TNA Impact Review – 01.01.26

Happy New Year. For some it’s new year, new me; around these parts, it’s another TNA Impact taping in El Paso, Texas. The real fun begins in two weeks when Impact moves to AMC. For now, let’s get excited and not fall asleep (El Paso is the burial sight of infamous outlaw John Wesley Hardin, who once shot and killed a man for snoring too loud.) Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt will keep us awake. Gia Miller is handling backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell will keep the doldrums at bay with her introductions. The last thing we need to get us going en el noche primera de Dos Mil Veinteseis? Some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

We get replays from a few weeks ago as Bear Bronson wins the Battle Royal for the shot tonight against Frankie Kazarian and the TNA Impact World Title. We get the steel cage match highlights between team TNA vs. Team NXT. We get the Righteous kidnapping Matt Hardy during the match and we get Arianna Grace’s betrayal of her dad, Santino Marella.

The Angel Warriors vs. the By Elegance Brand.

Lee and Brookside now matching gear and matching fans. They pose on the apron but are interrupted by The Personal Concierge. Hannifan hoped they would have revoked his visa. The Personal Concierge asked for everyone to stand at attention as he sings Mexico’s National Anthem. He breaks out the chorus of “La Cucaracha.” (which is not the anthem.) The crowd hates it. Not that the PC cares, because everyone in El Paso are cockroaches. Fret not, though, he Is going to introduce the opposite of that, beautiful butterflies – Heather and M….by Elegance. Hannifan congratulated the By Elegance Brand for Knockouts Tag Team of the Year and Ash By Elegance won for Knockout of the Year. He also gave the update that the search for Mr. Elegance is still ongoing.

Heather and Lee start but Heather back away and tagged M by Elegance who wants some space to do some faux martial arts. After the choreography, M attempted a kick but Lee blocks it and locks in a single leg crab and stomps away at the leg. Brookside is tagged and the two hit a straitjacket clothesline and Brookside gets a penalty kick for two.

M recovered and whipped Brookside to the corner but a charge is met with a hurincanrana. A dropkick sent M into the corner and Brookside hit a running back elbow and then a Meteora. A Side Russian Legsweep got a two count.

The By Elegance got control when Heather hit Brookside on the ropes and M yanked Brookside to the mat by her hair. Heather stomped away in the corner and put the boots to her in the corner. Brookside tried to rally but Heather choked Brookside in the ropes with her boot. When the referee restrained Heather M hit a running dropkick in the corner.

Meanwhile, the Iinspiration were watching the match at a proper angle on the monitor in the back. Back in the ring, Heather got a two count and locked a chinlock on Brookside. Brookside fought out of it and ducked a clothesline off the ropes. Brookside rebounded and hit a running slam by the hair. Brookside and Heather made hope crawls and tagged their partners.

Lee hit a series of strikes and a bicycle kick on M . She tripped M and then hit a penalty kick for two of her own. Brookside tagged back in the ring. Lee hit another leg trip and Brookside hit an elbowdrop off Lee to M for a two count. Brookside attempted to pick M but M fought out of it. She pushed Brookside to the ropes and hit a superkick. Both competitors were down as Lee tried to implore her partner to rally.

However, Dani Luna attacked Lee, pulled her to the floor and ran her to the ringpost.M locked Brookside into a bow and arrow hold and Heather came off the top turnbuckle with a double stomp for the victory.

Post Match: M looked at the camera and said “That’s how it’s done.” Meanwhile, Lee and Brookside recovered on the floor whilst the By Elegance Brand hugged the Personal Concierge.

We go backstage as Miller knocked on Marella’s door and saw a disheveled Marella in a bare office room. He gave Miller a note for “Tom and Jerry” to read on the air. Miller skulked off frame whilst Marella sat there beside himself.

We get a rundown of the rest of the card including a match between the Hometown Man and Mustafa Ali….next.

On the feed we get another ad for the best of Samoa Joe on TNAPlus and more of the match between Joe and Kurt Angle. Angle and Joe trade moves until Joe dropped Angle with a clothesline and then beat on Angle in the corner with a series of chops, stomps and punches. He also backdropped a charging Angle over the ropes and to the floor.

We go back to the A-Game Hydration desk as Hannifan and Rehwoldt read the announcement, which is a match between Lorenzo and Steve Maclin next week and a triple threat match at Genesis between Cedric Alexander, Moose and Leon Slater and a match between Elijah and Ali.

