TNA Impact Review – February , 19, 2026

Greetings, we are back in the “Music City” for another episode of TNA Impact. However, we don’t need another “Music City Miracle” and divine intervention to get through this (or maybe we do) ; we do have Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on announce duties (which helps) and McKenzie Mitchell doing the ring announcing (Gia Miller is ????) So, let’s put away seeing if Frank Wychek’s pass was a lateral or not, hunker down and enjoy some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Previously on Impact, we get highlights from No Surrender including celebs galore – oh, and wrestling, too. We get highlights of Trey Miguel winning the International Title, The By Elegance Brand cheating to retain the Knockouts Tag Title (complete with Mickie James appearance,) Mustafa Ali being surprised by Elijah in the Guitar Case Casket, Arianna Grace winning the Knockouts World Title and Leon Slater fending off Nick Nemeth and Eddie Edwards as Mike Santana fought Steve Maclin, who attacked him.

We start with Knockouts action, after the formal intro from Hannifan and Rehwoldt:

Indi Hartwell vs. Heather…by Elegance (with the By Elegance Brand in tow)

Hartwell is still loved by fans and she acknowledged all the ringside fans with copious hand shakes and hand slaps. However, all that is moot as we get the Personal Concierge. It’s not his best work as he cribbed from Frankie Kazarian (called out by Hannifan for just that) and his spiel during the No Surrender pre-game festivities. Hannifan and Rehwoldt talked about the scenario with James and Ash by Elegance and that James took the fight to Ash; whilst Rehwoldt paraphrased what Hannifan said that Ash fell into “Mess around and find out.” Ash joined Hannifan and Rehwoldt at the announce table and talked about James’ post-match bout.

We get stalling from Heather as she evaded Hartwell and posed for the crowd and the Brand. Hartwell had enough and grabbed Heather from behind. Heather tried to go under Hartwell but Hartwell grabbed her legs and slammed her to the mat, causing Heather to bail to the apron and call time out. Hartwell had enough and hit the ropes, only for the PC to grab her leg. PC got a kick out of it but Hartwell got the last laugh as she stomped on his hand.
Meanwhile, Heather recovered and hit a series of forearms to Indi on the ropes. Hartwell tried to push her away but she caught Hartwell with some elbows to the abdomen. However, a stunner attempt was blocked by Hartwell, who threw Heather to the ropes and hit a tilt-a-whirl side slam for a two count.

As Hartwell ascended to the top rope, Ash said she wanted to face James one-on-one next week. As Hartwell made it to the top, M by Elegance interfered and pushed Hartwell from the top turnbuckle to the apron. Heather hit the ropes and hit a driving dropkick to send Hartwell to the floor as Heather and Mr. Elegance posed to the crowd.

Heather stomped away on Hartwell, including a snapmare out of the corner to a back kick. Hartwell tried to rally but a charge to the corner was met by a rolling Heather and Hartwell went face first into the turnbuckles. Heather continued to stomp away at Hartwell for a two count.

Heather beat on Hartwell and choked her on the ropes. When the referee tried to restrain Heather, M got a chance to choke her from the floor. After a two count, Heather locked in a chinlock. Hartwell tried to escape but Heather hit a series of forearms to Indi’s back.

Hartwell tried to rally again and pushed Heather into the corner. However, Heather hit a cradle (or a cradle adjacent move) and sent Hartwell face-first again into the turnbuckles. Heather climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a second rope moonsault for another two count.

Heather continued to beat on Hartwell and grabbed a chinlock. Meanwhile, Hannifan asked Ash about Mr. Elegance. She said they are getting him ready, little by little and Ash was amazed by his “eight-pack” abs. Hannifin noticed he is wrestling gear but never wrestles. Ash explained it is part of the process and that he is very athletic and went through agility testing.

Meanwhile, Hartwell got to her feet and backed Heather into the turnbuckle and hit a (sort of sloppy) hiptoss to finally break the hold. Hartwell hit two big boots and then a got a spinebuster for a two count. Hartwell, again, climbed to the top rope but Mr. Elegance climbed to the apron to distract the ref. M tried to again throw M from the top turnbuckle but was met with a boot to the floor.

The Concierge got in the ring and called for time out which diverted the referee’s attention again. All three were on the apron and the referee had enough so, in his best Frank Drebin exaggerated hand gesture, ejected all of the brand (sans Ash) from ringside, causing shrieks from all parties (including Ash on the mic, who left the announce booth.

Heather recuperated and went to the top to hit Wrecked (a slingshot Spanish Fly.) Heather recovered and hit the flying elbow drop for a two count. Now, Ash got on the apron and distracted the referee and Hartwell. Heather attempted to sneak behind Hartwell and get a roll up which only got two. Heather hit the ropes and attempted a wheelbarrow move but Hartwell blocked it and got the Hurts Donut for the victory.

Post Match: Ash had a huge tantrum on the floor as Hartwell posed in the ring and soaked in the adulation of the fans. Ash comforted Heather as Hartwell continued to celebrate.

We get a run down of the card tonight. Hannifan took the fans to footage as he got a phone call from Maclin and attempted to gain access to the building and Hannifan had to stop him from doing something terrible.

We get footage of Maclin walking to the arena as the door security yelled Maclin is coming and is joined by two other security people. Hannifan got cooler heads to prevail but asked Maclin what he is doing. Hannifan pointed out that he attacked Santana during No Surrender and if he tries to come into the arena, he will be arrested. Maclin sad he doesn’t care; he wants get to the ring and tell the people his side of story. It doesn’t matter what week but he wants to have a shot to get a lot off his chest. Hannifan said he’ll see what he can do. Maclin said good and left after threatening the security the guys to not put their hands on him.

We go back to ringside and said he has not heard from TNA Management. Meanwhile, Santana’s music played and he worked his way through the crowd and to ringside. We’ll hear from him…after the break.

During the break, we get highlights of the By Elegance Brand vs Spitfire match during Under Siege. We get some Personal Concierge dancing and glitter bomb to blind Jody Threat. Ash dropped Dani Luna with a champagne bottle. PC leapt toward Threat, only to be caught and bodyslammed. Ash tried to pin Heather but Ash interrupted with a trash can. Heather blocked a Pop, Shove It and Heather dropped her with a clothesline we see Ash open the pouch of thumbtacks and…that’s it (By Elegance Brand won and Spitfire broke up, for the record.)

We go back to ringside and see Santana raising his mic to the crowd and got a huge pop and a “Mike Santana” chant. Santana asked what’s good (not the Tennessee Titans, ZING!!!!) He wanted to keep it a buck with us and addressed the No Surrender attack by Maclin, a man who doesn’t work here anymore. He wasn’t man enough to confront him face-to-face. Wherever he is, he knows him better than anyone in the backstage. They know each other well. The more you keep knocking on death’s door, eventually he is going to answer. When he does, he will step to him like a man and drop his (female dog glutes.)

With that out of the way, he wanted Slater to come to ringside. The chryon played and Slater strutted to the ring with a huge pop and a equally big “Leon Slater” chant. Santana welcomed him back and said with Daria Rae filling his head with the Option C talk, Santana came into the main event with his on a swivel and asked him point blank if he could be trusted. When Slater said he had his back, Santana was satisfied. However, he wanted to apologize for abandoning Slater when Maclin attacked him and he left the ringside area in pursuit. Slater accepted it and complimented Moose for saving the day and Slater hit his finisher on a former world champ.

Slater got the mic and said he appreciated that. He doesn’t blame Santana for what he did. He understood things get wild and unpredictable, but at the end of the night, he pinned Nemeth in the middle of the ring.

Naturally, this brought out both Nick and Ryan Nemeth. Ryan had the mic and said his “big Baaahrathaah” had something to say. Santana retorted that if Ryan doesn’t shut his big moth, he will make sure Ryan swallows that mic in front of all the fans. Nick grabbed the mic and said he didn’t mean to interfere in the love fest and said they are both champions but at No Surrender, Slater got lucky.
Slater was going to retort but Santana asked if he could handle this. Santana said it wasn’t luck, Nemeth got pinned in the middle of the ring because he is one of the best in the world. Slater is the Youngest in charge and the X-Division Champion. Nemeth said he is the best man alive (well…) He is the draw around here (Ryan was funny hyping Nick as he was talking.) Slater said no one wanted to hear this. He asked Nashville if they would rather see the TNA Heavyweight champion and the X-Division champion – the crowd approved. His math might be wrong, but there are two of them in the ring and there are two Nemeths on the rampway, so let’s get this done right now.

This brought out Rae who introduced herself. She told Slater to shut up because she is talking. She didn’t want come out here to repeat herself but she will – the wrestlers don’t make the matches, she does. The match won’t happen this week; if they’re lucky they will try for next week. As of right now, she wanted them to leave the ring because they have a match scheduled and must keep it going. Ryan humorously tried to hold Nick back as we get hype for the next match next.

But first, we go backstage to the System talking about Moose. Brian Myers said he couldn’t stay away and he misses being in the main event and misses being part of the System but he made a huge mistake (as Bear Bronson bangs on some lockers.) Bronson reiterate it was a huge mistake and this is his final warning. Cedric Alexander said he is Moose’s kryptonite. He should stop fighting it and accept defeat. Edwards said Moose was the dead weight and that’s why they dropped him. The System have bigger in things in the future, like dominating the titles (Alexander with the X-Division, Myers and Bronson with the tag belts and Edwards with the world title.) In the end, everyone will learn you can’t beat the System and they leave off screen.

Now we go to break and go to another top match of 2025, the Slammiversary X-Division title match between Moose and Slater. We get action as Slater leapt over the turnbuckles to land on Slater. Back in the ring, Moose hit a popup powerbomb for a two count. Moose chopped away on Slater as we go back to station ID (or streaming ID but the gist is gotten, right?)

We go to a neat hype piece in red for Rebellion on April 11 in Cleveland, OH. We go backstage to Rae on her phone to someone until Kazarian walked into frame. Rae hung up and talked to Kazarian. “the King” said he is digging everything she is doing so far; he offered himself as a guest commentator for the Nemeths match vs. Slater and Kazarian. Rae agreed and walked off screen.

TNA International Title Match: Trey Miguel vs. “Stacks” Lorenzo (with Arianna Grace in tow)

The challengers are out first with a neat crhyon design. Lorenzo, a true gentleman, held the ropes as Grace entered the ring. Hannifan pointed out this is his contractual rematch. Hannifin talked about Grace having one of the biggest upsets in TNA history as she defeated Lee for the title.

In fact, here is Grace with a mic to tell us. She said No Surrender was amazing. TNA’s best was on display. At the end of the night, everyone was talking about her (insert “sure, Jan” meme here.) We don’t have to like it but we have to accept it (well…) All the online hate was generated because no one believed her, couldn’t get with her or being a champion like her. She hears the whispers in the back. Yes, her dad, Santino Marella got her the match. But, he didn’t win the match, she did. She apologized for playing Marella like a fiddle in front of the world (a “you suck” chant emerged.)

It’s people like the fans who think she doesn’t deserve it but she understands something about wrestling none of the fans do. Wrestling isn’t about being tough, it’s about leverage, power and using everything you have to get what you want – and she did. Tonight, Lorenzo uses his rematch clause to win the International title so they can be preeminent power couple of wrestling.

Miguel came out next to a good pop and his customized International Championship belt (it’s day glo green.) As soon as the bell rang, Lorenzo got a quick two count from a roll up and a backslide. Miguel blocked an armlock, grabbed Lorenzo arm and ran to the top turnbuckle. He backflipped into an arm drag out of the corner. Lorenzo dodged a charging Miguel and threw him into the ropes. Miguel caught himself and stood on the apron and shoulderblocked Lorenzo. He grabbed Lorenzo’s arm and flung it on the top rope. Miguel rolled under Miguel and hit a sliding kick to the same arm and followed it with a seated dropkick that sent Lorenzo bailing to the ring.

Lorenzo stalled for time as he and Grace raised the ire of the fans. Miguel had enough and went to the floor. Lorenzo nudged Grace in front of the champ and accosted him. She then quickly moved and Lorenzo hit a superkick. Lorenzo started to taunt TNA President Carlos Silva as Grace badmouthed Miguel. Silva stood up to Lorenzo. This gave time for Miguel to recover and pound Lorenzo on the floor. He threw Miguel into the ring and Lorenzo begged for mercy.

Miguel headed toward Lorenzo but the challenger grabbed Miguel’s tights and threw him face first into the turnbuckles. Lorenzo beat on Miguel in the corner and choked Miguel with his boot. Lorenzo bodyslammed Miguel, hit the ropes and landed the dropping forearm smash, a la Marella, for a two count. Miguel tried to rally but a flying forearm off the ropes dropped him. Lorenzo got a leg drop for two as a “let’s go Trey” chant emerged.

Lorenzo badmouthed the fans and hit a vertical suplex for another two count. Miguel tried to rally but Lorenzo had an answer, including a modified hangman’s neckbreaker, which Lorenzo cinched as we get another break.

We get another best matches of 2025 segment with Santana vs. A J Francis. Santana hit a Death Valley Driver on two chairs that were set. Francis stopped the rally as he blocked a Santana charge into the corner and dropped him with a clothesline on the apron. Francis put Santana on his shoulders but Santana evaded. Santana got Francis on his shoulders and hit the Outline in Chalk (Death Valley Driver) onto a table on the floor as we go back to streaming ID.

Back at ringside, Miguel finally freed himself from the neckbreaker. He hit the ropes and got the Asai Moonsault to drop Lorenzo. Miguel dropped Lorenzo twice with clothesline and then hit an inverted atomic drop and then a Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. He hit a series of kicks and then backflipped over Lorenzo to hit a seated dropkick on the back of the head for another two count.

Lorenzo was not out of it as he reversed a Shell Shock to a rollup for a two count. He hit a charging Miguel with a back elbow and then a leaping reverse uppercut and then an elevated DDT for two-and-a-fraction. Lorenzo went to the top rope but Miguel moved and Lorenzo landed on his feet. Miguel used a series of kicks and then a leaping double foot stomp to the back of Lorenzo for a two count. Hannifan also took time to let us know he has yet to hear from TNA management regarding Maclin being let in the premises.

Miguel went to the top for a Meteora. However, Lorenzo recovered and hit a double thrust to stop Miguel’s momentum. Lorenzo climbed the turnbuckles and attempted a superplex. However, a bell clap stopped the challenger. Miguel slid on the turnbuckles and landed a superkick to the head of Lorenzo and then a 619 on Lorenzo on the turnbuckles. Lorenzo went to the mat and NOW Miguel hit the Meteora from the top rope for two-and-a-fraction.

Miguel lifted Lorenzo from the mat but Grace slid her Knockouts title into the ring as the referee saw it and cleared it from ringside. As that happened, Miguel got an eyerake and then hit the Concrete Shoes (running enziguri to the back of the head) for a two count. Lorenzo tried for a Cradle Shock but Miguel reversed that into a rollup for two. Miguel grabbed Lorenzo and hit the Shell Shock/Sister Abigail for a two count. Miguel hit a knee strike and got the Lighting Spiral for the victory.

Post Match: Silva presented Miguel his title as Grace and Lorenzo headed up the rampway.

We head up to the BioFlex Medical Report:BDE is suffering from neck issues due to Eric Young’s piledrivers but is cleared (which, good, because he wrestles tonight.) Jeff Hardy, however, is not cleared for action due to an amalgamation of injuries but should be back next week. Elijah is still dealing with his triceps injury but has been cleared for competition (which again, good, because he is in the main event tonight.)

We go to commercial break (streaming break) but go back to another of TNAPlus’ collection of the top matches of 2025, this one being a hardcore brawl between Sami Callahan and Mance Warner from Unbreakable. We see Callahan throw Warner into the barbed wire ropes and then grabbed a barbed wire ball and run Warner’s head into it, launching a bloody phlegm in the process. He the measured Warner and hit Warner in the groin with the ball in a bowler’s stance as DeLander cried. Callahan suplexed Warner onto the ball as both wrestlers are about .71 on the Muta scale.

We come back and see Eric Young (at least his legs) threatening a camera man (legs down) to do his job. The camera man picked up the camera on the ground and now we get the top half of Young. He has a message for the world. He’s been watching cough and wheeze in sickness; he’s is going to save this place and cleanse this place from the liars and the bandits. They all have to go, either by his hand or someone else’s hand.

He turned his attention to Slater who is looking for validation for all the wrong reasons and at other companies. The X-Division was the lifeblood of this place and he is wrecking the legacy of this place and he has to save it. Save the X-Division is the second phase of the cleanse (the first was??)

We go back to the ring and to our next match:

Tessa Blanchard (with the Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford in tow) vs. Jody Threat

Hannifan goes over the history between the two from the Battle Royal for the Knockout Title shot when Threat eliminated Blanchard to win said shot. He did this whilst Blanchard headed to the ring. Threat is out next and does your usual chaotic running and posing on the turnbuckle.

