TNA Impact Review – 10.16.25

Welcome all to a special episode of TNA: Impact. We are not in a remote location; rather, we are in a studio for TNA: Impact! After the Glory. We are going to get a look back at the event and have prolonged interviews with some of the stars and winners on the card. We have just Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt doing the duties tonight. Well, there is you and I, too. So, let’s say we get comfortable, put on some comfortable slippers and engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

We start at the end – the main event post-match of Bound for Glory. Mike Santana and his daughter, Ariana, headed up the rampway, hand in hand, with Santana holding the TNA World Title up high over his head. A wave of Puerto Rican flags show up in the crowd.

Hannifan and Rehwoldt greet us and announce it is a special show and the aftermath of the show. Rehwoldt said nearly 8000 attended the event, breaking the North American attendance record.

We jump back to some discussion about the International Title Match won by Steve Maclin. Hannifan mentioned the USMC color guard playing the National Anthem and trumpeting Steve Maclin into the ring. They both talk about Maclin’s mom in attendance.

We go to some behind the scenes footage (post-match) and to Maclin walking backstage and the “USA” chants. He wanted to do this for a while and that this was his Bullet club. He was moved until he saw mom, who raised him and watched him fall in love in wrestling and that it went even deeper. He said he had so much energy he wanted to go out and call his shot and win every title.

Hannifan said Maclin set a standard for the International Title and has earned everything he got. Rehwoldt said he took so much pride being the first title and how much it hurt when he lost it to Kazarian.

We cut back to 2006 Against the Odds with Christian and Jeff Jarrett competing for the TNA championship.Jarrett and Chrisian fought for position and finally Christian hit the Unprettier/Killswitch on Jarrett to win the title. Borash and West said Christian broke the glass ceiling and put his name in the elite category with the best in wrestling.

Post-Match: Jarrett slunk out of the ring as Chistian got his hand raised in victory with pyro aplenty. Borash added this is the perfect fit for the title. Chirstian hugged and kissed his wife. 12 years of hard work paid off, as wrestlers and the crowd entered to put Chirstian on theirs shoulders.

We also cut to Tuesday at NXT as Ava and Santino Marella talk to Evans and Slater. Evans seemed incredulous as Stacks (with Ariana) booked themselves into a match this coming Tuesday on NXT. We also get news that TNA will be at the old NXT Performance Center on November 13.

Rehwoldt and Hannifan turned their attention to the match between Evans and Slater at Bound for Glory. We see Evans hit the dive over the ropes, Slater’s Crossover and Evans slingshot hurincanrana and dive over the ropes. We got Slater’s slingshot cutter. An Evans hurincanrana got two-and-a-fraction as did Slater’s neckbreaker. We get the draw announcement to the crowd’s disdain.

We also get Marella’s edict for five more minutes. We get the amazing overtime action including the Utopia and Evans’ Spanish Fly from the top turnbuckle. And then, well you know; they showed up.

Hannifan called it a battle for the ages and it was a travesty that NXT’s Dark State interfered. Rehwoldt took a page from Bryan Alvarez and said they are not just the future, they are ready now for the spotlight they have.

We are joined by Slater with the UFO graphic beaming him to the studio.

Hannifan talked about the history between the two as opponents and partners. Slater said it was looking in a mirror, which was odd for him because he always thought of himself as unique. He was glad they had the tag match so he could study him.

Rehwoldt asked how aware he was of Evans. As soon as the partnership started, Slater said he was getting texts about Evans and what he could do. Hannifan said there were two instances where the crowd all stood at the beginning of a match at Bound For Glory. The Hardys/Dudleys and Slater/Evans. Slater said he waw matches where people were like that. He said it was a special feeling and knew it was a classic.

Rehwoldt, a former veteran in the ring, said there is a magic when you first lock up with someone and everything clicks and asked Slater if that was the case. Slater said he felt that from the onset. He said it was so equal that the early moments showed he was going to be in for a long night and that it was magic.

Hannifan talked about Evans being so close to winning the big one since he got to NXT versus Slater, who won his big one. Hannifan asked if Slater was worried this is where Evans wins the big one? Slater agreed that there was always a worry with new competitors but it was tenfold when he faced Evans.

Rehwoldt talked about the interference by Dark State, comparing to having a piece of art and seeing it set ablaze. Rehwoldt asked for his comments. Slater said a lot was going through his head. His goal is to live forever and he and Evans were that close to that moment with the match. He said the extra time was the cherry on top and Dark State stomped that cherry in the mud, but they will get that moment back.