Mustafa Ali (with Order Four in tow) vs. Hometown Man

Ali has the full regimen including the Extra Servicemen flanking him as he heads to the ring. Ali soaked in the boos from the El Paso folks. Order Four STRUCK THE POSE and Ali taunts the crowd from ringside. Hometown Man is next (adorned in an El Paso Chihuahuas jersey, the AAA affiliate of the San Diego Padres.)

Ali smirks and laughs at HTM as HTM gets the crowd riled. Ali had enough and booted HTM int eh abdomen and hit a back elbow off the ropes. Ali chopped away in the corner but HTM reversed a handspring elbow smash into a clothesline off the ropes. He then put the boots to Ali in the corner (to the “Hometown Man” chant.) However, Ali dodged a corner charge and hit the rolling neckbreaker between the ropes.

Ali hit a full bodyslam and a standing moonsault for a two count. Ali tried for another rolling neckbreaker between the ropes but HTM caught him and hit an airplane spin cutter. HTM hit the 10-punch spot and then the “Hometown” elbow. HTM continued to rally and hit a clothesline in the corner and then a bulldog.Hometown Man got the crowd riled and fended off interference by John Skyler and Jason Hotch when the got on the apron. This gave Ali time to recuperate and hit a running dropkick in the corner. He climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit the 450 splash for the victory.

Post Match: The Great Hands got in the ring and continued to beat on HTM. Ali soaked in the boos and put the badmouth to HTM. He grabbed a chair but Elijah emerged from the backstage – or did he? Ali dispatched the Hands to stop him. This gave the real Elijah and chance to climb into the ring and threaten to “El Kabong” Ali. Ali avoided it and scrambled to the floor by Tasha Steelz and Agent Zero. Elijah said he pushed every last button of his but he went too far when he messed with the “Hometown Man.” Elijah played the guitar as Ali vocally announced how much he hated the song. Elijah continued to play and got the crowd to sing HTM’s song. He threatened to get Ali at Genesis and then party with the Hometown Man.

We go backstage to the Rascalz who are not doing the “That 70’s show” schtick. Migel said 2025 was a good year for the TNA and they did a lot cool things. Wentz said it would be cool in 2026 if they all got a shot at the X-Division title because this guy blew it (he pointed to Desmond Xavier.) For real, though, who was going to talk to Marella. Miguel, Myron Reed and Xavier all shook their heads, so Wentz reluctantly volunteered. He wanted someone to check if Marella was in there so Miguel knocked on the door.

They all entered and asked the disheveled Director of Authority and Wentz asked if they could have an opportunity for the X-Division title. Marella said that they would have a match and the winner would face Slater at the AMC premier in two weeks. The winner of that would be in the triple threat X-Division match at Genesis. They all seemed pleased, although Miguel checked if Marella needed anything like water or some gummies.

We get hype for the main event and a six-woman tag match…after the break.

During the break, we get more of the best of Samoa Joe on TNAPlus and more from the match at Slammiversary against Austin Aries (in Joe’s mohawk era.) Joe got a two count off a submission. The two started to brawl in the corner but Joe headbutted Aries down and got Aries into on the tope for a musclebuster. Aries fought out of it but Joe got on the top to attempt a superplex. However, Aries fought out of it and a bellclap dropped Joe to the mat as Aries hit the 450 splash.

When we return, we get highlights from NXT on Tuesday and the North American match between Ethan Page and Moose. We see Moose hitting a spear but favoring his shoulder. We see Page backdrop Moose onto the ring steps and then the Twisted Grin for the victory. We also get hype for Tuesday’s New Year’s Evil show and the anticipated match between Oba Femi and Slater.

BUT WAIT, here is Stacks Lorenzo, Arianna Grace and the rest of the MWO. Grace got the mic and ran through her nicknames on NXT, including the “Perfect Pageant Princess” “Daddy’s Little Angel” and she put her own father down. Why would she do that? She lived under her dad’s shadow her whole life. They don’t see her at every event and interview she does, they see Marella’s daughter. She realized something needed to change when she was missing from TNA television and he didn’t even tell her she wasn’t needed. The realization also happened when she called travel and they told her she wasn’t booked. She realized her dad didn’t want her and he chose the fans every single time over her but she was still the perfect daughter.

