TNA Impact Review – 02.05.26

Greetings, one and all, for another gathering of grappling greatness that is TNA Impact Wrestling, once again, coming from Albuquerque, New Mexico. This might have more for explosive action than the “Battle of Albuquerque” between Johnny “La Vida Loca” Tapia and Danny “Kid Dynamite” Romero. But this is not Dynamite; nope, this is Impact. It’s not Larry Merchant, Harold Lederman, Larry Merchant and Michael Buffer, it is Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt, Gia Miller and McKenzie Mitchell. And it’s not just me watching, you’re here, too. So, let’s not wait for the judges scorecard, let’s engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Previously on Impact, we get last week’s highlights of the debut interview segment of the New System and Alisha Edwards seemingly leaving the group. We also get highlights of the match between Elijah and Jason Hotch with Agent Zero and Mustafa Ali trying to interfere.

We get right to the action with our opening match:
Trey Miguel vs. Adam Brooks

Miguel gets new chryon and he makes his way ringside. We also get the formal introduction at the A-Game Hydration Desk of Hannifan and Rehwoldt and joining them on this match is Arianna Grace. Hannifan asked how it is going and she said that no family is perfect.

Brooks gets an insert promo introducing himself and congratulating Miguel on his contents of his briefcase during the Feast or Fired Match – an International Title Shot against Grace’s fiancée, “Stacks” Lorenzo. But after tonight, they’ll be talking about the “Loose Ledge,” Adam Brooks.

Brooks gets a wristlock but Miguel flipped out of it and grabbed an armlock after reversing it. Brooks got his own reversal and grabbed an armlock – bringing him to the mat with his knee for extra leverage. Miguel got to his feet climbed the ropes, backflipped and took Brooks down with an arm drag.

Miguel blocked a whip to the ropes, got on the apron and then shoulderblocked a charging Brooks. He grabbed Brooks’ arm and snapped it over the top rope. He rolled between the ropes and landed a sliding kick to the arm and a seated dropkick. Brooks went to the floor and Miguel followed him by flipping over the ropes onto the apron, evading a clothesline by Brooks and hitting a back kick. He then hit an Asai Moonsault from the turnbuckles to the floor onto Brooks. He also took time to blow a kiss to Grace who reacted with natural ickiness.

Miguel got Brooks into the ring for a two count. He tried to throw Brooks into the corner but Brooks slid to evade it and then hit Miguel with a seated kick as Miguel charged. Brooks flung Miguel into the turnbuckles face first and then choked the former Rascal with his boot in the corner.
Miguel quickly recovered and hit a running back elbow. He jumped on the second rope for a flying bodypress but was met with a Brooks forearm that crumpled Miguel to the mat. Brooks got a two count and then hit a double foot rake to the face. He Miguel fought out of it and hit a jawjacker. However, a charge to the ropes was met with a back elbow and then Brooks hit a seated dropkick off the ropes for a two count.

Brooks mauled Miguel in the corner and whipped him into the other corner. However, Miguel stopped himself and back flipped over a charging Brooks. However, Brooks got a roll up for two and built on that with a running knee and a forearm to Miguel for another two count.

Brooks again choked Miguel on the ropes. Brooks whipped Miguel into the ropes once again but Miguel caromed off the bottom rope, got behind Brooks and hit a German Suplex. Miguel met a charging Brooks with a back elbow in the corner and then climbed to the top rope and landed a missile dropkick. Miguel chopped away on Brooks and then slid under Brooks and landed a hurincanrana when Brooks tried to throw him into the ropes.

Miguel got on the top rope but Brooks pushed him off; however, Miguel landed on the apron feet first. Brooks blocked a kick by swiping it away but Miguel came back with another kick. However, Miguel tried for a springboard leap but Brooks knocked him from the ropes. Brooks climbed to the second rope and suplexed Miguel back into the ring. Miguel went to the floor but Brooks dove between the ropes and hit Miguel with a dive.

Brooks threw Miguel into the ring and then hit a running kick and a pump kick in the corner. Brooks got a powerbomb for two-and-a-fraction. Brooks worked on the back of Miguel’s neck and tried for a crossface but Miguel reversed that into a cradle for a two count. Miguel missed a charge into the corner and Brooks landed a corner dropkick.

