TNA Impact Review – June 25, 2026

Greetings, all, and welcome to the final chapter of the Tommy Dreamer “era” on TNA Impact. Despite all the goings-on and shenanigans behind the scenes, we still have the premier pay-for-view for the company on Saturday, so let’s do the run up without getting too gassed in the altitude of Denver, Colorado. Despite the upheaval, we still have some breaths of fresh air with Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt at the announce table, Gia Miller continues to keep the airflow moving with backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell clears the air of who is in the ring. Now, sit back and relax; inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth and tune in to AMC (not the Oxygen channel) and engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

(Side note: As always, these reviews are made possible by readers like you and aided by the fine people who create content for this site. Please enjoy their work, I do and use them as barometers of my talent and skill. And now…our feature presentation. )

Previously on Impact: We get highlights from the six-man tag match with Mike Santana, Nic Nemeth and K C Navarro versus Order Four (at least Mustafa Ali and the Great Hands.) We see Santana pin Jason Hotch and Nemeth pin John Skyler. We see Ryan Nemeth jump in and attack Santana and Santana’s retaliation which backfired and clobbered Navarro. After the match, Nemeth checked on Navarro and Santana charging Nemeth before security restrained him. Navarro said everything was cool. We also get highlights of Tag Team champs Bear Bronson and Brian Myers (with Eddie Edwards) win a six-man tag match against Matt and Jeff Hardy (with Moose.) Making their presence known was the Righteous, who appeared on the rampway with a ladder.

Hey, the singer of the opening credits is ready for us.

We get a shot of the outside of Livestock Center CoBank Arena at the National Western Center. and shots of fans enjoying themselves before we get our opening interview action with the Hardys, with the “Broken Hardys” piano and chryon. Hannifan and Rehwoldt get their formal introduction as they start to talk about the triple-threat tag title match between the System, Hardys and the Righteous. The Hardys pose on the turnbuckles and acknowledge the fans.

Matt is the first one to speak in his “broken” persona as the crowd is going nuts for them and a loud “Hardys” chant emerged. Matt said the vessels of Broken Matt and Brother Nero have been reborn after stepping into the “Wicked Garden.” It changed them, it broke their bodies and poisoned them. It was one of a kind but they needed The Righteous to change them. IT forced them to evolve and ascend. This is just a gateway to what they will become. He said Matt and Jeff Hardy version one have become obsolete (with Jeff signing the word.)

The Wicked Garden was pivotal. At Slammiversary, Jeff said to expect. They have been rebroken by fate. The Hardys will step in the ring with the System and the Righteous and regain the tag titles.

BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, we hear the snapping and slide guitar and the Righteous appear. Vincent said the Hardys are unbelievable. The crowd rained a chorus of boos. Before, the Hardys start to talk about transformation, Vincent said at least they are telling the truth. The Righteous walked them through the garden and gave them every version of the Hardys. But there is still more, isn’t there? (The crowd started the “what” chant. Thanks, Steve.)

Vincent it is wonderful that they are finally telling the truth. Dutch said the scars they gave them will last forever. The reason the Hardys stand enlightened was due to the Righteous. Matt cut him off and said they are wonderfully naïve. They think they know what opened up in the Hardys but they don’t know what is insidious than they will ever believe.

BUT HOLD EVERYTHING (again,) the System now emerge from the back with mic in tow. Myers said this is adorable. He said for Bronson to look at the freaks at table nine who are having a meeting. They are talking about broken gardens, twisting things and a bunch of “mumbo jumbo.” The crowd turned their jeers to the System. Unfortunately, none of that crap matters around here, Myers said; what does matter is the tag team championship, which they have.

Bronson got the mic and called the other competitors glory hounds. The System doesn’t give a damn who the Righteous or Hardys are. They sure don’t care what the people want. HE asked if that makes the people mad. All he sees are two guys blinded by ego that want to take food from their table. Put the ladder in their hands and the same results – the System will eat them alive and they will leave with the titles.

Matt said the Hardys will capture the TNA tag titles again. Myers asked what Matt is going to do about that and Matt started the “delete” chant. Matt then turned and knocked the Righteous from the apron and Jeff did the same to the System. Jeff attacked Myers on the floor and Matt switched to Bronson. They started to look under the ring and grabbed a ladder. Myers and incent tried to grab Matt by the legs to the floor. Matt tried to fend them off but Vincent and Myers ran him to the apron.

Jeff continued to set up the ladder in the ring as Righteous and System took turns beating on Matt and then each other. Jeff climbed to the top of the ladder but the System and Righteous retreated up the rampway. The Hardys started at the other teams as we get the rest of the hype for the rest of the card, including Knockouts action..after the break.

After another “Relive Ultimate X” featuring the Ultimate X match from Rebellion last year, we go backstage to a distressed Daria Rae who is beside herself amongst the chaos happening and naturally blames Santino Marella. However, Ali and Hotch (and eventually the rest of Order Four) walk into the shot. Rae frustratingly said that she is working on getting him a match at Slammiversary but despite the chaos (again blaming Marella,) we should reward good behavior. She puts the Great Hands into the Tag Team Title Match at Slammiversary. Ali said he always liked her better than Marella.

Speaking of liking things, here is the Personal Concierge who wants our attention – please. He reminded the crowd he asked nicely. It is great honor that he introduces to us one of the most unbelievable returns to the ring in single competition in 304 days. And, she is not a “mark.” She is one of the greatest TNA Knockouts of all time. She is Ash….by Elegance

Ash by Elegance (with Heather and M by Elegance in tow) vs. Mara Sade

We cut to Hannifan and Rehwoldt who is joined at the table by Indi Hartwell. Hartwell looked incredulous at what the PC just said. Rehwoldt tried to defend her. Hannifan asked if she thought Ash was a mark. Hartwell said yes and Rehwoldt snidely commented on the irony of that statement. Sade was next to a decent pop as Hannifan talked about her new friendship with Rosemary and Allie. Hannifan talked about the Knockouts tag match between the Undead Realm gang and the By Elegance Brand. Sade did her dance on the apron.

The crowd instantly taunted Ash with a “mark” chant as she was visibly annoyed and asked for a time out. She asked for the mic and frantically screeched that she is not a mark (sigh…..) She said this bullying has to stop. She said this is not good for her mental health and she needs another mental health break. Hartwell was audibly annoyed but Ash had an idea and asked M to come into the ring to take her place.

M looked around as Ash went waaaaaayyyy (inhale) yyyyy over the top with her tantrum histrionics. M eventually got in the ring and assuaged Ash. Ash headed out of the ring and then up the rampway with the PC as the match is now

M by Elegance vs. Mara Sade

Sade wasted no time. She ducked a roundhouse kick and start to beat on M with a series of punches on the ropes. BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, we hear Elayna Black’s music as she made an appearance on the rampway as Hannifan talked about the issues she had with myriad people in the locker room, including the Brand and Sade. Ash walked by and the two started to jaw at each other. Back in the ring, Sade continued to beat on M with a series of punches again in the ropes.

Sade blocked a whip to the ropes and held the ropes as a charging M went over the top and to the floor. Heather tried to help her partner but Sade leapt over the ropes but landed on the apron as the champs fled on the floor. Sade grabbed M and started to beat her on the floor, this time. She ran her into the apron and beat on her. Sade threw her into the ring but M scurried out of the ring on the other side as Sade was in pursuit. M tried to throw Heather in her way but Heather escaped and Sade leapt from the ring steps and dropped M.

Sade threw M into the ring again and climbed to the top turnbuckle. Heather got on the apron and distracted her and then give M time to recuperate and attack Sade, eventually hitting the “Tower of London” cutter for a two count. Now, M started to maul Sade on the mat. Hartwell said this doesn’t seem right and is watching the Brand as well as Black. Meanwhile, M grabbed a side headlock but Sade fought her way out of it until M yanked Sade to the mat by her hair.

M gestured at Black and that gave Sade time to get a two count on a quick rollup. Sade also got a flying crossbody off the ropes but Heather distracted the referee from counting. During this sequence, Black made her way down the ramp and to ringside. Hartwell saw enough and left the table to attack Black, only to be dropped with a Black punch.

M tried for a quick rollup In the ring, but M escaped and hit a superkick. Sade followed that with a Tornado DDT off the turnbuckles. Sade climbed to the top rope but now Black distracted her. Black slugged Sade, causing the disqualification, and Sade found herself in the Tree of Woe. Black started to put the boots to her but Hartwell recovered and dropped Black with a series of boots of her own. By this point, the referee, called for the disqualification. It didn’t stop the heels as Heather tried to get into the action and jumped on Hartwell’s back. Hartwell backed into a turnubckle to remove Heather but M hit a superkick to drop Hartwell.

The By Elegance Brand started to beat on Hartwell as Black started to beat on Sade in the corner. BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, Rosemary and Allie emerged from the back to even the odds. They hit stereo superkicks on the tag champs off the ropes. The champs bailed to the floor and Undead Realm gang gestured for the title and were joined by Hartwell and Sade. M tried to ward off the evil spirits with a cross (her fingers) and the Hail Mary gesture as we cut away.

When we cut away, we get a close up of Eric Young. He said people think he is trying to bully Ricky Sosa but the truth is that Young is trying to show him the truth and what is really happening. Having a viral video that is popular for a month is nothing, Young said. Sosa hasn’t shown him something he hasn’t already seen.

Is Sosa talented? Young said no doubt. Does Sosa have world-class potential? Again, no doubt. But everything here comes at a price. There is a price you pay to earn a spot here. Young is trying to him a way that works. IT’s disrespectful to pro wrestling and disrespectful to the hierarchy of how pro wrestling works. There are unwritten rules but they are there still enforced. With Sosa acting as happy as he is, Young said he is not sure if he is taking this for granted or feels like he belongs instantly. But, Young said there is a lesson to be taught here. Maybe Sosa will get better or maybe he will run away and that is how you sort if out and how it works,. It always works that way. It’s a test and when a test comes from Young it is true and it real. There are levels to this and he thinks Sosa doesn’t understand, but come Slammiversary, he will understand.

We get the rest of the card and the man who took Elijah’s name, image and likeness is next…after the break. During the break, we get another look at the “Relive Ultimate X” series on TNAPlus and it is the same look at the first Knockouts Ultimate X match from the Hard to Kill Pay-Per-View from 2024 and another hype ad for the return of TNA Lockdown on August 23 in Chicago.

A J Francis vs. Manny Lemons

The sound of “money, money, money” precedes Francis’ walk to the ring. Francis jawed with the fans and did his “money, money, money” taunt a few times. Lemons, by the way, was already in the ring. Hannifan and Rehwoldt continued to talk about the feud between Francis and Elijah. Francis took his time getting ready for the match and Lemons took advantage of it by charging Francis when the bell rang and attacking. Francis no-sold it and caught another charge by Lemons and threw him to the mat.

Francis hit a flying splash in the corner. Francis put Lemons on the turnbuckles but Lemons attempted to fight him. However, a flying bodypress was caught by Francis. Francis put him on his shoulders and threw him again to the mat. Francis hit the ropes and landed the Tennessee Whiskey running knee strike. Francis taunted the fans and then Elijah by looking at the camera and told the “Drifter” to watch this. Francis attacked Lemons on the corner. Francis got on the turnbuckle and grabbed Lemons’ arm. Francis did the old school rope walk (!!,) did the “money, money, money” taunt and hit the flying elbow smash.

Francis basked in the boos but a senton hit nothing but mat as Lemons escaped. Lemons started to attack Francis in the corner with a series of clothesline. Lemons started to get him psyched up but another corner charge was met with a TFL (spear,) complete with Shawn Michaels sell job. Francis glared at the crowd. He signaled – and delivered – the Down Payment (chokeslam) for the victory.

Post-Match: Francis celebrated in the ring but we hear the guitar strum and Elijah appears on the monitors. Elijah said for the first time, the crap coming out of Francis’ mouth is worse than the crap he put in it. He called Francis an Ozempic Suge Knight and a “no skill, uncle Phil.” He said Francis tried to take his image, likeness and his blood (holding the bloody contract from Francis’ attack from two weeks ago.) No amount of faking it will disguise the fact he is a clout chaser, a phony and an imposter. In other words, the jealously will be the death of him because he will never be him.

At Slammiversary, he talked to lawyers and TNA Management and will get back everything he took from him. He set the cease and desist on fire and said the light that shines in the darkness. When Elijah wins the match, he will find out that in TNA, we walk this way. Elijah walked away and we linger on the burning contract as Francis seethed in the ring. We get the rest of the card and more Knockouts Action after the break.

Xia Brookside vs. Harley Hudson

Brookside is out first and taunts the fans on the way to the ring. Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk about the match at Slammiversary between Brookside and TNA Knockouts champion Lei Ying Lee. Hudson is out next and tells the camera something she said (hard to make out the rest of it.) She got in the ring and did plyometric pushups in the ring. Bad mistake as Brookside took the opportunity to hit an elbowsmash. Brookside did some pushups and asked the referee to ring the bell.

Brookside hit a dropkick and mauled Hudson in the corner. Hudson rallied with a double thrust and a series of arm drag takedowns off the ropes. A body slam got a two count for Hudson. Hudson attempted a backslide but Brookside blocked it and grabbed a front facelock. Hudson escaped and slammed Brookside head first into the mat. She did pushups on Brookside and hit a flying elbowsmash for a two count.

Brookside got to the corner and hit a dropkick as Hudson charged. Brookside glared at Hudson and stomped on Hudson. Hudson tried to rally but Brookside thwarted every attempt. She put the boots to Hudson in the corner and taunted the fans. Brookside ran her shoulder repeatedly into Hudson’s abdomen in the corner. She hit a Meteora in the corner for a two count. She slowed the action with an armlock and using her knee into the back of Hudson. Brookside continued to work the arms on the mat, using her boots as leverage. Hudson attempted to arise but Brookside did not release the hold and use her boots to send Hudson to the mat – face first – for another two count.

Brookside beat on Hudson on the mat but Hudson made one last rally as she was thrown into the corner but hit a forearm to a charging Brookside. Hudson threw Brookside chest first into the turnbuckle and hit a clothesline off the ropes. Hudson hit another clothesline and big boot off the ropes. Hudson tried to get the crowd riled and hit the hip attack in the corner on Brookside. A fallaway slam got a two count for Hudson. Hudson picked Brookside on her shoulders for a possible Alabama Slam but Brookside turned it into a sunset flip for a two count.

Hudson continued to rally with a rolling elbow on the charging Brookside. Hudson looked around and climbed to the second turnbuckle but a flying leg drop hit nothing but canvas. Hudson arose but was met with a Brookside superkick. That got Brookside into position to hit the Dark Side (DDT) for the victory.

Post-Match: Brookside posed in the ring and continued to attack Hudson with a Russian Legsweep. She locked Hudson into position and rained a series of elbows into Hudson’s midsection. However, the lights dimmed and Lee headed down to ringside. Brookside immediately headed to the floor as Lee threatened her in the ring to come get the title.

Speaking of getting things, we get the Zone.ify TNA Injury Report. Ash by Elegance is out after what happened earlier on a “mental break.” In the Summit meeting between Santana and Nemeth (to be shown later,) EMS and medical staff were involved due to the events of the meeting. The participants of the Ultimate X-Division match and the Ladder Match are under constant supervision given the nature of the matches and the potential injuries.

Speaking of said Summit meeting..that’s next.

We cut to what appears to be a breakroom with Miller and TNA President Carlos Silva. Miller thanks Nemeth and Santana for being here. Silva said they are here to have some final words before their match. He did ask for professionalism (I am sure he’ll get that) so that fines will not be assessed. Nemeth started and went over Santana’s 2026 and said he was the right guy. Nemeth it was great Santana had one great year but he had 23 great years.

Santana said all Nemeth saw is his “one good year” but he has been fighting all his life. Nemeth wasn’t there when his mother was abused for years or when he had to walk in the morgue to identify his father. Nemeth wasn’t there when he had to tell his daughter he had to go to drug rehab and looked out the windows of those rehab centers. The TNA title is much bigger than what happened outside. The title is bigger than pro wrestling. This is his life. He spent his entire fighting for this title. Nemeth is right, though, he has done it all in his career and went over his WWE highlights. He gave Nemeth respect but said when TNA needed someone, Santana was there. When they needed a true champion, Santana was there. When they needed someone to put the promotion on their back – good and bad times – Santana was there. Santana talked about Nemeth’s first day in TNA and they all thought Nemeth was going to be that guy. It was bull excrement – it was Santana. TNA is where Santana laid his hap.

Nemeth said Santana brought up some great points but Nemeth has been there and the reason he went on all those tours because being an international superstar is different than having a good year. One day he might know how it is to have people giving him thousands and millions of dollars to be part of their show. One day he might steal the show from someone – he hasn’t done it yet. Maybe, it is a good thing he keeps his sunglasses on indoors “for some reason.” Santana doesn’t have to look at himself in the mirror and know that he had a good run. His daughter doesn’t have to show her tears through those dark glasses. There is a light at the end of the tunnel (meanwhile, Santana removed his glasses.) At least Santana’s dad isn’t there to see him fail one more time.
With that last comment, Santana arose as did Nemeth. Silva tried to retain calm and Santana reassured him (well, there you go.) He mentioned something to Silva and then asked him cash or check. With that, he slugged Nemeth while Miller was aghast and Ryan Nemeth tried to restrain Santana. Santana turned his attention to Ryan and you know what’s next. Santana grabbed Ryan and Nick hit Santana from behind. Nemeth slammed Santa’s head into the table and the title. Santana collapsed on the floor holding the title. Nick Nemeth called Santana a female dog and the brothers Nemeth left the room.

We go back to the announce table as Hannifan and Rehwoldt said Moose is next but gave their summation of what just happened. Santana was taken to a hospital and his status is unknown for Slammiversary (sure, it is..) But now, as they mentioned, here’s Moose (hey, with JDC in tow.) Moose gets a good pop and shakes hands with some of the fans. Hannifan went over the Moose vs. Edwards match, now with the “no surrender” stip. JDC will be in Moose’s corner and Alisha Edwards will be in her husband’s corner. Meanwhile, in the ring, Moose has a mic – let’s hear what he has to say (not before a small “JDC” chant emerged.) Moose immediately called out Edwards and went over the “No Surrender” rules. Edwards destroyed something really good; he stabbed Moose and JDC in the back. At Slammiversary, much like Alisha, payback is a female dog.

That brought out the Edwards’ and Eddie has a mic – let’s hear what he has to say. He said Moose said Edwards destroyed something but it was not the case. After all that time together, road trips and late night dinners, it finally hit him. He realized Moose and JDC were a cancer growing within the System and preventing them from reaching the next level of greatness. He reached out and tore out that cancer and rebuilt the System better than ever. Now, at Slammiversary, in his hometown of Boston, Edwards will end this once and for all.

JDC grabbed the mic and asked how long they have known each other (the answer was 25 years.) He has known Edwards longer than anyone else in the business. They were like family. He didn’t take any of this personally and understood this is a business; Edwards had to do what he had to do. Pro wrestling has made Edwards sick in the head and making him blind. He is going to lose everyone is his life – including his wife and daughter.oookay..

This naturally brought Alisha to the mic and said to not bring her daughter and JDC should bring his wife so Alisha could slap her. She asked if they want to know something – that thing is the System is much better without JDC and Moose. Yet again, Moose walks around like he is a big shot but dep inside she knows he wants revenge since she played him like a fool he was and will always be.

She is giving him one chance, if he wants revenge, here she is. She asked if he had Moose had the testicles to do it. JDC clamed Moose and they both left the ring and headed up the rampway. Alisha said he knew he would do that because he is nothing but a coward. They left and Moose headed to the ring. JDC caught up to him and calmed him down and they both left. Eddie grabbed the mic and said at Slammiversary, this ends once and for all. Alisha said it’s ride or die and she would rather die than throw in the towel. Moose said at Slammiversary, it will be a funeral.

We cut a vignette of Sosa and some clips of him in TNA interspersed with comments from Young and Sosa. At Slammiversary, he will show that Sosa belongs in TNA wrestling. We get hype for the six-person main event and that’s next – after the Slammiversary hype ad with Dropkick Murphys knockoff riff.

Six Man Tag Match: Mr. Elegance, Frankie Kazarian and Cedric Alexander vs. Fabian Aichner, K C Navarro and Leon Slater

We come back to the PC once again asking for our attention, please (again, points for manners.) He wants all the degenerate pigs to show some respect for Misterrrrr Elegance, who is out first (without the Brand in tow.) Hannifan and Rehwoldt hype the “Ultimate X” match at Slammiversary (now with TNA legend Amazing Red in the match.) Mr. E gets in the ring with his comedic gyrations. Frankie Kazarian is next to his generic hard rock riff. It has been 15 years since Amazing Red’s last match in TNA and the same time frame for Kazarian since his last Ultimate X match. Cedric Alexander is next (preceded by warning buzzer and Alisha’s “You can’t beat the System.”) Alexander comes to the ring sans System in tow.

We hear “Vini Vidi Vici” which signals Aichner’s entrance to a decent pop. Navarro is next to the ring and does his strut. He shakes hands with Aichner and the duo await Slater. Slater got a huge pop as the crowd chants to his theme. The three hit the ring to the cheers of the crowd.

Slater and Alexader start, which doesn’t work for the X-Division champ and quickly tagged Kazarian. That didn’t’ work for Slater and hit a running boot on Alexander on the apron. In the ring, Kazarian attempted to attack Slater but Slater hit a hurincanrana off the ropes, followed by an enziguri. Aichner tagged but Kazarian raked the eyes and tagged Mr. Elegance, who slapped Aichner. He tried it again but Aichner chopped away on Mr. E in the corner and hit a clothesline out of the corner. Aichner tagged Navarro who climbed to the second turnbuckle and hit a forearm smash.

Navarro now attacked Mr. E in the corner with a series of chops. After a snapmare and a Natural Selection stunner, he hit a sliding crossbody for a two count. Mr. E stemmed the offense with a jaw breaker and tagged Alexander. Alexnader chopped away on Navarro. Navarro countered with a series of evasions of clotheslines off the ropes and hit a pop-up dropkick. Kazarian entered the ring and fared no better as Navaro tripped him into the ropes and hit the 305 (a 619 but over the ropes.) He also hit Alexnader with an enziguri off the apron. Kazarian tried to hit the slingshot stunner but Navarro reversed that into an armdrag.

Slater hit the ring and deposited Kazarian on the floor as Mr. E got in the ring. Sater taunted Mr. E and promptly sent him to the floor. Aichner and Slater leapt over the top rope onto Kazarian and Mr. E (on opposite side of the ring. ) That left Navarro to leap between the ropes and hit a Tornado DDT on Alexander. Navarro and Slater posed on the apron and Aichner on the turnbuckles as a loud “TNA” chant emerged.

Navarro and Alexnader got back into the ring and Navarro set up the 10-punch corner spot but Alexander escaped and kicked Navarro’s leg dropping him face first into the turnbuckles. Alexander followed that with a German Suplex and a hand stomp as Alexnader tagged Mr. E. He stomped on the hand and choked Navarro on the ropes.

Mr. E threw Navarro into the ropes but Navarro stopped the rebound. However, the Personal Concierge grabbed his arm for a distraction. It worked as Navarro accosted the PC (stomping on his hand) but Mr. E recovered and hit a clothesline on a charging Navaro. Mr. Elegance hit a series of running and leaping knee strikes on Navarro and tagged Kazarian. Kazarian bodyslammed Navarro and hit the springboard twisting leg drop. Kazarian tried to tag the oblivious Mr. Elegance but tagged Alexander instead.

Alexander slugged away on Navarro but Navarro evaded a Powerbomb attempt, did the hope crawl and tagged Slater. Slater was a flat on fire as he beat on Alexander and hit a running boot in the corner. Alexander avoided a flying crossbody off the top rope and tried to rally but was met with a flying kick off the ropes. Alexander did backdrop a charging Slater to the apron but Slater fought off Alexander and Kazarian as we go to break.

But when we get back, Kazarian grabbed Slater’s boot to block a kick and flipped him to the apron. Kazarian threw Slater into the ring and Alexnader chopped away and taunted Slater. Slater tried to rally but Alexander ended it with another German Suplex. A loud “Slater” chant emerged as Alexnader tagged Mr. Elegance. Mr. E grabbed a headlock and threw Slater to the heels’ corner. However, Slater reversed it into a clothesline on Alexander and Kazarian and hit Mr. E with an enziguri.

Slater did the hope crawl and attempted to tag Aichner but Kazarian grabbed “Il Gladiatore” and pulled him to the floor. Kazarian also dove on the apron and did the same thing to Navarro. In the ring, Mr. E hit his own German Suplex and tagged Kazarian who slugged Slater in the corner and retagged Kazarian. Kazarian wanted both his partners in the ring. They launched Mr. E to Slater but Slater backdropped him to the floor. Slater hit a charging Alexnader with a big boot and avoided a Kazarian running corner splash.

Slater sent Alxander to the floor and kicked a charging Kazarian. Slater leapt on the second turnbuckle and hit a reverse flying bodypress and tagged Aichner. Aichner dropped Mr. E and Alexander in the corner and hit Kazarian with a back body drop off the ropes. He got Alexander on his shoulders and hit a forward roll into a moonsault off the turnbuckles. Aichner also reversed a Blockbuster attempt by Kazarian into a Stunner for a two count.

Aichner tagged Navarro and hit attempted a Doomsday Device but Mr. E grabbed Kazarian. They caught Navarro on a bodypress attempt off the turnbuckles and hit an assisted suplex (with Alexander booting Aichner.) Alexander climbed to the top and hit a Frog Splash until Slater interrupted the pin. Slater was thrown to the floor and the heels surrounded Navarro. They hit a superkick (Mr. E) Backstabber (Kazarian) and a Michinoku Driver (Alexander) for a two count.

Kazarian grabbed Navarro but a Fade to Black was reversed to a sunset flip. Slater tagged into the match but Kazarian deposited him to the floor. Navarro hit Kazarian with a running knee but Alexander hit a Shining Wizard. We get the schmozapalooza as Aichner dropped Alexander but was met with a pop up uppercut by Mr. E. Slater hit Mr. E with a heel kick and climbed to the top rope. Kazarian tried to interfere but Slater momentarily thwarted him and got on the apron. However, Kazarian recovered and hit the slingshot cutter. Navarro hit the Code Red (hey, Amazing Red is in the match on Sunday) but Alexander met Navarro with the Death Valley Driver.

The spot chain continued as Aichner hit a slingshot reverse bodypress on Alexander but was met with the Excusez Moi stunner from Mr. E. Slater climbed to the pop and hit the Swanton 450 on Mr. E. However, as Slater got in position to pin Mr. E, Kazarian rolled up Slater for the victory.

Post-Match: Kazarian posed in the ring and taunted Slater. He posed on the turnbuckles and did the same X-Division taunt to Navarro and to Hannifan and Rehwoldt.

We got five minutes left, so we are going to get an medical update on Mike Santana from Dr. Nick Nemeth – after the break (presuming Nemeth needs to get his license from the American Medical Association.)

Dr. Nemeth heads to ringside (without stethoscope.) He taunts the fans and asked for a mic. Nemeth said people sound excited and he is here to break a little news – due to a disgusting incident backstage, Santana is probably not going to make it to Slammiversary and leave wrestling forever. That being said, let’s crown the “Call Your Shot” winner and do what’s right and make Nemeth the TNA World Champion. We are going to do this right, he asked for Silva to come out and crown Nemeth.

We await Silva’s arrival and Nemeth called him to the ring again. However, we see Ryan Nemeth staggering and crawling on the floor. I don’t think Silva did it, so it must be Santana who actually is better (I never trusted Nemeth’s medical knowledge, for the record.) Santana appeared from backstage and continued to beat on Ryan, gesturing to Ryan. Santana threw Ryan down the ramp and NOW Silva appears with a phalanx of security guards and Rae and Marella (interestingly, Rae is trying to assuage Santana and Marella attempting assuaging Nemeth.)

All their efforts were feckless as Santana bolted to the ring and tried to get Nemeth, who bailed to the floor. Nemeth tried to get in the ring and security got him up the rampway. Santana posed on the turnbuckles to a loud “Santana” chant. Rae fecklessly tried to get Santana to leave and eventually he headed into the crowd and posed with the fans as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: the Santana vs. Nemeth meeting was great as two guys who shine on the mic delivered. I think the main event segment was a bit superfluous as there was little doubt of the outcome but when you a paint yourself into that corner, it was the best outcome. I don’t know how many could have been talked into the arena by now but I guess one has to give it a shot.

Two: It all seems rather peripheral to what happened outside of the ring as backstage tumult semmed a little more interesting than the in ring material. It shouldn’t be a wag the dog scenario but it adds more intrigue to what happens on Sunday – sadly a bit more than what was offered in the ring.

Three: I got a little uncomfortable during Moose’s charge into the ring to get at Alisha. Given Moose’s past, that is not the message you want to even remotely give. It was a great promo from Alisha – actually all three did a good job with their orations but that really sullied it.

Four: The Great Hands addition to the tag title match seemed like just an addendum addition to make it feel like a normal tag ladder match (similar to last year’s match.) I like the Great Hands as a tag team and I really like the Righteous. The prevailing logic would be they both lose but would love to see me proven wrong. They really can’t waste the Righteous after this amount of time invested, even with the near perpetual jobbing.

Five: Brookside continues to flourish in her role as rocketing heel. She hasn’t deviated her style that much but has a really good grasps of the mannerisms. On the other hand, with Myla Grace’s departure, it feels like Hudson is entrenched as a job person. I don’t know what happens with new management but she needs a reset or cut bait. It’s a shame she is in that position (both her and Jada Stone) as the two both show athleticism (Stone is lacking size) that might be useful in some other position but for now, they both seem lost.

Six: Should we be making a “mental break” into a comedy angle? That seems tone deaf to me. Ash going over the top was a bit much but could see where the humor is. The one upside is seeing M step up and continue to subtly make her case for a singles push. Sade kept her legs churning and did Hartwell but churning is one thing – momentum forward is another.

Seven: I am still impressed with Francis’ rope walk. Some of his comments (not on camera) are questionable and that is a bit depressing because in the ring, he seems to have the potential for a break out once the Elijah business is done.

Eight: I was okay with the main event but wonder where the Slater jobbing is leading. The conclusion was paint-by-numbers and hope the Kazarian win is just the red herring for Slater to retain at Slammiversary. Actually, all three faces acquitted themselves nicely. Kazarian still is a slimy heel who takes advantage of situations to get wins which is about as good as his role should be and does give the “Ultimate X” match some needed historical credence. It is far more than just shoehorning Amazing Red for random reasons.

Nine: I am not sure what happens or if there any big reveals of the future of TNA wrestling come Sunday. With speculation and a bit of stagnation after a hot 2025, something big should happen to get the juices flowing. I still have not given up on the thought of Rae vs. Marella being involved in some way. It may come across as cliched but something to move the needle would be a good change.

Lastly: I am still awaiting proof of Nemeth’s doctor license. Is this what Zone.ify has done? I don’t even think BioFlex would have cleared Nemeth for medical procedures.

See You at Slammiversary. Fight the Good Fight