TNA Impact Review – 10.09.25

Well, we have been Bound for Glory for a while now and we are almost there with Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt, Gia Miller and McKenzie Miller in the car. We have one more episode to go, though, in Edmonton. Besides being the home of our fearless leader, Scott I, Edmonton is also the home of West Edmonton Mall, the world’s largest mall until 2004. It had, at one point, the world’s largest indoor roller coaster, the Mindbender. We won’t do anything mind-bending here, just engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Previously on TNA: We get highlights of the mixed six-man tag team match (with Mike Santana on commentary.) We also get highlights of the Iinspiration beating the By Elegance Brand for the Knockout tag titles.

Hannifan welcomes and that TNA has been vindicated by its performance Tuesday on NXT. We also get the “Whoop That, Trick” and Trick Williams walks down the rampway to the ring. He gets the full chant. He asked do we feel the energy? It’s the electricity he brings to the room and what is to be expected at Bound for Glory. He is the most entertaining and most dangerous competitor. He is like having Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson and Michael Tyson in the same place.

He pivoted to Mike Santana. He respects him being a fighter his whole life. He has a family; most importantly, he has a story. But for the title, you need more than story, you need to be best for business and that is what Williams is. Williams is the best for business (the crowd tried to “what” him but Williams no sold it.) Williams brought up his ability to put butts in the seats and eyes on the product. He actually got a “Trick N A” chant.

However, he gets interrupted by Santana’s music and Santana makes his way from the concourse and through the stands (grabbing a Canadian flag on the way) but stayed there. Santana asked if Williams was done. Santana asked if he was done. He said Williams talks about being a man and being built for this; but, Williams hasn’t seen what Santana has nor been through the battles he survived.

He had to carry the weight of the world and his families on his back as he had to go to identify his father’s body at the morgue. He had to tell his daughter that he was an addict and had to go away to rehab to get better. But, he scratched and clawed his way from rock bottom to be here alive and well. A loud “Santana” chant emerged from the crowd.

At Bound for Glory, Williams will be standing in the ring with someone who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. Failure is not an option. Williams responded that after he beats him at Bound for Glory, Santana will be bound for rehab. Because Santana can’t handle the truth – that Williams is better than him.

Santana said his words don’t hurt him because they are just that. He stared at death dozens of times. When he stares at Williams eyes, he sees fear, a pretender and a one-trick pony (emphasis on trick.) That gets a “one trick pony” chant. When he whoops his keister at Bound for Glory, Williams will be Bound for developmental. Because, Santana is walking out as TNA world champion.

Hannifan said Santana earned his way and deserves to be on top of the mountain as TNA world champion. Meanwhile the two jawed at each other as advertisers jaw at us.

When we come back, we get a Bound for Glory hype ad and then we stay backstage with Tessa Blanchard and Victoria Crawford. It is pretty much a rehash – almost exact copy – of last week’s promotion. However, it is interspersed with Gia Miller’s original comments. Whilst Blanchard ran down Jackson, Miller complimented Jackson for putting her on the right path. She also said Blanchard had to go to another country because Blanchard burned so many bridges stateside. She can try to rewrite history but it doesn’t matter, what does matter is what happens at Bound for Glory and Miller calls that karma.

Hannifan believes in Miller but said the task is daunting. We also get our next match.

Matt Cardona vs. Ryan Nemeth (with Nic Nemeth in tow)

Ryan heads to ringside first carrying the Home Town Man’s mask he ripped a couple of weeks ago. We get the cry of “Always Ready” as Cardona headed to ringside, slowly and focused. Hannifan ran down the rest of the card tonight as Nemeth and Cardona jawed at each other in the ring. The crowd got a “Chelsea’s Husband” chant going which Cardona found amusing. We also got a preview that Cardona will be on NXT Tuesday versus Josh Briggs. Ryan tried to regain the heat but Cardona kept it after trading turnbuckle poses.

When Nemeth got off the turnbuckles, he was immediately greeted with a Cardona clothesline and was whipped to the corner. Cardona got a face buster off the ropes and then clotheslined Nemeth out of the ring. Cardona then hit a dropkick between the ropes to the floor. Cardona ripped his shirt and threw it to the crowd and threatened Nick. Nick distracted Cardona enough for Ryan to hit a dropkick and drop Cardona to the mat. Ryan went to the floor and hit a standing neckbreaker on Cardona and then got back in the ring.

