TNA 2026: One More Chance

[BookerMan]

TNA LANDS TV/STREAMING DEAL
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In a move expected for months now, TNA has secured themselves a home on TV. AMC along with AMC+ will be airing TNA Impact! from 9-11 PM EST on Thursday nights, avoiding competition from other major wrestling shows. This announcement comes off the back of the success of TNA's partnership with WWE/NXT, but it's said that TNA wants to give focus to its own roster and stories moving forward as they've now finally secured a new home for their programming. TNA's first show on AMC will air on January 15th, 2026 from Dallas, TX, with the Pay-Per-View event Genesis emanating from Garland, TX two nights later on the 17th. Stay tuned for more details on TNA as their roster will undoubtedly see additions and subtractions as they move towards this new era.

 

[BookerMan]

JAKE SOMETHING LEAVING TNA

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With TNA's debut on AMC just over the horizon, Fightful is now able to confirm that Jake Something is expected to be leaving the company at the expiration of his contract, and is not factored into any future plans with the promotion. It is said that AEW is the presumed destination for Something, who's made a nice name for himself on the indies in recent years but struggled to stick in any extended role for TNA for whatever reason. There are others who are rumored to be finishing up with TNA within the next few months, but only Something can be confirmed this far.

 

[BookerMan]

TNA ROSTER​

 

[BookerMan]

TNA PPV SCHEDULE 2026

TNA IMPACT! EVERY THURSDAY AT 9/8c ON AMC

 

[BookerMan]

TNA CHAMPIONS
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TNA World Heavyweight Champion - Frankie Kazarian
TNA World Knockouts Champion - Lei Ying Lee
TNA World Tag Team Champions - The Hardys
TNA International Champion - Stacks
TNA X-Division Champion - Leon Slater
TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions - The IInspiration

TNA TAG TEAMS/STABLES
​

The Hardys - Matt and Jeff Hardy
Order 4 - Mustafa Ali, Special Agent 0, Jason Hotch, John Skyler, Tasha Steelz
The System - Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Alisha Edwards, JDC, Moose
The Angel Warriors - Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside
Deathmatch Royalty - Mance Warner and Steph de Lander
The Elegance Brand - Ash, M, Heather by Elegance, The Personal Concierge
The IInspiration - Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay
The Nemeth Brothers - Nic and Ryan Nemeth
The Rascalz - Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel, Myron Reed
The Righteous - Vincent and Dutch
Sinner and Saint - Judas Icarus and Travis Williams
Fir$t Cla$$ - AJ Francis and KC Navarro

TNA COMMENTARY/BROADCAST PERSONALITIES
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Gia Miller - Backstage Interviewer
Matthew Rehwoldt - Commentator
Tom Hannifan - Commentator
McKenzie Mitchell - Ring Announcer

TNA DIRECTOR OF AUTHORITY

​

 

[El Hijo Del Ami]

Aw hell yeah! You don't see much modern TNA bookers on here and with this AMC news it'll be interesting to see where you take it

 

[Sky]

Watching this one closely, expecting this to be better than Delirious/Dreamer real booking

 

[BookerMan]

Watching this one closely, expecting this to be better than Delirious/Dreamer real booking

Low bar to clear

 

[BookerMan]

ROAD TO TNA ON AMC

In the aftermath of Rich Swann's betrayal of AJ Francis at Final Resolution, Francis and the debuting/returning Ashante Thee Adonis take matters into their own hands and batter both Swann and BDE in a vicious attack on IMPACT, putting both on the shelf indefinitely.

A week later, a tag team gauntlet is held for an opportunity at the TNA World Tag Team Championships at Genesis. Fir$t Cla$$ gets the luck of the draw and enters last, defeating an exhausted Sinner and Saint at the end to punch their ticket to Genesis. With Swann and BDE out of sight and out of mind, the only thing in focus for Francis and Ashante is their meeting with The Hardys on the 17th with gold on the line.

Since debuting at Final Resolution, The Righteous have continued to make themselves present in The Hardys' business, simply providing ominous warnings to Matt and Jeff despite Vincent admitting his longtime admiration for Jeff on several occasions.

They frequently reference a "righteous path" that The Hardys have veered from and must follow, one that leads them to "salvation." Yet to make their in-ring debut in TNA as of January 15th, Vincent and Dutch promise to hold Matt and Jeff's hands and lead them down the so-called righteous path should they so choose to follow The Righteous. One would imagine they won't be far away from The Hardys' match with Sinner and Saint on the debut episode of IMPACT on AMC.

​

Dani Luna defeats Indi Hartwell to settle their feud in a brutal dog collar match, donning the crimson mask.