Threat took Blanchard down with a go behind and an armbar reverse. Blanchard got a headlock takedown and got the armlock as the rest of the Collective taunted her. Threat escaped and tried to get a Boston Crab. Blanchard escaped but Threat threw her into the corner and hit a series of clotheslines in the corner. A running took Blanchard down for a two count.

Threat tried to whip Blanchard into the ropes but Blanchard resisted; instead, whipping Threat into the ropes and landed a running knee as Threat hit them. Blanchard threw Threat into the ropes and hit a running dropkick with Threat draped on the ropes. Blanchard leapt over the ropes and connected with a kick on the apron and a bodypress over the ropes for two.

Blanchard taunted Threat on the mat and continued to beat on her, including standing on Threat, using the ropes for leverage. Blanchard used an abdominal stretch using her elbow and forearm smashes to increase the pain level. Threat, however, rallied by hiptossing Blanchard to escape the hold and hitting a back elbow and a kick when Blanchard twice charged her.

Threat continued the rally as she wailed away on Blanchard and then reverse a hiptoss attempt with a running boot off the ropes. Now, Blachard was draped on the ropes and Threat hit a running double knee strike and a German Suplex. Threat grabbed Blanchard and was ready to hit the Pop, Shove It when Crawford and Moore hit the ring and the referee instantly called for the disqualification.

Post Match: The Collective beat on Threat and held her whilst Blanchard threatened her and told her she would never be on her level. She hit a running knee strike. She continued the beat down by draping by focusing on the ribs again before Myla Grace and Harley Hudson ran to the ring to help Threat. Blanchard continued to mock Threat as the Collective left the ring

We have tag team action after another ad for the TNAPlus/YouTube series “Immersed.” This ep featured the last days of JDC leading up to his match against Edwards at Genesis.

Tag Team Match: Rich Swann and BDE vs. Saint and Sinner (Travis Wiliams and Judas Icarus)

Swann and BDE are first as Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk about last week’s angle regarding Swann offering to mentor BDE after Young’s savage beatdown of BDE after their match. Dancing and jocularity are in order as Swann dances and BDE livestreams the whole thing. Saint and Sinner are next and we get the odd movements of Icarus and Williams is slightly roe restrained.

Swann and Williams start the match after sportsmanship is observed. Williams grabbed a headlock but Swann escaped and threw Williams to the ropes. After the obligatory athletic criss cross on the ropes, Swann hit a flying headscissors to send Williams to the mat. BDE tagged and more flipping ensues as Swann threw Williams to the ropes and landed a kick to the torso, BDE hit a flipping neckbreaker and Swann hit a Rolling Thunder bodypress for a two count.

BDE did the RVD chant and tried a rolling maneuver which was for naught as Williams chopped him. BDE recovered and threw Williams to the ropes, only for Icarus to do the Anderson self-sacrifice in the corner. Williams hit a running knee to the torso and then tagged Icarus. A series of attempted whips into the corner are reversed until Williams eventually threw BDE into the corner and hit a running dropkick into the corner as Icarus hit an enziguri on the apron.

Icarus pushed BDE into the corner and tagged Williams. BDE fought out of the corner and tried to escape twice and tag Swann only to be thwarted each time. However, BDE backflipped over a German Suplex attempt by Icarus and tried to leap over Icarus for the tag but Icarus caught him. Williams tagged and the tandem tried for a double German Suplex but BDE backflipped to reverse, crawled under S&S and NOW we the hot tag to Swann.

Swann fought off Icarus and threw Williams into the corner but Williams caught him with a drop kick as Swann charged. Williams climbed to the second turnbuckle but Swann hit an enziguri and a Superkick to Icarus. Swann hit a leaping hurincanrana on Willians onto Icarus. Swann got the crowd riled and tagged BDE.

BDE charged the corner toward Williams but Williams leapt to evade him. But, Swann met him with superkick and NOW BDE hit the rolling Code Breaker and held him as Swann hit a flip on Williams to increase the impact (hey…) for a two count. BDE hit the ropes for the Clip Cutter (springboard cutter) but Williams caught him and threw him through the ropes and to the floor. Icarus tagged and S&S hit a German Suplex with Icarus giving Swann extra elevation.

BDE got back in the ring and got behind Williams but Icarus held on to his partner and the two hit an assisted back elbow and the tandem beat on BDE with a series of kicks and knees. Icarus hit a Senton and Williams connected with a brainbuster for a two count until Swann interrupted the pin attempt.

Swann superkicked both members of S&S. BDE and Swann were in the ring and NOW BDE hit the Clip Cutter and Swann hit a springboard cutter for two-and—a-fraction until Williams interrupted the pin. Swann threw Williams out of the ring and climbed to the top rope. BDE got Williams on his shoulders but Williams escaped and threw Williams into Swann. Swann gradually fell to the apron. BDE charged Williams but caught him and he an Icarus hit a tandem Snake Eyes/enziguri. Saint and Sinner hit their variation on Total Elimination (this being a running clothesline and legsweep) for the victory.

Post Match: The tandem celebrated in the ring as Swann helped BDE to his feet. Once again, sportsmanship was observed as all four held arms high in the ring.

We go backstage to a newly turned Stephanie DeLander and Mance Warner. DeLander said A J Francis crossed the line at No Surrender with his words and actions. He has always been a pig. Warner said actions have consequences. DeLander relayed all the things he said on social media and now Francis has a problem. DeLander and Warner wanted the camera guy to follow them as they headed to Francis’ locker room. A security guy fecklessly tried to stop them but Warner slugged him.

When they entered, Francis was entertaining a couple of ladies. DeLander wanted the women to leave and Francis accosted DeLander. Warner entered the room and Francis verbally accosted him until Warner slugged Francis and the two started to brawl. Now a bevy of security guards arrived to break up the fracas.

We go to another backstage segment as the Hardys. Matt started to talk about the System’s earlier comments and said if they come after the goats, they’re going to get the horns. Jeff said the System jumped them from behind but they aren’t hiding from anyone. And sure enough, the System walked into frame. They are here for no attacks and ambushes, Edwards said. Matt was surprised because this time they are in front of them and not attacking from behind. Bronson remined them there is a numbers game afoot as it is four against two.

At this point, the Righteous walk through the door. Vincent said balance always finds itself and Dutch added if they have something stirring in them, they’re already here. Myers said they know a thing or two about trust and he’s not sure if the Hardys and Righteous trust each other and they walk off screen.

Forgiveness is in the air in central Tennessee; first Santana and Slater and now Dutch apologized for the miscommunication in their tag match at No Surrender and will continue to do so until trust is regained. Hardy asked how they are going to do that and Dutch replied anything they want. Matt nodded and Jeff said maybe this was good timing and they walk off screen. Vincent looked at Dutch and said they’ll make sure Daria Rae has her foot in the door before it closes.

We go back to ringside to Elayna Black’s music as she made her way ringside. She grabbed a mic. At No Surrender, she was this close to getting a TNA Knockouts title opportunity but Mara Sade to eliminate her from the Battle Royal and ruin her moment. For some reason, everyone seems to have it out for Elayna Black (well…) She is not surprised because she is the new top star in the division (well….) It’s the truth (well….) At the end of the day, she deserved that and she should have walked out with the opportunity.

The fact that Sade stole her title shot from her is absolutely sickening. If Sade wants to explain herself, Black would welcome that. That title is going to be hers regardless of who eliminated her and stands in her way. A small “what” chant emerged as she said she is coming f that title. She was insistent on Sade coming to the ring to explain herself.

And, here Sade comes now with mic in tow. She thought she and Sade were friends. Sade wanted to talk about something as the two have history together. They came from the same place (NXT) and the same locker room. But, they’re not there anymore. However, they are the same place again and that is TNA.

Black agreed as a small “TNA” chant emerged. Black told the crowd to shut up and said there is one difference between the two. Black sacrificed on the indy circuit and eats, sleeps and breathes pro wrestling. Sade is here because she looks good and kisses up to management. She was handed the opportunity (wait…) Black earned this. At the end of the day, Sade is just another industry plant who doesn’t deserve a single second here.

Sade understood what was happening. Black doesn’t hate her because of the elimination but because Sade is a go-getter. She is not bitter because she loves pro wrestling and loves the history of it and the legends like James, Jazz and Naomi. IF Black thinks she is a fraud, she should step up and prove it. Black said she will because at the end of the day, Sade is just a stupid obstacle course on her way to the championship. Sade said anytime or anyplace and dropped the mic. Black walked backstage and Sade posed in the ring.

