Tag: TNA

TNA Impact ratings up, still third-lowest viewership on AMC

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Last week’s live edition of TNA Thursday Night Impact averaged 196,000 viewers on AMC, up 19.5 percent from the previous week. It was, however, the third-lowest audience total for the show since January 22.

In the 18-49 demo, Impact drew a 0.03 rating. That’s up 50 percent from the prior week but ties the second-lowest rating the show has done in that category since debuting on the network.

The show tied for 76th on the primetime cable charts in the key demo and was 85th in terms of total viewers. It went head-to-head with an NBA playoff game on TNT that topped the cable charts with a 0.36 rating and 1.485 million viewers.

Listed below are the last 11 weeks of viewership numbers and 18-49 demo ratings for Impact, as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 12.1 percent in viewers and 25 percent in 18-49 as compared to the recent averages.

TNA Impact ratings —

DateImpact 18-49Impact T.V.
3/5/20260.04249,000
3/12/20260.04259,000
3/19/20260.04250,000
3/26/20260.05256,000
4/2/20260.05200,000
4/9/20260.04257,000
4/16/20260.05212,000
4/23/20260.03175,000
4/30/20260.03209,000
5/7/20260.02164,000
5/14/20260.03196,000
*10 wk avg0.04223,100
*not including current week

Tiffany Stratton denies rumor that a former WWE wrestler was fired for flirting with her

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tiffany Stratton is rejecting speculation online about a situation between herself and a former WWE wrestler.

During a livestream, Stratton was denying online rumors about various subjects when she brought up one about a former WWE wrestler who was supposedly fired for flirting with her. Stratton took time to deny any such thing happened and wished the best for the wrestler in question.

“You guys. That may be the craziest one I’ve ever heard. That did not happen, that is not true,” she said. “There is no truth to that. I hope he’s doing amazing, I heard he just signed with TNA, and I think he’s gonna kill it. So absolutely no truth to that. That’s a [completely] false accusation.”

Who is the wrestler in question?

Although Stratton did not mention this person by name, former WWE wrestler Giovanni Vinci made his Impact debut on Thursday’s live show, staring down new X Division Champion Cedric Alexander. 

Vinci is best known for his run as a member of Imperium alongside Ludwig Kaiser and Gunther. Although not originally called up to WWE’s main roster, he eventually joined his stablemates in 2022. The three remained a unit until 2024, when he was kicked out of Imperium following an assault by Kaiser. He made his debut as a singles wrestler on SmackDown later that year, but was defeated twice by Apollo Crews before being released in February 2025.

Bayley expresses interest in wrestling for TNA

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE veteran and former Women’s Champion Bayley has expressed her interest in wrestling for TNA Wrestling.

In a career spanning over a decade, Bayley has wrestled and proven her skills across multiple promotions and brands.

The 36-year-old began her career in the indies and wrestled there until 2012, when she signed a new contract with WWE NXT. After spending almost three years in NXT, Bayley made her jump to the main roster in 2015. She has already competed on RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and AAA in 2026. Now, she hopes to wrestle in TNA. On social media, in a post talking about the promotions Bayley wrestled for in 2026, she tweeted, “I AM THE BRAND..[TNA] join the party.”

A former multi-time champion, Bayley is also the 2024 WWE Women’s Royal Rumble winner.

Current and former WWE superstars encourage Bayley to wrestle in TNA

Bayley’s social media post attracted comments from Charlotte Flair and Brian Myers, asking her to wrestle for TNA Wrestling.

Former NXT Champion has re-signed with TNA Wrestling

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell has now re-signed with TNA Wrestling.

A segment during the May 14 episode of TNA Impact saw Daria Rae announce World Champion Mike Santana in a title match against Steve Maclin. Santana is now set to defend his title on the May 21, 2026, episode of Impact.

However, as Rae continued with her announcement, she was interrupted by Director of Authority Santino Marella. The 52-year-old appeared on stage and announced that Indi Hartwell has now re-signed with TNA.

Hartwell had previously helped Marella get reinstated after a suspension given by Rae. Hartwell’s contract was a running theme in the previous few episodes of Impact, where Rae constantly reminded her of her upcoming contract expiry. However, now, after weeks of storyline, she has finally re-signed with the promotion.

A former WWE superstar, Hartwell was released by WWE in 2024 and has been working with TNA Wrestling since May 2025.

Former Giovanni Vinci makes TNA Impact debut

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE wrestler Giovanni Vinci has now officially made his TNA debut.

The Thursday, May 14 episode of TNA Impact saw the debut of the former WWE wrestler Giovanni Vinci, aka Fabian Aichner.

In the closing moments of the episode, after Cedric Alexander defeated Leon Slater and won the X-Division Championship, he was greeted with Vinci’s arrival.

While Alexander was busy celebrating his new championship and ending Slater’s reign of almost becoming the longest-reigning X-Division champion, Vinci interrupted him. The former WWE superstar arrived and set his sights on the new champion.

Vinci dropped his Giovanni Vinci name and appeared on TNA Impact as Fabian Aichner. He stood on stage and shared a staredown with the new champion as the show came to a close.

With the Ultimate X match coming up next month, Vinci could be a possible addition to that multi-man bout.

Who is Giovanni Vinci?

Giovanni Vinci, aka Fabian Aichner, is a former WWE wrestler. He has been a part of the WWE roster since 2017 until his release in 2025. Not wrestled since his dark match in WWE SmackDown in December 2024, Aichner has now arrived in TNA Wrestling.

New TNA X-Division Champion crowned

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Cedric Alexander is the brand new TNA X-Division Champion.

In the main event of the May 14 episode of TNA Impact, fans saw Cedric Alexander defeat Leon Slater in a 2-out-of-3 falls match. Alexander pinned Slater to crown himself the new X-Division Champion.

Following a closely contested battle and a scoreline of 1-1, Alexander evaded Slater’s Swanton 450 and countered it with multiple Lumbarchecks to pick up the X-Division title.

Slater was previously set to become the longest reigning X-Division champion on May 15, 2026. However, his plans were put to a halt as Alexander beat him to take home the title.

Alexander is a member of The System in TNA. While Alexander now holds the X Division Championship, Brian Myers and Bear Bronson of The System hold the TNA World Tag Team Championship.

Slater held the X-Division Title since July 2025, when he won the title from Moose at the Slammiversary PPV. Now, just one day before reaching the historic feat, Slater lost it to the former WWE wrestler.

Ultimate X match announced for TNA Slammiversary for X-Division Championship

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The much-awaited Ultimate X match is set to return to TNA!

After months of waiting, it was announced during the main event of the May 14 episode of TNA Impact that the Ultimate X match would return at TNA Slammiversary 2026.

On Thursday, May 14, during the main event of TNA Impact, Leon Slater defended his X-Division Championship against Cedric Alexander in a Best 2 out of 3 Falls match. It was during this bout that the commentary team made the announcement. The finish of the match saw, Alexander defeat Slater to become the new X-Division champion.

It was announced that on June 28, 2026, at TNA Slammiversary, the promotion will host an Ultimate X Match for the X-Division Championship. TNA Slammiversary 2026 is set to take place at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts.

As of now, the participants or more details about the match remain a mystery, and nothing has been confirmed yet.

The history of TNA Ultimate X match

The TNA Ultimate X match is contested among three or more wrestlers from TNA’s X Division. Two cables, connected to metal structures rising from the four corners of the ring, cross 15 feet above the middle of the ring, and, similar to a ladder match, a championship, or a large X is suspended above the ring with the cables. The first wrestler to retrieve the object is declared the winner.

The first Ultimate X match took place in 2003, where Michael Shane defeated Chris Sabin and Frankie Kazarian. The most recent Ultimate X took place last year in 2025 at TNA Rebellion, where Moose defended his title against KC Navarro, Leon Slater, Matt Cardona, El Hijo del Vikingo, and Sidney Akeem.

TNA Impact live results: Leon Slater vs. Cedric Alexander

Posted on by Jeff Moss

TNA Impact is live tonight from the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. The company will return to the venue for TV tapings again on Friday.

Scheduled for tonight’s show is a number one contenders battle royal for a shot at the TNA World Championship.

The main event will see The TNA X-Division Championship on the line as Leon Slater defends against Cedric Alexander in a best two-out-of-three falls match.

There will be a SacTown Street Fight between KC Navarro and AJ Francis. Athletics Play-by-play announcer Chris Caray will join the broadcast team for that match.

The new TNA Knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee will be on the show.

We will also hear from TNA World Champion Mike Santana on the show.

Rosemary and Allie will team up to take on Victoria Crawford and Mila Moore.

Our live coverage kicks off at 9 p.m. Eastern.

*******************************************

Many moons ago, when the expierment that was SpikeTV was a thing, I stumbled upon a quirky little wrestling program with an “X” division and a six-sided ring called TNA. Fast forward 20+ years later and here I am sitting down to watch the current iteration of the show on AMC of all places.

This is my first week recapping TNA and my first time watching it in quite a while and based on the card laid out, I think I picked a good time to jump back in. So let’s get ready for some Action that’s going to be Total and Non-Stop on a show that’s sure to make an Impact!

Sorry, had to get those out of the way. Let’s get to it, shall we?

A video package opened the show recapping Leon Slater’s rise to X Division Champion and reminding us all that if he wins tonight, he’ll be the longest-reigning X Division Champion, which is pretty cool.

TNA World Title #1 Contendership Battle Royal

No better way to start a show than with a giant battle royal to determine the #1 contender for the TNA World Championship. Most of the participants were already in the ring, but The System, Mustafa Saed and Elijah (cosplaying my E-Fed character from about 30 years ago) got their own intro and entrance.

