Saherrin Reviews

Greetings and welcome to another episode of TNA Impact. We are still working our way through the taping cycle at the CAA center in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Fun fact, Brampton is  the home of Michael Cera. So, let’s find out who is Superbad with announcers Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt, Gia Miller is far more than a Barbie doll as she handles backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell certainly has not suffered from Arrested Development as she still gives us top notch ring announcing. It may not be Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, but the action is hot and heavy so sit back, relax and get ready not for an infinite playlist but some Total Nonstop Analysis.

(Side Note: Take time and show some love for our fellow writers/reviewers. Throw in some feedback and comments about the subject matter. We all appreciate it. And now…our feature presentation.)

The lead singer wants everyone to know that he thinks Rutherford B Hayes naiveite and ambition made the racial situation worse in the southern United States. Just kidding, he does want us to know he is ready for you.

We skip a recap of the last couple of weeks and go wright to the action as we get Matt Hardy. Fun fact, Matt Always partakes in Tim Hortons whilst in Canada. I don’t blame him, it’s good stuff.

We go to the announce booth and we get Hannifan and Rehwoldt talking about the scene last week as Jeff Hardy was sent to the hospital from an unknown assailant. Matt has a mic in his hand and started to talk about the tag-team loss to the Nemeths at Lockdown. There are no excuses to make – Ryan and Nic beat them. The wrestling world and the Die Hardys call them the GOATS but they did not live up to expectations.  Their dream was to be World Tag Team champs once. They have held titles all over the world – the most special is here in TNA (cheap pop achieved.)

They are 35 years into this journey and the TNA tag titles mean Everything to them. They were ready to use their rematch clause but someone took Jeff out – not just hurt him but had to be taken away in an ambulance. As he was riding with him to the hospital and Jeff not remember what happened. He has gone through so many spots but always bounces back but not this time.

Who would do this? It’s the two that know he had a rematch clause? The Nemeths. Matt holds them responsible. They think they came up a plan – there is one thing they forgot. The Hardys will not die.

This brought out the Nemeths for a rebuttal. Nic spoke first and said why won’t the Hardys die and Matt is just an old man yelling at clouds. Nic said he wasn’t going to make excuses but did so. It’s like the fans who say they don’t want to bother him whilst he is eating but then promptly do so. On to the business at hand, when the Nemeths beat the Hardys at Lockdown, they do it for blockbuster and big money. Whatever accusations Matt made, he better watch his mouth because they had nothing to do with the assault.

He asked Matt if he was paying attention. If anyone is taking Jeff out, the Nemeths aren’t doing it for free. Guess what? It wasn’t them and he still lost. Matt said Nic made a mistake. Nic tried to correct him but Matt said he made a mistake -t hey came out here. Matt started to attack the Nemeths and got Nic in the Twist of Fate until Ryan saved his brother and the numbers game favored the Nemeths. Security bolted into the ring and tried to separate the two until Matt broke free and started to attack Nic. Ryan tried to help his brother out of the ring with security. Eventually, they succeeded and the Nemeths threatened  Matt on the floor.

We go backstage to Miller with Trey Miguel. He and Jason Hotch face each other in the main event; the winner faces Mustafa Ali for the International Title. Miguel said they both want the same things – Ali and the International Title. Miguel said he loved Hotch and trained him. They know each other very well; tonight, it is something bigger and may the best man win. He also hoped Ali is watching from his hospital bed and should know that he deserves everything that is coming for him after the match tonight.

We get a rundown of the rest of the card including Knockouts tag team action and A J Francis is next….after the break.

We come back and get a shill for Sandman Hotel Group (hotel chain in Canada) and hey, we can win the ultimate wrestling slamcation from TNA – open to almost all Canadians (sorry, Quebec.) We also backstage to Elayna Black who is lamenting she did not walk out of Lockdown with the TNA Knockouts World Title in front of friends and family. It is affecting her more than she thought but she isn’t going to make excuses (seems to be going around)

HOLD EVERYTHING the By Elegance Brand is heard (and then seen) heading down the hallway. The Personal Concierge asked if they were interrupting anything? Black tried to say something but M by Elegance said she was probably just talking about losing again (Heather by Elegance emphasized the point with the “L” gesture with her hand.) the PC said they are getting ready to celebrate that M is the first Knockouts TV title holder. M said that’s the difference between her and Black, when the pressure was on M didn’t disappoint everyone who came to see her.

Black warned her to be very careful because she might take the title. M thought about and checked and no, Black isn’t getting a shot. Black asked if M was scared M rebuked her and she still won’t fight her – but Heather will. The camera shot right to Heather who was none-too-pleased with this turn of events. Black thought it was a great idea. Black headed up the hallway to get the match signed. The By Elegance Brand was happy and walked off shot whilst Heather still wasn’t happy about the situation (hmmm….)

 A J Francis vs. Brent Oakley

We go back to ringside to Expressions and said Toronto is the worst city he has ever been. The best thing is the Toronto airport that can take him back to the greatest city in the world, London (United Kingdom, not Ontario.) Meanwhile, Francis made his appearance. Expressions continued that Toronto sucks like a vacuum. He turned to Francis and said A J is the greatest big man in the business.

Francis made his way to the ring and posed. We get the already in the ring for Oakley as Hannifan did his best to give Oakley credibility. Right as the bell rang Oakley ran across the ring and hit a corner splash on Francis.  Francis pushed him off but Oakley did it again. Francis grabbed him around the throat and threw him into the corner. However, Oakley evaded a corner splash, got Francis seated across the ropes and slid under Francis for a German Suplex. He also went to the floor and stole Expressions’ hat. Expressions tried to grab it but Oakley jumped on the ropes and attempted a springboard (not an aesthetic one, either.) Nonetheless, Francis caught him (by and large) mid air and hit the TFL (Spear) for the win.

Post-Match: Francis grabbed the mic and re-introduced himself. Since he made light work of Oakley, he proved he is the best big man in the business. It also showed that he is the best “A J” in TNA history.  That being said, he thinks there is no better person for Avery Styles to have his first match in TNA versus than A J Francis. Francis silenced the crowd. If it’s not past his bedtime, why doesn’t Avery come out and Francis can give the glutes whipping his dad never did.

This brought out Santino Marella (director of authority.) Normally, Marella doesn’t agree with “AJ Francinni and Espresso” but today, he does agree. So, Marella asked Avery Styles to appear on the rampway. Marella asked Styles if he wants to face Francis for his debut match. Styles emphatically agreed. However, this brought out Frankie Kazarian to the rampway and put the kibosh on the match. He ran down Marella and said he doesn’t have to agree with this “stooge” and is not ready to face Francis. It’s not happening. He asked for his music and Kazarian corralled Styles to the backstage area.

We go backstage again and see Xia Brookside and Zoey Seranno enter through a door before Daria Rae enters the frame. She said she would normally say good luck but doesn’t think they need it. She needs Brookside and Serrano to beat them -and then end them. Brookside and Serrano agree and continue off shot and to the ring where their match is…after the break.

We come back to hype for Bound For Glory (now only five weeks away) as Leon Slater vacated the X-Division title and exercised Option C to challenge Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Title.

Harley Hudson and Indi Hartwell vs. Xia Brookside and Zoey Seranno

Hudson is first and has toned down the posing on the way to the ring (she does do the push ups when she gets in the ring.) Meanwhile, Rae joined the announce team for this match. Rae blew off Hannifan and exchanged pleasantries with Rehwoldt. Hannifan “inadvertently” called Rae “Diarrhea” and then “corrected himself” to the utter contempt of Rae. Rae was indignant but Hannifan said was there any childhood trauma there.

Meanwhile, Hartwell is next and got a decent pop. Hannifan talked about Hartwell’s desire to win the Knockouts World Title. Rae said if he heard the story of the “Little Engine That Could.” Rae said Hartwell is the little engine that could not.

Serrano was next and Rae said she was a real star and we should pay attention. Serrano got decent heat on her way to the ring. Brookside was last and got bigger heat as she headed to the ring, taunting the fans as she went to the ring.

Brookside and Hartwell started but Brookside immediately tagged Serrano. Hartwell immediately pounced on Serrano and mauled her on the mat with a series of punches and reversed a short-arm clothesline into one of her own. Serrano, for her efforts, reversed a Hartwell clothesline into a superkick. However, a go behind amateur takedown was reversed into an armdrag and Hartwell got the upperhand again with a running clothesline in the corner.

Hartwell also hit a back elbow on a charging Serrano that sent the newest TNA Impact player to the apron. Hartwell dropped her to the floor with a running clothesline. Serrano was frustrated as she and Brookside started to argue on the floor. They turned their ire to the crowd. Serrano got really fed up with a “fan” and struck him. Conveniently, the head of security sent Serrano back to the ring as Rae tried to take up for Serrano. Serrano and Brookside started to argue again. Serrano got in the ring and tagged Brookside.

Brookside entered the ring and continued to yell at the fans. Brookside grabbed a side headlock but Hartwell reversed it and sent Brookside to the corner. Hudson tagged into the match. Hudson grabbed a headlock and started to work the arm. Hartwell tagged back into the match and struck Brokside with an elbow to the arm (held by Hudson.) Hudson tagged and slugged Brookside and continued to work the arm with an armlock takedown and a leg drop on the arm.

Hudson sent Brookside into the corner and hit a running hip attack. She tried to body slam but Brookside evaded it. Hudson went to the floor and grabbed Brookside’s leg . Brookside fell to the canvas as Hudson slid Brookside around and hit a forearm. However, Serrano went to help Brookside and that brought Hartwell back into the melee. The referee tried to get Hartwell back to the apron. That gave Serrano time to pull Brookside away and a Hudson legdrop hit nothing but apron.

Brookside hit the ropes and hit a sliding dropkick to send Hudson to the floor. Serrano attacked Hudson and choked her with wrist tape. Serrano threw the tape to the crowd and threw Hudson back into the ring and into a Brookside chinlock. Brookside threw Hudson into the corner and tagged Serrano. Serrano slugged Hudson into the corner. Hudson tried to rally but Serrano hit a superkick and a vertical suplex. Serrano taunted the crowd and Hartwell.

It was Seranno’s turn to thit the chinlock and tagged Brookside. Brookside put the boots to Hudson and grabbed another chinlock. Brookside turned it to a strait jacket chinlock and used the knee for extra leverage (Hannifin, meanwhile, called Rae “diarrhea” to her growing disgust. Rae said she wasn’t sure if she was going to kick his butt or run him from the company.)

Meanwhile, Brookside continued to beat Hudson. She grabbed a full nelson and Serrano tagged. I sense heel miscommunication a-coming. Sure enough, Serrano hit the ropes but Hudson escaped Brookside’s grasp. Serrano dropped Brookside with a clothesline. Serrano still had the wherewith all to prevent Hudson from tagging. Hudson made  a leaping attempt but Serrano caught her. However, Hudson monkeyflipped Serrano and Hartwell got the tag.

Hartwell was a high set on fire as she clotheslined the heels simutaneously. She hit another clothesline and back elbow on Serrano and threw her on the apron. Hartwell hit a forearm uppercut and a running boot with Serrano caught in the ropes.  Hartwell got Serrano on her shoulders but Serrano escaped and flipped Hartwell to her knees to hit a knee strike. However, Hartwell blocked it and pushed Serrano into the ropes and came back with a spinebuster for a two count until Brookside interrupted the pin.

Brookside ducked a Hartwell clothesline and hit a codebreaker to send Hartwell to the mat. Hudson got in the ring and hit a discus forearm only for Serrano to drop her with another superkick. All four combatants were on the mat but slowly arose. Hudson and Brookside started to brawl as Serrano and Hartwell paired.

Brookside threw Hudson to the floor and Serrano hit a German suplex to drop Hartwell. NOW, the running knee strike connects and Brookside tagged back into the match and got two-and-a-fraction. Brookside and Serrano started to argue again but Brookside refocused her attention on Hartwell. Hartwell dropped Brookside with a forearm and hit a running boot on Serrano. Hudson dropkicked Serrano to the floor and then leapt from the apron onto Serrano. In the ring, Hartwell grabbed a variation of the Inverted Butterfly Deathlock and cinched it. Brookside tried to escape but Hartwell got the leverage. Brookside had no recourse but to surrender.

Post-match: Rae was beside herself in anger as Rehwoldt and Hannifan marveled at Hartwell going to a submission for a win. Hannifan asked if Rae was impressed, given her MMA background. Hannifan also said Rae has a decision to make about Hartwell getting a world title shot. Rae shot back at Hannifan and sat seething.

Well, speaking of sitting there, here is the TNA Injury Report, brought to you by Sandman Resorts (again, sorry Quebec.) Jeff Hardy still out of action from the attack last week with head and torso injuries. Everyone who participated in the Lockdown are still dealing with lingering injuries. Ali is still suffering from a punctured lung from his match with Hotch.

We get the rest of the card, including a qualifying match for the X-Division match at Bound For Glory..after the break.

Conspicuous by his absence was a report on Nic Nemeth. His brother, Ryan Nemeth, might make it next week as we come back from break and see him laid out on the steps. Rehwoldt and Hannifan go over the list of people who have been mysteriously attacked. But, never mind that, let’s go to our next match.

X-Division match qualifier: K C Navarro vs. Joe Alonso

Navarro is out and signs some autographs for the younger fans and shook hands as he headed to the ring. Meanwhile, Leon Slater joined Hannifan and Rehwoldt at the announce table. They talk about the World title shot at Bound For Glory. Alonso actually got a full entrance – and has a mic in hand. He asked for the fans in “Montreal” to get on their feet and show some respect for the most professional wrestler this generation has ever seen – him.

Alonso continued. Tonight is monumental as it is his debut on TNA. It is convenient the moment Alonso walked into TNA; Slater no longer wants to be X-Division champion. Slater chuckled. Alonso said while Slater said he wants to go after the world title; Alonso thinks he just wants to put the X-Division title on the shelf and not face Alonso. Alonso didn’t blame him so he wanted Slater to sit there and watch Alonso make an example out of “this Oompa Loompa” Navarro. From there, will punch his ticket for Bound for Glory. The fans can hate him because they’re not him but that’s okay; if he wasn’t Alonso, he would hate him, too.

Alonso took down Navarro and arrogantly patted him on the head. Navarro looked nonplussed  and armdragged Alonso. He avoided Alonso off the ropes and got behind him. H kicked Alonso’s leg and then threatened the superkick that sent Alonso sprawling into the ropes and the recipient of his own arrogant pat on the head.

Alonso tried to throw Navarro into the ropes but Navarro caught himself. Alonso charged him but Navarro moved and Alonso fell to the floor. From there, Navarro hit the ropes and leapt between them to drop Alonso, to the delight of Slater. Navarro threw Alonso into the ring and hugged Slater. Navarro teased the Blessing in Disguise but Alonso avoided the charge. Navarro caught himself and slid to the corner. He avoided an Alonso charge and hit an enziguri.

However, Alonso threw Navarro to the corner. Navarro tried to avoid Alonso but Alonso caught him and flung him, legs first, to the floor. Navarro writhed on the floor as Alonso went to the floor. He hit a belly to back suplex onto the apron and threw Navarro back into the ring for a two count. Alonso jawed with the fans and bodyslammed Navarro. Alonso continued to focus his derision on the fans. Navarro tried to rally but Alonso hit a dropkick in the corner and another belly to back suplex for another two count.

Alonso arrogantly attacked Navarro and grabbed an armlock, using the knee as extra leverage. Navarro tried to rally but Alonso flung him to the mat via his hair. Alonso grabbed another chinlock. Navarro escaped and tried to rally but a criss cross off the ropes ended with both wrestlers hitting simultaneous flying bodypresses and both of them crumpled to the mat.

Eventually, both arose but Navarro took advantage with a dropkick and a clothesline.  Navarro and Alonso hit the crisscross on the ropes but Navarro got a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count. Navarro measured Alonso for the Blessing In Disguise but Alonso escaped to the apron. Navarro grabbed Alonso but Alonso grabbed Navarro and neck snapped him on the ropes. Alonso followed it with the “Most Dope” (springboard double axehandle) for a two count.

Alonso grabbed Navarro for a Pedigree but Navarro escaped with another enziguri. He tripped a charging Alonso into the ropes and hit the 305 (a 619 but over the ropes.) Navarro measured Alonso and went for the Blessing in Disguise but Alonso threw the referee in the way. Navarro moved her but that gave Alonso time to attack. He attempted another Pedigree but Navarro escaped on the drop down. Alonso managed to reverse a clothesline and attempted a Scorpion Death Drop. But, Navarro reversed that into a roll up for a two count. Alonso kicked out but Navarro readied himself and NOW we get the Blessing In Disguise for the win.

Post-Match: Navarro celebrated on the turnbuckles and Hannifan talked about Slater’s challenge to the world title. Backstage, Aichner was applauding Navarro’s win and was glad to see his friend in the match. Next week, Aichner has a chance to make it into the match. We get the rest of the card including the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Title Open Challenge…after the break.

We come back to more hype for Bound for Glory October 11 in Tampa. We then get Allie’s chryon and music and Allie made her way to ringside and got a huge pop (as she is “Toronto’s own.”) Hogan is next in her somewhat hoop skirt and fan.

TNA Knockouts Tag Team Title match: Allie and Keira Hogan vs. Shazza McKenzie and Vipress

The challengers get the “already in the ring” introduction; however, they have been around the Knockouts division as enhancement talent in the past. Allie and McKenzie start as McKenzie taunted Allie as an “Allie” chant emerged. McKenzie backed Alie into the ropes but missed chop. Allie attacked McKenzie along the ropes and then hit the ropes for a Thesz Press. She tagged Hogan and Hogan hit an assisted leaping clothesline in the corner. Allie followed with a sliding clothesline. Hogan followed that with a sliding dropkick for a two count.