Brooks set up for a fisherman’s suplex but Miguel flipped over it and hit a Poison Rana. Miguel landed a kick and then hit the Lightning Spiral for the victory.

Post Match: Hannifan and Rehwoldt asked Grace if she was nervous for Stacks to which she said she was not nervous at all – she loves him and trusts him and knows how good he is in the ring. No sooner than she said that, Lorenzo hit the ring and waffled Miguel with the title belt. Grace immediately left the announce booth to accost Lorenzo and asked why he did that.

From there we go backstage to Miller with one-half of the main event tonight’s six woman tag match – TNA Knockouts World Champ Lei Ying Lee, Xia Brookside and Indi Hartwell. She wanted to get everyone’s feelings about the main event, starting with Lee. Lee started the interview in English but switched to Mandarin. Brookside understood what she said and agreed she will do that, she went to translate for Hartwell but Hartwell understood what she said – Ash, welcome back but after tonight, she’d wish she never came back. Brookside didn’t realize she spoke Chinese; Indi said she speaks Chinese; she also speaks pro wrestling. The two start some “Indi wresting” chat until Lee grabbed the mic and said Ash, she isn’t just coming for her but they are coming for her breath. All three walk off the shot.

We get a rundown of the rest of the card tonight including tag team action, which is next.

Actually, what is next is a celebration of Black History Month with a match featuring “Consequences” Creed (Xavier Woods for those who are not acclimated.) This is an X-Division Match from Chicago as Creed challenged Sheik Abdul Bashir (Shawn Davairi.) There is a U.S. Marine in the ring for extra sledgehammering of plot. Creed helps the marine out of the ring and then Bashir grabbed a mic and started yelling in Farsi. Woods ran to the ring, rolled through the ropes and dropped Bashir with a clothesline. Creed threw Bashir over the tope rope and then hit the ropes himself for a flip over the ropes to Bashir.

Hey, there this and so much more at TNA Plus, (I know, that’s how I am watching this.)
We get the young lady removing her hood and telling us that the Righteous are coming. Cue the slide guitar and snapping and, yes, here comes the Righteous (with Mitchell putting a weird emphasis on the first syllable of their name.) Their opponents are already in the ring.

The Righteous (Dutch and Vincent) vs. Tommy Two Scoops and TW3

TW3 has his hair halved into black and magenta. Two Scoops has a large nose with rainbow colors and feathers (wait, sorry, that’s not the Kellogg Raisan Bran mascot Toucan Sam.) He is wearing a headband and a blue outfit with his nickname on it. No sooner than the bell rings but Vincent dropped TTT with a clothesline and then waffled TW3 with a shot to the floor. Vincent crouched and stared at TTT before waffling him with a shot before tagging Dutch.

Dutch landed an uppercut and then Dutch launched Vincent into TTT in the corner. Vincent then whipped Scoops into Dutch who hit the Death Walks (Bossman Slam.) Dutch celebrated with his tongue flickering. Meanwhile, TW3 tagged and was hesitant to do anything. Eventually, he started to slug Dutch who no-sold it. Dutch also no sold some leg kicks but did catch TW3 coming off the ropes for a bodypress. Dutch carried him around the ring and slammed him face first into the mat.

Vincent tagged and hit a sliding Flatliner to a kneeling TW3. He started to talk to TW3 and then arose. He started the snapping walk around his opponent, tagging Dutch. Vincent stood next to TW3 and then hit a trust fall to TW3’s chest. Meanwhile, Dutch hit the ropes and hit a leg drop. Dutch beckoned Vincent over to him. Vincent grabbed TW3 into a headlock and the duo hit the Orange Sunshine (a Dudley Bulldog off of Dutch’s chest) for the victory.

Post Match: Vincent started his strut as Dutch continue to lay on TW3 and doing his tongue flickering. Vincent then grabbed the mic. Vincent wanted the crowd’s silence. He said he didn’t want a war with the Hardys. Wars are messy and you don’t learn anything from them. They want to stand beside them, not across from them – different paths, same feeling, think about know what he is saying.