Saed threw trash can lids, Kendo sticks and chains into the ring and before the match even started, Bear Bronson ate a shot to the head with a trash can lid. No one really knew what to make of Saed, so they attached him Steven Segal style, ie one at a time.

Saed was also the frist to be eliminated as he got tossed over the ropes by Agent Zero. Zero and Dutch of the RIghteous were next to go over and Zero was not happy about it, tearing up the ringside area. ECE was eliminated next follwed by Mr Elegant.

Brian Meyers got thrown out next along with Skylar and Vincent. Elijah hit a high knee on Jason Hotch to eliminate him and we were down to about half a dozen left in the ring. The Hometown Man was eliminated with Frankie Kazarian going next to bring us to four.

Kazarian came back to pull Elijah’s hair, but that just gave him an opening to eliminate Eddie Edwards and Bear Bronson. That left Elijah and Erik Young as the final two.

They battled on the ring apron (the royalest part of the ring!) with Young hitting a low blow on Elijah, causing him to fall to the floor and give Young the victory.

Match Result: Eric Young won the Battle Royal to become the #1 contender to Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship.

-Backstage, Leon Slater was interviewed about his match later tonight. Slater said that he is ready to make history by winning tonight. He touted the legacy of the X Division and tonight he will go from the Youngest to the Greatest X Division Champion.

The Hardys arrived and said that Slater has a chance to become a legend tonight and wished him luck.

-Back from break, Mr Ali cut a promo about rubbing a lamp and getting three wishes. He said that his open challenge for the TNA International Title will continue next week.

Eric Young stormed in next to remind us he just won a battle royal. Thanks Eric!

TNA Knockouts World Champion Léi Yǐng Lee Addresses The Fans

Lee Street-Fightered her way to the ring and grabbed a mic. “You deserve it” chants started as Lee said that she has been waiting her whole life for this moment (which is interesting since this is her second run with the title).

Lee said that she doesn’t have the words in English to express her gratitude to the fans and she thanked them. As she did that, Xia Brookside came out to interrupt.

Brookside said that sooner or later, the title will come to her. Lee said that she was sick of Brookside and then yelled at her in Chinese. Brookside ran her down for her limited Engish (classy) and Lee said let’s do it right here, right now!

Brookside pretended to accept, but then said she would never fight Lee in a cesspool like Sacramento. Rude.

She then called Lee a bitch in Mandarin and stormed out, leaving Lee incensed in the ring.

-Back from break, the System was interviewed (again) about the loss they suffered in the Battle Royal. Meyers and Bronson called out Moose and Cedric Alexander said that he is going to spoil Leon Slater’s party tonight. Because apparently, you can’t beat the System.

-Back from another break, Keith Jardine was interviewed at Ringside about the new movie “Over Your Dead Body.” It has a lot less to do with wrestling than you think, but Jardine said that it was violent and fun but then The Congierge, Mr Elegance and the Elegance brand came down to the ring and made fun of him for not being as greasy as they are. Security came down and sent them to the back, ending the segment.

-Back from a third break, it was time for the Street Fight!

Sactown Street Fight: KC Navarro vs. AJ Francis

Navarro and Francis used to be friends and tag team partners, but now they are looking to tear each other apart in a street fight, which is also how I settle disputes with my former (and current) friends.

The voice of The Oakland A’s, Chris Carey joined the commentary team for this match, which I’m sure is exciting for the people who enjoy Oakland baseball before it inevitably moves to Las Vegas.

The match started with a brawl on the outside and Navarro going until the ring for a table. Francix knocked him down and very nicely put it back for him. He threw Navarro into the ring and went for a Down Payment, but Navarro countered it with a 305.

The fight moved outside the ring where Francis went for a lawndart, but Navarro countered it into a DDT. He pulled the table out from underneath the ring again, but Francis threw him into the steps. Navarro grabbed a chair form under the ring and belted Francis with it before sending him into the steps head first.

We came back from commercial just in time to see Francis throw Navarro into the ring post. Francis grabbed a baseball bat, but couldn’t connect on a leaping Navarro. Navarro grabbed the bat and a batting helmet from Chris Carey and belted Francis with it.

Francis escaped into the ring only to get clocked in the head by the bat again. Navarro set him up in the corner with a trash can and rounded the bases to hit a dropkick, driving the trash can into Francis’ midsection. He followed that with a Fame-Ass-Er, but Francis kicked out at two.

Navarro threw half a dozen chairs into the ring and set them up in the middle of the ring. he set Francis up on them and went up top, but Francis got up and cracked him with the bat. Francis joined Navarro up top and hit a massive Down Payment but halfway down, Navarro countered it into a cutter, sending Francis through the chairs.

Navarro went back to basics, hitting Francis with a chair and burying him with the others in the ring. He went up top, but Francis exploded out of the chairs with a big boot. Francis then hit a Down Payment over the top rope, sending Navarro through two tables that were set up on the outside.

Francis threw Navarro back into the ring and pinned him to get the victory.

Match Result: AJ Francis defeated KC Navarro

Note to wrestling fans in the audience: When you chant profanity, it’s really annoying to people at home who have to warch with AMC cutting the audio in and out. Just saying.

TNA World Champion Mike Santana addresses the Sacramento crowd

Santana entered through the crowd, which probably seemed like a good idea at the time, but if you’re going to do that, you should probably make sure that you’ve sold out the venue so your champion isn’t entering in front of empty seats.

Santana grabbed the mic and asked what was good. He said that he was taught to speak through actions, not words, and it’s gotten him to the TNA World Championship. He then addressed the new #1 Contender, Eric Young.

Santana said that he recognizes Young’s legacy, but he’s beaten those with legacy before. That brought out Daria Rae.

Rae congratulated Santana and said that Young wasn’t actually the next contender for the title. Steve Maclin is still owed a rematch. Maclin has been cleared for in ring action, so next week it will be Santana vs Maclin for the TNA World Title.

That conjured Director of Authority Santino Marella. He had some announcements of his own: First, Indi Hartwell has just re-signed with TNA. That ended up being the only announcement though as Santana interrupted Marella and Rae jawing at each other about Stacks.

Santana said this was terrible, and accepted the match for next week and left.

Allie & Rosemary (w/Mara Sade) vs. The Diamond Collective (Mila Moore & Victoria Crawford) (w/Tessa Blanchard)

Rosemary and Moore kicked things off with Rosemary doing some biting early on. Allie also got a nibble in and Rosemary tagged her in for a double team. Allie chopped Moore and screamed at her while splashing her in the corner.

Blanchard got involved, pulling Allie off the turnbuckle and giving Moore a chance to change the momentum. Moore got some shots in then tagged in Crawford who bounced Allie’s head off the turnbuckle.

Moore tagged back in and stomped Allie, isolating her in the corner. Crawford and Moore exchanged quick tags while throwing hands at Allie. Allie managed to connect with a neckbreaker on Moore and crawled over to tag in Rosemary.

Crawford also tagged in and Rosemary hit a sling blade on her followed by and exploder suplex. Crawford came back with a big boot, but Rosemary countered it with a reverse DDT. Moore broke up the pin attempt but Rosemary fought off the double team.

Sade took out Blanchard on the outside and Allie sent Moore into the steel steps. She picked her up and hit her with a spiccoli driver on the outside while Crawford at a “So Below” in the ring to get pinned 1,2,3.

Match Result: Allie & Rosemary defeated The Diamond Collective

-Back from break, Broken Matt Hardy cut a promo that was WONDERFUL! as he called out The Righteous to meet them next week on the battlefield where the action is total and non-stop!

TNA X-Division Title Best Two Out Of Three Falls Match: Leon Slater (c) vs. Cedric Alexander

The record that Slater is looking to capture tonight has stood for over 14 years, so this match is a pretty big deal. Slater and Alexander are 2-2 against each other since last August and the show has done a great job building up this match all night, so let’s do it!

The bell rang and Slater dodged a charge from Alexander. They started trading punches and Slater went for a quick Styles Clash, but Alexander countered it. He went for a lumbar check, but Slater rolled him up and scored the first pin of the match.

Back from a break, Alexander sent Slater careening into the corner and it was revealed that during the commercial, Alexander hit a snap German suplex that had Slater landing on his neck. In the here and now, they traded forearms in the center of the ring with Alexander going for a pin that Slater kicked out of.

Slater hit a chinbreaker and a dropkick, but Alexander stayed on his feet until Slater clotheslined him. He hit one hell of a kick in the corner and went up top. Alexander moved and went for another Lumbar Check but Slater countered with a spin kick and then a cross body from the top turnbuckle.

It was here that they announced that Ultimate X will return on June 28th at Slammiversary.

A busted open Slater ate a Michinoku driver, but Alexander wasn’t able to get the pin. Slater grabbed a headlock to cut off a Lumbar Check and Alexander punched him in the back about it. Slater responded with a high kick with both men starting to look worn down.

Alexander finally got a Lumbar Check in and pinned Slater to even the score 1-1. We moved into next pin wins territory as they went to another commercial break.

Back from said break, Slater was on the top turnbuckle and Alexander caught him with a high kick. Alexander went for a hurricanrana, but Slater countered it into a Super Styles Clash from the top turnbuckle! He went for the cover, but somehow Alexander kicked out.

Slater went back to the top, but Alexander kicked his legs out from under him. On the way down, Slater caught his leg in the ropes, wrenching his knee. Alexander then slammed Slater’s head into the ring steps. Alexander started getting cocky and grabbed the belt from Carlos Silva.

He then put it back gently and held Slater’s head to the camera to show his multiple lacerations. Rolling Slater back into tyhe ring, Alexander set him up for a suplex, but Slater tried to steal one with a rollup. Alexander came back with a brainbuster, but Slater kicked out.