Hannifan asked what is next. Slater said the world is next and he can’t wait for the next match with the two, be it against each other or teaming with each other. Rehwoldt talked about Slater’s two-year anniversary with TNA Impact and that this past year was incredible, how does the next year look. Slater said he had no idea. His goal is to live forever and to make those memories.

They wrap up the interview and he is beamed up to the mothership. Hannifan made the “Jet Two holiday” meme joke which corpsed Rehwoldt. Hannifan and Rehwoldt said after the break we get an interview with Mickie James.

We cut back to TNA Lockdown 2008 and the match between Samoa Joe and Kut Angle in a cage match. Angled had Joe in the ankle lock but Joe turned his body, grabbed the trunks and pulled Angle into the Kokina Clutch and cinched it until Angle grabbed the ropes.

Angle tried for the Angle slam but Joe reversed it to a slam into the cage and a superkick. Joe got him in the corner and hit the Muscle Buster to the win the TNA Heavyweight title.

Hannifin and Rehwoldt talked about the Hall of Fame ceremonies and the first all-female inductee class. We go back to the ceremony and we get Tommy Dreamer’s joke that the only reason the ugliest person in the Beautiful People would be on stage to induct the two is that Billy Gunn was not available. That got a laugh.

We see the Beautiful People put the bag on Dreamer. Love said they debuted together at Bound For Glory in 2007 and the birth of the TNA Knockout Division. Eighteen years ago, and seen into he future, she would not have stressed enough at 25 and hit the first roadblock of her career. She was uncertain of the future until she got the call from TNA to start their new women’s division. In Atlanta, they made history. She thanked all the women who were in the gauntlet match. She said she was proud.

Sky said the HOF was about legacy and this is one of the greatest honors of her life. She thanked Love that the moment they joined forces something special happened – it was a statement. Thinking of all the moments on the road – and the paper bags – she is reminded of why she fell in love with wrestling. From the bottom of her heart, she thanked TNA for giving her a home and a family.

We get highlights of Lisa Marie Varon inducting Mickie James. Varon was fighting tears throughout as she made the induction. James said when she walked into the TNA locker room, she saw her families and all the opportunities everyone got for more than a segment and/or four minutes because they understood the power of a woman. And then, “Hardcore Country” was born. She thanked the fans for being there for every step of the way. She thanked her family for backing her and introducing her to wrestling. Her son is sitting there and thanked him and her husband who wasn’t there because “he was on a big trip overseas.” James said she might not be everyone’s cup of tea or top three, but she will always be “hardcore country.”

Rehwoldt talked about James’ role in the new women’s wrestling movement. He was appreciative of how they all came together as friends and built connections, it is the beautiful thing about wrestling and TNA. Hannifan said James will be next and we go to break.

We cut to footage of TNA Genesis 2007 with Sting in the ring soaking in the adulation of the crowd when the lights go down. We get an intro to a “ mystery partner” for a tag match. Borash and West talked about Sting’s previous comments about Sting and his hints. Borash said this is who we have been waiting for weeks. West said you can feel the electricity. Suddenly we get, “Can You Dig It, Sucka” and Booker T made his TNA debut. The crowd popped loud and Booker soaked in the cheers. Kurt Angle looked apoplectic during the introduction.

We cut back and, sure enough, there is James with Hannifan and Rehwoldt. Hannifan asked what was her surprise like when she initially heard. She said she was caught off guard and knew something was up when TNA president Carlos Silva’s face popped on the screen. Her reaction was not to get too emotional but was shocked. You can’t pray for things like this. She hyped TNA for having the all-women’s inductee class and it was amazing.

Rehwoldt asked where her head went when wanting to thank someone. She asked Aldis where does she begin. She thanked TNA for the repeated times she was there and really allowed her to be herself. Everytime she came back to TNA, it gave her more confidence. They grew up together.

Hannifan asked how TNA helped her grow. James acknowledged the character of Alexis LaRee from the first show and was excited to be seen and have an opportunity on something so fresh and new. She talked about working with Raven and researching goth music and worked with Jeff Hardy and the Clockwork Orange match. It showed her what she could do as a competitor. She said the Last Rodeo was magical. She thanked Tommy Dreamer. She said had to curtail of thank yous she couldn’t say because she would still be there.