We then go backstage to, hey, the Hardys. Matt wanted to know why the Righteous continue to talk about teaming with them. They had their world title shot – and the Hardys beat them. Matt said they’ve moved past them. Jeff, though, has a slightly different tone, he kind of digs what they are saying but it doesn’t all add. Maybe they want to create a faction (Jeff asked Matt for the word.) Or, Matt said, are they trying to butter themselves soooo…..

Matt could not finish the thought because The System (sans Bronson) strolled behind them into the shot. Brian Myers said they should not be so worried about the Righteous, they should be worried about the System taking the tag titles. Wait, there’s Bronson, Bronson grabbed Jeff off camera and threw him to the ground before stepping to Matt. Matt turned to face Bronson but Edwards struck Matt in the back with his suitcase he won from the Feast for Fired match. He landed on Bronson and Bronson started to punch Matt in the stomach as the other System components held Matt. Eddie asked when the Hardys are going to learn you can’t beat the System as they walked off the shot.

We get another rundown of the action including inter-gender tag team action next….after the break. We get another Black History Moment with Mila Moore beating Jada Stone??? (huh… oh, yeah, that’s right…) Tommy Dreamer, Jazz and TNA President Carlos Silva walk to ringside and give Stone an TNA Impact contract.

We come back to an odd vignette after a panorama shot of Tingley Coliseum as Frankie Kazarian and Daria Rae shake hands outside and Kazarian walks away confidently and Daria Rae looked happy with what happened.

Kazarian kept walking, I guess, because here is his chryon. He has a mic in his hand. He called out “Albucrackque” New Mexico and the crowd booed. It’s been a couple of weeks since he has graced us with his presence. He cannot stand Mike Santana parading around with his TNA Impact World Title. He will give Santana credit for being a warrior and one of the toughest men he ever faced in his career and that goes back a long way.

However, Santana is not a king, like Kazarian is. Santana doesn’t represent the company with dignity and class, like he does. He is out here to drop some knowledge, despite the fans not deserving it; he wrestled Santana on the AMC premiere card with a surgically repaired right hand. He had a steel plate and seven screws but that did not stop him from going out and wrestling in one the greatest main events in TNA history. Two days after that, Marella sanctioned a Texas Death Match between the two and that did not prevent Kazarian from the fight of his lifetime. Santana can claim victory but he essentially defeated a one-armed man (who was after Richard Kimble.)

But, there is good news, he will be world champion again. He had a very productive meeting with Rae and she understood the injustices Kazarian faced and not treated like the star he is. She said things will change. But tonight, he looked around the ring and doesn’t a single person from “Albucrackque” that he couldn’t beat, even with one arm. He started to single out fans and taunt them. A loud “you suck” chant emerged. As much as he would love to beat up one of these stupid fans..he……BUT WAIT, the lights go out and we get…..

Elijah. The announcer goes through his schtick as Elijah made his way to the ring. There is a huge section of fans holding small “walk” signs that Elijah acknowledged. He made his way in the ring. Jada Stone was next and got a decent crowd for someone new she climbed the turnbuckles and backflipped to the mat. Order Four was next (with extra Servicemen in tow) Ali was next and he taunted the fans, especially the “Elijah” section. The heels posed on the turnbuckle and the ropes.

Intergender Tag Match: Elijah and Jada Stone vs. Mustafa Ali and Tasha Steelz

Steelz and Stone started the match. Steelz shoved Stone to the corner. Stone attempted a go behind but Steelz reversed it and chopped away on Stone. Steelz whipped Stone into the turnbuckle but Stone leapt over a charging Steelz and then pushed her to the corner. Stone started to jaw with Steelz and matrix ducked a charge as Steelz stumbled into the corner.

Stone dropped Steelz with a series of armdrags and a drop kick sent Steelz to the floor. Stone got the crowd riled and then hit the ropes to leap at Steelz but Ali stood in her way. He then went to the floor as he and the Great Hands (John Skyler and Jason Hotch) tended to Steelz. Meanwhile, Elijah got in the ring and gorilla pressed Stone and then ran to the ropes and flung Stone on Order Four (sans Agent Zero,) dropping them.