Slater staggered to his feet and Alexander hit another Lumbar Check. Somehow, Slater kicked out and ducked a Blue Thunder Bomb. He went up top, literally slipping in his own blood and landed a 450, but Alexander had moved. Alexander hit another Lumbar Check and then one more for good measure. He pinned Slater and that was it. 1-2-3 and Cedric Alexander is the new TNA X-Division Champion.

Match Result: Cedric Alexander defeated Leon Slater 2 falls to 1 to win the X Division Championship.

After the match, who should come waltzing out? Fabian Aichner of all people! He and Alexander stared each other down as the show went off the air.

Well, I have to say, that was a really fun show! From the opening battle royal to the barnburner of a main event, it was really entertaining. I did not see Alexander winning the title, so that was a great surprise. I’m stoked to be in TNA land and can’t wait for the World Title match next week! See you then!

Dixie Carter reportedly turned down Dark Side of the Ring interviews

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former TNA President Dixie Carter recently rejected interview invitations for the upcoming edition of Dark Side of the Ring.

According to a recent report by PWInsider, the show’s production team approached Carter several times. Despite multiple invitations, Carter chose not to take part in the series.

“Dixie Carter turned down multiple invitations to appear in Dark Side of the Ring‘s three-part TNA Wrestling documentary,” wrote Mike Johnson of PWInsider.

While Carter declined to participate in the interview, several key TNA personalities sat down for extensive interviews, including Jeff Jarrett, Jim Cornette, Vince Russo, and The Hardy Boyz.

Matt Hardy revealed that both he and his brother filmed almost two hours’ worth of content for the show, which this time focuses on Jeff Jarrett’s redemption story.

Season 7 of Dark Side of the Ring premieres July 7 at 9 p.m. ET on Vice TV with two back-to-back episodes launching the TNA trilogy. The third episode on TNA will air the following week.

Who was TNA President Dixier Carter?

Carter served as TNA’s president for 15 years and played a crucial role during one of the company’s most critical periods.

Carter served as the TNA President from 2002, when her family business, Panda Energy, purchased the promotion. She remained the promotion’s president until 2017, when Anthem Sports & Entertainment purchased the majority of the promotion from Carter.

BVV: Recapping weak episodes of TNA Impact & AAA

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Well, you can’t win ’em all. TNA and AAA both put up TV shows last week, but neither turned out to be particularly exciting.

Vince Verhei talks about them all on the latest Big Vinny V Show.

TNA is still six weeks out from Slammiversary and seems to be in no hurry to put a card together. So, Impact featured EC3 making a very uninspiring return against Eric Young; a promo segment building a feud exactly zero fans could possibly want to see; a short, forgettable tag team championship match, which was followed by a longer, non-title tag team match that felt more important; and a completely new and original program pitting a babyface challenger against a heel authority figure.

And then, it was capped off by an Arianna Grace main event, of all things.

Meanwhile, in AAA, there’s a pointless banger of a three-way, an AEW special of a debut, and a main event angle that accomplished nothing.

Thank god I’m entertaining. Come listen to the Big Vinny V Show!

Right Click Save As (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

Matt Hardy shares details on TNA Dark Side of the Ring episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On his podcast this week, Matt Hardy provided some information on the upcoming season seven premiere of Dark Side of the Ring.

Dark Side of the Ring will return to Vice TV on July 7 when the new season begins with a three-part documentary on TNA Wrestling and its founder Jeff Jarrett. Matt Hardy noted that he and his brother Jeff recorded long-form interviews for the project, which will be a redemption story covering the loss of Jarrett’s first wife Jill and tag team partner Owen Hart, as well as his successful battle against addiction.

“In speaking with Jeff Jarrett, had a great conversation with him a couple months ago, and he told me they were talking about doing this, and they’re doing a Dark Side of the Ring, which is kind of a redemption story, which is very cool,” Hardy said on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy.

“We were sold on it. While we were out in Vegas, Jeff and I both did very long-form interviews talking about everything from the very beginning. When we first met Jeff Jarrett, interacting with him, him and Owen asking if they could put the Tag Team titles on us when we were wearing tights back in the day with hope and faith and plaids, just for a few weeks to kind of build us and make us. Go into everything that Jeff Jarrett has been through, losing his friend Owen, losing his first wife, how his life has been.”

It sounds like the documentary could also take a redemptive tone toward TNA, with Hardy saying he discussed how the promotion is now “thriving” on AMC.

“Even up to that with TNA, whenever we left, whenever we returned to WrestleMania 33, WWE, just the whole to-do. And it felt great to be a part of something that did feel like a redemption story,” Hardy said. “Because not only did we talk about how Jeff Jarrett came out the other end in a much better place and how he has gained everyone’s respect from what he has done, we talked about the condition of TNA right now, how it is in a good place and it is actually thriving on AMC.”