The following week on IMPACT, Indi is teased for losing by Tessa Blanchard and Victoria Crawford, who tell her she can't cut it anywhere and should leave TNA the same way she left the last company she worked for. Their teasing turns physical in the ring after Indi's match that night, a two-on-one assault until Dani Luna arrives to even the odds! Dani and Indi fend off Tessa and Victoria, then shake hands in a sign of great respect after the wars they shared in the ring in recent weeks.

A singles match between Dani and Tessa is signed for IMPACT, the numbers even with Indi Hartwell seemingly backing Luna!

​

The number one contendership for the X-Division Championship is on the line in a scramble match on IMPACT, but Director of Authority Santino Marella informs The Rascalz that only one spot is available in that match and leaves it up to them to decide amongst themselves who gets it. Dez nominates Wentz, Myron nominates himself, but both Trey and Wentz vote for Dez, putting him in the match.

Dez defeats Lexis King, Matt Cardona, Mustafa Ali and Eric Young to become number one contender, and The Rascalz come out to celebrate.

Leon Slater follows closely behind, proposing that he and Dez have their title match in the main event of the debut episode of IMPACT on AMC!

Santino Marella and TNA President Carlos Silva agree that sounds like a great idea, and the match is signed for the 15th in Garland!

​

Mike Santana clears his mind of the NXT distraction after handedly defeating Charlie Dempsey at Final Resolution and then making quick work of Lexis King on IMPACT. He returns his focus to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and calls out Frankie Kazarian.

Kaz dodges the challenge for weeks, scoping out and nominating countless alternative challengers until finally Santino Marella awards Santana his opportunity, calling it a reward for handling NXT so soundly the way he did.

With nowhere left to run and no escaping his date with the former champion at Genesis, Kazarian starts to sneak up on Santana at every turn, targeting his right arm in a number of attacks both backstage and in the ring. Just two nights before they meet at Genesis, Santana and Kaz will have a face-to-face showdown on IMPACT!

​

The System admits that JDC's impending retirement looms large over their heads, admitting it's got them looking towards the future, not just for themselves but for the industry as a whole. The System thus announces the return of TNA's Gut Check, a series where unsigned wrestlers get their chance to compete for a contract against TNA's very best.

In the first Gut Check match, Brian Myers and JDC prove victorious over a local tag team who show some heart. The following week, Moose turns back a challenge from a promising young upstart.

This new series draws some ire from NXT's High Ryze, who say that not only are they as young as the indie stars The System is platforming, but they're already signed to a bigger and better company than even The System is!

The System takes a short break from Gut Check for the debut of IMPACT on AMC, instead challenging High Ryze to a tag team match. The last vestige of the TNA/NXT war may be settled once and for all.

​

Since capturing the International Championship, Stacks has done nothing but flaunt the gold and run from challengers as often as possible. He can run no longer, though, as Cedric Alexander is declared number one contender and will look to bring the belt back to its home company at Genesis.

NXT's Karmen Petrovic steps up and stakes her claim as the Knockouts Division seems to be preoccupied with their own conflicts, leaving Lei Ying Lee without a challenger. Lee is eager to accept the challenge of her fellow martial artist, and the match is signed for Genesis.

​

Following his shocking loss to Stacks, Steve Maclin was granted a rematch by TNA officials. In the closing moments of the match, it looked as though Maclin was poised to regain the International Championship, but interference from an unexpected source allowed Stacks to pick up another win on the former Marine.

It was Nic Nemeth, who admits he has no allegiance to Stacks, nor does he care who has the International Championship. He set out solely to get Steve Maclin's attention.

Maclin says he's succeeded in that goal, and calls him out to the ring, but Ryan Nemeth comes out instead. Just before Maclin can begin dismantling Ryan limb from limb, Nic Nemeth appears from behind and both brothers batter Maclin, leaving him bloodied!

Santino has granted Maclin two requests for this week: first, a singles match with Ryan on IMPACT, then a street fight with Nic at Genesis!

​

Remaining in hot pursuit of the Knockouts Tag Team Titles, both M and Heather by Elegance make yet another challenge to The IInspiration, one that Cassie and Jessie are quick to scoff at.

The IInspiration suggest The Elegance Brand has to get back in line and earn another shot at the gold, and TNA management thusly puts them in a number one contender match against Harley Hudson and Myla Grace, which The Elegance Brand wins with some underhanded help from The Personal Concierge.

With the Knockouts Tag Titles on the line, will The IInspiration be able to turn back the challenge of M and Heather once again?