Hogan got McKenzie on the ropes and hit a running rear view and a step-up leg drop off the ropes for another two count. Hogan threw McKenzie into the ropes but Vipress grabbed her partner.  Hogan charged but McKenzie tripped her, sending Hogan into the ropes. As McKenzie tied up the referee, Vipress hit a running boot on the apron.

Vipress tagged into the action and threw Hogan into the corner and followed it with a running back blow and a seated dropkick for a two count. Vipress mauled Hogan on the mat and tagged McKenzie. McKenzie put the boots to Hogan and grabbed a chinlock. Hogan rallied with a series of punches and dropped McKenzie with a superkick.

Hogan leapt and tagged Allie. Vipress tagged but Allie was a mausoleum on fire and dropped Vipress with a series of clotheslines and a running knee strike off the ropes. Allie dragged Vipress into the corner and hit the Upside Down lock on the ropes. McKenzie tried to interfere but Hogan threw her out of the ring. Allie hit a codebreaker on Vipress and Hogan hit the Face the Music (swinging Fisherman’s neckbreaker) for the victory.

Post-Match: The lights went red as the champions celebrated their victory.

Outside (and presumably backstage) Rae was on the phone as Hartwell interrupted her (rude.) Rae got her “shut up, I’m talking” phrase (and was right in saying it.) she hung up the phone and asked what Hartwell wanted. Hartwell said she beat her champion in the middle of the ring tonight. So, where does she stand with a title shot and who is the number one contender. Rae thought about it and said the new number one contender is – Gabby Forza. Hartwell said Forza is strong but she just got here. Rae countered by saying she left a far better impression than Hartwell.

Hartwell said this isn’t about giving her a title shot but rather an attempt to get under Hartwell’s skin. With that, Rae feigned getting a call and walked off shot. Hartwell looked incredulous as we get hype for our next match..after the break.

We come back to the rest of the TNA schedule 2026, including the next taping cycle in San Antonio, Bound for Glory on October 12 and Dothan, Alabama from October 13-14.

We go backstage to Ricky Sosa who said the last few weeks have been rough for him. The System tried to put him down but he is still here. Off-screen we hear, “Do you wanna know something?” You know what that means, the System wander into the shot. Eddie Edwards said they decide when something is finished and the issue with them and Sosa was finished at Lethal Lockdown. Brian Myers said Sosa is tough and has guts but that doesn’t mean anything.

HOLD EVERYTHING, Elijah wandered into the shot with a guitar strum and told the System to leave Sosa alone. He has not forgotten what they did to him last week and have unfinished business. He will check with Santino to see what could happen (I presume a match.)

We go back to ringside to the next match:

Dutch (with Vincent  in tow) vs. BDE (with Rich Swann in tow)

The young lady on the video said “The Righteous are coming;” and, per usual, the snapping and slide guitar confirm that. Mitchell gives her weird inflection on Righteous as they made their way to the ring. BDE is next to a decent pop as he and Swann shook hands with ringside fans. They posed in the ring as the bell rang.

Right after the bell rang, Vincent grabbed the mic. Before they begin, he needs BDE to understand something. They told him for week that they see something in him and is looking for his place to belong. They all know what he wants – his first victory. Tonight, they could give it to him. Vincent asked Dutch to lay down. Vincent asked BDE to pin him. He asked BDE to look at him; it is all right there; all he has to do is pin him. BDE responded with an elbow drop to Dutch. BDE avoided a charging Dutch twice but was caught on his third attempt. Dutch grabbed him by the throat but BDE broke the hold and slugged Dutch. BDE leapt from the second turnbuckle but Dutch caught him and threw him face down to the mat.

Dutch started to jaw at Swann but grabbed BDE and threw him upside down into the turnbuckles. Dutch threw him into the opposite corner equally hard and followed it with a corner splash. Dutch also dropped him with a standing clothesline. Dutch jawed with Swann as Rehwoldt and Hannifan talked about BDE’s plight, with Rehwoldt focusing on Swann being the possible barrier to success.

Dutch continued to pound on BDE along the ropes with a series of forearm smashes. Swann implored his charge to rally and BDE did just that with a series of punches and a superkick. BDE hit the ropes and tried for the Clip Cutter (springboard cutter) but Dutch caught him. Dutch pushed him into the ropes and hit the Death Walks (Bossman Slam) for the win.

Post-Match: We get highlights of the last moments. Dutch tended to BDE and go his hand raised. Swann tried to help BDE as Vincent slid into the ring. Vincent grabbed Swann and hit a Sister Abigail on him. Dutch grabbed BDE over his shoulder and carried him backstage.

Backstage, we get Spider-Miguel getting ready and head to ringside as his opponent, Hotch, walked focused down a hall and presumably toward ringside because the main event…is after the short break. When we return, Mila Moore is on the phone with (presumably) Ali. After she hung up, John Skyler entered the frame and had a question to ask her. If she isn’t too busy, would she like to…put a pin on that Skyler, Moore got another phone call and walked off shot. Skyler looked flummoxed.

Number One Contender’s Match: Trey Miguel vs. Jason Hotch

Miguel, still adorned in Spider-man themed gear, came to ringside to a good pop and got the crowd riled as he shook hands with ringside fans. Hotch was next as they went over the history between the two and with Miguel’s injury during an X-Division match with Ali (won by Ali thanks to outside interference of Hotch and Skyler.)

The bell rang and the two started to talk to each other. They looked around the crowd to  n okay pop and then sportsmanship was exchanged. Hotch and Miguel had an elongated sequence to gain an advantage over the initial lock up which ended in a stalemate.

Attempt number two ended with Hotch getting behind Miguel but Miguel responded with an armlock. Hotch rolled and flipped out of the hold and got a leg takedown. Back on their feet, Hotch grabbed the armlock. Miguel pirouetted out of the hold. Hotch did the same but Miguel sent him to the mat with an armdrag. Miguel got behind Hotch and grabbed a side headlock. The two traded reversals and Hotch sent Miguel to the mat with his own armdrag.

A test of strength was a stalemate but Hotch managed to break the hold and take down Miguel by the legs. Hotch rolled Miguel and tried a bodyslam off a criss cross on the ropes. Miguel escaped and got a roll up off the ropes. Hotch escaped and the two grabbed armdrags and kip-ups to a stalemate.

Miguel  hit an elbow and grabbed Hotch’s arm. Miguel climbed the turnbuckles and backflipped into an armdrag. Hotch backflipped over a Miguel corner charge and hit a back elbow to the torso and a forearm uppercut to the jaw. Hotch followed it with a reverse of a clothesline into an enziguri that dropped Miguel. Hotch blocked a Miguel whip to the ropes but a charging Miguel wriggled between the ropes to the apron. Miguel met a charging Hotch with a shoulderblock to the torso and then backrolled through the ropes and hit a sliding kick to the arm and then a seated dropkick.

Miguel kicked Hotch in the arm and turned that into a headscissors to the floor. Miguel attempted the sliding DDT but Hotch got back in the ring as Miguel went between the ropes. Hotch hit the ropes and leapt over them to Miguel on the floor. Hotch shook hands with the fans as a “TNA” chant emerged. Hotch tried to throw Miguel into the ring but Miguel grabbed the bottom rope and hit a spinning kick to Hotch. Miguel hit an uppercut fore3arm on the floor.

The two started to brawl on the floor as Hotch got the upper hand with an uppercut forearm and a slam into the apron. Hotch locked the cravat but Miguel fought out of it. Hotch tried to throw Miguel into the ring but Miguel tried the spinning kick again but Hotch blocked it and hit a knee strike. Hotch climbed to the top for a Frog Splash but Miguel moved. Hotch rolled through it but missed a charge into the corner as Miguel flipped over him and hit the arm drag.

Miguel grabbed a submission hold and got a two count from a pin attempt. Miguel hit a back elbow in the corner and snapmared Hotch to the mat and hit a sliding kick for another two count. Miguel grabbed a facelock and tried to escape. Miguel flipped over it and turned it into a Muta Lock as Rewholdt and Hannifan mused who was Moore talking to on the phone. Hotch tried to lift Miguel but Miguel flipped over it for a cradle for a two count. Hotch escaped with a pump kick.

Hotch grabbed Miguel and hit a slingshot backbreaker for a two-count. Hotch tried it again but Miguel backflipped out of it. Miguel caught a charging Hotch with a back elbow and then climbed to the top rope. Miguel leapt but Hotch evaded it. Miguel flipped through it and hit Hotch with a series of kicks – followed by a double stomp and a moonsault off the ropes for a two count.

Miguel tried for a Meteora in the corner but Hotch escaped, hit the ropes and nailed Miguel with a clothesline. He followed it with a running clothesline followed by a double stomp from a wheelbarrow attempt. Hotch evaded  corner charge and went to the apron where he connected with an enziguri. Hotch hit the rolling neckbreaker between the ropes for two-and-a-fraction.

Hotch grabbed a dragon sleeper but Miguel escaped. Miguel hit a series of kicks and a double stomp to the back of Hotch’s head for another two count. Miguel signaled to the crowd and climbed to the top for a Meteora attempt. Hotch avoided it again but Miguel rolled through it to the corner. This time, Hotch was ready and hit a running kick in the corner. Hotch now ascended to the top for a Frog Splash but Miguel escaped and Hotch rolled through it. Hotch met Miguel with a  Cave-In (leaping double foot stomp to a standing opponent) for a two count.

Hotch put Miguel on the turnbuckles and climbed to the top.  Miguel bellclapped to escape. Miguel attempted a sunset flip bomb but Hotch flipped out of it. Hotch charged and leapt at Miguel. Miguel moved but Hotch landed on the top rope. Miguel kicked Hotch twice on the turnbuckles. Hotch responded with a back kick of his own and then leapt onto Miguel’s shoulders for a poisonrana. Miguel got to his feet and did a poisionrana of his own. Hotch got Miguel on his shoulders and hit an airplane spin Blue Thunder Bomb for two-and-a-fraction.

Hotch and Miguel traded punches  with Miguel getting the better of it with an enziguri. However, Miguel hit the ropes and Hotch met him there with a back elbow. Miguel reciprocated. The two traded shots and a simultaneous bodypress dropped both. Both quickly arose and a simultaneous roundhouse kick dropped both again. The crowd showed its approval with a round of applause and a “TNA” chant.

The two got to their knees and started to remove gloves and wrist tapes and the two traded shots. A “This is awesome” chant emerged as the two continued to trade blows. HOLD EVERYTHING, Agent Zero hit the ring and clotheslined both to the mat. He hit a chokebomb to Miguel and then did the same to Hotch. The match was thrown out (no decision was announced.) Zero adjusted his tie and stood over both combatants as we go…..

Backstage, where Matt Hardy and Nic Nemeth are having a continuation of their pull-apart brawl from the opening. Marella got in the fracas and tried to restore calm. He did so by making a no-disqualification title match next week between the two.

Now, we go off the air…

Impactful Discourse:

One: The man event with an interesting flow and pace to the match. We knew what Hotch could do but I came out of the match with a huge appreciation of Miguel. I was very down on the Rascalz stuff but he really has put that way far in the rear view mirror. The solid face promo at the beginning and his varied style in the match really opened my eyes to how good he could be. I goof on the spider-man gear but he has really come a long way. The match pacing was odd and there might be some push back for it being disjointed. I saw what they were trying to do and story to tell, so I am a little more forgiving than others.

Two: The shame of the match was that it had to end with angle advancement. I get that the hand was forced as can see what they were trying to do but there had to have been a better way to tell the story of this match and keep the angle advancement from ruining a solid main event.

Three: I mentioned it a a couple of months ago but I want to reiterate something. There was a great babyface promo given by Hotch – on social media. It really got me invested and showed a new angle in his development. Since I write this, I follow a lot of this stuff but for the casual fans, they may have missed it. We can sacrifice some shenanigans on a two-hour show to show good stuff like Hotch’s promo.

Four: All that being said, there is something to be said for selling a hold. The “I do a move/you do a move” got to be a bit much but the fans were happy, so I guess I will yell at clouds.

Five: I didn’t think we would get what we got from Joe Alonso as I never heard of him but he is someone that TNA should keep around for the future. That was solid mic work and great action taking an established star and elevating both. This wasn’t Navarro leading him, either; both carried their load equally. I came across as a fan of Alonso.

Six: The women’s tag match had a good end to some iffy means. Brookside being pinned kept Hartwell hot and progressed the story line. It also protected Serrano who was the big get for TNA and made her look strong. I was worried when I saw the results that Serrano would eat the pin. With the two bickering, it gives Brookside someone else to worry.

Seven: Whilst the ends were good, how we got there was iffy. Was/is the bickering going to lead anywhere? What about the fan being slugged? If it was a fan, the casual way it was handled made it seem like a plant (I tried finding info online about the incident and it is indecisive.) I could be wrong but it felt contrived.

Eight: Also, nice phone manners, Hartwell. You turned the evil heel boss into a sympathetic babyface.

Nine: The tension continues to build on the attacker and hope we get a good payoff. THe paranoia gripping the faces and heels leads to some matches that could advance storylines. I just hope they can stick the landing with someone and not make it a retread.

10: I know the spoilers for the next two weeks, so I won’t comment too much on the Righteous kidnapping BDE. Vincent did some great mic work tonight in his trying to turn BDE. BDE needs a charge or something to get him not just a first win but a refreshed sense of character. His character is really starting to wane thin on me.

11: Prepare for free agents galore as the hollowed out Knockout tag division tries to keep relevant. The Allie and Hogan match was good but the two seem underwhelming as champions. With no challengers on the horizon, prepare for a nice long run with the belts.

12: The System feud with Sosa now includes Elijah. Sosa deserves better or something more fresh than to be stuck with Elijah.

13. I am not sure what message the By Elegance segment gave but if they are trying to give some shine to Heather as a face turn, that would not be the best idea. I’ve been wrong before but I think the potential is so much greater with M by Elegance.

14: The Francis match was short as it should. The angle with Styles and Kazarian will be the longer lasting image of the match as Kazarian becomes a control freak to Styles. Kazarian trying to horde the limelight and gaslight Styles is an interesting touch.

Lastly: John and Mila sitting in a tree/ Where is Mustafa Ali?

Keep Fighting the Good Fight.

Welcome everyone to another edition of TNA Impact. We start with another fresh taping, this time from the CAA Center in Brampton, Ontario, Canada (or as it was referred by Tom Hannifan, the metropolitan Toronto area.) Brampton is the home of the Brampton Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (and it is the home of the first pay-per-view I did as the reviewer for this organization – last year’s Under Siege to be exact.) Whilst a lot has changed in the last year, some things have not. To Trick Williams’ dismay, there are still no five-star hotels in Brampton (a couple of four-and-a-half ones, though.) More importantly, Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt  are still doing great commentary. Gia Miller is handling backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell tells us who is who with her ring announcing. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy some Impactful DisourseTotal Non-Stop Analysis. Shall we? We shall.

(Note: As always, please frequent the amazing folks who contribute to this wonderful site. They all greatly appreciate and do masterful work. Also, the feed ended before the end of the last match; ergo, an early morning submittal. Lastly, shout out to Phrederic for the new title. And now…our feature presentation.)

Previously on Impact: Well, nothing, actually but we get highlights galore of Lockdown, with shots of the A J Francis vs. Elijah “Final Encore” match, we get the return of Keira Hogan as she helped Allie defeat the By Elegance Brand. We get Frankie Kazarian getting the win over Moose, Mustafa Ali getting the victory over Jason Hotch to regain the International Title, Avery Styles’ introduction, Leon Slater regaining the X-Division Title from Cedric Alexander, we get highlights of Lethal Lockdown and the Nemeths defeating the Hardys for the Tag Titles. We also see Slater invoking “Option C” and challenged Nic to the TNA World Heavyweight title at Bound For Glory.

The lead singer of the theme is ready for you..in case anyone asks.

We start with Nic and Ryan Nemeth headed to ringside. Rehwoldt and Hannifan talked about the Nic being the second person to hold the World Title and Tag Team Title simultaneously (the first being Kurt Angle.) Ryan gets the mic and said it is a great day to be a Nemeth brother. They beat the Hardys…again. They are the tag champs…again. And, Nic is the World Heavyweight Title holder..again. They are the best brother tag team in history.

Nic grabbed the mic and said this must make him the most valuable man in TNA wrestling. He is above the law and buy his way out of anything. Ryan reiterated the feat his brother did and the people in the back make a comprehensive list of those who did it and yes, it’s just nic and Kurt. They run down Angle and Ryan said it is disrespectful to show Angle’s name when Nic is there.

They quickly pivoted to Slater. Nic ran down what Slater did in invoking option C. Even though he is a one-trick pony, kids should do what Slater did and follow their dreams and reach for stars. They should always bet on themselves unless they face Nemeth

That brought out Slater’s music, He questioned if Nic truly believes that he did what he did at Lockdown to steal his spotlight (doing an okay Nic Nemeth impression.) Nic has it all twisted, what Slater did was so Nic could look him in the eye about what is about to go down. He has a habit of saying things and then doing them. He is going to become the youngest world champion. At Bound For Glory, he is getting it done.

Slater said he noticed that Nemeth also has the tag titles and it was nice of him to give his “bug-eyed” brother a title of his own. He said the tag titles look nice now. In the past couple of months, he got  partner and they have never lost a match as a team. That cued up Ricky Sosa’s music and Nic instantly protested. Slater poked fun at Nic.

Santino Marella’s music started and said Rae would not sign the match, but he will. Tonight, in the main event, the Nemeths face Sosa and Slater. The crowd roared and Marella headed backstage.

We cut to backstage and see Order Four standing whilst Mila Moore was on the phone with Ali. Skyler and Steelz looked bored whilst Agent Zero stood menacingly. Ali is in the hospital from his match with Hotch in Lockdown. Tonight, it was going to be Ali and Agent Zero vs. Trey Miguel and Jason Hotch. Now, Skyler will take Ali’s place. And, with Ali gone, Skyler is in charge of Order Four.

The Personal Concierge, minus jacket joins us with Mr. Elegance. According to the PC, something huge and massive is going to happen tonight. It is the finals of the Knockouts TV Title Tournament featuring M by Elegance and Jada Stone.  The PC hypes both competitors as two  grand two amazing athletes. He said Stone is  young, vibrant and the ultimate Cinderella but everyone’s story has an end tonight will be hers thanks to M by Elegance, right now, rise and sing national anthem of Canada and sings a pro-American Canadian National Anthem as the Mr. Elegance strikes the pose. This is what all guys wish they could be and what every woman wishes they could be with…Mr. elegance goes through a full gamut of posing as the PC continues to hype Mr. Elegance as “the nectar of the gods.”

Bear Bronson (with Brian Myers in tow) vs. Elijah

We get the warning buzzer and Alisha Edwards reminds that we can’t beat the System.  As Bronson headed to the ring, Myers got the mic and said they may have some new scars but when the lights were brightest at the biggest of the show of the year. When the matches were ultra, they proved, once again, you can’t beat the System.

We get a guitar strum and the lit guitar to start Elijah’s theme. We get the full PA announcement of Elijah’s sobriquets as Elijah emerged from the smoke. According to Hannifan, the System might be responsible to his attack shown during Lockdown because they are trying to keep the new talent down.

The two locked up and stated brawling with Bronson getting the better of it until Elijah hit a flying clothesline off the ropes. Elijah went to the arm and headed to the turnbuckles to do the top rope walk and the flying forearm from the top rope. Elijah went to he floor and slammed Bronson on the apron around the ring. Elijah signaled and stated his sprint around the floor until Myers stood in his way. The two started to jaw, which gave Bronson time to leap between the ropes and drop Elijah. Back in the ring, Bronson climbed to the second turnbuckle and hit a flying elbowdrop.

Bronson choked Elijah  on the ropes with his foot. Elijah rallied when Bronson threw Elijah into the turnbuckles. Elijah caught himself and turned it into a mule kick. Bronson recovered and hit the Bossman Slam to a charging Elijah for a two count. Bronson dropped the straps and started to maul Elijah. Elijah rallied once again as the two traded punches and chops and Elijah hit a superkick as Bronson tried a discus lariat.

Elijah got Bronson on his shoulders but Bronson escaped and avoided a leaping knee strike off the ropes. To counter, Bronson grabbed Elijah and hit a chokebomb for a two count. Bronson tried to powerbomb Elijah but favored his left arm as he sold the beating from Lethal Lockdown on Sunday. Elijah countered it into a delayed Alabama Slam. Myers got on the apron to rally Bronson but Elijah sent him to the floor. Elijah hit  a leaping kick as Bronson sat on the turnbuckles. Elijah grabbed Bronson and hit the Highwayman’s Farewell (Tombstone Piledriver) for the victory.

Post-Match: Myers entered the ring but was promptly thrown out by Elijah. Eddie Edwards, Alisha Edwards and Cedric Alexander joined the fracas and Elijah was victim of the numbers game. All four beat on Elijah and gloated in the ring.

Elijah looked hurt; speaking of hurt, here is the TNA Injury Report (this early??) brought to you by Sandman Hotel Group, who are a new sponsor of TNA (note, hotel group not run by the actual Sandman.) Hey, the TNA medical staff had a rough night during Lockdown and numerous competitors had injuries of some sort. All participants in the Lethal Lockdown had some injuries including  K C Navarro, who is out of action, but everyone else is cleared for action. Hotch suffered bruised ribs but has been cleared (which is good, since he is wrestling tonight.) Alexander suffered multiple injuries and he is not medically cleared for action. Ali suffered a punctured lung and is out of action.

After break, we see the chryon for DemonxBunny and Allie (the bunny of the group) appears on the rampway. She introduces herself. At Lockdown, she didn’t know what was going to happen. Rosemary is away and if she was going to walk in along and was going to lose the title. She had a friend and she called her friend and asked if she wanted to be her partner. Said friend said yes and then Allie said yes. Her friend is Keira Hogan and now they are tag team champions. She asked Keira to come out and tell everyone

Hogan appeared and greeted Brampton. She said it felt good to be in TNA. When Allie called her there was no doubt in her mind. TNA means something to her and to come back after all this time and win a championship, it felt great. She knows the title belongs to Rosemary and Hogan was there for her and Allie; but coming back to TNA felt like home. A “welcome back” chant emerged. Hogan is back in TNA and she isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. However, we are going somewhere – to commercials.

When we come back, we get some hype for Bound for Glory and Slater announcing he is utilizing Option C to challenge for the TNA World Title. We then go to a backstage interview with Elayna Black. She had a lot of time to think and what it meant to her. She got to wrestle in front of her family, friends and trainer. She looked back at Lockdown  and be proud that she got to put on a performance for them.

However, she felt disappointed that she didn’t win the title. Life doesn’t go the way we want and maybe this is karma because there were times she wasn’t a good person (face turn completed.) She disrespected people and thought the world owed her something. Lockdown taught her humility. She is doing it for her but more so her for her friends and for all the little girls who look at her for inspiration to be a pro wrestler. She is here to show that she came here on a mission. She didn’t win but this is just a beginning of a long era of Elayna.

Order Four (John Skyler and Agent Zero with Mila Moore and Tasha Steelz in tow) vs. Trey Miguel and Jason Hotch

Order Four is out first with Skyler leading the way. The hit the ring and STRUCK THE POSE (Steelz did it with the minimalist of enthusiasm.) Miguel is next and is still going through a Spider-Man phase (the camera is upside down in a neat touch.) He paused on the rampway and awaited Hotch, who came out to a good pop with camera effects. The two shook hands with the ringside fans and posed on the turnbuckles. Hannifan and Rehwoldt praised Hotch’s efforts and his family stance during the match with Ali.

Skyler and Miguel started the match. Skyler grabbed a headlock band dropped Migel with a shoulderblock. However, Miguel got behind Skyler, grabbed his arm and headed to the ropes. He leapt on the top rope and hit a back flip arm drag to send Skyler to the mat. He followed it with a handstand flying headscissors and a dropkick.  Hotch tagged into the match and the two reluctantly looked at each other. Zero tagged himself into the match and Zero took control with a knee to the abdomen.

Zero beat on Hotch until Hotch hit a flying headscissors off the ropes and sent Zero to the floor. Hotch leapt over the ropes and dove on Zero. Favoring his ribs, he signaled toward Miguel and the two threw Zero into he match. As Hotch tried to climb into the ring, Moore grabbed his leg. The distraction work as Zero recovered and threw Hotch into the ringpost. Miguel and Skyler checked on Hotch but Zero shooed both of them away and threw Hotch into the ring.

Zero beat on Hotch some more and hit a series of shoulder blocks to the torso in the corner. He threw Hotch chest first into the turnbuckles and lifted Hotch to an overhead suplex. The crowd tried to rally Hotch but Zero continued to maul Hotch with a series of knees and high impact maneuvers, including huge backdrop for a two count. Hotch continued to beat on the ribs and tagged Skyler. Skyler hit a Russian Legsweep for a two count. He started to work the back, grabbing the arms for extra leverage.

Hotch briefly rallied but Skyler responded with a huge bodyslam and tagged Zero. Zero Gorilla Pressed Hotch and dropped him chest first to the mat. Zero continued to aul Hotch and choked him on the ropes. When the referee tried to stop Zero, Moore choked Hotch form the floor. Zero grabbed a reverse bearhug and Hotch again tried to rally but Zero stopped it with his East River Crossing into the End of Days move for a two count. Zero was frustrated and accosted the referee – to the point the referee bailed to the floor.

During the events, Hotch recovered and rallied once more with a series of chops and an enziguri. He tried for a leaping tag but Zero caught him and applied a bearhug. Miguel implored his partner to rally and Hotch got to this feet and bit Zero’s forehead. He followed that with a jawbreaker as Zero staggered to his corner and tagged Skyler. Hotch booted Skyler to the mat and Miguel got the hot tag.

Miguel was a spiderweb of fire he dropped Skyler with a series of forearms and then a moonsault off the ropes. He no sold a chop and hit another enziguri for a two count. Skyler dodged a corner charge by Miguel but Miguel recovered before hitting the turnbuckle. He leapt on the top turnbuckle and signaled for the Meteora but Zero grabbed Skyler. Miguel rolled through it but Zero met him a punch that dropped him. Zero tried to charge Hotch, who was standing in the corner but Hotch avoided him and attempted the rolling neckbreaker through the ropes. However, Zero avoided it and sent Hotch into the direction of Skyler. Hotch stopped himself. The two had a moment but Zero attempted a big boot that connected on Skyler. Hotch and Miguel superkicked Zero over the ropes. Hotch leapt between the ropes but Zero caught him. Hotch escaped Zero’s grasp and sent Zero into the ringpost. Meanwhile, Miguel climbed to the top and NOW we get the Meteora for the win.

Post-Match: Hannifin noted that Miguel now has three victories over members of Order Four (Ali, Zero and Skyler.) We get a recap of the final moments of the match as Miguel and Hotch posed in the ring.

BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, we go live (shown on the videos at ringside) of Ali in a hospital bed and called for Mr. Hotch. Ali applauded Hotch and said of he came really close to his wish of putting Ali into the dirt. However, he sent him to the hospital. He jumped off the steel cage onto him and stomped his heart. But, what he did was fracture his ribs and punctured his lung. It’s painful – very painful – but the only thing that is more painful than this is someone disrespecting his wife and daughter and living to talk about it.

He knows Hotch is injured, too. He saw him coughing up blood. He has a proposal for Hotch. Ali said maybe they have taken this too far. Everyone around them is hurt.  Steelz had the door slammed in her face and the emotional trauma of Hotch’s wife and daughter. The two of them are in the condition they are. Ali proposed a truce and stop all this. Hotch joins Order Four and all is forgiven. It’s open arms or a call to arms – the choice is Hotch. The video ended and Hotch looked frustrated as he contemplated the offer.

We cut from that and go to BDE and Rich Swann who are watching a match on BDE’s phone until the Righteous walk from opposite sides into the shot. Vincent said relax; they are not here to fight them. Rather, has he thought about what they said. BDE asked what they wanted. Dutch said what they didn’t want is what happened at Lockdown but he made them do it. Vincent said Brandon (BDE’s first name) wants his first victory. But, Swann forgot…but before he could finish Swann said he hasn’t forgotten anything. What BDE and Swann want is for the Righteous to get out of here (mimicking Vincent’s snapping and walking.)

Dutch said he is going give Brandon what he wants. He is going to talk to Rae about a match between BDE and “Uncle” Dutch. Maybe BDE wins or not. When it doesn’t go his way again, maybe Brandon thinks about what Vincent said. Dig what he is saying? They leave off camera and BDE and Swann look at each other.

We get the rest of the card and the finals of the Knockouts TV Title Tournament are next….after the break.

During the break, we get the System’s music (sans warning buzzer..) The System come to the rampway. Alisha asked if we want to know something; in fact, she asked twice. They are looking at history makers. Alisha is the first and only Knockout to participate in Ultimate X, Monster’s Ball and Lethal Lockdown. The System walked away victorious so we can all cry about it. Bronson said as the gatekeepers of TNA and Lethal Lockdown winners. After what happened tonight, the System is going to obliterate Elijah like the Royals obliterated the Blue Jays.

Alexander grabbed the mic and yelled that he has it on good authority that Elijah was the one who attacked him days before Lockdown. As far as he’s concerned, Elijah’s existence is a personal insult to him. Soon, Elijah will learn a cold fact of life – you can’t beat the System.

We come back from break to Miller and Avery Styles. She asked how the last few days have been since his viral announcement at Lockdown that he joined TNA at age 19. It’s a dream come true, he said. His dad made his name here and he grew up watching this. He can’t wait to start his own story here.

Before they could continue, Moose entered the shot and congratulated him. He said he knows Styles will do as phenomenal as his dad. He did want to impart some advice – as one who made the same mistake: be careful who he associates. The discussion at Lockdown between Styles and Frankie Kazarian was worrisome because Kazarian doesn’t help other people, he just helps himself.

This brought Kazarian into the shot and verbally accosted Moose. Styles said he needs someone who will help him survive and thrive in this company. He needs a winner, not a loser like Moose, who named himself after a big, dumb animal. Kazarian said he is looking out for Styles and that his career starts on the right path, so Moose better stay out of his ear.

We go to a vignette from M by Elegance. She said she had been wrestling for four years and it only took two to get to TNA. Once she got here, she joined the By Elegance Brand because they saw all the potential she had. Jada Stone said she and M go back a long ways. They used to be friends until she joined the By Elegance Brand. M said she has never felt more confident as she does going into the finals of the tournament. Stone said the fact that she made it to the finals is crazy to her and didn’t expect it. M said that is the difference between the two, Stone didn’t expect it and M always knew she was going to make the finals. The two traded comments. M said that the plan was always her vs. Heather by Elegance in the finals to ensure gold in the Brand but she knows the title is coming to the Brand. Stone wants to humble M by Elegance. M said she sparkles like a diamond and shine like the star she is.

Knockouts TV Title Tournament Final: M by Elegance vs. Jada Stone

M is out first and is joined by the Brand at ringside. Stone is next, Hannifan said Stone defeated three former Knockouts Champions to get here. Stone posed in the turnbuckles. Mitchell gives the full introduction.

The two squared up as the bell rang. M bullied Stone in the corner but Stone dodged a corner charge for a series of rollups for two counts. She followed it with a matrix dodge of a running boot and hit a dropkick. M staggered into the corner and Stone it a running back elbow. M tried to evade another corner charge and backdropped Stone to the apron. But, Stone landed on her feet and hit a forearm that staggered M. Stone climbed to the top rope and hit a missile dropkick and a standing moonsault for a two count.

M bailed to the floor and Stone tried to capitalize on her offense. However, M grabbed Stone’s leg after “The Spark” leapt onto the apron and yanked her to the floor. M hit a wheelbarrow back suplex into the apron corner. M put the boots to Stone in the ring and choked Stone in the corner with her boot. Stone tried to rally but M reversed it and hit a Cradle Shock for a two count.

M continued to maul Stone on the ropes and thwart  multiple Stone rally attempts. One rally ended with a huge big boot by M off the ropes for a two count. M hit a chin lock (using her knee as extra leverage on her back.) Stone caught Stone off the ropes and hit a fallway slam. M wrapped Stone around the ropes and put the boot to Stone’s arm, injured during the Lethal Lockdown on Sunday.

M posed on the ropes; that gave Stone time to rally one more time and hit a rollup. M escaped and hit a standing dropkick. M kept the onslaught and choked Stone on the corner with her boot. A “Jada” chant emerged but M snapmared Stone out of the corner and hit a seated dropkick to the back of Stone for a two count. M lifted Stone onto the turnbuckles and M scaled the turnbuckles. Stone tried to fight her but M hit a big boot to quell that rally. She also hit a Tower of London (Tower of Elegance, according to Hannifan) for a two count.

M got Stone into position and climbed to the top for a moonsault. Stone moved but M rolled through it. M tried for a corner charge but Stone evaded it. She also evaded a running boot that got M caught on the ropes in the corner. Stone tried to beat on M in the corner and the ropes. The two struggled for position but Stone hit a rope-assisted hurincanrana that sent M across the ring. Stone hit a seated dropkick and draped M on the ropes. Stone hit the 619 and tried to rally the crowd. M caught Stone in a wheelbarrow position but Stone rolled up M and hit a double stomp to the abdomen for a two count.

Stone attempted the Spark Stunner (a handspring stunner with a back flip off the ropes) but M caught her for a two-count. Stone dropped M with a kick in the corner. She attempted the split-legged moonsault but M got to her feet and caught her. M hit a standing Blue Thunder Bomb and followed it with a superkick. She caught Stone with a rebound kick off the ropes. M hit the ropes again but Stone legtripped her and hit a running uppercut to the back.

Stone attempted an Asai Moonsault off the ropes but it hit nothing but knees. M hit a knee strike and a powerbomb from a rolling position. M slowly climbed to the top rope, which gave Stone time to recover and hit a superkick. Stone grabbed M on the top turnbuckle and hit the Spanish Fly. A “TNA” chant emerged as Stone climbed and hit a Skytwister Press from the top rope for two-and-a-fraction until M just got her foot on the rope.

M struggled around the ropes but tried to fend off Stone. Persistent, Stone hit the ropes and attempted another Spark Stunner but M caught her once again. This time, Stone reversed it to a roll up for a two count. M reversed it, picked up Stone and hit a piledriver variation for the win and the title.

Post-Match: The By Elegance Brand was ecstatic as TNA President Carlos Sivla awarded M the title. The Brand got in the ring and celebrated with M and celebrated up the rampway.

Speaking of Knockouts, Indi Hartwell is in action…after the break.