Stone capitalized on the momentum and threw Steelz back into the ring and started to strut to the fans’ “walk with Elijah” chant. Stone chopped away at Steelz in the corner. She blew a kiss to Ali and chopped away at Steelz in the other corner. Steelz tried to stem the momentum by throwing Stone into the corner but Stone evaded a charge and kicked Steelz. During the fracas, Hannifan and Rehwoldt were arguing about who was uncouth.

Steelz finally did get the momentum back by hitting a back elbow on a charging Stone. Steelz started to pound away on Stone and jawed at the camera and Elijah. Steelz taunted Stone who desperately tried to tag Elijah. Steelz jumped on her back and then choked her on the ropes with her leg. Elijah tried to break up the action but was restrained by the referee. Steelz wen back to choking Stone in the corner with her leg as a “Jada” chant emerged.

Stone blocked a suplex attempt but – after the two combatants struggled for an advantage – Steelz did manage to get a vertical suplex on Stone for a two count. Stone regained some momentum with a series of punches whilst slipping and rolling Steelz’s counter shots. The two separated for a moments and both landed superkicks on each other. The two fell to the mat but managed to crawl to each other’s corners and tag the men.

Elijah came in a studio on fire and chopped away on Ali. Ali flipped over a corner charge by Elijah and hit the ropes; only to be met with a leaping knee strike for a two count. Elijah chopped away on Ali but Ali pushed Elijah away. As Elijah charged at Ali, the leader of Order Four evaded the charge and Elijah went arm first into the turnbuckle. Ali then hit his rolling neckbreaker through the ropes.

Ali cinched an armlock on the injured arm as an “Ali sucks” chant emerged and we headed to commercials.

We also get another Black History Month celebration with – appropriately enough – Steelz vs. Mara Sade.

We comeback to Ali hitting the ropes and avoiding a clothesline and back drop attempt by Elijah only to be caught with a pop-up powerbomb. Both combatants tagged and Stone once again got the upper hand on Steelz with a series of clotheslines and a sling blade off the ropes. Stone climbed to the top turnbuckle and a split-legged moonsault got two-and-a-fraction.

The Great Hands got in the ring to check on Steelz and Stone was on the mat. Meanwhile, Agent Zero ran around the ring and pulled Elijah to the floor. He picked up Elijah and delivered a World’s Strongest Slam to Elijah on the apron. Elijah writhed on the floor as Stone went to help her partner. Meanwhile, Steelz tagged Ali and Ali snuck behind Stone.

When Stone turned around, Ali started to taunt and push her. Stone hit Ali who became incensed. Ali charged Stone who evaded him. Stone hit the ropes and reversed a wheelbarrow into a DDT. Ali got up and grabbed Stone. He shoved her to the corner but hit Ali with a back elbow as he charged her. Stone climbed the ropes and hit a tilt-a-whirl DDT.

Stone climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a moonsault to the floor to drop Ali and Skyler. Hotch came around the ring and tried to throw he to the apron leg first. However, Stone evaded the impact and landed on her feet. As Hotch celebrated what he thought he did, Stone hit a superkick to drop Hotch to the floor. However, Ali slid between the ropes and dropkicked Stone. He also ran Elijah into the ring steps. Ali climbed into the ring and stalked Stone. However, Stone tripped a charging Ali into the ropes and then hit a handspring back flip stunner off the ropes for two-and-a-fraction. Steelz dragged Ali to the corner and tagged.

Steelz charged Stone but Stone caught Steelz with a double knee drop to the jaw. Stone climbed to the top rope but Ali grabbed Stone and hit the Tombstone Piledriver (also Elijah’s finisher.) He draped Steelz on Stone for the victory.

Post Match: Elijah climbed into the ring to check on Stone as Order Four went to the floor to celebrate. Ali taunted Elijah from the floor and then Order Four STRUCK THE POSE.

We go backstage to Santino Marella checking his phone as Grace ran into the shot. She said she and Stacks had a fight and she said a bunch of things she didn’t mean and now she made a mess of everything. She is tired of feeling that everything she does isn’t good enough. NXT isn’t giving her opportunities and that she will never be half as good as her dad was (well…you saw his Royal Rumble performance, right?)
Nonetheless, she is tired of standing still. Marella asked what he could do. Grace asked for a title match – not because she is his daughter but to see if she can stand on her own two feet. IF she loses, she loses. Marella was hesitant but Grace said he could look at it as making up for her Sweet 16^th Birthday party – she was heartbroken. Marella said he will make it happen. She was appreciative and Marella stood pensive.