Cardona struggled to get to his feet but just beat the count. Ryan got a two-count as he got in the ring. Ryan kept the offense going and by choking Carona on the ropes. When the referee intervened, Nick choked him. Ryan also hit a shoulderblock in the corner. However, a corner splash was met with knees by Cardona, who then got to the second turnbuckle. However, Ryan swatted away the missile dropkick attempt. Ryan got a two-count from a DDT.

Ryan continued to beat own Cardona until Cardona hit a jaw jacker and then a back elbow when Ryan charged the corner. Cardona, again got to the second turnbuckle but a double thrust momentarily ended the rally. Ryan beat on Cardona but then posed in the ring. That gave time for Cardona to recover and NOW he hit the missile dropkick.

Both combatants were on the mat and arose at the same time. Cardona got the upper hand in a battle of chops. However, a whip to the ropes was reversed and as Cardona came off the ropes, Nick tripped him. The referee questioned what happened and the fans snitched on Nick (hey, Edmonton, I don’t know how it goes there, but in the US, snitches get stitches.) Nonetheless, the referee sent Nick to the back. Nick had a tantrum and threw his shirt as the crowd got the tried and true Steam chorus “Na, na, na, hey, hey, goodbye” chant.

Meanwhile, Ryan was accosting with the referee and for Nick to come back. This whole scenario gave Cardona time to recover and hit the Radio Silence for the victory.

Post Match: Cardona celebrates in the ring.

(sigh) oh, boy, we get another “That 70’s show” style vignette with the Rascalz. This time, Wentz has the old bandage around his head for a jaw injury (it’s also on top of a baseball cap. Miguel and Reed asked why he is acting the way he is (petulant and angry.) Wentz wanted to address “the gorilla in the room” (Reed corrected him that it is “elephant.”) He is upset Miguel superkicked him in the face. He put the “Trey” in “betrayal.” Wentz asked for the footage to roll and magically it does in black and white and old-timey piano music. Footage doesn’t like.

Miguel said can’t we all just put this behind him and celebrate the (near) successes they had. Miguel noted Reed almost won the X-Division title at Victory Road. Miguel apologized and Wentz accepted (although it took a couple of tries to say “forgive.”) Someone gave him glasses and say let’s do the thing. Smoke images occur and you know what that means.

Miguel realized they don’t have a match for Sunday. Wentz realized their contracts are up at the end of the year (we get the sit-com canned “gasp” sound. Oh, yeah, sorry, the sit-com laugh tracks and sounds are here, too.) What are they going to do? Reed suggested talking to Santino but Wentz doesn’t want to because he has the cobra (he did the silly exaggerated pantomime.) They head to talk to the “cops” and the segment ends.

We get another preview of the rest of the action and JDC vs. Mustafa Ali is next. Actually, commercials are next; but, after that…

Actually, when we come back, we get another vignette from Mara Sade. There can be no light without the dark. When she arrived at TNA, she saw some old friends and some Hall-of-Famers, she noted Lance Storm, Tommy Dreamer and Jazz. Sade’s first action figure was Jacqueline but she and Jazz were legends. They looked like her and inspired her.

On the other hand, there were a bunch of hungry competitors who want the same thing as her. She brought up the clothesline from Special Agent Zero and said if someone told her that was going to happen, we’d be tripping. But, that darkness lead to light. She found herself with the Hardys, two other legends. She went off the top rope and felt no fear. She grew up in a single parent home and saw things you would only talk about in therapy. She looked death in the face. Ironically, it led her to this point. She is being vulnerable and emotional; she wants to leave a mark and inspire those little girls who are struggling and feel there is no hope. The girls stuck in the darkness. You can become anything you want. It is not their fault. She wants to be the person who motivates them and pushes them into that light.

After that, we went to the ring:

JDC (with the System in tow) vs. Mustafa Ali (with Order Four and extra Servicemen in tow.)

Rehwoldt talked about the match (shown last week) when Alisha Edwards defeated Tasha Steelz. JDC wants to re-create that feeling. We get the full meal deal entrance for Ali as everyone is there. Rehwoldt also mentioned that Ali beat Moose, giving the Order the advantage in the Hardcore War match. Hannifan applauded both Moose and Ali for their performances Tuesday on NXT Showdown.