 

[Sky]

Hate to cut off your momentum but KC Navarro is long-term injured and I doubt we'd see him any time in 2026 let alone first thing

 

[TFC]

JAKE SOMETHING LEAVING TNA
View attachment 93957​

With TNA's debut on AMC just over the horizon, Fightful is now able to confirm that Jake Something is expected to be leaving the company at the expiration of his contract, and is not factored into any future plans with the promotion. It is said that AEW is the presumed destination for Something, who's made a nice name for himself on the indies in recent years but struggled to stick in any extended role for TNA for whatever reason. There are others who are rumored to be finishing up with TNA within the next few months, but only Something can be confirmed this far.

Damn shame in my opinion, he has the makings of something huge, still keen af to see what you do with TNA

 

[BookerMan]

Bet you've never seen a retcon that fast. Thanks for the heads up, unfortunate that the roster page indicates some other injuries but had no mention of the KC Navarro one.

 

[Stojy]

Hey mate, I've followed most your stuff in the past so just jumping in to wish you good luck. Feels like a pretty cool line in the sand moment to start a BTB from. Looking forward to seeing what direction you take the company moving forward. First recap seems solid to.

I'll be reading.

 

[BookerMan]

TNA IMPACT on AMC 01/15/26
from the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, TX

Commentary welcomes us to the first episode of IMPACT on AMC, running down tonight's card and the card for Genesis on PPV only two nights from now. Just as the camera pans through tonight's lively crowd in Garland, we hear the familiar music of The Hardys, who come to the ring for the first match of this new era for TNA, followed by their opponents: Sinner and Saint.

Just before the bell rings, though, the music of Fir$t Cla$$ - the challengers for the TNA World Tag Team Championships at Genesis - hits, and AJ Francis and Ashante Thee Adonis come to ringside where champagne glasses are handed to them by a ringside assistant as they sit and observe our opening contest.

THE HARDYS vs SINNER AND SAINT
It's a hotly contested match from the word "go", but The Hardys' overwhelming experience and tag team awareness give them the upper hand on the young team of Judas Icarus and Travis Williams right from the jump. Matt and Jeff wisely isolate Icarus, keeping him isolated from his partner with displays of immaculate tandem offense while Francis and Ashante sip their drinks on the outside, observing their opponents for Saturday night.

Icarus shows some heart, wildly brawling his way back into the match, with a tag to Williams turning the tide a bit, allowing Sinner and Saint to mount some tag team offense of their own on the seasoned Matt Hardy. Matt is overwhelmed by the youthful energy and nonstop motor of Icarus and Williams, unable to escape their corner for several minutes as the offense of Sinner and Saint starts to take its toll. Sensing that his brother needs to make a tag, Jeff rallies the crowd to get behind Matt, and they oblige.

Matt works his way back into the match with some desperate punches, then takes advantage of a lapse in Icarus and Williams' experience when he manages to sidestep a charging Icarus and launch him into Williams, knocking him off the apron! Matt seizes the opportunity that he created for himself, diving into a tag to his brother!

Jeff charges in and dispatches both members of S&S repeatedly, knocking them down every time they try and charge back at the former TNA Champion. However, the relentlessness of the young tag team pays dividends, when Jeff's momentum is interrupted by a shot he didn't see coming from Williams. Trying to take back the advantage, Williams quickly goes to the apron and tags in, trying to hook Jeff for a brain buster, but he escapes and fights back. Again, though, he's blindsided by a stunner from Icarus, that leads to him being popped into the air and caught by Williams with a German Suplex, completing Sinner and Saints' signature move Up in the Clouds!

Wililams bridges for the cover, the crowd shocked and excited as this potential upset when Matt Hardy dives in and breaks up the pin at 2! Having seen enough of the incessant double teams from Williams and Icarus, Matt begins to brawl with Icarus on the outside, throwing his younger opponent into the barricade and retreating to his corner. Jeff starts to crawl towards Matt as he gets back on the apron, but Williams grabs hold of The Charismatic Enigma's ankle, allowing Jeff to roll through with his signature mule kick! He tags Matt in, and after a brief struggle, Matt manages to hit the Twist of Fate on Williams and tags Jeff right back in, where he finishes the action with the Swanton Bomb as Matt tackles a charging Icarus to allow the three-count to go down.

WINNERS: The Hardys (8:14)

Matt and Jeff are handed their TNA World Tag Team Championship belts and celebrate with them, but they stop when they see Sinner and Saint starting to leave the ring. They turn the upstart tag team around and offer a handshake, which Williams and Icarus accept much to the delight of the crowd. Matt and Jeff clap for the effort Sinner and Saint gave, but the nice moment is interrupted by the music of The Righteous!

Vincent and Dutch eerily snap their way to the ring, brushing past Williams and Icarus as if they don't exist as they walk back up the ramp, keeping their eyes laser-focused on The Hardys the entire way into the ring. They stand before Matt and Jeff just as they've done weekly for the past month, Vincent procuring a microphone and beginning to speak to them yet again.

