TNA Impact Review – June 11, 2026

Greetings, all, and welcome to another TNA Impact review. It’s a new taping cycle and the company’s debut in Denver, CO at the Livestock Center CoBank Arena at the National Western Center. In case you haven’t herd the news, we’re starting to reach ram-ming speed toward Slammiversary, so ewe don’t want to miss any of the action, and that’s no bull. Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt won’t steer us the wrong way with their announcing duties. Gia Miller will keep us moo-ving with backstage segments and McKenzie Mitchell isn’t kidding with her ringside announcing. Unfortunately, Steve Maclin was put out to pasture (as was Myla Grace.) Nonetheless, we won’t be sheepish in delivering the action. So, saddle up, get ready to go hog wild and egg-gage in some Impactful discourse. Shall we? We shall.

(As always, take time to appreciate the folks who make this site what it is. Take time to read their work and comment on it. THey deserve the recognition and respect. Thank you. And now….our feature presentation.)

Previously on Impact, we see Eric Young and Mike Santana in a war of words that ends with Young piledriving Santana in the ring. We also get some words from International Title holder Mustafa Ali who talks about his upcoming match with K C Navarro. We also get the “Wicked Garden” victory of the Righteous over the Hardys complete with botanical poisoning.

Hey, the opening theme singer told me they’re ready for me. That’s nice

We start with a greeting from Hannifan and Rehwoldt and go right to the TNA World Title match.

TNA World Title Match: Mike Santana vs. Eric Young

The fact that this opens the card doesn’t bode well for the “World Class Maniac.” Young comes out to a muted response whilst his chryon told us this is not a test (well, yeah, Andrew Martin sadly passed away.) Santana comes through the concourse and down the stands to a strong pop. Hannifan did mention Santana’s streak of beating former TNA world champs and that Nick Nemeth is waiting with his “Call Your Shot” trophy. Young got more audible boos during Mitchell’s introduction. People still love Santana.

Santana took his time locking up with Young as he looked and joked with the fans. He got the crowd riled and then struck with a big boot and flying back elbow in the corners and a face-first slam got a two count. Santana hit a cannonball and a running powerbomb got another two count. Young bailed to the floor as Santana got the crowd riled but as he hit the ropes, Young grabbed his legs and pulled him to the floor. Santana quickly rallied with a big boot after a missed clothesline by Young.

The two traded punches on the floor until Young reversed an Irish Whip and threw Santana into the ring steps. Young hit a chokeslam onto the corner of the apron. Meanwhile, Hannifan ran down the rest of the card. Young continued his assault with a neckbreaker on the apron. An “Eric sucks” chant emerged as Young clubbed Santana on the apron.

Back in the ring, Young continued his offense with a Youngblood Neckbreaker (a standing neckbreaker out of the wheelbarrow position) for a two count. Young continued to attack the neck with a neck twist and an elbow drop for a two count. He also hit a twisting neckbreaker off the ropes as Santana tried a backdrop.

However, Young climbed to the top rope and Santana intercepted him. He chopped away and climbed to the top but Young took a bite of Santana’s forearm and he crashed to the mat. Young followed it with a flying elbowdrop. Young took umbrage with the count and threatened the referee. Meanwhile, Santana recovered and the two traded punches. Santana got Young on the apron and the two fought for a suplex. On the apron, they trades shots until Santana hit a big boot.
Young recovered and hit a neckbreaker with the help of the top rope for a two count. Young again threatened the referee. Young attacked Santana in the corner. Santana started to rally when he threw Young into the turnbuckles and Young did the Flin-Flon Flair Flip to the apron and ran to the other corner. However, Santana intercepted him and threw him to the mat. The two laid on the mat as the referee started his count,

Santana kipped up at eight and both wrestlers got to their feet. Santana thwarted Young’s repeated charges with a back elbow and a big boot. He leapt over the third charge, blocked a boot and hit an enziguri. Santana hit the ropes and Young followed him. Santana bucked him of and attempted a Rolling Block 50 but Young blocked it and attempted another Youngblood Neckbreaker. However, Santana reversed it into a bulldog slam and NOW he hit the Rolling Block 50 for two-and-a-fraction.