The action starts right form the get go as JDC booted Ali in the abdomen off the ropes and grabbed a side headlock. Ali reversed it and got a shoulder block off the ropes. A second attempt was reversed to a hiptoss by JDC and an inverted atomic drop. JDC slugged Ali and sent him through the ropes and flew to the floor.

JDC grabbed Ali but Ali grabbed the legs and tripped him when JDC tried to get him back in the ring. JDC reversed a chop and then a head ram to the apron to his own and slid Ali back in the ring. JDC chopped away Ali in the corner and backdropped him after another whip to the corner. Rehwoldt and Hannifan debated the term “despot” in regards to Ali.

Ali reversed a whip to the corner and flipped over JDC when he charged. JDC, though, caught Ali with a snap powerslam as Ali came off the ropes for two-and-a-corner. Ali begged for mercy but grabbed JDC’s tights and rammed him into the turnbuckles. However, JDC backdropped Ali to the apron after a charge. Ali tried to jump over the ropes to attack but JDC dropkicked him to the floor.

JDC went to the floor and threw Ali back into the ring. JDC started to jaw with the rest of Order Four who started to encroach on JDC. This brought the System to that side of the ring to confront the Four. All this gave Ali time to hit the ropes and hit a dive between the ropes to drop JDC. Ali started to jaw with the System and dared Moose to hit him. The referee tried to intervene.

Ali threw JDC back into the ring and stomped away on him. Ali continued to attack but JDC tried to rally but a boot off the ropes got a two-count. Ali grabbed a sleeper hold. JDC fought out of it and sent Ali to the ropes. After a couple of dodges, JDC caught Ali with a huge clothesline off the ropes and Ali had the Shawn Michaels sell job.

JDC headed to the tope rope but Ali met him there and shoved him, causing JDC to crotch himself. Ali hung JDC in the tree of woe but miss the sliding kick and crotched himself on the ringpost. JDC went to the second turnbuckle and hit a superplex as both laid motionless in the ring.

The two traded shots in the “boo/yeah” spot which JDC won; however, a Falcon’s Arrow attempt was reversed into a bell calp and a vertical suplex for two. Ali made the Order Four gesture in the corner. He went to the apron and hit the rolling neckbreaker between the ropes as we hit a commercial break.

When we return, Ali went to the turnbuckle and set up for the 450 splash. JDC moved and Ali rolled through it. Ali charged JDC but JDC evaded and sent Ali head first to the turnbuckles. Both wrestlers struggle to get to their feet but JDC won a battle of punches and then hist a series of running back elbows into the corner. JDC got a Russian Legsweep. JDC charged at Ali in the corner but Ali had a back elbow waiting for him. Ali then climbed to the second turnbuckle and attempted a Tornado DDT. JDC blocked and NOW hit the Falcon’s Arrow for two-and-a-fraction.

JDC then climbed to the top turnbuckle but Ali slid out of the ring. The other Servicemen were there to help him but JDC leapt into the pile and dropped Ali and the Servicemen. Both groups headed to the fight area and cheered their respective charges. Alisha and Steelz started to jaw at each other and then we get a schmozapalooza as both groups started to brawl with the other. Steelz and Alisha climbed into the ring and started to brawl.

The tide changed as Special Agent Zero floored Moose (camera was too late to show the action.) They did catch Zero grabbing Edwards and Myers and choke shoved them into the apron. Meanwhile, the Great Hands (John Skyler and Jason Hotch) distracted the referee on the apron. This gave Zero the opportunity to choke shove JDC into the apron. Zero shoved JDC into the ring. Ali recovered and got to the top turnbuckle and hit the 450 Splash for the victory.

Post-Match: Ali celebrated with Order Four but Myers gabbed a trashcan and tossed it, hitting Skyler. The rest of the System climbed into the ring with myriad plunder as Order Four bid a hasty retreat.

We, however, don’t retreat and head to the Bioflex Injury Report:

The Dudleys are cleared for their match on Sunday (kind of miraculous given D’Von’s status.) Mara Sade is cleared to participate in the “Call Your Shot” match Sunday and the Iinspiration is cleared of bumps and bruises from their title victory last week. Oh, and an Elijah update, triceps are still torn, still out.

We get an update what is next, starting with the contract signing between Indi Hartwell and Kelani Jordan. However, we must endure commercials first.

We come back to a highlight package of Tuesday’s title win by the Hardys who now hold the TNA and NXT tag titles. The Dudleys applaud. We also get the Survivor Series matches between the men and the women. We get the NXT women’s win despite the infighting. The amazing match between Ali and Page (with Hannifan noting that Ali had his foot entangled in Booker’s headset cord) and we get the men’s match, won by Moose and Mike Santana. They also focus on Williams’ and Saints’ conflict with the missed tags.

We head to ringside for the contract signing between Jordan and Hartwell and Santino Marella at ringside. He still struggles with “Massachusetts” so it is “somewhere near Boston” but goes over the match. Mitchell introduces both combatants and they made their way to ringside.

Hartwell got a big pop whilst Jordan’s was, well, muted. Jordan had the “aw, shucks” act going. Marella said the contract would be signed but first comments from the two – or do we?

Actually, we start with comments from the Personal Concierge. Concierge wanted this garbage to stop right now. The match is not important, what is important is the By Elegance Brand. He wanted the Edmonton fans to shut up. He said last week was a travesty and disgusting. He is enacting the rematch clause for the By Elegance Brand to face the Iinspiration. There is no way history will be made without the By Elegance Brand’s name not on the marquee.

He grabbed a pen and wanted Marella to sign it right now. Marella signed it but the PC wanted to read it first. Meanwhile, Hartwell grabbed the mic and started to talked to Jordan. She said Jordan shocked the world; something Hartwell knows how to do. When she got to TNA, she made it clear what her goal is. When she was young, she watched TNA with stars in her eyes. She dreamt of being the Knockouts champion, she had the action figures and the toy belts and everything. She missed weddings, funerals, birthdays and moved halfway around the world for this.

Jordan interrupted her and wanted her to listen but Hartwell wanted her to listen. Jordan said she understood, saw and hear her. She is not here to bash TNA, but to elevate the title and to elevate women’s wrestling. She saw a chance and took a chance and said Hartwell would have done the same thing (“Indi wrestling” chant emerged.) Jordan sort of encouraged the chant. She also said they have a history as when Jordan first tag team partner three months into her career was Hartwell.

Hartwell was respectful and kind but Jordan is not the same person she was three years ago, two weeks ago and even two days ago. I know what it is like to win and lose a title and have the weight of the world on her back. She is going to do whatever it takes to defend the title. Hartwell truly wanted to believe that but Hartwell wanted Jordan to know how important the title is to her. Her family is flying 21 hours from Australia to Boston. She won’t let them down, the fans and TNA down and wanted to sign the contract.

Jordan wanted her to bring that same passion to Bound for Glory. Hartwell said may the best woman win and they both signed the contract. Marella said the match is official. Jordan and Hartwell jawed at each other as Jordan held the title high. A loud “TNA” chant emerged. We emerged to commercials (and the Concierge continued to read the contract.)

We come back to a feature on the Dudleys vs. Hardys match. Before the scars that could not heal and the championships, there were four men from divergent paths. From WWE(F) Raw to Madison Square Garden to TNA Impact, they didn’t just collide, they carved their names into history. They redefined what tag team wrestling could be and violence to art. They are Rivals, brothers and survivors,

At Bound for Glory. Here is no tomorrow and no unfinished business, no more “what ifs” just one more match. One last chance to finish this once and for all. This is about sacrifice, brotherhood and legacies. Bubba Ray promised us memories that would last two-and-a-half decades. He also said the Dudleys are the most decorated tag team in history – end of sentence. D’Von talked about his family and how his two oldest sons know what is going on but his other three children do not. He has to plant the seed in the younger ones about all that the Dudleys did.

Jeff Hardy’s daughter, Nera (of course,) talked about not seeing his dad wrestle until they won the TNA tag titles at Slammiversary. His other daughter, Ruby, talked about super cool it is to see how the fans react to her dad and uncle and all they’ve been through in the ring.

The arena awaits in silence and the story is swelling in the air. Every heartbeat echoes like thunder. Bubba Ray said he can’t tell you what the emotion will be before, during and after the match because that would be planned and he detests that. Ther e is no hesitation, just the weight of destiny pressing down, every breath before the fight leads to this.

The crowd doesn’t see the sacrifice and doesn’t hear the doubts – just feel the eruption when it begins. Bubba Ray said they plan on doing things that will make people feel something. He doesn’t know what it is, though. If it goes the way they think it will go, he points to the camera and everyone watching will have a tear in their eye – and that is real emotion.

