TNA Impact Review – 03.26.26

Greetings, everyone. We’re on our last show for this cycle in Atlanta, Georgia. Unlike Fats Domino, we’re not walking to New Orleans but charging full-speed ahead to Sacrifice tomorrow (Friday) night in the Big Easy. For now, like Atlanta rapper Ludacris let’s rollout another episode of Impact with Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on announce duties, Gia Miller and McKenzie Mitchell won’t act a fool on background commentary and ringside announcing, respectively. The number one spot is right here; so, enjoy some Southern Hospitality and some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Previously on Impact…we get a review of the Moose vs. Brian Myers squash match with pre and post-match interviews with Myers with the announcement that tonight’s opponent will be Bear Bronson. We also get highlights of Nick and Ryan Nemeth beating The Righteous.

Music, quick edits, posing, TNA Impact

BDE (with Rich Swann in tow) vs. Mustafa Ali (with Order Four – Jason Hotch, John Skyler, Tasha Steelz, Agent Zero – and Extra Servicemen in tow)

I have to say Ali’s new music is so much better. Agent Zero holds the ropes as Ali entered the ring, Hannifan and Rehwoldt welcome us and tell us tomorrow it will be Ali and Tasha Steelz versus Jada Stone and International Champion Trey Miguel. BDE is next to a good pop. He and Swann pose to the hard camera and get the crowd riled. Ali has his best derisive look on his face as the bell rang.

A sizable “BDE” chant started as the two measured each other. Ali started the offense as he booted as he yanked BDE to the mat and attacked with a boot and a mauling in the3 corner. BDE tried to rally but Ali curtailed it with a boot and a shoulder block off the ropes. BDE got the momentum back when Ali caught BDE’s reverse flying bodypress of the ropes but BDE turned it into a crucifix driver. BDE continued to attack and hit a flying senton over the ropes to the floor.

When both wrestlers got back in the ring, Ali hit a DDT to the knee (Knee DT?) He continued to work the leg with a single grapevine hold. BDE rallied again with an enziguri but Ali evaded a dive to the corner. Ali went to the apron and hit his rolling neckbreaker between the ropes for a two count. Ali continued the beating with a series of chops and started to badmouth BDE.

The two traded chops with Ali getting a bell clap but BDE reversed it with a single-leg dropkick off the ropes. Ali shoved BDE to the ropes and met him with a superkick on the rebound. Ali could not capitalize as BDE avoided a handspring leap off the ropes and met Ali with the Clip Cutter (Cutter off the ropes.) BDE limped to the corner but climbed to the top and hit a Frog Splash for two-and-a-fraction.

Another “BDE” chant emerged and BDE again tried for the Clip Cutter but Ali avoided it. He picked up BDE and hit a huge powerbomb. Ali picked BDE and threw him to the ropes. Ali hit the Dance with the Devil (a modified End of Days into a Flatliner) for the emphatic victory.

Post Match: The Great Hands attacked Swann as he tried to help his partner. Hotch choked Swann with a belt. However, Trey Miguel ran down to ringside and attacked Agent Zero with his International Belt. He stopped Hotch from strangling Swann but the numbers game again became too much and the Great Hands and Ali choked Miguel. This gave Jada Stone a change to run to ringside and climb the top turnbuckle. She leapt over the charging Hands and landed a hurincanrana on Ali. She, again, avoided the Great Hands charge as they sprawled to the floor. However, Agent Zero made his way into the ring. He grabbed Stone and attempted the chokebomb until Miguel grabbed him and saved Stone. Miguel had to restrain Stone from attacking Steelz as Steelz was on the ropes jawing with Stone.

We go backstage to Miller and her guests, X-Division Champion Leon Slater and TNA Impact World Champion Mike Santana. Miller went over their opponents for Sacrifice and how they got there. Miller asked how are they feeling? Slater said he felt like he should feel pressure, but pressure is for tires, not for the Youngest in Charge. Don’t get him wrong, he understands the System’s threat and Alexander’s new attitude but he has “The Realest” as his partner tonight and he will handle Eddie Edwards and Slater will handle Eric Young after Young dropped him on his head a few weeks ago with his piledriver.