We get a shot backstage of Tasha Steelz knocking on Ali’s door and Ali emerging from his room and headed ringside. All Order Four are dressed in black. Elijah is dressed as he usually is. The main event is next…after Hannifan talks about next week’s action as Slater and Santana face the Nemeths, DaniLuna faces Lei Ying Lee, Francis faces Warner, the Hardys and Righteous faces the System and Jada Stone faces Steelz. We also get the face-to-face confrontation between Ash by Elegance and James. And, TNA management said Maclin is allowed back next week to be interviewed by Hannifan.

NOW, we get the main event

Guitar Case Casket Match: Mustafa Ali (with Order Four and extra servicemen in tow) vs. Elijah

Six men bring the guitar casket to the ring in front of the announce table. All six are adorned in black with black cowboy hats. As Ali does his entrance, Hannifan reported that Order Four is barred from ringside. When Ali hit the ringside area, Order Four departed. We get the usual spiel introducing Elijah as he tipped his hat to the crowd.

The action started instantly as Elijah hit a big boot on a charging Ali as the bell rang. Elijah threw Ali over the top rope. Ali grabbed a chair and beat on Elijah on the floor. Ali continued the onslaught by throwing Elijah into the ringspot. Ali continued his chair beating on Elijah as Ali set up a series of chairs by the rampway. Ali put a chair down and charged Elijah only to be met with a flying knee. Elijah grabbed an ukulele but Ali dodged a strike as it shattered on the ringpost.

After a quick pursuit, Ali jumped Elijah as they got back in the ring. Ali threw Elijah on the rampway and positioned them near the chairs. The two took turns attempting suplexes to the chair. However, Ali charged Elijah and Elijah backdropped Ali onto the chairs to complete that highspot as a “TNA” chant emerged. Elijah wanted the referee to open the casket as Elijah grabbed Ali and ran him into the apron and then into the casket but Ali just managed to escape the lid being closed on him (with casket cam, no less.)

As Ali escaped, he placed Elijah’s injured arm into the casket and then slammed it shut with a kick. Ali attempted to put Elijah in the casket but Elijah slammed him into the casket. Elijah and Ali brawled across the floor. Elijah reached under the ring and grabbed a table. However, whilst trying to set up said table, Ali leapt between the ropes and hit Elijah. Ali finished setting up the table. Ali grabbed a standard guitar case from under the ring and struck the injured arm of Elijah.

Ali wedged the case between two turnbuckles. Ali attempted to throw Elijah into the case but Elijah reversed it. Ali stopped short and hit a Superkick on Elijah. Ali charged Elijah but was met with a popup Powerbomb. Elijah and Ali traded shots with Elijah getting the upper hand. Ali tried to whip Elijah into the wedged guitar case but Elijah reversed it and Ali did the face first shot sell.

Both men writhed on the mat but Elijah made it to his feet on the floor and grabbed another table from under the ring. Elijah attempted to hoist Ali on his shoulders by the casket but Ali escaped and threw Elijah into the ringpost. Elijah crumpled to the floor and Ali put Elijah on one of the tables. Ali climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a 450 splash on Elijah. Both men writhed on the floor as a loud “TNA” chant emerged.

Order Four stormed to ringside despite Marella’s order. Steelz and the Great Hands (Jason Hotch and John Skyler) helped Ali as Agent Zero grabbed Elijah. He put Elijah on his shoulder and into the casket and awaited Ali to close the door. However, Elijah grabbed some powder and threw it into Zero’s eyes. Zero staggered around the floor and then double clotheslined the Great Hands. Elijah grabbed Zero and threw him into some musical plunder (drum and amps) gathered on the floor.

Elijah saw Ali and got in the ring. However, Steelz charged Elijah with a guitar. Elijah grabbed her and put in position for the Highwayman’s Farewell (tombstone piledriver.) However, Ali grabbed the guitar and attempted to hit Ali, only for Elijah to turn and Ali waffled Steelz with the guitar. Elijah threw Steelz to the mat and grabbed a charging Ali and hit a spinning Highwayman’s Farewell. He asked for the casket to be opened and Elijah pushed Ali into the casket. He almost had it closed but the Great Hands prevented the door from being completely closed. He kicked the Hands away but Ali recovered and low blowed Elijah.