The Hardys vs. Dudleys one final time.

We go from that to a A-Game Hydration hype plug. Hannifan said the main is still coming – a no disqualification match between Joe Hendry and Eric Young. Rehwoldt said up next, though, is a talk with Leon Slater. Actually, commercials are first but after that, I guess.

When we return, Hannifan plugs Bound for Glory and tickets are still available. NOW, we go ringside and Leon Slater appeared on the ramp. Hannifan hyped his match with Je’Von Evans. Slater stayed on the rampway and said this year has been the maddest of his entire life – all 21 years of it. It is the best year he has been and has to pinch himself that this is real.

Being a kid from Bradford, UK, and not having a father figure in the home, he always felt he wasn’t good enough and always felt he didn’t belong and felt forgotten until he found wrestling and found TNA. The crowd approved and a “TNA” again emerged. He has been on a roll this year; for example, he is an honorary Hardy. He main evented pay-per-views and is the youngest X-Division champ of all time.

At Bound for Glory, the eyes of the wrestling world will be on TNA. People from NXT and TNA locker rooms will be there to make history and a chance for Slater to carry on a legacy. He ran down some of the greats who held the title, such as Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin and AJ Styles. It is a chance for Slater and the TNA fans to defend the honor against interlopers like Je’Von Evans.

He thinks Evans will come here and get all “bouncy” and will waltz in here and take the title. He is sadly mistaken. This for him is more that just a piece a gold, it is proof he is good enough and that it is proof he found his people and his crowd. It is also validation that all of those nights he cried in his room and for his mom that he was forgotten. This is his time to be remembered and if Evans thought he is going to take the title from him, he’s crazy. There is only way the night ends one way at Bound for Glory “and still X-Division champion, Leon Slater. Ya get me.”

We get another Bound for Glory hype ad and Rehwoldt is just excited for Sunday. Hannifan gave the rundown of the events (the pre-game show will be the Hall of Fame intro and the Knockouts Tag Team Division match between The Iinspiration and the By Elegance Brand (I guess the Concierge finished reading the contract.)

The actual card starts with Frankie Kazarian vs. Steve Maclin for the International Title

Gia Miller vs. Tessa Blanchard (with Jody Threat and Victoria Crawford in the corners for their respective charges)

The Call Your Shot Gauntlet (Hannifan reminded us that Lei Ying Lee is first and Mance Warner is last. Hannifan also went over the combatants and it is the standard fare of competitors – sans one.)

The TNA Knockout World Championship Kelani Jordan vs. Indi Hartwell

X-Division Title: Leon Slater vs. Je’Von Evans

The Hardcore War Match: The System vs. Order Four

The Last Ever Match between The Hardys vs. The Dudleys

And for the TNA Men’s Heavyweight Title: Trick Williams vs. Mike Santana

No Disqualification Match: Eric Young vs. Joe Hendry

This is our main event. Young enters with his mask and his poncho bathed in red light. The crowd still erupted for Joe Hendry as he appeared, wearing long white jeans and a belt. He seemed more serious but did get the fans to wave their hands from side to side. Rehwoldt talked about the Victory Road match when Judas Icarus and Travis Williams turned on their leader – Young – and helped Hendry win. Hendry STRUCK the pose and then we get commercials.

When we return, Hendry immediately went to work. He evaded a Young charge and threw him over the top rope. Hendry immediately ran out of the ring to chase Young around the ring. When they both got in the ring, Young set upon Hendry with a series of punches. Hendry regained the advantage with a series of punches and European uppercuts. Hendry threw Young into the corner and Young did the (Flin Flon) Flip over the turnbuckles. Young tried to make it to the other side of the ring but Hendry met him with a forearm smash that dropped him to the floor.

Hendry went to the floor and reached for a series of chairs and trash can under the ring. He walloped Young with the garbage can and continued to hit Young with European uppercuts until Young whipped Hendry into the ring post. Hendry went flying on the sell to the floor and Young attacked with an elbow drop. Young put Hendry in the ring and draped his head on the apron and hit him with a forearm smash. He then grabbed the garbage can and clobbered Hendry in the back and dropped to the floor.

Young soaked in the boos and grabbed a chain under the ring and choked Hendry with it as a “we believe” chant arose. Young continued to use the chain to choke and hit Hendry as Henry writhed on the floor. Young backed Hendry into the ringpost and choked him on it. Young wrapped the chain around his fist but Hendry ducked a punch and Young punched nothing but ringpost.

Hendry got up and went after Young but Young reversed a whip into the ring steps and Hendry crashed into them. Young dismantled the steps and set Hendry up for a piledriver on the steps. However, Hendry blocked it twice and reversed it into a backdrop to the floor as we go to advertisements.

When we return, Hendry pursued Young up the rampway to the entrance area. Young got the advantage again with an eye rake but another piledriver was reversed into another backdrop. The two started to fight in the stands as Hendry continued to beat on Young. However, a Young headbutt and axe handle stopped the momentum. He beat on Hendry on the concourse barricade. However, Hendry reversed a throw and whipped Young into a recycling receptacle. They made their way back down the stairs as Hendry again beat on Young. Young reversed it, conveniently next to the same masked person who has been holding the “The Cleanse Is Coming” sign for the past few weeks.

Young whipped Hendry over the barricade into the ringside area and stomped on Hendry. Young also got a cut during the melee on the concourse. Young threw all the previous plunder into the ring and punched Hendry. Young whipped Henry into the ring and hit Hendry with a chair in the abdomen and then walloped him in the back.

Young set the chain between the second and top turnbuckle. The sign guy was clearly in the shot via hard cam. Meanwhile, Young whipped Hendry into the corner but Hendry reversed and Young went shoulder first into the chair. Both combatants were again on the mat and a loud “We believe” chant emerged as both men got up but Hendry attacked Young with repeated strikes from a cooking sheet to the head.

Hendry grabbed two sheets and hit a…ummm…cooking equivalent of a conchairto -and Young dropped to the mat. Hendry picked him up and hit a fallaway slam on Young and he STRUCK THE POSE!!! Hendry got the crowd riled and set up for the Standing Ovation. Young escaped and hit a double eyerake and threw Hendry into the turnbuckles. Hendry crumpled to the canvas as Young grabbed a chair and a baking sheet.

However, Young missed the corner charge with the sheet and Hendry made him pay with an Olympic Slam on the chair in the ring for two-and-a-fraction. Hendry grabbed a chair from the floor and set up for the Standing Ovation. Hendry, from the ring mic, could be heard telling Young you wanted this chair and this is what he wanted. However, Young hit a low blow kick that dropped Hendry. Young grabbed Hendry and hit the piledriver for the win.

Post Match: Rehwoldt said, in Young’s mind at least, the cleanse has begun. Young stepped over Hendry and raised his hands.

We go to one last vignette with Mike Santana. We get a close-up Santana and hear his daughter – and his dad’s – messages to him and how they proud of him. He was a beast devouring himself and Babylon crumbling from within. He doesn’t bow down to the beast with him but drives it back to hell. We get the same messages from the previous wo weeks and his daughter’s line “you know where you need to go” reverberating.

We also get a look at Santana’s history in TNA, card and dominoes, the Puerto Rican and Mexican Flag next to each other and an “LAX” sign. There are pictures of those who came before him in the faction. Konnan provided the narration for the last part. He said few get to work at what they love and even fewer get to pursue their dreams. After 17 years of traveling, grinding, wrestling with demons and hurt, this is a cumulation of your work. Promising his daughter that he would never drink again and be a role model in the community especially what is happening to Bad Bunny.

There has never been a Puerto Rican TNA Heavyweight Champion. It would put him with the likes of Pedro Morales, the Colon family and Savio Vega. Even with Latino icons like Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, he now has a higher calling; unlike Trick Williams. He is only worried about the superficial – cars, nightlife and women – and other “traps.” Santana is standing on business and at Bound for Glory, it is going to get as serious as a late period (Ewww.) do not follow where the path may lead go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

In these times of hyper competition and hyperbole and non-stop disruption,, the only way to stand out is to stand for something special. Santana has a chance to obtain this; not just to become to a world champion but to be a leader. A leader inspires. People love him and “La Raza” needs leaders like him.

Konan quoted Victor Hugo and said “There’s nothing more powerful than idea whose time has come. Santana’s time has come. He has been waiting since day one for this. He watched him in a tag and then come back alone. People embraced him and at Bound for Glory, remember one thing, he is representing Puerto Rico, LAX and his family. He is a scarecrow oust standing in his field. He ends with a quote in Spanish and we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations

One: Just give Santana the title now. They really can’t screw this up. This was another great vignette to close the show. Konnan hit it perfectly and tied the previous two vignettes perfectly. This is a hanging curveball that TNA can hit easily over the fences. I don’t think TNA could screw up and miss this obvious chance. Williams nailed his part in the show’s opening and brought real life stakes and more worked shoot comments into the conversation seamlessly.

Two: I am actually going to give the production crew of TNA some credit. I read some of the spoilers of what transpired. Moose was to face Ridge Holland but the match had to be stopped to Holland’s foot injury. A Lisfranc injury is no joke, I know people who had it. Moose helped Holland back to the locker room in a sign of sportsmanship. Calling an audible was smart and even though it meant – I think – the elongated piece on the Hardys and Dudleys, it was a way to rally behind an unfortunate incident.

Three: Speaking of, the production turned out a good product on the hype piece for the Dudleys vs. Hardys. I still think the match will be bad and don’t really need to see it. However, the production team, Hardys, Dudleys and respective families put a nice frosting on a cake I don’t find that edible.

Four: The one downside of the elongated piece was the denouement of the contract signing of Jordan and Hartwell. According to spoilers, the Concierge took umbrage with the proceedings after reading the contract and accosted Marella. Marella broke out the Cobra and attacked Personal Concierge. I would like to have seen that. Concierge has the comedic chops as a manager to make it work.

Five: Jordan tried on the mic. She really did and she got closer to connecting with the audience but just misses. She had the verbal stuff down but the nonverbals were missing. Hartwell was solid and cromulent as usual. I did notice one thing about this and the Blanchard and Miller segment. They rely a lot on when people start and who helped who. In moderation, it makes for a good worked shoot but twice in one show is a bit much.

Six: Speaking of that, I guess we get Blanchard vs. Miller. This struck me as something that would be a pre-game match vs. the Tag Title match. I wonder how they are going to book this because, on the surface, this looks dreadful.

Seven: I come here to praise Hendry and not bury him; although TNA went the traditional and sort of did that. It’s a shame he is not scheduled to be on Sunday’s card (not even in the Call Your Shot Gauntlet Match.) I know we’ll be seeing him on Tuesdays (and maybe Mondays and Fridays) and not Thursdays anymore; but he was one – if the not the primary one – to turn TNA into something more than just a cut rate wrestling organization it became. He put eyes on the product and could back it up as a serious ring competitor. After seeing his work on TNA, it made me find time to find his stuff from the UK. He is destined for the spotlight and TNA will miss him.

Eight: Whist this airing was an oratory smorgasbord, I do want to say that Cardona vs. Ryan Nemeth was a perfectly cromulent match. Everyone knew what they were and made for an entertaining – albeit paint by numbers – match.

Nine: Ali continued his streak of great matches. I am curious of his future because he really turned heads in his NXT match. I was actually impressed with JDC doing a good job keeping up with Ali and turning in a great match.
Ten: I can’t stand the Rascalz vignettes, although, I did like the worked shoot of them talking about contracts. They are best suited, I think, in TNA.

Eleven: Slater nailed his promo and continued the parade of worked shoots of bad and desolate pasts into something positive via wrestling. They really found a gem with Slater and gives them a foundation to build a future. I actually appreciate him more than I do Evans, who has gotten a lot better. Slater, though, can do the dramatic moments with more believability.

Twelve: It’s more worked shoots for your worked shoot dollar. Mara Sade also did a great job with her vignette. It felt like a continuation of last week’s promo but this one seemed weirdly timelier. She also finally nailed down her character with the repetition of the light and darkness.

Thirteen: Yeah, a lot of worked shoots in this airing. It raised the stakes and showed that these people do truly care about wrestling and what they bring to the table. I don’t know if this is a shot at anyone but they all brought their past into present day and gave us vested interest in the characters. Giving backstories really isn’t that hard. I wouldn’t base every week on these promos but for where the promotion is and it’s delivery that it is to be taken seriously as a silver medalist behind the WWE, it did the job well. We care about these people – at least most of them.

Lastly: That might have been Konnan’s best promo – ever. We even got a Victor Hugo reference.

See you Sunday for Bound for Glory. Fight the Good Fight.