TNA Impact Review – May 28, 2026

Greetings, everyone, and welcome to another episode of TNA Impact, once again emanating from Sacramento, CA, which sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. And, speaking of confluence, we have a confluence of talent tonight as Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt announce the action, Gia Miller keeps things rolling with backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell helps us navigate the rough waters of figuring who is who in the ring. Unlike our AMC lead-in, let’s not be a bane. Although it is the last taping in “the City of Trees,” let’s not leave but stick around and engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

(side note: as always, take some time and read/appreciate/comment on our fellow writers who contribute to this site. They deserve the recognition and love for doing this…and now, our feature presentation.)

We get the cold opening and see Frankie Kazarian introduced and headed to the ring before we hit the theme, which is ready for you.

We get the official introduction from Hannifan and leads to our first match. And what do you know, it features Kazarian – amongst others:

Men’s Champions Challenge Match: Frankie Kazarian, Leon Slater, Eric Young, KC Navarro and Elijah vs. Mike Santana, Mustafa Ali, Cedric Alexander, Brian Myers and Bear Bronson

Kazarian, Elijah, Young and Navarro are in the ring as we hear Slater’s music. As Slater made his way to the ringside, Hannifan recapped the promos (still worth watching) after his loss to Alexander, comparing it to the time when his father abandoned him. Hannifin asked if Slater would find himself down the road.

The rhythmic wailing and drums bring Ali (with Tasha Steelz in tow) to the ring. We get also get our official greeting from Hannifan and Rehwoldt talking about the card tonight, including the men’s and women’s championship challenge match. Myers, Alexander and Bronson are next (with the System in tow) preceded by the warning buzzer and Alisha Edwards telling us “you can’t beat The System.” Lastly, we get Santana, who gets a huge pop as he made his way through the crowd to ringside. In the midst of Santana’s entrance, Hannifan said if a champion his pinned, the person who pinned him gets a title shot at that belt (in case one of the tag champions gets pinned, the person who got the pin can choose a partner and they challenge the tag champs.)

Myers and Elijah start. He immediately grabbed an armlock and did the old school rope walk (with Elijah) and hit a flying forearm smash for a two count. Myers and Elijah traded shots as we get our first commercial break.

During the break, we get another Classic Slammiversary ad for TNAPlus with another look at Kenny Omega vs. Sami Callihan. Plunder ahoy as Omega set up the table on the floor and attempted a German Suplex but Callihan blocked it by hitting the Greco-Roman hand bite. Omega tried to hit a piledriver but Callihan reversed it into a piledriver of his own.

When we return, we have Santana and Elijah in the middle of the ring exchanging go behinds. They traded arm locks and reverses. They also took turns evading each other’s offenses off the ropes, including a Santana dropkick, Elijah elbow drop and rolling leg drop by Santana.

The two traded glances as the crowd chanted for Santana. In the process, Young hit the ring and attacked Santana from behind. Elijah tried to restrain him but Kazarian tagged himself into the match and attacked Santana. Kazarian beat on Santana in the corner until Santana rallied and hit a dropkick off the ropes. Santana chopped away at Kazarian before Kazarian tagged Elijah.

Santana hit a back elbow on Elijah and tagged Ali. Ali beat on Elijah and hit a seated dropkick off the ropes. Ali continued to beat on Elijah. Ali avoided an Elijah charge into the corner but after a series of crisscrosses off the ropes, Elijah got a two-count from a pop-up powerbomb before Alexander interrupted the pin. Elijah slugged Alexander and then we got the schmozapalooza as the All-Stars and Champions square doff with each other. Elijah caught a diving Ali through the ropes and hit a chokeslam on the apron. Nine combatants conveniently fought on the floor by the ringpost, which gave Slater a chance to leap over the ringpost and hit the senton.

