TNA Impact Review – April 16, 2026

Well, we’ve gotten past our Rebellion phase and deal with the aftermath of it in Syracuse, NY at the Upstate Medical University Arena on the campus of State University of New York, Syracuse (SUNYS, if you will.) Syracuse is known as “Salt City” for their history of salt production. While the action might get salty, we get other seasoning from Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on the mic, Gia Miller handling the backstage sort of interviewing (more later.) McKenzie Mitchell tells us who is who in the ring. Like the American Hockey Team in Syracuse, let’s get ready for all the Crunching action and some Impactful discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Previously on TNA Impact we get a litany of highlights from Rebellion including Leon Slater beating Cedric Alexander, the Hardcore Country Brawl and the announcement of ODB going to the Hall of Fame, Xia Brookside turn on her friend Lei Ying Lee, Mustafa Ali claiming International Title glory over Trey Miguel, the System (well, Bear Bronson and Brian Myers) winning the tag titles and the main event of Mike Santana defeating Eddie Edwards and the turn of Alisha Edwards.

TNA is ready for us, as the opening goes so here we go. We get the introduction from Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt. BUT WAIT, we get the introduction of Nick Nemeth who will join our intrepid announcers. Nemeth brought his “Call Your Shot” trophy with him. We get some mutual admiration and go right to the opening match

AJ Francis vs. KC Navarro

We get some highlights of Navarro’s return and Bernie Kosar’s chair shot which led to the demise of Francis at Rebellion. Francis is out first to boos. Navarro is next with a decent pop. Hannifan chronicled the history of Navarro and Francis and Navarro’s rehab through his ACL injury.

The two have a stare down in the middle of the ring. Francis bullied Navarro to the mat. Navarro had to quickly evade to set up the speed vs. power match. Navarro reversed a Down Payment (chokeslam) attempt into a Hurincanrana. Navarro continued to evade Francis until he tried to pick up Francis. Navarro quickly recovered by stopping himself on a whip to the ropes and held the ropes as a charging Francis missed and hit the floor.

However, Francis caught Navarro as he dove through the ropes and threw him head first into the apron. He followed that by lawn darting Navarro into the ringpost. Back in the ring, Francis continued to maul in the corner and taunted him. Navarro tried to rally but another attempted slam ended in futility. Francis continued the onslaught by throwing Navarro from his shoulders to the corner. That put “The Blessing” in prime position for Francis’ Tennessee Whiskey running knee.

Navarro did successfully rally with a jawbreaker and a dropkick. Navarro hit a Tornado DDT when Francis caught a leaping Navarro in the corner. Navarro continued the sped vs. power match by hitting three dropkicks on Francis in the corner. Navarro put Francis on the second turnbuckle and NOW Navarro got the Avalanche Olympic Slam for two-and-a-fraction.

Navarro made his way to the apron as Francis writhed on the floor. Navarro climbed to the top turnbuckle. However, his leap from the top rope was met with the TFL (spear) and Navarro crumpled to the campus. Francis started to look and gesture toward Nemeth. Nemeth took umbrage with hit and started to jaw with Francis. Francis signaled and attempted the Down Payment (powerbomb) but Navarro reversed it into a rollup and got the victory.

Post-Match: Nemeth ran over to congratulate Navarro whilst Francis protested in the ring. Nemeth helped Navarro get to his feet and celebrated on the rampway.

Meanwhile, The System is walking and we walk to a commercial break.

And, it’s an add for TNAPlus’ Best of TNA Lockdown as we see Sting and Mick Foley in a cage match. Foley wielded his barbed wire bat and hit Sting as he tried to escape the cage.

We head to a remote location and see Ethan Carter III. Carter talked about his story in three acts. Act I he carries his name and becomes champion. Act II, he has successes and failures and creates the standard (and get asked about his ancestry.) Act III, the comeback, but it’s more o a crusade. It starts with Eric Young tonight.

We go back to live action and we hear the warning buzzer and Alisha Edwards telling us that you can’t be the System. They head to ringside as Rehwoldt talked about the System’s night at Rebellion. Hannifan went into detail about the damage the faction did – in victory and defeat – during the event.

Brian Myers grabbed the mic first and asked if the crowd if they’re upset he and Bronson ended the reign of the Hardys. In case people are living under a rock, Bronson and Myes are tag team champs. However, they have to be honest and not everything went their way. That lead to Eddie Edwards saying he should be standing here with the TNA World Championship. He didn’t lose the match because of him but he blamed Moose for the loss. He said Moose couldn’t stand the thought of Edwards becoming a three-time World Champion. He couldn’t stand the System holding all the belts and that Alisha is his true ride-or-die.

Alisha gives us peak south Boston “Do you wanna know something?” twice. She was glad for Moose got a little smarter by hanging out with her. She complimented Moose on getting the footage to blow the System’s plan out of the water. Edwards said Moose likes stooges. That doesn’t change the fact that the System – and Alisha – played him like a fool, because he is.

Cedric Alexander grabbed the mic and angrily said we should be celebrating but we are still dealing with the Moose problem and then turned to Slater cheating his way to victory. Alexander should have won by DQ and owed a title shot.

This brought out Slater He said Alexander always talk and when does he shut up. He should take his name out of Alexander’s mouth or he will walk down to the ring and slap it out of him like he did at Rebellion. He said Alexander lost and that was what the record book indicates. Slater said he now understands why Alexander walks around hurt (a “boo-boo face” chant emerged.) The reason being because Slater is about to become the longest reigning X-Division champion in company history. Ya get him?

Eddie Edwards grabbed the mic and said he had a good run but there is no chance he is going to be the longest title holder. He and Moose are the same, two guys who get lucky time and time again but do whatever it takes to get the job done.

This brought out Moose to a large chant. Hannifan noted that Moose played college football at Syracuse. Moose said this is just like him to make excuses. The reason why he lost at Rebellion was because he is a little female dog. In fact, all of the System are female dogs. Moose beat all of them so they are his female dog. Alisha has the testicles in the marriage so Eddie is her female dog. Moose called back Hendry by saying Myers is Edge’s female dog (that line got a good pop (and a “Edge’s b—” chant.) He also said 30 TNA Knockouts can attest that Alisha is the biggest female dog that stepped through the door in TNA

Alisha rebutted by saying that he is nothing like her husband. Nothing. Slater got the mic and asked if Alisha wanted to know something. All four of the System components are in their regular clothes whilst he and Moose are in their wrestling gear. He called for a match between Slater and Moose vs. Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander.

The rush of power drew the ire of Daria Rae who emerged and said the match is not happening. Slater tried to protests and Rae dropped her “shut up, I’m talking” catchphrase. This might have happened with Santino Marella but he is suspended indefinitely. Since she is in charge, there is no match. Slater protested and said Marella is the superior general manager – Moose agreed.

Rae told them to shut up but thought for a second. She agreed with that there should be a match tonight so it will be Slater and Moose versus the entire System faction. She wished them good luck. Rehwoldt celebrated the celebration whilst Hannifan was flabbergasted with the decision. Moose and Slater looked incredulous.

Meanwhile, backstage we see Jada Stone warming up and then we see Tasha Steelz walking with Order Four (with extra Servicemen) flanking her; and, that match is next. Well, it’s next after commercials.

We go to another TNA Lockdown anthology ad as we see The Dudleys vs. Beer Money.Bubba Ray thwarted the tandem but when he attempted to climb the cage, Roode stopped him. Bothe of them were on the cage and Bubba Ray hit a top rope Bubba Bomb.

We actually get highlights of the Elijah vs. Frankie Kazarian match at Rebellion. We see the guitar get used (without DQ) and get the win via low blow. We cut back to live action and see Rae sitting her “office” until we hear the guitar strum and see Elijah walk into frame and ask for Marella. Rae reminded him that Marella is suspended but what did Elijah want. Naturally, Elijah wanted a rematch. Rae reminded him that she makes the matches, not him. However, she does call Kazarian on speaker phone and said Elijah wanted a rematch. Kazarian said “no” and Rae hung up. She said there’s no rematch and for Elijah to take care. Elijah asked if that this how it’s going to be and walked off screen.