She needed to carve this path for herself. She is not sorry for who she is and done seeking approval; now she stands by Stacks and there is nothing they can do about it. Lorenzo said she might have been Marella’s little girl but now she is my girl. And sometimes, she even calls me daddy (ewwww…) Hannifan said this is absolutely disgusting as we get PDA and go to the AMC ad.

Six Man Woman’s Match: Diamond Exchange (Tessa Blanchard, Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford with Robert Stone in tow) vs. Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat and Jada Stone)

BUT WAIT (again) before we get to the tag match, we get El Paso’s own rap star, Krystall Poppin and she live rapped Tessa Blanchard’s theme as the heels saunter to the ring with Stone doing some ridiculous strutting and dancing. Threat runs out in her usual style, followed by Jada Stone and Hartwell is last, with a sizable pop.

Hannifan talked about some of the bruises on Hartwell from the dog collar match against “Doomsday” Dani Luna. The three faces soak in the applause as the heels grouped on the floor. Crawford and Threat start the bout. Threat gets the first offense with a side headlock and slugged away in the corner with a series of clothesline. Moore tried to interfere but got the same treatment. Threat slammed Moore and then slammed Crawford on top of Moore as the heels regrouped.

Hartwell tagged as did Blanchard. Hartwell whipped Blanchard through the ropes and then got her teammates in the ring and waited for the Exchange to climb to the apron. They promptly landed three running boots to drop them to the floor again. Jada hit he ropes and, with her teammates help, stood on the top rope and hit a 450 splash to drop the Exchange once again on the floor. Robert Stone tried to rally the troops but Jada threw Crawford back in the ring and into a Hartwell elbow for a two count.

Hartwell got an armlock but let go to tag Threat. Meanwhile, Moore tagged for the heels. Threat dropped her with a shoulderblock and a back elbow off the topes. Another running clothesline got a two count. Threat tagged Jada and Jada hit a sliding clothesline off the ropes. She got a two count from a standing moonsault. She reversed a body slam and hit a running back elbow off the ropes. Moore tried to rally but Stone hit her with a kick in the corner. Jada climbed to the top but Robert distracted her long enough for Moore to slam Jada to the mat.

Moore put the boots to Jada for a two count. Moore tagged Blanchard and she got a series of two counts. She stood on Jada’s hand and taunted the faces. Blanchard hit a FULL BODYSLAM and tagged Crawford and the two slammed Jada. A Northern Lights Suplex got a two count and then whipped Jada hard into the corner. She tagged Moore and a vertical suplex got another two count. Moore tagged Blanchard and Blanchard ran Stone’s face across the rope and then a running elbow on Jada whilst she was slumped on the ropes as we go to break.

We get an ad for every single DDP match in TNA and this one is the battle with Raven. Raven beat on Raven and hit a huge clothesline on him. Page strangled Raven with his boot in the corner. Page slugged the ref and then Page chased Raven around the ring and beat on him, eventually throwing him over the barricade and into the stands.

When we return, Blanchard choked Jada in the corner. She took time to taunt the faces and then all three heels hit a running knee in the corner. Moore tagged and got a series of two counts. Jada tried to rally and got a rollup for two but a Moore clothesline dropped her again. Moore got the chinlock as Jada tried to fight out of it again. Jada tried to fight but Moore grabbed her boot. However, Jada backflipped out of the hold, ducked a running boot and tagged Hartwell.

Hartwell was a flat on fire and cleared the heels from the corner. She got a two count form a spinebuster off the ropes and tagged Threat. Threat hit a Michinoku Driver and got a two count but Blanchard interrupted the pin. Blanchard tagged herself into the match but was met with a big boot off the ropes. Crawford jumped and attacked Hartwell but Threat sent Crawford to the floor. Moore knocked Threat to the floor, which left the two newest signees. The two collided mid-ring and Jada got the better of it.

Blanchard attacked Jada but Jada fended her off as Blanchard climbed the turnbuckles. Jada went to the top turnbuckle, too, but Robert Stone distracted Jada. This gave Tessa time to get the advantage and hit a gourdbuster from the top rope. Jada arose and Blanchard hit the Magnum codebreaker from the top turnbuckle. Meanwhile, Moore had tagged herself and got the three count.