Santana wanted to keep it a buck with Miller. This game Maclin is playing comes to an end at Sacrifice. Everything he said and complained about comes to a head at Sacrifice. If Maclin wins, he can shut everybody up; if he loses, he has to look in the mirror and face the fact he didn’t have what it took to be the man he said he was – he is too much of a coward to do that. Tonight, if he has any inkling….

BUT WAIT, Daria Rae walks on screen and reminded Santana that if he lays a finger on Maclin before tomorrow, the title is vacant and there is a tournament already in place for the title if it happens. And, Santana is not in it. Rae wished him good luck and left off-screen. Santana uttered something in Spanish, Slater shook his head and they headed off camera.

We get a rundown of the rest of the action including two tag teams members in single action….after the break.

We come back to a hype piece for TNA Sacrifice and our next match…

Brian Myers (with the System – Eddie Edwards, Cedric Alexander and Bear Bronson – in tow) vs. Jeff Hardy (with Matt Hardy)

The buzzer sounds and the System made their way to the ringside. Myers walked nonchalantly down the ramp and made his way into the ring before posing (Bronson joined him.) The Hardys got an a near deafening pop and made their way to the ring.

BUT WAIT, celebrities are afoot as we are shown former members of the Atlanta Falcons, like John Abraham, Alge Crumpler, Michael (The Burner) Turner and Ovie Mugheli Meanwhile, Jeff made his way around the crowd and shook hands with crowd as the “Hardy” chant continued.
Myers and Hardy started to jaw with each other as the bell rang but Hardy shoved Myers to the mat and then attacked him in the corner with a series of boots and chops. He also hit a snapmare, seated dropkick and a neck snap. Hardy continued to attack Myers on the apron and ran him into the turnbuckle. Hardy stood on the turnbuckle to suplex Myers into the ring but Myers reversed it as he grabbed Hardys’ boot and Hardy crashed to the mat.
Now, Myers took to the attack with a series of elbow drops and punches. He grabbed an armlock but Hardy reversed it , only to be hit with a back elbow off the ropes. Myers grabbed a chinlock as another loud “let’s go Hardy” chant emerged. Hardy obliged with a jawbreaker that sent Myers to the ropes. Hardy dropped Myers with a clothesline and hit the inverted atomic drop, wishbone leg drop, seated dropkick and elbow drop chain spot for a two count.

Hardy attempted a twist of fate but Myers sent Hardy to the ropes and connected with a superkick and then an Implant DDT (filed under “didn’t get all of it,” even noted by Hannifan) for a two count. Myers waited for Hardy to get to his feet and attempt his finisher – the Roster Cut (running lariat.) However, Hardy avoided it and hit the Twist of Fate. Myers bounced to the canvas. Hardy climbed to the top and hit the Swanton Bomb and for the victory.

Post-Match: Naturally, the System got in the ring for the beat down. Matt tried to even the odds and tried o fend off the System but fell victim to another numbers game. Myers and Bronson beat on Matt as Cedric and Edwards beat on Jeff. However, The Righteous came to the ring to even the odds. Dutch cleared Bronson and Myers and Vincent leapt from the top turnbuckle onto Alexander and Edwards. All combatants (sans Bronson) fought on the floor and through the crowd. Bronson got to his feet only to hear and see Moose’s chryon and music hit (with another very audible “Moose” chant.)

Moose (with Alisha Edwards in tow) vs. Bear Bronson

We see Moose make his way to the ring and shake hands with his former Falcons’ teammates before we go to a break.
During said break, we see a Women’s History Month celebration with Rox-C (you may know her as Roxanne Perez) making her way to the ring in a title vs. title match (ROH vs. AAA) between her and Deonna Purrazzo. The two traded shots and reverses as Perez tried to lock and armlock as Purrazzo headed to the ropes and we head back to action.