Jada Stone vs. Tasha Steelz (with Order Four in tow)

Steelz and Order Four headed to the ring with the faction’s old music. Ali grabbed the mic and said tonight he is happy. And, why not? He has a weapon of Mass Destruction behind him (Agent Zero) to the sides of him are his attack dogs (John Skyler and Jason Hotch.) He has Steelz on one shoulder and on the other shoulder is the International Championship.

The fans should be happy because they have a champion that doesn’t need a second chance (well….) He referenced Santana, Miguel and the Hardys having second chances (in the Hardys’ case – six, seven or eight chances.) Ali didn’t need that. He does gives chances and announced the “TNA International Championship Open Challenge.” Anyone from the TNA roster or any independent wrestler across the world; if they want it, come and get it.

He turned his attention Stone, saying she has been a thorn in the side of Order Four. So, Ali wanted her to walk down to the ring and Steelz will kick her butt and she will say “in Ali, we trust.”

That brought out Stone who charged the ring and the two started to brawl before Mithcell could finish the announcement . The two kept brawling trading punches but Stone got a tilt-a-whirl arm drag that sent Steelz to the corner. Steelz halted a bulldog attempt and wen to the floor but Stone hit a sliding dropkick under the ropes.

Steelz tried to attack Stone on the apron but Stone evaded it. Stone also thwarted Skyler’s interference. Stone attempted a hurincanrana bust Steelz countered it and ran Stone into the ring steps. Steelz stalked Stone on the floor and mauled her along the ringside area and dropped her with a clothesline as we get some commercials dropped on us.

We get another Lockdown anthology highlight as Micke James fought Madison Rayne for the TNA Knockouts title (with Rayne in her regal era.) After delayed stalling by Rayne, James immediately went on the attack. James ran her into the ring ad then hit the Mick DDT for the victory and the title.)

We come back to action with Steelz hitting a suplex/slam for a two count. Steelz continued the mauling of Stone along the ropes and the corner. Steelz whipped Stone into the ropes and then choked her with her boot with Stone’s throat on the ropes. Order Four put the bad mouth on her despite the referee’s warning.

Stone tried to rally with a quick roll up but Steelz ended the rally and taunted the fans. She grabbed a modified Camel Clutch. Meanwhile, Hannifan said they are reprising the “TNA Lockdown” special (ergo the ads) and it will be held in Chicago. Meanwhile, Steelz continued to thwart every Stone rally. Steelz continued the corner maulings by putting the boots to Stone.

Stone finally started to get a rally going and traded shots with Steelz and then dropped the former Knockouts campion with a series of clotheslines and a Sling Blade. Stone kicked Steelz in the corner and then came back with a Meteora. Stone saw her chance, climbed to the top and hit the Split-Legged Moonsault (cue Botchamania’s “Good enough” in 3…2..1) Steelz regained some momentum with a jawbreaker followed by a neckbreaker for a two count.

Stone tried to rally in the corner but Steelz reversed it into a kick and then flipped over Stone (looked like botch from someone but Steelz rolled through it to keep up appearances.) Stone countered with a superkick. Stone tried to hit a handstand springboard move off the ropes but Steelz was ready (another possible botch) and hit a German Suplex. Steelz got Stone on her shoulders but Stone evaded it and hit a Tornado DDT off the ropes.

Stone hit a Northern Lights Suplex and then hit a modified Wing Clipper ( double underhook sit out facebuster) Stone climbed to the top again but Order Four distracted her. That was enough for Steelz to recover and hit Stone. Steelz grabbed Stone and hit the Hail Mary (formerly the Okurr Cutter) for two-and-a-fraction. A frustrated Steelz threw Stone to the floor where the Great Hands headed their way and Ali joined him. The referee read the writing on the walls and expelled Order Four. Steelz protested but Stone got a roll up and hit the Spark Stunner (a handstand springboard off the ropes into a stunner with splits) for the victory.

Post-Match: Stone celebrated in the ring.

(sigh….) We see a red rabbit which means it’s time for Hijinx in the Undead Realm. We see Crawford running through a hall screaming (similar to the shot at Rebellion) until a creature screamed and Crawford passed out. Meanwhile, we see Rosemary meandering through the halls until she comes into a room with Joseph Park, who said he went to sleep last night and woke up here. He asked if she saw his brother, Abyss (or Chris.) He realized it was Rosemary and said to slap his face and call him George Hackenchmidt. He hugged Rosemary but she was having none of it.

She said it’s fine and asked about the divorce and Park said it went great; thanks to the law office of Park, Park and Park. He did warn her of that man of hers is egregious, felonious and self-defecating. However, he had to go now and said goodbye to Rosemary and said he had to go up north.

We see another woman adorned in a veil walking through a hall as we cut to Tessa Blanchard wondering where she is (James Mitchell told you two weeks ago..) She sees the glitching bunny sitting in a church pew and then two ladies adorned in make up who attempted to attack Blanchard. Blanchard managed to fend off both wrestlers before she staggered out of the room and (exasperated sigh) it’s to be continued…

We get ads and another ad for the TNAPlus “Best of TNA Lockdown” series and another look at the Dudleys vs. Beer Money as all four battle throughout the crowd before heading back to ringside.

We go backstage to Navarro and Nick Nemeth with Nemeth continuing to hype Navarro until Ryan Nemeth runs into the shot and is giving jealous vibes. He said he is Nick’s little brother and that we are all clear on it. Navarro called Nick his brother but not in a familial way which riled Ryan before Nick clamed him again. Now, the System head into the shot to cause unrest. Myers started to taunt the threesome and called Navarro a “charity case,” This caused Navarro to hit his “Pardon Me” catchphrase.

Nemeth tried to calm things but did indicate Navarro came back from an injury and how would the System do with that? Bronson took umbrage with Nemeth’s tone and got in Nick’s face. Nemeth said if he doesn’t like his tone, he is not a hard guy to find. The System headed off shot. Ryan still didn’t like what was happening and went to call their mom. Navarro asked what his problem is and Nick said the whole place is crazy.

We comeback and we get Santana’s chryon and music as Santana – adorned in a Yankees jersey and not the leather jacket – makes his way through the crowd and to the ring with mic. He asked what’s good in Syracuse and wants to keep it a buck with us. Thanks. At Rebellion, everything went exactly as he thought. Eddie threw everything he could at him as part of the foundation of TNA. Santana cracked that foundation in half is standing here still as TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

He is still holding down the fort and beating every former World Champion here. Since he is holding the belt, he decided to hand out some opportunities of his own. That includes someone who, like him, took his life into his own hands and changed for the better. That person is Rich Swann (hey, there he is..) Swann comes out and with a mic of own.

Swann said it’s not often that an opportunity falls from he sky like this. He said the respect Santana has for him is reciprocated. Swann watched him battle his demons and climb to the top of this industry. He asked Santana if he really wants to do this. Swann is agility, ability and aggressiveness (his words.) He continues with the predicate adjectives and said he is in the best shape of his life (his pirouette and splits as he said that got a good pop.)

He knows if they fought, people will talk about that match for days, weeks, months and maybe years. When they get in the ring, he is going to bring every ounce of fire, desire and heart he has – just like Santana – and they will fight all…night…long (which got a good pop.) Santana asked what did Syracuse think and it was academic. He can’t believe he is going to do this but he is going to summon that “God awful evil woman” Rae to make it official next week. If she makes happen, it’s on next week. The two posed as Hannifan and Rehwoldt start the hype train for the match.

We don’t hype injuries but we do hype the BioFlex Injury Report. Miguel suffered a severe laceration on his right knee during his match with Ali that required stitches and his being held out of action. The Hardys are being held out due to the tables match after their match with the System at Rebellion. Some good news, Indi Hartwell is cleared for action but due to her suspension, she is ineligible to action. And, Ethan Carter III is cleared for action later tonight against Eric Young.

We cut away and see, appropriately Young walking through the hallways and see EC3 vibing and getting ready for their match…after the break. Speaking of breaks it’s a free-for-all as A J Sytles, Christian, Kevin Nash, Sting and others engage Iina brawl. Styles got on top of a cage with a ladder. He set up the ladder and climbed it but Christian met him there (as did James Storm) and Storm knocked the ladder down and the two crashed into the cage.

We come back to Lee who talked about your journey to wrestling and barely spoke English or pro wrestling but along the way she fell in love with wrestling. Since she joined TNA, Brookside became friends and partners. They were inseparable; when she lost the title, Brookside encouraged her to regain the title. The tears started to well up as she talked about Brookside’s betrayal at Rebellion. She didn’t just lose the title but lost her best friend.

We cut back to backstage where we see Brookside, almost like a mannequin, standing as Miller approached her. Miller asked why she did it; Brookside rotated, gave the same blank look to her and left. Miller look befuddled but we go back to ringside action and the matched promised prior to the break.

Ethan Carter III vs. Eric Young

Carter posed on the rampway…wait, Young jumped him from the back and mauled him down the rampway and into the ring. Young put the boots to him and threw him back to the floor. Young continued the beating. EC3 rallied but Young continued to beat him when EC3 got back in the ring. Young got two neck snaps and then hit the chinlock. EC3 escaped with a series of elbows.

Young got back on offense with a prolonged eye rake. EC3 struggled around the ring as the referee accosted Young. EC3, who couldn’t see clearly, charged and knocked both Young and the referee over the ropes and to the floor. EC3 got his vision and continued to attack Young on the floor. Meanwhile, a second referee appeared and declared the match a no contest. It was immaterial as EC3 grabbed a chair and just missed an evading Young and clobbered the ringpost.

Young grabbed the chair and wrapped it around Cater’s head. A litany of security and referees tried to regain order but Carter kept the attack. However, E3 still had the chair wrapped around his neck. Young grabbed EC3 and threw him into the ringpost. Carter writhed on the floor and Young accosted the security and referees before heading back on the apron (the crowd kept chanting “one more time.”) Young threatened the security staff but eventually made his way up the rampway and we head to commercials.

We get another Lockdown series ad with a match between Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy. Angle threw Hardy around the ring and into the cage, taking time to pose in the ring.

We came back to (oh, boy) more Undead Realm goings on as Rosemary walked down a hallway and saw a hooded figure walking her way. as Rosemary addressed him as Frank. They exchanged pleasantries and Frank asked if she got his resume. Rosemary said probably asked how his mother is doing. He said she is well and making her favorite meat loaf.

Meanwhile, Allie and Mara Sade are chit-chatting about Allie getting back to the living realm. Sade asked what is the first thing she is going to do. Allie said eat because there are not a lot of vegan options in the undead realm (good point.) An ad for Shudder (an AMC channel) was displayed on a screen in the back. Sade did helpfully offer a lollipop, which was nice of her. They waw the female from before who teleported through them and kept walking.

They turned around and saw Crawford standing there. Allie introduced herself but Crawford fearfully backed away. Crawford backed into the same woman, screamed and ran away. Allie said “meh” and walked to another part of the realm.

Blanchard meanwhile was in yet ANOTHER part of the realm before she encountered Rosemary. Blanchard demanded that Rosemary tell her how to get out of here right now. Rosemary said no. The two immediately started brawling. Blanchard started to strangle with Rosemary with a chain. Meanwhile, the hooded woman was still walking down the aisle.

We cut to ANOTHER hallway and the Diamond Collective finally meet get together in a Scooby-Doo like occurrence. They all had been looking for each other. We cut to Sade and Allie seeing the choked Rosemary and helped her escape. Rosemary said she had a little run I with Blanchard. Allie said she hurt her friend and went after her. Sade stayed back to make sure Rosemary was okay and Rosemary showed Sade some hair follicles she took from Blanchard (souvenirs, as he called them.)

