TNA Impact Review – 08.28.25

Okay, it’s been eventful week around these parts. We are still in Baltimore, Maryland on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. In honor of famous alums Duff Goldman and Kathleen Turner, let’s see what baking in the oven and who is winning the war of the roses. The action is so hot, it’s generating body heat. Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rewholdt, Gia Miller and McKenzie Mitchell are the frosting on the cake of an action packed two-hours as we engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Previously on Impact, we get a recap of the Trick Williams and Mike Santana segment from last week and Authority Director’s attempted edict of matching the two last week.

We also get a recap of the biggest news of the week from NXT Heatwave as Ash…by Elegance hit the Rarified Air on Masha Slamovich and claimed the TNA Knockouts Championship.

We eschew the pleasantries and head right to the action:

Mike Santana and Steve Maclin vs. Trick Williams and AJ Francis

Mike Santana gets us started as he heads from the concourse and the aisles on his way to the ring. Steve Maclin heads out next to a decent pop. As Maclin we get the announcers’ greetings. AJ Francis comes out first for the heels as Hannifan dubbed him “the Judas of TNA Wrestling.” Williams is out next and he is still insanely over as a heel; the crowd chants along “Whoop That, Trick” (comma added by author.) Rewholdt and Hannifan talk about Williams wearing the title upside down.

Williams and Maclin start as Willimas gets the shoulderblock off a Maclin headlock. Another run of the ropes works for Maclin who hits a back elbow. Maclin chopped away on Williams. Williams tried to hit a backdrop but Maclin reversed into a guided knee slam to the head and a clothesline for one.

Maclin got an armlock and tagged Santana. Santana and Williams glared at each other for a moment or two but Willimas decided to tag Francis. Francis missed a charge and Santana hit a series of punches. Another charge in the corner by Francis is avoided by Santana who hits a series of chops. Francis pushed Santana away, only for Santa to back roll and hit a flying forearm into the corner. Francis missed another charge in the ropes as Santana clotheslined Francis out of the ring and onto the floor. Williams missed a clothesline and Santana knocked Williams to the floor. Santana ran the ropes and dove over the top rope (with Maclin giving an assist) to wipe out Francis and Williams.

Santana slugged away at Francis. Francis caught a Santana kick and pushed him again to the corner. Francis charged but met a Santana boot and a Tornado DDT for two. Santana dragged Francis into the corner but Francis rolled out of a way of a Santana dive. Santana rolled through and avoided a Francis clothesline. However, a Rolling Block 50 was met with a clothesline to the back of Santana’s head.

Williams got back in the ring and threw Santana into the turnbuckles. Wiliams took a swipe at Maclin for good measure (actually, bad measure.) A Williams vertical suplex got two as Francis was tagged into the match again. Francis slugged away at Santana and tagged Williams into the match again. Williams and Santana slugged away in the corer but Williams got the better with an eye poke and a choke of Santana with his foot.

Williams hit the chinlock as Santana tried to fight out of it. Francis reg aged into the match but Santana backflipped out of a Francis slam attempt and tagged Maclin, who came in a barracks on fire. Maclin ducked a Francis clothesline to hit Wiliams on the apron. Maclin ducked another Francis clothesline to hit the psycho knee that drove Franics to the ropes.

After a break, Maclin clotheslined Francis in the corner but a bulldog attempt was blocked. However, a Francis clothesline was reversed to a back elbow and then Maclin hit an Olympic Slam on Francis (!) Francis went to the top rope but Willias distracted him. That gave Francis time to lift Maclin and slam him to the mat. Francis also hit a flying stinger splash in the corner on Maclin. Francis started to maul Maclin on the ropes with his forearm and Maclin tied in the ropes.

Maclin tried to fight out of it but Francis whipped Maclin hard into the corner. Maclin again tried to fight out of it but the numbers game was too much. Maclin slumped into the corner after another flying stinger splash, enabling Francis to hit the running Tennessee Whiskey knee. Willams tagged himself in as Francis ran toward the corner. Williams hit a flapjack off the ropes and then posed for the crowd. Williams chopped away in the corner and tagged Francis.

Francis hit another stinger splash (with Williams giving him extra propulsion) in the corner. Williams caught Maclin with a dropkick and Maclin dropped to the canvas. Francis hit an elbowdrop for one. Maclin hit the chinlock as Maclin attempted to fight out it. He did with a jaw jacker but a pop up forearm derailed the rally.

