Impact Wrestling – May 28, 2026: In This Corner

Impact Wrestling
Date: May 28, 2026
Location: Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

The slow build towards Slammiversary continues and we have a few things starting to come together for the show. Some of them you can probably either guess from here or should be able to figure out in the coming weeks. That should make for an important enough few hours this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Men’s Champions Challenge

Champions: Mustafa Ali, Bear Bronson, Cedric Alexander, Brian Myers, Mike Santana
Challengers: Frankie Kazarian, Leon Slater, Eric Young, Elijah, KC Navarro

If one of the challengers pins a champion, they get a future title shot, though Young has said he won’t change from his current World Title shot. Shouldn’t he just get two titl….oh geez no don’t put that idea out there. Elijah grabs Myers’ arm to start and hits Old School as we take an early break. We come back with Santana working on Elijah’s arm but missing a flipping legdrop.

They get up for a standoff but Young comes in to jump Santana from behind. It’s already off to Kazarian, who is dropkicked down but pokes Santana in the eye. Santana elbows Elijah in the face and it’s Ali tagging himself in to take over. Everything breaks down (even commentary says they knew it was coming) and Elijah chokeslams Ali onto the apron. Slater hits a huge flip dive to wipe out the pile and we take a break.

We come back again with Elijah fighting out of Bronson’s headlock and sending him outside. Santana gets the tag and cleans house with the rolling Buck Fifty hitting Young. Another rolling Buck Fifty drops Kazarian and it’s Ali coming in for his rolling neckbreaker. That has Santana and Ali arguing so Navarro dropkicks both of them. A spinning DDT gets two on Ali, who drop toeholds Navarro and hands it back to Bronson to hammer away.

Bronson tosses Navarro for two and Ali tags himself back in, much to Bronson’s annoyance. That’s enough for Slater to get back in with a spinwheel kick for two. Everything breaks down again and Ali misses a charge. Slater’s Swanton 450 gets two, with Alisha Edwards putting the foot on the rope. Bronson throws Ali a belt but the referee takes it away. Slater hits a superkick and Navarro’s Blessing In Disguise pins Ali at 20:47.

Rating: B-. There were a lot of people in this thing but they made it work well. The good thing about something like this is you have multiple options for who can get the fall over whom and that opens things up rather well. It’s not something you can do very often but for a once in a while concept, it does exactly what it needs to do.

Arianna Grace complains about being thrown into a Knockouts Title match on short notice and losing as a result. Therefore, it’s time for Stacks to beat up Santino Marella. And no, she won’t visit when Marella is in a nursing home.

The Righteous invite the Broken Hardys to the Wicked Garden. Sweet goodness I cannot wait to get done with this stuff.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Harley Hudson

Blanchard shoves her down to start but gets hit with a running boot. An apron legdrop hits Blanchard again but she’s fine enough to kick Hudson out to the floor. Hudson’s knee is banged up so Blanchard drops it onto the ground for quite the crash. Back in and a DDT to the knee sets up a leglock, followed by a rather painful looking double underhook crank.

A running knee has Hudson in more trouble but she comes back with some rapid fire right hands. Hudson gets her up for a one legged fall away slam and a hip attack gets two. Blanchard gets sent into the buckle but comes back with a Codebreaker out of the corner for two. An Air Raid Crash onto the knee gives Hudson two of her own but Blanchard goes for the knee again. The Buzzsaw finishes Hudson at 8:09.

Rating: B-. At some point you need to throw these newer, unproven stars out there and see what they can do. That’s what they were trying with Hudson here and that’s not a bad idea. She held her own well enough, though she’s not going to have Blanchard out there every week. At least Hudson has had one good match of her own though and now we get to see where she can go from here.

The Personal Concierge interrupts Lei Ying Lee and tells her not to screw this up for the Elegance Brand tonight.

Santino Marella vs. Stacks

Arianna Grace is here too as Marella takes Stacks down by the leg. A front facelock lets Marella grab an armbar and Stacks needs to bail out to the floor. Back in and Marella snaps off some armdrags but his running splash hits raised knees. Marella needs a time out and gets punched in the bad ribs for his efforts. The beating doesn’t last long so Marella loads up the Cobra. Grace takes it away though and Stacks gets a rollup pin at 5:39.

Rating: C. At least it wasn’t long, as there was no reason for it to be anything beyond this. There isn’t much to having Stacks beat Marella the wrestler, but having him beat Marella the father could go a bit better. I’m sure the story won’t be over here, but they did get this right enough.

Post match Grace yells at Marella and slaps him but he grabs her arm. Stacks jumps him but Indi Hartwell makes the save and wants a mixed tag right now. Daria Rae comes out to say no because Stacks won fair and square. We can do it next week though. At least she didn’t say the catchphrase.

AJ Francis yells at someone for not having paperwork for him. It needs to be there by tomorrow at the latest.

Eddie Edwards vs. Fabian Aichner

Alisha Edwards is here with Eddie. Aichner starts fast with a springboard spinning crossbody and they go outside, where Aichner hits a heck of a clothesline. Alisha offers a distraction though and a release gordbuster drops Aichner back inside. A rather hard whip sends Aichner into the corner for two but he’s back with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.

Aichner’s brainbuster gets two but Eddie catches him on top for the backpack Stunner. Eddie tosses him outside, where Alisha grabs a kendo stick. That’s enough for an ejection so Eddie goes up, with Aichner butterfly superplexing him down. Cue the rest of the System so Aichner dives onto all of them, setting up a springboard tornado DDT. A bulldog choke goes on but the System runs in for the DQ at 7:33.

Rating: B-. First and foremost: this was already better than everything Aichner did on his own in WWE. The whole rich Italian guy never got off the ground and just having him be a tough, athletic guy (whose nickname seems to be the Gladiator) is quite a step up. That’s a good start and while I would have had him beat Eddie here, at least Aichner didn’t lose.

Women’s Champions Challenge

Champions: Lei Ying Lee, M By Elegance, Heather By Elegance
Challengers: Elayna Black, Xia Brookside, Mara Sade

Keith Jardine and the rest of the Elegance Brand are here too and this has the same “win for a title shot” rules. Lee and Brookside start things off but Brookside tags out, because that’s what we do in tag matches these days. Sade comes in and, after a handshake, trades standing switches with Lee. Sade takes her down into a quickly broken armbar and they get up for a standoff.

It’s off to M, who kicks Sade down and brings in Heather, who is taken down for Black’s basement dropkick. Brookside does her own blind tag and gets two on Heather, followed by a running dropkick to send her into the corner. Heather switches up and stomps away, allowing M to go Coast To Coast for two. Everything breaks down and Sade hits a slingshot dive onto the Brand and we take a break.

We come back with Sade crushing Heather in the corner and dropping a knee for two. Heather catches her up top though and gets in a quick Codebreaker, allowing M to come back in. A step up backsplash to the back hits Sade for two and M flips Heather onto her for two more. The double arm crank has Sade in more trouble but she’s back up with a springboard spinning double crossbody.

It’s off to Brookside vs. Lee, with the latter grabbing a suplex for two. The Warrior’s Way gives Lee two but Black makes the save. Everything breaks down and Mr. Elegance tries to interfere, earning himself a heel hook from Jardine. The Concierge is stalked to the back but Mr. Elegance gets in a quick distraction, allowing Brookside to plant Lee with Darkside for the pin at 16:00.

Rating: B-. This was a smaller version of the men’s match but it made sense to have Brookside beat Lee to get the title shot. That is a story that has been set up in advance and the result was little more than a formality. There’s nothing wrong with that and it makes perfect sense. It was also nice to have fewer people involved here, as it kept things that much less chaotic.

Overall Rating: B. This is something that TNA has done a few times now, with the idea working perfectly well. It’s a way to advance some storylines without having to burn through a bunch of matches. I liked this show rather well and that is usually the case when they pull this out. It’s a simple idea that TNA made feel important and it got them ready for a new batch of stuff, so this was rather efficient all around.

Results
Men’s Challengers b. Men’s Champions – Blessing In Disguise to Ali
Tessa Blanchard b. Harley Hudson – Buzzsaw
Stacks b. Santino Marella – Rollup
Fabian Aichner b. Eddie Edwards via DQ when the System interfered
Women’s Challengers b. Women’s Champions – Darkside to Lee

 

 

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Impact Wrestling – May 14, 2026: By Definition?

Impact Wrestling
Date: May 14, 2026
Location: Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s another live show this week and the card is pretty stacked. On the docket this week, we have a street fight and a 2/3 falls match as Leon Slater defends the X-Division Title against Cedric Alexander in a bid to become the longest reigning champion of all time. The live shows have been hit or miss and I’m hoping they make it work here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at Leon Slater’s near record setting X-Division Title reign, with only Cedric Alexander standing in the way of the record.

Opening sequence.

Battle Royal

Eddie Edwards, Bear Bronson, Brian Myers, Elijah, Mr. Elegance, Mustafa Saed, BDE, Eric Young, Vincent, Dutch, Frankie Kazarian, Home Town Man, Agent Zero, John Skyler, Jason Hotch

For a future World Title shot against Mike Santana and yes that is the same 62 year old Saed from ECW. Saed uses a bunch of weapons to start, gets in a fight with Zero, and is tossed. Good grief let the ECW thing die already. Anyway Zero and Dutch get in a fight and are both tossed. Elegance gets rid of BDE and poses, only to get tossed by Man. The System tries to get rid of Man, who backdrops Myers out instead.

Hotch gets knocked outside onto the steps (as moved by Zero) but pops back up onto the apron. A jumping knee knocks him out again as they’re certainly moving here. Kazarian tosses Man out of the corner but gets eliminated as well. Elijah faces off with the System but gets grabbed by Kazarian. That’s fine with Elijah, who backdrops the System out and before slugging it out with Young on the apron. A low blow gets rid of Elijah to give Young the win at 4:57.

Rating: C. Well they made good time. If you have a bunch of people who have no real chance of winning and a few stars in there, at least they didn’t waste time with all of the nonsense. That being said, Eric Young? That might actually be worse than bringing ECW, ahem, legends, out of mothballs again and again.

Leon Slater says this isn’t just another title match tonight because it’s his chance to rewrite the record books. The Hardys come in to offer some words of encouragement.

Mustafa Ali yells at Order 4 for losing and says the International Title open challenge is back next week.

Eric Young promises to win the World Title. That has to be illegal in multiple states yes?

Here is Lei Ying Lee for a chat. Last week was the greatest night of her life and she got the Knockouts Title back. She is so proud of herself for bringing the title back to TNA and while her English isn’t the best (her words), she wants to say thank you from the bottom of her heart. Cue Xia Brookside to interrupt, saying she wants the title. Lee rants in Chinese and translates to English, saying they can do this right now. Brookside says no and calls her a b**** in Mandarin.

The System promises to take out Moose and Cedric Alexander is getting the X-Division Title tonight.

Keith Jardine, star of an upcoming movie, is here but the Elegance Brand interrupts. Jardine isn’t impressed so Mr. Elegance gets in Jardine’s face. And then security gets them apart. Ok then.