Santana chopped away at Young in the corner. He hit a variation of the Brooksy Bomb and then a Death Valley Driver for another two count. Santana got to his feet and signaled for the Spin the Block. However, Young moved and Santana stopped just short of bumping the referee. The ref was not so lucky as Young charged and Santana avoided it and NOW we get the ref bump. Santana hit the Spin the Block but the referee was still out (as the crowd chanted the count – that’s legally permissible right?) Santana tried to revive the referee but Young grabbed him from behind and hit a low kick. Santana crumpled to the mat and Young went to the floor again and grabbed the TNA World Heavyweight title. He blasted Santana with it and hit the piledriver for the…two-and-a-fraction as Santana grabbed the rope.

Young set the title belt in the ring despite the referee’s feckless warnings. He got Santana into position and….”Ooooh OOOhhhh” is heard over the PA System and it is the return of Ricky Sosa. Sosa signaled toward Young and stayed on the rampway and posed. The crowd started the Sosa chant. Undaunted, Young attempted the piledriver but Santana reversed that into a rollup and the victory.

Post-Match: Young made a beeline up the rampway after Sosa as Santana tried to recover in the ring. With TNA President Carlos Silva checking on him, we hear the zipper on the PA system and Nemeth (Nick) made his presence known with the “Call Your Shot” trophy. He took his time and looked at the referee. Nemeth reached for Santana and picked him up. However, he let him go and grab a microphone, instead. Nemeth said he could pick these bones right now and call his shot right now and walk out as the world champion.

However, he is a man of his word and Nemeth reiterated what he said on Buisted Open radio and social media that he would look whoever won this match and call his shot at Slammiversary with no tricks or asterisks to his name. So, at Slammiversary, it is Santana vs. Nemeth for the TNA World Title.

Silva put the title on Santana as the crowd chanted “do it now.” Santan and Nemeth had a brief tug-of-war over the title but Santana got control of the belt. He thought about it for two moments and then shook Nemeth’s hand. Santana continued to nurse his neck as Nemeth left.

We go backstage to Ali (with Order Four flanking him) and Miller talking about what is the main event tonight – the title bout between Ali and Navarro. Miller went over the feud but Ali wanted to take a moment and applaud Nemeth and his “honorable move” – idiotic, but honorable. Ali quickly turned his attention to Navarro and said while he gained a title shot, he lost something – his uncle passed away this week. Tonight, Navarro wanted to dedicate the match to him. Ali said Navarro talked about his uncle and how he fought and clawed his way through life. Ali said Navarro has done the same thing and will fight to the bitter end – and lose like his uncle. He said Order Four sends their condolences for their loss – both of them.

Hannifin and Rehwoldt reiterate the rest of the card as we get the newly litigated Elijah..after the break.

We get a look at Ultimate X moments on TNA plus as we see Moose powerbombing Kenny King to the wrestlers on the floor and then asked Alisha Edwards to climb the scaffold and scale the rope to the X-Division title. She lost her balance but Moose caught her. Leon Slater got in the ring and superkicked Moose. However, El Hijo del Vikingo kicked Slater. in the corner, Slater stepped on Slater and used him to springboard to the rope. However, VIkingo hit a spear to drop him. Navarro hit the ring and then hit the Blessing in Disguise and started his ascent up the scaffold. Navarro started to scale the cable and almost hit the title Slater grabbed him. However, Navarro reversed it to a DDT and then attacked Matt Cardona as we end the segment.

When we come back we get an ad for TNA Lockdown in Chicago on August 23. We also come back to highlights of A J Francis’ attack on Elijah, including Elijah taking his name, image, likeness and musical catalogue from him.