However, another Francis charge to the corner was met with a Maclin boot. Maclin then went to the second turnbuckle and hit a missile dropkick. Maclin made it to the corner and tagged Santana as he was now un casa de Fuego. Williams got tagged but was met with a flying clothesline off the ropes. Santana threw Williams into the corner and Williams tried to boot Santana but it was blocked and Santana hit an enziguri. A pump kick by Williams stemmed the tide.

However, Satana ducked a charge but Williams pushed him into the corner. However, Santana ducked a Williams charge and NOW hit the Rolling Block 50 for two. Santana got Wiliams on his shoulders but Willims escaped. Williams, though, missed a side kick as Santana leapfrogged Williams. Williams attempted another sidekick but NOW Santana catches him and hit the Outline In Chalk for two as Francis broke up the pin.

This brought Maclin back into the fray as he and Francis slugged away. Maclin dodged a charging Williams who connected the side kick on Francis who went to the floor. Maclin dove between the ropes on Francis. Santana set up for a Spin the Block but Williams avoided it but Santana came from behind and rolled up Williams for the win.

Post Match: Francis and Williams continued to beat on each other as Williams eventually escaped as Williams and Santana stood victorious in the ring. More on that later in the show.

Backstage: Gia Miller interviewed Leon Slater and Cedric Alexander. Miller asked why Alexander requested the match. He said Slater earned his respect and he learned so much from the Hardys and what better way to show how much he learned by competing against them. This smells fishy.

Slater went over how much he has “mountains and mountains” of respect and how much he owed the Hardys but that does not mean, he won’t go out and go all out for the victory. Alexander is pleased by the announcement and said he wants the belts.

We come back from break awash in red lights as Eric Young made his way ringside in his poncho and mask. Rewholdt thought about what Young has been preaching about “cleansing TNA” and that starts with his opponent – with fake tagging and faux smoke – Myron Reed.

Eric Young vs. Myron Reed

Rewholdt said Reed has a chance to shut down everything Young said previously. Hannifan and Rewholdt talked about the match the Rascalz had with the Hardys last week. Young got the early offense with a series of knees to the gut. He floated over a Young Death Valley Driver attempt but Reed matrixed out of a Young clothesline and hit an enziguri. Reed waited for Young to get up but a charge to the corner is blocked by Young. However, Reed managed to backflip out of and back into the ring and hit a code breaker on Young, who went to the floor.

Reed dove over the ropes and splashed Young on the floor. Reed threw Young back into the ring for two count. Reed whipped Young into the turnbuckle but Young hit the (Flin Flon) Flair Flip but stopped halfway. Reed gave chase but Young shoulderblocked him in the gut. He slid under Young but Reed blocked a punch. Young whipped Reed into the ropes and Reed slid under Young’s clothesline attempt. Reed got Young on his shoulders but an eye rake stopped any offense. Young then got Reed on his shoulders and hit a Death Valley Driver variation for two.

Young slowed down the offense with a neck wrench and snap. Meanwhile, the camera caught a glimpse of a man (apparently not Icarus or Williams) holding a sign that said “The Cleanse is Coming” in various cut out letters. Meanwhile, Young continued to work the neck but Reed eventually freed himself and hit the ropes. But, Young hit a huge back elbow to drop Reed. But Reed blocked and reversed two suplex attempts into a Slumdog Millionaire as Reed staggered to the corner.
However, a charging Reed was met with a Young back elbow. Young got the huge body slam and headed to the top turnbuckle but a moonsault got nothing but mat. A small “Myron Reed” chant emerged as Reed ducked a charging Young into the ropes and hit a leg drop on the apron. Reed went to the top rope but Young charged. Reed jumped and rolled out of the way, dodged a series of kicks and landed a drop kick.

Reed again got Young on the shoulders and hit a variation of the F5 and Tower of London with Young on the ropes. Reed charged Young and avoided a boot. Reed shoved Young into position and hit a slingshot leg drop for two over the ropes. Reed, again, went to the apron for a slingshot jump but Young caught him on the shoulders for a DVD. Reed elbowed out and hit the ropes but Young hit a nice powerslam for two.

Young took umbrage with the count and threatened to slug the referee twice. Wentz got on the apron to help the ref. Meanwhile, Young charged Reed in the corner. Reed jumped over Young, but Young caught him with a back boot to the groin. This set up Reed up nicely for the Piledriver for the victory for Young.