AJ Francis vs. KC Navarro

Street fight and Chris Caray (the great grandson of Harry Caray and a fourth generation MLB announcer is on commentary). Navarro avoids a charge to start and kicks him in the face but gets knocked down without much trouble. They get inside where the Down Payment is countered and Navarro hits the 305. A suicide dive is pulled out of the air but Navarro keeps spinning into a tornado DDT. The table is set up on the floor and Navarro uses a chair before sending him into the steps.

We take a break and come back with Francis posting Navarro and stealing the baseball bat that Caray brought for protection. Navarro takes it away and finds an Athletics (the team Caray broadcasts and local to Sacramento at the moment) helmet. With Francis down in the corner, Navarro takes a swing at the air, runs around the corners, and dropkicks a trashcan into Francis.

A Fameasser gives Navarro two and he throws in a bunch of chairs. The chairs are set up but Francis gets in a bat shot, only for the super Down Payment is countered into a cutter onto the steps. Francis boots him down and hits the Down Payment over the top through the tables at ringside. What’s left of Navarro is thrown back inside and pinned at 15:01.

Rating: B-. I’m a big baseball fan so this was a nice little meeting of the two words. I’m not sure on Navarro being so obsessed with revenge that he had the time to stop for the home run deal but it was fine enough. That chokeslam at the end looked great and Francis can move on to something else. Caray was actually pretty good on commentary, as he might not have known much about what he was seeing but he made some nice comparisons to baseball and certainly sounded like he was interested. That’s a lot more than some guest broadcasters do.

We look at Leon Slater winning the X-Division Title last year at Slammiversary.

Here is Mike Santana for a chat (you might not want to have him walk through so many empty seats). Santana talks about his actions and words matching up and now he has a challenger. He’s facing Eric Young, who helped build this place, but Santana is the one who helped build this place in the AMC era. This brings out Daria Rae, who says the next challenger is actually Steve Maclin next week.

No she didn’t explain this to Santino Marella, but here he is to interrupt. He likes the title match, but he has his own announcements. First, Indi Hartwell has re-signed with TNA. Marella is also proud of Lei Ying Lee but Rae brings up Marella’s issues with Arianna Grace. Santana cuts them off and says he’ll beat anyone to keep his title. Rae has got to drop the SHUT UP I’M TALKING thing as it’s one of the worst catchphrases I’ve ever heard.

Myla Moore/Victoria Crawford vs. Rosemary/Allie

Tessa Blanchard and Mara Sade are here too. Rosemary backs Moore into the corner to start and Allie gets in a bite from the apron. Allie comes in to scream a lot and hits a running corner clockwise. Moore chokes her in the ropes though and it’s off to Crawford for a chinlock. Allie gets double kneed in the corner but comes out with a neckbreaker. Rosemary comes in to clean house and it’s a double Upside Down. Sade takes Blanchard out on the floor and Allie drops Moore next to her. Back in and As Above So Below finishes Crawford at 6:26.

Rating: C+. It’s so nice to have Allie and Rosemary back, as it gives Rosemary something to do and Allie has been gone for far too long. The Undead Realm stuff was kind of weird but the division needed some fresh blood. It helps that the two of them are long established names so they come in with an advantage.

Video on Leon Slater.

The Broken Hardys are ready to delete the Righteous.

X-Division Title: Leon Slater vs. Cedric Alexander

Slater is defending in a 2/3 falls match. They trade some rapid fire strikes in the corner until Slater reverses the Lumbar Check into a rollup for the first fall at 35 seconds. We take a break and come back with Slater getting whipped into the Tree Of Woe. Alexander pulls him into a backbreaker for two and we hit the chinlock. Slater isn’t having that and makes the clothesline comeback, including a spinwheel kick.

A high crossbody gives Slater two and they trade some rollups for two each. The Michinoku Driver gives Alexander two more but Slater knocks him into the corner. That just earns Slater the Lumbar Check to tie it up at 10:41 total. We take another break and come back again with both of them pulling themselves up. Slater sends him outside for the big flip dive over the corner, followed by a super Styles Clash for two back inside.

They head outside, where Alexander lawn darts him into the steps but stops to hold up the belt. Slater is rather busted open but he’s able to get two off a small package. Alexander’s brainbuster gets the same and another Lumbar Check gets another two. Slater knocks him down but misses the Swanton 450. Two more Lumbar Checks give Alexander the title at 22:11 total.

Rating: B. Well it certainly felt big, mainly because the match was treated as a huge deal. That’s what it needed to be, as Slater has been an outstanding champion. The good thing is Slater is a made man after his title reign and very well could move on to the World Title picture. Either way, good match here, and I’m not expecting Alexander to hold onto it for very long. Rather good main event here, with the atmosphere helping a lot.

Post match….Fabian Aichner (Giovanni Vinci) of all people shows up to stare Alexander down to end the show. That’s the kind of moment that really doesn’t need to be ending a show this big. Aichner was never a huge deal in WWE and while that could be better here (it can’t be worse than his Vinci stuff), this comes off as “he used to be in WWE so bring him in”. Him being here is good, but it’s definitely not a big closing the show with a surprise moment.

Overall Rating: B. The show did feel big and the main event mixed with the better than expected street fight brights it up. That being said, TNA has a very odd definition of a big moment/surprise and that was certainly on display again here. It’s a good show, though Aichner coming out at the end was more of an “uh, ok?” moment than a “whoa”.

Results
Eric Young won a battle royal last eliminating Elijah.
AJ Francis b. KC Navarro – Down Payment through tables
Rosemary/Allie b. Victoria Crawford/Myla Moore – As Above So Below to Crawford
Cedric Alexander b. Leon Slater 2-1

 

 

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Impact Wrestling – March 26, 2026: Something About The Show Being Before Sacrifice

Impact Wrestling
Date: March 26, 2026
Location: Gateway Center Arena At College Park, College Park, Georgia
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s the night before Sacrifice and the show is pretty much set. In this case though, we’re likely going to hear more from Mike Santana and Steve Maclin, who are set for a World Title match tomorrow night. Other than that, there is probably a chance that more will be added to the show so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Mustafa Ali vs. BDE

Order 4 and Rich Swann are here too. Ali takes him into the corner for an uppercut to start but BDE comes back with a crucifix bomb to send Ali outside. The required dive connects and they head back inside, where Ali takes him down by the leg. They slug it out until BDE hits a running boot into a handspring cutter, followed by a top rope frog splash for two. Back up and Ali hits a quick sitout powerbomb, setting up a swinging Downward Spiral for the pin at 4:26.

Rating: C+. BDE continues to fulfill his role perfectly well as he can do spots just fine and then puts people over every time. I’m sure he’ll win a singles match somewhere in there and that’ll be fine, but for now this is working well for him. Ali gets a win, though I have no reason to believe he’s going to be getting much higher up the ladder.

Post match Order 4 jumps Swann but Trey Miguel runs in for the save. Jada Stone comes in to take out Tasha Steelz and Miguel saves her from Agent Zero.

Leon Slater and Mike Santana are ready to face the System tonight. They’re ready to keep their titles tomorrow night too. Daria Rae comes up to threaten Santana with losing the title if he touches Steve Maclin.

Jeff Hardy vs. Brian Myers

Matt Hardy and the System are here too. Jeff slugs away in the corner but Myers pulls him off the middle rope for a crash. An elbow to the face sets up a chinlock but Hardy is right back up. The basement dropkick hits Myers, who reverses the Twist Of Fate into an implant DDT for two. The Roster Cut is blocked though and the twisting Stunner sets up a Swanton to beat Myers at 3:15.

Rating: C. They were moving rather quickly here and Hardy winning is fine, though it didn’t exactly make me think the System is going to be a threat to win the titles. Then again no one has felt like a real threat to win the titles for months. This could have been better with more time, but it felt more like a way to get Hardy in the ring than anything else.

Post match the System jumps the Hardys until the Righteous makes the save. Bear Bronson is left in the ring…and here is Moose for their schedule match.

Moose vs. Bear Bronson

Alisha Edwards is here with Moose. Bronson hits a running shot against the ropes but Moose is back up with a dropkick. Back up and Bronson hammers away in the corner, where Moose is right back with some rapid fire chops. They head outside, with Moose being sent into the barricade and then go back inside, where Bronson snaps off a suplex. Moose doesn’t like being inside and goes outside again, with Bronson being sent into the steps. Bronson snaps off another suplex and we take a break.

We come back with Bronson superplexing Moose, who pops up and runs Bronson over. The running backsplash connects but the spear is countered into a pop up sitout powerbomb to give Bronson two. A swinging Boss Man Slam gives Bronson two more and they trade standing clotheslines. Cue the System again…so some former Atlanta Falcons (Moose’s former teammates) come over the barricade to cut them off. Moose hits the spear for the pin at 13:08.

Rating: B. I liked this more than I was expecting as Bronson has been a nice addition to the roster as a power guy. At the same time, Bronson was nothing more than the next person in line for Moose to smash through on his way to Sacrifice. It still doesn’t feel like it’s going to end well there for him, but this wound up being good stuff, with the Falcons deal being a nice bonus.

Mara Sade is ready for Sacrifice but gets a note saying READ ME. The note says “follow the White Rabbit” and then a bloody rabbit walks by. Sade follows and someone follows her (I think, as it was hard to see who was whom).

The System is ready to take out Moose and the Hardys. Eddie Edwards is sad to see Alisha Edwards getting dropped as well but she’s made her choice. The Righteous is watching as well.

Tessa Blanchard/Mila Moore/Victoria Crawford vs. Harley Hudson/Myla Grace/Jody Threat

Threat and Blanchard start things off but Moore comes in to face Hudson instead. Moore grinds away on a headlock but Hudson is back with a running crossbody for two. Grace comes in for a headlock before striking away at Crawford. Blanchard gets in a cheap shot from the apron but it’s off to Threat to pick up the pace. House is quickly cleaned and the villains are taken down with some dives on the floor. Blanchard drops Threat onto the steps though and a quick Buzzsaw finishes Grace at 6:20.

Rating: C+. They were moving rather quickly out there and Blanchard took the other team apart to get the win. That makes perfect sense as she’s pretty far ahead of the other three, especially Hudson and Grace. The match was pretty to the point here, even if they didn’t have much time with the amount of people involved.

WRATH! Rosemary goes up to see a man in a mask, who winds up being Crazzy Steve, with Allie popping up behind her. Rosemary shuts her up and Steve goes on a rant about how everyone has thrown him aside to rot. Now Rosemary is here to get something from him and she is ready to pay the price. She kisses Steve on the head and TO BE CONTINUED. Do we know what she is trying to get out of this whole thing?

Eric Young vs. Brad Attitude

Young jumps him before the bell and chokes with his jacket. Attitude is sent outside and Young stays on him, but stops to yell at the referee. The Death Valley Driver gives Young two and he chases the referee, allowing Attitude to hit a dive. Back in and Young crotches him on top, setting up the piledriver for the pin at 3:53.