He mentions, again, the righteous path. Vincent makes note of the importance of The Hardys following this path, leading themselves to salvation behind Vincent and Dutch, and rescuing themselves from eternal damnation in the process. He proclaims that Jeff Hardy is the only reason Vincent even exists, and that it pained him to no end to spend years helplessly watching Jeff throw everything away, enabled by Matt. But he says now that The Righteous are here, standing right in front of them, it's never too late for The Hardys to be saved.

Just as The Hardys visibly tire of Vincent's ramblings, Fir$t Cla$$ sneaks into the ring and jumps the champions from behind! Francis and Ashante put the boots to Matt and Jeff, while Vincent and Dutch simply take a step back and watch the assault! The Hardys are getting stomped and beaten in separate corners, when Judas Icarus and Travis Williams run back to the ring from the top of the aisle, and run Fir$t Cla$$ off!

Sinner and Saint get into the faces of Vincent and Dutch for not helping The Hardys, but The Righteous simply cackle in their faces and sink out of the ring, heading to the back as IMPACT hits its first commercial break.

IMPACT returns to the air with an intense vignette, the sight of Mustafa Ali, Jason Hotch, John Skyler, Special Agent 0 and Tasha Steelz all adorned in suits as they stand before the camera, their hands over their hearts with four fingers up as Mustafa talks directly to the camera, looking prideful.

He states that in this new era of TNA, Order 4 will finally be able to fulfill his mission statement. Mustafa says that if TNA is to truly thrive, it needs to be with Order 4 on top, directly asserting that The Great Hands will come for the Tag Team Titles, Tasha Steelz will go for the Knockouts Title, and Mustafa's focus will be solely on the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

He says that the combined power of Order 4 is greater than any other faction the industry has ever seen, and he claims that anybody who stands in the way of their mission will be dealt with swiftly and violently.

Back in the IMPACT Zone, Steve Maclin stomps to the ring with no wasted motion, pacing around impatiently as his opponent comes out next. That opponent is Ryan Nemeth, his hesitance evident as he slowly walks down the aisle. When he makes it to the ring, he cautiously steps onto the apron and between the ropes, where Maclin jumps him instantly as the bell rings!

RYAN NEMETH vs STEVE MACLIN
Maclin takes out weeks of aggression on Ryan in a few quick moments, battering him while looking over his shoulder for Nic Nemeth every so often. He stomps Ryan out, while commentary says it'd be in Maclin's best interest to save some of this beating for Nic on Saturday night at Genesis. Nemeth is getting beaten so thoroughly that even his attempts to cheat go awry, his thumb to the eye brushed off as Maclin continues to beat the brakes off him just moments later.

With Ryan genuinely running around the ring trying his hardest to do anything to make the one-sided affair stop, Nic Nemeth actually does make his way to ringside, his hands up as he begs Maclin to stop. The referee tries to shoo Nic away, but Ryan Nemeth seizes the distraction and goes for a low blow on Maclin... but it's blocked! Not even Nic's distraction was enough for Ryan to land any offense on Maclin!

Now fully engaged, Maclin unleashes a brutal forearm shiver to the chin of The Hollywood Hunk, then scoops his unconscious body off the mat and hooks his arms for the KIA, looking out at Nic Nemeth as he does so. Nic makes a decision on behalf of his lifeless brother, and charges into the ring, tackling Maclin and triggering a disqualification.

WINNER via DQ: Steve Maclin (4:39)

The brawl doesn't stop at the bell, with Maclin and Nic Nemeth throwing haymakers on the mat as they jockey for position. This donnybrook does give Ryan Nemeth a chance to wake up out of his forearm-induced slumber as he jumps on Maclin's back, allowing the Brothers Nemeth to gain the number advantage and start stomping out the former Marine.

Ryan restrains Maclin's arms as Nic lines him up for a devastating superkick, but Maclin moves! A little more head trauma for Ryan Nemeth by way of his brother's inadvertent boot, but with the numbers now even and Maclin's undivided attention on him, Nic Nemeth decides that discretion is the better part of valor and skips out on the altercation, retreating halfway up the aisle.

In order to send his final message before Saturday's Street Fight, Maclin pulls Ryan Nemeth's groggy body off the mat and plants him with the KIA, inviting Nic to come into the ring to retrieve his brother as IMPACT heads backstage once more.

In the interview area, we see Gia Miller standing by with Mara Sade, the young ex-NXT star who says that in just a few short months, TNA has already given her the chance she's always been looking for. She says she's already gotten to do things she's never dreamed of, teaming with The Hardys being the obvious standout.