During the break, Kazarian’s music hit and he appeared on the rampway with Styles. He wanted the crowd to show some respect. He asked Styles to take it in. The ring right now is Kazarian’s but sometime in the future, it will be Styles. He talked about the relationship with A J Styles, a good friend and one of the best wrestlers in the world, like him. Don’t be like A J Styles, because you will fail – there’s only one Styles He should carve his own path and do his own thing. Kazarian believes in him. Go out there and stand on his own. Kazarian has his back and always will. He asked the crew to hit his music but changed his mind – hit Avery’s music. The crew do just that and the two head backstage and we head to break.

When we come back we go to an ambulance and see Jeff being stretchered into it. Matt said he doesn’t know what happened and asked to go with him to the hospital. We cut immediately to Hartwell headed to ringside. Usually, she is an easy going and positive person, but she is angry right now.  Daria Rae said she is not worthy of a title shot. A fan yelled Rae is a female dog and Hartwell sort of agreed, saying she is a lot of things. She said she had been watching and obsessing with wrestling since she was eight-years-old. This is her life, there’s no plan B and she can’t go back to University (ummm…why not?) She moved across the world for this. She has not been more physically and emotionally strong as she is right now. No one is going to stand in her way anymore.

That brought out Rae. Rae said that was so touching and almost got to her until she remembered how mediocre Hartwell is (ohhh..burn…..) Rae can’t stand one thing and that is people who grew up idolizing and obsessing over wrestling and feel that is cause for an opportunity over everyone else.  This is how the real world is – money equals opportunity. IF she brings in money to the company, that brings opportunity. That is something Hartwell has not done.

She gave Hartwell advice – take her underperforming mediocre glutes back to catering. Rae would urge her to stop disrespecting her name. Hartwell said is it when she called Rae Dariarhee….she was immediately cut off by Rae’s catchphrase was a too late a “Diarrhea” chant emerged.

Rae said actions have consequences. Hartwell asked about what consequences. Is Rae going to fight Hartwell? Is she going to hair up and square up (harkening to Rae’s catchphrase in NXT) Hartwell said has a hair tie for her. Rae responded that Hartwell wished she would rub one ounce of Rae’s star power and aura on her dying career. If Rae ever did step back into the ring, she would kick Hartwell’s glutes all the way back to kangaroo land.

Hartwell said what is wrong with the world is someone who projects their misery onto other people. Just because her career was a failure doesn’t mean she has to ruin it for everyone else. Hartwell said she won’t Rae ruin her career; with or without her in the way, she will get the Knockouts world title. Rae said good luck with that and Hartwell watched Rae leave. BUT HOLD EVERYTHING, Zoey Star…err…Serrano hit the ring and started to maul Hartwell on the mat. She hit the Z360 and Hartwell crumpled to the mat  – a “holy (excrement)” chant emerged. Rae formerly introduced Serrano to the crowd. Rae and Serrano posed in the ring as we go to break and prep for the main event…after the break.

During the break, we get the Hometown Man greeting the crowd in a Toronto Blue Jays jersey and hat (noticeably, no Maple Leafs’  or Brampton Battalion gear.) he get the cheap pop and a “TNA” chant emerged. HE said not only are the best wrestlers in the world in TNA but the best wrestlers in the world are from right here in Canada. Not only that, the best pro wrestling fans are from right here from Canada (I bet you say that to all the cities.) A “hometown man” chant emerged and HTM continued. We have a lot to be excited about including the main event. He asked the camera man to follow him. He got the crowd riled with the main event talk and the Astros going to the World Series (well, he said the Blue Jays but let’s be honest.) He also has free merch to throw to the crowd, and he did just that. Afterwards, he thanked the crowd and headed backstage.

We go backstage to see a recuperating Hartwell. Harley Hudson walked into the shot and wanted to check on Hartwell. Hudson said she can’t stand what Rae is doing; first, she threatened to send Hudson back to England. Hartwell said Rae wanted to send her back to “kangaroo land.” She can bring in Serrano or anyone she wants, Hartwell isn’t going anywhere. Hudson said she wants people to be frustrated but that’s not going to happen. If she needs someone, Hudson is there for her.

However, Xia Brookside walked into the shot and commented on the “Daria Rae Hate Club” being adorable. Hartwell got into Brookside’s face but Brookside said she heard what Hartwell said at Lockdown about getting a shot at her World Title. Brookside said Rae said she is not getting a title shot. Hartwell asked if she is happy about that. Brookside asked why wouldn’t she? She has the world title and Hartwell has, what, exactly? A bad neck and new enemy.

Santino Marella came into the shot and said he could make the match. However, Rae entered the shot (holy NXT interview parade, Batman) and said she is amazed how stupid Marella is. She went to the board and told them about the verbal and physical assault months ago. Her permanent record is not great. It’s above their head and safe to say – no title shot. Hartwell asked if this is high school? Marella said he would look into that but in the meantime, he made a tag match. It will be Hudson and Hartwell vs. Brookside and Serrano next week. Rae agreed it was a good match and sarcastically wished Hartwell and Hudson good luck.

We get an ad for “30 Second Takedown” on TNA Plus, debuting after Bound For Glory. Along with the tag match just announced we get the X-Division Qualifying Match between Navarro and Joe Alonzo (who won a TNA Contract during a dark match not shown prior to Lockdown.)

We get the tale of the tape for the main event and here we go:

TNA Tag World Title Match: The Nemeths (Ryan and Nic) vs. Ricky Sosa and Leon Slater

The crowd starts the “Bang,bang/Sosa, Sosa” chant to his theme. Slater quickly joins him and the crowd chants to his theme. We get some hype for Bound For Glory in Tampa. The Nemeths head out next with gyrations aplenty. We go to break during that. We come back to the Nemeths taunting the crowd (Ryan did the Jeff Hardy dance mimic and followed it with the Ricky Sosa dance.)

Nic grabbed the mic and wanted the crowd to shut up. He knows the crowd came to see the Nemeths do what they do best, but some wanted to see Sosa and Slater and everyone came to see them win the titles. Nic knows he came to see himself and that the Nemeths are the most successful brother team in history and that Nic is the most valuable man in TNA history. Nic knows after they beat Sosa and Slater and retain the titles,, they are going to leave and put this country in the rear view. He started a “USA” chant that got booed. The crowd got a “Lake Ontario” chant going (I laughed at that – nice touch.)

The chant kept going when we got back to the action. Slater and Nic started. Slater chased Nic to the corner and Nic tagged Ryan. Slater it an enziguri and then a handspring back elbow off the ropes. Slater beat on Ryan in the corner, including the 10-punch corner spot. Sosa tagged and the two hit a double hiptoss. Sosa followed it with a senton for a two count.

Sosa attempted a bodyslam but Ryan escaped and tagged Nic. Nic immediately went to work on the arm and hit multiple arm twists. Sosa and Nic traded reversals but Sosa dropped the World Champion with a shoulder block off the ropes and followed it with a body slam and dropkick. Nic weathered the storm and managed to hit a back elbow in the ropes. Nic started to maul Sosa and tagged Ryan. Ryan slugged away on Sosa in the corner and on the mat. Sosa rallied with a series of back elbows and a huge dropkick off the ropes.

Sosa managed to get the tag to Slater and Slater was a flat on fire with a series of forearms and two running boots off the ropes and in the corner. Slater climbed to the top and hit a cross bodyblock for a two count until Nic interrupted the pin. Nic was rewarded with  a rebound spin kick off the ropes and a superkick. Back to Ryan, Slater lifted Ryan on his shoulders and hit the Utopia (Spinning Rack Bomb) for a two count. Ryan bailed to the floor and Nic consoled him and asked for a time out.

Back in the ring, Slater chopped away on Ryan. Slater tagged Sosa and Sosa continued to literally chop away at Ryan. Slater tagged back and hit a chop on the arm from the top rope. Ryan finally got a break with an eye rake and tagged Nic. Nic choked Slater on the ropes. Ryan tagged and hit a shoulder block to the abdomen in the corner. Ryan beat on Slater with a clothesline off the ropes but Slater quickly rallied with a big boot..

Sosa tagged back in the match and hit a seated dropkick after a snap mare of a two count. Sosa tagged Slater and slammed Ryan. Slater climbed to the rope but Nic tried to interfere. Slater thwarted him but the distraction gave time to recover and evaded the leap,. Slater landed on his feet but sold a leg injury upon landing. Ryan threw Slater shoulder first into the ringpost. Nic tagged and threw Slater into the turnbuckles. Nic choked Slater on the ropes. As the referee tried to restrain Nic Ryan slugged him on the floor.

Slater tried to tag but Nic grabbed his leg and tagged Ryan. (note: at this point the feed ended.) Nemeth cut off the ring and attempted multiple pins, including a neckbreacker but only got two counts. Nic tagged into the match and continued to maul Slater in the corner.

Ryan tagged again and continued the beatdown until Slater rallied with a Superkick. Both made writhed on the canvas but eventually started the hope craw. Sosa immediately went to work and dropped both Nemeths with clotheslines. He countered a Ryan clothesline with a spin kick that sent Ryan staggering. Sosa clotheslined Ryan out of the ring and then focused on Nic. Sosa hit a powerslam off the ropes and followed it with a moonsault off the ropes for a two count.

Sosa kept the offense going with a twisting neckbreaker for another two count. After knocking Ryan back to the floor from the apron, Sosa went back to Nic. However, Nic dropped Sosa and cued up the superkick. However, Sosa blocked it and hit the Blue Thunder Bang (his Blue Thunder Bomb variation.) Slater tagged back to the match, ascended to the top and hit the Swanton 450 for a two count until Ryan recovered and interrupted the pin and pulled him out the ring and sent Slater into the ring steps.

Sosa tagged back into the match and hit a spingboard cutter on Nic for another two count. Sosa measured him for the Head Shot (running uppercut.) However, Ryan recovered the just enough to grab Sosa’s leg to interfere. Sosa kicked him and Slater leapt over the ringpost and dove on Ryan. However, Nic recuperated and managed to drop Sosa with another superkick for a two count. Nic attempted another superkick but Sosa caught him and hoisted him into another powerbomb. Sosa got ready for another attempt at the Head Shot but Nic blocked it, hit the Danger Zone, and got the win and the title retention as the show ended.

Impactful Discourse:

One: The curse of the first live taping strikes as the feed cut out before the final match. There was also a hiccup transitioning between the Hardys segment and going to Hartwell’s interview. There has to be a better way to do this. Though it has gotten better, this still happens with way too much frequency.

Two: The main event was to be expected as Slater is set to compete for the World Title so this was just a match. Given the stakes at Bound For Glory, they wanted to keep Slater strong; ergo, Sosa ate the pin. Nemeth getting clean pins is unusual given he’s a heel but I guess if Slater does win – as he should – this gives him a stronger champion to conquer. Sosa should be fine as he still has a huge rub and the crowd loves him.

Three: Speaking of fait accompli, it felt like M’s win over Stone was just that. And, it was the right call. M is ready for the big time and to carry that title. Stone still has work to do. They built a good “David vs. Goliath” match but M just looked so much more fluid in there and watching her pick up Stone effortlessly for the pin was a telling sign. Now that it is done, where do we go from here? We have two heel champions (for now) and a just a few face challengers.

Four: That being said, I don’t think M is long for the heel side. However, I don’t know where this leaves the By Elegance Brand and don’t know if this leads to dissention amongst the ranks. I don’t buy Heather as a credible threat to M – so that would be a one-sided affair. The deck is stacked heavily for the heels vs. faces quantity (and quality, for that matter.) Having M become face would not be the worst idea as she can do all the lifting on her own in ring and on mic.

Five: That ratio is compounded by the fact that Zoey Serrano is now in the organization. I am a bigger fan of hers than most people here but I was glad to see her after the horrible injury she suffered. She was introduced the proper way and can see her quickly assume the role as a top heel. Also, this was a far better introduction to a Rae signing than, let’s say…..

Six: Elayna Black. Her segment cemented her face turn. It was a paint-by-numbers segment and a pretty good one but the delivery still seemed off. Also, it was shot like a hostage video. I guess underdog redemption/ashamed of how she was is a good enough impetus for a turn, but can Black finally handle the role and seem natural in there.

Seven: The last temptation of BDE continues. It’s a feud and keeps everyone present and accounted, I guess. It does seem like a waste for three of the four people involved (Swann could be penciled into the X-Division scene again now that is vacated and we have a six-way match for the title at Bound For Glory.) BDE needs something so him somehow being swayed by the Righteous would be something more than “social media star who wrestles but falls just short time after time.”

Eight: Great interview by Ali after the Miguel and Hotch victory. That was well crafted and keeps people aware that he still lurks. If Slater wins the title, I would love to see a world title feud between them.

Nine: Great work by Steelz, by the way, in her “quiet quitting/exasperated” mannerisms. She is just over this and wonder when her face turn takes place (having her in the mix isn’t the worst idea, either.)

10: Hartwell did a nice job with her segment but one has to wonder if they don’t pull the trigger on this, how much longer does she stay in TNA? She has been at the forefront and just missed time after time. Her skillset is limited but the fans still react to her in a natural way. Her style is weirdly natural.

11: I forgot to mention this on the Lockdown review but luckily it manifested itself tonight. I don’t know what is the denouement of the “mystery attacker” is but I am curious. TNA doesn’t really hit home runs with their big reveals but this would be a good time for one. I would settle for a solid double. I do like Hannifan’s speculation and the paranoid accusations of wrestlers on who it is to sell the drama unfolding.

12: The Kazarian/Moose/Styles troika is interesting as it has two proverbial good hands leading a newcomer through his first big angle. Styles as a “padawan” is a great way to get him into heavy rotation as good vs. evil fight for him. And, could lead to the proverbial “one more match” for a certain phenomenal wrestler.

Lastly: We have two pieces set with Serrano and DeVille. All we need is Shayna Bazsler and you know what that means? Yup, Pure Fusion Collective is back.

Fight the Good Fight.

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.

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.

What’s this? The app works? Well, I guess it’s time for another TNA Impact review. We are finishing up our taping from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA. LeBron James is still not here, for that matter neither are former stars Allen Iverson, Clarence Weatherspoon, Hal Greer, Dolph Schayes, Wilt Chamberlain, Joel Embiid, Andrew Toney, Mike Gminski, Caldwell Jones, Bobby Jones, Julius Erving or even Darryl Dawkins (fun factoid: Dawkins was a celebrity judge at WrestleMania 2 for the boxing match between Roddy Piper and Mr. T.) However, Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt are here for the play-by-play announcing, Gia Miller has backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell lets us know who is who with ring announcing. Most importantly, you are here. So, let’s hit the lane and enjoy this slam dunk edition of some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

(Note: The app is still not working for me. I had used it up to this point and it worked fine. I am probably going to go back and use the TV show until the Pay-Per-Views start again. This has been an intolerable situation but owe the site something. So, having seen a litany of highlights and what not, I will give the Impactful Discourse only this time. It will be in essay form versus the standard itemized list.  If somehow things start to magically work, I will give the full review. I profusely apologize for the whole situation.  Thank you for your indulgence. Also, take time to appreciate the good people who contribute to this fantastic site. They work just as hard and deserve the love and respect.)

I want to start with the Knockouts Division as the needle moved a bit. Xia Brookside beating Wendy Choo seemed like fait accompli (nice job by Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt and even Brookside for calling back Jacy Jayne’s Knockouts reign last year and not wanting a repeat.) Signing Choo would not be the worst idea in the world. It would replenish the faces side of the equation, especially with the exodus of Mara Sade and Jody Threat; admittedly, the loss of Sade would be felt more than Threat. Sade has all the boxes checked and a match with Brookside would have been great.

All this is compounded by the fact that we have a heel champion (and a pretty good one, at that.) Since TNA is aversive to heel vs. heel matchups, having a balance on both sides would have been beneficial. Especially, ones who are ready made to be a challenger and could carry a division.

Speaking of Brookside, the interview she gave with Gia Miller seemed somewhat robotic and might have been her weakest one she gave. It fluctuated to much between script reading and real feeling. The nonverbals are still there and her ringwork continues to improve, though. Hopefully, this was an off segment and nothing consistent.

TNA is trying to generate new challengers for Brookside; I will credit them that. However, that leads to this argument. Our fearless leader said sometimes wrestling can be Shakespeare, and that leads to one of my favorite quotes from the bard is “Some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” I think the last part relates to Harley Hudson and Elayna Black. With the face side at a negative, these two seemed to have been picked to help carry the division in the upper ranks. They have already set up an angle and narrative for Hudson as she is under the gun for not winning enough. She has not really been showcased well (the tag team with Myla Grace went nowhere for Grace’s exit.) I don’t know if she has the ability to handle it and that is the unknown that keeps it somewhat intriguing. Working with an established heel like Alisha Edwards is a good start. Edwards is a good hand and can work solidly. Her mic skills – triggering as they can be for someone who lived for a spell in Massachusetts towns – helped spark this match next week. To her credit, Hudson’s carried her part of the mic work well in the segment by getting Edwards to shut up and realizing this would be her chance to show what she is worth.  Let’s see if the follow through continues the momentum.

Black still has the mic struggles with the monotonous cadence in her speech. The ring work is okay. Some people say she worked better as an underdog face but here’s hoping she can generate something in her performance that can shoulder the greatness thrusted. I am curious if they address the pivot to being face. One thing that could help is pulling a ruse and pretending to be face whilst setting up for the heel return. The System did it earlier in the year so it might be too soon to try it again. I do find it odd that Hudson has an angle ready-made and developed for her; let’s hope Black can figure out to turn this into something of an upward trajectory.

News also broke this week that Gabby Forza signed a contract is part of TNA now. I have mixed emotions about that. The gimmick is very independent wrestling and not sure how it would fly here. I guess there’s an audience for it. What does impress me is her ring ability. She does fill in the role of Threat (and Dani Luna when she was a face) of a power wrestler. That match with Threat was great a couple of weeks ago. That really opened my eyes to her (and Threat, too,, to be honest.) I don’t know how to balance the two factors but she could be someone to add (and maybe get her some wins instead of spirited losses to Threat and Indi Hartwell.)

There is one other X-factor in the “heel/face” balance. Heather by Elegance  moved on to the semi-finals when she defeated the (now learned) lame duck Sade (side note, I did snicker during the TNA Injury Report when Sade was out indefinitely with an “abdominal injury.” ) That sets up both members (active, at least) of the By Elegance Brand in semis. Having read the spoilers for the next couple of weeks, there are developments coming. For spoiler free content; let’s say presuming Heather defeats Jada Stone  and M by Elegance defeats Hartwell. I have been championing M for future greatness for a while now. She even got a shout out from Seth Rollins (yes, her trainer, but still the name carries weight. See Booker T and Roxanne Perez.) Presuming you turn one of those face (preferably M) that would give the division a much needed boost and have someone who feels like she could carry the division.

Hartwell and Stone are already established. Stone is getting a good rub and they seemed sold on her – far more than I do. But, whilst she has not turned the corner for me; she has reached it. She actually had a good turn on the mic with the Hudson/Edwards segment as she hyped up Hudson and verbally went after Edwards. Hartwell is solid and set and one knows what one gets with her (one wonders if she does get a shot at the world title soon because it seemed like too big a get to have her churning away on the mid-card. Again, spoiler free content.)

Speaking of world titlists, Lei Ying Lee has been conspicuously absent since her loss to Brookside. She would be someone to retain and hopefully we don’t get the news that she has requested her release.

Now, to the men, the Nic Nemeth feud with Jeff Hardy  does nothing for me. The highlights of the segment did highlight Nemeth’s mic work and Hardy’s, well, artistic work. With the clamor for new angles and with an influx of new talent, the fact that we are getting these two in a world title program just seems like backwards logic. I’m sure the match will be solid but Hardy is being held together by some sort of MacGyver device I think. This just feels like a way to keep things going until they throw the dart and elevate someone else into the title contention (presumably, Leon Slater or one of the new folks they signed.)

It’s not like the Hardys have a serious contenders for the tag titles. That’s leads to the Righteous interview. Purposefully cryptic but find it curious what they mean by finding the forgotten and making them bloom. It was a good attempt to save face after the one-sided feud with the Hardys. If spoilers are correct, it does take them into an interesting turn and angle.  Even more curious was the show of respect between the two. One has to wonder what becomes of them and if anything changes in their dynamic in the company.

And now to the edgy side of things. The Mustafa Ali/Jason Hotch angle continuation carried a lot of the background between matches. Hotch is setting up for a great babyface run and harkens back to the faces of the 1980’s whilst spending time with family. Then, that promo hit. The kid was superfluous. I was a little distracted by her staring into the camera during parts of the segment (to be fair, it’s not like the kid had a semblance of training in front of the camera. But then, why include her?) Ali was really at his smarmy, sleazy best (worst?) here. His work with Hotch’s wife started strong as she sat there stone silent whilst Ali ran down what he did for Hotch. However, when Ali touched her, she lost me. Staying stone silent was not the right call. She might have held back not to trigger her daughter (but then again, why include the daughter?)

I get there’s been a lot of talk around about the lap touch. Ali is a heel and I get that is something he would do. But the whole thing could have been crafted so much better Why do it if that was her reaction? Why do it in front of the kid? Again, was the kid necessary if that was going to be end result of the segment. It seemed like forced edginess with two of the three parties not ready for it.

Hotch, however, did a great rection follow up on the next segment and confronted Ali. The lines seemed to be drawn with Ali, Mila Moore and Agent Zero  on one side with Hotch, Tasha Steelz on the other. The variable is John Skyler  who seemed hesitant to join his Great Hands partner in fear of his job (the spoilers indicate this gets carried out further in the next couple of weeks.) The logical answer would be Skyler does join his partner since Skyler does not strike me as one could be a legitimate threat for a title.

Speaking of young talent, I would be a little more upset by Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards beating K C Navarro and Fabian Aichner but it was by shenanigans so at least momentum is not killed. Prepare for multi-person matches as the (to use the vernacular here) young’uns take on the System. And, for spoilers, prepare for a return off the injury list soon.  I am curious who breaks loose and gets the vaunted championship opportunities (and for which ones.)

That gets dropped one title as we saw the further development of the rivalry between  Cedric Alexander and Slater. Now, I want to make one point. This was the best interview Alexander did. It was measured but sounded reasonably natural. He started calm and made very salient points to Tom Hannifan. Even when Slater entered the room and excused Hannifan, Alexander made salient points and only started to raise his voice at the end in a natural crescendo versus right from the onset. That is what we want and if we can get more than that, that would go a long way in turning Alexander into a wrestler I like to one I love watching work. His delivery of the last line about erasing Slater from history was well crafted. Slater was his usual excellent self. He signed a contract in January for TNA and they better reward him for it because he would be ready to go in WWE or AEW.

While the X-Division feud took an interesting turn, alas, we have more Elijah shenanigans in his feud with A J Francis.  Kudos to “Philly’s own” Home Town Man for getting the upset win on a banana peel and interference from the guitar strum of doom. Francis is doing yeoman’s work keeping these two relevant but I really don’t want to see any more of the Elijah vs. Francis feud. I get they need work and it was an original angle but they closed it way too soon if they are going to keep doing  this.

Frankie Kazarian’s feud with Moose  now has an “Escape the Cage” match in the future. Much like the aforementioned Francis and Elijah, they seem to be working for the sake of working. They seemed to be directionless for the time being so one might as well put them together. Moose’s promo about his titles in TNA was fine as weas Kazarian calling him a mascot versus a king like him. I would argue a king would not have to use a pay phone in 2026.

Lastly, despite all that has gone on and all the issues in the world, one thing remains constant, Nic Nemeth is in pristine shape.

Thank you again for understanding. Keep fighting the good fight. 

Greetings and welcome to another review of TNA Impact. Tonight, we start a brand new taping cycle with some big events on the horizon. We are in Philadelphia, PA at the Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University. We have Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on announce duties. Gia Miller returns for backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell tells who is who in the ring (and a special duty that we found out during the live feed.) There is a lot to get to so let’s sit back and get ready to go to the extrreee…I mean get ready for some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Gretings, one and all, and welcome to your weekly TNA Impact Review. We are still at the Broadview Center in Albany. Albany was once the home to Herman Melville of Moby Dick fame. I promise nothing will blow here as we have Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt  on commentary. Gia Miller  is still absent but no need to call Ismael since  McKenzie Mitchell is here to let us know who is who on ring introductions. So, no need to stab from hell’s heart or be obsessed with the great white one. We know not what is coming but whatever it be, we go in laughing and engaging in some Impactful Discourse? Shall we? We shall.

(side note: As always, take time to appreciate our fellow contributors. They put in great hours to get the content done. Show them the appropriate love and give them a read and some feedback. Thanks. And now, our feature presentation.) 

 We go right from an Albany intro to Elijah in the ring playing the riff from “Seven Nation Army” as the crowd chants “Walk with Elijah” to it. He stopped playing and the lights go out and we get the full intro of his partner, Moose (the fans promptly chant to his theme.)  Already in the ring, without introduction, are there opponents and the opening match starts:

Moose and Elijah vs. A J Francis (with Expressions in tow) and Frankie Kazarian

Kazarian and Elijah start, with Elijah getting the upper hand with a series of shoulder blocks and an arm lock. We also get the old-school rope walk followed by an elbow. Elijah tagged Moose and Kazarian immediately bailed to his corner and tagged Francis. Francis and Moose traded shoulder blocks. Moose grabbed the advantage when he ducked a Francis clothesline and then dropped him with a shoulder block.
Elijah tagged back into the match and hit the ropes but Expressions grabbed his leg for a distraction. Elijah immediately threatened Expressions and Francis hit a big boot. Francis followed it with the Tennessee Whiskey running knee strike to the corner. Kazarian tagged int o the match and got a quick two count. A chicken wing attempt was thwarted by Elijah. Elijah continued to rally as Kazarian tried a springboard twisting leg drop but was met with a leaping knee strike.

Eliah hot tagged Moose and Moose immediately chopped away on Kazarian and then dropped Francis from the apron. Returning to Kazarian, Moose hit a running back elbow followed by his urinagi and back senton spot for a two count. Francis got into the fracas and Moose promptly threw him over the top rope to the floor. Moose leapt over the ropes and dove onto Francis.

However, when Moose got back in the ring, Kazarian hit a backstabber and a sliding clothesline and NOW we get the springboard legdrop for a two count. Francis tagged back into the match. Francis attempted the Down Payment (chokeslam) but Moose escaped and pushed Francis into Kazarian, who fell to the floor.

Elijah tagged back into the match and charged Francis. Francis backdropped him to the apron but Elijah landed on his feet. He kicked Moose and started to climb to the top rope. Francis attempted another Down Payment but Elijah reversed that into another top rope walk; that is, until Expressions shook the ropes and Elijah lost his balance. Francis got him on his shoulders and hit the Cash Out (Death Valley Driver) for the win.

Post Match: Moose immediately went after Kazarian on the floor. Expressions, meanwhile, stole Elijah’s guitar and got ready to “el kabong” Elijah. However, Moose got back in the ring and grabbed the guitar. Moose headbutted Expressions into Elijah and hit the Highwayman’s Farewell (tombstone piledriver.) Moose and Elijah stood over Expressions and Elijah put his hat over Expression’s face.

We get the rest of the card (including the TNA World Title match in the main event) but next we get more action in the TNA Knockouts TV Title Tournament. Well, it’s after the break.

We come back to Mustafa Ali and the rest of Order Four flanking him. Ali said it’s a beautiful day (no it’s not, Bertha is playing havoc with East Texas.) Today is the day Mustafa Ali puts the power back into the people. The TNA roster will vote for who is the number one contender for his Ali’s International title. He even hired someone to watch the ballot box (smart.)

He explained the rules, only the active roster can vote (and only once) and cannot vote for themselves. May the best person win.

Now, we go to the ring for the next match:

TNA Knockouts TV Title Match: Wendy Choo vs. Elayna Black

Wendy is greeted by the ringside fans and we get her insert interview, which dovetailed Hannifan’s talk about her return to TNA. She said the last time she was here she caused some chaos but via therapy, she has come back a new person. As the former Evolve Woman’s champion, she knows how to hold the gold around her waist. Black is next and we get a rundown of her accomplishments and her history with Choo, which leads to her insert promo. In case we have been living under a rock, she wants to reintroduce herself: She is “The Only One” Elayna Black. As In, she is the only one that matters in the Knockouts Division. She is the only one that will be walking out of the tournament with the title and it doesn’t matter how many Knockouts she has to beat (well, four at least.) For that matter, the TNA Knockouts World Title will be hers, too.

Hannifan reiterated their history as Choo and Black locked into battle. Black got the initial upper hand with a knee to the torso and a snap mare. Black mockingly patted her on the head and taunted the crowd. Choo returned the favor with a snap mare and a head pat of her own. Choo got a headlock takedown and cinched it on the mat. Choo dropped Black with a shoulder block and reversed a clothesline into an armdrag and cradle for two,

Choo continued her attack with a drop kick as Black hit the floor. She jawed with the crowd and sat on the apron to taunt the crowd. Choo attempted to attack but Black grabbed Choo’s head and snapped it into the middle rope, sending Choo to the floor. When there, Black ran Choo into the apron. She continued to taunt Choo and hit a hard chop to the chest. Choo tried to rally but a clothesline ended that.

Black got back in the ring as did Choo. Black hit the rope asiste3d double stomp to the chest for a two count. Black slowed the action by choking Choo with her boot on the ropes. Black, however, missed a sliding back elbow on the ropes and Choo got a quick two count from the subsequent roll up. The rally was short lived as Black dropped her with a clothesline for two count. Black continued to trash talk Choo as she hit a chinlock and cinched it. Choo attempted to fight out of it abut Black threw her to the mat by her hair. NOW, Black hit the sliding back elbow on the ropes for another two count.

Black continued her assault with a leaping knee strike in the corner. Black worked the back with her knee – grabbing Choo’s arm back for extra leverage. Choo eventually arose and used a double armdrag to escape the hold. Choo dropped Black with a series of running chops and then an armbar short-arm clothesline. She followed with a cartwheel elbow strike in the corner and then a running boot. She also hit a running neckbreaker for two-and-a-fraction.

Black, however, escaped the Snooze Button (Full Nelson slam) with a series of elbows. However, Choo reversed the Black Out (DDT) with a Superkick. Black tried to climb the ropes but Choo kicked Black. Black, sitting on the turnbuckle, fell victim to a DDT for another two-and-a-fraction.

Black recovered and hit a running chop on the ropes and then a running knee strike. A belly-to-belly suplex got a two count. Choo recovered and both combatants traced punches with Black getting the upper hand eventually. Black hit the Black Out but Choo rolled out of the ring. Black  frustrated, climbed to the top turnbuckle and attempted to leap on Choo. However, Choo recovered and hit an uppercut and then climbed the turnbuckles for a superplex.  Both competitors writhed on the mat when the bell rang. Mitchell said the time limit had been reached and the match is a draw.

Post-Match: The crowd chanted “let them fight” as Choo wanted five more minutes. However, before any decision was made Xia Brookside ran to ringside and dragged Black to the floor. Brookside threw Black into the ring steps. Choo went after the TNA Knockouts champion and Brookside retreated up the rampway. However, Brookside ran back to the ring when Choo turned her back to check on Black. Brookside ran her into the ring steps. With both competitors down, Brookside posed with her belt held high and NOW headed backup the rampway to backstage. With the draw, M by Elegance advances to the semi-finals to face the winner of Indi Hartwell and Thea Hail.

We go back to ringside and Choo and Black quickly shake hands before Black headed up the rampway and stared at the title.

We quickly go backstage as Ali and Order Four are still monitoring the ballot box as Rosemary, Allie, Rich Swann, Ryan Nemeth and Cedric Alexander cast their votes individually. John Skyler wanted to count the votes but Ali admonished him for ruining the integrity. He wanted coffee all of Order Four flanked him. Skyler stood back and looked at the box. Mila Moore came back and said Skyler was doing a great job (hmmmnm.) Skyler looked impressed and happy as we get hype for the rest of the card and we get to hear from the System (after the break.)

After hype for Lockdown (August 23 in Chicago) we hear the warning buzzer and Alsiha Edwards telling us you can’t beat the System. That naturally brings the entire System to ringside. They pose to the hard camera and taunt the rest of the crowd. Hey, do we want to something? Sure, Alisha, tell us. Everyone loves a new toy or a new flavor of the month and are deemed the future of the sport until reality hits (she stood next to Bear Bronson as she said that.) She gave Bronson the mic and Bronson said reality is right. Last week, he didn’t just beat Ricky Sosa, he decimated him. He repeated it for the crowd. Guys like Sosa are nothing but a catchy song, or a meme or a joke; guys like Bronson are killers (easy…)

Brian Myers grabbed the mic and said pro wrestling is just like life – things change (okay, my brain into some odd areas there, thanks for bringing it back, Brian.) The roster comes and goes; but rest assured, the one thing that is constant is the dominance of the System. They are the gatekeepers of TNA Wrestling (well, Eric Young isn’t there, so someone has to do the job.)

Cedric Alexander shouted gatekeeper and they are the gatekeepers because if someone wants to be a success, they have to go through the System.. The list of survivors is short – ask Leon Slater or Fabian Aichner. The champ is right here (Alexander held the belt aloft.)

Eddie Edwards said the System isn’t just a faction, this is quality control for TNA. They decide who is real and who is ready. They decide who belongs in their ring. He hypes his wife’s match with Jada Stone later tonight in the TNA KO TV title tournament. It’s another chance to add some more gold for the System. So, when Stone comes out later tonight it might be the last time she is seen in a TNA ring, like Sosa.

That naturally brings out Sosa. He said they ere right that Bronson beat him last week. Sometimes. you lose and sometimes you win; but, you can’t keep “The Young Savage” down. The only reason why Bronson won was because of Myers’ interference. Edwards took umbrage with that and brought up Sosa’ rebuking the offer to join the System and losing out on a band of brothers that would watch his back. Now, he is standing all alone without help.

This naturally brought out Slater. Slater asked what their problem is as they stick their noses in everyone’s business. He asked if they were mad, saying no one has Sosa’s back. Slater has Sosa’s back. He said Sosa is right, the System can’t do anything without a scheme, shenanigan or plan. One that is clear to him is that a couple of them are in wrestling gear, as is Sosa and Slater. So, why don’t they go to ringside and get their left hands ready to smack the teeth out of the System right now in a tag match.

Eddie Edwards grabbed the mic and said if they want a match, they will talk to Daria about a tag match – next week in Philadelphia (womp, womp, sorry Albany.) Slater asked if Marella is listening because it doesn’t matter if it is Albany, Philadelphia, Mars or Jupiter; it will end the same way. Slater and Sos getting their hands on the System and they will go out with a “bang, Bang” Sosa said as his theme. All parties involved stared at each other as the crowd did the “bang, bang/Sosa, Sosa” chant as we go to break and the Hardy Compound match happens afterward.

We come back from break with more hype for Lock Down and then go to election central with Order Four and Daria Rae, who announces who Ali’s number one contender is – Jason Hotch. Order Four is elated but Ali glances at Hotch. Rae said “this is awkward” and quickly bolted out of frame. Ali continued to glare at Hotch until he started laughing. We know what is happening here, he said; the roster is playing a prank on him. Hotch doesn’t actually believe he has a shot at this, Ali asked. He thinks it might have been Nic Nemeth playing the joke. He wanted Hotch to track down Rae and let her know it is a rib and a sham. Hotch was going to say something but Ali asked why is he still here and to go get her. He reluctantly agreed and left the shot. We need to find a real number one contender, Ali said as they glanced around the room.

We actually go back not to compound as advertised but to another match:

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

Both get the “already in the ring” introduction. Mr. Elegance was wearing white gloves and managed to take one off (putting it in his trunks) but wearing the right glove. BDE got the quick upper hand with a series of kicks and a knee strike. Mr. Elegance avoided a corner charge by BDE but BDE responded with a dropkick. BDE tried for the Clip Cutter (springboard cutter) but Mr. Elegance swatted him away and hit a running clothesline and a series of knee strikes.

Mr. Elegance choked BDE on the ropes as the By Elegance Brand taunted him from the floor. He also started to paintbrush BDE with the right glove (which he did remove.) However, BDE escaped a vertical suplex, hit the ropes and hit a series of forearms and  corner splash. NOW we get the Clip Cutter for a two count. The crowd started to chant for BDE but Mr. Elegance reversed a throw and BDE hit the turnbuckles. However, BDE backdropped a charging Mr. E to the apron.

Mr. Elegance regained the advantage with left hand punch and then leapt over the ropes and hit a Codebreaker on BDE for a two count. Mr. Elegance mauled BDE on the mat as the rest of the Brand taunted the crowd. However, BDE met a charging Mr. E with a boot and then a rolling Codebreaker of his own. BDE climbed to the rope and hit diving splash for a two count until M by Elegance grabbed Mr. E’s boot and put it on the rope.

BDE grabbed Mr. Elegance by the jacket and lifted him to the apron. However, Mr. Elegance recovered and pushed BDE to the ropes and hit the Excuaez Moi (a swinging STO into a DDT) for the victory.

Post-Match: The By Elegance Brand celebrated on the rampway.

What to celebrate are injuries and it is time for the TNA Injury Report. Black is in evaluation after the attack earlier from Brookside. Rehwoldt had some breaking news – Nic Nemeth will never be on the injury list ever because he is in incredible condition. Moose is also in evaluation after a hip injury earlier tonight but is scheduled to not miss any time. Speaking of hips, Rehwoldt had another breaking story, Nemeth is in perfect condition and will swiveling his hips after he beats K C Navarro later tonight.

NOW, we get a shot of a dark road and singing. The Righteous are seen walking in the dark to the Hardy Compound. They approach the cast-iron gates and Vincent snapped his fingers to unlock and open them. They walk out of a room and Vincent said “everything blooms better with a little bit of sunshine.” He snapped his fingers and it becomes daylight. Dutch decrees he is Righteous as the small house has skeletons of around the sides of it. Vincent said that we are many – dig what he’s saying.

That instantly wakes up Matt Hardy with his dachshund on his chest. He just had a premonition and asked Vanguard-1 to let Brother Nero know that the Righteous are here. He also wanted Senor Benjamin summoned,, too, for the final Deletion.

We cut to the Righteous walking through a wooden area and stopping by a grave of some sort. We see Jeff’s daughter, Ever Moore Hardy, mimic the Righteous introduction and said the Hardys are coming and snapped her fingers. We cut to a shot of Matt walking through another part of the wooden area. The Righteous are making a stand in a dilapidated house. Dutch said it is not the Hardys miracle anymore but their revelation. Dutch reached for a glowing part of the ceiling and they are transported into a field as both the Righteous and Hardys start to walk toward each other.

Matt said it is now time for the final deletion and instantly the teams started to brawl – Jeff paired with Vincent and Matt paired with Dutch. Jeff hit a running clothesline off a dirt mound to drop Vincent and Matt said it is time for Dutch to be deleted on a dilapidated boat. Dutch reversed it and ran Matt’s head into the boat. Jeff joined his brother and attacked Dutch. They hit the Poetry in Motion on Dutch. However, Vincent entered the fracas and attacked the Hardys with the handle of a shovel.

Whilst the Hardys writhed on the ground, Dutch said to turn him on and then turn him loose. The Righteous grabbed the dingy and attempted to hit the Hardys with it until the Hardys disappeared. The Hardys materialized in a wrestling ring in a gym. The Righteous looked around befuddled but started to laugh until they were materialized to the same ring. The Hardys called for “Senor Spencer” and the referee got in the ring as the four, again, started brawling (paring off in the same manner.)

Vincent got the better of Jeff and hit the Orange Sunshine (Dutch assisted running cutter) until Matt interrupted the pin. Dutch slammed Matt face first into the mat but missed a corner charge as Jeff got back into the fray. Jeff hit a inverted kick and Matt hit the Twist of Fate on Vincent. The Hardys double suplexed Dutch. The Hardys started to celebrate and hit a Twist of Fate on Matt as Jeff climbed to the top rope but Vincent grabbed Jeff’s leg to prevent the Swanton Bomb.

Jeff went after Vincent and left Matt and Dutch in the ring. Matt hit another Twist of Fate but Dutch launched Matt at the two count. Dutch blocked another Twist of Fate attempt and threw Matt into the ropes into the Death Walks (Black Hole Slam.) Dutch pursued Matt out of the ring and pounded on Matt until Matt rallied by hitting Dutch with his shoe.

Matt beat on Dutch and attempted to run Dutch into the ringpost but Dutch reversed it. They headed out of frame. We jump cut to Jeff and Vincent brawling on the outside of the gym. Jeff ran Vincent into the wall of the gym but Vincent rebounded and crashed into Jeff. We jump cut back to daylight and the Righteous walking to an hold house whilst scenes of the Hardys youth were shown. The Righteous glance at the newspaper clippings of the Hardys.

Suddenly, it is night again and Dutch found himself poolside looking in the water. Matt ran behind him and bulldogged him into the water. We go to Rebel playing the piano and then The Hardys and the Righteous sitting around a campfire telling stories and highlights of their feud. They share a few laughs and we cut to Dutch as Wolfgang said that Vincent might not make it. He turned around and Vincent was gone.

Wolfgang and Dutch started to talk and Wolfgang said Vincent was obsolete. Dutch was confused and Wolfgang said Vincent was dead. Dutch said that was heavy news and asked if he had a cigarette. We cut to a coffin and inside was Vincent. Vincent suddenly sprung to life and put the poisonous “Lily from the Valley” into Dutch’s mouth, who promptly started frothing. The Hardys appeared on the side and threw Dutch into the ring. Matt said Hardys “sic ‘em” and all the Hardy progeny started to attack Dutch. Matt asked for the kids to disperse and Rebel appeared in the ring and hit a Twist of Fate. When Dutch lifted his head, Eevee was there and raised her hands and a series of orange confetti filled the shot. Rebel hit a Senton off the second turnbuckle.

Suddenly Vincent appeared in the ring next to Dutch. Matt stood over them with a bat. He said Vincent isn’t dead..yet. He said it is time to take a trip to p— pan city. He did the “eenie , meeny, mighty, moe” and got ready to hit Dutch with the bat. Dutch suddenly awoke and found himself standing in a room with a spinning umbrella. The umbrella was lowered and it was Willow (one of Jeff’s alter egos.) He said this felt like a Righteous Deletion and attacked Dutch with the umbrella and other objects.

We jump edit back to Dutch in the swimming pool and Rebel playing the piano. Dutch awoke and wondered what happened. Meanwhile, on a small hill, Jeff and Vincent started to brawl once again. The two traded shots until Vincent hit a DDT (on the grass? Doesn’t strike me as painful.) Vincent said the one thing we know about the Hardy compound is that hey have beautiful fireworks. He instantly grabbed a fireworks shooter on the ground. Vincent was ready to light the fuse until Matt saved the day. Both Hardys started to beat on Vincent until Dutch saved the day for his team.

Dutch said they tried to kill him but look what he found and held up a necklace. Vincent grabbed it and then the fireworks shooter. The Hardys started to walk toward the Righteous but Vincent (and Dutch who mysteriously got a shooter of his own ) started to shoot fireworks at the Hardys. The Hardys grabbed their own and the battle commenced. The Righteous got the better of it and the Hardys dropped to the ground.

Vincent told Dutch to finish this. They grabbed the necklace which had another “Lily from the Valley” and was going to jam it into Jeff’s mouth. Matt tried to stop them but Matt took the full brunt of the flower ingestion. Matt started to violently froth from the mouth. The Righteous grabbed the Hardys and started walking into the Hardys pond. They threw them into the water and Vincent put the Lily in the water.

However, the Hardys jump edited/revived and were now wearing goat masks. They took the masks off and said they needed another “Goat.” Jeff walked into the water and emerged in an all-white shirt and tie and said “anti-christ.” The two started to brawl with the Righteous and got the upper hand. They brawled near a large ground extractor. The Hardys put the Righteous on a table and Matt asked him to start the extractor. He raised the extracting claw and climbed on top of it. From there, Jef hit the Swanton Bomb onto the Righteous and “Senor Spencer” made the count and Matt said the Righteous have been deleted.

Post-ummm..match? Matt said the Righteous must be cleansed. They dragged them into the pond and dropped them there. Heading back to the ground, Matt said this opens up a whole new chapter for the Hardys and they are forever. Jeff added and then some and walked off frame.

We get some hype from Hannifan about the main event and the next match (another match in the TNA KO TV Title Tournament, which is next.) However, we cut to Hotch who finally made it to Rae’s office (that was a long time, did he grab a bite to eat.) He was about to knock on the door when Slater called for him and asked what he was doing. Hotch explained the situation to him.

Slater said he shouldn’t let Ali do hat to him. Slater said he voted for him and everyone in the locker room can see that it is Jason Hotch’s time. Slater said the only person in Hotch’s way is Hotch himself. Slater walked off shot and Hotch was conflicted until he got a call. He said he was so glad the person called and walked off frame.

We go back to ringside and get the next match

TNA Knockouts TV Title Tournament Match: Jada Stone vs. Alisha Edwards (with Eddie Edwards in tow)

Hannifan said he agreed with Slater and Hotch should challenge for the title. Meanwhile, we get the ever present warning buzzer and Alisha telling us that we can’t beat the system. The Edwards’ head to ring and we get the insert promo from Alisha. We are blessed yet again with Alisha asking if we want to something? That something is that this tournament is made for the Queen of the System. She is going to drop some knowledge on us (school us, Alisha, school us.) She was in the first Knockout Ultimate X match and was a former Knockouts Tag Team champion. Stone is just a stepping stone to the title and the whole division will know you can’t beat the System.

Stone is next and Hannifan said “The Spark” was one of the brightest spots for TNA in 2026. She said, in her insert promo, we might know much about her but when she finished in the tournament, we will know why she is called “the Spark.” She doesn’t just make history, she is the history (huh??) She can’t wait to show Edwards and the whole division why she is called “The Spark.”

The two locked up in a stalemate and then started to jaw with the other chin-to-chin (although Stone is small, say chin-to-sternum?) Edwards to gain the advantage by yanking Stone to the mat by her hair but Stone immediately arose and started to slug Edwards. Edwards connected with a kick but Stone matrix dodged a clothesline and turned that into a head scissors takedown. Stone hit two running back elbows in the corner and then a seated clothesline after a snap mare. A standing moonsault got a two count.

Edwards bailed to the floor and Eddie tried to give Alisha a pep talk but Stone hit a handspring kick that sent Alisha into Eddie’s arms on the floor. Stone climbed to the top turnbuckle and leapt. Eddie tossed Alisha aside but Eddie got the brunt of the flying bodypress. Alisha recovered and attacked Stone after the move and threw her in the ring. Alisha chopped away on Stone in the corner. Alisha also hit a powerslam off the ropes for a two count.

Edwards choked Stone on the ropes and when the referee admonished her, Eddie took time to taunt Stone. However, Stone started her rally with a series of clothesline out of the corner. She also cartwheeled out of a snap mare and booted Alisha when Edwards charged her in the corner. Stone climbed to the top and hit the split-legged moonsault for a two count. Stone got Edwards on her shoulders but an eye rake prevented any offense form happening. Stone hit the ropes but Alisha caught her with the D-Lish (DDT, not the usual D-Lish.) Edwards attempted to connect with a Double underhook suplex but Stone blocked it. Edwards walloped Stone but Stone came back with a superkick to drop Edwards. Stone attempted to hit her Spark Stunner (handspring stunner off the ropes) but Eddie Edwards grabbed Stone’s hands to drop her to the canvas. Edwards again tried for a double underhook suplex but Stone dropped Edwards and rolled on top of her for the pin and the victory.

Post-Match: Edwards was stunned as Stone celebrated around the ring. Edwards grabbed Stone and attacked her in the ring. Stone started to rally and threw Edwards into the ropes but Eddie grabbed his “ride or die” and dragged her to ringside. Stone celebrated on the turnbuckles. Stone advances in the tournament and faces Jody Threat.

We see Navarro and the Nemeths headed to ringside as we go to a quick break. When we go back, we see Ali walking with Order Four backstage as Ali is complimenting Moore on what she has done with Order Four. Hotch approached Ali. Ali asked if he took care of the thing he asked him to do. Hotch said not exactly. Ali paused and said he needed a moment alone with Hotch. Order Four reluctantly left. Ali said what he meant and was told to do so. Hotch said he was but then he ran into Slater and went over the talk. Ali said he doesn’t care what Slater said and asked again if he did what he supposed to do.

Hotch said he talked to his wife and told him all things he had to deal as a member of the faction. Hotch said he deserves this shot. It is not him looking out for him but him looking out for his family. They have been to bottom with him and now its time he brings them to the top with him and that it’s time. With all due respect, he will face Ali next week. Ali looked flummoxed as we go back to ringside action.

We get the hype for the main event which happens. Now

TNA World Title Match

Nic Nemeth vs. K C Navarro

Navarro is out first and shakes hand with the crowd. He has a Nemeth-inspired t-shirt that said “Blessing the Show.” Nemeth is out next. Nemeth strutted to ringside and taunted the crowds. The two started to jaw at each other and Nemeth slapped Navarro and told him he doesn’t belong here. Navarro responded with a superkick for a two count. Navarro tried for a series of quick rollups for two counts. However, Nemeth caught Navarro with a huge back elbow and Navarro dropped to the canvas. Nemeth choked Navarro on the ropes and raked his eyes. Nemeth also choked Navarro in the corner with his boot.

Nemeth continued to maul Navarro in the corner and verbally assaulted him about the futility of this endeavor. Navarro tried to rally but Nemeth kicked the left knee of Navarro (Hannifan pointing out that was the knee that was surgically repaired.) Nemeth continued to bad mouth Navarro but Navarro continued to attempt rallies only to be stopped by Nemeth. Nemeth mauled Navarro again in the corner.

Navarro finally got a prolonged rally and hit a tilt-a-whirl head scissors off the ropes. Navarro followed it with a running back elbow in the corner. Navarro snap mared Nemeth out of the corner and then hit a Natural Selection Stunner followed by a seated body press for another two count. Nemeth bailed to the floor and asked for time out. Navarro dove between the ropes and dropped Nemeth. Navarro threw Nemeth back into the ring and hit a frog splash from the top rope for a two count.

Nemeth ended this rally by avoiding the 305 (a 619 but over the ropes.) Navarro missed a shoulder block between the ropes and Nemeth hit a knee lift and then a neckbreaker between the ropes. Nemeth hit a sliding dropkick that sent Navarro to the floor. Nemeth went to the floor and slammed Navarro into the apron. Nemeth taunted the crowd but that gave Navarro time to recover and start another rally. Navarro booted Nemeth and slammed him into the apron.

Nemeth ended the rally again by again kicking the left leg. Nemeth grabbed a reversed leglock on the floor to work the leg some more. Nemeth got back into the ring as Navarro crawled into action. Nemeth mauled and choked Navarro into the corner. Nemeth hit a leaping elbow drop for another two count. Nemeth continued his assault with a cross face. Navarro tried another quick rollup for a two count but Navarro escaped and hit Navarro with a back elbow.

Nemeth hit another elbow drop and then grabbed a sleeper hold. The champion cinched in the hold. Navarro tried another rally but Nemeth threw Navarro to the mat by his hair. Nemeth gyrated and taunted Navarro and hit a corner splash. After strutting, Nemeth tried another corner splash but Navarro moved and Nemeth saddled the corner. Navarro tried to get to his feet and managed to hit a flying clothesline and a dropkick. Navarro hit a flying forearm in the corner and then managed to hit a tilt-a-whirl face first slam off the ropes for yet another two count.

Navarro went into the corner and tried to set up his finisher, the Blessing in Disguise, but Nemeth evaded it. Nemeth tried for a superkick but Navarro reversed that into a roll up for another two count. Navarro charged Nemeth in the corner but Nemeth moved and Navarro went shoulder first to the ring post. Nemeth tried for the Fame-asser but Navarro reversed it into a powerbomb for a two count as  a “this is awesome” chant emerged.