Rehwoldt asked what it was like when she first got to the Tsongas Center at Bound for Glory. She asked Lisa Marie and said she should be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer wherever she wrestled, but also she was her friend. When James came back in 2010, she and Varon had a feud that gave birth to “Hardcore Country.” She also gave shoutouts to Tasha Steelz and Alisha Edwards.

The three joked about James “El Kabong”ing Rehwoldt in 2022 but all is forgiven. They turned their attention to the new generation of female wrestlers and the ones who wrestled at Bound For Glory. Hannifan talked about the Iinspiration beating the By Elegance Brand. James also shouted out Gia Miller for her match and for making the hat she wore at the HOF ceremony.

She also talked about Kelani Jordan and how happy she is to see NXT and TNA working together and the title match showed how far they’ve come and James had a conversation with Jordan. She also applauded Edwards and Steelz for their participation in Hardcore War. Hannifan thanked her for coming in and talking and we go to break.

We come back to TNA Lockdown 2005 and a match between Raven and Jeff Hardy. Raven made set up (with the referee’s help) two stacks of tables. Raven climbed to the top of the cage and pulled Hardy up the cage by his hair. Hardy elbowed Raven down on the tables and then hit a legdrop from the top of the cage onto Raven, through the tables and got the victory.

We come back to a hype package for TNA Genesis in Dallas come January.Hannifan said the Hardys will join us but Rehwoldt elbowed Hannifan to draw his attention to Eric Young (in ski mask) standing next to him. The music turned eerie as Young and Hannifan went over what James said about not losing the title and Young said he and his wife (ODB) never lost the Knockouts tag championship but had to relinquish it to injury.

Hannifan admitted Young still had the record for longest Knockout Tag Team reign with ODB. He also wanted to talk about the “Call Your Shot” Gauntlet Match. Young said he was robbed and both those guys (Nick Nemeth and Frankie Kazarian, who won the match) were cheaters. He said BDE is a punk and had no business being in the ring and is a mockery of everything he held dear. He wanted to know why no one is talking about Young caved his face and eliminated the Home Town man and Cedric Alexander.

Hannifan talked about Home Town Man and talked about Young admitting he was “Super Eric.” He asked if it bothered him if bothered him for all these years. Young asked Hannifan if he looked bothered and if this was Fox News. Hannifin turned it to Young’s “cleansing” and how he cleansed TNA of Joe Hendry. Hannifan asked who is next.

Young said whoever they want and whoever they deem fit to be cleansed and rectified, that who is who is going to be next. The truth is that everyone is against him and why is that. He is a reasonable man who has desires, wants, hopes and dreams of what this could be. This is too much for Hannifan and Rehwoldt to handle because they are part of the problem – part of the system. If they open their eyes, they can see that he is telling the truth and everyone is lying. Until then, think about it.

They were going to go to break and then talk about the Hardys until we get an extreme closeup of Eric who ran down the Hardys, Moose and Edwards as “OG’s.” He said the OG. He is he heartbeat and the soul of the TNA and he will cleanse TNA of its problems.

We go to TNA Rebellion 2019 and a match between the Lucha Brothers and Santana and Ortiz. The Brothers hit a double superkick on Ortiz and Fenix went to the top whilst Penta held Santana. Ortiz pushed Fenix off the top and crotched him whist Santana recovered and hit a Death Valley Driver on Penta on a chair.

Fenix was still on the top rope as Santana set up a ladder as Ortiz beat on Penta on a table in the rampway. LAX set up the table. Ortiz climbed the ladder backward but Fenix recovered. Fenix walked the ropes and hit a Spanish Fly on Ortiz through the table.

We come back to highlights of the Hardys/Dudleys match. We see Matt suffer a 3D through tables and then Jeff’s Swanton onto D’Von through some tables in the walkway. We see Bubba Ray’s fait accompli morose look at the Hardys who through down the chairs they were wielding. They both pick up Bubba Ray and slam him through the table for the victory. We see the boots exchange and Silva handing the Hardys the belts.

We go back to Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk about the match and Hannifan asked Rehwoldt about his favorite moments between the two. Rehwoldt talked about the Madison Square Garden match. Hannifan talked about that last time they fought in 2014 in the Manhattan Center. Rehwoldt said both teams found their final form in TNA. We also get Little Spike/Runt giving the Dudleys their glasses and we see the Hardys come out with a ladder. They talked about the Dudleys taking the advantage at the onset of the match but then the Hardys rally and tying up the match.

They talked about Bubba Ray’s look and the Hardys victory. They talked about the special moment as they all hugged in the ring and the Dudleys gave the boots to the Hardys.

We go to Slammivesary 2018 and a match between Tommy Dramer and Eddie Edwards in a House of Hardcore Rules match. We see Dreamer beat down Edwards with a kendo stick and dropped Edwards. He set up two chairs and put Edwards on them. Dreamer went to the top rope but Edwards recovered and hit Dreamer with a kendo stick and crotched him on the top turnbuckle. Edwards climbed to the top but Dreamer got a low blow and hit a Death Valley Driver on the chairs from the top rope but for a two count.

We go back to Tuesday on NXT and see Slater and Evans talking about the match with the two debating who would have won the match. We see the Hardys come into frame and Hardys said that was a shot and a message to the Hardys who hold the tag titles. Matt said they have a rematch clause and will get some receipts for what they did to Evans and Slater. The Hardys walk out of frame whilst Slater and Evans fanboyed. We get hype for the Halloween Havoc match between the two but then go back to NXT and see Dark State standing over the beaten Hardys whilst security called for medical.

NOW, we go back to the studio and we get the Hardys. Hannifan thanked them for the match and all they have done for TNA Wrestling. He asked Matt about the emotions headed to the match and it being the last time.

Matt said he felt bad, at times, for what they did and that is retire the Dudleys. It showed that everything has an end, even the immortals. It is their job to move forward and remember them and that their legacy lives through them. He knew the match was going to be tough. He liked their odds because they have kept going.

Rehwoldt asked about the first matches they had and the emotions on the first match. He said the feelings were incredible in Madison Square Garden. He went into Slammiversary 2025 and had no idea this was going to happen.

Hannifan talked about Road for Glory and interviewing all four. Jeff talked about watching ECW at 2AM and not waking up their dad and seeing the Dudleys and was inspired and wanted to become a pro wrestler even more than he wanted. Going from that to the matches they had was incredible.

Rehwoldt asked about taking in moments during the match despite what was happening and appreciate those moments. Matt said they did, he said he felt the crowd response and the energy of the crowd and passion, so he wanted to take times to appreciate the moments which is why they didn’t rush through things so they could soak in the moments. Also, Jeff had trouble finding a 14-foot, double sided ladder.

Hannifan talked about the post-match celebration and the Dudleys gave the boots to them. Matt said they had no idea what was going to happen but it was the ultimate show of respect. They were trophies the Dudleys gave them and it was very emotional. They both got very emotional and started to cry. It was not just end of the rivalry but also the end of some people’s fandom. They said the final chapter was solid, respectful, indelible moments and the end was the icing on the cake. Jeff felt the same way.

Hannifan and Rehwoldt thanked the Hardys once again and when they return, they will focus on the main event and Santana will be their guest.

We go to TNA Victory Road 2010 and the match between Angelina Love and Madison Sky. We see Love hit a Botox Injection into the chair to knockout Sky but we see a motorcycle head down the rampway. Love is confused as the driver is darkly helmeted. Love started to accost the driver, which gave Sky time to hit Love and send her through the ropes and onto the floor.

The driver picked up Love and drove her into the ringpost. The referee wanted to see who it was and tried to take the helmet, which earned him a shove to the floor. Borash said the interference earned Love the disqualification victory and the title (per stipulations for the match.)

Post Match: Love held the title as Sky took physical umbrage but climbed on the motorcycle and rover away with the masked driver as Love celebrated in the ring. (The rider, for those who do not know, was Tara, AKA Lisa Marie Varon.)

We go back to the studio and get a hype package for a Fade to Black special and even more in-depth coverage of the behind-the-scenes work. We get the announcement that there were just under 7800 people in attendance. We get highlight packages and behind the scene talks with the wrestlers.

Rehwoldt and Hannifan return and talked about the main event. They talked about the heartbreak Santana felt after Slammiversary when he came that close to winning the title only for Williams to steal the win. Rehwoldt talked about all the stops Williams pulled, including having his attorney at ringside and even verbally accosting Santana’s daughter, which earned him a slap and eventually backfired. Rehwoldt said he was worried about Santana being able to keep emotions in check but he did.

Hannifan brought up the fact that, after the match, Santana might not have left with the title as both Nick Nemeth and Frankie Kazarian were going to cash in their briefca….I mean call their shot as co-winners. However, Elijah returned from torn triceps injury to stop Nemeth. Kazarian tried but didn’t have the trophy but still ate a Spin the Block for his insolence.

Rehwoldt talked about the moment when Ariana joined him in the ring. He said there is a lot of make believe and this is a wild business with wild stories and make up. That moment, though, was so full of real, raw, true and honest. He showed the world his heart at Bound for Glory.

We come back from break and Hannifan welcomed us and Santana. He asked Santana how he felt. Santana was still processing everything and that it was the hardest fight of his life coming back from rock bottom. He can’t wait to go home and celebrate. Rehwoldt said this was a path set a year-and-a-half ago and if he felt vindicated. He was wondering where his life was going, and it didn’t matter how long it took and he followed every step of the plan to the top. He talked to his five closest friends and they were amazed he did that to the step. He talked about coming back last year during Rebellion against Maclin and he said after that match he was going for the top spot and now he was there.

Hannifan talked about the nucleus that helped get to this point. Hannifan brought up his friendship and videos with Amazing Red and Konnan. Santana brought up them and his friendship with Low Ki and Homicide and that they all came from the same area. They all set out to prove everyone wrong. They saw a young kid and took him under his wing. He could not be more blessed in that aspect. If you follow Santana’s career, you know the impact Konnan had. His first conversation with him was about an hour. He said the only thing Konnan asked of him is to keep it real with him – and vice versa. For him to be there, you could not ask for anything more

When they got back to the backstage and shared a moment, he quoted a song he and Konnan both love. Life will give you surprises, and surprises are life. Rehwoldt talked about plans and how his plan was momentarily obliterated at Slammiverawry. What di Santana have to do to recover?

Santana went back to the car ride home. He kept looking back at Ariana on the ride home from the arena (he said it is about 30 minute drive.) He said from that July to now he was locked in like he never was. As a parent, he never wanted to disappoint their kid and promised her that he would never disappoint her again.

The car ride home this time was different but it was still quiet because they were processing. Aiana brought up that moment Santana had to leave for rehab and for to see experience that and then seeing what happened at Bound for Glory. What more does he need to show her that anything is possible? He made sure she knew what a driving force and a change for good she was to get sober and win the title. Everything else now is a plus.

Hannifan said they are insanely proud of him. Rehwoldt and Hannifan thanked him for his time and were about to wrap it up but Young came back and said he won the world title twice and it was taken from him twice. He has won every title. Young continued to go as Hannifan closed the show.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: Not much to really ruminate but it was a fairly good “catch your breath” show as we get ready for what is coming down the pike. We got the onset hype for TNA: Genesis, so we know the next big marker is on the road they are traveling. It was a change of pace and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The cut in to memorable moments in the past were a nice touch, too.

Two: Bless him, Eric Young is trying. He is putting in the work and trying to make a worn gimmick seem fresh. The first interview they did was well done and gave him the right aura. They partially ruined it with the second go round after the Santana interview. The music was a nice touch.

Three: Santana did a great job with his interview and comes across as, well, “The Realest.” He seemed the most believable and natural in his discussion on his past – in and out of the ring. I think he can do the wrestling gods’ work going forward.

Four: I do need to invest some time and watch some of the women’s matches in the late aughts for TNA. I watched Love wrestle in Deep South Wrestling (when it was WWE Developmental) and was not that impressed. I don’t know if it was the initial stink of TNA lingering with me but I think I need to see if it was truly what everyone said it was.

Five: Cheesy and silly graphic be darned; the Slater interview was fine. I find myself very hot and cold with the WON guys, but they brought up a good point, they pivoted from a showcase of Slater and Evans as a team to a match – with Stacks? I also found myself appreciating Evans more with his mic work as sounding believable and natural.

Five: Odd that we got segments with Maclin (via tape,) Slater, Hardys and Santana but nothing with Jordan. Hmmmm… For that matter, I would love to have seen something with the Iinspiration. Their journey would be a fascinating listen going from not wrestling and motherhood to this. I have cooled on them in the ring but in the right context, they deliver great stuff on the mic.

Six: Hannifan and Rehwoldt still are dynamite on the mic. They did a great job working together on this episode.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.