Slater and Navarro put the boots to Alexnader in the corner; meanwhile, Ali and Elijah fought in the ring. Ali choked Elijah on the corner as the rest of Order Four made their way to the ring. Elijah hit a huge backdrop on the X-Division champion for a two count. Navarro finally tagged into the match. Navarro hit an elbow drop off the ropes and worked the arm before re-tagging Slater. ;

Slater leapt off the top turnbuckle with a stomp to the arm of Ali. Slater worked the arm and tagged Elijah. Elijah attempted another old school rope walk but Ali yanked him from the corner into a cutter. Ali tagged Bronson and Bronson mauled Elijah in the corner before tagging Myers. The System components hit a double elbow for a two count. Myers grabbed a chinlock as the All-Stars tried to encourage Elijah. Elijah got to his feet but Myers hit a flying knee off the ropes and tagged Bronson. Bronson mocked Elijah’s guitar playing and hit a corner splash for a two count as we hit another commercial break.

We come back from break with Elijah tried to fecklessly rally. He was more successful when the rest of the System tried for a triple team off the ropes but Elijah held on and held the top rope down as Bronson charged, sending him to the floor. Alesander and Myers tried for a double suplex but Elijah reversed it into a suplex of his own. Myers tried to crawl to a tag but was indecisive in tagging Ali or Santana. Santana made the decision for him by slugging Ali to the floor and tagging himself into the match (and showing he is not a great partner by booting Myes when he entered.)

Elijah, for his efforts, grabbed Kazarian and threw him into the ring. Santana clotheslined Kazarian and threw Young into the ring and beat on him. However, the numbers game was too much and the All-Stars grabbed a momentary advantage until Santana reversed a whip into the ropes into an enziguri on Kazarian. Young grabbed Santana and threw him into the turnbuckles but Santana blocked it and turned it into a Rolling Block 50 cutter.

Santana also hit a leap over the ropes onto Young on the floor. The crowd chanted for Satnana as he climbed to the top rope. Kazarian avoided but Santana rolled through it. However, a Spin the Block was avoided and Kazarian ran Santana into the corner. Santana bucked Kazarian off an hit another Rolling Block 50 as Ali entered the ring and hit his rolling neckbreaker through the ropes for two-and-a-fraction.

Ali and Santana started to jaw with each other as Navarro climbed to the top and hit a dropkick on both. Ali attempted to throw Navarro into the ropes but Navarro stopped himself. Ali charged but Navarro evaded it and Ali was caught in the ropes, in position for Navarro’s 305 (a 619 but over the top rope.) Navarro hit a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count. Navarro tried for a tag but Ali whipped him into a drop toe hold and held the knee. Ali promptly tagged Bronson who hit a seated splash and then mauled Navarro on the mat. Bronson hit a gorilla slam for a two count,

Bronson signaled for a tag and Ali cut in front for the tag. Ali attempted to slug Navarro but Navarro evaded it, crawled under the legs and tagged Slater. Slater cleared the corner of the champs (sans Santana.) He stopped an Irish whip to the ropes and hit a leg lariat for a two count until Alexander interrupted the pin. Alexander tried to attack the champs but Kazarian ducked it and hit the leg drop on the apron and then hit a leaping DDT over the ropes on Myers.

However, Bronson stopped Kazarian’s momentum with a Black Hole Slam. Elijah got back into the match and hit a leaping knee on Bronson (after no selling a big boot in the corner.) Santana threw Elijah over the top rope but Young clothesline Santana and himself over the ropes. That left Ali and Slater. Slater avoided an Ali charge and Ali did his sliding face-first bump into the turnbuckles. Slater climbed to the top rope and hit the Swanton 450 and got a two count until Alisha Edwards put Ali’s foot on the rope. Slater yelled at Alisha Edwards.

Meanwhile, Steelz slid the International Title to Ali. Ali attempted to hit Slater with a running shot but Slater avoided it. The referee grabbed the title from Ali and when Ali turned, Slater landed a superkick and tagged Navarro. Navarro hit the Blessing in Disguise (Half nelson somersault reverse DDT) for the pin and a future International Championship title shot.

Post Match: Navarro celebrated on the turnbuckles as we get a replay of the finish.

We go back to Miller and her guests, former Knockouts world champion Arianna Grace (with “Stacks” Lorenzo in tow.) Grace looked indignant when Miller said “former” Knockouts champion. Tonight, we get Lorenzo vs. Santino Marella. Grace said let’s focus on the real issue, if Marella had not thrown a Knockouts title match in less than a week, Grace would be in the Woman’s Championship Challenge match and not “Lei Ying Lee” (said sarcastically and derisively. ) Grace said she was an amazing champion and carried herself like a star and represented this company with class. Here we know after an emotional decision (mirroring the Daria Rae mindset.)

Lorenzo said not to worry. He said Marella has made bad decision after bad decision. Tonight, he has to own up to those bad decisions. Marella tried to disrespect him and embarrass them, but tonight, Lorenzo will send him and his “stinky” sock puppet to the retirement home. Grace capped it by saying when he is the retirement home all alone, don’t expect a visit. The two walked off screen as Miller looked disgusted.

We get a preview of the rest of the card including Knockouts challenge from a feud stemming on social media..after the break. During the break, we get another Classic Slammiversary. With a rehash of the highlights previously shown of Ortiz and Santana vs. Hernandez and Homicide.

We get some hype for the Lethal Lockdown event on August 23 in Chicago (CM Punk chants sold separately.)

We come back to hype for the Hardys vs. Righteous feud. We hear Matt Hardy said the Righteous wanted the “Broken Hardys” and now they have them. We cut to the Righteous in a garden park as Dutch said “broken.” Vincent said that’s a fitting name as for months now we saw the Hardys come undone. The “wicked garden” isn’t just a match, but it’s a place where beautiful things rot. Pain is something peaceful. Vincent said he saw the flower die so they watered it into something greater. If the Hardys make it to the Wicked Garden, they won’t come out the same. In the Wicked Garden the vines won’t let go, Dutch said. For he is righteous and Vincent said they are many. Dig what they are saying? We see a silhouette of the Hardys with the garden in their shadows.

Meanwhile, as Hannifan and Rehwoldt figure out what the Wicked Garden was, we get the next match:

Tessa Blanchard vs. Harley Hudson

Blanchard is out first without the Diamond Collective in tow, something Hannifan noted. Blanchard strutted to the ring and STRUCK HER POSE. Hudson was out next and STRUCK HER POSE on the rampway. She got a decent pop. Oh, and now Hudson is the “British Babe.” Hannifan went over Hudson’s history to get to TNA wrestling,

Hudson got a quick two count form a roll up and worked the arm. She hit a shoulderblock off the ropes and hit a big boot off the ropes for another two count. Blanchard stemmed the momentum by hitting a back elbow after Hudson charged her out of the corner. However, Hudson went to her floor and grabbed Blanchard pulling her to the apron. Hudson slugged away on Blanchard and hit a leg drop on the apron.

Blanchard regained the momentum by dropkicking Hudson as she tried to enter the ring. Blanchard immediately went to the floor and worked the leg of Hudson. She slammed Hudson’s knee to the floor in a Fisherman’s Suplex position. Back in the ring, Blanchard beat on Hudson in the cornered raping her leg around the ropes.

Blanchard continued to work the leg and grabbed a modified figure-four leglock. Blanchard kept the leg lock and grabbed Hudson in a guillotine hold position. Blanchard slugged away on the leg. Blanchard hit a modified leg and knee lock until Hudson slugged away to break the hold. Blanchard stopped Hudson’s offense by hitting a running knee on the ropes.

Blanchard continued to maul Hudson on the ropes until Hduson rallied with a series of strikes on Blanchard. Hudson hit a series of running forearms and then grabbed Blanchard to hit a fall away slam (still selling the leg in the process.) Hudson tired to cover and hit a running hip attack on the corner for a two count. Hudson grabbed Blanchard and put her on the rope for a superplex but Blanchard fought out of it and tried for a powerbomb. Hudson blocked it but Blanchard kicked the knee and Hudson dropped on the turnbuckles.

Blanchard grabbed Hudson in the turnbuckles but Hudson had the wherewithal to grab Blanchard’s head and slam it into the turnbuckles. Hudson climbed the turnbuckles but Blanchard, again, kicked the leg and Hudson slumped on the turnbuckles. Blanchard hit a Codebreaker on the turnbuckles for a two count. Blanchard beat on Hudson in the corner. However, Hudson reversed a powerbomb attempt into a backdrop slam on Hudson’s knee for a two count.

Hudson charged Blanchard in the corner and mauled her in the corner. Blanchard tried to escape and hit the Buzzsaw DDT but Hudson reversed it into a rollup for a two count. Blanchard escaped and Hudson tried to hit a running clothesline. However, Blanchard avoided it and chop blocked Hudson’s leg. Blanchard grabbed Hudson and NOW we get the Buzzsaw DDT for the win.

Post Match: Blanchard mouthed “best in the world” as she sat on the mat and glared at the champion. We also get a replay of the finish. Blanchard celebrated up the rampway.

However, there’s nothing to celebrate with the BioFlex Injury report. Steve Maclin status is unknown after his match last week with Santana. Jada Stone is out with an injury after Brookside’s “Dark Side” DDT last week. Moose is still out with injuries suffered from an attack by the System a few weeks ago. Marella and Lorenzo are both cleared for action, which is great because their match is…..after the break.

More classic Slammivesary classic match ads for the TNAPlus collection and another replay of the match between Callihan and Blanchard (hey, she was just in the previous match.) Remember when fans cheered for Blanchard; Pepperidge Farms remembers and now, you can too in this collection.

We come back to Lee warming up in the backstage as the Personal Concierge walks into frame. He goes over the match and said that this match is very important so don’t screw it up. Lee faked attacking the PC and he cowered. He said to focus and then walked off screen as Lee continued to shadowbox.

Santino Marella vs. “Stacks” Lorenzo (with Arianna Grace in tow)

Lorenzo is first as the two engaged in PDA. Lorenzo mocked the “cobra” on the turnbuckles. Marella is next and we get the focused walk not the humorous race walk. Marella blew kisses to the crowd and then focused on Lorenzo.

Marella tried to get the upper hand but Lorenzo avoided him as a “Santino” chant emerged. Marella took Lorenzo down with a leg lock before Lorenzo bailed to the floor. Back in the ring, Marella blocked a kick and got a roll up for two. He followed that with vertical suplex for a two count. Marella tried for an armbreaker submission until Lorenzo made it to the ropes.

Lorenzo got back into the ring and got some offense with a back elbow. However, Marella avoided corner charge and hit a series of arm drags and tried to crab walk to Lorenzo to take him down before Lorenzo grabbed the ropes. Marella slugged Lorenzo and Lorenzo bailed to the apron. Grace tried to nurse him and give a kiss but Marella grabbed the ropes and flipped Lorenzo back into the ring.

Marella attacked Lorenzo with a series of punches and a hiptoss off the ropes. However, a diving splash was met with Lorenzo’s knees. Lorenzo put the botos to Marella on the ropes. Lorenzo whipped Marella chest first into the turnbuckles. Lorenzo continued to work the torso of Marella with a series of body shots and a series of running knees off the ropes. However, a running splash was met with knees by Marella and Marella started to attack the torso of Lorenzo with a series of punches and knees.

Marella hit a running shoulder block and now Marella grabbed the Cobra but Grace grabbed his arm on the apron to prevent it. Grace grabbed the “cobra” off the arm and Lorenzo recovered to roll up Marella for the three count and the win.

Post-Match: Grace verbally berated her dad in the corner and tried to slap Marella. Marella blocked it but Lorenzo attacked him and boot the boots to him. However, Indi Hartwell ran into the ring to chase off the duo. Hartwell grabbed the mic and said nothing has changed – title or no title, she is coming for her. She tried to make the match between her and Marella vs. Lorenzo and Grace.

This brought out Daria Rae who put the kibosh on the situation. She said Hartwell doesn’t make the matches. So, there will be no match. Until, she thought about it and said she would love it if Lorenzo beat Santano again. Sooo, next week is the match. Rae walked back as the four (future) combatants jawed at each other.

We get a much hyped TNA debut…after the break and another ad for the Classic Slammiversary collection on TNAPlus with the Knockouts World title match with Tasha Steelz, Jordynne Grace, Chelsea Green, Michin and Deonna Purrazzo. Steelz leapt from the top rope and hit the OKurr Cutter from the top turnbuckle on Minchin who was on a ladder. Purrazzo grabbed the Fujiwara Armbar on Grace and then switched to Steelz. We also get hype for TNA Impact’s first ever appearance in Sacramento.

Hey, do you hear a Dropkick Murphys knockoff riff playing? I do. That must mean that it’s an ad for Slammiversary on June 28 in Boston at the Agganis Arena. We come backstage to A J Francis admonishing a backstage hand and asking why the paperwork is not in his hands right now. Said hand apologized and said he would have the paperwork tomorrow and extended his hand. Francis shook the hand but would not let go. He said he doesn’t say things for his health and does not say things twice. He needs the paperwork in his mailbox tomorrow. He threatened him but said the hand should lighten up and relax. He is in business with the best big man in the business and that business is “money, money, money.”

Eddie Edwards (with Alisha Edwards in tow) vs. Fabian Aichner.

We hear the System’s music as the Edwards make their way to ringside. The two jaw with the fans on the way. Aichner is next (from the Italian Alps.) Aichner is also known as “Il Gladiatore” (trademarked it and everything.) He gets a decent pop as he makes his way to the ring. Hannifan said this match starts Aichner’s redemption and went over Aichner’s accomplishments in NXT.

Aichner backed Edwards to the ring but Edwards reversed it and shoved Aichner. Aichner responded with a headlock takeover and cinched in the headlock as Edwards fecklessly attempted to escape. Aichner hit a reverse crossbody off the ropes. Edwards was clotheslined over the ropes. Edwards avoided the Aichner baseball slide but ran into a huge chop and a big boot on the floor.

Edwards got back into the ring and Aichner tried a springboard leap off the top rope but Edwards shoved the former NXT star and Aichner’s next snapped on the ropes. Edwards hit a gourdbuster and a running knee. Edwards posed in the ring and administered his own hard chop in the corner. He also whipped Aichner hard into the other corner and Aichner crashed to the mat.

Aichner rallied and the two trade punches in the ring before Aichner hit a big boot off the ropes. He also hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker off the ropes. Aichner hit a brainbuster for a two count. Edwards, though, blocked a powerbomb attempt and rammed Aichner into the turnbuckle. Aichner tried to rally but Edwards landed a kick and the backpack stunner out of the corner for a two count.

The Edwards choked Aichner on the ropes and Eddie whipped Aichner through the ropes to the floor. Alisha grabbed the kendo stick but the referee saw it and ejected Alisha from ringside. Meanwhile, Eddie whipped Aichner into the ring. Edwards climbed to the top but Aichner recovered and met him there and hit a butterfly suplex from the top turnbuckle for two-and-a-fraction.

Now, the rest of the System made their way ringside. Aichner charged Edwards in the corner but Edwards evaded it. However, Aichner scaled the turnbuckles and leapt onto the rest of the System components on the floor. NOW, Aichner got on the apron and hit a springboard DDT from the top rope. Aichner got behind Edwards and hit La Fina (a face first suplex into a crossface.) He was on the cusp of getting the submission until the System hit the ring and it was an immediate disqualification.

Post-Match: The System continued their beat down and held Aichner as Edwards hit a superkick. The four continued to jaw at Eichner and Alexander picked Aichner for the Lumbar Check. Alisha joined the rest of the System posed in the ring over Aichner.

We get hype for the main event – the Women’s Champions Challenge and that match is…after the break. We get another Best of Slammiversary ad with A J Styles, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, Chistian Cage and Chris Harris We get Joe trying to get the Kokina Clutch, Christian falling into a ladder stomach first, Styles hitting his backflip DDT, Pele Kick but a Styles Clash was reversed to an ankle lock attempt. Angle hit an Angle slam on Harris from the ladder as we go back to action.

We come back to an ad for “Over Your Dead Body” (hey, they sponsor the BioFlex Injury Report and Keith Jardine is involved in one of our angles.) After that, our main event:

Knockouts Champion Challenge: Lei Ying Lee and the By Elegance Brand (with Mr. Elegance in tow) vs. Elayna Black, Xia Brookside and Mara Sade (with Keith Jardine in tow..hey, he was in the ad we just saw.)

Black is out first to an…okay pop. Brookside also got the same pop also, though she did more to taunt the crowd as the boos got a little louder (some kid flipped her off, so that’s something.) Sade is got a decent pop as did Jardine. Sade did the dance on the apron as STRUCK HER POSE.

But wait, hold everything, here is the Personal Concierge. He noticed on the way here a number of homeless drunks vomiting on themselves. It’s quite sad but then he realized when he got to the arena they let them all inside (that was original.) He said he is going to bring some class to this “dump Syracuse” (paging Mr. Maffew, paging a Mr. Maffew. You’re needed in the Botchamania section.) Hannifan corrected him and called him a turtle. Nevertheless, here is the Brand. The collective taunted the fans and then taunted Jardine (and got a Rand McNally Atlas possibly.) Lee is out last to her poses and a good pop. Hannifan and Rehwoldt talked about Lee’s potential struggle as she faces her former partner (Brookside) and having the By Elegance Brand as her partners.

We have to struggle with another commercial break with the same Classic Slammiversary match segment with Monty Brown, A J Styles, Sean Waltman, Raven and Abyss.

We come back to hype for next week’s tapings in Denver, CO at the National Western Center. It features BDE vs. Eddie Edwards, the aforementioned Marella and Hartwell vs. Grace and Lorenzo and the “Wicked Garden” match between the Hardys vs. the Righteous.

Lee and Brookside start but Brookside immediately tagged Black. Black and Brookside jawed with each other. Black started to jaw with Lee and then quickly tagged Sade. Sportsmanship is observed and the two locked. The two traded go behinds and quick rollups for two counts. Sade avoided the sweeping kick of Lee and the two started at each other. M tagged herself into the match but Sade subdued her with a Slingblade off the ropes.

Sade sent M to the ropes but M stopped herself and hit a back kick that dropped Sade. M quickly tagged Heather but Sade held the ropes when the two whipped Sade to the ropes. Sade tagged Black (slapped the chest but still…) Black got in the ring and hit a snap mare and a seated dropkick on Heather. She also hit the rope assisted leaping stomp for a two count.

Heather tried to rally but Black tripped her into the ropes and hit a sliding elbow. Brookside tagged and hit the Meteora on Heather for a two count. Heather fell victim to another snapmare and sliding dropkick by Brookside. Brookside also stomped away on Brookside in the corner. However, Heather reversed it and she stomped away on Brookside in the corner. She tagged M. Heather hit a running knee in the corner as M climbed to the top rope and hit a Coast to Coast (!!!) dropkick for two until Sade and Black interrupted the pin. We get the female schmozapalooza as Lee and Sade stood in the ring. Sade leapt over the top rope and hit a tope on the Brand. Lee dove between the ropes and took out Brookside and Black.

Lee dragged M to the corner and tagged herself into the match. NOW, Lee hit the sliding kick on Black and then hit a knee strike and a series of kicks for a two count. Black got the momentum with a knee strike of her own off the ropes. A gutwrench suplex also got a two count. Black slammed Lee into the turnbuckle and taunted her. Black put the boots to Lee and choked her with her boot in the corner.

Black whipped Lee hard into the turnbuckles and Lee crumpled to the mat. Black got a two count on a pin attempt as Brookside tagged back into the match. However, Lee reversed a vertical suplex into one of her own. Brookside recovered and continued to attack Lee, grabbing an arm submission, suing her knee on Lee’s neck as leverage. Brookside yanked Lee to the canvas. She taunted Lee btu Lee recovered with a series of strikes.

We get a quick break but when we return Sade and Heather tagged and Sade dropped Heather with a series of clothesline and a Rear View in the corner. Sade hit a series of knee drops for a two count. Sade got a full bodyslam an went to the top. However, M distracted her by grabbing her leg. That gave Heather time to grab the other leg and yank Sade down. Heather hit the Code Breaker and tagged M. M draped Sade’s arm over the ropes and used her boot to further cause damage.

Heather tagged again and choked Sade on the ropes with her boot. Heather thwarted a Sade rally and tagged M. The two hit the rolling trip and senton off the opponent’s back for a two count. Sade tried to rally with a series of punches but M yanked Sade to the mat. M tagged Heather and hit a wheelbarrow tilt-a-whirl body splash for a two count. M tagged and applied an armlock with her knee to Sade’s back for leverage. Hannifan pointed out that M was staring at Lee as she came into the ring.

Sade tried to rally and got to her feet but M subdued her. Heather tagged but Sade held onto the ropes again and kicked a charging Heather and then a charging Lee. Sade hit a springboard reversed bodypress off the ropes. Sade tagged Brookside. Heather hope crawled and, after thwarting Brookside attempted prevention, tagged Lee. Lee dropped Brookside with a series of kicks. She did the same to Black when she tried to interfere. Lee got Brookside in the corner and got the 10-punch turnbuckle spot. An exploder suplex got a two count.

Lee got Brookside in position and hit the Warrior’s Way but Black interrupted the pin attempt. Black hit an enziguri but the By Elegance Brand stopped Black with a combination Code Breaker and German Suplex. Sade grabbed the By Elegance Brand and slammed them together. Sade hit a Tornado DDT on M using Heather as a running board. Sade charged Lee but the two hit simultaneous clotheslines and they dropped to the mat.

At this point, Mr. Elegance attempted to climb into the ring but Jardine made his presence felt by stopping Mr. Elegance and grabbed an ankle lock as Mr. Elegance screamed in pain. The Personal Concierge attacked Jardine but Jardine stalked and chased PC around the ring and up the rampway. Meanwhile, in the ring, Lee attempted the Warrior’s Way once again but Brookside escaped and sent Lee into the ropes. Mr. Elegance tripped Lee and Brookside hit the Dark Side (DDT) for the victory and the future title shot.

Post-Match: Brookside glared at the camera and took a bow. We get the replay of the finish. Brookside posed on the turnbuckle and glared at Lee as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: So, this was an inverse of the last two weeks as the first match got the lion’s share of the allotted time. It was a great match by the best workers the company has at best and at least solid (if not dated) hand at worst. The most interesting thing that came out of the match was the dénouement. Navarro winning was maybe a way of making up for the jobs since his return. I really do think the match with Ali will be a really good one, as Ali is one the best going right now. Good on Navarro for going over and getting a shot at the title. Now, if he wins the belt, I am not sure and surprised if they pull that trigger. I think Navarro still fits the vibe of X-Division but it gives his comeback story some sustained momentum.

Two: One nice subtle touch by Hannifan on commentary and something I have been saying for a bit now. M by Elegance should make a run at the Knockouts World Title. That coast to coast drop kick was incredible (having long legs help, admittedly, but still) and she is someone to look to the future as a contender.

Three: Aichner did a good job in his match and showed all styles of offense and can show he can work any style you want. He kept up a great pace with Edwards and is accounting for his “redemption” quite nicely.

Four: Hudson made a good attempt but the Blanchard match was fait accompli. Blanchard’s comment post-match that she is “best in the world” showed she is ready for a title run if they/she decides to pull the trigger. She is just too good to keep her treading as they are doing with her.

Five: If you are going to give the feud any sense of credibility and equality, the Righteous should win next week. The “wicked garden” seems like they reached for a name but given the flower motifs in their video stuff, I’ll allow it. I do wish we would get more of a description to what it is. That would help further in having vested interest and feeling a sense of peril. I have a feeling that it is analogous to a “Hardy Compound” cinematic match, but I would actually like to know than have a feeling

Six: That being said, it was a good promo even with the nebulous nature of it.

Seven: Brookside getting the win seemed like a natural progression in the feud. Now, the two have to face each other, if there was any doubt (which I don’t think really existed. Brookside continues to show improvements and flourishing in her new role. Sade is ready for some big events whilst Black is still kind of there.

Eight: I am kind of over the whole Marella vs. Grace feud. Hopefully, we the get the blowoff soon (next week?) and we can move to better things for all parties involved. Grace is fantastic in interviews but eh in the ring. Lorenzo actually is improving and emerging as more than a “henchman” for Tony D’Angelo. Hartwell still is cromulent but still gets huge pops – it is still a bit baffling, but to those who like her, enjoy.

Nine: I am curious about these “papers” and where this takes A J Francis. The character needs a fresh breath and Francis is too good a talent to squander.

10: For the second week in a row, a nice, short, effective promo by Daria Rae. She did not force her catch phrase and let the action shape what she was going to say.

Lastly: Geography aside, that was a good heat comment from The Personal Concierge.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight