2024 has already been a whirlwind year for Total Nonstop Action (TNA). In just a few months, fans have witnessed the triumphant return of TNA Wrestling, marked by the hugely successful Hard to Kill pay-per-view (PPV), the return of Kazuchika Okada, and the highly anticipated rematch between Josh Alexander and Will Ospreay during the tapings. By February, however, TNA President Scott D’Amore’s sudden departure shocked not only the fans but also the locker room. The company has since struggled to regain the momentum they had at the beginning of the year, with mixed results. Rebellion 2024 was the first PPV after D’Amore’s departure. While the in-ring action was solid, the event lacked some of the energy that TNA PPVs are known for. Welcome to Distortion Media, and here are 10 Interesting Facts About Rebellion 2024.
10. The Tessa Blanchard Rumor
Nothing stirs up the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) more than a good rumor. Platforms like Reddit, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter (now X) have become hotbeds for speculation and opinion on wrestling, regardless of accuracy.
In the week leading up to Rebellion, rumors circulated that former TNA Knockouts Champion and notorious heat magnet Tessa Blanchard might return to the company after videos on IMPACT! hinted at an impending return.
It’s unclear who started the rumors, but the internet buzzed with speculation on how the company might use Blanchard, especially after her controversial exit in the summer of 2020.
These rumors were laid to rest when Blanchard clarified on CMLL’s YouTube show, CMLL Informa, that she had no plans to return to TNA and was content working in CMLL.
9. First Rebellion Since 2019 Not to Sell Out
Rebellion 2022 and 2023 were big successes for TNA, with both events selling out. Unfortunately, Rebellion 2024 did not follow suit.
Held at the Palms Hotel—the same venue as Hard to Kill 2024—the event was initially set up to sell 1,180 seats. However, factors like hosting another PPV in the same venue shortly after Hard to Kill and the backlash over Scott D’Amore’s departure made a sell-out nearly impossible.
The company managed to draw an attendance of 1,150, which was close to their target but still short, making this the first non-pandemic Rebellion not to sell out since the inaugural event in 2019.
8. Laredo Kid Becomes the 3rd AAA Wrestler to Win Gold in TNA
The Rebellion 2024 pre-show was one of the best in recent memory, featuring three matches. Highlights included the Rascalz vs. Chris Bey, Ace Austin, and Leon Slater in a six-way tag team match, and Dani Luna and Jody Threat (Spitfire) successfully defending their Knockouts Tag Team Titles against Decay.
In the second match, AAA wrestler Laredo Kid faced Crazzy Steve for the Digital Media Championship after their scheduled match at Sacrifice was postponed.
Although the match itself was unremarkable, lasting just under nine minutes, Laredo’s victory was historic. He became the first AAA singles star to win a title in TNA and the third luchador to win a title in TNA/IMPACT, joining Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix, who won the World Tag Team Titles in 2019.
7. Mustafa Ali Made History Weeks Earlier
Mustafa Ali’s post-WWE career has been impressive, with victories over indie stars like Mike Bailey, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and Rhino, among others.
In addition to winning the TNA X Division Title at No Surrender (despite not being signed to the promotion), Ali made history just weeks before his title defense against Jake Something at Rebellion.
On March 28th, it was revealed that Ali graced the cover of the 2024 edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, holding the X Division Title. This made Ali the first wrestler of Muslim and Pakistani descent to win the X Division Title and the first to appear on the PWI cover with the championship since Samoa Joe in May 2006.
Talk about making the X Division great again.
6. The Event Aired on Brian Myers’ Birthday
The System, one of TNA’s dominant factions, currently holds the World, Tag Team, and one-half of the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. Rebellion was set to be a big night for the group until the surprise return of ‘Broken’ Matt Hardy threw a wrench into their plans.
Interestingly, one of the faction’s key members, Brian Myers (formerly Curt Hawkins in WWE), celebrated his birthday on the night of the event.
Myers, who rejoined TNA in 2020 and became a fixture in the mid-card, teamed with Moose and Eddie and Alisha Edwards to form The System. By Sacrifice 2024, Myers and Eddie Edwards had won the Tag Team Titles and were set to defend them at Rebellion against Speedball Mountain (Mike Bailey and Trent Seven)—all on Myers’ 39th birthday.
5. Steve Maclin Re-Signed with the Company
Speculation surrounded former IMPACT World Champion Steve Maclin and whether he would appear at Rebellion. He did, issuing an open challenge after announcing that he had re-signed with TNA.
The challenge was accepted by a returning Mike Santana, who canceled an appearance at Pro Wrestling Revolver to make it happen.
Despite Maclin’s on-air announcement, fans still questioned whether the re-signing was genuine. It wasn’t until days later that TNA confirmed the news with a graphic on their Twitter account, reassuring fans that Maclin was sticking around.
4. Matt Cardona Missed the Show Due to Injury
Steph De Lander resurfaced in TNA on the March 28th edition of IMPACT!, becoming the number one contender for the Knockouts World Championship at Rebellion after winning the first-ever all-female 8-4-1 match, thanks to interference from her former indie running buddy Matt Cardona.
Cardona was initially set to be in De Lander’s corner during her title match at Rebellion, but plans changed when he suffered a right pectoral muscle injury.
This led to John Skyler and Jason Hotch (The Good Hands) substituting in Cardona’s absence.
3. De Lander’s First PPV Match for a Major Company
Jordynne Grace’s defense of the Knockouts World Championship against Steph De Lander at Rebellion had the potential to steal the show, thanks to all the hype surrounding it. Unfortunately, the match fell flat.
While the first half was competitive, the match was marred by a series of distractions, including a referee bump and interference from The Good Hands, PCO, Kon, and Sami Callihan, which ultimately ruined what could have been a great title match.
Lost in the chaos was the fact that this marked De Lander’s first PPV match for a major wrestling company in North America. Unfortunately, the match itself left much to be desired.
2. The Injuries
Despite some returns, solid action, and disappointing finishes, Rebellion also saw several wrestlers suffer injuries.
Backstage interviewer Gia Miller reported via TNA’s Twitter account that both Eric Young and Josh Alexander sustained significant ear damage, with Young temporarily sidelined and requiring plastic surgery to reattach his ear, while Alexander was cleared to compete.
Brian Myers also suffered a shoulder injury during his tag title match and was unable to compete after the PPV, although he returned to action the following month.
Lastly, Hammerstone passed a concussion protocol and was allowed to compete. However, subsequent matches in May led to another concussion test, which did not go well. As a result, Hammerstone had to take time off, and his planned match against Jake Something at Under Siege was scrapped, with Rich Swann being added as a last-minute substitute.
1. The Only Rebellion with No Title Changes (On the Main Card)
Rebellion 2024 was largely an afterthought, outside of the opening match and the returns of Callihan, Santana, and ‘Broken’ Matt Hardy. The company is still trying to regain its momentum, compounded by behind-the-scenes shake-ups in the months following the event.
However, Rebellion 2024 did make history as the first Rebellion in company history with no title changes on the main card.
From 2019 to 2023, every Rebellion event saw one or more titles change hands during the PPV, but not this year. Mustafa Ali, Jordynne Grace, Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers, Spitfire (Jody Threat and Dani Luna), and Moose all retained their titles.
The only exception was Laredo Kid’s victory over Crazzy Steve for the Digital Media Championship, but if you exclude pre-shows, the record still stands.