Rating: C-. This was just a way to get Young ready for his X-Division Title shot tomorrow and that’s about it. It was little more than a squash and that’s all it needed to be. Hopefully Young loses tomorrow and they get on with whatever his Cleanse thing is, which is totally coming one way or another.

Matt Hardy has been attacked and apparently it was the System. The Righteous are ready to get revenge.

Here is Buff Bagwell for a surprise chat. He thanks God for being with him through the loss of his leg, but he also needs to apologize for his behavior over the last twenty years (ignore his issues before 2006). Bagwell wants to walk down the aisle and wrestle one more time but here is Frankie Kazarian to say Bagwell isn’t walking anywhere. Hop maybe, but not walk. Kazarian mocks him some more but here is Elijah to chase him off. Elijah wants to be there when Bagwell walks that aisle again.

Santino Marella reveals that Matt Hardy is injured and unable to compete so the Righteous come in to get a match with Vincent/Jeff Hardy vs. the System at Sacrifice.

Dani Luna is ready to finally win the Knockouts Title at Sacrifice, when it is going to be doomsday.

Sacrifice rundown.

The System vs. Leon Slater/Mike Santana

Eddie Edwards/Cedric Alexander for the System here and the rest of the team is here too. Slater hammers on Alexander to start and it’s off to Edwards vs. Santana. The System is quickly cleared out and Slater hits a big dive. We take a break and come back with Myers offering a distraction so Edwards can get in a cheap shot.

Slater gets caught in the wrong corner and Alexander’s knee drop gets two. Back up and Slater hits a spinwheel kick, allowing the tag off to Santana for the fast comeback. A double flipping slam sets up a step up moonsault to give Santana two. Edwards avoids Spin The Block and hits the Backpack Stunner, with Alexander’s frog splash getting two.

Everything breaks down and the Boston Knee party misses, allowing Santana to hit a Death Valley Driver. Santana’s big running flip dive connects on the floor but here is Steve Maclin to choke Slater. Maclin stops to glare Santana though and Slater hits a superkick. Back in and the Boston Knee Party finishes for Edwards at 13:58.

Rating: B-. This was what it needed to be as Edwards gets the win to make him feel like more of a threat to take the title at some point. It also helped Maclin and Santana get ready for their match, which is a good thing to see as they can’t actually get physical. The action worked well and it accomplished a few things so that makes for a nice main event.

Overall Rating: C+. The best thing about this show is they made me more interested in seeing Sacrifice, which is feeling like a much bigger show than No Surrender. If nothing else, the main event is already feeling bigger. Hopefully it lives up to the hype as we move into the spring and get ready for the next regular pay per view. For now though, I’m interested enough in the show, though there were some less than thrilling parts here, like anything involving Eric Young and the Rosemary stuff, though the latter might need some more time. Either way, nice enough show this week with the big one coming tomorrow.

Results
Mustafa Ali b. BDE – Swinging Downward Spiral
Jeff Hardy b. Brian Myers – Swanton Bomb
Moose b. Bear Bronson – Spear
Tessa Blanchard/Mila Moore/Victoria Crawford b. Harley Hudson/Myla Grace/Jody Threat – Buzzsaw DDT to Grace
Eric Young b. Brad Attitude – Piledriver
The System b. Leon Slater/Mike Santana – Boston Knee Party to Santana

 

 

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Impact Wrestling – March 19, 2026: The One Good Thing

Impact Wrestling
Date: March 19, 2026
Location: Gateway Center Arena At College Park, College Park, Georgia
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re closing in on Sacrifice and the main event of Mike Santana defending the World Title against Steve Maclin is officially set. Other than that, there is still a good deal that needs to be announced but at least the top of the card is looking solid. The two of them are in the building this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap, focusing on Steve Maclin vs. Mike Santana.

Opening sequence.

TNA Wrestling, AJ Francis, Impact Wrestling, Home Town Man, Frankie Kazarian

IMG Credit: TNA Wrestling

Frankie Kazarian vs. Home Town Man

Man backdrops him to start and hammers away in the ropes as the fans certainly approve. A running hip attack connects in the corner but Kazarian goes for the mask. Cue AJ Francis as Kazarian hits a cool running Russian legsweep for two. Kazarian’s slingshot backbreaker gets two more and he rips off the Atlanta Hawks jersey.

That’s enough to start the comeback, including the Home Town Elbow. A TKO gives Man two but Kazarian is back with a Backstabber. The springboard legdrop gets two but Fade To Black is cut off. Man goes up but opts to dive onto a distracting Francis instead. Back up and Kazarian misses an apron legdrop, allowing Man to grab a small package for the big upset at 6:15.

Rating: C. This is the kind of win that is going to cause Francis and Kazarian to want to go after the mask and probably lead to a bunch of ranting and raving, which should be funny. Man isn’t going to rise up the card in any meaningful way but he can still be a fun act, which is all he’s supposed to be. This was a nice surprise and it made for a good opening.

Post match Francis goes after Man but Elijah runs in with the guitar shot for the save.

The Angel Warriors are ready to beat Dani Luna, who has to cheat to win, and Arianna Grace, who stole Li’s title.

Daria Rae comes in to see Santino Marella and talks about the Knockouts Title picture. Marella suggests a triple threat for the title with Arianna Grace defending against Lei Ying Li and Dani Luna. Rae agrees but leaves in annoyance anyway. Every week, I find myself more impressed at how pathetic “shut up, I’m talking” is as a signature line.

TNA Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, Mr. Elegance, Mike Jackson, Elegance Brand

IMG Credit: TNA Wrestling

Mr. Elegance vs. Mike Jackson

The Elegance Brand is here with Elegance. Jackson low bridges him to the floor to start and hits a suicide dive. They go back inside with Jackson working on the arm, followed by Old School. Elegance kicks him in the ribs and hits a slam, setting up a fireman’s carry slam for the pin (as he sits on Jackson’s raised legs) at 4:17.

Rating: C-. This didn’t work so well, as a good chunk of it was about making sure Jackson got in his “oh wow a 76 year old can do this stuff!” offense. Elegance didn’t do much and while that’s kind of the point, it still wasn’t an entertaining debut. I’m still not sure what the appeal of Elegance is supposed to be, but it’s not quite working thus far.

Post match the Brand load up some cups of…something but ODB makes the save. ODB and Jackson pour the cups onto Elegance.

The System are ready to coming for some titles and Brian Myers is ready to take Moose out tonight.

Dani Luna/Arianna Grace vs. Angel Warriors

Stacks is here with Grace and Luna. Brookside gets thrown down to start and Luna loads up a suplex, only for Li to come in and grab a double suplex. The Warriors clear the ring and we take a break. We come back with Luna hammering on Li and Grace hitting a suplex of her own.

The reverse chinlock doesn’t last long so it’s back to Luna, who gets in an argument with Grace. That lets Li get over for the tag to Brookside, who Samoan drops Grace for two. A Codebreaker gives Li two as everything breaks down. Li takes Stacks but Brookside dives into the Lunar Landing for the pin at 11:37.

Rating: C+. This was a good way to make Luna look like a killer, as she smashed through Brookside and won in the end. Grace continues to look like she’s in over her head, which is the entire point. If nothing else, it was nice to see Brookside take the pin here rather than Li, as she’s in the upcoming title match. Little details like that can make a difference.

Here is Leon Slater for a chat. Two weeks ago, Eric Young gave him a piledriver and for the first time, Slater doubted if he was going to be able to get up. But the big bald b**** didn’t do enough because Slater is going to be ready for him at Sacrifice. Slater was showing some fire here and you don’t see that from him very often.

We look back at Moose beating Cedric Alexander in a street fight last week.

TNA Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, Moose, The System, Brian Myers

IMG Credit: TNA Wrestling

Moose vs. Brian Myers

Alisha Edwards is here with Moose and the rest of the System is here with Myers. Hold on though as here is Santino Marella to throw the System out, just in case. Marella says ring the bell and Moose hits the spear for the pin at 12 seconds. That’s efficient.

ENVY! Rosemary meets up with the Allie, who hates the regular clothes she’s wearing. Rosemary gives her something different and they go to see Raven, who mocks Tommy Dreamer. Raven gives Rosemary some of Dreamer’s blood from 1995 (“chock full of cholesterol and obesity”). I have no idea where these things are going but Raven (on a throne) is worth hearing.

The System tries to calm Brian Myers down and remind him that they still have a Tag Team Title shot. Bear Bronson is ready to hurt Moose.

Elayna Black vs. Jada Stone

Mara Sade is on commentary. They fight over standing switches to start and Stone takes her down. The standing moonsault gives Stone two but she gets sent throat first into the ropes. Black stomps away and it’s off to the chinlock. Stone fights up but here is Tasha Steelz to offer a distraction, allowing Black to hit the Blackout for the pin at 4:05.

Rating: C. There wasn’t much to this one as Black continues to just kind of be here. She was the big acquisition on the AMC debut and then hasn’t really done anything important. She has a bit of star power to her but it doesn’t matter if nothing happens from it. At the same time, Stone and Steelz should be in for a match at Sacrifice, possibly with someone else and part of Order 4 involved.

Post match Sade and Black have to be separated. Cue Order 4 to surround Stone but Trey Miguel runs in for the save.

Tessa Blanchard and company laugh at the Knockouts Title picture but Jody Threat, Harley Hudson and Myla Grace come in. Threat doesn’t think much of Blanchard and her cheap glasses so a match is set for next week.

Nemeths vs. Righteous

Vincent and Nic start things off with Vincent taking him down, sending Nic over to…well no one actually. Instead Nic is sent into the wrong corner so Dutch can come in for a splash. Dutch drops Vincent onto Nic for two and we take a break. We come back with Nic saving Ryan and grabbing a sleeper on Vincent.

That’s broken up and a tornado DDT plants Nic, allowing Dutch to come back in. House is quickly cleaned and it’s right back to Vincent for a high crossbody and a spinning DDT for two on Ryan. Dutch misses a charge into the steps though and Nic gets in a cheap shot on Vincent. The jumping Downward Spiral finishes Vincent at 11:40.

Rating: C+. The Nemeths are still a nice idea, as Nic is doing everything because Ryan is mostly useless. It could lead to the two of them splitting down the line, just for the sake of Nic getting sick of his brother being so worthless. The Righteous are still in a weird place, but ultimately it seems like they’ll be turning on the Hardys and setting up their big match. Uh, their next big match.

Mike Santana and Steve Maclin sit down in the back for a face to face confrontation. They stare at each other until Santana talks about how Maclin was the person who believed in him when he returned to TNA. Maclin was the one guy who would have his back but them Maclin’s pride and ego…and Maclin cuts him off. Maclin says Santana is the one with the ego and tells a story about volunteering to sweep for mines in Afghanistan.

Some drinks are sat out before them with Maclin having his, but Santana talks about fighting a war within himself. He’s made his past his superpower while Maclin has made his past his excuse. Everything Maclin has done better be worth it at Sacrifice because they’ll be ready to fight. When Santana wins, everything Maclin has done is for nothing. Santana even pays for the drinks and says Maclin is welcome for his job. This is still by far the best thing going in TNA and I want to see these two fight.

