TNA Impact Review – August 20, 2026

Greetings, everyone, and welcome to another installment of TNA Impact. We are in the countdown to Lockdown (not the Lil’ Kim album or the Mick Foley book) but the last pay per view until Bound For Glory. We are at the last taping cycle at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA on the campus of Temple University. We have two wise owls on commentary with Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt, Gia Miller handles the backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell is our (momentarily terrified) ring announcer (details later.) But fear not, I am here to guide you through this. So, sit back, relax, enjoy some German Chocolate Cake (sorry, that’s my birthday cake; but if you’re in the Houston area, stop by and I’ll save you a slice) and get ready for some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

(As always, take some time, read, enjoy and comment on my fellow reviewers for this site. We appreciate every comment and view of our work. It means a lot to all of us. Now…..our feature presentation.)

Previously on Impact, we get highlights of the Order Four vs. BDE, Rich Swann and the returning Trey Miguel. We also get highlights of Nic Nemeth defeat Jeff Hardy after blocking the Swanton Bomb and hitting the Danger Zone.

We go right to arial shots of Philadelphia and Mustafa Ali and Order Four in the ring. He greets the citizens of TNA and politely asked for quiet as he addressed the problem and crisis in TNA. He referred to the new TNA International Champion, Jason Hotch, who beat Ali for the title. Moreover, he did in front of his wife, daughter and in front of the fans in Philadelphia.
But Hotch is not a good man, he is not the man of the house – Ali is. The toys his daughter plays and the clothes his wife wears is because of him. Despite all that Ali did for him, Hotch stabbed him in the back. A “you deserve it” chant emerged. Ali disagreed what he deserves is loyql6y.

He turned to Hotch’s partner in the great hands, John Skyler. Ali said Skyler has been one of the most loyal people and tonight, he can prove it. He spoke to Daria Rae and tonight, Skyler faces Hotch. It will be for more than the International Title; it will be for loyalty. Because, in Ali we trust. Ali’s music played and Agent Zero opened the ropes for him and Mila Moore. Skyler and Tasha Steelz stood in the ring flummoxed about the situation.

We cut backstage to Hoth watching on the TV screen. Miller came to him and reiterated what we just saw and went over what Hotch is facing. How does Hotch feel about this? Hotch said he doesn’t know how to feel about this or could find the words. Skyler was his best friend and considers him family – his daughter calls him “Uncle John.” They have gone to hell and back together.

This is about Ali and he thinks he makes the rules but all is he does is talk too much (cue the Run DMC drop and page Maffew.) He is not going to fight Skyler because that is his brother. That brought Rae in to the shot. She said this might be new to him but he is going to face Skyler tonight. Because, what the SUIT says, goes. If he doesn’t he may face suspension and being stripped of his title. Rae walked off the shot and now it is Hotch and Miller adopting flummoxed looks.

We get a quick intro from Hannifan and Rehwoldt and go back to the ring to our first match:

Rich Swann vs. Mr. Elegance (with the By Elegance Brand in tow)

Swann danced his way to the ring and in the ring. He actually frightened Mitchell, who screamed as he came close to get the crowd riled, thinking he was going to collide with her. One thing that will get the crowd riled is the Personal Concierge, who wanted our attention twice. He may not be able to see the crowd but he can smell them – and the odor is formaldehyde, which is what they used in handling dead people. That’s appropriate because the crowd is a bunch of corpses. He introduced Mr. Elegance with the rest of the By Elegance Brand a few steps behind him. Mr. Elegance posed in the ring (without scaring Mitchell.)

Mr. Elegance started the match with a wide headlock and a shoulder block. After a series of criss crosses, Swann flipped over Mr. E and hit a dropkick rebounding off the ropes. Swann tried to get the crowd riled (without scaring Mitchell.) However, M by Elegance got in the ring to distract him and Heather by Elegance attacked him, eventually hitting a tilt-a-whirl DDT. That gave Mr. Elegance a chance to hit a spinebuster. Mr. Elegance mauled Swann on the mat and started to wring the ears of Swann (honestly, never seen that previously.)

Mr. E continued the assault with a clothesline to the back of the head and then a vertical suplex. He followed it with a long delayed suplex (really long) for another two count. Mr. Elegance grabbed a full nelson as Swann tried to escape. Swahn eventually escaped but was met with a series of knees to the abdomen and a pop-up forearm smash off the ropes.

Swann avoided running into the turnbuckles and backdropped over a leaping Mr. E. However, Mr. Elegance got behind Swann and hit a German suplex followed by a lariat for a two count. Mr. E continued the onslaught with a series of knees to the torso.

Swann started to rally by thwarting Mr. E with a series of kicks. He hit a rolling flying clothesline that dropped Mr. E and the rally was in full effect. Swann landed a series of punches and kicks and put Mr. E on the mat with a buzzsaw kick. Swann hit a rolling splash for a two count. Mr. E went to the apron and regained some momentum. He grabbed Swann by the arm and ran him into the ropes and then followed it by dropping Swann onto his knees after leaping over the ropes to the mat. Mr. E taunted Swann and set up for the Excusez-Moi (Swinging reverse STO into a DDT); however, in the midst of taunting the move, Swann managed to escape and grabbed a reverse roll up for the victory.

Post-Match: we got a replay of the pin but HOLD EVERYTHING, here is the Righteous standing on the rampway watching Swann and BDE as the By Elegance protested on the floor.

We get the rest of the card including the Lethal Lockdown advantage match between Brian Myers and Fabian Aichner, an eight-man tag match and the other semi-final of the Knockouts TV title tournament and that is…after the break.

When we return, we a glimpse of the brackets for the tournament and go right to the introductions

Knockouts TV Tournament Semi-Final: Heather By Elegance (with the By Elegance Brand in Tow) vs. Jada Stone

Heather sashayed her way to the ring with the By Elegance and posed on the turnbuckles. Stone did her standard acrobatic way to (and in) the ring and also posed on the turnbuckles. When the bell rang, Stone was momentarily distracted by the Brand but was aware to evade a charging Heather and hit a back kick to drop her opponent. Stone and Heather traded pin attempts Heather avoided a 619 attempt; Stone reciprocated by matrix dodging a clothesline into a headscissors into the corner. However, Heather evaded a charge by Stone into the corner. Stone recovered and hit a seated dropkick for a two count.

Stone leapt over the ropes and prepared herself for a springboard body press but Heather hit the ropes and Stone crashed to the mat. Heather posed and taunted the fans. She choked Stone on the ropes with her boot and mauled Stone in the corner. Heather put the boots to Stone and repeatedly stomped her in the corner. After some effort, Heather hit a vertical suplex for a two count.

Stone tried to rally but Heather continue to maul Stone. She threw Stone into the corner and Stone crashed to the mat to the delight of the By Elegance brand. Heather followed that by throwing Stone to the mat hair first and hitting a strait jacket chin lock. Stone escaped with a hip toss and evaded a charge into the corner by Heather. Stone continued to rally with a clothesline off the ropes and booted Heather in the corner. A split-legged moonsault got another two count. Stone attempted the Spark Stunner (and handspring stunner off the ropes) but Heather followed her and clotheslined her during the handspring.

Heather hit a neck twist her boots on the apron. Heather climbed to the top rope for the double stomp but Stone evaded it. She grabbed a crucifix cradle for a two count. The two traded repeated cradle and pin attempts again with Stone getting the better with a double foot stomp of her own from a reverse cradle. Heather crawled to the apron but Stone continued to attack. Heather grabbed Stone and slugged her on the apron. The two started to trade shots and Stone got the better of the two. Stone tried a piledriver on the apron but Heather reversed it into a German Suplex on the apron.

Heather measured Stone and charged but Stone recovered to hit a hurincanrana on Heather to the floor. With M by Elegance screeching for Heather to recover, the two laid prone on the floor. The referee started to count but both wrestlers made it into the ring at the count of nine. Stone got in the ring first and hit the ropes and (barely) hit the Spark Stunner on Heather for the win and a trip to the finals.

Post-Match: Stone posed in the ring and got the crowd riled as Hannifan went over the brackets. The finals take place next week in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

We go to a backstage segment with Elayna Black in a brightly lit room. She said she doesn’t know why Santino Marella is making her do this but it is what it is. It is a zoom call with TNA Knockouts World Champ Xia Brookside. The champ said she has some nerve after what Black did last week in makeup (giving her a clown-adjacent make up look.) Black said she had some harmless fun at her expense because that’s what Black does. She thought Brookside was in need of some humility. When it comes to Lockdown, it is no longer fun and games – it is just her and Brookside.

Brookside said if Black thought what she did was humiliating; however, truthfully, it is just a desperate cry for attention. Since Black got to TNA, she has barking up every tree and uttering nonsense that she is the greatest Knockout in TNA history. If she thinks she can say that without holding the TNA title, she is simply lying to herself.

Black said the only thing that’s desperate is Brookside trying to hyper herself up when her days are numbered. Black’s claims of being the best Knockout in history will come true in her hometown of Chicago on Sunday. There’s nothing she won’t do to walk out with the TNA title. Brookside said if she did what Black did by walking around saying she is the best Knockout in history, she would be telling the truth. Lei Ying Lee found out the hard way and we’ll never see her again. She sent Wendy Choo packing back to NXT. Everyone who thought the had a chance against Brookside were left laying on the mat, just like Black will be. At Lockdown, her embarrassment will continue in front of her family and friends. Brookside promptly ended the meeting. Black said she can’t wait to shut this female dog.

We get a rundown of the rest of the card with the Lethal Lockdown advantage match…after the break.

We come back to Mr. Elegance staring into a mirror lamenting that he couldn’t believe he lost. The undefeated streak is done. Heather couldn’t believe he lost. M said this is unacceptable because it was supposed to be Heather vs. M in the finals of the tournament. The PC tried to be the voice of reason. He said at Lockdown the Brand will be the tag champs since Rosemary is MIA. Then, M (despite leaning and “looking” at Heather) will be the first Knockouts TV title holder (they turned PC to face M.) They have this and it will be the Empire of the Elegance as they wander out of the shot.

Lethal Lockdown Advantage Match: Brian Myers vs. Fabian Aichner

Myers sadly gets the “already in the ring” treatment as we get most of Aichner’s introduction. Aichner climbed into the ring and Myers instantly mauled him in the corner. Myers whipped Aichner hard into the turnbuckles and then hit a double forearm smash off the ropes. Hannifin gave the rules of the Lethal Lockdown match (think War Games.) Myers continued to beat on Aichner.

Aichner finally started a rally by hitting a back elbow to a charging Myers and then climbed on the second turnbuckle and hit a double axe handle. Myers escaped Aichner putting him on his shoulders but Aichner responded with a clothesline. Myers bailed to the floor but Aichner slid under the ropes and hit a dropkick. He followed it with a springboard reverse bodypress to the floor. Aichner threw Myers back into the ring. Aichner ran Myers into all four turnbuckles and got the 10-punch turnbuckle spot.

Aichner got another two count with a vertical suplex. Myers and Aichner started to brawl on the apron – Myers blocked another suplex attempt and landed a superkick. Aichner was prone on the floor and the referee started the count. Much like the previous match, Aichner just beat the count. Myers yelled about a slow count but mauled Aichner, choking him in the ropes with his leg. Myers followed that with a chinlock.

Aichner tried to rally but Myers hit a flying knee off the ropes for a two count before another choke on the ropes with his leg. Myers hit a belly-to-back suplex for another two count. Myers put the boots to Aichner in the corner before hitting another chinlock. Aichner escaped, hit the ropes and hit a hard charging bodypress of the ropes that folded Myers. Aichner continued to rally with a series of kicks and another springboard reverse body press.

Aichner got Myers on his shoulders and hit a rolling slam before leaping onto the turnbuckles and hitting a moonsault for a two count. Aichner got Myers into position for a powerbomb but Myers stomped on Aichner’s foot and then hit an enziguri. An implant DDT got a two count. Myers got to the corner and set Aichner for the Roster Cut (running lariat.) However, Aichner kicked Myers as he charged and then threw Myers to the floor. Aichner climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a bodypress to the floor. Aichner hit a springboard DDT for two-and-a-fraction.

Aichner lifted into a reverse suplex and then locked La Fina (submission crossface.) Myers crawled toward the ropes and eventually grabbed it. On the referee break, Myers fell to the floor as Myes got to his feet and threw Myers back into the ring again. However, as Aichner tried to climb back into the ring, Myers kicked the rope into Aichner’s groin. Myers hit the ropes and speared the stumbling Aichner for a two count.

Myers readied for another attempt at the Roster Cut but Aichner reversed it and ran Myers into the corner where the referee was. We were spared a ref bump; however, Myers blocked the referee’s vision and hit a low blow with a reverse kick. NOW, we get the Roster Cut for the victory.

Post-Match: Myers celebrated as Hannifan noted that the System now has the advantage in the Lethal Lockdown match on Sunday.

Speaking of advantages and disadvantages, it is now time for the A-Game Hydration TNA Injury Report. Jeff Hardy is dealing with lower back pain from his match last week against Nic Nemeth. He is not 100 percent but is cleared for action (which is good because he is in the main event.) The medical staff is getting ready for the potential rash of injuries from Sunday’s card as all matches are in a steel cage. Hannifan sarcastically and reluctantly threw it to Rehwoldt for our weekly report on Nic Nemeth. Remember how you felt on the best day of your life? Now, stretch that out, slap your mother with it and multiply it by a thousand because that’s how Nemeth feels right now.

We come back to a face time call to Harley Hudson from Traci Brooks. Traci asked how Harley it was going. Harley didn’t know where to start, but did so mentioning Daria telling Santino that she wanted to terminate Hudson’s contract. She has a match with Alisha Edwards and is pretty sure if she loses this match, she is done in TNA (that actually is what she said so we can drop the “pretty” in “pretty sure.”) Hudson is scared and is feeling a lot of pressure.

Brooks responded that she is sorry all this is happening to her but the biggest thing she forgot is that she is a TNA Knockout and what it takes to be that – not everyone can be that. She talked about the history and what it has done for women’s wrestling. TNA gave her a contract. Brooks believes in her, as does the fans. The company believes her and she should believe in herself. If she puts that together with her strength and talent, she will be unstoppable. She needs to remember who she is.

Hudson agreed that and that fingers cross, she wins. Brooks said she believes in her and loves her. Hudson reciprocated and the call ended.

John Skyler vs. Jason Hotch

We go right from the call to the match as Skyler strikes the Order Four pose in the ring reluctantly. We get the old Hotch theme (Top Notch) as Hotch makes his way on the rampway and riles up the crowd. He made his way to the ring with camera effects and shakes hands with the crowd along ringside. Hotch and Skyler faced each other before Hotch grabbed the mic. He said Skyler is like family to him and that he opened his home to him and it is reciprocated. Both hands are being forced and the reality of it is that if he doesn’t defend the title, he will be stripped of it.

However, they don’t have to beat the crap out of each other but give the great fans of Philadelphia a match to show what TNA is (a “TNA” chant emerged.) The bell rang and sportsmanship is observed. Hotch got the advantage with a wristlock but both wrestlers soon traded reverses and armlocks. Hotch took Skyler down with a tackle for a two count – Skyler di the same after a leg sweep.

The two locked up and Hotch got another headlock and then hit a hurincanrana after hitting the ropes. Skyler tried a headlock takedown but Hotch reversed it with a headscissors. Skyler mirrored the same moveset. Skyler got the advantage by throwing Hotch to the mat by his arm. Meanwhile, in a picture and picture, the rest of Order Four were watching with Ali getting annoyed and dispatched Mila Moore to the ring. Ali was visibly upset at the action but Moore got the house mic and admonished Hotch that this was not the assignment. “Mister” Ali didn’t send Skyler to the ring to wrestle Hotch. “Mister” Ali sent him there to take Hotch out. Skyler looked flummoxed while working the arm and the distraction gave Hotch an opportunity to armdrag Skyler and hit a powerslam. Hotch climbed to the top rope but Ali’s theme hit as extra servicemen ran to the ring and surrounded it. In the midst of the commotion, the referee threw out the match.

Skyler made his way to the floor as Hotch attacked the Servicemen when they climbed on the apron one at a time (should’ve made a collective effort.) Hotch thwarted all the extra servicemen until Agent Zero made his way and dropped Hotch. Ali made his way to the ring and stood over Hotch and verbally admonished Hotch. He grabbed the title and yelled “In Ali, we trust.” He continued to badmouth Hotch before throwing the title on Hotch. Ali and Zero left the ring as Hotch slowly regained his senses and we regained our capitalistic ways and went to commercials.

We come back to a vignette with the Righteous. Vincent said strength has never come from one flower. It’s always been in the garden. BDE is young lad who believes in strength in numbers. But, do the numbers believe in him? Lockdown isn’t a prison – it’s a doorway. And the only thing standing in his way is Rich Swann. Dutch said now he has a chance to remove that hurdle and open that door because they will show him the way. They’ll still get him there, some lessons are taught with open hands whilst others, well, maybe they’ll show him.

Vincent said the seeds have been planted so let’s see if he grows from it. For Dutch is Righteous and Vincent is many. Dig what he is saying?

Harley Hudson vs. Alisha Edwards (with Eddie Edwards in tow)

The warning buzzer and Alisha telling us that we can’t beat the System heralds the Edwards to ringside. We go to Hannifan and Rehwoldt who have a special guest with them – Rae. Hannifan went over the situation with Hudson and her potential firing. Rae complimented him on listening and greeting Rehwoldt and said he is a lovely guy. When pressed by Hannifan why Hudson is on the chopping block, Rae went over her wins and loss record and said it was bad for business.

Hudson came to the ring and struck her pose before remembering the situation and reverted back to being unsure of herself. She did some plyometric pushups and the bell rang. Alisha put the badmouth on her and started to shove Hudson. Hudson responded with a rollup for a two count. Hudson shoved Edwards down but Eddwards responded with a slap and a series of chops on the ropes.

Hudson responded with a series of forearms smashes and a shoulder block off the ropes. She got a series of rollups for a two count and a jaw breaker staggered Edwards to the ropes. Hudson slid under the ropes and grabbed Edwards’ legs, dropping her to the mat. Hudson spun Edwards around and hit a forearm smash on the apron. Hudson attacked Alisha on the ropes but a distraction by Eddie worked and Alisha ran Hudson to the ringpost.

Edwards threw Hudson back into the ring and taunted Hudson. Edwards chopped away in the corner and dropped Hudson with a series of boots and choked her in the corner with her boot. She continued to maul and taunted Hudson. She once again chopped away on Hudson in the corner and hit a running back elbow and a running sliding bodypress in the corner for another two count.

Edwards continued to maul Hudson in the corner. Edwards taunted the crowd and was primed to hit another running back elbow but Hudson met her with a boot. Hudson fended off an Eddie Edwards distraction and avoided a charging Edwards. Hudson responded with a series of chops and punches. Hudson got ready to run the ropes but Alisha grabbed her hair and yanked her to the mat.

Edwards mauled Hudson once again in the corner as Hannifan and Rae sparred on what Rae was doing both with Hudson and TNA, in general. Rae responded that since she took over, ticket sales have never been higher (well…..) Meanwhile, Hudson rallied again with a clothesline out of the corner and a running boot off the ropes. Hudson slammed Alisha into the turnbuckles and hit two hip attacks in the corner. Hudson lifted Edwards and hit an exploder suplex.

Hudson got the crowd riled and hit a running back elbow. But, Edwards used a eye rake to thwart the rally. Edwards grabbed Hudson and hit the D-Lish (guillotine neckbreaker) for two-and-a-fraction. Alisha was visibly frustrated but put the badmouth on Hudson as Hudson started to (whatever the Liverpool version of Hulking up is.) She slapped Edwards but Edwards continued to attack. However, Edwards attempted a butterfly suplex but Hudson reversed it into rollup and the victory.

Post-Match: Alisha Edwards attacked Hudson and called for Eddie Edwards. Eddie picked up Hudson but Stone ran to ringside. Stone avoided Eddie and superkicked Alisha. Eddie tried to chase her but Stone ducked and Eddie flew through the ropes. Stone went to help Hudson and the two celebrated Hudson’s win in the ring as the Edwards threatened both of them as we are threatened with commercials.

We come back to Lockdown hype, most notably for the X-Division title match between Cedric Alexander vs. Leon Slater. We get segments of Alexander’s sit-down promo with Slater. We also get Slater’s promo last week on Alexander with the stipulation that if Alexander wins, Slater’s record is erased from history.

We get hype for two Hardy Parties (Friday in Milwaukee – Algonquin for “the good land” – and Saturday in Chicago.) Lockdown is set for Sunday at 4PM CST. The Pre-game match has the Righteous vs. Swann and BDE and Trey Miguel vs. Special Agent Zero. On the main show, it is Alexander vs. Slater in a last man standing match, It is the By Elegance Brand challenging Allie and ??? for (what was DemonxBunny’s) TNA Knockouts Tag title, It is the International Match between Hotch and Ali, it is Black vs. Brookside for the TNA Knockouts World Title, it’s the Lethal Lockdown featuring the System (Bear Bronson, Myers and the Edwards’) vs. Aichner, Stone, Ricky Sosa and K C Navarro, Elijah vs. A J Francis, Moose vs. Frankie Kazarian in “Escape the Cage” match and the Hardys face the Nemeths for the TNA World Tag Team Title.

Eight Man Tag Action: The Nemeths (Nic and Ryan,) A J Francis and Frankie Kazarian vs. The Hardys (Matt and Jeff,) Elijah and Moose

We get the Nemeths theme as the brothers strut their way to ringside. We go to break and when we come back and the rest of the heels are in the ring. For the faces, Moose is already there. We hear the guitar strum and it’s Elijah (with the full introduction,) we get Matt Hardy in the goat mask and your Matter of Fact – Matt has more friends than the opponents combined. Jeff joined him on the rampway in his own goat mask. The two have separate music but when they hit the ring the normal music cues and they shake hands with the ringside fans.

Kazarian and Jeff Hardy start with Kazarian getting the initial advantage. However, Kazarian outthought himself after being thrown into the corner and leapt. Hardy did not charge but waited for him to land. Hardy then started to beat on “The King.” A bodysplash got a two count and Moose tagged into the match. Kazarian quickly bailed and tagged Ryan. Nemeth hit Moose, who no-sold it. Moose chopped Ryan and tagged Elijah. Elijah chopped Ryan and beat him in the corner. Elijah grabbed an armlock and whipped Ryan into the corner. Elijah climbed o the top rope and hit the “Walk With Elijah” top rope walk into a forearm smash. Elijah followed that with an F5 for a two count until Kazarian interrupted the pin.

All eight combatants got involved in the fracas as the schmozapalooza started. All four faces hit the descending turnbuckle smash on their opponents who bailed to the ring and the faces celebrated in the ring. All four faces did the “Delete” chant and gesture. Someone threw a bottle into the ring (Kazarian, maybe?) the ref cleared the ring as the crowd chanted that they wanted tables (well, go to HomeGoods, they have plenty of them there.) On the floor, Elijah and Ryan started to brawl and Elijah threw Ryan into the ring steps. Elijah looked for something under the ring but Ryan recovered and attacked. However, Elijah regained the upper hand and hit Ryan with a forearm smash on the apron.

Ryan eye raked Elijah and tagged Kazarian, who was met with a huge back body drop. Elijah beat on Kazarian and tagged Matt. The two put the boots to Kazarian in the corner. Jeff tagged and the beatdown on Kazarian continued. Elijah tagged back in the match and a double back elbow got a two count, Elijah climbed the turnbuckle and hit another “walk with Elijah” rope walk and another forearm smash. However, Kazarian threw Elijah into the ropes and Francis grabbed Elijah by the hair to distract him. That gave Kazarian time to hit the ropes and land a dropkick. Kazarian started to beat on Elijah.

Kazarian beat on Elijah in the corner and grabbed a cravat hold. A loud “A J” sucks chant emerged as Kazarian cinched in the hold. Elijah made it to his feet and started to slug Kazarian in the torso. Elijah threw Kazarian into the ropes but Kazarian backflipped over Elijah; however, he was met with a sitout chokeslam.

Elijah and Kazarian were on the mat but Elijah got the hope crawl and tagged Moose (Kazarian tagged Nic.) Moose was on fire as he beat on Nic and hit a series of running forearms on Nic. On the last one, Ryan tried to save his brother but was met with the urinagi/senton combination from Moose. Another running elbow was met with a Nic elbow smash. However, Nic scaled the turnbuckles but Moose got him and hit the Go to Hell choke bomb on him for a two count.

Matt tagged into the match and Matt hit a running forearm smash in the corner. Matt got on all fours and Moose hit the Poetry in Motion (!!) on Nic (Rehwoldt called it Poetry in “Moostion”.) Matt hit the Side Effect for a two count. Moose climbed to the second turnbuckle but Ryan distracted Matt. That gave Nic time to recover and slam Matt’s neck into the ropes and Nic hit the superkick. Ryan tagged and mauled Matt on the mat. Ryan taunted the Hardy dance and started to rake his forearm across Matt’s eyes.

Kazarian tagged and continued to beat on Hardy. He attempted his own Twist of Fate but Matt pushed him to the ropes and the two hit simultaneous clothesline and dropped to the mat. Kazarian had the wherewithal to hold on to Matt’s leg to prevent the tag whilst tagging Francis. Francis put the boots to Matt (BTW, Francis is wearing classic Washington Commanders’ colors.) Francis hit a running splash on Hardy in the corner. He got Hardy into the position and hit the Tennessee Whiskey running knee into the corner,

Francis ran into the ring and leveled the other faces to prevent a tag. Francis hit the World’s Strongest Slam on Matt and put Matt on the turnbuckles. Francis climbed the turnbuckles but Hardy fended off any offense and hit an avalanche Side Effect on Francis. Matt staggered around the ring but tagged Jeff. Jeff fended off the heels and hit the inverted atomic drop on both Nemeths (he completed the Wishbone legdrop, seated dropkick and elbow drop on Ryan.) Nic tried to regain the momentum but a corner charge was met with a back elbow. Both Nemeths gathered in the corner as Jeff climbed to the top and hit the Whisper in the Wind on the brothers.

Kazarian tried to stop Jeff with a kick but Moose sent him to the floor with a running big boot. He leapt over the ropes to drop Kazarian. However, in the ring, Francis hit the TFL (spear) on Matt for a two count until Elijah interrupted the pin. Francis grabbed Elijah and attempted the Down Payment (chokeslam) but Elijah hit a knee strike to escape. Matt got back in the ring and hit the Twist of Fate on Francis. Naturally, Jeff recovered and climbed to the top and hit the Swanton Bomb for the victory.

Post-Match: The faces celebrated in the ring as Hannifan hyped Lockdown but Rehwoldt interrupted him that something happened backstage. We cut and see Alexander laid out in the back. Rehwoldt noted “First Moose, now Alexander, what the hell is happening?” and we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: The main event was a “send the folks home happy” match. I don’t see the Nemeths seriously challenging the Hardys and taking the tag titles. The one thing that I am curious was the very last shot. Someone laid out Moose and Alexander. There are some interesting possibilities to who it could be if it does go anywhere.

Two: Hudson got the fluke victory as should be the case here. Edwards can stand to eat the pin since she is predominantly a mouthpiece (despite Hannifin reminding us she is a former tag-team titlist.) However, Hudson still seems unsure of herself in the ring. Actually, more inconsistent, there are moments where it clicks but then she seems stilted right after that. More reps would be great to make for a more consistent, fluid wrestling style.)

Three: M by Elegance should win the tournament next week. She is far more fluid than Stone who has good character and natural ability but still is having some difficulty in the ring. She literally had to look back and measure where she was for the Spark Stunner. For now, I would be content to have M win and have Stone pick up more work before challenging for the title. But, we still have a dearth of talent on the faces side so Stone is being thrust again into greatness.

Four: Myers got the win tonight (and after me balking about it last week.) He has the demeanor of an old-school heel and would fit in during the territories. Conventional wisdom would indicate that the heels won tonight; ergo, the faces go over during the Lethal Lockdown match.

Five: I don’t think anyone expected anything truly different in the Hotch vs. Skyler match. This does leave Skyler in a weird predicament. If they keep the title on Hotch, where does he fit? Does he get a new partner? Does he strike out alone (a great hand, per se)? Hotch looked really good in the moments he wrestled in the match.

Six: One thing about the Ali promo. It was fine but there is an interview on TNA social media with Ali that is much better than what we saw tonight. I said it a few weeks ago but I want to reiterate that I really don’t like it when companies save good promos for social media. That Ali interview really dictated the gravitas of what Ali was doing and what is going to happen to Hotch.

Seven: I feel like it is too late for Black to change her way of doing promos but Brookside is starting to creep into the same cadence in her speech. The program between the two is quite underwhelming. It’s a shame because Brookside was on a decent run up to this point.

Eight: I do hope that was not the last time we see Lee was in her match with Brookside. The division could really use her talent right now.

Nine: Speaking of disappearances, Rosemary makes the big return on Sunday, doesn’t she?

10: The Righteous cut a good promo – no surprise. But, have they fallen that far that they face Swann and BDE on Sunday. I wouldn’t put it past TNA to give Swann and BDE the victory. I am curious if they manage to bring BDE into the Righteous fold. It would give him something to do and hopefully score some wins.

11: Of course, all this would be far more intriguing if the Righteous were on the Washington Generals side of the Hardys Harlem Globetrotters. We really burned that too quickly.

12: I am not looking forward to the Lethal Lockdown match. I didn’t last year and it just seemed like gratuitous spots for no real reason.

13: It does show TNA knows who butters the bread when the world title is not the main event, but the Hardys tag title match is.

14: Something has been gnawing at me and it struck me what it was today about the announce crew (note, maybe it’s just me.) There are dozens of questions Miller could ask a wrestler but she continually asks the same one or two: “How are you feeling?” What is your mindset?” I know it’s pro wrestling but, much like interview cadence and natural feel of promos, varying the questions would give a more professional feel.

Lastly: Watch out, McKenzie!!!

Until Lockdown, Keep fighting the good fight.