The Diamond Collective come across to Mitchell and Blanchard demanded, once more, how to get out of here. Mithcell said use the door. The door opened to a red light and they left after one last glimpse of the mysterious woman wandering the aisles. Mitchell introduced himself to the mysterious woman and they walked hand-in-hand into another room.

We cut back to ringside with Hannifan asking “what the hell is going on” (Once again, shoot comments that aren’t supposed….) We cut to a blackened out arena but noises play in the background and a creepy graphics display shows and we see the Diamond Collective head from under the ring. The lights go out again, creepy graphics replay, Mitchell’s evil laugh and voila after a litany of smoke Rosemary and Sade attack Crawford and Mila Moore. They dispatch Sade and the Collective surround Rosemary. They get into the ring.

But, we get more lights and graphics shenanigans and yeah, we get the return of Allie from the realm and down the rampway she goes to even the odds. Superkicks abound and she sent Blanchard to the floor with a codebreaker. The three faces stand tall in the ring and the heels collective themselves on the floor as we get ready for the main event after the usual break and ads.

This ad for the TNA Lockdown series is “Black Machismo” Jay Lethal entering the cage to face Shark Boy, Curry Man, Consequences Creed, Johnny Devine and Sonjay Dutt. Dutt and Lethal work together on Devine until we get the pyramid spot and that’s that for now,

We cut to a backstage promo with The Hardys who asked if The Righteous (Vincent and Dutch) are happy and if they are smiling. They broke them down and they lost the titles. He thanked Dutch for the near death experience at Sacrifice but it a near-death experience to show you’re alive. He challenged Dutch and that it is almost “Broken season.” The crowd popped for that. The lights go out but we hear the sinister laugh.

But now, the main event

The System (with Alicia Edwards in tow) vs. Leon Slater and Moose

The warning buzzer signals that The System are on their way to the ring and Hannifan went over the events that lead to this match. Slater came out next to a fairly loud pop. Moose got a huge pop and Hannifan reiterated Moose’s history with Syracuse University (even referencing him by his real name Quinn Ojinnaka as we go to break.

We get another Lockdown best matches ad with Angle and Samoa Joe in the cage as Angle pounds away on Joe on the mat.

We go back to Syracuse and Slater and Alexander start the match. Alexander trapped Slater in the System’s corner and started a series of takedowns until Slater rallied with a rebound spinning kick and tagged Moose. Moose cleaned house and hit the urinagi/senton spot on Alexander. Hannifan continued to talk about Moose and Syracuse Univ as Moose did the Ultimate Warrior rope shake. This gave Bronson time to attack, which Moose countered by throwing Bronson to the floor.

Moose continued to battle Bronson, taking time to side step a Myers spear, who speared his partner. Alexander tried to dive between the ropes but Moose caught him threw him into the tag champs. Myers came from behind and attacked Moose. However, Slater recuperated in the ring and leapt over the turnbuckles and leapt on all four System components. In the ring, Moose Hit the Stick (speared) Alexander for a two count until Myers interrupted the pin.

While the referee admonished Myers, Edwards hit the Boston Knee Party (shining wizard) on Moose. Bronson immediately mauled Moose (zoologically logical) on the mat. Moose tried to rally but Bronson regained momentum by sitting down on a sunset flip attempt. Edwards legally entered the battle and attacked Moose. The battle went back and forth until Moose missed a spear and crashed into the turnbuckles.

Myers tagged and taunted Moose. Alexander tagged and the two (along with Bronson) assaulted Mosoe. However, Moose clotheslined Alexander and Myers and then did the same to Bronson. Moose got the hope crawl and hot tag on Slater, who was a flat on fire. He attacked the System and hit a spinning kick on Edwards to drop him. Slater hit running boots on Myers and Edwards in the corner.

Slater climbed to the top but Bronson moved Edwards and Myers out of the way. Slater rolled through it and hit a handspring flying back elbow off the ropes on Bronson and Myers. A superkick dropped Edwards and a flying bodypress off the top rope for a two count Edwards got the momentum back with a thumb to the eye.

Edwards and Bronson hit corner splashes on Slater; Bronson also threw Slater into an Edwards Blue Thunder Bomb. Myers climbed to the top for his flying elbowsmash and Alexander hit a frog splash for a two count until Moose interrupted the pin. Moose dispatched Edwards to the floor but Edwards evaded a running pump kick and Moose took out a security person (also taking out a security person. Haven’t they suffered enough?) Edwards dropped Moose on the floor.

During the match, we got a preview of next week as Matt Hardy faces Dutch, Mike Santana and Rich Swann square off in a world title match, Nick Nemeth fights Bear Bronson and we will finally hear from Xia Brookside.

Meanwhile, Alexander attempted the Lumbar Check but Slater escaped. He also escaped a Bronson charge and hit a Salida Del Sol on him. He also avoided a Myers charge and Slater hit the Utopia (rotating Blue Thumber Bomb.) Alexander tried for a German Suplex but Slater reversed that into a rollup for a two count. But, Alexander countered that into a wheelbarrow Lumbar Check for the victory.

Post-Match: The System celebrated on the rampway as Moose tended to his partner. The System continued to taunt their opponents as we went to Hannifan and Rehwoldt who recapped the events of Rebellion and tonight. After that, we get their gratitude and show goes off the air.

Impactful Ruminations

One: The production was solid and topped most – if not all – of the first episodes of a new taping cycle. The action still was all over the map but the in-ring stuff was by and large solid.

Two: So, the denoument of the the “Undead Realm” was to bring back Allie (and advertise Shutter?) For a convoluted angle, that seemed like a anti-climatic finish. Were we clammoring for Allie’s return? This gives Sade something to do but I think this is a needless anchoring for top talents that should be getting on the fast track for bigger opportunities (most notably Sade and Balnchard.) To be fair, I did chuckle when Joseph Park said he was heading north (wink, wink.)

Three: It was great to see Navarro’s return match and seemed genuinely moved as he got in the ring. It was the typical big vs. little man formula (something Francis knows all to well.) I guess we get a prolonged Nick Nemeth face side quest before he gets back to facing Santana and using his trophy clause. Navarro vs. Ali would be an intriguing match

Four: I don’t know what we are doing with Ryan but seeing him vs his brother is not something that appeals to me given the chasm of talent disparity between the two,

Five: The Stone vs. Steelz match seemed sloppy and Stone still needs more seasoning but they recognize they have something with her which is why they got her in this feud whilst the other young Knockouts are relegated to tag matches with experienced wrestlers and staying on the sidelines as an interference magnet (see: Moore, Mila.)

Six: One wonders what happened behind the scenes as Swann went from Francis feud (natural,) to being BDE’s Mentor (smart angle) to now challenging Santana. It will be a good match, no doubt; but did we just put BDE into a holding pattern and twisting in the wind? I think something is brewing and need some deft storytelling not to replicate the Zaria vs. Sol Ruca feud.

Seven: The Young vs. EC3 bout was it should be. Keep the two together in their own little bottle universe and keep it short whilst EC3 gets the feel of action. It’s their for nostalgia and that is that.

Eight: The main event was fine and perfectly acceptable. The System got some of their heat back and Slater and Moose did their part. The System work exponentially better as heels.

Nine: My biggest fear with Daria Rae is that she is the embodiment of Tommy Dreamer recreating the “Network” angle with Rae as Don Callis. She is getting comfortable in the role and realized that in short, controlled bursts she is far better. I still think the overall angle suffers from a lack of originality.

Ten: Hannifan started to lean into Jim Ross territory as he talked up Moose’s history with the Orangemen.

11: I am curious about the Brookside interview next week. The blank look she gave during Miller’s attempt to talk to her was good. It was completely expressionless and did look a lot like a mannequin.

Lastly: “what the hell is going on?” Great question, Hannifan; once again, Tom Hannfian – the voice of reason.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.