Ali emerged from the casket. “Much like life, Ali finds a way,” Rehwoldt said. Meanwhile, the Great Hands grabbed another guitar from under the ring and handed it to Ali. Ali faked playing a guitar whilst kicking Elijah. Ali asked the Hands to open the casket and superkicked Elijah. Ali headed to the top turnbuckle for a 450 splash. Elijah evaded it and Ali rolled through it. Elijah grabbed a guitar and then hit a charging Ali face first with the guitar. Elijah charged the Hands and knocked them through the other table.

However, the Hands put a door over the casket to prevent anyone from entering. Elijah grabbed Ali on the apron and chokeslammed him through the door and into the casket. Elijah closed the lid (casket cam confirmed it) and Elijah won the match.

Post Match: Elijah stood on the casket and celebrated the victory as we get highlights of the finish. Hannifan said we could either be consumed by the fire or walk with Elijah as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: The main event was as expected. Elijah won and all can go home happy. I don’t how much this hurts Ali but given the match stipulations, it seemed like fait accompli. I really wish they would do something more with Ali and now that this is behind him, let’s see if this now leads to something better. I am nervous that is being wasted here.

Two: We almost made it through an entire episode without intergender violence short of four minutes. I am not a trained psychologist and have no idea what the hang ups the producers have with this trope. If I did, I would probably have a good private practice somewhere.

Three: There is odd circumstance to Ava leaving NXT. With her exit, that left Stone as the “GM” of NXT, thus taking him from Impact. He didn’t really need to be with the Diamond Collective (Blanchard can handle the mic work all by herself, methinks) but he would have been great with Black because she is terrible on the mic. It is the same cadence, unbelievable gravitas when it should be warranted and the “insider knowledge” of the industry that just made her segment a slog to listen.

Four: The one upside of that segment is that Sade is done with the Ryan Nemeth nonsense and can focus on a Knockouts title run. She made an earnest attempt to save that segment.

Five: Daria Rae had another prolonged interview segment and it was a mixed bag. The less, the better for Rae to give gravitas to what she said (the threats to get out of the ring were solid, the first part of the segment dragged considerably.)

Six: I couldn’t tell if there was a botch when Dutch was talking during the Righteous and Hardys segment but they tend to be good, so it happens. Aside from that odd moment, that actually was a good segment and wonder how much the Hardys are, to quote Vincent “Dig what they are saying.”

Seven: the WarLander/Francis segment was great with Warner actually being a convincing redneck psychotic. He does need to ditch the face paint. Francis seems to be stuck in neutral and hope he can get back into championship hunts (much like Ali, actually.)

Eight: Threat vs. Grace does not grab me as a credible title match. The match with Blanchard was set to keep a feud brewing and hurt no one in the ring. The conclusion was telegraphed but it worked. It also possibly gave Myla Grace and Hudson something to build as there might be a feud with Moore and Crawford which, fine. Although, I am curious to see if Crawford can carry three rookies/inexperienced wrestlers to a credible match.

Nine: Ash is headed to a feud with James, it feels, as James makes a rare wrestling cameo. It is not the worst thing in the world as Ash continued to gain her legs as she continues to get into in-ring shape. I was actually disappointed with the Personal Concierge as it seemed like he was going through the motions and cribbed Kazarian, as Hannifan noted.

10: After last week’s fiasco, Lorenzo rebounded nicely and had a good match with Miguel. Miguel is still an odd choice as International Champion but is making good accountings of himself. Let’s see who the next contender is and find out how good he truly could be in carrying a title.

11: Whilst we had another great Santana segment, I hope we don’t get a Slater heel turn. I do like we got the forgiveness and Slater was okay with it. I have an odd feeling they might build this into a heel turn with constant miscommunication.

12: The reheating of Williams and Icarus continued and got a good match. They would be great to work into the title situation depending how it shakes with the (almost inevitable) Hardys/Righteous implosion. Swann and BDE made the match a Dalmatian match but the loss is not the worst thing as it could build to a process trust and then something better in the future.

Lastly: Hannifin calmed an angry Marine and got him helped him get an interview segment next week. This man needs to work for the State Department.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.