Post Match: The heels celebrated in the ring as we celebrate the return of…

The Bioflex Injury report: All of the MWO are cleared after their cage match two weeks ago. Elijah, although seemingly healthy, still has torn triceps issues stemming from Ali’s attack with a guitar. After the attack from Luna, Lee has an “uncertain” injury and is in evaluation.

We get the rest of the card and the Righteous are next…after the break.

When we return, we get a recap of the Righteous kidnapping Matt Hardy and his somewhat hallucinogenic awakening in the..Righteous compound?We get the slide guitar and snapping as we get a review of the last segment from two weeks ago. We go back to action as the Righteous head their way to ringside.

Rehwoldt hoped to get some answers but thinks things will get stranger first. An audible “we want Matt” chant emerged as Vincent started to speak. The Righteous doesn’t gather for violence but rather for purpose. Legends never die they just drift. They need someone to keep the rhythm going; that is why they stand as many voices. Matt Hardy fell, the Righteous lifted him up and gave him peace, quiet and serenity. They gave him a room of memory and a space of breaking and beginning.

Matt’s spirit is cracked and bruised but unbroken. Jeff Hardy – brother Nero – Vincent has been following him since he was young and wants Jeff to hear this because he means this from the bottom of his heart – Vincent is just a reflection of Jeff. Dig what he’s saying.

However, the Hardys music started and the Hardys emerged on the rampway, but without the dancing. Matt said what they did to him was some of the creepiest, weirdest behavior he’s has ever witnessed. They put him in a Hardy shrine and started to ramble like lunatics in his face. It came off as cultish and he’s not interested.

Vincent rebutted that he had to be honest and Matt sounded a bit crazy. Matt said he is not interested in the mind games. What they are interested in is fighting if that is what they want. Vincent said no, that is not what they want. They want them to trust him. Dutch will tell them.

Dutch got the mic and said the Righteous want to grow with them and help them reach potential they never knew existed. Vincent said they don’t want conflict, they want the brotherhood. Matt said brotherhood is what the Hardys have and don’t need anymore. Jeff got the mic and said they have brotherhood and sisterhood with all the Hardy creatures in El Paso, Texas.

Matt said all the Righteous say is “we want.” The Hardys don’t care what they want – the Hardys want them out of their lives. Vincent said it is incredible that they don’t get it. They want what’s best; but if they refuse, then the cycle will demand something different. Think about it. Matt said the only things the Hardys are thinking about is elevating TNA in the AMC era. The Hardys music hit and they left as Vincent did a jig to their music.

We get the X-Division match between the three Rascalz next…after the break.

During the break we get another ad for the Samoa Joe collection on TNAPlus. We get a previous highlight package from a match against A J Styles from Turning Point.

We get ready for the match but Slater joins the announce team as Hannifan hyped the match between Slater and Femi on NXT’s New Year’s Evil. Hannifan also talked about the three-way match between he, Moose and Alexander at Genesis.

Rascalz X-Division Challenger match: Zachary Wentz vs. Trey Miguel vs. Myron Reed

Slater talked about the three competitors entering together and commented on how they are family to each other (well, Reed as Killer Kelly and child, but in the ring…)

Sportsmanship is observed as all three lock up. Reed got the first pin attempt on Miguel and Miguel and Wentz were in a test of strength. Wentz got a sunset flip on Reed but then Miguel tried for a crucifix pin on Wentz. Miguel got an armdrag on Wentz who wen to the floor. Reed matrix dodged a clothesline but Miguel got behind him. Reed fought him off and threw him into the corner. Miguel tried to fend off Reed with a kick but Reed dodged it, got Miguel caught in the ropes and hit an enziguri. Reed then hit a jumping legdrop over the ropes on Miguel for a two count.

Wentz got back in the ring and the two avoided charges. Wentz kicked Reed as Reed charged in the corner and hit a corkscrew splash for a two count. Wentz and Miguel started to brawl as Miguel managed to grab Wentz’s arm, leapt off the ropes and hit an armdrag. He followed that with a shoulder block on the apron. He and Wentz both backrolled and Miguel hit a seated dropkick on Wentz.