Overall Rating: C. I really wasn’t feeling this one so much, as most of the stories didn’t do much for me. The ending segment was good, but at the same time it only lasted a few minutes. Sacrifice should be a good show, but it needs something else to boost up the interest. The card is looking ok, though I could go for a second big match to come up. Not their best show here, but it did move us closer to Sacrifice.

Results
Home Town Man b. Frankie Kazarian – Small package
Mr. Elegance b. Mike Jackson – Fireman’s carry slam
Dani Luna/Arianna Grace b. Angel Warriors – Lunar Landing to Brookside
Moose b. Brian Myers – Spear
Elayna Black b. Jada Stone – Blackout
Nemeths b. Righteous – Jumping Downward Spiral to Vincent

 

 

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Impact Wrestling – January 22, 2026: Exodus?

Impact Wrestling
Date: January 22, 2026
Location: Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re back on AMC with another live show after last week’s less than well received debut and the ensuing Genesis pay per view. That means it is time to start getting ready for…whatever the next show is going to be. This week’s event features the return of Feast Or Fired, plus finding out the newest member of the System. Let’s get to it.

Here is Genesis if you need a recap.

Genesis recap.

Opening sequence.

Company President Carlos Silva is happy with the AMC debut. End of thoughts from Silva.

Cedric Alexander vs. Moose

Alisha Edwards is here with Moose, who has a banged up back. They shake hands to start and Moose chops him into the corner. A dropkick cuts Alexander off and sends him to the apron and they slug it out until Alexander plants him hard. Alexander hits a big suicide dive but gets sent hard into the steps as commentary runs down the show.

Moose loses a fight over a suplex and his back is banged up even more. A frog splash gives Alexander two so he kicks Moose in the bad back for a smart move. The springboard Downward Spiral gets two but Moose gets more fired up and kicks him in the face. For some reason Moose hits a backsplash but he’s fine enough to nip up.

The chokebomb out of the corner gets two on Alexander, who counters the spear into a Michinoku Driver for two of his own. They chop it out until Alexander grabs a Spanish Fly. Moose headbutts him out of the air to block a springboard before loading up a powerbomb. That’s fine with Alexander, who reverses into a hurricanrana for the pin at 9:59.

Rating: B-. I can certainly go for Alexander getting a bigger push, which is to say a push of almost any kind. This is the biggest win of his TNA career and it very well should boost him up before his X-Division Title shot. Moose sold the back well for the most part, though the last few minutes felt like a pretty standard Moose match, which isn’t a great sign.

Here is Mike Santana for a chat. He sits down in a chair and plays a message from his late father, saying Santana earned his way here, he deserves to be here, and he belongs here. The fans tell Santana that he deserves it and Santana talks about coming back here about two years ago. Every time he tries to do something, he remembers his father’s words. Santana talks about fighting back every time, even when he lost the World Title just thirty days after he won it.

Now he’s back where he belongs and he praises Frankie Kazarian after the wars they’ve had. He knows his back is against the wall against these people but that’s the way he likes it, because he’s earned his way here, he deserves to be here and he belongs here. This guy knows how to get fans behind him and he did it again here with a good promo.

Mustafa Ali, with Order 4, talks about the Hardys thinking they’re goats but they’re really sheep. Tonight, he will be Jeff Hardy’s shepherd.

We look at Zaria and Sol Ruca earning a Knockouts Tag Team Title shot earlier this week on NXT.

Indi Hartwell vs. M By Elegance

The rest of the Elegance Brand is here too. Hartwell backs her into the corner to start before grabbing a headlock. They run the ropes a bit until Hartwell uppercuts her into the corner. A running big boot misses though and M stomps on Hartwell’s foot, with the Personal Concierge smashing the foot with a shoe (as payback for Hartwell stepping on M’s foot). We take a break and come back with Hartwell grabbing a spinebuster, starting up the clothesline comeback. The Hurts Donut is broken up but Hartwell rolls her up for the pin at 9:05.

Rating: C. That was a bit of an oddly timed break at the end as there wasn’t much when we come back, though maybe AMC is still learning how to lay these things out. That being said, it was your usual Hartwell match, as she’s just not that great in the ring. The fans love her though and that’s more than enough of a reason to have her in a featured spot.

Post match the Brand jumps Hartwell but Ash By Elegance tries to cool things off. Violence is teased so cue the Angel Warriors…and Ash jumps Lei Ying Lee, suggesting that she might be able to do some physical stuff. That’s good to see after how bad things sounded.

Post break, Ash tells the Brand that she is back. If that means she’s healthy, that’s great.

Feast Or Fired

Mance Warner, Rich Swann, Hometown Man, Ryan Nemeth, AJ Francis, Eric Young, John Skyler, Jason Hotch, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Steve Maclin, Trey Miguel

There are four briefcases (one at each corner), three of which contain title (World, X-Division, International) shots. The fourth contains a pink slip. Whomever gets a case has to get to the ground with it to officially win it, with the reveals next week. Miguel is a surprise, as his “break” from wrestling lasted…a week?

The ring is quickly cleared out so Swann and Miguel can have a hug. Francis cuts Miguel off from his climb and gets double powerbombed down for his efforts. Young is back in to clear the ring until Miguel…really doesn’t do well with a poisonrana attempt. Miguel hits a big dive and Man goes up top to dive off as well rather than going for a case. Man goes back up and tries for the case but Young steals his mask and the case, which he officially wins.

Hotch and Skyler go after a briefcase but Maclin takes it away and escapes so we’re down to two. Warner loads up chairs rather than going after a case, allowing Edwards to Blue Thunder Bomb him onto the chairs. Francis chokeslams Swann onto the apron but Miguel kicks Francis down. That’s enough for Miguel to get a briefcase, leaving Myers to clear the field so Edwards can get the last case. Francis is waiting on him though…so Edwards throws the case at him and hits a dropkick, allowing Edwards to get the case back and wrap it up at 8:21.

Rating: C+. This is a really weird one to rate as you have four winners but the rest don’t really lose. The big drama comes next week as we find out who gets what, but they went with a pretty standard group of winners. If nothing else, it gives me the hope that Young will be gone and that would improve a lot of things.

Mike Santana runs into Nic Nemeth and warns him to watch his step. Nemeth teases Calling His Shot and brings up Santana’s daughter, which is enough to trigger the brawl.

Post break, BDE and some of his friends are in the back playing video games. Nic Nemeth comes in to yell them for just playing games because this is real life. BDE isn’t happy and offers to face him next week. Nemeth says it’s on.

Here is Elayna Black for a chat. She’s the only one you need to talk about and she’s the only one who matters. Her first match is next week and this is the Era Of Elayna. This sounded like someone on Tough Enough making up a character on the spot.

Arianna Grace apologizes to Santino Marella, who doesn’t seem impressed. She says Stacks was wrong and begs his forgiveness. They hug, which I’m sure will go fine for both of them.

Mustafa Ali vs. Jeff Hardy

Order 4 and Matt Hardy are here too. They lock up to start with Jeff shoving him down out of the corner. Jeff takes him down for a quick ride and a right hand puts Ali on the floor. Back in and Ali gets punched to the floor again, meaning it’s time for a breather. Ali gets back in again and knocks Jeff into the corner, followed by a shot out to the floor. Agent Zero takes Matt out and we take a break.

We come back with the fight taking place on the apron until Jeff hits a Twist Of Fate onto the steps (turned on their side next to the apron). They both dive back in to beat the count with Jeff getting the better of things, including the basement dropkick. Another Twist Of Fate is blocked but Ali is sent face first into the buckle.

Tasha Steelz’s interference doesn’t work as Jeff hits a double Twisting Stunner for two so Ali grabs a title belt. Matt cuts that off and gets into it with Agent Zero, leaving Jeff to hit the Twist Of Fate. The Swanton misses though and Ali’s 450 gets two. Cue Elijah for a distraction, meaning it’s the Twist into the Swanton to finish Ali at 15:30.

Rating: B. So the Elijah vs. Ali feud continues, which hardly does Ali any favors. Ali is someone who seems like he could be put into the main event scene but he’s still dealing with Elijah, who doesn’t feel that big. Losing to Jeff is fine, though I have no idea who is supposed to take the titles from the Hardys. They feel almost unbeatable and that’s not the best situation to give the rest of your division.

The Righteous suggest it isn’t over with the Hardys. Is there really no better option?

Here is the System, with JDC, to announce JDC’s replacement in the team. He has handpicked his replacement and it’s…Bear Bronson. Bear Bronson? Ok then. The team seems happy with it…but Eddie Edwards and Bronson jump Moose and JDC. Cedric Alexander runs in for the save…and he hits Moose with a chair.

Eddie says they’re replacing TWO members of the System because Moose is out. Alisha Edwards is distraught as the beating continues to end the show. The turn makes sense, as the System works better as villains and Moose losing isn’t something they should tolerate. If nothing else, it means Alexander gets something to do and I’ll take that.

Overall Rating: B-. FAR better show this week, which was at least partially due to it feeling like a regular show instead of being the big premiere. They had some good action here, plus the big twist(s) at the end, which is a needed change. Next week should be interesting with some important matches and the briefcase reveals. Not a classic show here, but it felt like a return to form, which was needed after last week’s less than successful offering.

Results
Cedric Alexander b. Moose – Hurricanrana
Indi Hartwell b. M By Elegance – Rollup
Eric Young, Steve Maclin, Trey Miguel and Eddie Edwards won Feast Or Fired
Jeff Hardy b. Mustafa Ali – Swanton Bomb

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Impact Wrestling – November 27, 2025: The Suit, The Fight, And Creed

Impact Wrestling
Date: November 27, 2025
Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Gia Miller, Matthew Rehwoldt
Host: Tom Hannifan

It’s Thanksgiving and that means we’re likely in for the annual Turkey Suit match, which is one of those harmless gimmicks that you see in wrestling. In addition to the annual comedy affair, we get to see…well probably not much, though we are just a bit over a week away from Final Resolution. That should be enough to get us through the holidays so let’s get to it.

Opening sequence.

Eric Young vs. Trey Miguel vs. Mance Warner vs. Home Town Man vs. Ryan Nemeth vs. Brian Myers

The winner gets money, the person who takes the fall wears the turkey suit. Nemeth gets sent outside to start, where he sends Myers into the steps to knock him silly. We take an early break and come back with Young poking Man in the eye. Warner and Young double team Miguel but Myers is back in for the save. Miguel is back up to turn it into a mini tag match, with the bad guys being dispatched in a hurry. Nemeth tries to steal the pin on Myers but gets caught with the Roster Cut to give Myers the pin at 5:23.

Rating: C. Ok being realistic, you could pretty much guess the loser as soon as Nemeth was introduced. He’s there to get stuck in one stupid situation after another and this is about as far as that goes in TNA. Myers winning doesn’t mean much as it’s all about Nemeth, so this was all in good fun.

Post match the good guys force Nemeth into the suit and humiliation ensues.