Back to ringside, Bronson and Moose jawed at each other but Moose got the upper hand with a series of chops but Bronson got a body block off the ropes. Moose reciprocated with a dropkick off the ropes. Moose put Bronson into the corner and got the 10-punch turnbuckle spot. However, on the last punch, Bronson picked up Moose and put him in the corner and started to maul Moose (which, zoologically, makes sense.)

Bronson taunted Moose with his own chant as he continued to attack Moose. Bronson chopped away at Moose on the corner. Moose tried to reverse it but Bronson eye raked Moose to stem the tide. Both men ended on the floor as Bronson taunted Moose. “There’s a reason why I replaced you” he audibly yelled before running Moose into the apron.

Back in the ring, Moose again tried to rally and threw Bronson into the corner. However, Bronson avoided a Moose charge and then hit an exploder suplex as Moose once again went to the floor. Bronson wanted to continue the attack but Moose threw Bronson into the ring steps. Bronson quickly regained the advantage as he reversed a suplex and hit a suplex of his own on the floor.

Bronson grabbed Moose and threw him into the ring. Bronson started to eye Alisha and stalked her. The ex-Falcons took umbrage but Bronson got back in the ring and hit an elbow drop for a one count. Bronson hit a series of huge chops on the ropes. Bronson threw Moose into the ropes but Moose caught himself and hit a charging Bear with a big boot. Bronson charged again but Moose ducked and held the ropes. Moose leapt to the apron but Bronson tripped him and Moose crashed to the apron.

Bronson set up Moose on the apron and pointed at Aisha and the Falcons before hitting a senton on the apron. After a two-count, Bronson lifted Moose, chopped him and attempted another suplex. Moose blocked it and the two took turns attempting to suplex the other. Moose tried to escape but another eye rake sent Moose to the corner. Bronson hit a running splash in the corner and chopped away on Moose.

Bronson lifted Moose onto the top turnbuckle but we cut to a commercial break and another Woman’s History Month Celebration. This time, it is Mickie James vs. Jordynne Grace. The two traded shots but Grace no sold a series of clothesline. Finally, a superkick did the job as James headed to the top turnbuckle. Grace went to the apron and James got the old school walk on the ropes and hit a splash on the rampway. James attempted the MickDDT but Grace blocked it powered her up and put her on the top turnbuckle as we go back to live (adjacent) action.

Back to the mat, Bronson climbed to the top rope for a superplex. However, Moose no sold it and immediately kicked out and got himself and the crowd riled. A very loud “Moose” chant emerged as Moose…Moose’d up and no sold a series of Bronson punches. Moose hit a headbut and running elbow smash in the corner. Moose hit his signature urinagi and senton spot, kipped up and got ready to Hit the Stick (Spear.) However, Bronson was ready and hit a pop-up Powerbomb for two-and-a-fraction.

Moose and Bronson traded chops with Moose getting the better shots but Bronson caught Moose with a Bossman Slam for another two count. Moose dropped the straps and prepared for his Choke bomb finisher but Moose fended him off. Moose no sold a series of Bronson clotheslines but eventually Moose went to a knee. Bronson charged one more time but Moose caught him with his own clothesline. Moose waited in the corner to hit his Spear but the rest of the System made their way from the back as the fans started to boo and the Falcons’ players got riled.

In the ring, Bronson dropped Moose but the Falcons’ climbed over the barricade and prevented the System components from interfering. Bronson was watching the action from the ring as Moose recovered. Abraham dropped Alexander. Moose got to his feet and NOW Moose Hit the Stick and got the three count.

Post Match: The Falcons joined Alisha Edwards in the ring to celebrate with Moose as the crowd was happy. The Falcons raised Moose’s hand and celebrated in the ring with the Moose chant.