Mr. Elegance vs. Elijah

We go back ringside and the Personal Concierge asks twice – nicely – if he could have our attention, please (well, he did ask nicely.) He is often imitated, never duplicated and is going to introduce us to the spawn seed of the gods, a titan amongst men with a body fat percentage of one percent -unlike the pigs in the audience. Please show some class to the future world champion – Misterrrrrrrrr Elegance.

Elegance came to the ring without the rest of the By Elegance Brand in tow (excluding the PC.) Elegance danced and posed on the turnbuckle. Mitchell introduced who came into the ring strumming his guitar but not with his music. He called Francis a “Suge Knight wannabe” and a “No skill, Uncle Phil” and wanted to take his NIL and silence his voice and the fans’ voice. That won’t happen, so he asked “Who wants to walk with Elijah.” We get a small “what” chant but Elijah quickly quelled that by playing the “Seven Nation Army” riff and the crowd chanted “walk with Elijah” to it.

However, as he got in the ring, someone in a suit followed him, got on the apron and served him with another cease and desist notice. Elijah started to argue with him but Mr. Elegance ran Elijah into the person. The person fell to the floor and Elijah staggered on the mat. That gave Mr. Elegance time to roll up Elijah for the win.

Post-Match: Rehwoldt was all agog about the victory. While he and the PC celebrated and Elijah fumed in the ring. Francis grabbed the mic and headed down to ringside. “The artist formerly known as Elijah” lost again, Francis said. Francis called himself the best big man in the business. Francis said he was too stupid to read the cease and desist letter and anticipated it. Unlike the dummies in the crowd (and Elijah,) he makes “Money, money, money.” He climbed over the top rope but Elijah attacked Francis and clotheslined him over the top rope. The two started on the floor and then throughout the crowd

Meanwhile, Mr. Elegance got back in the ring and started to celebrate with the PC. This gave Lei Ying Lee an opportunity to hit the ring and attack Mr. E with a series of kicks. She hit a spin kick from a Mr. E charge and then climbed to the top rope and hit a twisting blockbluster to drop Mr. E.

As Lee pounded away on Mr. E on the mat, Xia Brookside hit the ring and attacked Lee. Brookside started to pound on Lee on the mat and attempted the Dark Side (DDT) but Lee reversed it and hit the Warriors Way (airplane spin into a face buster.) she leapt to the top turnbuckle but Brookside bailed to the floor and up the rampway. The two glared and started to jaw with each other as Rewholdt and Hannifan brought up the Slammiversary Title match.

Speaking of bringing up things, let’s bring up the BioFlex Zone.ify TNA Injury Report. The Hardys are out of action since the “Wicked Garden” match last week. Trey Miguel’s rehab of his broken kneecap is moving ahead of schedule but it is still out – he might return in six-to-eight weeks. And hey, good news, Moose is cleared to return to action after the System attack a while ago (hmmm…I wonder if that will come into play soon?)

Speaking of things System related we have tag action featuring the System…after the break.

We also get an ad for the TNA Knockouts Ultimate X match (from the TNAPlus collection.) We see Dani Luna (pour one) against Jody Threat and Xia Brookside. We see Brookside clear the ring and then drop Tasha Steelz and Alisha Edwards with a series of clotheslines. Her attack is stopped by Gisele Shaw (Pour another one) who hit a superkick in the corner on Brookside and a series of back elbows that sent Brooksie to the mat. Threat recovered and dropped Shaw with a clothesline. Luna attacked as did Edwards (with a botch by Edwards.) Luna regained the upper hand with an exploder suplex on Shaw and a dive through the ropes. Brookside climbed to the top rope and dove on Luna and Shaw to the floor as we go back to action.