We get a status check on the No Surrender PPV – in Nashville – next with Daria Rae, after the break. During said break, we get another Black History Month look with Steelz as she faced Mickie James at TNA: Sacrifice. Steelz got two-and-a-fraction with a crucifix bomb and, after prolonged shocked face, she started to slug James. James reciprocated the shots. James also got a hurincanrana out of the corner on a charging Steelz. Steelz stemmed the tide by throwing James face first into the turnbuckle. She attempted James’ finisher but James threw her to the mat and hit a Flapjack.

We get some hype before Rae for No Surrender next Friday at the Pinnacle in Nashville. To further expound on it, here’s Daria Rae for a rundown. We have an International Title match between Lorenzo and Miguel. We do get an eight-man tag match between Order Four versus the Hardys…and the Righteous? Okay. And the main event is Mike Santana and the returning Leon Slater in a tag match vs. Eddie Edwards and Nic Nemeth. There is one more match we get as Marella entered the picture, it will be a TNA Knockouts Championship match between Lee and Grace.

Rae naturally balks and called it nepotism and favoritism. Rae looked around Marella (the camera followed suit) and we see Steve Maclin talking with Miguel, Rich Swann and Hometown Man. Rae is indignant and asked why is he here. Marella said he had tenure and wanted to say goodbye to some people. Rae accused Marella of being emotional and irrational and she is going to tell the board about this as she walked off screen. We pan again to see Maclin giving a hug to HTM, Swann and Miguel.

He called the cameraman over and said this might be the last time he talked to anyone in the TNA world. It sucks so much. This place was his home when no one else would have him. It made him a two-time International Champion. He became a TNA World Champion. He doesn’t show his emotions much but he loves this place and what it is – not because of the office but the locker room. It filled with people no one believed in and a land of misfit toys.
TNA has overcome so many things and is now on AMC. He is so happy he is leaving this place as he is: with his head held high and tear in his eye. If he leaves us with anything, he will leave us with this; you can give your everything to something and no matter what, it is always going to do what it’s going to do.

As he left toward the door, Santana was there. He said Maclin was the first person to welcome him when he came back. His first match was against Maclin and the champ realized then he had what it took to be back in the locker room. Every day since then, Santana said they built an unbreakable bond. Santana wanted to thank him not just for himself but for the whole company for being selfless. They shook hands and hugged. Santana lastly said, see you down the road.

Santana walked away…and Maclin attacked him? Okay…He threw Santana into one of the loading doors and started to beat on Santana until security broke up the melee. As security threw Maclin out the door, Maclin said that is the problem – he is too (expletive) selfless. He repeated it as he was escorted out. Santana chased the security away and strung together a string of expletives of his own as we cut to a string of commercials.

We get another Black History Month feature with the end of Slammiversary match when Leon Slater defeated Moose for the X-Division Title. We also get Moose putting the belt on Slater.

We come back and get the WWE-esque “moments ago” as Rehwoldt narrated what happened. Hannifan cannot express his disappointment with Maclin. He understood he got the pink slip but not to burn bridges and attack Santana. We get some hype for TNAmerch.com for all things TNA Wrestling.

We go back to ringside and we get the lights off and get our next match:
Tessa Blanchard (with Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford in tow) vs. Rachel Ley

Blanchard started to laugh and smile as she measured up her opponent. Blanchard got behind Ley and threw her to the mat, whipping her feet in Ley’s direction. Blanchard grabbed an armlock and worked the arm. However, Ley performed two cartwheels to and reversed the hold. That is, until, Blanchard grabbed her hair and threw her to the mat. She choked Ley on the ropes with her leg.

Blanchard whipped Ley hard into the turnbuckles. Blanchard slugged away on Ley and hit a solid right and then whipped her into the ropes and landing the knee as Ley rebounded. Ley was draped on the ropes and Blanchard hit a running dropkick for a two count. Blanchard started to beat on Ley again on the mat and ran her face first into the turnbuckles. She stomped away on Ley in the corner.

