TNA Impact Review – 06.26.25

Greetings everyone, it’s been a week here but we have a show to recap, emanating from Pittsburgh, PA. We’ll forego the Bret Hart joke, grab us a Primanti Brothers sandwich and engage in some Impactful discourse, shall we? We shall.

Previously on Impact…we see the implosion of Order Four as Ali called his evaluation meeting and berated everyone. – John Skyler spoke his mind and a “Call to Arms” match was set up tonight. Also, we saw the All-Stars beat the Champions in the Champions Challenge match.

In the here and (tape delayed) now, with Hannifan and Rewholdt announcing. Joe Hendry appears (clap clap) for the opening interview. He is still incredibly over here – complete with a very audible “We believe” chant from the Yinzers – despite a somewhat muted cheer on NXT on Tuesday. Fun note I noticed; the mic cover has the Hendry logo and his face on it.

He thanks the fans for sticking with him despite the last couple of months. They have given him the greatest life he could ever have. Every time he is down, the fans pick him up. While he has fun with the crowd, he has to be honest and has to acknowledge he lost the TNA title to Trick Wiliams, a man who doesn’t work here. It was, and is painful, and Hendry felt like quitting but the fans brought him back to work.

The title belongs here and belongs to the fans (audible “TNA” chant erupts.) The fans put him in this position. The crowd was with him on this amazing run he had in TNA as Hendry goes over the highlights and the people he beat to get here. He even went to the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania with the TNA title.

He finished by asking a crowd to do something for him. The fans were there for his ascension and now he is asking the fans to be there because he needs them for his redemption. At Slammiversary, he brings the title back to TNA.

Hannifan asks the fan if we will believe in Joe Hendry one more time. Remember that line later.

We cut to a Killer Kelly segment. She is set to fight Masha Slamovich. Kelly said when you get to close to someone, who get to know who they are. Kelly and Masha were friends, linked together like a chain. They were MK Ultra. But, she had to watch as Masha became TNA Knockouts champion. She also saw Slamovich forget who made her the monster she is. Next week, Kelly will show Slamovich who the monster is and will rip the title from her cold hands. A battle royal for a championship opportunity happens tonight. She wishes everyone to fight hard. She knows who her opponent is. And, when she becomes champion, there’s no way in hell she is going to lose it as we go to break. Good promo.

Zachary Wentz vs. Ryan Nemeth

Smart call not to announce Wentz from the 418 area code in Ohio here and rather that he is part of the Rascalz. Nemeth comes out in American flag tights.

Nemeth gets an armbar but a series of flips leads to a Wentz’ armdrag. Wentz ducks a Nemeth charge to a dropkick. Wentz misses a corner charge but another drop kick ad tornillo from the turnbuckle get two. Wentz sets upon Nemeth with a series of chops and kick but Nick trips Wentz as he was going to attempt a handspring move off the ropes. Ryan grabs Wentz and throws him back into the ring.

Nemeth hits a Rude Awakening standing neckbreaker for two. Nemeth hit a series of elbows on the chin and then grabs a front facelock. Wentz powers up but Nemeth lands a knee to the body. Nemeth throws Wentz into the turnbuckle and then Nemeth taunts the fans with gyrating (which he did a lot in this match.) However, Nemeth missed a charge into the turnbuckles. Wentz retaliates with a series of chops but Nemeth, again, hits Wentz with a knee which set up another Rude Awakening neckbreaker. This time, Wentz reverses it into a backslide for two.

Wentz hits a series of chops and NOW hits the springboard leaping knee off the ropes. Wentz hits another running knee and then a kick to head and a running shooting star press for two.

Wentz goes to the top turnbuckle but Nemeth hits the ropes, crotching him. Nemeth takes advantage and hits a high jumping DDT for two-and-a-fraction. Nemeth gives us shock face and then goes to the side where his brother grabbed the tag title belt and gave it to Ryan. The ref saw it and removes this. This gives time for Wentz to hit a jumping knee. Wentz then goes to the top rope and hits a Spiral Tap for three.