Post Match; The announcers noted the sign guy was still present as Young took umbrage with the fans as we go to a recap of last week.

We get highlights of Dani Luna’s heel turn last week on Indi Hartwell and Jodi Threat. We get Luna attacking Hartwell with the chair and then took out some security guards. That leads us to a backstage segment with Luna.

She thought about her actions last week and she is still not sure if she did the right thing or not but everyone is talking about it. She did the lion’s share of work in Spitfire and never complained. When it was her chance, Hartwell got lucky and took it away. A pat on the back isn’t good enough for Luna anymore. Maybe trying isn’t good enough. She is tired of being quiet and being in second as we go to break.

We come back to a recap on NXT as Ava made the announcement that the Speed titles are coming to NXT and announced the participants in the women’s division, including TNA’s Xia Brookside. Brookside and Candice LaRae start the tourney this coming Tuesday.

We continue to another backstage segment as the By Elegance Brand is elated and Ash is ecstatic that she walked into NXT Heatwave and beat Jacy Jayne (well…) and Slamovich (okay, that one checks) and is now the TNA champion. She saved TNA. The entire company should be thanking her. She makes a dry heave sound thinking about the TNA Knockout title being around the waist of someone from NXT. But, fret not, the title is coming home. We have hit the By Elegance era and she deserves the most extravagant celebration in Minneapolis. The Personal Concierge agrees and hypes up the party as the M and Heather smile accordingly.

Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley and Jasmyn Nyx) vs the Iinspiration (Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee)

Henley and Nyx emerge first without Jayne in tow. Ash’s victory was so momentous that Hannifan it is the first time that he and Rewholdt agree on something. Meanwhile, Influence goes through their posing. The Iinspiration come out next to a muted pop, we’ll say. They make their way to ringside and do their posing (but not THE POSE!!)

Nyx and Jessie McKay start the match. Nyx did her come hither and then stop pose she does on the way to the ring. McKay didn’t talk to the hand but rather, grabbed the hand and hit the armlock. McKay hit a fireman takedown and then tagged Lee. The two hit a double arm wrench and then the double kick to the gut and back to the head and NOW we STRIKE THE POSE!! Lee tagged and got a series of arm drags on Nyx and grabbed the headlock. Nyx managed to tag Henley behind Lee’s back. As Lee charged off the ropes, Henley hit a knee to the back and Nyx got a side kick.

Henley grabbed Lee and grabbed a cravat and then a series of knees (some missed by a bit though,) for two. Henley rammed Lee into the turnbuckle and tagged Nyx. The two hit a flapjack on Lee and then a double Natural Selection for two. Nyx tried for a series of pins but Lee kicked out. Nyx then hit a Muta lock (!!) and then held on to the facelock until Lee armdragged out of it. Lee tried to get the pin but Nyx lifted her and carried her to the Influence corner.

Henley got the tag and hit a back elbow (with Nyx giving extra propulsion.) Nyx tagged again but a charge to the corner caught a boot and Lee ducked a Henley clothesline on the apron. Nyx tried to charge Lee on the ropes but Lee ran through the ropes to the floor. However, Henley was smart enough to roll her back into the ring quickly but it was too late. McKay got the tag and hit multiple clotheslines on the Influence as Henley tagged.

McKay pounded away on Henley in the corner as Nyx tried stop her. Nyx was thrown into the turnbuckles by McKay and got the same treatment. McKay was fired up and threw Nyx to the floor. McKay hit a meteora on Henley and then hit a Rose Plant variation for two as Henley went to the floor. McKay threw back into the ring and ducked a sweeping kick by Henley.

Nyx tried to prevent McKay from entering the ring but was met with a boot. McKay then caught Henley with a rope-aided knee as Henley charged. Nyx, though, was persistent and managed to yank McKay’s feet from her and send her to the floor. Nyx , then, threw McKay to the ring and set up a neat double team as Henley slingshotted McKay into a Nyx Pele kick. However, that got two as Lee charged Henley and barged over Nyx to break the count.

We get a schmozapalooza as Lee and Henley brawled in one corner and Nyx and McKay in the other. We get some Memphis style action as the Influence threw the Iinspiration into each other, but a do-si-do evade sent the Iinspiration on the attack. However, the Influence also did a do-si-do as the Iinspiration tried the same spot. But, off the turn, the Iinspiration met them with big boots.