Reed recovered and now he and Miguel started to take umbrage with each other. They peace long enough to slam Wentz to the mat and then a wheelbarrow splash got Miguel a two count, to be interrupted by Reed who got his own two count and was promptly interrupted. Reed and Miguel started to have more umbrage, to the point of shoving. Miguel got behind Reed and knocked him down as he and Wentz went with the stereo kick montage. Wentz came off the ropes with a double foot stomp to Reed who was on all fours.

Wentz and Miguel started to bicker. Miguel hit the ropes but Wentz leapt over him as Reed caught him with a slingshot back suplex/neckbreaker combination. Wentz for the pin but Reed interrupted. Reed reciprocated. Reed and Wentz started to bicker but Miguel got on the top turnbuckle but Reed met him with a kick. Reed hit a charging Wentz with a kick. Reed went to the top next to Miguel but Wentz kicked Reed and positioned him for a draping DDT. Miguel recovered and came off the top with a Blockbuster on Wentz (who connected on the DDT on Reed.)

All three combatants were on the mat as a “This is awesome chat” broke at Slater’s encouragement. Meanwhile, Miguel recovered and attempted to dive through the ropes at Wentz but Wentz caught him with a stunner. Reed recovered and did hit the dive between the ropes to drop Wentz. Miguel hit the ropes and hit a 450 over the ropes. Miguel climbed to the top and the Meteora got a two count on Reed. Wentz then hit a springboard handspring leaping knee on Miguel and then the UFO cutter for a two count. However, Reed had time to recover, climbed to the top rope and hit a 450 splash on Wentz and Miguel for the three count and the match in two weeks.

Post Match: Good Sportsmanship was observed again as all three Rascalz hugged in the ring.

We cut to backstage and see Bear Bronson and Kazarian getting ready for the main event match..after the break.

We get another ad for the DDP collection. It is a rerun of a match with Jeff Jarrett.

We come back to ringside as the lights go out and we get the System’s entrance. The fans love the System as JDC makes some gyrations at the camera. Moose gave his hat to a fan as the faction of the year (according to the year-end awards) gets in the ring. Alisha Edwards gets the mic and asks if we want to know something. I do. However, before she can tell us something, she gives the mic to Eddie Edwards. Wait, I want to know something.

Nonetheless, Eddie gets the mic and said there’s a lot of good things happening in TNA but a lot going on with the System. At Genesis, it is the final dance as he looks at JDC. Eddie said he is honored to be part of the match. He knows what kind of person JDC is and what kind of person Eddie is. The match will be something the fans won’t want to miss.

JDC promptly kisses Eddie and got the mic. He said things are going to get weird (well, they kind of already there, methinks.) Alisha seemed perplexed but JDC continued. Since Genesis is still a couple of weeks away, JDC had some ideas. For example, why not just one more System dance and match. Eddie said he would like that but what about the fans. He asked El Paso if they want to see one more match with the System as a whole? The fans were keen on it.

JDC said he talked to Marella and made a match for next week: The System vs. Alexander, Slater and the Hardys. The crowd seemed appreciative as were Hannifan and Rehwoldt. They soak in the crowd and head to the back as we head backstage to…..

The Hardys, who enter into the scene via a backstage door and are greeted by Miller. She asked about the match just announced. Matt said the match is a blockbuster and the perfect way to enter the AMC era. Jeff asked the Hardy creatures to mount up. They head into their locker room but stop as they enter as they see the room decorated in Hardy photos, flowers and candles. Matt deduced it was the Righteous and they head off screen.

Bronson, is still getting fired up as Kazarian walked past a mural in the arena of Elvis Presley and acknowledged it. The match is next.

And hey, why not one more ad for the Samoa Joe collection on TNAPlus; it is a rerun of the triple threat world title match between Joe, Styles and Christopher Daniels.

We get some additional hype for next week’s card as Lorenzo faces Maclin, Luna faces Harley Hudson and the eight-man tag match just announced. We get the tale of the tape of Kazarian and Bronson.

Main Event: TNA Impact World Title Match: Frankie Kazarian vs. Bear Bronson

Bronson is out next in his bear mask. Bronson got a decent pop and stalks his way to the ringside. He gets himself psyched as Hannifan called him a “berserker.” Kazarian is next as Hannifan called him “the scum of TNA.” Rehwoldt corrected him and said it was “the king of TNA. We know that and Kazarian let us all know that.” It is going to take a lot for Bronson to pry that from Kazarian hands.