Both combatants were on the mat as Navarro tried another Blessing in Disguise but Nemeth blocked it. Navarro turned into a roll up for a two count and Nemeth got his own two count from a rollup. Navarro hit the Fame-Asser for a two count. Navarro sold the leg and tried to get the crowd riled. Navarro charged for another Blessing in Disguise but Nemeth hit a superkick. A “TNA” chant emerged.

Nemeth went back to yelling at Navarro and asking why won’t be die? Navarro slapped Nemeth and hit a dropkick. Navarro floundered to the ropes and NOW we get the 305 followed by the Code Red for a two count. Navarro attempted the Blessing in Disguise but Nemeth blocked it and Navarro went to the canvas. Nemeth hit the ropes and hit the Danger Zone for the pin.

Post-Match: TNA President climbed into the ring and presented Nemeth with the TNA World Title. We got a recap of the final moments as Nemeth posed on the turnbuckles as we go off the air.

Impactful Discourse:

One: I guess we are going to crib the Sami Zayn/Roman Reigns build up and result for the title match. That being said, it was a really good match. Navarro played the underdog perfectly and Nemeth was equally adroit in his role as the arrogant champion.

Two: I don’t know where this leaves Navarro in the scheme of things. He can definitely go but his comeback has been one signature win and a slew of near losses. A run at the X-Division title seems like a natural flow to things.

Three: Well, we buried the Righteous (well submerged them but you get the point.) This was about as one-sided a feud as I can imagine. IT’s a shame because the tag division is at a dearth of talent (compounding that, Saint and Sinner asked and got their release.) This leaves the Hardys with no real challenges on the horizon and a great team was jobbed.

Four: They may very well pull the trigger on M winning the knockouts title. The odd booking of Black continued as she taunted and played the heel versus Choo only to turn around and be the victim of a bigger (and better) heel in Brookside. I think M might pull this out.

Five: The opening match was there. Francis and Expressions are really jelling and make a great tandem. I also like when a finish is not the standard finisher. Francis really could use a solid run at a title.

Six: I guess we are going to see the implosion of Order Four finally. Hotch did a great job in his role as conflicted person and Ali nailed it perfectly as the ruthless boss. I thought it might be Skyler but Ali is such a great wrestler; I am curious what Hotch can truly do now that the storyline demands it.

Greetings all, and welcome to another review of TNA Impact. I am getting ready to head upstate from Houston but still within earshot of “the Space City.” Meanwhile, we are still upstate in Albany at the Broadview Center, still within earshot of New York City. While some wisenheimers call it “Smallbany,” we have big action ahead with Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt  telling us about it and McKenzie Miller is telling us who is who in action at “The Cradle of the Union.” So, let’s lift with our legs and not with our back, secure everything tightly, load up the U-Haul and get ready for some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

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.

Greetings, all, and welcome to another version of TNA Impact on AMC. We lost some pretty big names and people who helped TNA achieve great success in the last couple of years. We need to take a broad view at what is left and how we can salvage the mass departures. And what better way to do that than at the Broadview Center in Albany, New York. Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt are at the announce table. Gia Miller is moving us along with backstage segments and McKenzie Mitchell tells us who is who in the ring. Let’s see if we can get the fireworks started a few days earlier.  We have an unknown future ahead, so let’s sit down  and navigate it together with some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Hey, greetings everyone and welcome to the TNA’s 24^th Anniversary, or should I say, Slammiversary. We are live at the Agganis Center on the campus of the University of Boston (which is in Boston. That seems like a no-brainer but Boston College is in Chestnut Hill. Why isn’t it Chestnut Hill College, huh?) Geography aside, we are in for a wicked good time (so we think.) Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt are calling the action (with a neat special guest during the pre-game show.) Gia Miller is a hub of activity working the crowd on the concourse and backstage  and McKenzie Miller spills the beans on who is in the ring. Let’s not wait another moment and let’s see what is Bruin in TNA, loyal patriots. So, let’s get comfy, put on our comfy red sox and engage in some Impactful Discourse? Shall We? We shall.

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

Well, we might have had a mass exodus from TNA but I am still here to give you another review of TNA Impact. We’re still in Denver at the Livestock Center CoBank Arena at the National Western Center. Fun factoid, Denver produces more beer than any city in the United States. Hopefully, we won’t need that much to enjoy this episode as Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt will let us know what is brewing, and when we hop to back stage segments we have Gia Miller handle those duties. McKenzie Mitchell will give us grains of knowledge of who is in the ring. Feeling down? I know what can cure whatever ales you. So grab a cold one because the action is red hot and get ready for some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

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

Greetings all, and welcome to another episode of TNA Wrestling. We wrap up this taping cycle in Sacramento, California. Sacramento considers itself the “Farm-to-Fork” Capital of America given its agriculture resources and 40 Farmers Markets here. So, let’s see if we can “produce” some excitement as we have a pear of aces on the mic with Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt. Gia Miller is not here but McKenzie Mitchell is a peach of a ringside announcer. So, lettuce sit back and relax, and enjoy these salad days of wrestling and engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Greetings, everyone, and welcome to another episode of TNA Impact, once again emanating from Sacramento, CA, which sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers. And, speaking of confluence,  we have a confluence of talent tonight as Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt announce the action, Gia Miller keeps things rolling with backstage interviews and McKenzie Mitchell helps us navigate the rough waters of figuring who is who in the ring.  Unlike our AMC lead-in, let’s not be a bane. Although it is the last taping in “the City of Trees,” let’s not leave but stick around and engage in some Impactful Discourse. Shall we? We shall.

(side note: as always, take some time and read/appreciate/comment on our fellow writers who contribute to this site. They deserve the recognition and love for doing this…and now, our feature presentation.)

We get the cold opening and see Frankie Kazarian introduced and headed to the ring before we hit the theme, which is ready for you.

We get the official introduction from Hannifan and leads to our first match. And what do you know, it features Kazarian – amongst others:

Men’s Champions Challenge Match: Frankie Kazarian, Leon Slater, Eric Young, KC Navarro and Elijah vs. Mike Santana, Mustafa Ali, Cedric Alexander, Brian Myers and Bear Bronson

Kazarian, Elijah, Young and Navarro are in the ring as we hear Slater’s music. As Slater made his way to the ringside, Hannifan recapped the promos (still worth watching) after his loss to Alexander, comparing it to the time when his father abandoned him. Hannifin asked if Slater would find himself down the road.

The rhythmic wailing and drums bring Ali (with Tasha Steelz in tow) to the ring. We get also get our official greeting from Hannifan and Rehwoldt talking about the card tonight, including the men’s and women’s championship challenge match. Myers, Alexander and Bronson are next (with the System in tow) preceded by the warning buzzer and Alisha Edwards telling us “you can’t beat The System.” Lastly, we get Santana, who gets a huge pop as he made his way through the crowd to ringside. In the midst of Santana’s entrance, Hannifan said if a champion his pinned, the person who pinned him gets a title shot at that belt (in case one of the tag champions gets pinned, the person who got the pin can choose a partner and they challenge the tag champs.)

Myers and Elijah start. He immediately grabbed an armlock and did the old school rope walk (with Elijah) and hit a flying forearm smash for a two count. Myers and Elijah traded shots as we get our first commercial break.

During the break, we get another Classic Slammiversary ad for TNAPlus with another look at Kenny Omega vs. Sami Callihan. Plunder ahoy as Omega set up the table on the floor and attempted a German Suplex but Callihan blocked it by hitting the Greco-Roman hand bite. Omega tried to hit a piledriver but Callihan reversed it into a piledriver of his own.

When we return, we have Santana and Elijah in the middle of the ring exchanging go behinds. They traded arm locks and reverses. They also took turns evading each other’s offenses off the ropes, including a Santana dropkick, Elijah elbow drop and rolling leg drop by Santana.

The two traded glances as the crowd chanted for Santana. In the process, Young hit the ring and attacked Santana from behind. Elijah tried to restrain him but Kazarian tagged himself into the match and attacked Santana. Kazarian beat on Santana in the corner until Santana rallied and hit a dropkick off the ropes. Santana chopped away at Kazarian before Kazarian tagged Elijah.

Santana hit a back elbow on Elijah and tagged Ali. Ali beat on Elijah and hit a seated dropkick off the ropes. Ali continued to beat on Elijah. Ali avoided an Elijah charge into the corner but after a series of crisscrosses off the ropes, Elijah got a two-count from a pop-up powerbomb before Alexander interrupted the pin. Elijah slugged Alexander and then we got the schmozapalooza as the All-Stars and Champions square doff with each other. Elijah caught a diving Ali through the ropes and hit a chokeslam on the apron. Nine combatants conveniently fought on the floor by the ringpost, which gave Slater a chance to leap over the ringpost and hit the senton.

Slater and Navarro put the boots to Alexnader in the corner; meanwhile, Ali and Elijah fought in the ring. Ali choked Elijah on the corner as the rest of Order Four made their way to the ring. Elijah hit a huge backdrop on the X-Division champion for a two count. Navarro finally tagged into the match. Navarro hit an elbow drop off the ropes and worked the arm before re-tagging Slater. ;

Slater leapt off the top turnbuckle with a stomp to the arm of Ali. Slater worked the arm and tagged Elijah. Elijah attempted another old school rope walk but Ali yanked him from the corner into a cutter. Ali tagged Bronson and Bronson mauled Elijah in the corner before tagging Myers. The System components hit a double elbow for a two count. Myers grabbed a chinlock as the All-Stars tried to encourage Elijah. Elijah got to his feet but Myers hit a flying knee off the ropes and tagged Bronson.  Bronson mocked Elijah’s guitar playing and hit a corner splash for a two count as we hit another commercial break.

We come back from break with Elijah tried to fecklessly rally. He was more successful when the rest of the System tried for a triple team off the ropes but Elijah held on and held the top rope down as Bronson charged, sending him to the floor. Alesander and Myers tried for a double suplex but Elijah reversed it into a suplex of his own. Myers tried to crawl to a tag but was indecisive in tagging Ali or Santana. Santana made the decision for him by slugging Ali to the floor and tagging himself into the match (and showing he is not a great partner by booting Myes when he entered.)

Elijah, for his efforts, grabbed Kazarian and threw him into the ring. Santana clotheslined Kazarian and threw Young into the ring and beat on him. However, the numbers game was too much and the All-Stars grabbed a momentary advantage until Santana reversed a whip into the ropes into an enziguri on Kazarian. Young grabbed Santana and threw him into the turnbuckles but Santana blocked it and turned it into a Rolling Block 50 cutter.

Santana also hit a leap over the ropes onto Young on the floor. The crowd chanted for Satnana as he climbed to the top rope. Kazarian avoided but Santana rolled through it. However, a Spin the Block was avoided and Kazarian ran Santana into the corner. Santana bucked Kazarian off an hit another Rolling Block 50 as Ali entered the ring and hit his rolling neckbreaker through the ropes for two-and-a-fraction.

Ali and Santana started to jaw with each other as Navarro climbed to the top and hit a dropkick on both. Ali attempted to throw Navarro into the ropes but Navarro stopped himself. Ali charged but Navarro evaded it and Ali was caught in the ropes, in position for Navarro’s 305 (a 619 but over the top rope.) Navarro hit a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count. Navarro tried for a tag but Ali whipped him into a drop toe hold and held the knee. Ali promptly tagged Bronson who hit a seated splash and then mauled Navarro on the mat. Bronson hit a gorilla slam for a two count,

Bronson signaled for a tag and Ali cut in front for the tag. Ali attempted to slug Navarro but Navarro evaded it, crawled under the legs and tagged Slater. Slater cleared the corner of the champs (sans Santana.) He stopped an Irish whip to the ropes and hit a leg lariat for a two count until Alexander interrupted the pin. Alexander tried to attack the champs but Kazarian ducked it and hit the leg drop on the apron and then hit a leaping DDT over the ropes on Myers.

However, Bronson stopped Kazarian’s momentum with a Black Hole Slam. Elijah got back into the match and hit a leaping knee on Bronson (after no selling a big boot in the corner.) Santana threw Elijah over the top rope but Young clothesline Santana and himself over the ropes. That left Ali and Slater. Slater avoided an Ali charge and Ali did his sliding face-first bump into the turnbuckles. Slater climbed to the top rope and hit the Swanton 450 and got a two count until Alisha Edwards put Ali’s foot on the rope. Slater yelled at Alisha Edwards.

Meanwhile, Steelz slid the International Title to Ali. Ali attempted to hit Slater with a running shot but Slater avoided it. The referee grabbed the title from Ali and when Ali turned, Slater landed a superkick and tagged Navarro. Navarro hit the Blessing in Disguise (Half nelson somersault reverse DDT)  for the pin and a future International Championship title shot.

Post Match: Navarro celebrated on the turnbuckles as we get a replay of the finish.

We go back to Miller and her guests, former Knockouts world champion Arianna Grace (with “Stacks” Lorenzo in tow.) Grace looked indignant when Miller said “former” Knockouts champion. Tonight, we get Lorenzo vs. Santino Marella.  Grace said let’s focus on the real issue, if Marella had not thrown a Knockouts title match in less than a week, Grace would be in the Woman’s Championship Challenge match and not “Lei Ying Lee” (said sarcastically and derisively. ) Grace said she was an amazing champion and carried herself like a star and represented this company with class. Here we know after an emotional decision (mirroring the Daria Rae mindset.)

Lorenzo said not to worry. He said Marella has made bad decision after bad decision. Tonight, he has to own up to those bad decisions. Marella tried to disrespect him and embarrass them, but tonight, Lorenzo will send him and his “stinky” sock puppet to the retirement home. Grace capped it by saying when he is the retirement home all alone, don’t expect a visit. The two walked off screen as Miller looked disgusted.

We get a preview of the rest of the card including Knockouts challenge from a feud stemming on social media..after the break. During the break, we get another Classic Slammiversary.  With a rehash of the highlights previously shown of  Ortiz and Santana vs. Hernandez and Homicide.

We get some hype for the Lethal Lockdown event on August 23 in Chicago (CM Punk chants sold separately.)

We come back to hype for the Hardys vs. Righteous feud. We hear Matt Hardy said the Righteous wanted the “Broken Hardys” and now they have them. We cut to the Righteous in a garden park as Dutch said “broken.” Vincent said that’s a fitting name as for months now we saw the Hardys come undone. The “wicked garden” isn’t just a match, but it’s a place where beautiful things rot. Pain is something peaceful. Vincent said he saw the flower die so they watered it into something greater. If the Hardys make it to the Wicked Garden, they won’t come out the same. In the Wicked Garden the vines won’t let go, Dutch said. For he is righteous and Vincent said they are many. Dig what they are saying? We see a silhouette of the Hardys with the garden in their shadows.

Meanwhile, as Hannifan and Rehwoldt figure out what the Wicked Garden was, we get the next match:

Tessa Blanchard vs. Harley Hudson

Blanchard is out first without the Diamond Collective in tow, something Hannifan noted. Blanchard strutted to the ring and STRUCK HER POSE. Hudson was out next and STRUCK HER POSE on the rampway. She got a decent pop. Oh, and now Hudson is the “British Babe.” Hannifan went over Hudson’s history to get to TNA wrestling,

Hudson got a quick two count form a roll up and worked the arm. She hit a shoulderblock off the ropes and hit a big boot off the ropes for another two count. Blanchard stemmed the momentum by hitting a back elbow after Hudson charged her out of the corner. However, Hudson went to her floor and grabbed Blanchard pulling her to the apron. Hudson slugged away on Blanchard and hit a leg drop on the apron.

Blanchard regained the momentum by dropkicking Hudson as she tried to enter the ring. Blanchard immediately went to the floor and worked the leg of Hudson. She slammed Hudson’s knee to the floor in a Fisherman’s Suplex position. Back in the ring, Blanchard beat on Hudson in the cornered raping her leg around the ropes.

Blanchard continued to work the leg and grabbed a modified figure-four leglock. Blanchard kept the leg lock and grabbed Hudson in a guillotine hold position. Blanchard slugged away on the leg. Blanchard hit a modified leg and knee lock until Hudson slugged away to break the hold. Blanchard stopped Hudson’s offense by hitting a running knee on the ropes.

Blanchard continued to maul Hudson on the ropes until Hduson rallied with a series of strikes on Blanchard. Hudson hit a series of running forearms and then grabbed Blanchard to hit a fall away slam (still selling the leg in the process.) Hudson tired to cover and hit a running hip attack on the corner for a two count. Hudson grabbed Blanchard and put her on the rope for a superplex but Blanchard fought out of it and tried for a powerbomb. Hudson blocked it but Blanchard kicked the knee and Hudson dropped on the turnbuckles.

Blanchard grabbed Hudson in the turnbuckles but Hudson had the wherewithal to grab Blanchard’s head and slam it into the turnbuckles. Hudson climbed the turnbuckles but Blanchard, again, kicked the leg and Hudson slumped on the turnbuckles. Blanchard hit a Codebreaker on the turnbuckles for a two count. Blanchard beat on Hudson in the corner. However, Hudson reversed a powerbomb attempt into a backdrop slam on Hudson’s knee for a two count.

Hudson charged Blanchard in the corner and mauled her in the corner. Blanchard tried to escape and hit the Buzzsaw DDT but Hudson reversed it into a rollup for a two count. Blanchard escaped and Hudson tried to hit a running clothesline. However, Blanchard avoided it and chop blocked Hudson’s leg. Blanchard grabbed Hudson and NOW we get the Buzzsaw DDT for the win.

Post Match: Blanchard mouthed “best in the world” as she sat on the mat and glared at the champion. We also get a replay of the finish. Blanchard celebrated up the rampway.

However, there’s nothing to celebrate with the BioFlex Injury report. Steve Maclin status is unknown after his match last week with Santana. Jada Stone is out with an injury after Brookside’s “Dark Side” DDT last week. Moose is still out with injuries suffered from an attack by the System a few weeks ago. Marella and Lorenzo are both cleared for action, which is great because their match is…..after the break.

More classic Slammivesary classic match ads for the TNAPlus collection and another replay of the match between Callihan and Blanchard (hey, she was just in the previous match.) Remember when fans cheered for Blanchard; Pepperidge Farms remembers and now, you can too in this collection.

We come back to Lee warming up in the backstage as the Personal Concierge walks into frame. He goes over the match and said that this match is very important so don’t screw it up. Lee faked attacking the PC and he cowered. He said to focus and then walked off screen as Lee continued to shadowbox.

Santino Marella vs. “Stacks” Lorenzo (with Arianna Grace in tow)

Lorenzo is first as the two engaged in PDA. Lorenzo mocked the “cobra” on the turnbuckles. Marella is next and we get the focused walk not the humorous race walk. Marella blew kisses to the crowd and then focused on Lorenzo.

Marella tried to get the upper hand but Lorenzo avoided him as a “Santino” chant emerged. Marella took Lorenzo down with a leg lock before Lorenzo bailed to the floor. Back in the ring, Marella blocked a kick and got a roll up for two. He followed that with vertical suplex for a two count. Marella tried for an armbreaker submission until Lorenzo made it to the ropes.

Lorenzo got back into the ring  and got some offense with a back elbow. However, Marella avoided corner charge and hit a series of arm drags and tried to crab walk to Lorenzo to take him down before Lorenzo grabbed the ropes. Marella slugged Lorenzo and Lorenzo bailed to the apron. Grace tried to nurse him and give a kiss but Marella grabbed the ropes and flipped Lorenzo back into the ring.

Marella attacked Lorenzo with a series of punches and a hiptoss off the ropes. However, a diving splash was met with Lorenzo’s knees. Lorenzo put the botos to Marella on the ropes. Lorenzo whipped Marella chest first into the turnbuckles. Lorenzo continued to work the torso of Marella with a series of body shots and a series of running knees off the ropes. However, a running splash was met with knees by Marella and Marella started to attack the torso of Lorenzo with a series of punches and knees.

Marella hit a running shoulder block and now Marella grabbed the Cobra but Grace grabbed his arm on the apron to prevent it. Grace grabbed the “cobra” off the arm and Lorenzo recovered to roll up Marella for the three count and the win.

Post-Match: Grace verbally berated her dad in the corner and tried to slap Marella. Marella blocked it but Lorenzo attacked him and boot the boots to him. However, Indi Hartwell ran into the ring to chase off the duo. Hartwell grabbed the mic and said nothing has changed – title or no title, she is coming for her. She tried to make the match between her and Marella vs. Lorenzo and Grace.

This brought out Daria Rae who put the kibosh on the situation. She said Hartwell doesn’t make the matches. So, there will be no match. Until, she thought about it and said she would love it if Lorenzo beat Santano again. Sooo, next week is the match. Rae walked back as the four (future) combatants jawed at each other.

We get a much hyped TNA debut…after the break and another ad for the Classic Slammiversary collection on TNAPlus with the  Knockouts World title match with Tasha Steelz, Jordynne Grace, Chelsea Green, Michin and Deonna Purrazzo. Steelz leapt from the top rope and hit the OKurr Cutter from the top turnbuckle on Minchin who was on a ladder. Purrazzo grabbed the Fujiwara Armbar on Grace and then switched to Steelz. We also get hype for TNA Impact’s first ever appearance in Sacramento.

Hey, do you hear a Dropkick Murphys knockoff riff playing? I do. That must mean that it’s an ad for Slammiversary on June 28 in Boston at the Agganis Arena. We come backstage to A J Francis admonishing a backstage hand and asking why the paperwork is not in his hands right now. Said hand apologized and said he would have the paperwork tomorrow and extended his hand. Francis shook the hand but would not let go. He said he doesn’t say things for his health and does not say things twice. He needs the paperwork in his mailbox tomorrow. He threatened him but said the hand should lighten up and relax. He is in business with the best big man in the business and that business is “money, money, money.”

Eddie Edwards (with Alisha Edwards in tow) vs. Fabian Aichner.

We hear the System’s music as the Edwards make their way to ringside. The two jaw with the fans on the way. Aichner is next (from the Italian Alps.) Aichner is also known as “Il Gladiatore” (trademarked it and everything.) He gets a decent pop as he makes his way to the ring. Hannifan said this match starts Aichner’s redemption and went over Aichner’s accomplishments in NXT.

Aichner backed Edwards to the ring but Edwards reversed it and shoved Aichner. Aichner responded with a headlock takeover and cinched in the headlock as Edwards fecklessly attempted to escape.  Aichner hit a reverse crossbody off the ropes. Edwards was clotheslined over the ropes. Edwards avoided the Aichner baseball slide but ran into a huge chop and a big boot on the floor.

Edwards got back into the ring and Aichner tried a springboard leap off the top rope but Edwards shoved the former NXT star and Aichner’s next snapped on the ropes. Edwards hit a gourdbuster and a running knee. Edwards posed in the ring and administered his own hard chop in the corner. He also whipped Aichner hard into the other corner and Aichner crashed to the mat.

Aichner rallied and the two trade punches in the ring before Aichner hit a big boot off the ropes. He also hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker off the ropes. Aichner hit a brainbuster for a two count. Edwards, though, blocked a powerbomb attempt and rammed Aichner into the turnbuckle. Aichner tried to rally but Edwards landed a kick and the backpack stunner out of the corner for a two count.

The Edwards choked Aichner on the ropes and Eddie whipped Aichner through the ropes to the floor. Alisha grabbed the kendo stick but the referee saw it and ejected Alisha from ringside. Meanwhile, Eddie whipped Aichner into the ring. Edwards climbed to the top but Aichner recovered and met him there and hit a butterfly suplex from the top turnbuckle for two-and-a-fraction.

Now, the rest of the System made their way ringside. Aichner charged Edwards in the corner but Edwards evaded it. However, Aichner scaled the turnbuckles and leapt onto the rest of the System components on the floor. NOW, Aichner got on the apron and hit a springboard DDT from the top rope. Aichner got behind Edwards and hit La Fina (a face first suplex into a crossface.) He was on the cusp of getting the submission until the System hit the ring and it was an immediate disqualification.

Post-Match: The System continued their beat down and held Aichner as Edwards hit a superkick. The four continued to jaw  at Eichner and Alexander picked Aichner for the Lumbar Check. Alisha joined the rest of the System posed in the ring over Aichner.

We get hype for the main event – the Women’s Champions Challenge and that match is…after the break. We get another Best of Slammiversary ad with A J Styles, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle, Chistian Cage and Chris Harris We get Joe trying to get the Kokina Clutch, Christian falling into a ladder stomach first, Styles hitting his backflip DDT, Pele Kick but a Styles Clash was reversed to an ankle lock attempt. Angle hit an Angle slam on Harris from the ladder as we go back to action.

We come back to an ad for “Over Your Dead Body” (hey, they sponsor the BioFlex Injury Report and Keith Jardine is involved in one of our angles.) After that, our main event:

Knockouts Champion Challenge: Lei Ying Lee and the By Elegance Brand (with Mr. Elegance in tow) vs. Elayna Black, Xia Brookside and Mara Sade (with Keith Jardine in tow..hey, he was in the ad we just saw.)

Black is out first to an…okay pop. Brookside also got the same pop also, though she did more to taunt the crowd as the boos got a little louder (some kid flipped her off, so that’s something.) Sade is got a decent pop as did Jardine. Sade did the dance on the apron as STRUCK HER POSE.

But wait, hold everything, here is the Personal Concierge. He noticed on the way here a number of homeless drunks vomiting on themselves. It’s quite sad but then he realized when he got to the arena they let them all inside (that was original.) He said he is going to bring some class to this “dump Syracuse” (paging Mr. Maffew, paging a Mr. Maffew. You’re needed in the Botchamania section.) Hannifan corrected him and called him a turtle. Nevertheless, here is the Brand. The collective taunted the fans and then taunted Jardine (and got a Rand McNally Atlas possibly.) Lee is out last to her poses and a good pop. Hannifan and Rehwoldt talked about Lee’s potential struggle as she faces her former partner (Brookside) and having the By Elegance Brand as her partners.

We have to struggle with another commercial break with the same Classic Slammiversary match segment with Monty Brown, A J Styles, Sean Waltman, Raven and Abyss.

We come back to hype for next week’s tapings in Denver, CO at the National Western Center. It features BDE vs. Eddie Edwards, the aforementioned Marella and Hartwell vs. Grace and Lorenzo  and the “Wicked Garden” match between the Hardys vs. the Righteous.

Lee and Brookside start but Brookside immediately tagged Black. Black and Brookside jawed with each other. Black started to jaw with Lee and then quickly tagged Sade. Sportsmanship is observed and the two locked.  The two traded go behinds and quick rollups for two counts.  Sade avoided the sweeping kick of Lee and the two started at each other. M tagged herself into the match but Sade subdued her with a Slingblade off the ropes.

Sade sent M to the ropes but M stopped herself and hit a back kick that dropped Sade. M quickly tagged Heather but Sade held the ropes when the two whipped Sade to the ropes. Sade tagged Black (slapped the chest but still…) Black got in the ring and  hit a snap mare and a seated dropkick on Heather. She also hit the rope assisted leaping stomp for a two count.

Heather tried to rally but Black tripped her into the ropes and hit a sliding elbow. Brookside tagged and hit the Meteora on Heather for a two count. Heather fell victim to another snapmare and sliding dropkick by Brookside. Brookside also stomped away on Brookside in the corner. However, Heather reversed it and she stomped away on Brookside in the corner. She tagged M. Heather hit a running knee in the corner as M climbed to the top rope and hit a Coast to Coast (!!!) dropkick for two until Sade and Black interrupted the pin. We get the female schmozapalooza as Lee and Sade stood in the ring. Sade leapt over the top rope and hit a tope on the Brand. Lee dove between the ropes and took out Brookside and Black.

Lee dragged M to the corner and tagged herself into the match. NOW, Lee hit the sliding kick on Black and then hit a knee strike and a series of kicks for a two count. Black got the momentum with a knee strike of her own off the ropes. A gutwrench suplex also got a two count. Black slammed Lee into the turnbuckle and taunted her. Black put the boots to Lee and choked her with her boot in the corner.

Black whipped Lee hard into the turnbuckles and Lee crumpled to the mat. Black got a two count on a pin attempt as Brookside tagged back into the match. However, Lee reversed a vertical suplex into one of her own. Brookside recovered  and continued to attack Lee, grabbing an arm submission, suing her knee on Lee’s neck as leverage. Brookside yanked Lee to the canvas. She taunted Lee  btu Lee recovered with a series of strikes.

We get a quick break but when we return Sade and Heather tagged and Sade dropped Heather with a series of clothesline and a Rear View in the corner. Sade hit a series of knee drops for a two count. Sade got a full bodyslam an went to the top. However, M distracted her by grabbing her leg. That gave Heather time to grab the other leg and yank Sade down. Heather hit the Code Breaker and tagged M. M draped Sade’s arm over the ropes and used her boot to further cause damage.

Heather tagged again and choked Sade on the ropes with her boot. Heather thwarted a Sade rally and tagged M. The two hit the rolling trip and senton off the opponent’s back for a two count. Sade tried to rally with a series of punches but M yanked Sade to the mat. M tagged Heather and hit a wheelbarrow tilt-a-whirl body splash for a two count. M tagged and applied an armlock with her knee to Sade’s back for leverage. Hannifan pointed out that M was staring at Lee as she came into the ring.

Sade tried to rally and got to her feet but M subdued her. Heather tagged but Sade held onto the ropes again and kicked a charging Heather and then a charging Lee. Sade hit a springboard reversed bodypress off the ropes. Sade tagged Brookside. Heather hope crawled and, after thwarting Brookside attempted prevention, tagged Lee. Lee dropped Brookside with a series of kicks. She did the same to Black when she tried to interfere. Lee got Brookside in the corner and got the 10-punch turnbuckle spot. An exploder suplex got a two count.

Lee got Brookside in position and hit the Warrior’s Way but Black interrupted the pin attempt. Black hit an enziguri but the By Elegance Brand stopped Black with a combination Code Breaker and German Suplex. Sade grabbed the By Elegance Brand and slammed them together. Sade hit a Tornado DDT on M using Heather as a running board. Sade charged Lee but the two hit simultaneous clotheslines and they dropped to the mat.

At this point, Mr. Elegance attempted to climb into the ring but Jardine made his presence felt by stopping Mr. Elegance and grabbed an ankle lock as Mr. Elegance screamed in pain. The Personal Concierge attacked Jardine but Jardine stalked and chased PC around the ring and up the rampway. Meanwhile, in the ring, Lee attempted the Warrior’s Way once again but Brookside escaped and sent Lee into the ropes. Mr. Elegance tripped Lee and Brookside hit the Dark Side (DDT) for the victory and the future title shot.

Post-Match: Brookside glared at the camera and took a bow. We get the replay of the finish. Brookside posed on the turnbuckle and glared at Lee as we go off the air.

Impactful Ruminations:

One: So, this was an inverse of the last two weeks as the first match got the lion’s share of the allotted time. It was a great match by the best workers the company has at best and at least solid (if not dated) hand at worst. The most interesting thing that came out of the match was the dénouement. Navarro winning was maybe a way of making up for the jobs since his return. I really do think the match with Ali will be a really good one, as Ali is one the best going right now. Good on Navarro for going over and getting a shot at the title. Now, if he wins the belt, I am not sure and surprised if they pull that trigger. I think Navarro still fits the vibe of X-Division but it gives his comeback story some sustained momentum.

Two: One nice subtle touch by Hannifan on commentary and something I have been saying for a bit now. M by Elegance should make a run at the Knockouts World Title. That coast to coast drop kick was incredible (having long legs help, admittedly, but still) and she is someone to look to the future as a contender.

Three: Aichner did a good job in his match and showed all styles of offense and can show he can work any style you want. He kept up a great pace with Edwards and is accounting for his “redemption” quite nicely.

Four: Hudson made a good attempt but the Blanchard match was fait accompli. Blanchard’s comment post-match that she is “best in the world” showed she is ready for a title run if they/she decides to pull the trigger. She is just too good to keep her treading as they are doing with her.

Five:  If you are going to give the feud any sense of credibility and equality, the Righteous should win next week. The “wicked garden” seems like they reached for a name but given the flower motifs in their video stuff, I’ll allow it. I do wish we would get more of a description to what it is. That would help further in having vested interest and feeling a sense of peril. I have a feeling that it is analogous to a “Hardy Compound” cinematic match, but I would actually like to know than have a feeling

Six: That being said, it was a good promo even with the nebulous nature of it.

Seven: Brookside getting the win seemed like a natural progression in the feud. Now, the two have to face each other, if there was any doubt (which I don’t think really existed. Brookside continues to show improvements and flourishing in her new role. Sade is ready for some big events whilst Black is still kind of there.

Eight: I am kind of over the whole Marella vs. Grace feud. Hopefully, we the get the blowoff soon (next week?) and we can move to better things for all parties involved. Grace is fantastic in interviews but eh in the ring. Lorenzo actually is improving and emerging as more than a “henchman” for Tony D’Angelo. Hartwell still is cromulent but still gets huge pops – it is still a bit baffling, but to those who like her, enjoy.

Nine:  I am curious about these “papers” and where this takes A J Francis. The character needs a fresh breath and Francis is too good a talent to squander.

10: For the second week in a row, a nice, short, effective promo by Daria Rae. She did not force her catch phrase and let the action shape what she was going to say.

Lastly: Geography aside, that was a good heat comment from The Personal Concierge.

Keep Fighting the Good Fight

Greetings one and all and welcome to another round of TNA Impact still in Sacramento. Tonight’s lead in on AMC is Men in Black II, so hopefully, this will be a night we won’t forget without a neuralizer. Speaking of unforgettable, Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt are on the mic. Gia Miller is not here for this episode but McKenzie Mitchell makes sure we don’t forget who is in the ring. No matter what galaxy you call home, there’s always time for wrestling action and some Impactful discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Unlike the famous Dwayne Johnson promo, we’re not leaving Sacramento but arriving in Sacramento for another taping cycle of TNA Impact Wrestling at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Much like James Marshall’s discovery that put the city on the map, we are going to rush into the action with the golden pipes of Jim Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt (with a very special guest during a match,) we have Gia Miller mining for some great backstage segments and McKenzie Mitchell will give us valuable nuggets of information about who is in the ring. Let’s see who hits the motherlode and who doesn’t pan out as we engage in solid 24-carat Impactful discourse. Shall we? We shall.

Greetings, all, and welcome to another TNA Impact review. We finish up this taping cycle in Syracuse, NY at the Upstate Medical Arena. Fun factoid about Syracuse, it is the birthplace of such luminaries as Rod Serling, Post Malone, Richard Gere, Tom Kenney and Tom Cruise.  Michael Cole is from Syracuse, but he isn’t doing play by play, it’s Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt. We’re Sky High with Excitement as Gia Miller -more than just a Pretty Woman – handles the backstage interviews. McKenzie Miller won’t have us running around in Circles figuring who is the ring as she is ring announcing. Where is Everybody? They’re right here. So, pour yourself a Cocktail and see who makes All the Right Moves as there is Time Enough at last to engage in some Impactful Discourse? Shall we? We shall.