We go backstage to Miller with Mara Sade. Miller hyped the match at Sacrifice between Sade and Elayna Black. It’s a simple piece as we get a behind the scenes-esque shot as the we the promo finalize and Miler is talking to the crew and telling them did a great job – they were cromulent. Sade and Miller hugged and Sade checked her phone until we see (oh, boy) a flash of light and her phone is replaced with a parchment that said “read me.” As one who follows orders, she did. The message read follow the white rabbit (sigh..) Sade did and we know where this is going , the light turned red and Sade headed up a staircase, a lurking figure was seen below with the ominous “To Be Continued” fading the background. We get a rundown of the rest of the action with a Knockouts six-woman tag match next…and a commercial break.

We go to another Women’s history Month celebration with Grace and Sol Ruca facing Rosemary and Wendy Choo. Ruca, being a better friend this time, hit stereo dives on the creepy heels. Rosemary recovered and hit the Upside Down on the apron on Grace as we fade back to the m current action.

We actually go backstage and see the System sitting on a stairwell despondent. Bronson said the issue with him and Moose is not over. Myers reminded us that he and Bronson are the number one contenders for the tag titles and face the Hardys at Sacrifice. Edwards said Moose is not the Face of the Franchise but the Face of the Forgotten. At Sacrifice, it all comes to an end. He also warned his wife Alisha that its time for her to step away from Moose because if he falls, she will fall with him. If she stays, she has to live with what happened next. Alexander finished by reminding people of the main event tonight.

As they head out of frame, we see the Righteous walk down the stairs and into shot. They stare at the camera for a moment and we head to ringside action.

Jody Threat, Harley Hudson and Myla Grace vs. The Diamond Collective (Tessa Blanchard, Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford)

The Collective is out first. They confidently strut to the ring and pose in the ring. Grace and Hudson are out next and shake hands with the fans as they wait at the bottom of the ramp for their partner, Threat. Threat did her usual histrionics and ran around the ring – after shaking hands with her partners. All three posed on the ropes and turnbuckles.

Threat and Blanchard start. Blanchard looked derisively at Threat, turned her back and did the boot wipe taunt in her direction. Threat took umbrage and Blanchard backed into the corner and Moore tagged. Threat went to her corner and tagged Hudson. Moore shoved Hudson but Hudson got the eventual upperhand with a headlock. Moore reversed it and cinched it the headlock OFF THRE OPRES. She also dropped Hudson with a shoulder block. Hudson dodged a series of clotheslines and dropped Moore with a (sort of) flying body press of the ropes.

Hudson got hit an armdrag and grabbed an armlock. Hudson grabbed Grace and the two combined to throw Moore into the corner and hit a running knee strike (Hudson) and a running dropkick (Grace) before posing on the ropes. Grace got a vertical suplex for a two count. Grace got an armdrag off the ropes and followed it with a headlock. Crawford tagged into the match and Hudson adroitly evaded a series of Crawford clotheslines. Grace hit a series of kicks, a legsweep and a dropkick for a two count.

Hudson tagged back into the match and the tandem hit a takedown (a seated trip) and a leg drop; followed by a double elbow drop for a two-count. Hudson hit the ropes but Blanchard grabbed her hair and distracted her long enough for Crawford to hit a superkick for a two-count. Hudson tried to rally and did so with a jawbreaker on Crawford. She got the hope crawl and the hot tag on Threat.

Threat was a house on fire as she dropped all the members of the Collective with a series of clotheslines. She attacked all members of the Collective and threw them into the ropes on top of each other. She then came off the ropes and hit a flying bodysplash on all three members. She hit a series of German Suplexes on Blanchard and Moore and a Fallaway Slam on Crawford. Crawford tapped her thigh and seemed legitimately injured. A “Jody” chant started to emerge as the all three heels sunk to the floor. Blanchard tried to get on the apron but Threat met her with a dropkick and back to the mat she went. All three of the faces got on the apron.

There was some rushed, improvised communication but Hudson dropped Moore with a flying shoulderblock to the floor. Grace climbed to the second turnbuckle and leapt on Blanchard. I imagine the spot was somewhat altered due to Crawford’s injury (medical staff were seen scurrying to where Crawford was on the floor.) During the action, Blanchard picked up Threat and slammed her into the ring steps as Grace and Hudson threw Moore into the ring but Moore went back to the floor.