Hardy said he thinks this could be the “biggest star power” episode Dark Side of the Ring has ever produced with how many people they interviewed for the project. He and Jeff were both interviewed for more than two hours each.

The first two parts of the documentary will air on July 7, with the third following the week after that. Here is the full list of topics that will be covered in the season:

Dark Side of the Ring season seven topics —

  • Three-part episode on TNA Wrestling and Jeff Jarrett
  • Paul Orndorff
  • Big Boss Man
  • Missy Hyatt
  • Samoa Joe vs. Necro Butcher indie match from IWA-MS in 2005 and the personal animosity the two had toward each other
  • Zach Gowen
  • The Renegade (Rick Wilson), “an exotic dancer who had a brief run as [an] Ultimate Warrior knockoff.”

New TNA Knockouts World Champion crowned on Impact

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Lei Ying Lee has defeated Arianna Grace to crown herself the brand new TNA Knockouts World Champion.

On Thursday, during the May 7, 2026 episode of TNA Impact, fans saw Lee defeat Grace in the main event of the episode to become a two-time TNA Knockouts World Champion.

WWE wrestler Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo accompanied his fiancee, Arianna Grace, to the ring. However, toward the closing end of the match, Stacks was removed from ringside by the referee following his constant distraction and interference.

Lee would then drop Grace with a neckbreaker from the top rope to keep her down for the three-count. She had previously lost the title to Grace in February at the No Surrender special, but has now regained it.

Formerly known as Xia Li in WWE, she parted ways with the promotion and joined TNA in 2024, and is currently a two-time TNA Knockouts World champion.

Lei Ying Lee already has her next TNA Knockouts World title challenger

After turning heel on Lei Ying Lee at TNA Rebellion, Lee’s former ally Xia Brookside has already made her intentions clear to go after the title.

Responding to a tweet on social media, Brookside shared her intentions. “Last time I supported you. This time i take everything from you!”

TNA Impact live results: Arianna Grace vs. Lei Ying Lee, The System vs. Nemeth & Navarro

Posted on by Joseph Collins

TNA Impact returns to AMC tonight.

The Thursday, May 7, 2026 episode was taped on April 15 at the Upstate Medical University Arena in Syracuse, New York.

Four matches have been announced for the show, including two title matches. Ariana Grace will defend the TNA Knockouts Championship against former champion Lei Ying Li. The System’s Bear Bronson and Brian Myers will put the TNA World Tag Team titles on the line against Casey Navarro and Nick Nemeth.

Also advertised is a no-DQ match between EC3 and Eric Young, plus Leon Slater and Moose teaming against The System’s Cedric Alexander and Eddie Edwards.

Elayna Black and TNA World Champion Mike Santana have also been announced for the show.

The full lineup:

  • TNA Knockouts World Championship Match: Arianna Grace (c) vs Léi Yǐng Lee
  • TNA World Tag Team Championship Match: The System (c) vs Nic Nemeth and KC Navarro
  • No DQ Match: EC3 vs Eric Young
  • TNA World Champion Mike Santana will speak
  • Elayna Black will have an in-ring segment
  • The System vs Leon Slater and Moose

Our live coverage begins at 9 p.m. Eastern.

*****************************************

Taped! from Syracuse, New York.

Tom Hannifan & Matthew Rehwoldt were on commentary. 

Eric Young v. EC3 in a No Disqualification Match

I’m not sure what the fine people of Syracuse did to deserve two Eric Young v. EC3 matches, but I’m sure they won’t do it again. 

The fight went to the floor early and EC3 pulled a table from underneath the ring. EC3 whipped Young into the steel steps, then went to another side of the ring to find an aluminum trash can. Then back around to another side of the ring for EC3 to find a chair. EC3 tried to wrap the chair around Young’s head. They hit each other with stuff. EC3 did the Cactus Jack out of the ring clothesline to send them both to the floor. 

After a commercial, Young just straight-up stomped on EC3’s groin for a bit. Then Young threw the trash can at him. Young pulled a chain out from under the ring and tried to choke out EC3. EC3 then whipped Young with the chain. 

Young back suplexed EC3, then went to the top for a moonsault that missed. EC3 hit a rolling neckbreaker, then choked out Young with the chain. EC3 dropped Young with a TKO (the wrestling move… he didn’t make him take a 50% pay cut). Young got wrapped up in the chair, and EC3 tripped him up. EC3 then hit “The One Percenter” (a kind of short bulldog) with the chair wrapped around Young’s head. 

Somehow, that isn’t the finish. They fought out to the apron, where Young kicked EC3 low three times. Young then piledrove EC3 off the apron through a table. Back in the ring, Young hit another piledriver, this time on a steel chair, and got the pinfall? 

Match Result: Young pinned EC3 (about 11 minutes). 

Bringing a guy back just to have him lose to Eric Young is a choice.

—  Gia Miller interviewed Arianna Grace and Stacks. Grace doesn’t understand why she has to keep proving herself by defending her title, but Stacks has all kinds of plans. 

— In the parking garage, the The System shouted about the upcoming matches tonight.  They continue to peddle the fake news that you can’t beat The System.

Elayna Black Addressed the Live Crowd

Elayna Black said she’s the #1 knockout in the division. She’s coming for the winner of the TNA Knockouts Title match and she trashed the rest of the Knockouts Division. 

This brought out the Concierge and Ash by Elegance, who said Black looked like “a gothic prostitute.” Ash talked about how she was a millionaire with a mansion and a yacht. 

Indi Hartwell came out to mock Black and Ash for comparing paychecks. Black got sick of the argument and left, which was fine because that left the “real” Knockouts in the ring to discuss things. Hartwell pointed out that there wasn’t a thing about Ash that was a real. A fight broke out between Hartwell and Ash, and Hartwell knocked Ash to the floor. 

This segment was pretty bad. The show was not off to a strong start.

— In her office, Daria Rae can’t believe that Santino Marella’s fight has been canceled, but she can handle all the decisions tonight. 

KC Navarro & Nic Nemeth v. Bear Bronson & Brian Myers (w/ the rest of The System) for the TNA World Tag Team Championship

Nemeth saved Navarro from a double-suplex and then they dropkicked Bronson and Myers. Bronson countered an arm-ringer with a short-arm clothesline, then pummeled Nemeth with fists. Bronson distracted the referee so Edwards could choke Nemeth on the ropes. 

Myers slowed Nemeth down with a chinlock. Nemeth broke the hold with a jawbreaker, but Myers cut him off with a high knee for a near fall. Myers dropped Nemeth with a back suplex. Myers charged in with a clothesline, but Nemeth caught Myers with a famouser and both men were down. 

Tags were made on both sides. Navarro caught Bronson with a spinning DDT. Myers broke up the cover, and Nemeth super kicked Myers out to the floor. Nemeth took out Alexander and Edwards with a crossbody to the floor. Myers hit Nemeth with a spear. 

Back in the ring, Alisha Edwards tripped up Navarro for a minute, and Bronson caught him with a sit-out tombstone to get the victory. 

Match Result: Bronson & Myers defeated Nemeth & Navarro when Bronson pinned Navarro (6:33). 

Eddie Edwards grabbed the house mic and called out his opponents to get their match started. 

Moose & Leon Slater v. Eddie Edwards & Cedric Alexander (w/ Alisha Edwards) 

During the match, it was announced that next week’s TNA X-Division title match between Leon Slater and Cedric Alexander will be a best of three falls match. 

The other members of The System were barred from ringside for this match. Slater and Alexander started out and it was pretty great. Moose got the tag and floored Alexander with a chop. Moose and Slater dominated Edwards and Alexander. They both hit topes on their opponents on the floor. 

Slater hit a top rope crossbody on Alexander for a near fall. Moose tagged in to chop away at Alexander. Moose caught Edwards on the apron with a chop, then slammed Alexander and stomped him. Slater got the tag and hit a big splash for a near fall. Alexander backed Slater in the heel corner, and Edwards thumbed Slater in the eye. Edwards then whipped Slater over the turnbuckles to the floor. 

Slater beat the count in the ring, but Edwards was right on him with haymakers. Edwards lured Moose in the ring so he and Alexander could double team Slater. Alexander distracted the ref so Alisha Edwards could choke Slater against the ropes. Edwards chopped Slater in the corner. Slater tried to battle back, but Edwards cut him off with a doulbe chop to the throat. Slater dodged a charge from Edwards, caught Alexander with an enziguri, and dove for the hot tag to Moose… but Edwards yanked Moose to the floor before he could get the tag. 

Alexander hit Slater with a dropkick to the back of the neck for a near fall. Edwards floored Slater with a clothesline. Alexander hit a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Slater fought back and caught Alexander with a leg lariat. 

Slater got the tag to Moose, and he took both his opponents out with headbutts. Moose hit Edwards with the uranage/senton combo. Moose charged into a back elbow, but Edwards jumped to the middle rope, and Moose yanked him out of the corner with a choke bomb. 

Slater hit The System with a double handspring back elbow. All four men started slugging it out. Slater and Alexander took each other out with kicks, and Moose and Edwards took themselves out with a double clothesline. 

Moose hit Edwards with a boot, and Slater hit Alexander with a kick. Slater jumped into a Lumbar Check from Alexander, and Moose speared Alexander. Moose went for a spear, but Edwards countered with a sunset flip. But Moose rolled through that and caught Edwards with a jackknife cover to get the pinfall. 

Match Result: Moose & Slater defeated Edwards & Alexander when Moose pinned Edwards (15:49). 

Easily the best thing on the show so far. The TNA crowds are really into Moose. I hope nothing bad happens to him at the end of the show!

TNA Injury Report: 

  • EC3 and Eric Young are being evaluated after their match earlier. 
  • Frankie Kazarian & Elijah are out with injuries from their match last week. 
  • Lei Ying Lee & Arianna Grace are cleared for the main event later tonight. 

— The Broken Hardys are back, and Matt Hardy cut a promo in the back of a plexiglass storage facility. Seriously, they were just walking around all this plexiglass. Jeff Hardy sang a song. The Broken Hardys and The Righteous feud will continue.

Mike Santana In Ring Interview

Mike Santana proved what it means to be TNA World Champion when he took on Rich Swann two weeks ago. Santana enjoyed giving out his own opportunities, and was just about to give out another title shot when Daria Rae interrupted. 

Daria Rae told Santana that he doesn’t make the matches or choose his own opponents. And since Santino isn’t here, he can’t choose the next contender for the championship either. Daria Rae announced a battle royal for next week and the winner will be Santana’s next opponent. It doesn’t matter who the next man up is, since the outcome will be the same, according to Santana. 

— AJ Francis announced he will be facing KC Navarro in a “Sac Town Street Fight.” 

— KC Navarro offered a fired up retort to AJ Francis. He came back four months early for his uncle, and he doesn’t need Nic Nemeth to beat AJ Francis.

Next Week on Impact:

  • Battle Royal for a Title Shot 
  • AJ Francis v. KC Navarro in a Street Fight 
  • Rosemary & Allie v. Victoria Crawford & Mila Moore 
  • Leon Slater v. Cedric Alexander for the TNA X Division Title 

Arianna Grace (w/ Stacks) v. Lei Ying Lee for the TNA Knockouts World Championship 

Xia Brookside was banned from the “Impact Zone.”

Lee tripped up Grace and caught her with a running knee. Lee hit an exploder suplex out of the corner, and Grace rolled to the floor to regroup with Stacks. They huddled up, and Lee ran around the ring to hit them both with a running dropkick. 

Lee battered Grace around the ringside area. Grace sent her into the ring barricades headfirst. Back in the ring, Stacks distracted Lee, and Grace shoved Lee to the floor. Back on the floor, Grace suplexed Lee. 

Back in the ring, Grace hit a sliding clothesline for a near fall. Grace offense was mostly shouting mean things at Lee and the crowd. Grace hit a back elbow for a near fall. 

Grace slowed things down with a side headlock. Grace powerslammed Lee for a near fall. Brookside was shown watching the match backstage, which I guess isn’t part of the Impact Zone. And if I can be serious for a minute, Lee went for a Half-Crab, but Stacks helped Grace get to the ropes. 

Lee caught Grace with a backslide for two. Grace fired back with strikes and a pump kick. Lee hit Grace with a spear for a near fall. 

Lee tried for a powerbomb, but Grace flipped out of it and hit a back elbow for a near fall. Grace came off the top with a crossbody, but Lee rolled through an powered Grace up, then dumped her with a fallaway slam. 

Grace caught Lee with a kick and gave her a superplex. Grace slapped Lee and badmouthed her. This just fired up Lee, who came back with forearms. Lee caught Grace with a spin kick, then dumped Grace with the Warrior’s Way. Lee went for the cover, but Stacks broke it up by putting Grace’s foot on the ropes. But the ref saw this interference and ejected Stacks. Lee dropped Stacks with a dropkick for good measure. 

Grace hit a twisting neckbreaker for two. Lee came back with a kick, then came off the top with a springboard into a blockbuster and got the pinfall! 

Match Result: Lei Ying Lee regained the TNA Knockouts World Title by pinning Grace after a blockbuster (13:41). 

After the match, Daria Rae presented Lee with the Knockouts Championship. Definitely the right result, as it seems like there are a ton of heels lined up for title shots but hardly any babyfaces.

Moose has been laid out in the back! There was a chair wrapped around his neck as the show went off the air. The TNA medical team tended to Moose as the show went off the air.

TNA Slammiversary avoids direct competition with AEW Forbidden Door

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though the pay-per-views are taking place on the same day, TNA Slammiversary and AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026 won’t directly be going head-to-head.

The start time for Slammiversary is now listed as 3 p.m. Eastern on Ticketmaster and on the website for Agganis Arena. That venue in Boston is hosting Slammiversary on Sunday, June 28. Forbidden Door will take place on the other side of the country later that night, with the PPV being held at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The start time for Forbidden Door is listed as 7 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. Pacific).

TNA will still face tough sports competition due to Slammiversary going against a second-round World Cup soccer game that afternoon.

Competition between TNA and AEW has become a story over the past month after TNA pulled its talent from scheduled indie matches against AEW wrestlers. In an interview with Busted Open Radio, TNA President Carlos Silva accused AEW of trying to “come at” TNA by airing programming against Impact and allegedly blocking TNA from some venues. The issues appear to stem from an episode of AEW Collision that was moved to Thursday night opposite Impact due to a scheduling conflict with NCAA March Madness.

TNA’s PPV schedule for 2026 includes events in Chicago, Boston, Tampa, and Edmonton (Canada).