Ley tried to rally with a series of shots but when Ley hit the ropes, Blanchard hit a clothesline to stop the rally. After arrogantly wiping her boots in Ley’s direction, she tried to throw Ley into the turnbuckles but Ley stopped and hit a charging Blanchard with a back elbow. Ley climbed to the top but a moonsault hit nothing but the mat. Blanchard arrogantly shrugged, grabbed Ley, hit the Buzzsaw DDT and got the victory.

Post Match: The Diamond Exchange pose din the ring and then arrogantly celebrated up the rampway.

Once thing that should not be celebrated are injuries. It’s time for the Bioflex Medical Report. Rich Swann and A J Francis are both recovering with injuries from their No Holds Barred match last week but are cleared. Jada Stone is in evaluation after the attack by Ali earlier. Ash..By Elegance is has been cleared after an undisclosed ailment, which is good because she is in the main event tonight, in fact..next.

We get another Black History Month celebration as Ron Killings (R-Truth) takes on Raven, A J Styles and Chris Harris (we get an insert of Monty Brown watching from the backstage..and sitting while he does that.) The match is for the National Wrestling Alliance Heavyweight Title.

We come back to another hype ad for No Surrender and then where TNA will be next, including Nashville, Atlanta and New Orleans where the Sacrifice PPV will take place. We then head to the University of New Mexico football stadium and Ryan Nemeth and Sade. We get a recap of the myriad superkicks Sade landed on Nemeth.

Nemeth said that he is a superior athlete. He is a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan (I wouldn’t necessarily brag about that, Ryan.) This is bread and butter. We see a plethora of football related skills. Sade is first and throws a football. Two of the Lobos (UNM football nickname) are watching and gaze into the sky. Sade runs after the ball – which is still in the air – and runs under it and catches it. She and some of the Lobos celebrate. Es un Muerta mas rapida.

One can also see where this is going. Ryan attempts to throw the ball but starts to complain that his shoulder hurts. They cut to a bar and Nemeth it’s more than just strength: it is also mental acuity. They play a game of darts (on the streets, they called him “Bullseye” Nemeth.) he hits a bullseye. Sade, ignoring the gentlemanly nature of the sport, throws a dart that lands between Nemeth’s shoulder blades. Por favor, finalicen este segmento.

They head to the Pit (UNM’s vaunted and famous college basketball arena) and play a game of horse. Nemeth misses his first shot. Sade gets hers. Through the magic (and blessing) of editing we see that Sade is up H-O-R-S on Nemeth and Sade made her shot. Nemeth said the shot ahs to be a trick shot and started to complain. He grabbed Sade and, once again, Sade superkicked Nemeth. The ball Nemeth held landed in the net. Sade gloats over Nemeth and we mercifully end the vignette. ¿Por qué existía esto?

We cut back to a production truck and see BDE talking about TNA trending again. Eric Young runs into frame and scares BDE. Young asked if he thinks this is a game or a joke to him. BDE said he respects him for what he did in the sport but do not sell him on this “cleanse” thing. Young said BDE is not interested in the truth and being part of something greater than himself. The truth could be powerful to him if he opens his eyes and realizes this places chews up people and regurgitates them. Young wants to give him an opportunity of a lifetime.

BDE said he appreciated the offer but refuses. Young jostled BDE and said he doesn’t understand. He is giving him a gift of time, this time, next week, BDE will give him his answer and it better be the right one. Young walked off screen and we head to ringside.

And, what better way to salvage this hour than the Personal Concierge. He would like complete silence. The crowd booed so the Personal Concierge said they might not understand what he is saying so he will say it in their own language (cheap heat in 3…2….1…) Silencio (well, technically he wasn’t wrong.) He is going to introduce us to something wonderful, sexy and beautiful…The Elegance Brand.

The By Elegance Brand (with Mr. Elegance in tow) vs. Lei Ying Lee, Xia Brookside and Indi Hartwell

The Brand is in Breaking Bad Cosplay (Breaking Elegance) with bags of blue stuff in their hands. Hartwell is out first followed by Lee and Brookside are out next after Lee does her entrance. All three hit the ring to a decent pop.