This set up a running bulldog into McKay’s knee for two before Henley could break up the pin. Henley threw McKay out to the apron but Lee met Henley with a spinning kick. That gave Nyx time to attempt a roll up for two. Lee hit a kick to the face which staggered Nyx. That gave McKay and Lee a chance to set up the Iidolizer for the victory.

Post Match: The Iinspiraton mocked Nyx and then climbed the turnbuckles and then STRUCK THE POSE!!

We, however, strike toward the Bioflex Injury Report.

From last week’s attack, Hartwell suffered some bruising but should be okay and is cleared. JDC suffered head trauma from Agent Zero and is out indefinitely. And all four participants in the main event (Hardys and Slater/Alexander.)

We go backstage and Williams is on the phone with his attorney as someone re-does Williams braids. The man multitasks, what can I say? He said Santana assaulted him and wants attorney here as soon as possible as we go to a break as soon as possible.

When we come back, we get a Victory Road hype package and we were supposed to get the Mara Sade vs. Tasha Steelz match but instead, we get Ryan Nemeth headed to ringside. Nemeth grabbed a mic but has to endure a “Where’s Your Brother?” chant. Nemeth answered the fans by saying his big brother returns next week. However, a more relevant question is:

“Do you want to know something?”

That question in a dulcet, mellifluous tone can only mean one thing, Alicia Edwards headed ringside with Eddie in tow. The System has been doing something different – call it a new attitude (or a face turn, but six on one hand…) The people are into it, which counts. The Queen of the System realized they had to make some amends for some past inequities. And what better place to do it than in Baltimore. So, little brother, everyone is waiting for someone to shut Ryan’s mouth.

Ryan made a joke that it was Alicia that was going to do the wrestling. However, you guessed it, it’s Eddie, dumb-donkey. Eddie tagged Ryan and said he talked to Santino and the match is happening right now.

Eddie Edwards vs. Ryan Nemeth

Eddie chopped away at Ryan in the corner as Rewholdt called shenanigans on the match. An Edwards charge into the corner is met with a Ryan boot but it was no-sold as Eddie chopped away on Ryan. Ryan slugged away on Edwards to get the momentum temporarily but Edwards reversed a whip to the ropes into a high inverted atomic drop and then pushed into the ropes and came back with an overhead suplex. Ryan staggered onto the floor and started to jaw with Alicia and grabbed her hand.

Eddie, however, grabbed Ryan and chopped and headbutted away on the floor. Ryan got into the ring and started to pound away on Edwards as he reentered the ring and then Ryan got a chokehold on Edwards. Ryan continued to slug Edwards. Edwards tried to regain momentum but a backdrop attempt is met with a hair pull to the mat by Ryan. Ryan continued to boot way on Edwards and then focused his ire on Alicia Edwards.

Edwards, again, tried to rally but was but met with a double thrust to the throat. Ryan whipped Edwards hard into the corner and blew a kiss to Alicia and continued to taunt the fans and Alicia. That gave Eddie time to chop Edwards but a charge to the corner was missed by Edwards and went shoulder first into the ring post. Ryan again continued to beat on Edwards with a series of boots and punches. Ryan tired for a aeries of pins but only got two on them.

Rya hit the chinlock as Alicia tried to get Eddie and the crowd to rally. Edwards made it to his feet but Ryan was still in control. A seductive hip gyration was aimed at Alicia as Ryan hit a standing neckbreaker. Ryan then crawled between the ropes and goaded Alicia to hit him. This gave Edwards time to recuperate and stage the comeback with a series of punches and a slam to the mat face first.

Edwards continued to chop away on Ryan but another charge to the corner was met with a back elbow by Nemeth. However, Ryan scaled the second turnbuckle but was met with a kick by Edwards. Edwards set up a backpack neckbreaker but an eyerake broke up the maneuver. Ryan charged Edwards for an leaping DDT but Edwards reversed it into a tiger bomb. Edwards made the gesture and set up Edwards for the Boston Knee Party for the victory.

Post Match: the Edwards soaked up the cheers in the ring as Hannifan wondered how Nick Nemeth would react to this next week.

Meanwhile, we go backstage where Miller sees Hartwell just standing there and leaning on a garage door. Miller asked how Hartwell how she was doing. Hartwell she is okay physically; but mentally, she is not hurt, just disappointed. Hartwell appreciated Luna having her back all this time and Hartwell reciprocated having her back. But if that is what Luna wants, Hartwell won’t back down.