Kazarian and Bronson measured each other. However, Bronson got a surprise charging shoulderblock to drop Kazarian. Bronson threw Kazarian into the corner but missed a charge. Kazarian started to beat on Bronson in the corner with a series of chops and kicks. Bronson no sold it and asked Kazarian for more – Kazarian obliged. Bronson grabbed Kazarian by the neck and threw the champion into the corner where Bronson set upon him with a series of punches and chops. Bronson also got a big backdrop as Kazarian came out of the corner.

Kazarian went to the floor to regroup. He also started to head up the rampway but Bronson caught hi and slugged hi down the rampway. He whipped Kazarian into the apron and then hit a delayed gorilla press into the ring. Bronson got back into the ring as Kazarian begged for mercy. Sensing he was going to get none, he slid to the apron. Bronson grabbed him but Kazarian snapped his neck on the ropes. Kazarian then hit a springboard leg drop on Bronson on the apron.

Back in the ring, Kazarian clotheslined Bronson and beat on Bronson on the ropes. Kazarian choked him on the ropes and then stood on his back, using the ropes as leverage. He then leapt to the floor and hit an uppercut on Bronson. When he once again returned in the ring, he repeated his attack on Bronson in the corner with a series of knees and punches.

He started to focus his attack on the back. He pushed Bronson face first into the ropes and hit a forearm to the back twice. However, on the third try, Bronson met him with a back elbow. Bronson tried to regain the momentum but Kazarian quelled it with a dropkick off the ropes. Kazarian kept the attack going with a delayed boot rake on the face. Kazarian beat on Bronson with a series of punches and a double thrust when Bronson tried to rally.

Kazarian slowed down the action with a neck wrench. Bronson tried to rally again and got to this feet but Kazarian hit a series of knees and then a cravat cutter for a two count. Kazarian went back to the neck wrench as a dueling “Let’s go Bear/Let’s go Frankie” dueling chant emerged and we went to our final break.

We also get one last ad for the DDP collection and the Lethal Lockdown 2005 match – the same as they previously shown. It is an odd selection since we the highlight features Jarrett and Sean Waltman battling in the stands and on the announce table.

We come back with another rally attempt by Bronson who slugged out of the neck wrench but Kazarian back flipped a Bronson backdrop attempt. He ran Bronson into the ropes but Bronson got out of Kazarian’s grasp. Kazarian, though, rolled through it and hit a spinning back kick, kneelift and clothesline. Kazarian posed in the ring and taunted Bronson in the corner. Kazarian chopped away but Bronson blocked two Irish whip attempts. Kazarian continued to beat on Bronson. Bronson reversed a whip to the turnbuckles but Kazarian evaded the charging Bronson.
Kazarian climbed to the top and hit a sunset flip off the top turnbuckle; but Bronson would not go down and got a sit down splash to regain some momentum. Bronson got himself psyched and hit a series of clotheslines to a charging Kazarian. He hit a back suplex on Kazarian and then hit an avalanche splash on Kazarian in the corner. A running powerslam got a two count on the champion.

Bronson grabbed Kazarian for the Chokebomb finisher but Kazarian fought out of it. Bronson tried again but Kazarian reversed it to a DDT for two-and-a-fraction. A frustrated Kazarian tried to regain himself and tried for the Chickenwing submission but Bronson backed him into the corner and then bit the champion’s fingers. Kazarian avoided another Bronson charge but Bronson caught him with a clothesline on the apron. Kazarian slumped to the floor.

Bronson looked at the crowd and then hit the ropes. He then hit a dive between the ropes onto Kazarian on the floor. Bronson was got the crowd riled and ran Kazarian into the ring steps. He soaked in the adulation of the crowd and then dismantled the ring steps. Bronson grabbed Kazarian and said it will be his kingdom now. He picked up Kazarian for another bodyslam but Kazarian used an eye rake to escape. Kazarian then picked up Bronson and slammed him into the ring steps.

Kazarian got into the ring and the referee started the count, with the crowd resuming its “this is awesome” chant. Bronson writhed on the mat but rallied enough but just beat the count, to Kazarian’s chagrin. Kazarian attempted a spring legdrop but missed. Bronson got a quick crucifix roll up for two-and-a-fraction. Bronson got Kazarian up for a powerbomb but the work on the back took its toll. He slumped to the mat. Kazarian recovered, got Bronson on his back and hit the Fade to Black for the victory.