Now, though, she says she's got championship gold in her sights and wants to do whatever it takes to take her career to the next level and earn a shot at the Knockouts Championship. That's when Mila Moore steps in and says Mara needs to get in line. She says she believes that Mara's opportunities should've been hers, and Mara says that if she really believes that, she should get in the ring and prove it. The two stand off and manage not to come to blows, but the tension is palpable before Moore walks off and Gia Miller sends the show to break.

IMPACT comes back with a few shots of the competitors in tonight's main event - Leon Slater and Dezmond Xavier - warming up in ways that are completely unique to one another. Slater is shown taping his wrists and running through a series of rigorous dynamic warmups, while Dez's camera shows him lounging backstage with The Rascalz, a faint cloud of smoke billowing across the room.

Back in the IMPACT Zone, M and Heather by Elegance make their way to the ring for their Knockouts World Tag Team Championship match, accompanied as always by The Personal Concierge.

Following them are the champions, The IInspiration, visibly annoyed at yet another meeting with The Elegance Brand, a constant thorn in their sides. Cassie and Jessie slap hands with the IMPACT Zone faithful on the way to the ring, sliding in and instructing the ref to keep a close eye on The Personal Concierge on the outside.

KNOCKOUTS WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE IINSPIRATION (c) vs THE ELEGANCE BRAND w/ THE PERSONAL CONCIERGE
The match begins with a basic back-and-forth between M and Cassie, which Cassie gets the better of, causing M to tag out. It doesn't go much better for Heather, who has to roll out of the ring and regroup after losing an exchange. Much of the early goings of the match continues this way, with both members of The IInspiration gaining the upper hand until M and Heather manage to get a sneaky double teams on Jessie thanks to a distraction caused by the Concierge on the outside. From there, they isolate Jessie and wear her down, earning themselves a couple nearfalls as they taunt Cassie on the apron.

Jessie gets the crowd rallied behind her, but The Elegance Brand operates as a well-oiled machine to make sure her and Cassie are as far away as possible at all times. M even pulls Cassie off the apron just before a tag can be made, much to the chagrin of the IMPACT Zone audience. Jessie stays in the fight, though, and eventually manages to drop Heather with a hard clothesline, then knock down an incoming M with a back elbow, opening up the window for her to tag Cassie back in. Cassie enters the ring with the proverbial house of fire, laying waste to both opponents. The Concierge tries to get involved but Jessie knocks him off the apron, allowing The IInspiration to hit Heather with a double snap suplex for a two count as M makes the save!

As the referee tries to get Jessie back on the apron, M sneakily jumps Cassie from behind, locking her in the bow and arrow as Heather heads to the top rope! Just as she leaps off for the double stomp to finish off the champions, Jessie charges past the official, darting across the ring and rescues her partner, getting her out of the hold and causing Heather to come down with the double stomp on M's chest! Jessie scoops up a stunned Heather and puts her in position for The IIdolizer, which Cassie completes and the champions pick up the win!

WINNERS: The IInspiration (7:29)

Cassie and Jessie celebrate accordingly while the entirety of The Elegance Brand seethes on the outside. They hold their titles high before IMPACT transitions backstage, where we see Cedric Alexander standing next to Gia Miller in the interview area. Gia asks Cedric for some thoughts about the ongoing war with NXT and how it relates to his upcoming International Championship match against Stacks at Genesis.

Cedric says that while he hasn't been a soldier in the NXT/TNA war for the majority of it, he's going to be more than happy to put the finishing touches on a TNA victory by reclaiming the International Championship for the side it belongs to on Saturday. He claims that Stacks is a fine young competitor, but he doesn't have the skill or experience to step up to Cedric's level. Gia asks if Cedric sees any of himself in Stacks because he's a former WWE superstar, but Cedric cuts her off.

He says he can't relate to Stacks because no matter how hard it was to scratch and claw his way through the ranks in WWE, he never resorted to cheating and ganging up on people the way Stacks has. Cedric says that he always has and always will fight for himself, and he hopes Stacks will do the same on Saturday.

IMPACT returns from the break with the unexpected entrance of Mance Warner, accompanied by Steph de Lander. The Southern Psychopath stomps down to the ring and wrestles a microphone away from a ringside assistant, handing it to his wife who kisses him on the cheek as a reward. Steph takes the mic and with her purse slung over her shoulder, she asks everyone in the IMPACT Zone and the AMC audience at home if they're having a good time tonight, to which she receives a resounding "yes" from the live crowd.

Steph says that's good, touting the recognizable names in TNA such as The Hardys, Frankie Kazarian, Mike Santana and Matt Cardona... but she says the only person worth paying attention to in all of TNA is Mance Warner! She informs everyone that they can catch her man in action next week on IMPACT, but what's most important is the fact that he's going to make it his mission to put all these old, washed up has-beens out of their misery en route to the TNA World Championship.

Just then, Steph is interrupted by the sound of a piercing guitar chord, and the lights go down as Elijah steps onto the stage! Elijah says he's happy to accept the challenge from Mance for next week, but Steph instantly retorts that if he was relevant enough for a match with her husband, she would've mentioned him when she was calling out names earlier. She claims that if he hadn't been front row at John Cena's last match back in December, everybody would've already forgotten he exists by now.

Unbothered, Elijah says that both she and her husband will know exactly who he is after they step in the ring next Thursday, showing off the guitar in a thinly veiled threat towards Mance. He tells them he's not interested in a war of words, but adds that they need to make sure they show up next week. Steph says Elijah will be lucky if that guitar doesn't explode over his head in one week's time, to which Elijah nonchalantly shrugs and slings the guitar over his shoulder, exiting the stage like the nomad he is and leaving Steph and Mance in a huff over his casual demeanor towards them.

Backstage, we see Director of Authority Santino Marella addressing the camera directly. He says that he can now confirm Mance Warner will face Elijah next week on IMPACT, as well as Mara Sade and Mila Moore doing battle on the Countdown to Genesis preshow on YouTube and AMC+! Santino continues on thanking the fans for their devotion to TNA when suddenly his phone begins to loudly ring, and he says "I have to take-a this".

Santino answers on camera, his eyes bugging out of his head as he hears whatever is being said on the other line. Looking like he's seen a ghost, Santino tells the camera "I must-a go" before hanging up the phone and frantically scampering off.

Back in the IMPACT Zone, commentary wonders what that phone call was about before plugging the additions to both the Countdown to Genesis and next week's IMPACT card. As they finish up, the insufferable team of Tessa Blanchard and Victoria Crawford make their way to the ring, eating up the ire of the crowd as all of them either boo or show complete indifference towards the duo. Tessa enters the ring as Victoria claps it up for her, both parading around as if they're legends of the business.

Next out is Dani Luna, who the crowd can't help but cheer for despite her heel-leaning disposition. Dani is all business as she slides into the ring and stands across from Tessa, the bell ringing to start their match.

TESSA BLANCHARD w/ VICTORIA CRAWFORD vs DANI LUNA

Tessa is overwhelmed by the sheer power of Luna right off the opening bell, trying her hardest to avoid Luna's biggest shots but getting caught with a wicket lariat that sends her to the mat and gives Dani the first advantage. The young rising star wastes no time or motion, dropping an elbow on Tessa and making her retreat to the ropes where she receives some words of encouragement from Crawford as the referee makes Luna back off.

This pattern continues for a bit, with Dani consistently winning their exchanges and sending Tessa scrambling for a reset. Tessa does eventually get her bearings about her and take control, using Dani's momentum to drive her into the ringpost and work away at her right shoulder. Tessa launches a very focused assault on the right arm, trying to weaken it to the point that she can finish the match with her Buzzsaw DDT, but Luna overpowers her and fights back into the match until Crawford grabs her ankle from the outside and swings momentum back to Blanchard.

The numbers game comes into play again when Dani tries to lift Tessa for a one-armed suplex with her left arm, but Crawford steps onto the apron and pulls her partner to safety. As she's being admonished by the official, Tessa lands a quick poke to Dani's eye before a roll-up that results in a nearfall! Dani charges across the ring, throwing a lariat that Tessa ducks under and nearly runs into the referee, taking the ref's attention away from her argument with Crawford. The instant the ref turns around, though, Victoria hotshots Luna over the top rope, sending her back into a german suplex that earns Blanchard a razor-thin nearfall!

Dani tries to get up and fight yet again, but now Tessa is stomping and pounding away on the worn-down shoulder, but Luna shows incredible resolve and stands up through the assault, scooping Tessa onto her shoulders for the Luna Landing! However, she staggers back too close to the ropes, and Crawford grabs onto her ankles yet again, holding on for dear life! This time the referee has had enough, and just as she's about to eject Crawford, Indi Hartwell charges to ringside and blasts her!

As Hartwell and Crawford brawl on the floor, Tessa gets down from Luna's shoulders and slugs her in the injured arm once again, before heading out to the apron, where she watches as Victoria is chased off by Hartwell. Before she can even turn around to re-enter the ring, Dani Luna hooks her around the waist and hoists her up while standing on the second rope, pulling her back into the ring with her own german suplex! Tessa thuds to the mat, only to be scooped up and planted with the Luna Landing for a massive victory!

WINNER: Dani Luna (8:51)

Dani celebrates her astonishing win, sending Tessa packing as Indi stands at the top of the stage clapping for her former rival. Using her left arm as her right dangles gingerly at her side, Dani gives a wave and a head nod of acknowledgement to Hartwell, which is respectfully returned by the Aussie.

We return to the IMPACT Zone with the entrance of this Saturday's challenger for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship: Mike Santana. Santana is received very warmly by the Texas crowd, making sure to shake hands with everyone at ringside despite his heavily bandaged right arm following weeks of attacks from the champion. Santana is handed a microphone as he stands in the center of the ring, waiting for the cheering to die down before he starts to speak.

Santana starts by saying he's calling Kaz out to the ring, but he's sure that he won't come out now because of the way he's been ducking and sneaking up on him for the past month. Santana talks about the health of his arm, saying that despite his injury he feels as good as he ever has because he's been in disadvantaged positions his entire life. He talks about what it means to fight back and refuse to give up, then says that at Genesis the give and take is over once and for all, because he'll be taking the Championship that belongs to him and never giving it up.

Now Kazarian comes out, surprisingly from the stage and not from behind, stopping at ringside and circling the ring as he offers his rebuttal rather than stepping between the ropes. Kaz tells Santana that he does admire his fighting spirit, appreciates what he's been through both personally and professionally, but says that a little struggle alone doesn't put him on the level of a pro wrestling icon like Kaz. Kazarian says that the reason Santana isn't TNA Champion has nothing to do with his misfortune or his hard upbringing, it's simply the fact that Kazarian is the better man, which he'll prove again at Genesis.

Santana's heard enough, and he drops the microphone to invite the champion into the ring for a fight. When Kazarian doesn't budge, Santana turns around to pick up the mic, and Kaz slides into the ring behind him for a sneak attack!

It was a trap laid by Santana though, as he turns around and catches Kazarian's right hand. Just as he rears back to throw a punch of his own, Kaz seizes the opening and kicks Santana below the belt. Kazarian then gathers the TNA World Heavyweight Championship belt and slams it into Santana's bandaged arm!

Santana sneers at Kazarian in excruciating pain while he poses with the title on the entranceway, making sure this Saturday's challenger gets a good long look at the World Champion.

A vignette plays now, showing a sword laying on a red pillow before a pair of hands approaches and lifts it. The hands run over the handle and gently across the blade before the camera pans out to reveal the Knockouts Champion - Lei Ying Lee - is the one holding the sword. As she observes the blade and admires the craftsmanship, her voiceover speaks. She says that while she's impressed by Karmen Petrovic's dedication and application of martial arts, there's no sword capable of matching her might. Lee sticks the sword in the floor blade-first, leaving the handle sticking in the air as she takes a few steps back and assumes an athletic stance. Then, she lets out a yell and launches a dynamic kick, snapping the handle clean off the sword and flying out of frame!

Symbolism aside, Lee closes her eyes meditatively as the voiceover says that she has come too far to lose now.

In the IMPACT Zone, NXT's High Ryze is jeered mightily as they swagger to the ring. Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont make the most of the crowd's booing, milking it for all it's worth before The System hits the ring, receiving a mixed but mostly positive reaction. Moose and Eddie are the team going for The System tonight, Eddie starting the match with Dupont.

THE SYSTEM w/ BRIAN MYERS, ALISHA EDWARDS & JDC vs HIGH RYZE
Eddie appears to have underestimated the youngsters from NXT, as Dupont overwhelms him early with his sheer strength, manhandling him into the corner and peppering him with massive blows. Eddie is able to get his footing and send some huge shots right back, holding his own against both members of High Ryze before the numbers eventually become too much.

High Ryze follows the formula to a tee, trying to keep Eddie isolated but they're unsuccessful, as he tags out to Moose and the match turns on its head. Moose lays waste to both men, and despite their best efforts to mount a comeback, Eddie manages to negate the numbers advantage and allows Moose to plant Igwe with the Spear for an academic and convincing win!

WINNERS: The System (5:03)

After Moose and Eddie make quick work of the invaders from Full Sail, Brian Myers grabs a microphone and steps into the ring to celebrate with his stable mates.

Myers sarcastically congratulates High Ryze on the valiant effort, then states that The System is back on track with their eyes shifted forward. He announces they'll be holding a Gut Check match at Genesis, and Myers says he's got his ear to the streets when it comes to independent wrestling and he's already chosen an opponent for himself. He gestures to the tron, where a video begins to play.

The video showcases highlights of DPW National Champion LaBron Kozone! The hulking man is shown going toe-to-toe with several faces TNA faithful would recognize including Cedric Alexander, "Speedball" Mike Bailey and Travis Williams. The powerful moves performed by the imposing, dreadlocked wrestler pop off the screen, and when the video package ends, The System all look impressed by the highlights.

Myers ends by saying that he might look impressive, but there's only one way to find out if he can truly perform when the lights get bright. Commentary makes note of the potential of Kozone and his chance to earn a TNA contract as IMPACT heads to one last commercial break.

We head back to the IMPACT Zone and it's main event time for the first time on AMC! The challenger is out first, that being Dezmond Xavier with the entirety of The Rascalz in tow. Dez daps up all his teammates, then gets the crowd hyped up as he sprints to the ring and awaits the champion. Leon Slater receives a hero's welcome from the fans in Garland, his energy already high well before the bell rings. He flaunts the X-Division Championship for the crowd, letting them know that this is what TNA's all about as there's a palpable buzz in the arena before the referee calls for the bell to get our main event underway.

TNA X-DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
LEON SLATER (c) vs DEZMOND XAVIER w/ THE RASCALZ
This match is as high octane as you might expect, with commentary mentioning that AMC has assured them they will stick with the broadcast until there's a winner. Slater and Dez exchange high-speed counters and rapid exchanges of offense in the early going, with neither man able to truly claim an advantage over the other. It's Slater that manages to be in control for most of the match, but Dez proves his worth by landing a number of high-impact moves that neutralize the advantage for the champion.

For example, Slater has a springboard attempt cut off with a devastating dropkick, then a springboard 450 from Dez that earns him a nearfall. Slater works back into the fight, planting Dez on his head with a massive Tornado DDT, then heading to the top, presumably for the Swanton 450! However, Myron Reed jumps on the apron and swipes at his legs, distracting the champion! Wentz and Trey grab their hotheaded teammate and pull him down, telling him to stay uninvolved in the match, but when Slater looks down he just sees the three of them standing there after trying to interfere, so he leaps out onto them with a ridiculous dive, taking out all three Rascalz!

Dez didn't see Myron lend him a hand, but he did see Slater take out his friends, so he makes him pay with the Sasuke Special, dazzling the crowd as he leaps over the top in a handspring and takes Slater out! With his eyes on the prize, Dez rolls Slater into the ring and rattles his brain with the Tornado Kick! This could be it!​

1...

2...

KICKOUT!
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Slater survives by the skin of his teeth, but Dez doesn't let the disbelief stop him for long. He drags himself to his feet and ascends the ropes, looking for Final Flash, but the champion cuts him off and they begin jockeying for position up top. Their exchanges goes in favor of Dez, who stunningly flips over Slater and looks to drive him to the mat with a Sunset Flip Bomb, but Slater grasps the ropes for dear life and doesn't let go, eventually fighting Dez off. Xavier comes right back, though, knocking Slater into a seated position on the top rope.

They fight for position again, Dez winning again, this time looking for a top rope hurricanrana that would surely spell the end for Slater! However, the champion's iron grip on the top rope comes in handy once more, sending Dez to the mat on his head and neck! With Slater now alone on the top and his opponent down, he springs straight up and lands the awe-inspiring Swanton 450, and covers for the win!​

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WINNER: Leon Slater (11:50)​

Immediately as the final bell sounds, Myron Reed slides into the ring and pie faces Slater, arguing with him over what went down in the closing stretch. This launches an argument between Leon and The Rascalz as a whole, so Leon heads to the outside and grabs himself a microphone. He says that Dez and Wentz can see him Saturday night at Genesis if they're so mad, and he'll bring a partner with him. ​

​

Slater ends the inaugural episode by warning The Rascalz that their match this Saturday might get a little... bouncy!

Thanks to the magic of pro wrestling, a graphic appears on the tron advertising The Rascalz vs Leon Slater and... ​

JE'VON EVANS!​

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[HaleStorm86]

Beautifully formatted and incredibly easy to read. The previews did a lot of heavy lifting for me as someone not fully dialed into the current TNA product, so that was much appreciated — I felt completely up to speed going in.

First Impact was fun. The tag team division is immediately opened up and while The Hardys get the win, they’re surrounded by danger from every angle, immediately intrigued as to see who emerges as front runner contenders.

The show did a strong job balancing Genesis build with establishing tone for this new era. Order 4 were presented as a clear power faction with defined goals (IRL are they a call out to the Horsemen?). Maclin looks like the most brutal man around and really built to the Street Fight.

The Santana/Kazarian segment was simple and effective, with Kazarian leaning fully into the condescending champion role and the belt shot to the injured arm makes us want to see him toppled asap. Nothing dragged, nothing felt superfluous — midcard segments did what they set out to do, and didnt overstay their welcome.

The main event was exactly the kind of closer that would grab attention. Especially the ending with Leon upping the stakes and bringing in Je’Von Evans, I enjoyed their teaming up at SNME and look forward to seeing good things from both of them. A solid start that caught me up right away and made me interested in quite a few of the players.