Post match: Ryan is consoling Nick and they decide to hit the apron with the titles in tow. Trey Miguel jumps in the ring and the Nemeths feign getting into the ring. However, they step down and back away. We, meanwhile, back away to an NXT report. Trick Williams carried Josh Briggs to a watchable match. He then grabs the mic and said he was the best TNA champ of all time, only to be jumped by Hendry. Next week on NXT, we get Hendry vs. Wes Lee.

And hey, here is Williams now, Williams said Slammivesary is the biggest show of the year at the UBS Arena in Long Island. He said “Average Joe” still shows he has heart and is still kicking, which is great because Wiliams will kick out whatever is left.

Williams also talked about the main event this week (AJ Francis vs. Mike Santana in a Street Fight.) He said he rolls with First Class and he is going to watch Francis kick Santana back to the street and hits the “Let’s Talk About it.” (which we just did, I thought.)

TNA Knockout Title Opportunity Battle Royal

The first one out is Lei Ying Lee, who comes out in full attire and we go out to commercials in our attire.

We come back from break with an interview segment with Gia Miller and Slamovich. They put over how huge this battle royal is. Masha thrives under pressure, so they can line up any challenger they want because she will knock them down. She then addresses Kelly and said she likes to play mind games; so, she is going to play one of her own. Next week’s match is a chain match.

However, bounding into frame is Ariana Grace. She is excited to be here and talks up Slamovich. She also wants everyone to know that she has something amazing in the works but can’t tell us. Masha said she is up for it. Grace screams in delight and then goes bounding out of frame.

We are back ringside and magically everyone is there (Yoko brought a walrus, there was magic in the air.) The bell rings but everyone watches Ash and the rest of the By Elegance brand mock the Iinspirations with their pose. The Iinspirations show how its done and they start beating on each other. And then we battle, as everyone throws all four out of the ring…remember that. They fight up the rampway as now we get gradually brawling as Rewholdt and Hannifan speculate what Grace meant.

Everyone pairs off as Victoria Crawford tries to use her backside to help remove Brookside from the ropes and onto the floor. Katie Arquette and Jody Threat square off as Threat eventually throws Arquette out. Jada Stone, new signee is battling Tasha Steelz, who eventually eliminates Stone (by hardness scale, stands to reason.) Rosemary and Brookside are going at it Threat and Luna pair together for a stretch whilst battling Harley Hudson and Myla Grace. However, Luna is eliminated by Grace (Luna seemed distraught.) Women are fighting whilst we are breaking.

We are back and Hudson and Grace eliminate Rosemary. However, Steelz and Alicia Edwards eliminate the duo. Edwards starts to badmouth but Lee stops her with a headbutt, punch and kick. Steelz then eliminates Edwards.

We are down to the final six. Steelz, Brookside, Indi Hartwell, Lee, Crawford and Tessa Blanchard. We hit a lightning chain of eliminations as Brookside puts Crawford on the apron and Lee eliminates her via a kick. Steelz launches a superkick to hurt Lee and Brookside. Brookside attacks but Steelz ducks a charge to the corner and eliminates Brookside. Lee promptly eliminates Steelz. Blanchard then eliminates Lee.

Final two: Hartwell and Blanchard. The crowd obviously backs Hartwell. The two slug away but Hartwell charges with a boot but Blanchard ducks and Hartwell (somewhat clumsily) flips over to the apron. Blanchard goes on the attack but a neck snap on the ropes does not do the job. Hartwell ducks between the ropes and Blanchard tries to flip her over but is reversed and Blanchard is perilously dangling, precariously holding on to Hartwell and just barely gets to the apron. Blanchard did not let go of the leg but Hartwell stomps away at her. A Blanchard kick drops Hartwell to her knees. Both fighters continue to slug away.

BUT HOLD EVERYTHING. Ash by Elegance appears on the other side of the apron (in a really cool visual as she emerges in the background between Blanchard and Hartwell.) Ash climbs into the ring and pushes the two off the apron and Ash by Elegance win the battle royal? But how? Ah, replay shows when the initial Iinspirations vs By Elegance Brand were all eliminated, everyone went over the ropes except Ash, who rolled under the ring. Does that make her Ash…by intelligence?

So, we get Slamovich vs. ABE down the road for the title BUT HOLD EVERYTHING AGAIN (OR JUST KEEP HOLDING) The Fatal Influence theme plays and NXT champ Jacy Jayne appears on the rampway!!!!! She stares at both Masha and Ash and waves. Ash is angry because her moment is interrupted (the Personal Concierge joined us for her celebration and her tantrum.) Masha is smiling with Grace’s something amazing starts to come to fruition as we go to the back.

Speaking of which Jake Something is backstage and declares he is back. Whilst he was out, only one man checked on him physically and mentally – Tommy Deamer. When Mance Warner smacked Dreamer, Warner earned his wrath and is coming for him. Speaking of coming for things, Something wants a crack at the International Title of Steve Maclin and is putting Maclin notice.

Maclin does notice as he walks into picture and wishes him well with Warner and that he will see him soon. Maclin then walks off picture.

We walk into the Bioflex report. Santana is cleared for action, which is good because he fights tonight. The news is not so clear for KC Navarro who is not ready to return from his dislocated knee. It is also not good for Elijah, who has a torn triceps although he had successful surgery. Rewholdt and Hannifan wish him well since Elijah wanted to be in Pittsburgh since it is hometown.

Mustafa Ali vs. John Skyler – “Call to Arms” Match

What is a “Call to Arms” match, you ask? Both fighters have a hand tied to the ropes and whoever gets untied first has the advantage.

Ali comes out first with extra security in tow. Steelz and Jason Hotch walk out with him but are visibly ambivalent about the scenario (something Rewholdt noted.) Skyler is out next. Both men are tied; Hotch tied Ali, Steelz tied Skyler. The bell rings and Skyler gets to untying as Ali pauses and grabs some scissors from his boots (that’s is why he is the leader, you have to think of those things.) Ali cuts the rope and runs to land a kick to Skyler. Skyler is still trying to untie himself but Ali stomps him to the mat. Ali charges Skyler again but eats and elbow and a chop from Skyler’s free hand. Ali charges again but Skyler lands a jumping knee. Ali again charges but Skyler backdrops him to the apron. Ali, however, lands on his feet and pulls Skyller down.

However, Ali tried another charge and got backdropped to the floor. Whilst this is happening, Hotch grabbed the scissors and gave them to Skyler. He cuts himself loose and goes immediately on the attack with a series of clotheslines. Ali blocks a backdrop attempt with a kick but Skyler responds with a dropkick. Hotch and Steelz are getting the crowd into the match. Ali avoids a Skyler run to the turnbuckles but a rolling spear between the ropes for Ali is reversed to a DDT for two.

Skyler goes to the top but Ali knocks him down and hits a superkick. Ali charges to the ropes but Skyler hits a between ropes spear for two. Skyler grabs Ali but Ali hits Skyler and uses the rope to choke Skyler and run him into the ring post. Skyler crumples to the ring and the 450 seals the win for Ali.

Post-match. Ali grabs a chair but Hotch admonishes him. Ali throws the chair down but then grabs Hotch to throw him into the ring post. Steelz protests what is happening. Ali threw Hotch next to Skyler and grabs the chair again. Steelz is still yelling at Ali and runs between the Best Hands and Ali as Ali threatens to hit them with the hair. Ali backs away and then threatens to hit Steelz

BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, Cedric Alexander arrives on scene and walks down the rampway (as Rewholdt and Hannifan speculates that was the person Steelz was calling in the last couple of weeks.) Alexander tries to talks some sense to Ali. Ali throws the chair down and yells at Steelz to get up. Ali tries to walk away whilst grabbing Steelz’ arm but Alexander grabs the other arm. The Great Hands recover and stand next to Alexander, as does Steelz. Ali walks away, glaring at Alexander up the ramp.

We go to the back and Alicia Edwards wants us to know something. I mean, knowing is half the battle. Moose interjects and talks about his match with Leon Slater at Slammiversary. Moose brings back an iconic Bison line from the Street Fighter movie as he said this is the biggest match of his career and probably reserved some tickets for family and friends. For him, it’s just another Sunday.

However, Matt Cardona walks into frame and starts a beef with Eddie Edwards and the rest of the System. They all walk away talking trash to Cardona. However, Myers stands there silently and conflicted for a moment until he walks off picture.

Northern Armory vs. Hardys

The Armory is first to head to the ring in matching masks and ponchos. The Hardys arrive to ta massive pop. They are huge in the land of three rivers. Jeff Hardy gets an armdrag that turns to a dropkick to the back of Travis Williams. Matt tags in and they hit a tandem back elbow into a simultaneous legdrop and fistdrop. They then hit a double hiptoss to Judas Icarus. Williams is in the corner and Jeff pulled him out of the ring for his efforts and then gets an elbow to the groin.

Icarus tried to interfere and does when Matt hits the ropes and Icarus grabs him by the leg and pulls him to the floor as Williams hits a flying knee from the apron to the floor. Back in the ring, Williams gets two and stomps the hand of Matt. Icarus is tagged and Williams lands a knee to the ribs as Icarus hits a clothesline. Icarus beats Hardy to the floor and gave Eric Young a chance to smash Hardy’s head on the apron. Young grabs Hardy’s leg as he tried to get in the ring but the fans alert the referee what happened and Young is ejected (with security’s help) back to the locker room.

Meanwhile, Jeff tags in and backdrops Icarus. An inverted atomic drop leads to a wishbone legdrop and an elbow drop. However, a Twist of Fate is reversed to a sleeper as Icarus drags Hardy to the turnbuckle as Williams enters to hit a dropkick. Icarus gets two as Matt and Williams start to brawl on the outside. Matt dispatches him and gets in the ring. Jeff hits a twist of fate into a neckbreaker by Matt. Jeff goes to the top and a Swanton Bomb gets us a pin.

Post-Match jeff thanks the fans and calls out Leon Slater. Slater arrives and Matt compliments by putting in the work and crawling and scratching his way to the limelight. Slater is happy. Matt said Slater gets to be (in a bad British accent) a record breaker and a record maker when he becomes the youngest X-Division champion when he beats Moose at Slamaersariy. The Hardys know Slater can do it

Slater gets the mic and aloud “Leon Slater” chant starts. He will show up and show out. As he is determined to live forever or die trying. We can bet our ummm..glutes that he will walk out as the youngest X-Division champion. He is doing it for himself, his mom and little sister and the fans. Moreover, he wants to make the Hardys proud. Slater breaks out a good Moose impression saying he knows “this will be the toughest night of his life.” However, he knows Moose is next and points to Hannifan and Rewholdt having an empty chair next to him and we got us a three-man announce team for the next match….after the break.

Back to action

Moose vs. Shane Sabre and Jake Painter (no relation to Curtis Painter) Triple Threat Match?

Painter and Sabre are already in the ring, although they do get announced. Moose comes out and grabs the mic. He said he wanted this to be a triple threat match as a warm up and show Slater what he will do. Moose drops Sabre. Painter attempted to throw Moose to the ropes but eats a giant boot from Moose. Both Painter and Sabre are in opposite corners but Moose goes to each corner to chop them. Moose throws Sabre into Painter’s corner but they move evade a charge as Sabre lands and elbow and Painer a kick. However, they throw Moose into the ropes only to be clotheslined by Moose. Mose then picks up Painter to powerbomb him and hits a pop-up powerbomb on Sabre on top of Painter. Sabre is thrown out and Moose hits the spear on Painter for the win.

Post match: Moose beckons Slater into the ring. Slater obliges and the two stare at each other as Moose holds the title over his head. Moose leaves the ring and we leave for commercials.

We return from break and get the backstory of the Francis vs. Santana feud. Francis said Santana does not deserve to be TNA champion. Santana said Francis’ name gets crossed out and Francis gets to walk through the belly of the beast. Let’s get it.

A J Francis vs. Mike Santana – Street fight

And we are, in fact, getting it. First class is out first. Francis in Seahawks’ Day-Glo green with Navarro hobbling in tow. Francis has a trashcan o’ plunder chucks it into the ring. Santana makes his entrance through the crowd as the announcers ruminate about Santana fighting for the TNA title – remember that.

And we’re off as they both slug away at each other. Santana kicks Francis in the groin and clotheslines him out of the ring. Santana hits a drop kick through the ropes. Santana quickly goes under the ring for a table as Hannifan humorously compared Navarro to Scrappy-Doo. I mean, technically, he’s not wrong.

Comparisons aside, Francis grabbed Snana but Santana slugged his way out of his clutch and delivers a big boot as Francis goes over the barricade into the audience. Santana follows suit and beats on Francis in the Audience. However, Francis slams Santana into the railing of the next level as the two start to meander through the crowd. Rewholdt said they might end up in Corey Graves’ living room (I laughed.) Francis and Santana start to brawl but Francis grabs Santana during a charge and drapes his heck on the metal barricade as we go to break (not before Francis holds a pro-Francis sign from the crowd.)

We’re back and Francis is choking Santana in the ring with a chair., Francis unfolds the chair, sits down, soaks in the boos and badmouths Santana. Santana gets up but Francis slams him down on the chair for two-and-a-fraction. Francis chokes Santana on the ropes and then nails a trash can shot on Santana’s back. He then puts the trash can over Santana and hits the Tennessee Whiskey knee to the corner.

Francis beats on Santana but Santana starts to Boricua up and starts to punch away at Francis. Two running clotheslines hit. Santana hit the ropes but ducked a Francis clothesline. Santana grabbed the trashcan and threw it at Francis, who fell to the floor. Santana hit a somersault dive on Francis. Santana threw Francis to the ring steps. As Francis is hobbling, Santana goes under the ring again and sets up a second table next to the first one. Francis grabbed Santana, though, and attempted a chokeslam. Santana reversed it with a kick and then hit an Asai Moonsault on Francis.

Santana threw Francis into the ring and goes to the top turnbuckle. He rolls through a leap and then set Francis up to hit the Rolling Buck 50 stunner for two-and-a-fraction. Santana set up two chairs in the ring and manages to get Francis on his shoulders to hit a Death Valley Driver on the chairs for another two. Francis is in the corner but a clothesline is reversed and Francis chokeslams Santana on the apron. Francis reversed another Santana clothesline into a clothesline of his own. Francis gets Santana on his shoulders by the tables but Santana escapes and puts Francis on his shoulders again and hits another Death Valley Direr throw the tables. Francis is out, the crowd is wild and Navarro is aghast.

And now we get run-in-apalooza. Williams runs out to encourage Francis and to get him upright. Hendry then hits the stage and they brawl their way up the ramp, with Hendry getting the better of it. Santana throws Francis into the ring and Santana hits a frog splash from the top turnbuckle …for two, everyone bit on that. Francis then reverses a Spin the Block into the TFL spear. Francis then sets up Santana and hits a Styles Clash (!!!) for two and the crowd goes nuts for that.

Francis motions to Navarro who grabbed a champagne bottle and glass. Francis tried a Spin the Block of his own but Santana ducked that. Santana then breaks the champagne bottle on Francis’ head and NOW we get the Spin the Block for the three count.

Post-match, Santana grabbed the mic and shouts out Pittsburgh. He said he clawed and bled his way to where his now thanks to the fans. They call him the “Standard” for a reason. When the mention the world title, they mention his name. So, at Slammiversary in New York at UBS Arena, we know what he wants – triple threat match with Hendry, Williams and Santana. He said Marella should do this and that he owes Santana a favor. And, a little spoiler, he is not going to New York to lose, because he “the Standard.”