Post Match: TNA President Carlos Silva got in the ring and gave Kazarian the title. Kazarian started to celebrate in the ring. BUT WAIT, the lights went out and Mike Santana’s chryon and music started to play. He emerged through the crowd and pointed at Kazarian. He also had a mic in his hands as a loud “Santana” chant emerged.

He gave El Paso a shoutout. He wanted to give Kazarian his props, not for the win against Bronson, though. Santana got some news in the back from Marella. The World Title Match won’t be happening at Genesis. But, live on the AMC debut, the match takes place. The crowd erupted and Santana posed and pointed at Kazarian again. Kazarian stood on the turnbuckles and held the title high as Santana headed to the back and we headed out of the feed.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: Happy New Year’s. Thanks for everything. I appreciate all of you reading, responding and providing feedback.

Two: Let’s go back a few weeks. I mentioned the only upside to Grace’s heel turn is that the character is now consistent with her portrayal in NXT. Now, that being said, let’s go back to NXT and think of the mixed tag match with Shiloh Hill and Skylar Rae. The two were complete comedy bunglers – no better than the “Wet Bandits” on Home Alone. Knowing that the audiences of WWE and TNA are more blended than that of, let’s say, AEW. How are we to take them seriously as serious, viable threats? Grace still needs some work on heeling but did okay. Lorenzo gave the gravitas of the threat with his brief segment.

Three: Speaking of the Lorenzo, Grace and the MWO; they were throroughly beaten before the holiday break. How are we supposed to take them seriously? They were slightly dubious at best, they really have to rally with a good storyline to recover what they were aiming.

Four: “Doomsday” Dani Luna? I like it. That’s good.

Five: The By Elegance Brand continue to shine as a highlight on the shows. The Personal Concierge is perfect as the old school heat magnet. The finisher needs a new name but I would much rather see them with the title than the stale Iinspiration.

Six: The Dalmatian match with the Rascalz was fine for what it was. There is an audience for it, not necessarily me, but those who enjoy it got their money’s worth. I do find it odd that Myron Reed has gotten most of the title shots. That is something to tinker down the road if you implode them (also Wentz and Miguel had matching gear, Reed didn’t.)

Seven: Solid segment by the Righteous as we head to (as properly attributed to stormrider77) a Compound match with the Hardys. Vincent did the best mic work he has done since his re-introduction to TNA. The locker room stuff was definitely a portent of the possible Compound match.

Eight: It was fait accompli. Bronson did his best and tried, Kazarian did a great job leading the match, too. I actually started to warm to Bronson. However, we all know it’s Santana vs. Kazarian. So, now we have a hoss that can move a bit, what doth we do with him? Matches with Jake Something would be entertaining but the ceiling is clearly marked as would matches with Warner. BTW, did they drop the angle with Kazarian being Something’s mentor? That would have helped this match a little bit. But, not a bad effort by Bronson.

Nine: Okay..okay…okay…it’s the debut of the promotion on a legit cable station in two weeks. I don’t want any Ron Howard narration jokes (I already thought of them anyway,) but there is no way they can bungle the Santana vs, Kazarian match on AMC is there? I don’t know what will transpire but knowing how the wrestling world hated the Kazarian angle, they wouldn’t do it again, would they?

10: I do worry about Nick Nemeth in the nebulous background with a Call Your Shot trophy of his own. Do not botch this with Santana.

11: I don’t like it when JDC, the match with Edwards will get weird. It makes me think something is weirdly afoot.

12: I hope the plan is to get Moore enough reps so she and Crawford can strike out on their own as a team whilst Blanchard pursues the Knockouts World Title. Moore still needs a lot of work and Crawford has reached her ceiling. Why Blanchard is with them but the only reason I can see that happening is that scenario. Robert Stone is starting to come into his own gradually as a heel manager with his goofy mannerisms and mic work. Also, Jada Stone is small. She and Moore definitely need the reps.

13: I don’t know if this was done intentionally to sell the tricep tear but that was some horrible guitar playing by Elijah.

Lastly: I will reiterate one more time (and quote the Progessive Insurance ad) to the Iinspiration; you are watching TV, not supervising it. You can sit down and watch the match.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.