Ash and Lee start first but after measuring each other, Ash quickly tagged M. The two mocked Lee’s martial arts background but Lee grabbed M’s foot as she tried a kick and hit an elbow to the thigh for a two count. Le tagged Brookside and the two hit a strait jacket clothesline followed by a running boot and a senton for a two count.

Brookside grabbed a headlock takeover on M. M grabbed a headscissors to get out of the hold. Brookside got out by hitting a handstand and gyrating in front of M before grabbing another side headlock. After a rope break, Brookside went back to the headlock. M fought out of it and grabbed a facelock of her own before tagging Ash. Ash quickly tagged Heather and all three were going to jump Brookside before Brookside broke free and her partners came to her defense.

All six started to argue with each other and we got a schmozapalooza before the faces cleaned house. The Brand tried to regroup on the floor whilst Mr. Elegance tried to help M by Elegance. Hartwell and Lee taunted them. In the ring, Brookside threw Heather into the ring for a two count. Brookside grabbed a headlock but Heather reversed it into an armlock. Heather cinched it but Brookside used a rope assisted front flip to reverse it and threw Heather to the mat and hitting her with a dropkick. A flying bodypress got two .

Heather whipped Heather into the corner. She measured Heather and hit a Meteora and a Russian Leg Sweep for another two count. Brookside got heather on her shoulders but Heather sipped out of the hold. She sent Brookside into the ropes where the Personal Concierge grabbed Brookside’s leg. The interference was enough for Heather to recover and nail Brookside with a shot. Heather tagged M and the two hit the leg trip and step up senton off the ropes for a two count.

Heather tagged and hit the ropes, where M caught her and flipped her into a tilt-a-whirl splash on Brookside for a two count. Heather threw Brookside into the corner and tagged Ash. Ash stomped away on Brookside into the corner. Heather tagged bag and landed a boot of her own to the back of Brookside. Ash grabbed the chinlock as we grab some commercials.

We also get another Black History Month Celebration with Killings in a six-man tag match. This was the Three Live Cru (with Konnan and Road Dogg) against Johnny Swinger, Disco Inferno and Simon Diamond. We also see an insert with Raven and the Gathering. We cut away for another ad for TNAmerch.com, your one stop shot for all things TNA.

We go back to action with Brookside fighting out of a headlock whilst Brookside trying to get the tag. Mr. Elegance ran to the other side of the ring to distract Lee and Hartwell but Brookside still managed to get two and then got the tag to the World Champ. Ash tagged in the match but Lee quickly swarmed her with a series of kicks and a running kicks. She also hit the 10-punch corner spot but M distracted the referee whilst Mr. Elegance got on the Apron and threw his furry jacket that distracted Lee enough (it didn’t land flush) for her to stop and go to the mat. Ash pushed Lee and hi a running clothesline out of the corner.

Ash posed in the ring and then started to beat on Lee. She posed in the ring again as Rehwoldt started to quote the Carpenters to praise the Brand. Meanwhile, Ash threw Lee into the corner and then snapmared her out of it and hit the chinlock. Ash cinched it and jawed at the camera. Lee fought out of it and armdragged her way out of the hold. However, both ladies charged each other and landed simultaneous clothesline and both dropped to the mat.

Both did a hope crawl to the corner and Ash tagged M whilst Lee tagged Hartwell. Hartwell hit a series of clotheslines on M and then ducked a clothesline by M to stomp on her foot (which started this angle a couple of weeks ago.) M sold the pain but hit the ropes only to be caught in a Hartwell spinebuster for two-and-a-fraction. M managed to boot Hartwell away and tagged Heather. Hartwell missed a big boot and found herself caught in the ropes as Heather hit a missile dropkick from the top.

Brookside climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a flying bodypress on the Brand to the floor. Whilst she celebrated, Mr. Elegance stalked behind her and Brookside bumped into her. Mr. Elegance held her whilst the PC grabbed a bag full of glitter. His throw was errant and Mr. Elegance got the brunt of it. Heather and Brookside got back in the ring and fought for position. Brookside got a double arm takedown and then cradled Heather for the victory.

