact! 1000, Moose competed in Feast or Fired and won Briefcase 2,[7][8] earning himself an TNA World Championship opportunity.[9][10] Backstage at Bound for Glory, Gia Miller interviewed Moose after his Monster's Ball match, where he then stated that he would cash-in his Feast or Fired contract and challenge for the TNA World Championship at Hard to Kill. In the show's main event, Alex Shelley retained the world title over Josh Alexander, setting him up to face Moose at Hard To Kill.[11]

On December 14, TNA announced that AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo would appear at Hard To Kill[12] The following day, it was announced that he and new signee Kushida will challenge Chris Sabin for the TNA X Division Championship in a three-way match.[13]

On December 20, TNA announced the return of the Knockouts Ultimate X match, where the winner will receive a future TNA Knockouts World Championship match.[14] On January 1, TNA announced Gisele Shaw as the first participant in the match.[15] Former WWE wrestler Xia Brookside was announced as the next participant, making her TNA debut[16] Jody Threat was announced as the third participant.[17] Tasha Steelz, the winner of the inaugural Knockouts Ultimate X match, was announced as the fourth participant.[18] Alisha Edwards would be declared the fifth participant.[19] The final participant would be announced as Subculture member Dani Luna[20]

On Week 1 of Impact! 1000, Crazzy Steve secured Briefcase 1 in Feast or Fired,[7][8] giving him a TNA Digital Media Championship match.[9][10] Steve had become even more maniacal and dark at this point after a revealing three-part interview that ended in chaos, leading him to turn his back on Decay partner Black Taurus and Digital Media Champion Tommy Dreamer. On the October 5 episode of Impact!, Dreamer attempted to talk sense into Steve by reminding him of their shared history when the latter first arrived in TNA. The two would share a hug, but Steve ultimately stabbed Dreamer in the back with a fork.[21][22] The two would have their title match a month later on Impact!, which ended in disqualification when Dreamer stabbed Steve in the face with the same fork.[23][24] TNA announced on December 22 that a rematch would be set for the Countdown to Hard To Kill pre-show in a no disqualification match.[25]

On December 18, TNA began advertising surprise appearances by free agents for Hard To Kill.[26] Eight days later on TNA's social media accounts, it was revealed that former WWE tag team Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) would make their TNA debuts at the event.[27] They were later announced as challenging for the TNA World Tag Team Championship, along with The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel) and Speedball Mountain (Mike Bailey and Trent Seven), against champions ABC (Chris Bey and Ace Austin).[28] However, on the day of Hard To Kill, TNA announced that Seven wouldn't be able to appear due to travel issues, with Laredo Kid becoming Bailey's partner in his place.

On January 2, former Major League Wrestling star Alex Hammerstone, who recently became a free agent, issued an open challenge on social media to any wrestler who can push him to his limits.[29] The following day, Josh Alexander put his own challenge out to Hammerstone for a match at Hard To Kill, which TNA would later make official.[30]

On January 8, it was announced that former WWE wrestler A. J. Francis, formerly known as Top Dolla, will appear at Hard To Kill alongside DJ Whoo Kid to premiere the music video to their new song "We Out$ide."[31]

Event

Other on-screen personnel
Role: Name:
Commentators Tom Hannifan
Matthew Rehwoldt
Ring announcer Jennifer Chung
Referees Daniel Spencer
Allison Leigh
Frank Gastineau
Interviewer Gia Miller

Pre-show

Preliminary matches

Main event

Results

No.ResultsStipulationsTimes[32]
1PSteve Maclin defeated Rich Swann by pinfallSingles match[25]10:22
2PThe System (Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) defeated Frankie Kazarian and Eric Young by pinfallTag team match[25]8:06
3PCrazzy Steve defeated Tommy Dreamer (c) by pinfallNo Disqualification match for the TNA Digital Media Championship[25]11:09
4Gisele Shaw defeated Alisha Edwards, Dani Luna, Jody Threat, Tasha Steelz, and Xia BrooksideKnockouts Ultimate X match to determine the #1 contender for the TNA Knockouts World Championship[14]12:00
5PCO defeated Dirty Dango (with Alpha Bravo and Oleg Prudius) by disqualificationSingles match[33]1:15
6Rhino, Jake Something and PCO defeated Alpha Bravo, Oleg Prudius and Dirty Dango by pinfallSix-man tag team match7:20
7Decay (Havok and Rosemary) defeated MK Ultra (Killer Kelly and Masha Slamovich) (c) by pinfallTag team match for the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship6:15
8Chris Sabin (c) defeated El Hijo del Vikingo and Kushida by pinfallThree-way match for the TNA X Division Championship[13]12:00
9Josh Alexander defeated Alex Hammerstone by pinfallSingles match[30]15:00
10ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) (c) defeated The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz), Laredo Kid and Mike Bailey, and Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake and Zack Gibson) by pinfallFour-way tag team match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship[27][28]14:15
11Jordynne Grace defeated Trinity (c) by pinfallSingles match for the TNA Knockouts World Championship[5]
This was Grace's Call Your Shot championship match.		14:30
12Moose defeated Alex Shelley (c) by pinfallSingles match for the TNA World Championship[11]
(This was Moose's Feast or Fired World Title match)		21:45
(c) – the champion(s) heading into the match
P – the match was broadcast on the pre-show

References

  1. ↑ Siino, John (October 21, 2023). "IMPACT Bound for Glory Results: TNA Is Back, Shelley vs. Alexander, Ospreay vs. Speedball". Post Wrestling. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  2. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (October 21, 2023). "TNA Wrestling Returns With TNA Hard To Kill On January 13, 2024". Fightful. Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  3. ↑ "An Exclusive Interview With TNA President Dixie Carter". Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. August 26, 2005. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
  4. ↑ Grabianowski, Ed (13 January 2006). "How Pro Wrestling Works". HowStuffWorks, Inc. Discovery Communications. Archived from the original on November 29, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  5. 1 2 IMPACT Wrestling Staff (November 3, 2023). "Jordynne Grace Calls Her Shot for Knockouts World Title Opportunity at TNA: Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ Cultaholic (January 6, 2024). "Major Update On Trinity's WWE Return". Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "IMPACT 1000 Results: September 14, 2023". Impact Wrestling. IMPACT Wrestling Staff. September 14, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Moore, John (September 15, 2023). "Impact Wrestling TV results (9/14): Moore's review of Impact 1000 with Lio Rush vs. Chris Sabin for the X Title, Team 3D reunites, Eddie and Alisha Edwards vs. Frankie Kazarian and Traci Brooks, Feast or Fired". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "IMPACT 1000 Results: September 21, 2023". Impact Wrestling. IMPACT Wrestling Staff. September 21, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Moore, John (September 21, 2023). "Impact Wrestling TV results (9/21): Moore's review of Ultimate X, big Knockouts tag match, Feast or Fired results, Josh Alexander vs. Trey Miguel, Eric Young vs. Kenny King, Jake Something vs. Dirty Dango". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  11. 1 2 IMPACT Wrestling Staff (November 9, 2023). "Moose Activates Feast or Fired Briefcase for IMPACT World Title Shot at Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  12. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (December 14, 2023). "El Hijo del Vikingo Soars Into TNA Wrestling at Hard To Kill & Snake Eyes". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  13. 1 2 IMPACT Wrestling Staff (December 15, 2023). "Sabin, KUSHIDA & Vikingo Clash for the X-Division Title at TNA Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  14. 1 2 IMPACT Wrestling Staff (December 20, 2023). "Hard To Kill: The Knockouts of TNA Compete in Ultimate X". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  15. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (January 1, 2024). "Gisele Shaw Set for Knockouts Ultimate X at TNA Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  16. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (January 2, 2024). "Xia Brookside Makes Her TNA Debut in Knockouts Ultimate X at Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  17. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (January 3, 2024). "Jody Threat Joins the Fray for Knockouts Ultimate X at TNA Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  18. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (January 4, 2024). "Tasha Steelz Looks to Repeat History in Hard To Kill's Knockouts Ultimate X". TNA Wrestling. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  19. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (January 5, 2024). "Alisha Edwards Announced for Knockouts Ultimate X at Hard To Kill". TNA Wrestling. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  20. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (January 6, 2024). "Dani Luna Rounds Out the Field for Knockouts Ultimate X at Hard To Kill". TNA Wrestling. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  21. ↑ "IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: October 5, 2023". Impact Wrestling. IMPACT Wrestling Staff. October 5, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  22. ↑ Moore, John (October 6, 2023). "Impact Wrestling TV results (10/5): Moore's review of Tasha Steelz vs. Killer Kelly, Chris Bey and Ace Austin vs. John Skyler and a partner in a fans' revenge match, Josh Alexander vs. Big Kon, ten-person tag match". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  23. ↑ "IMPACT! on AXS TV Results: November 9, 2023". Impact Wrestling. IMPACT Wrestling Staff. November 9, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  24. ↑ Moore, John (November 10, 2023). "Impact Wrestling TV results (11/9): Moore's review of Alex Shelley vs. Jonathan Gresham for the Impact World Championship, Tommy Dreamer vs. Crazzy Steve for the Digital Media Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "TNA Wrestling Era Returns With Special 1-Hour Countdown To HARD TO KILL Show Airing Exclusively On TNA+". Impact Wrestling. IMPACT Wrestling Staff. December 22, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Worlds Will Collide on January 13th, You Won't Believe Who Is Showing Up". Impact Wrestling. IMPACT Wrestling Staff. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  27. 1 2 "Grizzled Young Veterans Are Coming to TNA Hard To Kill & Snake Eyes". Impact Wrestling. December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  28. 1 2 "Santino Marella Makes Huge TNA World Tag Team Title Match for Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Impact Wrestling Staff. December 31, 2023. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  29. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (January 2, 2024). "Hammerstone Issues An Open Challenge, 'I Was Never A Big Fish In A Small Pond, I've Always Been A Shark'". Fightful. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  30. 1 2 "Josh Alexander Accepts Alex Hammerstone's Challenge for First-Time-Ever Showdown at Hard To Kill". TNA Wrestling.com. TNA Wrestling. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
  31. ↑ "DJ Whoo Kid & AJ Francis Set to Debut New Music Video This Saturday at TNA Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Impact Wrestling Staff. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  32. ↑ Powell, Jason (January 13, 2024). "TNA Hard To Kill results: Powell's live review of Alex Shelley vs. Moose for the TNA Title, Trinity vs. Jordynne Grace for the Knockouts Title, Josh Alexander vs. Alex Hammerstone". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  33. ↑ IMPACT Wrestling Staff (December 23, 2023). "Dirty Dango Faces the Wrath of the Monstrous PCO at Hard To Kill". Impact Wrestling. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
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