Blanchard dropped Threat, ribs first, into the steps. Blanchard got back into the ring and Hudson and Grace attempted to attack. Blanchard ducked clotheslines from the tandem and sent Hudson reeling with a superkick. After a series of criss cross reverses on the ropes, Blanchard blocked a clothesline attempt off the ropes and hit the Buzzsaw DDT on Grace and picked up the victory.

Post-Match: Blanchard and Moore celebrated the win and posed on the turnbuckles.

Given what transpired in the match, it only seemed appropriate to have the Bioflex Injury Report. Indi Hartwell’s knee injury is recovering but is still out after her attack at the hands of Knockouts champion Arianna Grace and “Stacks” Lorenzo. Ash by Elegance is still out with her “mental break” after being attacked by fans who call her “a mark.” Slater is still nursing his neck injury at the hands of Young’s piledirver but will be in the main event tonight. Hey, what about Crawford? Never mind that, here are commercials.

It is another Women’s history month celebration with Michin (then known as Jade) facing Rosemary (with Gail Kim in tow) in a cage match.

We get the same previous Sacrifice hype piece before cutting to another (really) Rosemary’s list vignette – this time, the deadly sin is wrath. She talked about the previous vignettes with Pride and Greed; this one is dangerous because we owe him. We seem a masked figure emerged in a strobe light effect. The figure took his mask off and it is Crazy Steve. Rosemary greets him as his brother. Steve took umbrage with this as now he is needed and she wants something from him. At this point, the bunny joined her and is now Allie. Rosemary started to talk and Steve said the time for her talking is done and now she needs to listen.

The worst part of this and what stings the most is that he didn’t choose this. He chose her because they both know that life is a joke and death is the punchline. It was going so well, until it didn’t. She is just like everyone else who left him here to rot. She came here looking of a sacrifice (hey) but, be it luck or irony, he needs something from her. He needs her to free him from this place. His final gift is Rosemary, despite his rage and wrath, his sacrifice is just that and it has a cost. Rosemary said she knows the cost and is prepared to offer it. Remember their bond and free his mind. The two touch heads and she kisses his head. They leave and Steve laughs as another “To Be Continued” is shown. Oh, joy.

Speaking of ersatz spooky folk:

Eric Young vs. Brad Attitude

Young entered the ring in the usual sepia/orange light with his mask and poncho. Hannifan hyped the match between Young and Slater for the X-Division title and Rehwoldt briefly touched on the history between the two. Attitude gets the already in the ring introduction.

Right from the bell, Young attacked Attitude with a series of kicks in the corner. Young choked Attitude with his poncho. Young whipped Attitude to the ropes and hit a dropkick for a two count. Young continued to maul Attitude in the corner and on the mat, taking time to taunt the fans on the apron. The corner maulings continued as did the jawing with the fans along ringside.

Young got back in the ring and wrenched the neck of Attitude. A neck snap continued the damage as he taunted the fans at ringside. Attitude tried to rally but was caught with a nice powerslam off the ropes. Young got Attitude on his shoulders and hit the Death Valley Driver for a two count. Young took umbrage with the count and chased the referee around the ring and up the rampway. Whilst that was happening, Attitude recovered and hit a somersault leap over the ropes and dropped Young.

Attitude threw Young back in the ring and hit a senton over the ropes. Attitude climbed to the top turnbuckle but Young charged the turnbuckle and dropped Attitude to the mat. Young grabbed Attitude and hit the piledriver for the inevitable three count.

Post Match: Young chased the referee one more around the ring as he beat a retreat into the stands. Rehwoldt said something is happening backstage and we go there to see Matt Hardy on the stairs writing in the pain as Jeff and a security guard are trying to help – hey, those were the same stairs we saw the System..and the Righteous do their segment earlier. The guard goes to get the help and sure enough, here are the Righteous coming down the exact same stairway and manner. Vincent said it was Myers and Alexander and that revenge is forever. Matt got enough recovery to say they hit him from behind, whoever it was (hmmm…..) we ponder that as we ponder some commercials.

After ads, we go back to ringside and we see Miller on the rampway with her guest, Marcus “Buff” Bagwell, who got a decent pop but I don’t like the look of this. All things considered, Bagwell looked okay. Bagwell Was genuinely touched by the response. Miller asked him what he thought of all the growth the company had over the years.

Bagwell said that this is TNA. He thanked God for being with him every step of the journey and that it has been tough. He said he amputated his leg (wait, what?) on July 10, 2025. He didn’t know what to think but God was there and stood with him every step of the way. He also wanted to apologize to each fan here for his behavior over the last 20 years. There have been ups and downs and actually more downs than ups. If the fans will get behind him, he will walk – walk – down this ramp and wrestle one more match for TNA (no, please, no.) The crowd roared in approval, so it seems to be a go.

However, out walked Frankie Kazarian who grabbed the mic from Miller. He taunted Bagwell about walking down the aisle because he isn’t walking anywhere – maybe hopping down the aisle, but definitely not walking. He told Miller to hold his glasses and he continued. He was a huge Bagwell fan back in the day because he had it all. He had the physique, swagger and then taunted Bagwell’s strut. He loved Bagwell 20 years ago but now, this is pathetic.

Kazarian asked what are we doing here and if we should start a Go Fund Me page. He ragged on Buff’s catchphrase, “Buff is the stuff,” because it looked like Bagwell lost some stuff. Kazarian kept on Bagwell saying that he would like nothing more than to take him apart. But, Bagwell is half the man he used to be and Kazarian is twice that man he was.

The lights darken and we hear the guitar strum. Elijah made his appearance and chased Kazarian from the rampway. Elijah said tonight is Buff’s night and this is his moment. He told Bagwell not to worry about Kazarian, he will take care of him. He heard what Bagwell said and it touched him and no one here is going to stop Bagwell from living out his dream. When that time comes and he walks down that aisle, he hopes he is there and Elijah hopes he has the honor of having Bagwell walk with Elijah. Bagwell said he can’t wait to walk with Elijah. The two embraced and both headed off backstage.

We go backstage to Santino Marella with a Bioflex Report addendum. Matt Hardy is injured and not cleared for competition. We hear rumbling from off camera and we see the Righteous come into frame. Vincent said he knows what is happening. The System is trying to break one of his brothers. Marella asked what he had in mind. Vincent said the System need to be punished and he will step in for Matt. Dutch reiterated that Vincent will stand in for their brother and team with Jeff Hardy. Vincent asked if Marella dug what he was saying. Marella did and its done. Dutch did the things with his tongue and they walked off screen.

Hannifan said the scene seemed suspicious but enough of that – the main event is next; after, of course, advertisements.

We come back to an interview with Dani Luna in a dark locker room with a light at chin level to increase scariness. At Sacrifice she finally gets her shot at the TNA Knockouts title; the keyword is “finally.” Not before a battle royale to determine a challenger, not before Jody Threat, of all people, got her shot and not before she beat previous champion Lei Ying Lee to re=earn a shot she never lost. But, all’s well that ends well because every week she had to wait was another week of hurt she is going to lay on Grace and Lee. Grace is a fluke champion and is one of many. It is time for TNA to crown the person who has been running this place. Tomorrow, Dani Luna wins and tomorrow is “Doomsday.”

We get the rundown of Sacrifice and the pre-game festivities including Ryan Nemeth vs. BDE and Blanchard vs. Threat. Slater faces Young for the X-Division title, Elijah and the Home Town Man face Frankie Kazarian and AJ Francis, the Knockouts title match between Luna, Lee and Grace, mixed tag match with Ali and Steelz vs. Miguel and Stone, Moose vs. Eddie Edwards, a No Disqualification Match between Sade and Black. Hardy and Vincent vs. the System and the Main Event is TNA World Champion match between Santana and Maclin.

Mike Santana and Leon Slater vs. The System (Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander with Bronson and Myers in tow)

The System are out first. Hannifan said the System is in a must win situation as Edwards has a future world title shot in his pocket (compliments of his Feast or Fired Match.) They also made the decision to revamp the System to what it is now and to lead by example. Rehwoldt said if they can put away the X-Division and World Champion night, the question has to be who can stop the System?

Slater is next and the crowd chants with his new theme (also a marked improvement.) Slater got the crowd riled and shook hands with the crowd and posed with them. Naturally, Santana is next and emerged through the crowd to his now usual large pop. Hannifan asked how Santana can focus on this match and think about facing Maclin at Sacrifice. Rehwoldt said wrestlers have to compartmentalize their thoughts. Hannifan also brought up the “no contact” clause and the stips with Maclin as stated by Rae.

In the ring, Slater immediately attacked Alexander with an enziguri and the 10-punch turnbuckle spot but Alexander escaped under Slater and yanked him from the turnbuckles. He tagged Edwards and dropped Slater with a series of running back elbows. He snapmared Slater and went to attack Santana in the corner but Santana fended him and Slater recovered with a big dropkick.

Slater tagged Santana and the tandem hut two back elbows and hit a double hip toss on Alexnader. The two also hit stereo clotheslines to send the heels to the floor. Both faces hit the ropes but Slater dove over the top onto the System components. Whilst Alexander and Edwards caught and held him, Santana hit the ropes and hit a dive between the ropes to drop the heels. Santana and Slater posed on the ring steps as we step to some commercials.

When we return, Slater dropped Edwards with a series of back elbows and a flying knee off the ropes. Slater hit a running boot to Edwards in the corner. Slater climbed to the top rope and dove on Edwards with the Crossover (flying bodypress) for a two count. Slater charged from the corner again but Edwards managed to backdrop him to the apron. Slater fended him with a series of punches but was distracted by Myers and Bronson on the floor. This allowed Alexander to hit a modified urinagi on the apron.

Edwards took opportunity to beat on Slater on the mat. Edwards chopped away and tagged Alexander. Alexander snapmared Slater and the two traded leg kicks. However, Alexander beat on Slater and stopped the champion’s momentum. After choking Slater on the mat, Alexaner chopped and slugged Slater in the corner and tagged Edwards. Slater tried to rally again but Edwards subdued him and tagged Alexander. Alexander choked Slater with his boot and got a two count with a forearm to the face. Alexander hit the chin lock as Slater tried to get to his feet. Slater did get there and caught himself when Alexander threw him to the ropes. Slater returned with a spinning heel kick that dropped Alexander.

Edwards tagged back into the match as Slater did the hope crawl. Edwards grabbed Slater but was met with a spinning kick off a missed kick and made the hot tag to Santana, who was a casa en fuego. He dropped Edwards and Alexander with a series of clotheslines and leapt over the ropes and dove on Alexander. Back in the ring, Santana flipped over a charging Edwards. Edwards tried to get behind Santana and ran him to the ropes but Santana bucked him off. Santana back rolled and hit the Rolling Block 50 cutter for a two count.

Santana tagged Slater. Slater pushed Edwards into Santana who met him with a kick. Slater hit a dropkick and the two grabbed Edwards and reverse slammed him to the mat. Slater hit a flying bodypress from the second rope and got into position as Santana moonsaulted from Slater’s back to Edwards. Slater attempted a pin but Alexander interrupted. Slater threw Alexander to the floor as the champions grabbed Edwards. The two threw Edwards into the ropes but Edwards caught himself. He back elbowed a charging Santana and backdropped Slater to the apron, where Alexander grabbed his leg and yanked him again to the apron.

In the ring, Santana recovered and attempted the Spin the Block clothesline but Edwards deftly reversed it with an arm drag. Edwards charged Santana in the corner but Santana flipped over it and blocked a kick from Edwards. However, Edwards evaded an enziguri and Santana crashed to the mat. Santana, though, avoided another Edwards charge and caught Edwards with a back elbow.

Santana climbed to the second turnbuckle but Edwards attacked him. Edwards grabbed Santana and hit a running Backpack Stunner as Alexander hit a flying bodypress from the top turnbuckle. However, Edwards could only get a two count. Edwards picked Santana up but Santana evaded a clothesline and hit the Outline in Chalk driver. Santana hit the ropes but Alexander caught him with a Michinoku Driver. Slater got into the fracas and hit a leg lariat on Alexander but was met

Santana recovered whilst Slater attacked and managed to regain enough strength to avoid the Boston Knee Party (shining wizard) and got Edwards on his shoulders for a Death Valley Driver. Both members of the System were on the floor as Santana hit the ropes and hit the dive over the top to drop them as a “this is awesome” chant emerged.

Slater took the time to recover, psyche himself up and got in the ring. However, Macin emerged form the back and dragged Slater to the floor and subdued Slater with a sleeper hold. Santana saw this and went to the other side of the ring. Maclin threw Slater aside and dared Santana to hit him. Slater recovered from the hold and snuck behind Maclin. Santana pointed behind him and Maclin turned around in time to eat a superkick that dropped him to the floor. While all that transpired, Edwards recovered and waited for Santana to get back into the ring. When he did, Edwards charged and NOW we get the Boston Knee Party and Edwards pinned Santana and the System prevailed.

Post Match: Maclin watched from the top of the rampway as the System stood at the bottom of the ramp and celebrated the win as Slater and Santana sat in the ring disgusted as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: The main event was solid. I appreciate the attempt to sell how important the tag match was but it was an exercise in delayed gratification as we have to get through Sacrifice first. I am not sure of the “must win” point of contention but, given prevailing wrestling traditional thought process, Santana and Slater should go over at Sacrifice.

Two: Luna’s interview was very well done and conveyed the gravitas of her threat. The iron is hot, so it would be a smart idea to have her win the title. She can feud with Lee and even feud with Arianna Grace but Luna has come a really long way in a relative short period of time.

Three: Good booking on the fly with Crawford’s (seemingly) injuring her leg. It was odd that she did not make it to the BioFlex report but that is superfluous report to start. She seemed like all her past issues were behind her and started to show some personality as a goofy sycophant for Blanchard. She is no great shakes in the ring but would rather see her and Blanchard versus Mila Moore who still needs work.

Four: The spooky stuff with Rosemary has been talked about previously. I don’t see the purpose. It’s a weird pivot to do something with Sade which might be a good learning step for Sade and then go back again and do the seven deadly sins. Let Sade handle business with Black and blow off that feud first and start to elevate her forward – all this so far seems like lateral moves.

Five: It was a good go home show with a big show looming on the horizon with Rebellion looming a few weeks later.

Six: The Righteous making their move seemed like the next logical step and love the menacing nature of framing the System, who seem like the likely suspect. Scooby-Doo and Clue Club villains appreciate the charade.

Seven: As feel good as Bagwell’s redemption was, I don’t think I need to see his comeback match. It would take a deft touch to make the match a serious one. I don’t know if they have that in them. So, we put our faith in….

Eight: Frankie Kazarian. He is the veritable good hand and gets special assignments for that. This might some of the heaviest lifting he has done if the match comes to fruition.

Nine: Much like the Rude’s heel run in 1990, where he modified his look to show his seriousness, Ali’s look and is showing the true serious nature of his heel act. Even breaking out the back-up finisher was a nice touch. Seeing Ali in the title chase for the International Title is a good sign.

10. Whilst Alisha’s heel turn is fait accompli, it would be interesting if she remained in the face corner.
11. Surprised we didn’t get a brief segment from Tuesday’s NXT with Santana joining OTM in their battle with JobState.

Lastly: I know baseball just started but I am reminded of a fun anecdote from my brother about fantasy football. Years and years ago, he drafted Alge Crumpler, Randy Moss and Eric Moulds as his primary wide receiver/tight end combination. The team name? The Fun Guys.

Keep fighting the good fight.