We go backstage to see Navarro warming up as Nick Nemeth came into the shot and told him he knows Navarro is in the zone right now and he should do what he does. Navarro said he appreciates what he did for him and the way he handled business with Santana earlier. However, Ryan Nemeth came into the shot and said his brother should have taken advantage of Santana. Nick calmed his brother and said he wanted it one-on-one. Now, Santana came into the shot and said there is no way he trust anyone in this locker room but he does respect what Nick did. He did get one thing wrong – Nemeth said when he wins the title, Santana will shake his hand Santana said when he beats Nemeth, Nick will shake his hand.

Navarro said that he is trying to get ready for his match against Ali but asked if the Nemeths and Santana would head out there and counteract any shenanigans of Order Four. Nick and Santana agreed but Ryan was angry about it. The medical staff got Santana back to the medical evaluation and Nick walked off. Ryan angrily told Navarro that he is the little brother and walked off.

Tag Team Match: Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander (with Alisha Edwards in tow) vs. Leon Slater and Fabian Aichner

We get the usual warning buzzer and Alisha’s comment that you can’t beat the system that herald the System components to the ring. “Vini, Vidi, Vici” herald’s Aichner’s entrance (with really good walkout music.) The UFO graphic herald’s Slater’s entrance as the crowd chants along with Slater’s music. Alexander and Edwards (both of them) jaw at the fans as the faces soak in the cheers.

Alexander and Slater start but Alexander immediately tagged Edwards. Edwards dropped Slater with a should bock but Slater got the momentum back with a twisting inverted kick off the ropes. Edwards staggered into the faces’ corner and Slater leapt on Edwards with a corner splash and tagged Aichner. Edwards whipped Aichner into the ropes but “Il Gladiatore” no-sold Alexander’s knee as he hit the ropes and slugged Alexander. Aichner hit the ropes and hit a springboard reverse body press for a two count and then a tilt=a-whirl backbreaker on Edwards and then Alexander.

Edwards recovered and slugged Aichner to the corner. Whilst the referee was preoccupied with Edwards jawing with Slater. Alexander grabbed Aichner and hit a release suplex on the apron. Alexander pounded away on Aichner as we pound away to some commercials.

We get another Ultimate X package from TNAPlus and see Ace Austin, Mike Bailey Alan Angels, Zachary Wentz, Rich Swann and Samurai Del Sol. Del Sol leapt over a double clothesline attempt by Wentz and Angels and came back with a double hurincanrana. We get our usual dives over the ropes from Wentz and Samurai Del Sol and Rich Swann hit a Phoenix Splash onto the throng of wrestlers who just happened to be standing next to each other. In the ring, Austin cleared the ring and looked up at the X-Division emblem. Instead, he also dove on the throng of wrestlers over the ropes.

We come back to live action as Edwards mauled Aichner in the ring. Alexander tagged and chopped Aichner on the ropes and the ring. He threw Aichner hard into the turnbuckles and crumpled to the mat. Alexander jawed with Slater and then tagged Edwards and the System dropped Aicnher with a double back elbow and then a series of kicks and chops.

Edwards grabbed a facelock and tagged Alexander who hit a quick vertical suplex. Edwards tagged back and continued the assault on Aichner. Edwards headbutted Aichner and then dropped Slater to the floor. However, both men hit simultaneous flying body presses and both crumpled to the mat. Both men eventually got to their feet as Edwards desperately and fecklessly tried to prevent the tag to Salter. When Slater tagged, he was a flat on fire. Alexander tagged but was met with a series of clothesline and a superkick.

Slater attempted a springboard elbow but was blocked by Alexander. Slater returned the favor by reversing a Lumbar Check. Slater charged Alexander but Alexander grabbed him and threw him over the ropes. But, Slater landed on his feet and sholderblocked Alexander. He flipped over Alexander in the ring and twisting leg kick. Slater hit a crossbody block off the top rope for a two count.
Slater attempted a suplex on Alexander but Edwards climbed into the ring and blocked it. He dropped Slater with a punch but Aichner got back in the ring. Aichner ducked a clothesline and hit one of his own and sent Edwards over the top rope. Aichner dove over the ropes onto Edwards. Meanwhile, in the ring, Slater connected with a superkick and Aichner hit a Tornado DDT. Slater went to the top but Brian Myers and Bear Bronson hit the ring. Slater managed to kick Myers on the apron and Aichner dropkicked Bronson to the floor. Aichner also backdropped Alexander over the ropes.

All four System components regrouped on the floor but Aichner ran across the ring and almost slipped during a leap to the top rope. He regained himself in time and leapt upon Myers and Bronson. Slater recovered, ran across the ring and leapt over the ringpost to take out Edwards and Alexander. Slater threw Alexander into the ring and Alisha and Myers tried to interfere. Slater thwarted them and leapt over the ropes However, Alexander blocked the dive and hit the Lumbar Check for the victory.

Post-Match: Alexander started to maul Slater in the ring as Edwards joined him. Aichner got in the ring and stopped the assault. However, Bronson got in the ring. Aichner thread to thwart him but Myers chop blocked him and all four System components started to beat on Aichner. BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, Moose turned and climbed to the apron and the ring as the System components went scurry from the ring to floor. (see, told you…)

Moose had a mic and something to say; he has been gone a long while but now he is back. It is time to put an end to this. He spoke to Santino Marella and it is official, at Slammiversary it is Eddie Edwards vs. Moose. Aichner and Slater recovered and joined Moose in the ring.

We go to an announcement by Marella, who said last week was big for them. He talked about the blowoff to the feud with Lorenzo and his daughter and hope when they come back they have a better attitude. Speaking of last week’s match, here’s Indi Hartwell who walked into the shot. Hartwell said she got to live out a childhood dream with her use of the “cobra.” Next week, Marella made it official it is Hartwell vs. Elayna Black.

We get hype for the rest of the card and we hear from the Righteous – after the break. We also get another ultimate X match for the TNA Impact tag titles as the Motor City Machine Guns faced Ace Austin and Chris Bey.

We go back to live action as we see Navarro and Ali warming up backstage for their match tonight. We go back to live action and the young lady in the flower wreath tell us “The Righteous are coming.” The slide guitar and snapping confirm that as does Mitchell’s weird inflection on their announcement to the ring. As they head to ringside, we get highlights of the “Wicked Garden” match last week, including the “Lily of the Valley” spot and the Orange Sunshine finisher.

Vincent grabbed the mic and said that he told everyone last week that in the Wicked Garden, the vines don’t let go. Last week, history was made. While working through the barbed beauty they met Lily who described what the flower was. When he put that in Jeff’s mouth, he didn’t do it to hurt him (well, that’s nice.) He did it to show the world what they still won’t believe – even legends decay.

For 30 years, the Hardys survived tables, ladders, cages and time itself; and then they entered the “Wicked Garden.” What happened? They were classified as “obsolete.” Dutch grabbed the mic and said last week was historic. He saw Brother Nero convulse under the weight of truth. And, the people were they to see it as the Hardys clinged to yesterday and the Righteous became tomorrow. Now that the Righteous beat the Hardys in the most beautiful battleground in TNA history, Vincent said, there’s only one thing left for them to do. They are going after the TNA World Tag Team Championships.

BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, here is Marella’s music and Marella to a huge pop. First of all, the Righteous give Marella the heebie-jeebies in his stomach. Secondly, they are right, the “Wicked Garden” was historic and it earned them a world tag team title shot. However, the “Hard Boys” still have their rematch for the title. So, at Slammiversary, it will be the Hardys vs. the Righteous vs. the Righteous in a three-way ladders match. The Righteous seemed pleased.

Vincent grabbed the mic and said that after the last week the Hardys were gone; so now, they are in control now. Dig what he’s saying? Suddenly, the lights go out and we hear Matt Hardy/Broken Matt Hardy’s “yeeessssss” over the PA and when the lights illuminate, a ladder is standing upright in the middle of the ring. The Righteous were spooked by this and Dutch attacked it. We now hear the piano music as the Righteous and Marella look around from where it is playing.

It is not backstage as the By Elegance Brand head to the ring for six-man Knockouts tag action (and taking a moment to laugh and taunt Elayna Black) after the break,

We get another ad for the Ultimate X package from TNAPLus, with Bailey, Miguel, Austin, Kenny King We get the tower suplex spot but Miguel held on and then hit a top rope Canadian Destroyer.

We head back to ringside..oration as we get another segment with the Personal Concierge who wants the people of Denver to show some respect for the Elegance Brand.

The By Elegance Brand (with Mr. Elegance in tow) vs. the Undead Realm (Rosemary, Allie and Mara Sade)

Hannifan pointed out that this is Ash’s first match since her match since April on the Rebellion Pay-Per-View. We get the creepy chryon next and that brings out Rosemary and Allie. Sade’s music is next and she gets a decent pop. She shakes hands with the fans and does her dance steps. However, as she was serving us some sweet dance moves on the apron, Mr. Elegance pulled her legs and she crashed to the apron. Heather promptly dropkicked her to the floor and the Brand and the Ralm started to brawl all over the floor. The Undead hit stereo clotheslines on all three of the Brand.

When the bell rang, Sade and M started the match. Sade whipped M hard into the corner a dn hit a Rear View on M and then a flying forearm in the corner. Sade climbed to the top rope and hit a missile dropkick for a two count. Sade tagged Rosemary and M beat a hasty retreat to her corner and the floor. The PC tried to get Ash hyped to get into the ring and after a few blessings from the man above, Ash got in the ring. Rosemary hit the floor and grabbed a plastic doll that resembled Ash. And now, we get voodoo hijinks. Yeahhh……Rosemary even had Ash pick her nose. Sade was far kinder and just made Ash do her dance. Allie grabbed the doll and bit her glutes for comedy (adjacent.)

Rosemary, inexplicably, threw the doll to M. Ash avoided a Rosemary charge and M hit Rosemary with the doll. Ash started to choke Rosemary on the ropes with her boot. M tagged Rosemary and Heather put the boots to her and also choked her on the ropes. M tagged again and hit the strait jacket chinlock until Rosemary bit M’s hand to break the hold. Both hit simultaneous big boots off the ropes and both dropped to the mat. They arose and Rosemary got the hot tag on Allie, who was a haunted mansion on fire as she dropped Heather with a series of clotheslines off the ropes.

Heather dodged an Allie charge in the corner but was met with a back elbow upon her own charge. Allie grabbed Heather and hit the Upside down on Heather. Ash interfered as Allie fell to the floor. Rosemary attempted to attack but Ash hid behind the referee. As the referee tried to gain control. M hit a running big boot on Rosemary. This brought Sade to the melee and chased Ash around the ring as Ash fecklessly tried to call time out whilst running around the ring on the floor. They happened to run by the Personal Concierge as Ash hid behind him. Sade slugged him and PC dropped to the floor. This instantly earned Sade the title of Hannifan’s favorite wrestler.

In the ring, Heather rolled up Allie for a two count. Heather put Allie on the top turnbuckle and attempted her finisher – Wrecked (a Spanish Fly variation using the ropes.) However, Rosemary grabbed Allie’s leg and Heather crashed to the mat. Allie recovered and hit the Code Breaker for the victory.

Post-Match: Rosemary taunted Heather as the faces celebrated in the ring bathed in red light. The By Elegance Brand regrouped on the floor and Ash looked at the doll and cradled it as the rest of the Brand helped her to her feet.

We see Navarro and Ali start to make their way to the ring for the main event – after the break.
Hey, TNA wrestlers shots spliced with shots from Boston, it must be a Slammiversary ad. It is two-and-a-half weeks away and we get a rundown of the card with the matches already introduced in the last two weeks.

TNA International Championship: Mustafa Ali (with Order Four and extra servicemen in tow) vs. K C Navarro

Navarro is out first and Hannifan and Rehwoldt go over the news of Navarro’s uncle, Thomas, passing away this week. We hear the chanting wails and drums to indicate that Ali is on his way. Ali mocked Navarro’s news. The group STUCK THEIR POSE and Ali posed in the corner with the belt. Hannifan mentioned that Santana and the Nemeths are not here. Navarro go the action started by slapping Ali as the bell rang.

Ali weathered the slap and stated to attack Navarro on the ropes and mauling him in the corner. Ali whipped Navarro into the ropes but Navarro stopped himself and avoided an Ali charge. Ali went into the ropes and Navarro leapt on his shoulders. Ali tried to bock Navarro but Navarro eventually hit a DDT as Ali wen to the floor. Navarro leapt between the ropes and hit a Tornado DDT on the floor.

Navarro continued to attack Ali on the floor and slammed the champion into the apron. They headed back to the floor and Navarro hit a backdrop reverse of an Ali powerbomb attempt. Navarro beat on Ali on the floor and slammed him again into the apron. Navarro got on the apron and grabbed Ali. John Skyler distracted Navarro and Ali took the time to grab Navarro’s leg, pull him to the floor and hit a back suplex.

Ali threw Navarro into the ring and hit the rolling neckbreaker through the ropes. Ali hit the chinlock Rehwoldt and Hannifin speculated where Santana and the Nemeths were. Ali continued to maul Navarro on the ropes and taunt the fans. Steelz also took time to bad mouth Navarro from the floor.

Navarro, though, got the momentum back as he avoided an Ali charge in the corner. Ali did not do the face-first turnbuckle slide bump but as he got to his feet, Navarro hit him with a leaping knee. Ali quickly regained it with a bell clap to the ears of Navarro. Ali hit a powerbomb for a two count and then got a crossface on Navarro whilst locking the surgically repaired knee. Ali cinched the hold but Navarro got to the ropes.

Ali continued to beat on Ali and hit a knee to the back of the head from a suplex hold. Ali climbed to the top and signaled for the 450 splash. Navarro moved but Ali rolled through it and charged Navarro. Navarro avoided the charge again and NOW we get the sliding face-first turnbuckle spot. Order Four looked on worriedly and checked on their leader.

Navarro rallied again in the corner after no-selling a big boot by Ali. Navarro climbed to the top rope with Ali but Ali got him on the shoulders. However, Navarro countered the slam into a cutter for two-and-a-fraction. A “this is awesome” chant emerged as Navarro got ready to hit the Blessing in Disguise only for Ali to block it. Navarro hit a big boot to a charging Ali in the corner and climbed to the second turnbuckle. Ali grabbed the leg and yanked as Navarro hit the top turnbuckle with the back of his head.

Ali tried for another powerbomb but Navarro escaped and land a back kick. He hit the ropes and hit a Fame-asser (Shades of Nick Nemeth, Hannifan noted) for a two count. Navarro went after Ali but the champion pulled Navarro into the ropes. Ali cradled Navarro (with his feet on the ropes) but the referee saw it. Navarro reversed it into a roll up for a two count. NOW, Navarro hit the Blessing in Disguise ((Half nelson somersault reverse DDT) for a two-and-a-fraction. Both wrestlers laid on the mat as another “This is awesome” chant emerged. Navarro climbed to the top rope, pointed to the heavens and attempted a missile dropkick. Ali timed the leap and stepped back. Ali grabbed the Sharpshooter on the injured knee of Navarro. Ali cinched the hold and Navarro had no recourse but to tap and Ali retained the title.

Post-Match: Ali reapplied the hold but NOW Nick Nemeth hit the ring followed by Santana. The two attacked the Great Hands on the floor and the got in the rig and started to beat on Agent Zero. Zero thwarted the two but eventually, clotheslined Zero to the floor. Nick and Santana realized they were surrounded. However, Order Four started to leave. It was a ruse as Ali tried to sneak attack Santana but Nemeth met him with a superkick as Order Four NOW made their hasty retreat.

Santana checked on Navarro as Nemeth was behind him and YOU FOOL!!!! Nemeth hit the Danger Zone on Santana. However, Nemeth still didn’t cash in his trophy shot. Nemeth badmouthed Santana as the we go off air…

Well, actually, we get a promo for next week as Order Four face Nemeth, Santana and Navarro in six-person tag team match, Frankie Kazarian gives us another King’s Speech segment with Slater and Alexander, Elayna Black fights Indi Hartwell, Ricky Sosa is in action and Moose and the Hardys fight the System (well, Edwards, Bronson and Myers.)

Impactful Ruminations:

One: A much better show than last week. The opening match was a fait accompli as one could envision. It would be a precipitous step backward to a company that is trying to get positive steps moving forward after a great 2024. It also advanced an angle played throughout the next few weeks to Slammiversary. Santana wrestled his usual great match and Young was cromulent as can be and dependable – albeit not exciting and well, captivating.

Two: Now, we start fretting about contracts, again. If Santana drops the title at Slammiversary, where is headed? What is his status? Will he resign? Conveniently, Nemeth makes his presence known. I don’t mind him as much as Young. Nemeth (Nick, that is) is very much in the same vein as Young. He is cromulent and dependable to get a good match in the ring but long in the tooth. The problem is trying to get new talent here and get some fresh blood here. We talk about the E having an age issue at the top – if not for Slater, TNA would be in the same boat.

Three: Great promo by the Righteous. I wouldn’t mind them winning the titles. THe heel vs. heel dynamic is intriguing but unsure if TNA could book a credible match in that style. So…we get the Hardys doing their thing. I know it is fait accompli because member berries are addicting and the Hardys are walking away with the titles but the Righteous do give a sense of newness and are not being held together by Velcro. And, I really don’t need them doing another ladder match. Each one has a stench of disaster at their age.

Four: Ali and Navarro had a great match and I actually would not have minded a title change – even for a feel good moment. The powers-that-are stick to traditions but I was impressed with Navarro and would love to see him in another title match down the road – possibly X-Division?

Five: Of the downsides, the A J Francis and Elijah is not doing anything for me and I do know some things about NIL laws and other IP litigation (via friends in the biz.) Francis has great mic presence but this does not do anything with that as he spins his wheels. Elijah is who he is and that is about that.

Six: That transitions to the Lee vs. Mr. Elegance match. Lee needed to reclaim her shine given last week’s events and get some footing with the feud with Brookside. I am really impressed with Brookside as a heel and the Knockouts title match might be a sneaky good one at Slammiversary.

Seven: The By Elegance Brand Match vs. the Undead Realm Gang was okay. The doll shenanigans were overtly silly and eyerolling. I do like Ash’s comedy spot of running around the ring calling time out. With a dearth of tag team talent in the Knockouts division, I still say breaking M away for a title run is not the worst thing.

Eight: The backstage scene with Black and the By Elegance Brand was a nice continuity touch I will give the producers that.

Nine: Oh, hey, Ricky. Man, even with a prolonged absence, people gravitate to him. I am glad he is back and adds depth to the men’s division.

10: Steve Maclin will be missed. Great story and solid wrestler in the old-school manner which is wrestle when he can, speak if you must but always give the aura that you are dangerous.

11: It was cheap heat, but Ali hit all the spots in his promo on Navarro.

12: I do love the narrative they are writing that Slater is snake bitten against Alexander and will make for some intriguing (I hope intriguing) angles. He and Alexander work great together and the chemistry is evident every time they are in the ring.

Lastly: Pour one for BioFlex as Zone.ify takes over the injury report.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight