TNA Impact Review – July 9, 2026

Welcome, all, to another TNA Impact. We’re still in Albany, New York and halfway through our latest taping cycle. Fun factoid about Albany, it was the birthplace of the Schuyler sisters, one of them, Elizabeth, married Alexander Hamilton. The sisters were also widely praised in the iconic musical “Hamilton.” The Broadview Center is the room where it happens. Tom Hannifan and his right hand man Matt Rehwoldt give us the story of tonight and ensure we won’t ask “what’d I miss?” When we take a break in the action, Gia Miller gives us backstage happenings and McKenzie Miller lets us know what comes next with ring announcing. It is Non-stop action, after all; so, Meet me inside as this show tries to blow us all away and engage me, your obedient servant, in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

(Editor’s Note: As always, this could not have been done without you, the reader, who keeps this going. It also could not have been done without the other people who contribute to this site. They do great work and inspire me to keep doing this. Show them appreciation and enjoy and comment on their work, And now..we raise curtain for our feature presentation.)

Speaking of musicals, we go right to the singer of theme and he’s ready for you, not sure if it’s individually or collectively, but he is ready for you.

We go straight to Hannifan and Rehwoldt who tell us we are going to be joined by two championship legends. We get Matt and Jeff Hardy who head into the ring (and in front of the camera for Hannifan and Rehwoldt’s formal introduction.

TNA Impact Tag Team Title Match: The Hardys vs. The Great Hands (John Skyler and Jason Hotch, with Tasha Steelz in tow)

This doesn’t bode particularly well for the Hands as they get the “already in the ring” introduction. The crowd still loves the Hardys and they show they appreciate it. This is the first tag team title match for the Hands in three years. Jeff gets the crowd riled as he and Hotch start. Hotch grabbed a headlock to start and grabbed a head of hair as Jeff tried to send him to the ropes. Hotch also got to mock Jeff’s dance moves. Jeff got the upper hand (of trunks) by grabbing the trunks the next time he tried to send Hotch to the ropes and managed a headlock of his own.

After a prolonged rope run, Jeff sent Hotch to the canvas with a hiptoss and tagged Matt. The two boot the botts to Hotch in the corner. Jeff worked the arm by ramming Hotch’s arm into his shoulder. Matt tagged Jeff and the two hit a combination reverse DDT running elbow drop for a two count. Hotch managed to escape jeff and tagged Skyler who fell prey to another hiptoss and Matt re-tagged into the match. Matt climbed to the second rope and dropped an elbow on Skyler’s arm.

Skyler managed to back Matt into the ropes where Hotch tried to grab him. Matt slugged Hotch to the floor but Skyler dropped Matt with a chop block. Skyler put the boots to Matt. Skyler grabbed a toehold and tagged Hotch, who managed to boots on Matt and worked the leg with a leg snap. Matt hobbled to the corner as Hotch beat on Matt. Hotch taunted Jeff again, which brought him into the ring. As the referee tried to control Jeff, Hotch grabbed an errant kick by Matt and dropped the leg on Hotch’s shoulder.

The legwork continued as Hotch kicked Matt repeatedly in the leg. Skyler tagged but Matt fended him off and tagged Jeff. Jeff dropped Skyler and hit a sliding dropkick on Hotch who was sitting on the apron. Jeff went to work on Skyler with his patented inverted atomic drop, wishbone legdrop and elbow drop combination for two until Skyler interrupted the prin. The two threw Jeff into the corner but Hardy fended off the Hands’ charges into the corner.

However, the Great Hands moved out of the way from a Whisper in the Wind and Jeff crashed to the canvas. The Hands got Jeff into the position and hit The Favor (a Leaping Neckbreaker from a Fireman’s carry position.) Skyler got the cover but Matt interrupted the count at two-and-a-fraction. Matt hit the Side Effect on Hotch. Skyler got Jeff on his shoulders, only for Jeff to escape and hit the Twist of Fate. Skyler staggered in the ring as Matt tagged and hit his Twist of Fate. The end was anti-climatic as Jeff tagged, climbed to the top and hit the Swanton Bomb for the win.

Post-Match: Rehwoldt said the Hardys were triumphant but the Great Hands might face a bigger task and face Mustafa Ali. In the ring, as TNA President Carlos Silva awarded the belts to the Hardys. The Hands recuperated on the floor but HOLD EVERYTHING, here is Ali and Agent Zero who stood over them dejectedly. Ali grabbed his phone and made a phone call as he headed back up the ring as the Hands and Steelz were behind him.

We go backstage to Miller and Lei Ying Lee. Miller went over the history of Lee and Xia Brookside and asked her usual question of what is going through her mind. Lee said Slammiversary was painful as she lost her title and someone she used to call friend. Brookside wanted a title more than friendship. Lee understood but tonight, there are no excuses, no Angel Warriors, only a fight. She will give everything to night because the title belongs to a real warrior. Tonight, she will take the title back.

We immediately go back to ringside and get ready for another edition of Frankie Kazarian’s “The King’s Speech” with special guest, Moose. Hannifan said Kazarian looked like a tube of toothpaste in his bright neon green and white jacket and pants. The speech is next…after the break.

During the break, we get highlights of the Best of TNA Lockdown on TNAPlus, this one is the Knockouts title match between Mickie James and Madison Rayne in her regal era (not that Regal, though.) James ran repeatedly ran Rayne into the cage around the ring. A “Mick DDT” later, we got a new champion.

We come back and Kazarian addresses the crowd in Albany. He instantly gets cheap heat by saying Albany is so boring (I mean…) He said he is going to spice things up and welcomes us to the King’s Speech as he is the host. He welcomes his guest – Moose. We get the full introduction as he headed to ringside with the crowd chanting the “Moose” chant. Rehwoldt and Hannifan talked about the match at Slammiversary between Moose and Eddie Edwards. Kazarian acknowledged Moose’s victory in a “No Surrender” match. He has now defeated every member of the System.

Moose said Slammiversary was the most emotional victory of his life. He said Kazarian should know that Edwards attempts to get people’s families involved. Moose has been in TNA for a decade. In that time, he beat legends, beat champions, held championships and main evented Pay Per View cards. However, at Slammiversary, he did something he never did before in his life. He got to share a moment in the ring with his wife and his son and will cherish that for the rest of his life.

Kazarian said he called the moment beautiful but others would see it as traumatizing the family (again, I mean…) They may need therapy for years. Moose cut him off and said he knew what Kazarian was trying to do. The wife and son are doing well. But the question really is, what’s next for Moose? It’s the same thing he has been doing since he stepped foot here – dominate. He chases no one. If anyone in the back wants some, they can come get some. There is only one “Face of the Franchise” and we are looking at it.

Kazarian said everyone wants that. For a decade, Moose has been dominant. Kazarian speaks the truth he said. When it comes to one of the faces of TNA, he is in the conversation. Moose corrected him that he is not in the conversation, Moose is the conversation. Kazarian said that this is his show and he asks the question so the question he wants to ask Moose is – is he stupid? The crowd booed at that. Kazarian said he has to be as he calls himself the “face of the franchise” and is standing in the ring with a “King.”

Moose said since Kazarian returned to TNA, he has been calling himself the “King.” Moose wondered who crowned him? Kazarian said the people did. Moose said he calls himself the “Face of the Franchise” for the last 10 years because he has seen people come and go. He said he saw people arrive, make a name for themselves and leave in pursuit of a check (shoot comments???) and stardom. Moose isn’t going anywhere and made this his own playground. That’s why he calls himself “The Face of the Franchise.”

Kazarian said that was impressive but retorted with his resume; he’s Frankie Kazarian, female dog. He is a TNA OG and the last one standing. He is a pioneer of the X-Division and a grand slam champion – something Moose has not done. He built this company for the bottom up so that Moose can come here and make a name for himself.

Moose said Kazarian is the most annoying person in the locker but Moose will give it to him: Moose respects him and he is a pillar and Kazarian, deep down, probably thinks Moose is a pillar. But Moose has been thinking, they’ve been here for so long but never had a singles match. He said why don’t they give the good people right here in Albany, New York (paging Mick Foley, paging a Mr. Mick Foley) a first time ever singles match between the two next week..

The crowd chanted “yes,” but Kazarian said he wanted no part of that. He has been talking to someone in the back who shares some ideas; one, that Moose is an idiot. Two, the System should have taken him out at Slammiversary. Three, that Moose’s NFL career was as ugly as the women in Albany. That brings out A J Francis (with Expressions in tow.) Francis agreed with Kazarian and took the opportunity to re-introduce himself, which he did. Francis climbed into the ring and continued his heat. He said he played with Tom Brady, just like Moose. Brady told Francs that the reason Moose left the year Francis joined the NFL was out of fear.

Moose said the time for talking is done and wants to fight. He said Francis is more Moose’s size as has bigger testicles than that “little (female dog)” Kazarian, why don’t we go one-on-one. Expressions interjected and called for a time out. He called Moose and hot dog with eyebrows and that we don’t do things on his time but on Francis’ time. Francis is the best big man in the business. But, They accept; but not tonight – next week. Kazarian said it is official, the irresistible Idiot versus the immovable mark. Hannifan and Rehwoldt wrap up the segment and said Kazarian is ducking Moose.

We go to a vignette with Elijah. Ever since he got to TNA, he has enjoyed riling the crowd, wrestling matches and entertaining fans, but there has been one goal he has yet to meet, winning the world title. In TNA, we walk this way. For everyone who has walked with him, he wanted to feel like it was leading somewhere, he wanted to lead them to the mountain top. He said their time of wandering in the desert is near over and they are heading to the promised land.

We get the rest of the card, including the TNA Knockouts World Title Match in the main event. Speaking of the Knockouts, the next match in the TNA Knockouts TV Title tournament is..after the break.

We get another best of TNA Lockdown series from TNAPlus, this is one is with Sting vs. Mick Foley. Foley is handed a barbed wire bat and threatened Sting with it. Foley swung repeatedly and missed. Sting climbed to the top of the cage but Foley swung the bat and hit the leg twice and Sting crumpled to the mat. Sting recovered, grabbed the bat and started to attack Foley =, raking it across Foley’ face.

We a glimpse of the TV Title Tournament brackets when we return and head to the next match:

TNA Knockouts TV Title Tournament: Indi Hartwell vs. “Vicious” Vicki Venuto

Venuto is out next. Hannifin said the two have shared history. We get an insert promo from Venuto who said she spent a majority of her life perusing being a pro wrestler. Tonight, she gets to live out her dream and win the TV title. She is not here to win friends anymore; remember, what the “bad chick” wants, the “bad chick” gets. Hannifan finished his thought that the two of them tagged together in TNA in January.

Hartwell is next and we get an insert promo from her. She said The title is a way to cement her legacy here in TNA and prove she belongs. She with all the fans behind “Indi wrestling,” she can’t lose and she won’t quit. Odd thing to say at the end, but good.

The bell rings and sportsmanship is observed (initiated by “the bad chick,” okay…) The two trade go behinds as Hartwell took Venuto down and got a two count. Sportsmanship was not observed as Hartwell went to shake Venuto’s hand but Venuto kicked Hartwell in the torso and hit an uppercut (cue Maffew’s “close enough.”) Venuto attacked Hartwell and ran her into the turnbuckles twice. Venuto choked Hartwell with her boot in the corner. But, another run to the turnbuckles was reversed by Hartwell and Hartwell came off the ropes with a running big boot for a two count.

Hartwell hit a clothesline in the corner and then hit a running bulldog as a “let’s go, Indi” chant emerged. Venuto had a brief rally as she ducked a forearm on the apron and snapped Hartwell’s neck back on the ropes. Venuto got a clothesline for a two count. She also hit a vertical suplex for another two count. Venuto chopped away on Hartwell around the turnbuckles. Venuto snapmared Hartwell out of a corner and hit a back kick for another two count. Venuto grabbed the chinlock but Hartwell made it to her feet only for Venuto to send her into the turnbuckles for another two count.

Hartwell was snapmared out of corner again, but this time Venuto hit a seated dropkick for another two count. Venuto grabbed a cravat but Hartwell arose again and hit a jaw breaker to release the hold. Venuto charged the corner but Hartwell eluded that and got a rollup for another two count. Venuto tried to rally again but Hartwell hit the ropes and hit a series of clotheslines. Hartwell hit a spinebuster for two-and-a-fraction. Hartwell tried for the Hurts Donut (Full nelson lifted and spun into a reverse STO) but Venuto blocked it and backed Hartwell into a corner..

However, a Venuto charge was met with a big boot. Venuto countered by ducking a clothesline and hit a cutter for a two count. Another “Indi” chant emerged as Venuto grabbed Hartwell and attempted a reverse DDT. However, Hartwell reversed that into a roll up for a two count. Venuto hit the ropes for another clothesline but Hartwell evaded that. Hartwell grabbed Venuto and NOW we get the Hurts Donut for the victory and a date in the quarterfinals against the winner of the Harley Hudson vs. Thea Hail match next week.

Post Match: Hartwell celebrates in the ring.

One thing not to celebrate are injuries and it is time for the TNA Injury Report brought to you by BioFlex Zone.ify AMC. The Personal Concierge is still suffering from an ocular condition persists and is out (said more seriously than last week,) Lee is still bothered by a leg injury but it is still cleared to wrestle. Allie suffered a neck injury and is out (I thought she was dead, can the dead have neck injuries?) Rehwoldt breaks into the report and give us breaking news that Nic Nemeth told him that he is in the best shape of his life. This has been the injury report.

We get another ad for TNAPlus’ Best of Lockdown and it is the tag match between Beer Money (James Storm and Bobby Roode) vs. the Dudleys. We get highlights of Bubba Ray fighting both members on the ropes when Bubba hit the Bubba Bomb from the top turnbuckle on Roode. Beer Money regain the advantage and beat on Bubba Ray before D-Von reappears and sends Storm into the cage.

We come back to a vignette with Fabian Aichner. We see Aichner walk into a gymnasium and hear Aichner talk about his past. He said when he saw Commando at age five, he wanted to do something special. He said the Italian people are very laid back and yet very happy. The Italians have a saying “you only make the stress for yourself.” We get childhood photos of Aichner. He became a pro skier at age 10. One night, he was channel surfing and discovered pro wrestling and said that was it for him.

There have been a pattern in his life that things have at the right time at the right moment for him and that is the case with TNA. He is someone who won’t stay down. If he sets a goal, he will do everything to achieve it, and that is winning the X-Division title. It would solidify his thought that he is the best wrestler in TNA. He knows that but having the title will prove to others.

What makes X-Division Champion Cedric Alexander a threat is that he is an opportunists but Aichner won’t be intimidated. When they step in the ring, we will see who the better man is. When Aichner steps into the ring, he steps into the ring with a different mentality, one of a gladiator (ergo the nickname “IL Gladiatore.”)

We go back from that to a triple-threat tag match:
The Righteous vs. Leon Slater and Ricky Sosa vs. The System (Bear Bronson and Brian Myers0

We are told by the young lady that the Righteous are coming and the slide guitar and snapping confirm that. We get the standard entrance by the Righteous. The lights go out and the warning buzzer and Alisha Edwards telling us that you can’t beat the System precede the System’s entrance. They head to the ring. We get Sosa’s music next and the crowd chants long with his theme. Speaking of chanting to a theme, the crowd gets the chance to do it again with Slater’s music. Slater and Sosa shake hands with the ringside crowd. The two pose in the ring.

Myers and Slater start the match. Slater got the initial advantage as he hit the ropes and hit a boot and then the spinning kick as Myers blocked another kick. Myers immediately tagged Dutch who tried to hit Slater but Slater evaded it. Slater hit Vincent to the floor but Dutch booted him as he turned around to face him. Dutch threw him to the ropes but Slater hit a handspring back elbow off the ropes (tagging Sosa in the process.) The two hit a series of stereo superkicks on Dutch and sent him to the ropes. Bronson came into the ring but Sosa hit a pop up dropkick on him. Bronson went to the floor. Slater and Sosa got to opposite sides of the ring, faced in each other and leapt over the ropes (Slater took out the Righteous, Sosa did the same to the System.)

The two got the crowd riled as Dutch made his way to the ring and tagged Vincent. Sosa met Vincent with a big dropkick for a two count. Sosa worked the arm and tagged Slater. Slater climbed to the top and hit a double stomp on Vicent’s arm. Slater got Vincent into the corner and hit the 10-punch turnbuckle spot. Sosa tagged and hit a corner clothesline. He chopped away on Vincent and hit a seated dropkick after snapmaring Vincent.

Slater tagged again and the two combined for a running forearm to Vincent in the corner. Slater threw Vincent into a Sosa powerslam. Slater climbed to the top turnbuckle but Myers, followed by Dutch, distracted Slater. Dutch threw Slater to the mat. Vincent hit a Flatliner for a two count. Vincent slugged Slater in the corner and tagged Dutch tagged and hit a series of clotheslines. Dutch tagged Vincent and the tandem hit an assisted splash on Slater for a two count.

Slater staggered into the wrong corner and Dutch grabbed him. Vincent slugged Sosa to the floor and then focused on Slater. Slate beat on Slater and tagged Dutch. Dutch continued to beat on Slater and grabbed the chinlock. Slater tried to rally but Dutch slugged him to the mat. As Dutch continued to beat on Slater, Bronson tagged himself into the match (slapping Dutch’ s back to so.) Dutch took umbrage with that and the two big men traded punches. They went chin-to-chin as Vincent and Myers tried to be voices of reason.

Once order was restored, Bronson continued to attack Slater. Slater tried for the hope crawl between Bronson’s legs but Bronson caught him. Slater tried another spinning kick but Bronson ducked it twice and hit a chokebomb for a two count before Sosa interrupted the pin. Bronson tagged Myers and Myers grabbed the chinlock. Slater tried to rally again and got to his feet. However, Myers threw Slater to the mat.

Myers got to the corner and attempted the Roster Cut (running lariat,) however, Slater met him with a superkick. Myers dropped to the canvas and Slater got the hope crawl and tagged Sosa. Sosa fought off the members of the System and then the Righteous. A spinning kick dropped Bronson. Sosa hit a full nelson slam (!!) on Bronson and then hit the ropes for an Asai Moonsault for a two count until Vincent interrupted the pin,

Vincent grabbed Sosa and Dutch got in the ring to attempt the Orange Sunshine (Assisted springboard cutter by Vincent off Dutch) but Myers grabbed Dutch and dragged him to the floor. Vincent tried to help but Bronson clotheslined Vincent. Myers got in the ring and the System components attacked Sosa. Myers threw Sosa into the Bear Down (Rikishi Driver) by Bronson but Slater got in the ring and helped Sosa escape Bronson.

Slater hit a forearm shiver to Myers and a superkick to Bronson. Vincent hit the ropes and reversed a tilt-a-whirl slam into a Russian Legsweep. Myers climbed to the second rope and speared Vincent but Dutch hit the Death Walks (Bossman slam) on Myers. Bronson recovered and the two big men faced off again chin-to-chin. The two traded shots with Dutch hitting a huge uppercut that sent Bronson to the ropes. However, foolishly, Dutch charged and Bronson grabbed the ropes and Dutch went over the top to the floor, Bronson leapt over the ropes(!!!) and landed on the apron to hit a running spear on Dutch. The continued to brawl on the floor.

Slater, though, recovered in the ring and got himself ready in the corner and hit the leap over the turnbuckles to the floor on the big men. Bronson was thrown back into the ring as Sosa prepped himself in the corner. He did his chant and then hit a huge running back elbow uppercut. Bronson crashed to the mat and Sosa got the pin for his team.

Post-Match: Sosa and Slater embraced and celebrated the win as we get highlights of the final moments. The two posed on the turnbuckles again and did the Sosa chant and dance.

It even happened backstage as Santino Marella did his version of the Sosa chant. Daria Rae came into the shot and asked what the hell Marella was doing (it’s a fair question.) The two start to bicker about it until Ryan Nemeth entered the shot and wanted to talk to Rae. Ryan said he respected her. He said K C Navarro was going to go to ringside (scheduled for later) and say terrible things about his brother and wanted an opportunity to defend the family name. Marella said Navarro had a bad week and let him do his spiel uninterrupted. However, Rae said he could head to ringside to defend himself but not in a fight. Unlike Marella, Rae said some people want to defend their families not have matches against them. Nemeth was thankful and headed out of shot. Marella continued to do the Sosa dance and chant as Rae shook her head and left off shot.

We get the rest of the card, including the next match in the Knockouts TV title tournament after the break.

Hey you; yeah, you. Wear your passion with some stuff from TNAMerch.com. If not, you’re not wearing your fandom well enough.

TNA Knockouts TV Title Tournament: Gaby Forza vs. Jody Threat

What exactly is Forza wearing and why is she carrying a lawn gnome around? It’s a curious look let’s see if her insert promo sheds some light on this. She is “your homie the gnomie” and is the world’s strongest gnome (okay…) she is not here to make friends but win the gold and starts with Jody Threat. Gnome loves gold and she does it for the gnome (okay….) Hannifan tells us there is more to the story (good…) Threat is next and we get the usual histrionic running around the ring and yelling. Hannifan said this is the first time we’ve seen Threat since April. In her insert promo, Threat said she has been missing but she has been hitting the weights and has been preparing. She loves Forza and do things together (okay…) but nothing is going to stand between Threat and the TV title.

Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk up Forza and said there has been a lot of high praise for her. Hannifan said Forza has found a “safe space” in wrestling and others like her in the industry. Rehwoldt said this wild, weird circus of ours excepts all kinds (good point.) Meanwhile, in the ring, a mid-ring collision was no sold by both. Another Threat shoulder block was no sold. Forza hit the ropes but Threat reversed it and now Threat dropped her with a shoulderblock. Threat followed it with a running boot and a series of clotheslines in the corner.

Threat tried to lift Forza but Forza reversed it and lifted Threat over the top but Threat landed on the apron. Threat got the upper hand again and ran Forza into the turnbuckles. Threat got back in the ring and hit another running clothesline for a two count. Threat grabbed a crossface but Forza got to her feet and backed Threat into the corner to release the hold.

Forza hit a huge shoulderblock on Threat in the corner. She lifted Threat in the corner and hit the OklaGnoma Stampede (get it? Because Oklagnoma sounds like Oklahoma…) Forza hit the turnbuckles and a Vader Bomb hit a two count. Forza continued her offense until Threat got a rollup for two. Forza charged Threat and was met with a back elbow on the ropes.

The two traded clotheslines btu gain they were no sold. Threat reversed a clothesline attempt into the Pop..Shove It (Fireman’s carry face buster) but could not lift Forza. Forza charged Threat but Threat tripped Forza and Forza went into the ropes. Threat hit a running Meteora into the ropes and followed it with a German Suplex. Forza went to the apron and Threat hit the ropes and hit a dropkick to send Forza to the floor. Threat followed it with a Cannonball.

Threat high fived the fans and threw Forza into the ring. Threat climbed to the top but Forza avoided a dive. Threat rolled through it but Forza met her with a clothesline and then a powerslam off the ropes. Forza got Threat on her shoulders and hit a spinout rackbomb (similar to Threat’s F Bomb) for two-and-a-fraction. Forza set Threat and climbed to the top for another Vader Bomb but it met nothing but the feet of Threat. Threat followed it with a running bodypress. Threat got Forza on her shoulders and NOW we get the Pop..Shove it for the win.

Post-Match: Threat posed on the turnbuckles and Hannifan and Rehwoldt put over the match and Forza’s effort. Threat’s next opponent will be the winner of the Jada Stone vs. Alisha Edwards match.

We go backstage as Ali is putting on his tie and is talking to someone. He said the person is right – change is needed. Go ahead and set it up – next week is the State of the Order address and attendance is mandatory. We go back to ringside as Hannifan and Rehwoldt talk about who Ali was talking to. We transition to discussion of the main event and we hear from Navarro..after the break.

When we return, we see Navarro walk to the ring to a decent pop. We get highlights of the match last week with Navarro defeating Ryan Nemeth and Nic false attempt to be a peacemaker only to hit Navarro with a Danger Zone.

Navarro said he learned a valuable but hard lesson last week. He spent a lot of time with a man he respected, a man he called his hero. What did he do? He turned on him – not with words, but with a Danger Zone. He asked if Navarro did something wrong or let hm down. Nemeth said he calls himself a man, so why doesn’t he be a man and head down to the ring and tell him why he did what he did.

Sure enough, Nic Nemeth appeared on the rampway. He called Navarro kid and said he did believe in him, much like the fans. And then, Nic thought if he just had some time, he could turn Navarro into the next big star of TNA. But, no one has that much time. Nemeth realized Navarro didn’t deserve to stand near him. He called Navarro kid again and sad he’s good but just doesn’t have it.

Navarro hit his catchphrase (“pardon me,”) and corrected him that he does have it and busted his glutes for 11 years to get to TNA; obviously, he has it. He got title shots because he has it. Navarro just beat his brother, so his brother must not have it, either. Naturally, that brought Ryan to the ring behind Navarro to drop Navarro with a clothesline. Nic made his way in the ring and the brothers Nemeth kneeled next to the fallen Navarro.

Nic said it is easier to say that blood is thicker than water because it is. Navarro doesn’t even belong to stand in his shadow because no one on the roster does. He threatened Navarro and said to never come near him or his family again – just drop it, lose his number and leave Nic alone. With that, the Nemeths left as Navarro slowly made his way to his feet.

We see Lee and Brookside walking backstage to the ring and the main event – after the break.

We come back to the tale of the tape between the two and then the main event.

TNA Knockouts World Title Match: Xia Brookside vs. Lei Ying Lee

Lee is out next with the usual costume and fans, she this her poses and then heads to the ring and poses again on the turnbuckles. Brookside is next and taunts the fans as he heads to the ring. She sneers at the camera and then poses in the ring. However, Lee had enough and hit a dropkick as Brookside posed on the ropes and Brookside tumbled to the floor. Lee instantly attacked Brookside on the floor and taunted Brookside with the belt.

Lee threw Brookside into the ring and the bell rang. Brookside beat an immediate retreat and ran around the ring . Lee caught her and hit a pump that stent Brookside flying on the floor. Lee hit another kick that sent Brookside staggering around the floor. Lee grabbed one of her fans and posed with it. Brookside was on the ring steps and Lee attempted to hit a tornado punch with the fan. However, Brookside moved and Lee hit the steps. Undaunted, she grabbed Brookside and threw her into the ring. Lee stomped on Brookside on the ropes. She hit a huge back elbow off the ropes. Brookside was in the corner but Lee pulled out of the corner into another stomping session and an elbowdrop. Lee continued to beat on Brookside with a series of elbows and a huge knee to the back.

Lee continued to attack the back with a series of forearms and punches. Brookside tried to escape again to the floor. Lee dove between the ropes onto Brookside and dropped her. Brookside begged for mercy as Lee continued to beat on Brookside on the floor.. In the ring, Brookside tried everything but eventually grabbed one of Lee’s fans on the mat. Lee continued her assault with a series of punches and kicks.

Brookside grabbed the momentum as she escaped a Warrior’s Way attempt and struck Lee on the back of the leg with the fan. Brookside posed with the fan and attacked the leg of Lee with the base of the fan (metallic, according to Hannifan.) Brookside continued to attack Lee with the fan and focused on the leg. Brookside repeatedly kicked Lee in the leg and hit a vertical suplex. Brookside went to the floor and looked under the ring and grabbed a belt. She snapped the belt and then got in the ring and stated to whip Lee in the leg with the belt.

She wrapped the belt around the leg of Lee and grabbed a modified STO and pulled on the belt for further damage. Brookside cinched the hold as Lee fended off submitting to the hold. Lee managed to reverse it into a roll up for a two-count but Brookside continued to assault Lee with the belt in the torso. Brookside continued to whip Lee with the belt, even using the belt fastener on the head of Lee.

Brookside continued to attack Lee as Hannifan brought up Brookside’s victory against Rosemary last year in a Monster’s Ball match to show that Brookside learned about her dark side in that match. As he was saying it, Brookside foolishly let go and attempted a Meteora. Lee moved and Brookside bounced off the ropes to the mat. Lee rallied with a round house kick and a rolling kick and a knee lift. Lee favored the leg but continued to rally with a dropkick.

Lee measured Brookside and attempted to run to Brookside in the corner. She ended up limping but got there. An attempted leap on the turnbuckles was too much, so Lee stood on the mat and beat on Brookside. She eventually climbed to the second turnbuckle and NOW we get the 10-punch corner spot (with the crowd loudly counting with her.) She hit an Exploder Suplex and Brookside went to the floor. Lee tried to recover and looked under the ring

. The crowd wanted tables but instead threw a few chairs and a kendo stick into the ring. Lee went to another side of the ring, looked to the crowd and did pull a chair. Lee set up the table and then went after Brookside. She kicked Brookside and rammed her repeatedly into the table. Lee and Brookside got on the apron and Lee tried to hit a powerbomb onto the table but Brookside blocked it and got in the ring. Brookside found herself next to the kendo stick. She grabbed it and struck Lee repeatedly with it. Brookside posed with it and continued to strike Lee with it. Lee and Brookside got on the apron and Brookside climbed the turnbuckle to choke Lee with the kendo stick.

Brookside went to the floor and grabbed the TNA Knockouts title. The crowd continued to chant they wanted tables as Brookside turned the table over to spite the crowd. However, Lee recovered and Lee dove on Brookside. Lee threw Brookside into the ring and repeatedly hit her with a chair in the corner and around the ring. Lee grabbed the belt and positioned it next to Brookside.

Brookside momentarily fended Lee and tried to hit her finisher (Darkside) but Lee returned with a running pump kick. Lee gathered the chairs in the corner and put Brookside on top of them. Lee climbed to the top and attempted a Phoenix Splash but Brookside moved and Lee crashed into the chairs. Brookside grabbed her belt and hit a running shot with it to get a two count. The two were exhausted but continued to brawl. They traded shots but lee got the best of it. However, as Lee got riled to hit her one last time with the knockout shot. Brookside grabbed the chair and put in front of her. Lee hit nothing but chair and sold the pain. Brookside put the chair down and NOW we get the Darkside (DDT) on the chair for the victory.

Post-Match: Brookside glared at the camera and then posed in the ring with the belt held high. She posed with her boot on Lee with the belt. Brookside exited the ring as Lee sold the beating as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: The second half of the show was much better than the first half. There was nothing bad in the first but the second finished with three good high notes. The main event was solid and Brookside is really scoring as the top heel. In a No DQ match, all finishes technically are clean, but that was a nice, clean finish and show they have faith in her. I am not sure what we do with Lee, though. I know they made a big production about her contract last year but it sort of felt like her contract might be ending soon and she is looking to bolt. Losing in a no DQ match does not bode well. However, Brookside wrestled a great match and is rapidly becoming one of my favorite females to watch in wrestling.

Two: Let’s stay with the females for a moment. I was seriously questioning Forza and her very independent wrestling gimmick. I have never been a fan of Threat, either. But wow, they put on a heck of a match and the best match of the night. Those were some great power moves and I did a full 180 on Forza (Threat, too.) IT would not be the worst thing to see Forza get a contract and possibly – possibly – forming a team with Threat. Those two had great chemistry in the ring and the backstory provided showed it.

Three: Nemeth is perfectly cromulent but he always excelled on the mic. The performance tonight was great and it gave a real sense of threat compared to just being a cocky heel. Navarro did a great job in his role and showed he has the chops to carry a fired-up babyface promo without dipping into humor. Great segment all around.

Four: Now for some downsides, I read the spoilers and know who the surprise will be in the Order Four “State of the Order” segment next week. We wanted new stars, sure; but this choice is not….great. This person might grow into the role but there is a lot of climbing to be done.

Five: The Hartwell vs. Venuto match was uneven and as much as I was impressed with Forza, I was underwhelmed by Venuto. There were some rough spots in that match. Hartwell is always solid and, despite a somewhat nondescript mic style, people really gravitate to her.

Six: The Aichner vignette was nice and harkened back the days of yore (the choice of Commando was odd but he was five.) I read the spoilers for the match next week with Alexander and it is…a choice. I do like giving Aichner a chance to do his thing as I like his work a lot.

Seven: It is a squandering of talent to make Sosa and Slater a tag team but they are – behind the nostalgia fueled love of the Hardys – the most popular tandem in TNA if they go after tag team title glory. I would keep both as singles competition unless you have a big plan for that. But, they were incredibly fluid together.

Eight: I was hoping the Great Hands would win but knew in my mind it would not happen (being in the ring w/out intro was a hint.) I wonder what happens after the big announcement next week and if they go somewhere or turn face.

Nine: The hoss match between Francis and Moose would be interesting. Having Moose against the likes of Kazarian is not a bad way to go and keeps them at least earning a payday. Francis and Expressions will be great together but how does it translate down the road?

10: Also, stop saying “mark,” Kazarian. It lost its edginess around the same time “Gilmore Girls” was a brand new show.

11: I am curious if they pull off the heel vs. heel dynamic of the System vs. the Righteous. I would love to see the Righteous do anything to advance themselves.

12: I really don’t need to see Elijah in the world title picture.

Lastly: We are just burning through sponsors for the injury report. At what point does the Blog of Doom make an offer?

Fight The Good Fight