She is interrupted by Marella who made sure Hartwell is okay. Next week, we do get a number one contender match between Hartwell and Threat. That naturally brings Luna into frame and said she lasted the whole match. Hartwell said fine and asked Marella to make it a triple threat match between Hartwell, Threat and Luna. We also get some comedy as Hartwell and Marella can’t figure out if they want to fist bump or shake hands.

We get an A-Game hydration hype piece which is the official hydration of TNA Impact. Next, we get the women’s match between Tasha Steelz and Mara Sade.

When we come back with the hype for next week’s show in Minneapolis and we get “Where in the World is Joe Hendry” (clap clap) as Hendry wrestled during the WWE tour of UK, beating the Miz in Manchester like Manchester City beat (insert unpopular soccer team here.) They call Hendry the “global superstar.” They’re not wrong, actually.

We come back to a backstage segment with Eric Young. People ask him why he is so upset? Maybe, he is not upset but knows the truth. People think he is a conspiracy theorist or just confused. Maybe he is the only one thinking clear. There is a cleanse coming and it starts with…..Joe Hendry. (The camera panned down to see Hendry out cold on the floor.) He tried to warn him but it won’t end here and the cleanse is coming.

Tasha Steelz (with the Great Hands and Agent Zero in tow) vs. Mara Sade

It is a scaled down entrance for Order Four as Ali and the extra Servicemen are not here. Sade entered the ring by herself. Sade got a decent pop and the fans were glad to see her. Sade tried to get the fans hyped and got some gyrations going on the apron.

Sade and Steelz jawed at each other and traded shoves. Steelz grabbed a headlock but Sade reversed it to a shoulderblock. The two traded armdrags as they both hit the ropes after the other. Sade got some momentum as she hit the Wasteland slam on Steelz and dropped a series of knees to the back of the neck for two-and-a-fraction.

However, as Sade was going to come off the ropes, Hotch grabbed her foot and dropped Sade. Sade immediately got to her feet but that Steelz time to hit a jumping side kick on Sade, who took advantage by pounding away on Sade. Sade tried to comeback but Steelz continued to pound away on Sade. Sade managed to backflip a charging Steelz onto the apron but Steelz hit a high kick to drop Sade and then a rolling senton between the ropes. Steelz then mocked Sade’s dance moves. I actually was served twice, that gratuity is going to be high.

Sade tried to get a series of pins but only got two on each one. Steelz then hit the camel clutch on Sade as Sade got to her knew and then tried to get to her feet. She eventually did and backed Steelz into a corner. She snapmared Steelz, rolled a couple of punches and came back with body shots of her own followed by an European uppercut.

Steelz backed into the corner where Sade hit the Rear view and, as Steelz staggered to the middle of the ring, Sade hit the Sling Blade. Steelz, however, caught a charging Sade with a back elbow and then ran Sade into the turnbuckles. Steelz made a charge of her own but Sade hit a kangaroo dropkick that dropped Steelz and then Sade climbed to the top and hit a missile dropkick.

Hannifan also dropped the news that Williams’ lawyer was en route as we watched Sade get a two count on Steelz. Steelz got to her feet and ran Sade to the corner and hit a series of shoulderblocks to the body. Sade attempted to kick Steelz but Steelz blocked it. However, Sade came back with a enziguri that dopped Steelz.

Sade climbed to the turnbuckles but the Great Hands distracted her. That gave Steelz time to recover and climb the turnbuckles and get a Super Russian Legsweep for two. Steelz was visibly frustrated but went continued. Sade, though, reversed a cutter to a belly to back suplex and then hit the Finish Her (blue thunder bomb into a codebreaker.)

However, John Skyler climbed on the apron to distract Sade. She slugged Skyler but then Hotch got on the apron on the other side. Sade chased him off. Sade hit the ropes and dove between them to take out Skyler on the floor. She landed right in front of Agent Zero. Sade started to jaw with Zero. This gave Steelz time to recover; so, when Sade got back into the ring, Steelz hit the Okurrr cutter and got the pin with her feet on the ropes for extra leverage.

Post Match: The Great Hands grabbed Sade by the arms as Steelz slugged away. She then called Agent Zero into the ring. Zero hit a huge clothesline and Sade dropped like a stone. This brought out the Hardys. The Hardys ran to the ring (no dancing, this time) and cleaned house on the Great Hands. They double clotheslined Zero who went over the ropes but landed on his feet. Zero wanted back in the rig but Steelz and the Great Hands restrained him as we headed to break.

When we come back, we have a quick Victory Road hype and then we go to the main event.

TNA Impact Tag Match: The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) vs. Cedric Alexander and Leon Slater

Obviously, the Hardys never left the ring from the previous segment, so we get Alexander to hit the ring next. Hannifan would try to focus on the match but reiterated that he found Zero’s attack on Sade disgusting. Slater was last to enter and got a good pop from the crowd. Hannifan went over the history of Alexander and Slater. Rewholdt reiterated Slater would be facing his mentors in the ring. Rewholdt chocked it up to iron sharpening iron.

Jeff and Alexander started the match. Alexander got a go behind but Hardy hit a set of back elbows and a clothesline off the ropes. Alexander, for his efforts, blocked a jaw jacker with a knee to the face. Alexander tagged Slater and respect is shown as Hardy got the crowd riled. Slater whipped Hardy to the ropes but ate a shoulder block. Slater went to the ropes with a boot that Jeff blocked but Slater reversed the kick and landed it on Slater. Slater looked somewhat conflicted but continued.

Hardy threw Slater into the ropes but Slater started to try a handspring rebound into an elbow but Hardy moved and Slater stayed on his feet. Hardy did drop Slater with a Russian Legsweep and got Slater into position for a wishbone rollup with his legs for two.

Matt tagged in the match and the Hardys hit a double back elbow and then the fistdrop/legdrop double team for two. Slater reversed a whip to the turnbuckles but a Slater charge was met with a Matt Hardy back elbow. Another charge was met with a boot. Matt climbed to the second turnbuckle and then hit an elbow to the head with Matt Hardy landing somewhat awkwardly.

Hardy did have the wherewithal to duck a side kick from Slater and hit the Side Effect and then a Twist of Fate. Matt slugged Alexander from the apron and then tagged Jeff. Jeff went for the Swanton Bomb but Slater moved out of the way and Jeff crashed to the mat. Slater slid to the floor but Alexander helped him get back into the ring. Slater than dragged Jeff into position and tagged Alexander who hit a series of elbows on Jeff’s back.

Alexander tagged Slater and Slater hit a seated dropkick as Jeff tried to get to Matt. Slater came off the ropes and hit Jeff with the Crossover Splash for two. Slater hit the facelock as Jeff got toe his fee but Slater continued to pound away on Jeff and hit a flying forearm smash in the corner . Slater tagged Alexander and Alexander hit a running shoulder block in the corner. Alexander hit another seated dropkick for two.

Slater tagged into the match again and hit a flying stomp to the chest of Jeff as Alexander held him as we are in a holding pattern for our last break.

When we return, Hardy hit a desperate jawjacker to drop Slater. Hardy tried for the hope crawl but Slater grabbed him. Hardy got to his feet and hit a twisting kick to drop Slater. Both Slater and Jeff made the tag but Matt was the compound on fire with a series of forearms to Alexander. Matt hit Alexander with a back elbow and then hit the 10- turnbuckle spot as he repeatedly slammed Alexander’s head into each descending turnbuckle. Slate tried to run interference but Matt repeatedly ran Slater’s head into the top turnbuckle.

Matt hit the Side Effect on Alexander and then scaled to the second turnbuckle for an elbowdrop for two. Matt took his shirt off and then tried for the Twist of Fate only for Alexander to reverse it into a dragon screw legwhip. Alexander then followed it with a penalty kick for two. Alexander got Matt on his shoulders and asked Slater to go to the top. But, Matt escaped and pushed Alexander into Slater who crotched himself on the ringpost. Jeff tagged Matt and the two hit the Plot Twist (A Jeff Twist of Fate into a Matt neckbreaker.) Jeff hit a bodysplash but Slater broke the pin coming from the top turnbuckle.

Slater hit a drop kick and then dragged Alexander to the corner so Slater could tag. Slater kicked Jeff and then dragged him to his corner so he could hit the Swanton 450. However, Jeff moved so Slater rolled through it but Matt caught him. A Twist of Fate was reversed by Slater and Slater attempted to hit his own Twist of Fate. Matt reversed that and pushed Slater to Jeff. Jeff hit the Twist of Fate but then Slater recovered just enough to hit a cutter on Matt off the rebound. Slater hit a leg lariat and went to the top turnbuckle as Alexander made a blind tag.

Slater missed the Swanton 450 and Matt threw him out of the ring. Matt and Slater brawled on the outside. Meanwhile, in the ring, Jeff staggered to Alexander’s location and hit a Flatline through the ropes on Jeff. Alexander got two as Jeff grabbed the ropes. Alexander attempted to hit the Lumbar Check but Jeff slugged out of it and blind tagged Matt. Alexander missed a punch and the follow landed him in a Twist of Fate by Matt. Jeff ran to the top turnbuckle and hit the Swanton Splash for the win and title retention.

Post Match: The Hardys celebrated in the ring and danced around with the crowd. They saw Alexander and Slater and great sportsmanship was observed as all four raised hands.

We cut to Trick Williams who is…..WALKING!! He is backstage and going to address the issue with the title defense next as we get our last break.

When we come back we get hype for next week’s card. And we get “Whoop That, Trick.” Williams is in no business to celebrate and limped to the ring and immediately asked for a mic. His attorney is in tow. He was brutally attacked after the bell by Santana and he is not happy about it. We cheer for Santana but he is nothing but a coward because he won’t do it to his face but rather when he isn’t paying attention.

Williams said this isn’t a top notch wrestling promotion, it’s a crime scene (as much time as he spent in the NXT parking lot, he would know.) He brought his lawyer with him (Williams didn’t know his name and had to ask out of mic range what it is.) It sounded like Michael O’Shea. Per his lawyer, the working conditions here are unsafe and unfit. According to his contract, he doesn’t have to defend the title in (asks the lawyer again) 50 days. If the fans have a problem with it, take it up with his lawyer.

That brings Marella to ringside. Marella said “Tricky”Williams thinks he is a smart guy. He did the math (carried the one and everything) and said Bound for Glory is more than 50 days away. However, on October 12, he will defend the title. O’Shea interrupted Marella and said Marella will silence his voice when Williams speaks. Marella will adhere to the contract provisions for the title. Williams is under no obligation…

But before O’Shea can finish his thought, Marella broke out the cobra and struck O’Shea who crumpled to the mat. Williams bailed to the floor indifferent to his lawyer’s plight as Marella calmly put the cobra away. Rewholdt and Hannifan wondered what Marella was going to say about the 50-day rule as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations

One. A lot of action is this edition after the oration surplus of last week. I really liked the first match as the (in all likelihood) the two top faces of Impact teamed together. It is a nice sense of equifinality but the fans resonate with Santana and Maclin (arguably, more with Santana but Maclin is a nice kick butt and let the action do the talking type.)

Two: Wither Joe Hendry? Now, he is seen unconscious at the hands of Eric Young. That’s dipping low into the job category. The only thing left is jobbing to Ryan Nemeth. However, despite the outro jobs, Hendry still is a huge hit with the fans. Hendry can’t get to WWE soon enough, though. I think that iron cooled considerably.

Three: When I first saw Tasha Steelz, I thought she was value store Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks. I was legit impressed with her in the ring against Sade. That was a really good performance. I am not so worried about Sade losing because it was due to skullduggery. Sade, I think, has the goods to be a star here.

Four: This was the best the Iinspiraton looked since their return. The crowd just can’t connect, I think. The pops are just muted. I was also impressed with Jasmyn Nyx. She looked solid in that ring with two solid vets like the Iinspiration. We talked about it on Tuesday but it would be intriguing if they swerve and kick Henley out and use Laney Reid to replace her versus Nyx.

Five: The WWE-ification continued as we got the sports entertainment closing segment. Williams made it amusing which was about as high as that segment went. I do like the table setting about the 50-day clause.

Six: I am curious how the System will fit as proxy babyfaces. It will be a departure for them and curious how they lean into it.

Seven: Methinks I am not going to like this “Cleanse” by Young. It feels rehashed from every fed and territory. It is the Culling or the Wyatt Sicks or Death Riders or…you get the point.

Eight: Something is brewing with Slater and the Hardys. I can’t put my finger on it but just have an old timers feeling there is a heel turn somewhere in there. Slater continued to look good and gave good psychology as the match progressed from conflicted to going for the win.

Nine: Weird bugaboo of mine. Do all wrestlers hang out near garage doors or open supply rooms? This is the third time I have seen Hartwell near a structure like that. I fear if I open my garage, Hartwell be just be leaning on the wall in there next to the bikes and washing machine.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.