The Elegance Brand is still looking for Mr. Elegance. They want someone attractive, tough and talented. Resumes being accepted.

From September 2025 in Minneapolis.

Leon Slater/Mike Santana vs. Mustafa Ali/Trick Williams

The rest of Order 4 is here with Williams and Ali. It’s a big brawl to start fast with Santana and Williams (the World Champion at the time) brawling out to the floor. That leaves Slater to hammer on Ali and hit a high crossbody as we take an early break. We come back with Ali’s rolling neckbreaker connecting for two and Order 4 getting in a cheap shot from the floor. That’s broken up and it’s already off to Santana to clean house. The Rolling Buck Fifty drops Williams but Order 4 comes in for the DQ at 4:46.

Rating: C. This didn’t have time to go anywhere and was likely just a dark match at the end of the show. I’d expect something to happen so the good guys can stand tall here momentarily, which isn’t the worst way to go. Santana vs. Williams was the big deal as Bound For Glory was approaching, so this was little more than a quick preview for their showdown.

Post match the beatdown is on but Slater fights back. Order 4 saves Ali from going through a table and one of the agents goes through it instead.

Apparently Ryan Nemeth is annoyed at being in the turkey suit and wants to…fight Christmas?

Ryan Nemeth vs. Krampus

Before the match, Nemeth mocks Christmas and insists that he NOT be called a turkey. Krampus (thank goodness a Christmas themed wrestler was here) sends him into the corner to start but gets caught with a neckbreaker for two. Nemeth’s chinlock doesn’t last long as Krampus bulldogs him into the corner and hits a quick spear for two more. A running DDT gives Nemeth two so he pokes Krampus in the eye and rolls him up (with trunks) for the pin at 3:40.

Rating: C. Kind of a weird way to go here but at least it’s something of a theme for the night. That’s about all you can do here, even if it seemed like they were all but guaranteed that Nemeth would lose for a second time here. Krampus was nothing of note and it’s not like they had much time to do anything here.

We look at Lei Ying Lee winning the Knockouts Title this week on NXT.

Lee is rather pleased with herself and can’t hold back her tears.

From July 2025.

Here is Joe Hendry for a concert. He does an acoustic version of his theme song and the fans seem to approve, but Hendry has a surprise. Hendry brings out Jeff Hardy as we’re in for a double concert for a special moment. Hendry praises the Hardys for doing everything they can to make things better for the fans and the locker room. They sing a song that sounds like it’s called Modest (which I believe used to be Hardy’s theme song).

Then they sing My Sacrifice by Creed (which was used in the Sacrifice videos from the WWF around 2001). Cue the Nemeths to interrupt, saying they come in peace. Ryan wants to sing a song for Nic, which is a version of the Pina Colada Song. Hendry and Hardy quickly clean house. This was great for the live fans but it wasn’t exactly good television as they just sang.

We go back to 2007 for the Thanksgiving feast at the Angle house, featuring some amazing cameos, food being thrown, and general insanity that you knew was coming. Oh and pies to the face, because of course. Jay Lethal declared the food fight on and OH YEAH it was.

Apparently Santino Marella isn’t happy with Ryan Nemeth so he’s going to be in a third match.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Final Resolution rundown.

Ryan Nemeth/Jake Something/First Class vs. The System/Leon Slater

Moose and Francis start things off and shove each other around. They get down in three point stances and collide before it’s off to Swann. A poke to Edwards’ eye has Swann in control and we take a break. We come back with Edwards chopping Swann onto the top but Swann sends him into the corner.

Francis is back in with a big boot to Myers, allowing Nemeth (in the suit) to come in and hammer away. Myers spears Something down for a break and Slater gets to clean house. A high crossbody gets two on Nemeth as everything breaks down. The Swanton 450 finishes Nemeth at 8:56.

Rating: C+. Much like the rest of the night, you can call this one harmless fun, with Slater getting to hit his big amazing finisher to beat the comedy goof. The System and Slater weren’t about to lose to a makeshift heel team, especially in these circumstances. It’s a short, to the point match and that’s all it needed to be.

Hannifan wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C. This was the definition of a show designed to be pure fun and that’s exactly what we got. They didn’t bother doing anything too complicated and the theme of Nemeth getting beaten up over and over worked well. I had a good time with a holiday tradition and that is perfectly fine for a show that has no impact on anything going forward. Oh and you got some Creed to make it even better.

Results
Brian Myers b. Trey Miguel, Mance Warner, Home Town Man, Eric Young and Ryan Nemeth – Roster Cut to Nemeth
Leon Slater/Mike Santana b. Mustafa Ali/Trick Williams via DQ when Order 4 interfered
Ryan Nemeth b. Krampus – Rollup with trunks
The System/Leon Slater b. Ryan Nemeth/Jake Something/First Class – Swanton 450 to Nemeth

 

 

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Impact Wrestling – September 18, 2025: One Of Those Builds

Impact Wrestling
Date: September 18, 2025
Location: The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re coming up on Victory Road, which is going to have its work cut out for it with Bound For Glory coming up just a month later. That show is going to get the big focus so Victory Road is only going to mean so much. The big story this week will be focusing on the Tag Team Titles as the Nemeths are getting a shot at the Hardys. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We get another promotion for the Minnesota charity shirt. Still nothing wrong with that.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Mustafa Ali vs. Brian Myers

The rest of Order 4 and the System are both here. Myers slugs away to start and quickly knocks him out to the floor. We get the big staredown between the teams on the floor and Ali hits a big suicide dive. Back in and Myers hits his implant DDT but John Skyler offers a distraction, meaning the top rope elbow misses. Ali gets a rollup for the pin at 2:35.

Post match the teams get in a brawl and we get the big Moose vs. Agent Zero showdown. Zero drops him with a headbutt but Moose pops back up and they have to be held out. Santino Marella comes out to make a Hardcore War at Bound For Glory.

The Nemeths are ready to get the Tag Team Titles back because it’s not a ladder match.

The Personal Concierge suggests to Dani Luna that she could get a Bound For Glory title shot if she just takes out Indi Hartwell tonight. Luna thinks about it.

We look at the set up of Oba Femi vs. Trick Williams for the NXT and TNA World Title.

ODB is here.

Judas Icarus vs. Eric Young

Travis Williams is here with Icarus, who jumps Young to start fast. Icarus runs him over but Young hits an elbow to the face (with the lights seeming to dim) and is back with a gutwrench powerbomb. The piledriver is blocked though and Icarus makes the comeback, with a frog splash connecting for two. Something like a Blue Thunder Bomb gets two and they go up, with Young biting the face to knock him down. Young drops a top rope elbow for two and loads up the piledriver but here is Joe Hendry for a distraction. Icarus grabs a rollup for the pin at 5:11.

Rating: C. This was a big win for Icarus but it’s the kind of win that is more credited to Hendry than anything else. This feels like it might be one of the last big feuds for Hendry around here and that’s not exactly the best feeling. At least Young hasn’t been doing the Cleanse or whatever he was threatening us with before as I don’t think I could take another thing like that.

Post match Young knocks out the referee.

Victoria Crawford is back with her talk show, Mentor U, with guest Jody Threat. Crawford brings up Gia Miller, who interrupts and threatens Tessa Blanchard again. That doesn’t work for Crawford, who doesn’t like the profanity.

The Rascalz are happy with Myron Reed for going after the X-Division Title and let off some steam. And smoke. Santino Marella pops in and…has a cookie?

IInspiration/Masha Slamovich vs. Elegance Brand

Slamovich and Heather start things off, though Heather needs a quick spank to get her into the ring. Everything breaks down and the Brand is kicked down and sent out to the floor as we take an early break. We come back with the Brand getting to take turns on McKay in the corner, with Heather getting to stomp away.

The running corner dropkick gets two and Heather grabs the chinlock. McKay kicks her way out and brings in Slamovich to clean house, including an assisted DDT to make Heather DDT M. Lee goes after M but Ash throws…something in Lee’s eyes so M can get a rollup for the pin at 9:31.

Rating: C+. The match was a nice back and forth effort, with Slamovich being protected before she gets a title shot against Ash By Elegance. The other four are just doing their usual things and that’s not the most exciting stuff. It feels like the Brand could be a big deal for a long time to come, as they certainly seem to be in the right place at the moment.

Here is Frankie Kazarian for the King’s Speech and now it’s time to make this city focus on a King rather than a Prince. His guest this week is…himself, as he is ready to become the next International Champion. That’s not all though as he has another guest in the form of Mr. Anderson of all people. Anderson calls this home and he is happy to be back in a TNA ring for the first time in nine years.

Kazarian brings up Anderson’s military career but thinks Anderson seems like a coward. He asks what branch Kazarian served in but Kazarian brings up Anderson’s family being here. Would Anderson’s mother and kids be ok with seeing Kazarian give Anderson a beating? Kazarian keeps talking trash until Anderson goes after him, with Jake Something running in to take Anderson down. Steve Maclin makes the save. This is a good way to use a company legend and it was a nice surprise.

Dani Luna vs. Indi Hartwell

Hartwell jumps her to start fast and sends Luna out to the floor. Back in and Hartwell tries to send her to the floor but gets hit in the face. A suplex sends Hartwell down again and Luna adds another to keep Hartwell in trouble. Hartwell fires back with some elbows but gets dropped with a clothesline. Hartwell is up for the real comeback and knocks Luna outside, where Luna comes up with a chair to the ribs for the DQ at 5:31.

Rating: C. This only got so much time and the ending was more about Luna getting to hurt Hartwell rather than beat her. At the same time, I really don’t get the appeal of Hartwell, who feels like a rather generic star. She’s in for a huge title match at Bound For Glory and that could be the start of a rather uninspiring title reign.

Post match Luna wrecks her with the chair.

Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside talk about being great friends and dub themselves the Angel Warriors.

Mike Santana vs. AJZ

AJZ runs his mouth on the way to the ring and Santana Spins The Block for the pin at 31 seconds.

Santana calls out Trick Williams before their match at Bound For Glory but NXT’s Ridge Holland runs in to lay him out.

Tag Team Titles: Nemeths vs. Hardys

The Hardys are defending and Matt Cardona is on commentary. The Nemeths start fast and get sent outside with an early double clothesline. We take an early break and come back with Nic cutting Jeff off as Ryan grabbing Jeff’s leg. Jeff misses the Whisper In The Wind and Ryan comes in to pound on Jeff a bit. Nic’s chinlock doesn’t last long so he fires off the elbows, including the big jumping version.

Jeff finally fights up and hits a Whisper In The Wind to take them both out for a breather. The diving tag brings in Matt to clean house, including the powerbomb out of the corner for two on Nic. The middle rope elbow to the back of the neck drops Nic again but he’s right back with a Fameasser for two. Ryan’s DDT into Nick’s top rope elbow gets two more so Ryan tries to grab the belt. Cardona cuts that off and the Twist Of Fate into the Swanton retains the titles at 11:56.