Post Match: Heather attacked Brookside after the bell. The rest of the Brand joined her after taking out Hartwell and Lee. They stood in the ring (Ash standing on Brookside) and celebrated the victory.

Whilst that was the main event match, we still have the main event interview as we see Mike Santana making a beeline through the concourse into the ringside area. Hopefully he makes it there, after the break.

When we come back, we get an ad for another of the TNA Plus Immersed special about JDC with myriad interviews amongst the System members in his lead up to his final match against Edwards.

We go back to ringside and see Santana’s chryon and Santana is still heading thought the concourse not in the mood to shake hands with fans but still walks thought the stands. He still soaks in some adulation in the ring but quickly grabs a mic. He demands the music to be cut and shouts out Albuquerque. He wants to keep it a buck with us. He sat in a chair two weeks ago in the ring. He told us about the weight of carrying the title and he has a target on his back.

However, he didn’t think the title would turn one of his best friends into one of his enemies like it did earlier in the back with Maclin. Santana said all is fair and love in war. But next time, don’t stab him in the back, stab him in the chest so he can look at him like a man instead of a little ummm..female dog.

No sooner did he finish; the System hit the ring and attacked him. All four beat on him in the corner. Myers handed Edwards the belt but the Hardys music hit and they hit the ring to help Santana. But the numbers game still favored the System and they got the upper hand. However, Moose’s music played All four System components looked to the rampway but Moose snuck behind them on the apron. Myers realized it first and soon all the components attacked Moose. Moose, though, fought them off and they all bailed to the floor (Alexander hit the floor after a Moose powerbomb onto the components.) All four System skulked their way up the rampway threatening the faces as we head off air

Impactful Ruminations:

One: The Maclin turn was shock and a pleasant one at that. It also gives Santana yet another person in which to worry. They have done a great job building up that everyone is after Santana. Sure would I like someone who is new? Absolutely. But, for what they have, this is a nice booking choice. That was well crafted.

Two: I really could do without the gratuitous man on woman violence. I get it’s cheap heat and it is something a heel would do but it just feels so Attitude Era which is not my favorite eara.

Three: That was a horrible angle and vignette between Sade and Nemeth. That was terrible. That really gnawed at me for the second half of the show. It was low budget 1980’s vignette without the payoff of seeing Curt Hennig in action and his fantastic music.

Four: Speaking of wrestling from the past, I did like the squash match from the Righteous. I am curious where this goes again, especially with Jeff sort of leaning into it. Also, as much as I hate the “what” chants. Nice job by Vincent to make the promo quicker and not get the crowd fully uncorked. Personal note, Dutch, could you do some other thing beside flicker your tongue – I don’t feel comfortable.

Five: I don’t know anything about this Brooks gentleman but he made an impressive enough performance in his match with Miguel. He might be someone to keep and start to put into the rotation. Miguel was fine for his Dalmatian offense but credit to him for giving Brooks as much shine as he did.

Six: Speaking of dalmatians, Stone looked impressive in her match. She had some good acrobatic moves which sets the tone but she is diminutive, she is, by accounts, either 4’11 or five feet even. I am curious how she shakes. She did have the, well, spark of someone and showed general enthusiasm. I am convinced she might have a good future if you can hide the short stature.

Seven: Blanchard did very well in her squash match, per expectations. She should be fast tracked into the title shot scene very soon.

Eight: As much as Stone impressed, Mila Moore just does not connect with the audience. I get she is going for aloof snob/bully, but is almost way to aloof.

Nine: The usual suspects were stellar on the mic. Santana nailed his promo and got over the incident really well. The Personal Concierge kept bringing the old-school heat wonderfully. Mr. Elegance is starting to grow on me as a goof heel magnet. Still awaiting where this thing with Dustin Nguyen is going on social media.

10: I really don’t want to see the Young vs. BDE match. That does not impress me; the only upside is that it might somehow get us to the fireworks factory of the cleanse.

11: They did a smart job keeping Ash protected as she gets back into the ring action.

Lastly: If Grace’s eventual re-betrayal of her dad was anymore telegraphed, Samuel Morse should get a writing credit for this show.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight