TNA Lockdown Review – August 23, 2026

For the first time in 10 years and eight months, TNA is dusting off the Lockdown pay-per-view in Chicago, Illinois at the Credit Union 1 arena. For those not in the know, it is called that because every match is held in the (not-so) friendly confides of Wrigley Field a steel cage. We might not be besieged by “C M Punk” chants (those are the other guys or the other, other guys,) but to keep us going we have Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rewholdt behind the mic giving us the action, Gia Miller is handling backstage (and doing crowd work – poor thing.) duties and NOT McKenzie Mitchell is telling us who is who in the ring. So, sit back and relax, try to avoid staring at the paintings in the Art Institute of Chicago, get a slice of Chicago Style Pizza and getting ready for some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall. Well, you don’t have any choice BECAUSE YOU ARE IN LOCKDOWN.

(note: I will try to avoid most of the pre-game stuff, sans the matches. But, fun fact, Chris Bey wrote the theme for Lockdown.)

Tonight’s card incudes:

TNA World Tag Team Championships (Tornado Rules:) Matt and Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Ryan & Nic Nemeth

TNA X Division Championship: Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Leon Slater (Last Man Standing)

TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championships: Allie and a mysterious partner (c) vs. The Elegance Brand (Heather by Elegance & M by Elegance)

TNA International Championship: Jason Hotch (c) vs. Mustafa Ali

Escape The Cage: Moose vs. Frankie Kazarian

TNA Knockouts Championship: Xia Brookside (c) vs. Elayna Black

Lethal Lockdown: The System (Eddie Edwards, Bear Bronson, Brian Myers & Alisha Edwards) vs. Ricky Sosa, K.C. Navarro, Jada Stone, and Fabian Aichner

Final Encore: AJ Francis vs. Elijah

The Righteous vs. BDE and Rich Swann (for pregame)

Agent Zero vs. Trey Miguel (for pregame)

Pre-game festivities begin almost immediately with our first match:

The Righteous (Dutch and Vincent) vs. BDE and Rich Swann

The young lady in the video, as always, tells us “The Righteous are coming” and the slide guitar with snapping confirm that. The crowd is fairly muted for their entrance. Swann and BDE are next and get a slight pop and get the crowd riled with their music and tandem choreography.

Vincent and Swann start and Vincent immediately started to maul Swann with a serie3s of fists and clothesline. Swann avoided a clothesline off the ropes and a corner charge to hit a leaping clothesline of his own. BDE tagged and the two hit a code breaker double stomp combination into an assisted flapjack for a two count.

Meanwhile, we don’t hear the Hannifan or Rehwoldt call the action. In the ring, the action spoke for itself as BDE hit a series of kicks and got the crowd riled. Dutch got the blind tag and met BDE with a forearm shiver as BDE attempted a top turnbuckle reverse body press. Dutch now mauled BDE on the mat and flung him into the turnbuckles twice. Vincent tagged and the two hit a face first body slam and sliding DDT for a two count for Vincent. Vincent put the bad mouth on BDE asking is that what he wanted.

Dutch tagged back into he match and the Righteous hit an atomic drop into a huge body block by Dutch for a two count. Dutch hit the chinlock and Vincent continued to talk to BDE; telling him that this is not what the Righteous wanted and they could give him so much more. Meanwhile, Dutch cinched in the chinlock.

A small “BDE” chant emerged as Dutch dropped BDE with a clothesline and a series of forearms to the chest. Vincent tagged and dropped Swann off the apron before clotheslining Swann. BDE finally got a chance to rally by hitting a knee to Vincent in the corner and trying the hope crawl. Vincent tried to talk some sense into him (at least, his sense) and the crowd got into the match by imploring BDE to make the tag. IT worked as BDE reversed a back suplex into a reverse rollup and then leapt to tag Swann.

Swann was a disco of fire as he slugged away on Vincent. He avoided multiple Vincent clotheslines off the ropes acrobatically and eventually turned it into a handspring cutter off the ropes. Swann hit the ropes and leapt over the ropes to Dutch on the floor. A huge frog splash on Vincent got a two count.

BDE and Swann attempted a double suplex on Vincent but Dutch got into the ring to block and slugged BDE to the mat. He also hit Death Walks (Bossman Slam) on Swann. Vincent hit a Sister Abigail on Swann; but Dutch walked back to the corner, telling everyone “that’s it.” However, BDE scaled to the top and hit his own frog splash to interrupt the pin. BDE shoulderblocked Dutch out of the ring and dragged Swann to the corner to tag. BDE tagged and hit a rolling codebreaker and the Clip Cutter (springboard cutter) for two-and-a-fraction.

BDE extolled the crow and climbed to the top but Dutch recovered and pushed him to the mat. Dutch took out Swann and climbed to the ring. BDE found himself surrounded as Vincent kept telling him “why don’t you listen?” BDE tried to fend off the tandem but the numbers game got to be too much. Vincent subdued BDE and the Righteous hit the Orange Sunshine (a springboard cutter performed by Vincent rebounding off Dutch’s chest) for the win.

Post-Match: Vincent kept talking to BDE and trying to get him toward their side. They readied their hands and then said one more thing to BDE before heading up the rampway.

Hannifan and Rewholdt are joined by Daria Rae. We get highlights of the feud between Cedric Alexander and Leon Slater. They go over the stipulations of the championship bout between the two (if Alexander wins, Slater’s title reign is erased. The match is also a Last Man Standing match.)

We get a cameo from Candice Michelle who got a pop. Hannifan talked to both Michelle and Rae about the TNA Knockouts world title match between Xia Brookside vs. Elayna Black. They also talk about the Knockouts Tag Team Title bout between Allie and a mystery partner vs. the By Elegance Brand (M and Heather.) We go to Miller who interviewed the gentleman in the Adam Ant jacket (the ubiquitous guy who shows up to all events) and thinks the Hardys prevail tonight.

With that we go to our second pre-game match:

Agent Zero vs. Trey Miguel

Zero is first to the ring sans any Order Four or extra servicemen and to the faction’s original theme. We see insert highlights of Zero’s beatdown of Miguel on Impact as Zero posed in the ring. We see new chryon for Miguel (who is Spider-Trey..sure, why not? His tights have a Spider-man motif to them as well. )

Miguel goes behind Zero but Zero flings him to the mat. Miguel avoided a couple of charges and laps to the top for a code breaker but Zero caught him. Miguel avoided a forearm and leapt on the ropes for a top rope arm drag but could not drag Zero. Miguel tried for a second rope springboard hurincanrana but Zero caught him. However, Miguel was persistent and managed to finally hit the hurincanrana over the ropes and sent Zero to the floor. However, When Miguel dove between the ropes, Zero slugged him.

Zero flung Miguel back into the ring and hit a release vertical suplex as a small “let’s go, Trey” chant emerged. Zero hit a standing clothesline to drop Miguel once more. Miguel tried to slug his way back into the match but Zero walloped him with a forearm and dropped Miguel again. After another release vertical suplex, Miguel tried to rally one more with a back elbow. However, Zero caught Miguel off the ropes with his East River Crossing into an End of Days slam hybrid for two-and-a-fraction. Zero measured Miguel but a charge was met with a back elbow and a kick. Miguel got to the top rope and finally dropped Zero with a top rope Meteora. Miguel took advantage and slugged away on Zero.

Miguel no-sold a chop and enziguri kicked Zero to the floor. Miguel tried to get the crowd riled and hit the ropes for a springboard leap from the top (file it under “didn’t get all of it.”) However, Zero got enough and dropped to the floor. However, Zero quickly recovered and headbutted Miguel. He gorilla slammed Miguel into the apron and measured Miguel one more time. However, Miguel avoided a spear attempt and countered with some superkicks. However, Miguel leapt on Zero but Zero held firm. He hotshot Miguel from the powerbomb position. However, Zero lifted Miguel onto his shoulders but Miguel reversed it into a rollup for a quick roll up and the win.

Post-Match: Zero was frustrated and angry in the ring (don’t blame him.) Miguel did the old Rascalz’ wave and headed up the rampway to backstage.

We get more talk from Rae, Hannifin and Rehwoldt regarding the TNA Knockouts World Title and a recap package of the feud between Brookside and Black.

We go to the main show with the musical montage and right to our opening match

AJ Francis vs. Elijah

Francis entered the ring first as Rehwoldt extolled the virtues of Francis. Francis scaled to the top of the cage and posed. We then heard the guitar string and Elijah got the full introduction and his music a decent pop and the “walk with Elijah” chant to “Seven Nation Army.”

Francis started right at the bell by hitting a leaping knee of his own for a two count. Francis dd not want to waste time and went for a Down Payment (chokeslam) but Elijah evaded it and hit a leaping knee strike of his own. Elijah followed it with a flying clothesline off the ropes after avoiding a clothesline. Elijah climbed to the top rope and did the “Walk with Elijah” rope walk into a leaping forearm smash. Elijah continued the offense with a stunner for a two count.

Elijah kept the offense going with a leaping forearm smash in the corner. However, Francis aught Elijah as he leapt from the top rope. Elijah escaped and attempted to throw Francis into the cage but Francis caught himself and, instead, launched a charging Elijah into the cage. Francis started to maul Elijah repeatedly slamming Elijah into the cage but Elijah avoided a Francis charge and Francis hit nothing but cage. Elijah scaled to the top rope but Francis caught him and gestured for a Down Payment but Elijah fended him and the two fought on the top rope until Elijah landed on the mat and tried to powerbomb Francis from the top rope. Francis tried to hold on but Elijah finally managed to powerbomb Francis to a two count.

Elijah climbed to the top again but Francis caught him. Francis climbed to the top rope. The two started to brawl but Elijah threw a forearm and sent Francis crashing to the mat. Eliah hit a top rope elbow drop for a two count. Elijah gestured to the top of the cage and started to climb. Francis recovered and met him at the top of the cage.

Elijah attempted the “Walk with Elijah” at the top of the cage but Francis stopped him. They did the “yay/boo” punch trade on top of the cage. Francis hit a headbutt but the two started to brawl with Francis on top of the cage. Elijah got on the top and grabbed Francis, Elijah got a superplex off the top of the cage for two-and-a-fraction. However, while the two laid prone of the mat. Expressions was wheeled to the ringside and started to yell at Elijah. However, Eliah had the where with all to avoid a TFL (Spear) and climbed to the top rope for the Drifter Destroyer. However, Francis got him on his shoulders and hit the Cash Out (fireman’s carry neckbreaker) for a two count.

Francis asked the referee to open the cage and escape. However, Elijah grabbed his leg and prevented that. He put Francis on his shoulders and hit the F5 (F flat??) for a two count. However, Elijah staggered to the door and Expression miraculously healed and slammed the cage door into Elijah. Francis hit the TFL for a two count. Francis was frustrated but signaled for the Down Payment (chokeslam) but Elijah grabbed the cage and fended off Francis and hit the Drifter Destroyer from the top rope. Elijah got a two count until Expressions interrupted the pin Elijah had enough and threw Expressions into the cage and the leaping knee strike. He focused on Francis and put him on the top turnbuckle but instead grabbed Expressions and threw him into the cage. He then he hit the Highwayman’s Farewell but Expressions recovered, got himself into position and hit a moonsault. NOW, we get the Down Payment for the victory.

Post-Match: Francis climbed to the top of the cage to celebrate3. However, Home Town man came to ringside and handed Elijah his guitar. Francis was unaware and tried to help Expressions to this feet as Elijah climbed to the second turnbuckle. With the HTM getting the crowd riled, Elijah leapt from the second turnbuckle and “el kabonged” Francis.

We get a rundown of the card and focus on the Knockouts Tag title match again as Miller interviewed Allie. Allie tried everything to get a hold of Rosemary (even Ouija board, so it was comprehensive) and no luck but to no avail. Rosemary wouldn’t want her to give up the title so she got a partner. We’ll find out when the By Elegance Brand does,

We get some hype and highlights of the feud but that is interrupted by the Personal Concierge. They should not be locked in a cage like animals or felons, that should be for the people of Chicago who are stupid felons. They are going to win and become three-time champions, and then leave this town much like the Chicago Bears. They should see who is in the VIP section with them? The Green Bay Packers. The fans should be arrested by the police – the sexy police like Heather and M..by Elegance

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Title Bout: The By Elegance Brand (with Mr. Elegance in tow) vs. Allie and ???

Yup, the Brand are dressed by police – sexy police. They make their way to ringside and taunt the fans. We get Allie’s music next followed by…….Keira Hogan??? Um….okay, sure….Hogan is dressed in a pink princess like gear. Hannifan went over the history of Hogan in TNA and her history of holding the Tag titles.

The referee accosts the sexy police (arrest her, I say.) However, M and Alie start. Allie slugged away on M and hit a Thesz Press of the ropes. She also hit a knee lift off the ropes. M scurried to the ropes and tagged Heather. Allie did the same and tagged Heather. Heather started her onslaught on Heather with a superkick and a neckbreaker for a two count.

Allie tagged back into the match and they whipped Heather into the turnbuckles. Hogan hit a flying forearm into the corner and Allie hit a sliding clothesline. Hogan finished with a sliding dropkick for a two count.

Mr. Elegance got involved by climbing the cage and distracting the referee. That gave time for the PC to slide a knife stick to Heather and walloped Allie. Heather mauled Allie on the mat for a two count. Allie started to rally but Heather tagged M. The two threw Allie into the corner and M hit a shoulder block in the corner. M hit a sliding dropkick for a two count.

M continued to maul Allie with a vertical suplex for another two count and then hit the chinlock. Allie tried to rally but M hit a huge boot off the ropes for a two count, Hogan tried to rally the crowd but M mauled Allie in the corner and tagged Heather who hit the chinlock again. Allie finally escaped and fended off Ehater to get the hot tag to Hogan. Hogan was a house on well, Fire. She dropped both Brand members and hit a hip attack on Heather in the corner and the Rear View on M on the ropes. She hit a legdrop for two on M (leaping off M) for a two count. Heather interrupted the pin but Allie came into the ring with a code breaker. M got a cradle shock on Allie but Hogan came to the rescue and flung a charging M to the mat.

Whilst that was happening, The PC went to the table and grabbed the handcuffs from the Brand’s costumes. The referee saw it and the cuffs were dropped. However, Heather climbed through the cage (!!) and grabbed said handcuffs. She git I the cage but Allie grabbed her but Heather slammed her into the cage. Heather handcuffed Allie to the cage leaving Hogan to battle with M. Hogan hit a vertical suplex and fended off M with a series of punches and a superkick. Hogan grabbed M and hit the Face the Music – Fisherman Neckbreaker for the quick win.

Post-Match: Allie escaped the cuffs and celebrate with Hogan. TNA President Carlos Silva gave the title to the champs.

We go to a nice tribute to Rebel (Allie’s was wearing a “Rebel” T-Shirt) and get a plug for IamALS.com/Rebel. From there, we go to the hype for the next match between Moose and Frankie Kazarian.

Escape the Cage: Moose vs. Frankie Kazarian

We get the violin intro and a complete violin version of Moose’s theme as he sat on a throne. He headed to the ring and the crowd still managed to chant to his theme. Kazarian was next and jaw3ed with the orchestral members. He kicked back in the throne and the orchestra accosted him verbally. Kazarian made his way to the ring and Hannifan said this is only the second cage match in Moose’s career whilst Kazarian has been in cage matches since 2004.

When the bell rang, Kazarian immediately made a beeline to climb out of the cage but Moose caught him and dragged him to the mat. That was the general theme for the opening minutes of the match. Kazarian tried repeatedly to escape whilst Moose caught him, only for Kazarian to escape. Rinse, repeat.

Moose finally got the upper hand by repeatedly running Kazarian into the cage three times. Moose feigned climbing out the door but had it closed and continued to beat on Kazarian, including the 10-punch turnbuckles spot. However, Kazarian got the upper hand and ran Moose chest first into the turnbuckles. However, Moose no sold Kazarian punches, headbutted him and then climbed the turnbuckles to hit a reverse flying body press. Moose Hit the Stick (Spear) to drop Kazarian twice.

Moose tried to climb through the door but Kazarian flipped him off and Moose climbed back int the ring. However, Kazarian backdropped a charging Mose into the corner of the cage. Kazarian continued to beat on Moose but Moose..ummm..Moose’d up and no sold the punches. However, Moose attempted another spear that Kazarian avoided and Moose crashed into the cage.

There was a fan who was giving Kazarian the business about being in AEW and how Moose is TNA. Kazarian slammed Moose chest first again into the turnbuckles and taunted Moose with his chant of “Kaz.” Kazarian hit a vertical suplex and slugged away on Moose. Kazarian flipped over a Moose back drop attempt and hit the Angel’s Wings for a two count. The crowd started to chant for Moose as Kazarian put the bad mouth on him. Moose did once again Moose up and no sold Kazarian punches. He taunted Kazarian and headbutted him. Moose hit two running back elbows into the corner. He followed it with the urinagi and senton combination,

Moose tried to climb the cage but Kazarian grabbed him and hit the back stabber. He followed it with a springboard flying legdrop. Kazarian attempted the wing but Moose escaped. He also escaped KAZARIAN’S Fade to Black and then attempted the powerbomb. However, Kazarian escaped and the two trade slugs in the “yeah/boo” spot. Moose hit a running kick but Kazarian responded with a series of forearm shivers. He also avoided a Moose clothesline and hit a twisting neckbreaker.

Moose recovered and reversed another spring board legdrop and slammed Kazarian into the cage. However, a Kazarian clothesline sent both to the mat as a “TNA” chant emerged. They both made it to their feet and simultaneously tried to scale the cage on the same side. The two brawled along the way. Kazarian got a leg over the cage but Mosoe dragged him back inside the cage and Moose hit a Spanish Fly (!!!) from the top of the cage. A much louder “TNA” chant emerged followed by a “This is Awesome” chant (the move certainly deserved the chant.)

Moose tried to get through the cage door but Kazarian grabbed his leg. Moose tried to fight Kazarian but Kazarian held on to him. He then slingshotted Moose into the ring and hit a cutter. Kazarian crawled over to the door but now Moose held on for dear life to prevent Kazarian to leave. The two traded shots and Moose attempted to Hit the Stick one more time. One can see what was coming next – and cue up Gilbert Godfried’s (RIP) “You fool!!” gif; Moose speared Kazarian through the door and Kazarian escaped with a win.

Post-Match: We see Kazarian struggle to get to his feet as Moose was still in the ring. We immediately cut to hype for the next match – a title match, no less. We get a replay of the Brookside vs. Black hype.

TNA Knockouts World Title: Xia Brookside vs. Elayna Black

Black is out first and got a pretty sizable pop (most notably from hailing from Chicago.) Hannifin said she had about 30 people of hers are coming to the match, including family (mom and grandmom, amongst others.) Brookside is next and taunted the crowd. She slowly made her way into the cage and did pose on the ropes. We get the stats on how many cage matches the two have been involved (one by Brookside, zero for Black.)

The two stated to jaw at each other as Black riled the crowd. Brookside took time to taunt the fans and the city of Chicago. When the two did lock up, Black got the other hand after a lengthy lockup. Black hit a go behind slam on the champion and the two continued to jaw at each other until Black slapped Brookside. Black started to maul Brookside and then snapmared her into a seated dropkick of the ropes.

Blak continued to beat on Brookside and hit a running forearm on Brookside off the ropes and then a hurincanrana off the ropes. Black followed it with two running knee strikes off the ropes. However, on the third time, Brookside evaded it and Black crashed into the cage and to the mat over the ropes. Brookside started to work Black off the cage, including two dropkicks into the cage. Meanwhile, we see Hartwell watching backstage. Hannifin noted that Hartwell went to Rae and said she wanted the winner.

In the ring, Brookside grabbed her belt she had used in matches and slugged Black, opening up a cut and using the point of the latch to dig into Black’s forehead. Brookside earned a “you sick (for unlawful carnal knowledge) chant.” She used the belt and choked Black on the ropes with the belt wrapped around the challenger.

Brookside continued her assault on Black but only got a two count. Brookside used her fingernails to dig into the cut. She fastened Black to the cage via the belt and stated to pound away on Black, using another dropkick along the way. Once freed, Black was a victim of another clothesline off the ropes. By this pint, Black started to register on the Muta scale. Black tried to rally but a running back elbow missed and Black’s elbow crashed into the cage.

Brookside put the boots to Black in the corner. Brookside hit the Broken Wings (Meteora) and a Russian Leg sweep for a two count. Black tried to rally with a series of punches and managed to get Brookside on her shoulders. However, brookside made her way to the corner and attempted to climb the cage. Black joined her and a belly to back suplex dropped both to the mat.

Black recovered and started to rally with a series of punches and clothesline. Another running knee strike followed by a gut wrench suplex for another two count. Brookside attempted hit the Black Out (double underhook twisting neckbreaker) but Brookside blocked it with a Code Breaker and turned it into the Dark Side (DDT) but only for two count.

Brookside was stunned and started to maul Brookside but Black reversed it and NOW managed to thit the Blackout for a two count. Brookside and Black struggled to get to their feet. However, Brookside managed to grab some powder but Black avoided it and tried for a roll up for a two count. However, Brookside kicked out and Black went head first into the cage. A second powder throw was more successful and Brookside rolled up Black for the win.

Post-Match: Silva put the title on Brookside as Hartwell sat and smiled whilst she watched. Silva and the referee checked on Black as Brookside walked to the back, turning around to look at the ring and licked the blood off her hand (ewwwww..)

We go to another replay of the Hotch vs. Ali feud (including the meeting with Hotch’s wife and daughter.) It ended with the beat down during the match with John Skyler with Ali and Zero.

TNA International Title Match: Jason Hotch vs. Mustafa Ali

The wailing and drums precede Ali’s march to the ring, with Order Four dressed as old-style gangsters and molls (somewhere in the WWE, John Cena lifts his head – at the same time as Punk. . Ali is out in the same gear and “shoots” the Hotch chryon behind him. Hotch is next and he has gone back to his old nickname, “Top Notch.” The camera effects are out for Hotch and we get talk about Hotch’s family being there.

Hotch and Ali didn’t wait for the bell and immediately stated to attack. The two traded shots as Hotch threw Ali into the comer. Ali was flipped into he cage and his foot was caught in the cage as Hotch hit repeated superkicks on Ali in the tree of woe. Ali responded with his own superkick, once freed. Ali tried to climb the cage but Hotch caught him and hit a back suplex followed by a huge clothesline for a two count.

Hotch threw Ali into the cage and then used the cage to hit a Tornado DDT for a two count. Ali finally got the advantage by flinging Hotch face first into the turnbuckles. Ali beat on Hotch in the corner an put the badmouth on him. They both got on the top rope and Ali attempted a superplex. However, Hotch reversed it into a piledriver onto the turnbuckles and Ali crashed to the mat. That was unnecessarily scary. Hotch got a powerbomb from a sunset flip position. A “this is awesome” emerged as Hotch tried to keep the advantage. However, Ali got an eye rake, held on and then hit a tornado DDT near the top of the cage.

Meanwhile, Agent Zero grabbed the key to the cage and opened the door. However, Tasha Steelz closed it before Ali could exit. Mila Moore got into Steelz’ face and paid for it with a punch. However, Hotch tried a running boot and kicked the door into Steelz’ head who collapsed to the mat. Hotch checked on Steelz and Skyler carried her to the back. That gave time Ali time to recover and leapt between the ropes and through the door to drop Hotch. Ali beat Hotch around the ring and into the cage.

However, Hotch reversed a powerbomb into a backdrop. He put Ali on the announce table and then climbed to the top of the cage. Ali covered and the two stated to brawl on the cage. Hotch got the better of it and Ali crashed to the floor. Hotch climbed to the top of the cage, sat for a moment and then leapt from the top to onto Ali and the table. A “This is awesome” and a “TNA” chant emerged as both combatants writhed on the floor.

Ali got to this feet as we got a dueling “Ali/Jason Hotch” chant. Hotch stayed on the floor and started to bleed from the mouth. The ringside physician and staff tried to help Hotch and started to carry him. However, Ali started to verbally accost Ali’s family and grabbed a toy Hotch’s daughter had. Hotch saw it and waived off the help. Ali kicked around the toy and asked Moore for a lighter and attempted to set the toy on fire.

Hannifan left all objectivity as Hotch climbed back into he ring and tried to fight Ali. Ali hung Hotch in a tee of woe on the cage and Ai grabbed Hotch’s belt he wore and started to whip Hotch. Hotch collapsed to the mat. Ali put Hotch on the turnbuckles and lifted him to the top of the cage. However, Hotch kicked Ali to the mat but landed on his feet. Hotch, once again, leapt from the top of the cage and hit a double stomp for a two count.

Hotch grabbed the toy but Ali recovered and hit a spear on Hotch. Ali climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit his 450 splash for two-and-a-fraction. Ali was visibly upset and put the boots to Hotch and tried to pry the toy from Hotch’s hands. Ali climbed to the top rope again and NOW hit the 450 splash for the win.

Post-Match: Ali staggered around the ring and asked for the title. Skyler went back to the ring and accosted Ali to check on Hotch. Zero had to help Ali to the back. Skyler managed to drag Hotch to the opening as we got a tight shot on Hotch’s family. Skyler helped Hotch to his feet. Hotch asked for a moment and then returned the toy to his daughter before Skyler managed to help Hotch to the back,

We get an ad for “30 seconds” and then go to Miller at ringside with her special guest – Avery Styles. A loud “Avery” chant emerged. Miller asked if he had something to share with the crowd. Styles said they know what TNA means to the Styles family and vice versa. Avery Styles won’t be what he wants to be without TNA. He is officially signed with TNA Wrestling.

Naturally, that brought out Kazarian. He grabbed the mic from Miller. As the King of TNA, let him be the first to welcome him to TNA. Kazarian said he and AJ Styles are like brothers (he covered Daniels and Samoa Joe, to boot.) Kazarian said there are a lot of snakes in the locker room – but not him. He wanted Styles to understand that there are a lot of people he should not trust; but, you can trust Kazarian.

Avery soaked in the cheers of the crowd as we quickly pivot to a replay of another highlight package between the feud between Alexander and Leon Slater. Rehwoldt went over the stakes, Amazing Red will still be the youngest X-Division champion and Austin Aries would still have the longest X-Division title all to himself.

X-Division Title (Last Man Standing) Leon Slater vs. Cedric Alexander

Slater is out first with the crowd chanting to the chorus of the song. The warning buzzer and Alisha Edwards tell us that you can’t beat the System. Alexnader comes out alone adorned in white (hmmm…blood is afoot??) Alexander taunted the crowd and got right into the ring. Hannifin went over some of the examples of champions being stricken from the record, including Antonio Inoki in the WWE(F) and Reggie Bush’s Heisman.

Alexander and Slater immediately started walloping each other with punches. Alexander got the best of it but Slater response with two running big boots. Slater attempted the 10-punch spot whilst both sat on the turnbuckles but Alexander blocked the 10^th punch. Slater reversed that into a hurincanrana. But, Alexander responded with a Michinoku Driver to a charging Slater. The two struggled for and advantage but Alexnader blocked another running boot in the ropes and kicked him in the hamstring. Slater recovered and leapt onto top rope after reversing an Alexander backdrop. Slater climbed the cage and hit a flying back elbow.

The two traded shots and go behind takedown. Alexand worried to hit a German suplex but Slater reversed it and got on the cage. However, Alexander caught a leaping Slater and lawn darted him into the cage. Slater started to bleed and struggled around the cage. Alexander slowed the action and beat on Slater in the corner and a dropkick to the back of the neck dropped Slater.

Alexander put the boots to Slater and taunted the fans. After repeated kicks, Slater managed to evade one and pick up Alexander into a Blue Thunder Bomb. Slater climbed the ropes but Alexander caught Slater and ran him into the cage, once again.

Alexander and Slater were on the ropes and Slater chopped away on Alexander. However, Alexander had the counter and hit a top rope Michinoku Driver. The referee started to count to “10” but Slater got up at the count of eight. Alexander lifted Slater into the Lumbar Check but Slater reversed it into a Destroyer. Slater was a flat on fire and repeatedly ran Alexander into the cage.

Slater started to beat on Alexander and now Alexander was bleeding. Slater lifted Alexander on his shoulders and hit the Utopia (airplane toss.) Slater attempted the Swanton 450 but Alexnader moved. Slater rolled through it but Alexander caught him on the ropes. The two fought for the advantage and Slater managed to hit a top rope twisting suplex and both men were on the mat as the referee counted. Both got up at nine-and—a-fraction. Slater and Alexnader had a slap fight but Slater dropped Alxander with two superkicks to the front and the back of the head. Slater lifted Alexander and hit three Lumbar Checks and then climbed to the top of the top rope and NOW we get the Swanton 450. Alexander writhed on the mat as Slater stood over him. The referee counted to 10 and Slater regained the X-Division title (and his records intact.)

Post-Match: Slater was visibly moved as he grabbed the title and stood over Alexander. He got the crowd riled and then climbed to the top of the cage to celebrate.

We go backstage to Rae on the phone and talking to someone before a backstage hand said there was another attack. We run to see Elijah prone of the floor with Santino Marella trying to help. Rae yelled at Marella that he was the Director of authority and needs to do something. She left the shot and Marella continued to help Elijah.

However, no time to linger, we got the Lethal Lockdown match:

Lethal Lockdown: The System (Bear Bronson, Brian Myers, Eddie and Alicia Edwards) vs. Fabian Aichner, K C Navarro, Ricky Sosa and Jada Stone

Bronson was out first (I guess white is the color de jour for the System components.) “Vini, Vidi, Vici” signals Aichner’s entrance. The two immediately stated to brawl. Aichner got the advantage with a Thesz Press of the ropes and a series of punches. The two tried to run the other into cage to no avail. Bronson hit an exploder suplex but Aichner no sold it. They both sold clotheslines and both dropped to the mat.
They got to their feet but Bronson stopped an Aichner charge with a boot. Aichner recovered with a rolling slam into a moonsault. The countdown started and Myers hit the ring. The former tag champs took advantage of the numbers game and beat on Aichner. He hit a double suplex on Aichner. Myers whipped Aichner into the turnbuckles;

however, the countdown started and Navarro evened the odds. Navarro hit a hurincanrana on Myers and blocked a Bronson throw into the cage and Bronson crashed into the cage. He hit a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Myers. Aichner and Navarro took turns throwing the other System components into the ring

The countdown started and now Eddie Edwards tilted the odds to the System. However, Navarro met him as Edwards tried to enter the cage. He dove between the ropes to drop Eddie and then threw him into the cage. However, a bleeding Bronson managed to beat on Aichner and Myers launched Navarro into the cage.

The countdown started AGAIN AND Ricky Sosa hit the ring. He hit a dropkick to drop Myers and fended off the System with a series of punches. He hit an enziguri on Bronson and a double foot stomp on Edwards. He also dropped Bronson with a cutter and then a powerslam on Myers. The crowd loudly did the “bang,bang/Sosa, Sosa” chant.

We got our final countdowns and Alisha Edwads came to the ring and startred to tant Sosa. Sosa blocked Alisha’s slap but the rest System pounced on Sosa. The heels now had the advantage as all the System took turns chopping away on Navarro. Finally, Stone hit the ring. However, Alisha closed the door and Bronson tried to block her entrance. However, Stone avoided Bronson and climbed to the top of the cage and moonsaulted on the System.

As the cage roof lowered, Bronson grabbed the weapons (they were also suspended on the top of the cage.) With Lethal Lockdown officially started, all combatants rushed each other with all of the faces running the System into the cage. Navarro, Aichner and Sosa climbed to the tope and grabbed weapons. Sosa Waffled the System with a chair; Navarro grabbed a barbed wire bat on Bronson. Stone grabbed a kendo stick and attacked Bronson. At one point, Sosa got it btu was backdropped into the cage and part of the stick whizzed by the head of Hannifan.

Navarro frogsplashed Edwards from the top of the cage. The faces got the upper hand as Stone climbed to the top to grab another kendo stick. Navarro and Sosa grabbed Eddie Edwards for Aichner to leap on him but Alisha dropped both faces with a double low blow. Aichner got to the mat and was met with a low blow of his own. Stone grabbed the kendo stick and walloped Alisha. Stone grabbed the black bag and (sigh) thumbtacks. She got Alisha on her shoulders but Alisha escaped. Alisha climbed on to the turnbuckles but Stone grabbed her and went to the top with her. Stone hit a superplex (Stone seemed to get more of the thumbtacks than Alisha.)

Eddie check on Alisha but Aichner lowblowed him and walloped Myers with a trashcan. Eddwards was stuck in the corner and Aichner put the garbage can on him. Aichner hit the Van Terminator on him from one side of the cage to the other. However, Bronson recovered and walloped Aichner with the barbed wire bat. He also hi the Bear Down (Rikishi Driver) on Navarro. Bronson set up a barbed wire board on the turnbuckles. He picked up Navarro but Navarro escaped and Bronson barely avoided the board – at first. Sosa flew across the ring and hit the Head Shot (running uppercut) and Bronson was caught in the board.

Whilst that was happening, Myers grabbed Navarro and sat him on a chair. Myers hit the Roster Cut (running lariat.) Sosa recovered and hit Myers with the Blue Thunder Bang (Blue Thunder variation) into the thumbtacks. Sosa climbed the cage and grabbed some barbed wire. He wrapped it around his arm and hit the Head Shot on Myers. Alisha broke up the pin and Eddie hit Sosa with the Boston Knee Party. Eddie focused his attack on Sosa. He set some chairs in a row and grabbed Sosa. Edwards hit the package piledriver for the win.

Post-Match: The faces laid prone in the ring as the System struggled to get through the door and up the rampway.

We get hype for Bound For Glory and the Hall of Fame ceremony with ODB, Konnan and Amazing Red. Also, Destination X returns and is being held in Edmonton. We also get hype for TNA Impact this Thursday in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

But now, we get the main event. We go over the stakes for the Tag Titles and the fact that if he wins, Nic Nemeth can join Kurt Angle as the only wrestler to hold the TNA World Title and Tag Titles simultaneously. Hmmm…odd they said that twice – once in the pre-game and now. We get the tale of the tape and then we get:

TNA World Tag Titles: The Nemeth Brothers (Nic and Ryan) vs. The Hardys (Jeff and Matt)

The Nemeths are out first and strut to the ring in usual aplomb with gyrations aplenty. Nic has his world title with him. The lights drop and the piano music signals Matt Hardy to the rampway. Jeff’s music starts. Oh, and the Hardy fact is that the Hardy Brothers have a stronger brotherly bond than the Nemeths. As fearless leader says – huge, if true. The usual music comes and the crowd pops huge for them. Fun fact from Hannifan, Jeff Hardy is the only person on the card to compete in the first Lockdown card in 2005 (vs. Raven.) The Hardys instantly grabbed a table and pushed it into the ring.

The fight was on from the onset. Matt and Ryan paired whilst Jeff and Nic paired off. The Hardys threw the Nemeths repeatedly into the cage and threw their jackets to the fans. A “let’s go, Hardys “ chant emerged as The Hardys hit double back elbow on Ryan then hit a fist drop/flipping legdrop combo for a two count. The Hardys threw Nic into the corner and hit the (modified) Poetry in Motion on Nic for another two count. The Hardys tried to throw the Nemeth again into the cage but the Nemeths grabbed the ropes and tried to scale the cage. The Hardys pursued them and they brawled on the top rope. Nic hit a fame-asser on Matt for a two count until Ryan interrupted the pin.

Ryan choked Jeff on the ropes with his boot. Ryan hit a Flatliner on Matt and Nic followed with a Danger Zone for two-and-a-fraction Nic stated to maul Matt on the cage but Matt bit Nic in the hand. The Nemeths attacked Matt and hit a shoulder block in the corner. Ryan mocked Jeff’s dance and set up the table in the corner. Nic attempted a corner splash but Mat moved and Nic crashed into Ryan. Matt hit a back suplex and then attempted a Twist of Fate which Ryan blocked. However, they came off the ropes and simultaneously clotheslined the other.

Jeff grabbed Nic and hit the Twist of Fate but Nic caromed off the ropes and responded with a superkick. The Hardys and Nemeths started to brawl again with Matt hitting the declining turnbuckles smash on Ryan. Matt joined Jeff in beating Nic and hitting another Poetry in Motion followed by the Side Effect on Nic for a two count until Ryan interrupted the pin.

The Hardys took turn hitting Ryan and hit the Plot Twist (Twist of Fate into a Neckbreaker) for another two count. The Hardys mauled the Nemeths in the cage and set up the table in the ring (despite the crowd chanting “We Want Tables.” Rehwoldt was right to admonish the, the table was right here.) During that, Ryan lowblowed Matt for a two count until Jeff interrupted the pin,

Jeff grabbed Ryan and attempted another Twist of Fate but Ryan pushed Jeff into a Nic superkick. Ryan followed it with a leaping DDT. Matt interrupted the pin but Nic started to beat on Matt on the mat. Nic signaled for a superkick but Matt blocked a superkick into a Side Effect for a two count, Ryan grabbed Matt but Matt reversed a whip to the ropes with a clothesline. Ryan was the subject of a Twist of Fate courtesy of Matt. Matt put Ryan on the table and Jeff climbed to the top rope. He thought twice and then climbed to the top of the cage

Nic came to the rescue again and pushed Ryan off the table and the World Champ climbed to the top of the cage with Jeff. Nic pulled Jeff down but both fought on the top rope. Jeff rammed Nic into the cage but both feel and straddled themselves on the top rope. On the Matt, Jeff tried for another Twist of Fate but Ryan rolled him up for a two count. Matt was successful on his next attempt. Matt climbed to the top rope and hit a flying (more falling) elbow drop on Ryan on the table .Before he could get the pin, Nic grabbed Matt and hit (by and large) the Danger Zone for the victory.

Post -Match: The Nemeths celebrated with bottles of champagne (Ryan was grabbed them from the outside.) BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, before the Nemeths could get too long into the celebration, Slater’s music hit and here he comes down the rampway. He said he told people what he was going to do and he did it Actually, Chicago did it with him. His legacy in the X-Division is now cemented forever. Now there is one other thing he could think to go down in the TNA history books. At Bound For Glory, he is exercising Option C. He has a habit of saying things and then doing them. He will – he will – become the youngest World Champion in the company history – ya get him. He relinquished the X-Division title to Silva.

Nic tried to attack Slater but Slater avoided him and knocked out Ryan. He came back with a superkick for Nic and dropped the champ. Slater grabbed the World Title and posed on the ropes as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: I will give TNA credit, their Pay-Per-Views are nice and compact and everything fits into a decent window of time. This was, by and far, a really solid show.

Two: I am excited to see Slater challenge for the World Title. I know I said the same thing about Santana but this is someone who is young that gets the business. He is – without no doubt – the future of the company and someone they should really consider not letting go. We said that with Hendry and Santana but they always had sense of backup. I don’t know if you could immediately fill the shoes of Slater.

Three: I am not a fan of plunder brawls and was not a fan of the Lethal Lockdown. Letting Stone do the thumbtack spot was not wise and I do think she ended up with far more thumbtacks in her than Edwards. Don’t force people into spots they can’t do.

Four: The Slater vs. Alexander match was solid and it spoke volumes of both combatants work. Alexander is a solid wrestler (mic skills notwithstanding) and held is own against Slater. Slater, as noted earlier, is a Bonafide superstar. He definitely is leading the youngsters in the division. The “young guns” in the Lethal Lockdown match are all solid and seemed odd that they would be jobbed. We can’t just keep saddling our wagon to the System. Despite them being called the “gatekeepers” (Not a ringing endorsement,) the real gatekeeper, I argue is…

Five: Kazarian. He played a great chicken – heel in the Escape the Cage match and used his guile to win. And now, he gets to work with Avery Styles. That shows trust in a guy who is dependable. Also, I don’t know who agented the match, but when you saw Kazarian against the cage door and Moose lining up across the ring from him, it doesn’t take a high Wonderlic score to know what was coming. That was way predictable. On the other hand, the top of the cage Spanish Fly was incredible.

Six: That might have been the best I have seen Black and Brookside wrestle. That was a crisp match with Brookside going into the dark spaces to win the match. Black really gave a good accounting of herself but now what? Hartwell gets the next crack at the belt (Bound for Glory?) And, given the reaction (non-Chicago crowd) from others, she would be a logical choice to hold the title. As well as she did tonight, I don’t know if you can build the Knockouts face side of the equation with Black.

Seven: I am not sure if the lack of mic work during the pre-game was a botch or not. The silence did help the Righteous match as Vincent pleaded and talked to BDE. The real tragedy is how far the Righteous plummeted. For that matter, Swann and BDE. That was good psychology by Vincent on his talking to BDE and to make him understand their point of view.

Eight: The Knockouts tag match seemed a bit disjointed. I was not really overwhelmed with the Hogan introduction as I was never really a fan of hers. The loss should cement M winning the TV KO title and how that gets handled is the bigger storyline. That could lead to some interesting story lines.

Nine: I would have liked to have seen a longer reign by Hotch but I guess they pigeonholed him to the tag division (which does need help.) If Ali holds onto the title – and Slater wins the world title – then you have the makings of a feud with multiple star matches. I am not a fan of huge bumps like Hotch took but it does help with the psychology of the match, DO not do that turnbuckle spot. That was unnecessary and scary.

10: Agent Zero is ready for a singles run. Fluke win by Miguel notwithstanding, you see the talent and the skill of Zero. Unleash him onto title runs and you have a potential monster heel. Also, Spider-Trey????

11: The feud is now over, hopefully and finally. Now, Francis can move to bigger and more prominent title shots. Expressions was perfect as the manager who miraculously heeled – old school heel tactics at its best.

12: I still don’t know who replaced Mitchell but he sounded familiar.

Lastly: Hannifan and Rehwoldt (who did their usual spectacular jobs tonight) talked about the history of wrestling at the Credit Union 1 arena (formerly UIC Pavillion.) Amongst the highlights was Starrcade 1987 and Chi-Town Rumble in 1989. One card not mentioned AWA Super Clash 3. Smart thinking, guys.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.