Rating: B. This was a good match between the teams who work well together, though we’re coming up on the Hardys vs. the Dudleys one more time. That’s going to be a rather different kind of match and the nostalgia is going to have to carry them a long way. I’m not sure what is next for the Nemeths, as they seem to be ready to go after Cardona, who is going to need a partner.

Overall Rating: C+. This wasn’t a great show, though the main event did help it a lot. It doesn’t help that TNA seems to be building towards Bound For Glory more than Victory Road, which really feels like a nothing stop. Thankfully we’ll be done with that next week and ready to move on to the big show, but it isn’t making these shows much easier.

Results
Mustafa Ali b. Brian Myers – Rollup
Judas Icarus b. Eric Young – Rollup
Elegance Brand b. IInspiration/Masha Slamovich – Rollup to Lee
Indi Hartwell b. Dani Luna via DQ when Luna used a chair
Mike Santana b. AJZ – Spin The Block
Hardys b. Nemeths – Swanton to Ryan

 

 

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Impact Wrestling – June 19, 2025: All In One Basket

Impact Wrestling
Date: June 19, 2025
Location: Mullett Arena, Tempe, Arizona
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

Slammiversary is coming up in about a month and the card is at least coming together. The big story continues to be the roster wanting to get its World Title back from that evil outsider, NXT’s Trick Williams, and someone is going to need to step up. That process could start this week so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Sami Callihan vs. Eric Young

The rest of the Northern Armory is here with Young. Callihan jumps them all to start fast and grabs a chair, which Young takes away. Young’s chair shot only hits the steps though and hurts his own hands, allowing Callihan to hit a clothesline. They gets inside for the opening bell, with Young getting two off a belly to belly suplex. Callihan headbutts away but gets dropped for two more. Young knocks him to the floor where the Armory gets in their cheap shots, meaning Callihan has to beat the count.

Back in and Callihan crotches him on top, where Young gets in a bite to the head. They both go for the eyes until Callihan grabs a Downward Spiral. Callihan charges into a boot in the corner, allowing Young to drop the top rope elbow for two. Back up and Callihan grabs him low, setting up a Stunner for a rather near fall. Somehow the Armory is able to get in with a chair shot without the referee noticing, allowing Young to grab a piledriver for the pin at 7:18.

Rating: C. This felt like a way to set things up for later, as we could be seeing a rematch, likely with some more violence included, down the line. Callihan doesn’t have much to do and neither does Young, so this should be about as good for both of them as anything else. Just don’t go too hardcore with the thing.

The non-champions are ready for the Champions Challenge tonight.

Here is Order 4 for a summit. Mustafa Ali starts by yelling at Tasha Steelz, accusing her of doing a terrible job. Ali also accuses her of calling “him”, even checking her phone and finding out that she did call “him” today. Steelz is thrown out, meaning it’s time for Jason Hotch. He’s not happy with Ali, who thinks Ali is wrong. Ali brings up that Hotch lives with his wife and family in a house that Ali pays for every month. Therefore, Ali wants an apology, which Hotch gives him.

That brings up John Skyler, who brings up every bad thing Ali has been doing lately. Ali is a great leader, but lately it has been up Order 1. Ali isn’t going to have that and orders Skyler to apologize, even from his hands and knees. That isn’t going to happen, with Ali bailing instead of fighting. The cracks continue to show, though I’m not sure who is going to be the one to take out Ali, because Skyler isn’t it.

Killer Kelly talks about the MK Ultra days with Masha Slamovich. Now it’s time for Kelly to take the title.

By Elegance vs. Lei Ying Lee/Masha Slamovich

The Personal Concierge handles By Elegance’s entrance and M By Elegance is here too. The dancing Ash backs away from Lee but Heather does the same, leaving By Elegance not being sure what to do. Slamovich comes in instead so Ash grabs her phone…which earns her a beating. Everything breaks down and Slamovich hits a running dive to take the villains out.

We take a break and come back with Ying hammering away in the corner, sending Ash right back to the floor. Ash gets in a cheap shot this time and takes over on Ying back inside, where some forearms in the corner keep her in trouble. Ying fights up and hits a running knee to the face but Ash hits a Meteora for the same. Heather’s stomps don’t do much good as it’s back to Slamovich to clean house. A catapult into a Codebreaker cuts Slamovich off for two but Rarefied Air is broken up. Cue Killer Kelly for a distraction, allowing Ash to hit Rarefied Air for the pin at 11:16.

Rating: C+. This was a way to set up the Knockouts Title match and that’s not a bad way to go. Kelly isn’t someone who is going to go after Slamovich hand to hand but rather trying to get inside her head. That’s an interesting change of pace and I could go with seeing how it goes. If nothing else it’s someone fresh and that’s a good thing to see.

The IInspiration wants the Knockouts Tag Team Titles back.

Here is Santino Marella for a chat. Next week, Mike Santana will be back and facing AJ Francis in a street fight. Marella brings out Tommy Dreamer, who got in a fight with Mance Warner last week. He’s willing to let Dreamer face Warner anytime, but here are Warner and Steph de Lander to interrupt. Steph says that the Innovator Of Violence thing was impressive in 1996, but she wasn’t even born yet. Dreamer agrees that it isn’t his time, though there is something they should know. Cue Jake Something to clear the villains out. Cool. Now do something important with him already. And give him a better name.

Tessa Blanchard and Indi Hartwell argue about last week and Blanchard brings up helping Hartwell when her career was starting. Hartwell says that Blanchard is proving everyone right.

We look at some TNA wrestlers at AAA TripleMania.

The System vs. Matt Cardona/???

Cardona needs a partner and brings out….the Home Town Man. Thankfully commentary flat out says “this is Cody Deaner” as Cardona and JDC start things off. JDC wants and receives Home Town, who takes over on JDC without much trouble. Cardona sends JDC outside for a running flip dive but Alisha Edwards offers a distraction so Eddie can take over. A neckbreaker gets Cardona out of trouble and it’s back to Home Town for Sliced Bread on JDC. Eddie goes for the mask but gets rolled up for the pin at 3:57.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here and that’s a nice thing to see given Home Town. I do like that they’re leaning into the joke instead of trying to make me care about Cody Deaner again, as that was a horrible failure. It’s nothing I want to see full time, but for a one off “fun” moment, it could have been far worse.

Post match Brian Myers comes in for the beatdown but Matt Cardona makes the save. The System beats him down as well.

We look at the six man tag from NXT, with Yoshiki Inamura pinning Trick Williams to earn a title shot…for Josh Briggs.

Rascalz/Elijah/Joe Hendry/Leon Slater vs. Moose/Steve Maclin/Trick Williams/Nemeths

Frankie Kazarian is on commentary. Nic and Elijah start things off with Nic out wrestling him without much trouble. Back up and Nic hits a dropkick, only for Elijah to grab the wrist for the Old School Meteora. Wentz comes in to flip out of Maclin’s wristlock, giving us a Maclin vs. Rascalz standoff. Ryan gets dragged in and double dropkicked before Williams and Moose get knocked to the floor.

The Rascalz hit stereo moonsaults but Moose is back in with the spear to Miguel. Everything breaks down and we take a break. Back with the champions taking turns choking Miguel on the ropes, though Maclin doesn’t seem to approve. Nic puts on a bow and arrow hold before it’s back to Williams for a cravate. A belly to back suplex is broken up though and it’s off to Slater to pick up the pace.

Maclin won’t tag in so Nic drops Slater to take over again. Slater suplexes Moose and brings Hendry back in…but the referee didn’t see the tag. Moose plants Slater but the spear is countered. The powerbomb is reversed into a DDT and the hot tag brings in Hendry to clean house.

The turning pose is cut off by Williams for the big staredown so Hendry clotheslines the Nemeths instead. Everything breaks down again and the Rascalz drop Moose, only to get knocked outside by the Nemeths. Ryan tries to bring in a title belt but Maclin takes it away. The Standing Ovation into the Highwayman’s Farewell finishes Ryan at 20:04.

Rating: B-. This is the kind of thing that happens every so often and for a rare treat, it works well. The ending lets someone get a potential title match set up in the near future but if nothing else, we have the already established feuds. They’re teasing the heck out of Hendry vs. Williams II and Moose vs. Slater is already set. That’s not a bad way to go and this was a fine way to set up some things which are likely to happen at Slammiversary.

Overall Rating: C+. The main event was the big deal on the show and while it worked, it made the rest of the show a bit tricky. You can only get so much out of the show when so many big names are tied up in the main event. It’s not bad and they did seem to boost up Slammiversary a bit, which is going to need to be the focus for the next few weeks.

Results
Eric Young b. Sami Callihan – Piledriver
By Elegance b. Lei Ying Lee/Masha Slamovich – Rarefied Air to Slamovich
Matt Cardona/Home Town Man b. The System – Rollup to Edwards
Rascalz/Elijah/Joe Hendry/Leon Slater b. Nemeths/Moose/Steve Maclin/Trick Williams – Highwayman’s Farewell to Ryan

 

 

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Impact Wrestling – April 17, 2025: They’re Starting To Break

Impact Wrestling
Date: April 17, 2025
Location: St. Joseph Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s a special night for the company as not only do we have the usual Impact Wrestling, but the show will be followed by Unbreakable. That means tonight is a big preview for that show, but it is also one of the last shows before Rebellion. In other words, it’s going to be a packed night and TNA has a lot to cover. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening recap.

Opening sequence.

Laredo vs. Jason Hotch

Tasha Steelz is here with Hotch and Laredo is no longer a kid. A wristdrag takes Hotch down but Steelz offers a distraction, allowing Hotch to get in a shot from the floor. Back in and Hotch strikes away but gets sent into the corner. A neckbreaker and missile dropkick have Hotch down on the floor and of course Laredo hits a dive. Laredo nails a twisting senton but gets caught with a Mustafa Ali rolling neckbreaker for two. They go up, where Laredo hits a super powerslam for two more, only to walk into a swinging backbreaker. Hotch goes up again but gets caught in a super Spanish Fly for the pin at 6:06.

Rating: C+. Laredo is a good choice to open the show as he wrestles a nice, fast paced style that works well with anyone. Hotch is talented as well and you could put him in there with Laredo for a fine outing. That’s what we got here, as TNA has a good record of starting off shows well.

Leon Slater is ready for Brian Myers tonight but he still wants to become the youngest X-Division Title.

Cody Deaner is trying to get Santino Marella to extend his contract so he gets an Ultimate X qualifying match.

Jazmyn Nyx vs. Xia Brookside

The rest of Fatal Influence is here with Nyx and Brookside has Lei Ying Lee. Nyx takes her down with a headscissors to start but gets rolled up for some near falls. A running dropkick rocks Nyx again but she kicks Brookside in the chest for two. Brookside gets bulldogged into the corner for one and we hit the chinlock.

Back up and they trade kicks to the head for a double down, followed by a slugout. Nyx hits a leg lariat for two but Brookside is back with a middle rope crossbody for the same. The seconds get into it so here is Rosemary to mist Jacy Jayne. Brookside is confused but manages to small package Nyx for the pin at 7:48.

Rating: C+. Brookside continues to be someone who could do something if she was given the chance, but right now it seems like she might be destined to team with Rosemary and go after the Knockouts Tag Team Titles. That’s not exactly a career breakthrough, but it’s better than sitting around in the midcard loop forever. Fatal Influence are still useful around here as they are NXT stars TNA wrestlers can beat and it’s working well enough.

Ultimate X Qualifying Match: KC Navarro vs. Cody Deaner

Deaner says he has to win to keep his job but Navarro doesn’t want to hear it. He offers Deaner a chance to leave but the people tell Deaner to wrestle. Deaner punches him in the face and they start fast with some right hands in the corner leaving Navarro in trouble. A shot to the face gives Navarro two and we hit the chinlock. That’s broken up and Deaner grabs an airplane spin into a TKO for two. With nothing else working, Navarro whips out a chain and knocks Deaner cold for the pin at 3:56.

Rating: C. For the life of me I do not get the appeal of Deaner. The people’s choice deal is fine enough for someone but could they use it on someone a bit more interesting? Navarro is in a better place at the moment and he’ll be fine in Ultimate X, but right now his bigger appeal is that he’s not Cody Deaner.

Post break Navarro is very fired up about his win and is ready to be X-Division Champion.

We look at Maggie Lee beating Savannah Evans on Xplosion, albeit with some help from the Personal Concierge.

Lee thinks there is a lot going on at the moment but she isn’t changing for anyone.

The Personal Concierge is here with Maggie Lee, who is an official project of Elegance. Therefore, tonight she has a special partner.

Maggie Lee/Heather By Elegance vs. Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley

Dolin rolls Lee up to start and gets dropkicked against the ropes for two. Lee fights back but Heather isn’t interested in a tag. Some double teaming has Lee in trouble so the Concierge offers a distraction, allowing an assisted hot shot to drop Dolin for two. A few running shots in the corner get two and Heather chokes away for another near fall. Dolin fights up and brings Paxley back in to clean house. Everything breaks down and the Cemetery Driver finishes Heather at 4:42.

Rating: C. As usual, the Knockouts Title division is rather good but the Knockouts tag division just comes and goes without getting much of anywhere. That’s what we had here as neither the action nor the story are very interesting. The division hasn’t been very interesting in a long time now and this was another example of a match where nothing really changed.

Post break Heather is panicking so here are Meta Four, Spitfire and Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley. They all want a title shot, so Heather snaps and says yes to all of them.

We get a special look at the Unbreakable triple threat from 2005. To be fair, it’s so fondly remembered for a reason. We see the last few minutes of the match as well.

AJ Francis is ready to win the International Title.

Joe Hendry and Masha Slamovich are ready for Unbreakable.

Dani Luna vs. Jakara Jackson

Jody Threat and Lash Legend are here too. They fight over a lockup to start with Luna powering out of a headlock and shouldering her down. Legend gets in a cheap shot and that’s good for a quick ejection. Back in and Jackson’s chinlock doesn’t last long as Luna powers her down, setting up the clothesline comeback. A Blue Thunder Bomb gives Luna two and Jackson’s tornado DDT gets the same. Luna grabs a quick Luna Landing for the pin at 7:05.

Rating: C. Another match without much to see here and that’s part of the problem with Spitfire. There’s nothing to them that really makes them feel interesting and that has been the case for a long time now. They just don’t do anything that makes them stand out and having them beat guest stars from NXT isn’t changing that reality.

Here is Elijah for a song. Elijah sings about how we walk this way in TNA and how he wants some barbecue after the show. Then he switches to talking and issues an open challenge for Rebellion. My goodness I am sick of open challenges.

Unbreakable rundown.

Ethan page is ready to win the TNA Title at Rebellion because Joe Hendry is banged up and he’s better than Frankie Kazarian.

Leon Slater vs. Brian Myers

Slater starts fast but gets punched in the face to knock him into the corner. A bouncing kick to the face knocks Myers to the floor but it’s too early for the big dive over the post. Instead Myers sends him into the post and we take a break. Back with Myers taking him down again and grabbing a chinlock.

That’s broken up in a hurry and Slater hits a running boot to the face, followed by the Crossover for two. Myers charges into another boot to the face of two but he’s right back with an implant DDT. Slater is back up to send Myers outside for the big running flip dive. That’s too much for Myers so he loads up the System ring, which is taken away, allowing him to hit Slater low. The Roster Cut gives Myers the pin at 11:38.

Rating: C+. Slater continues to be in that weird place where he needs to win something already or all of his athleticism and skills won’t matter very much. If he can’t beat Myers, whose job is pretty much to boost up bigger names, who is he supposed to beat? I’m not sure I get this one as it’s not like anything was on the line, so why not let Slater get a win?

One more Unbreakable rundown wraps us up.

Overall Rating: C+. The show was ok enough and did a decent job of hyping up Unbreakable, but nothing right now is really grabbing me. Maybe that’s because Rebellion is just over a week away and that’s the really big show, but there is something missing from the last few weeks in TNA. They’re going to need to fix that for their big events, as this was just slightly above a middle of the road show.

Results
Laredo b. Jason Hotch – Super Spanish Fly
Xia Brookside b. Jazmyn Nyx – Small package
KC Navarro b. Cody Deaner – Chain to the head
Gigi Dolin/Tatum Paxley b. Maggie Lee/Heather By Elegance – Cemetery Driver to Heather
Dani Luna b. Jakara Jackson – Luna Landing
Brian Myers b. Leon Slater – Roster Cut

 

 

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Sacrifice 2025: It Should Have Been More

Sacrifice 2025
Date: March 14, 2025
Location: El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

It’s time for another of the big shows between the really big shows and this one happens to be pretty stacked. We have both a ladder match and Lethal Lockdown, the TNA equivalent of WarGames. There are also some stars from NXT here as a bonus, which should help things out a lot. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Aztec Warriors vs. First Class

The Warriors are Laredo Kid and Octagon Jr. After First Class insults the fans, Octagon takes Navarro down with a hurricanrana and hands it off to Laredo. That means it’s a low bridge from Francis though and Kid is sent outside for a big dive. Back in and Francis gets to choke away on the ropes, setting up a running knee in the corner.

First Class spends too much time posing though and it’s a tag to bring Kid back in to pick up the pace. Kid’s moonsault and Octagon’s handstand moonsault hit Navarro with Francis having to make the save. Francis gets in a chokeslam on Octagon and Navarro goes after Kid’s mask. A running Sliced Bread gives Navarro the pin at 6:44.

Rating: C. The Warriors didn’t get to showcase much of their high flying stuff and it didn’t give the fans much to get behind. Throw in the good guys losing and it wasn’t exactly an exciting way to get things going. It’s a weird way to go, as while First Class getting a win makes sense, it might not have been the right way here.

The regular Kickoff Show stuff takes place but Sami Callihan and Mance Warner, who are scheduled to face off tonight in a street fight, brawl in the back. They come to the ring, where Callihan throws in a bunch of weapons, including a chair which hits Warner for a nasty shot. They get inside and we’ll ring the bell.

Sami Callihan vs. Mance Warner

Street fight and Steph de Lander is here with Warner. Callihan hits him with a trashcan but gets sent into one in the corner as a cameraman gets taken out. Warner chokes with a chain but gets powerbombed through a table…as we go to the official show. Thankfully we come back without missing anything (fair enough) and Callihan uses a poster to cut Warner’s fingers and mouth.

Warner’s hand is fine enough to hit a chokeslam onto the trashcan but neither can hit a suplex onto a chair. Instead they both grab a staple gun and trade, uh, stapling, with Callihan going low. Warner gets stapled to the turnbuckle pad before being Death Valley Drivered onto the chair for two. Callihan has to block a screwdriver to the head before hitting a Stunner for two more. De Lander throws powder in Callihan’s eyes though and Warner hits a running knee for the win at 10:57.

Rating: C+. Well at least they didn’t have glass and thumbtacks. This was the run of the mill brawling with the table and trashcans, which makes the ending a bit weak. After everything they did, it was a simple bit of powder and a running knee. That’s a weird way to go, but odds are this is going to keep going anyway.

We get the opening video, which looks at the main matches. That’s at least a fresh way to go over the standard way of doing things.

Tessa Blanchard vs. Lei Ying Lee

Local rapper Krystall Poppin sings Blanchard to the ring. Blanchard sends Lee into the corner to start but the big slap is blocked. A suplex sends Blanchard into the corner and another brings her back out of it (well at least Lee kept it even). They go outside where Blanchard takes over and sends her back inside, only to take it right back to the floor.

Back in and a dropkick gets two, setting up the chinlock. Lee fights up and strikes away, before grabbing a spinning torture rack slam. Blanchard shrugs that off and hits a slingshot splash for two but has to bail to the ropes to escape a leglock. They go up top, where Lee hits a twisting brainbuster (geez) for two more. Blanchard grabs a cutter though and Magnum connects for the pin at 11:15.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure if there was much doubt about the winner here as Blanchard is not only a bigger name but she is also likely getting ready for a title shot at Masha Slamovich. The good thing is Lee got in a lot of offense and gave Blanchard a run for her money, but this was the right decision. Blanchard is ready to get back into the bigger spots and this was a step in that direction.

Jeff Hardy and Joe Hendry’s team are ready to win their rather violent matches tonight. With everyone gone, Ryan Nemeth comes in to say “everything they said”. Gia Miller clearly mouths “what the f***?”

Wes Lee/Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe vs. Ace Austin/Rascalz

Lucha rules. Lee bails to the floor to start but comes back in to send Austin to the floor. Igwe comes in and gets hurricanranaed to the floor, with DuPont following. Triple dives are mostly cut off though, leaving Austin as the only part of his team standing. Back in and a full nelson slam plants Austin for two, followed by Lee’s basement dropkick between the shoulders.

Igwe kicks Austin in the head for two and we hit the abdominal stretch. That’s broken up and Lee gets over for the Rascalz to come in and clean house. Everything breaks down and DuPont’s stomp to Miguel’s head gets two. Austin and Wentz kick away at Lee from the apron, allowing Miguel to hit a sliding DDT. Back in and Lee is left all alone so he yells a lot, only to get taken down with a Lightning Spiral/Fold combination. Wentz hits a Spiral Tap for the pin on Lee at 9:53.

Rating: B-. The lucha rules kind of hurt things here, as it was little more than just having people running in and doing things. It did feel like the end of the feud though, with Wentz getting his revenge on Lee. It was a fun match, which tends to be the case with Austin and the Rascalz.

Steve Maclin is ready to take out Frankie Kazarian.

Frankie Kazarian vs. Steve Maclin

Eric Young is on commentary. Maclin takes Kazarian into the corner to start and hits some clotheslines to the back but gets knocked down in a hurry. Kazarian hits a springboard spinning legdrop and grabs a suplex for two. After a quick Shawn Michaels pose from Kazarian, Maclin is back up with some more clotheslines and an Angle Slam. The running shoulder in the corner has Kazarian in more trouble so he snaps the throat over the top rope to get out of said trouble.

Kazarian pulls on something like a cross armbreaker but can’t hit the Fade To Black. The chickenwing is broken up and Maclin’s running knee gets two. Now the chickenwing goes on, even with Kazarian falling out to the floor without letting go (that’s a heck of a trick). Since submissions don’t count on the floor, Kazarian lets go, allowing Young to sneak in a brass knuckles shot. Maclin, who didn’t see it, grabs a quick KIA for the pin at 8:50.

Rating: C+. This was something that could have been on any given Impact, as it was more about the Young involvement than anything else. The ending should be a way to see if Maclin wants to join him in what is likely the dark side, though that’s only so interesting. It would also be nice to have Kazarian lose the stupid trophy title shot already, but we could still be months away.

Spitfire is ready to get rid of By Elegance for good.

Knockouts Tag Team Titles: Ash By Elegance/Heather By Elegance/Personal Concierge vs. Spitfire

Spitfire is defending in a handicap match and they get the Personal Concierge if they win. The Concierge introduces By Elegance and then disrobes, which has commentary, uh, unhappy. Luna takes Ash down into an armbar to start but Heather comes in to crank on the arm for a change. The Concierge goes to the…bottom rope for an ax handle before handing it back to Heather, who is quickly put down. Threat comes in for a basement crossbody, followed by a suplex/clothesline combination for two.

Ash offers a distraction though and Heather takes over inside. The Concierge adds some stomps, then stops to dance, meaning Ash has to come in for a save. A catapult into a Codebreaker gets two and we hit the chinlock on Threat. As usual, that’s broken up and the tag brings in Luna to clean house. By Elegance is sent outside for a big dive, leaving Heather to get caught with a helicopter bomb, with the Concierge having to make the save. The Pressure Drop hits the Concierge but Threat gets caught in an assisted top rope double stomp for the titles at 9:12.

Rating: C+. By Elegance had to win the titles at some point if they wanted to have any kind of a future. At the end of the day, Ash has been here for a bit but hadn’t won anything of note coming in. You can present has as a star all you want, but it doesn’t matter without getting some kind of a prize. That is what she pulled off here and it was fairly long overdue. The feud needs to end already, but it’s not like there are many other teams to come after the belts.

Post match the lights go out and NXT’s Meta Four show up for your next crossover title feud.

We recap Mustafa Ali vs. Mike Santana, which is built around the idea of Ali wanting to make TNA better, which means a lack of Santana, who is a recovering addict. Santana wants to prove himself, while Ali wants to prove that Santana can’t handle the pressure. In other words, it’s JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero, which has made a good story, albeit a familiar one.

Mike Santana vs. Mustafa Ali

Ali has his cabinet with him and a local sportscaster introduces Santana. Just in case you didn’t get the story they were redoing, Santana drives a car into the arena. Santana scares Ali to the floor to start before catching him with a powerslam. Two Amigos connect but Santana cuts off the third with a small package.

Back up and Santana hits another suplex to send Ali outside for a needed breather. Ali fights up and goes after the arm, including a 450 from the top onto the arm, with Santana standing, on the floor. Back in and a rollup, with feet on the ropes, gets two and the referee is not pleased. The rolling neckbreaker gets two more and Ali stays on the arm with a crossface.

That’s broken up and Ali sends him to the floor, where Santana cuts off a dive with a cutter. Back in again and Ali lifts him up for a German suplex and a tornado DDT, only to miss the 450. Santana’s rolling cutter gets two and the frog splash gets the same (with a BIG reaction from the crowd). Spin The block connects but the arm gives out, allowing Ali to go up. Santana pulls him out of the air with a powerbomb but the Good Hands get up for a distraction. Ali rolls him up and grabs the rope for the pin at 13:12.

Rating: B. this was the match I was looking forward to the most coming in and they didn’t disappoint, with both guys working hard and telling a story. Ali is the more polished wrestler of the two and better with the technical side of things, while Santana is more about powering through and hitting his big moves. That allowed Ali to pick him apart but then when he couldn’t handle Santana, he cheated in the end, which will allow him to brag about his amazing skill. Heck of a story told and a very good match at the same time.

Post match Ali leaves a drink for Santana.

We recap Masha Slamovich defending the Knockouts Title against Cora Jade from NXT. Jade showed up and decided she wanted a title so she went after Slamovich, setting up the title match.

Knockouts Title: Masha Slamovich vs. Cora Jade

Jade is challenging and Arianna Grace is on commentary. Jade jumps her to start and is quickly clotheslined down for a kick to the chest. The chase doesn’t go well for Jade but she gets in a cheap shot for a needed breather. A quick stomp to the back gives Jade two and she pulls Slamovich down by the hair for the same.

Back up and Slamovich hits a rolling kick to the face for two of her own but Jade is back up with a knee to the face. A Canadian Destroyer on the apron connects but Slamovich is down on the floor. Back in and Jaded connects for two, leaving Jade rather frustrated. Jade strikes away but walks into a kick to the face. The Requiem retains the title at 9:24.

Rating: C+. As was the case with Blanchard vs. Lee, there was only so much drama to be had here. Slamovich is the monster champion who can smash through just about anyone in front of her. Jade has gotten better, but she isn’t on Slamovich’s level and that isn’t going to change anytime soon. Jade got in some stuff here, but Slamovich wasn’t in much danger.

We look at Oba Femi defeating Moose to retain the NXT Title this week on NXT.

We recap Moose facing Jeff Hardy for the X-Division Title in a ladder match. Hardy has pinned Moose a few times in tag matches so now we’re doing the ladder match thing.

X-Division Title: Jeff Hardy vs. Moose

Moose, with Alisha Edwards, is defending in a ladder match. They stare each other down to start before going straight to the floor to grab the ladders. Hardy knocks him to the floor and hits a clothesline off the apron but the Twist Of Fate is shoved into the steps. Moose bridges a ladder between a chair and the apron but Hardy fights up and pulls out the painted ladder.

The climb takes too long though and Moose hits a powerbomb before bridging a ladder into the bigger one. Hardy gets powerbombed onto the bridge ladder, landing so hard that a rung on the bigger ladder is broken. Back up and Moose grabs a table, only to get pulled onto the bridged ladder for a Twist Of Fate down to the mat. Moose is able to get up and throws the ladders out (with one hitting a camera) before hitting a heck of a spear.

Hardy is fine enough to hit a backdrop onto the bridged ladder at ringside before grabbing another table. The Swanton sends Moose through that table so Alisha has to make a save. That earns her a Twisting Stunner but Moose spears Hardy through a table. That’s enough for Moose to retain the title at 16:54.

Rating: B-. Commentary summed up the issues at the beginning of this match: Moose was in his first ever ladder match while Jeff was in his thirty ninth. That kind of takes away the impact, as Jeff has literally done this dozens of times. What we got was indeed good as they beat each other up, though I never quite bought that Jeff was going to win. I get why they had the match though and it did feel interesting, at least most of the time.

Mike Santana rants to Santino Marella about what happened and gets a rematch on Impact.

Earlier this week, the city declared it TNA Wrestling Day in El Paso. That’s cool.

The cage is being set up (the arena isn’t big enough to have it hanging) so here is First Class for their Penthouse. They’re introducing their First Class Records label and consider allowing the fans to audition but then mock the idea of the fans having talent. The Aztec Warriors come out to protest and the brawl is nearly on but referees break it up.

We recap the main event. The System and the Colons have been annoying the resident good guys so it’s time to do this in a cage.

JDC/Brian Myers/Eddie Edwards/Orlando Colon/Eddie Colon vs. Joe Hendry/Matt Hardy/Nic Nemeth/Elijah/Leon Slater

This is unofficially Lethal Lockdown, meaning two competitors start for two minutes. Then a member of the villains (who won the advantage on Impact) gets a 2-1 advantage for two minutes. The good guys then get to even it up and after that, the entry intervals drop down to one minute. When everyone is in, first pin or submission wins. Edwards and Elijah start things off, with the latter coming in on a horse because reasons.

After a song mocking the System and the Colons, Elijah gets inside and we’re ready to go. Elijah starts fast and works on the arm, setting up an Old School. A big boot drops Edwards again and he gets sent into the cage as Myers is in for the advantage. The System Overload connects but Nic Nemeth is in to even things up. Nemeth hits a neckbreaker/DDT combination and it’s already Orlando Colon coming in to go up 3-2.

The rapid fire entrances continue with Leon Slater coming in as these intervals are too long to really work. Slater stomps away until Eddie Colon is in to cut him off as well. Matt Hardy is in as well for the Side Effect and rams Orlando into the buckle. JDC gives the villains their final advantage and some chairs are thrown in to keep up the beating. Joe Hendry is in last to complete the field and the bell rings, which I hope isn’t considered the official start to the match.

Hendry starts firing off fall away slams, including a super version to Myers. Back up and Myers hits Hendry low to cut him off and Edwards’ Blue Thunder Bomb gets two on Nemeth. Slater is sat on top of the cage but crotches JDC and Myers, meaning it’s a Swanton 450 from the top of the cage onto a pile. Cue Ryan Nemeth as we hit the parade of finishers. Hendry grabs one of the chairs and a Twist Of Fate with the chair around JDC’s neck lets Hardy gets the pin at 17:05.

Rating: C. Yeah this didn’t really work, as it felt like they were scrambling to get the match in as fast as they could. That only got them so far, as the short entrances completely destroyed the intrigue of the match. Someone would get in, hit one or two things and then someone else would come in to reset the whole deal. It didn’t make for a good main event, as this needed way more time, and probably two less people, to really work.

Post match most of the team leaves but Ryan gets in and locks the door. That’s enough for Nic to jump Hardy (the camera mostly misses it) and the beating is on. The rest of the team is held off with a chair and Hardy is busted open. The beating continues to end the show. The Nemeths vs. the Hardys is certainly a choice for a title feud.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a back and forth show, as there were some good things on here that had me interested in what they were doing, but then they did some things that simply weren’t very interesting. The top two matches were only so good and the ending was more of an “eh, ok I guess” than anything else. Things should get to pick up a bit with a fresh top heel, but they need something else for Hendry to do already, as he’s just kind of floating around despite being World Champion.

Results
First Class b. Aztec Warriors – Running Sliced Bread to Kid
Mance Warner b. Sami Callihan – Running knee
Tessa Blanchard b. Lei Ying Lee – Magnum
Ace Austin/Rascalz b. Wes Lee/Tyson DuPont/Tyriek Igwe – Spiral Tap to Lee
Steve Maclin b. Frankie Kazarian – KIA
Ash By Elegance/Heather By Elegance/Personal Concierge b. Spitfire – Assisted top rope double stomp to Threat
Mustafa Ali b. Mike Santana – Rollup while grabbing the rope
Masha Slamovich b. Cora Jade – Requiem
Moose b. Jeff Hardy – Moose pulled down the title
Joe Hendry/Elijah/Matt Hardy/Leon Slater/Nic Nemeth b. Orlando Colon/Eddie Colon/Brian Myers/JDC/Eddie Edwards – Twist Of Fate with a chair to JDC

 

 

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