Tag: Nic Nemeth

Nic Nemeth announces when he will cash in TNA Call Your Shot trophy

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nic Nemeth has announced when he will cash in his Call Your Shot trophy.

TNA published a video on Sunday with Nemeth revealing that he will challenge whoever is TNA World Champion at Slammiversary on June 28 at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts.

Nemeth said:

“I am going to Slammiversary, and I don’t care who my opponent is. X wrestler versus Y wrestler will be fighting yours truly, the wanted man, Nic Nemeth, as I call my shot. I don’t care if it’s Eric Young, I don’t care if it’s your champ, Santana.”

Nemeth continued:

“As a gentleman, a man of my word, I am saying it right now. I am calling my shot at Slammiversary. That’s where the money is. That’s where your boy is. That’s where everyone’s going to be talking the next night about a brand new champion.”

As for who the champion will be at TNA Slammiversary, Santana will defend the belt against Eric Young on next week’s edition of Impact.

The updated lineup for Slammiversary is below:

TNA Slammiversary lineup for June 28, 2026:

  • TNA X-Division Title Ultimate X Match: Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Leon Slater vs. ??? vs. ??? vs. ??? vs. ???
  • TNA International Title Match: Mustafa Ali (c) vs. ???
  • TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Title Match: The Elegance Brand (Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance) (w/The Personal Concierge) (c) vs. ??? & ???
  • TNA World Tag Team Title Match: The System (Bear Bronson & Brian Myers) vs. ??? & ???
  • TNA Knockouts World Title Match: Lei Ying Lee (c) vs. Xia Brookside
  • TNA World Title Match: Nic Nemeth vs. winner of Mike Santana (c) vs. Eric Young on 6/11 TNA Impact

Nic Nemeth reveals WWE contacted him for return multiple times before John Cena tournament 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Nic Nemeth opened up about WWE reaching out to him for a return on numerous occasions before his participation in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. 

Nemeth told That Sweet Pop about his tenure on the independent circuit extending longer than he intended too. He discussed Matt Cardona’s quest focusing on a WWE return which eventually happened six years after his release. 

“Yeah, because there’s people out there like one of my best friends, Matt Cardona, he goes, ‘My goal is to be the best independent wrestler and get to WWE at some point.’ He said that for years and he accomplished that goal. My goal was I’ve been here for 19 and a half years. I overstayed my welcome by a few years, but that’s fine. I’m going elsewhere. I want to see if I was in this bubble with just this certain amount of talent or I’ve talked a lot over the years. Can I back it up in other places where I don’t know the opponents?” 

Nemeth stated he had no ill will towards WWE. He reflected positively on his time there and expressed gratitude for his learnings during his 19 year tenure. 

“And so they (WWE) let me out. I didn’t go ‘Oh, can I come back in two years?’ I go ‘Thank you for everything. This is the greatest job I’ve ever had. Not even close. So many moments. Thank you for this. Now I have to go somewhere else because I have to prove to myself that I don’t just fit in WWE that can adapt everywhere.’”

He revealed WWE reached out to him on several occasions for a comeback but the special request for The Last Time Is Now Tournament was unmissable. 

“They had asked me to come back a couple different times for some other things, and I was like ‘I don’t know. It’s been two years. I don’t really want to,’ and then they said, ‘This is for Cena.’ They said, ‘We’ve had a million matches together. Incredible guy. We’ve done so much. We have a story. We have a history, and I know all the good that he’s done.You could roll down a Santa Claus list of names of everything he’s done, what he’s done for us in the back, what he’s done to help out the guys and girls, what he’s done granting those wishes, everything else on the like, come on. He’s the greatest of all time. We get to call him that. And he’s earned so many things that you’ll probably never even hear about. So now come back for this tournament, ‘Yeah, hell yeah.’” 

On the November 17 edition of Raw in 2025, Nemeth returned to WWE for one match against Solo Sikoa – the first round of the tournament. The spectacle also led to Cardona’s full-time return to the main roster after feuding on TNA and NXT’s crossover matches. 

The tournament was designed to determine John Cena’s final WWE opponent in his retirement match. It featured a mix of former and current WWE wrestlers from the roster, including future prospects to compete on the main stage. 

https://twitter.com/BernardCls/status/1990802050519871664/video/1

Pat Buck issues statement on TNA blocking MJF vs. Nic Nemeth

Posted on by Ian Carey

Pat Buck has issued a statement on TNA Wrestling blocking Nic Nemeth vs. MJF.

Buck is the owner and founder of Create-A-Pro, which was set to host the match on May 1 in Melville, New York. He also serves as AEW’s vice president of talent development.

Buck issued the following statement to PWInsider.com:

“I don’t usually speak on things like this, but this one’s too ridiculous to ignore.

TNA, specifically Carlos Silva, forced a change to the main event of our Create A Pro show three weeks out after it was already approved and promoted.

Not sure who that helps.

Create A Pro is a training school with a promotion focused on developing talent while running consistent live events. We’re a school, dojo, and a mom and pop business… just with two dads. 

Live events are a necessary training tool, and they’re disappearing, even at the highest levels, because they’re not as cost effective and the money is in television. In a direct way, we are providing a service for your talent to make $ and keep their skills sharp. Do you not see that ? 

We train wrestlers for wrestling companies. And now a wrestling company has stepped in and hurt another wrestling company that helps wrestlers get to wrestling companies. Makes perfect sense. Maybe I’m the one missing something.

I’m annoyed, as it’s hard to ignore how unnecessary, and honestly how cringe, this situation is.  

And to be fair, talent wasn’t pulled, but altering a main event match like that on our limited stage has the same impact. Anyone who has actually promoted shows understands that.

When something changes that affects another promoter’s show, you make it right. Whether that means sending talent, strengthening the card, or finding a way to return value, you don’t just create the problem and walk away from it.  

That didn’t happen here. And if any attempt is made now to make it right, it’s a bit too late. You meet people with grace, not chaos.

Create A Pro isn’t a competing media company. It’s a training ground that built its own platform to develop talent. No TV deal, no streaming, and we’re not attached to any bigger company, yet. 

Between CAP/WrestlePro, we run around 25 events a year and reinvest back into us, our leases, rings, and the equipment needed to put on shows.

Equipment that, at one point, your company needed to rent to operate in this market. And at another point, when your company needed content and additional matches, talent was placed on Create A Pro and WrestlePro shows because there wasn’t enough content to support it. Did anyone let you know about a past positive relationship? 

Years ago your company used our students for extra work in a meaningful way. Now it looks more like carrot dangling, ring crew, and helping with catering but that’s an entirely different conversation. 

Create A Pro has been a pipeline and a support system to just about every major company in wrestling. Most people know that. (Unless you ask the WWE ID program, then we apparently don’t exist. )

I’m willing to believe Carlos may not know who I am, and that’s fine. But if you’re in an executive position, you should probably understand the room you’re operating in and the etiquette that comes with it. Maybe Tony Khan can give a quick crash course on how to protect your brand while still helping the overall scene. It’s times like this I’m glad to work for someone who actually champions the entire sport, not tries to shrink it.

And yeah, I’m on the payroll but these words are from experience not influence.   

At the end of the day, we’ll adjust like we always do. But if the goal is to grow this industry, or even your own company, this isn’t the way to do it.

Keep it up! 

Pat Buck 

CAP Founder/Trainer,  

AEW VP Talent Development

One of the Adults in the Wrestling Room”

Nemeth vs. MJF is one of several previously scheduled matches that have been scrapped following TNA blocking its talent from working with wrestlers contracted to other companies on independent shows. Leon Slater vs. Ricochet for the Mark Hitcock Memorial SuperShow has also been canceled due to TNA’s updated policies. Moose had been slated to appear on Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro event in Las Vegas next week, where he would have faced a wrestler under contract elsewhere, but that match has also reportedly been blocked by TNA.

MJF has been vocal about his reaction to the situation. After calling TNA president Carlos Silva an “actively dumb motherf****r” on social media on Thursday he later appeared on Busted Open Radio and said.

“What Carlos Silva is doing is disgusting. And if anybody supports him or that company at this point, it is very hard for me to wrap my head around.”

Nic Nemeth explains Carlos Silva’s decision to cancel MJF match

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth has now opened up in detail about TNA President Carlos Silva’s decision to scrap his match against MJF.

After a recent back-and-forth on social media, a match was recently booked for Create-A-Pro Wrestling, where TNA’s Nemeth was scheduled to go against current AEW World Champion MJF. However, just days before the event, Silva scrapped the match. Other matches featuring TNA wrestlers against AEW wrestlers were also canceled.

Speaking to Youngstown Studio, Nemeth opened up on the canceled match and Silva’s explanation for it.

“So a lot of things happened at once. I was out of the country doing a couple of UK dates and I found out that a couple of different things were happening. Our President Carlos Silva is very open when it comes to a lot of things, behind the scenes deals, things people don’t always know about, we put out there, he’s very open to constantly being ‘here’s why I can’t do this thing,’” Nemeth said.

“We had a phone call, he said, because of certain deep into contractual obligations, certain companies might have crossover with certain other companies that we are with their rival, or a streaming service, or a cable company. He goes ‘because of the situation, and it’s debatable, and there’s a few of them, we have to do the right thing now’. It’s gonna be a hard choice, but long-term it covers their butts legally for everything,” Nemeth concluded.

Nemeth is now scheduled to face Bear Bronson, while MJF will feature in an open challenge match.

Nic Nemeth shares his own feelings on the canceled MJF match

In the same appearance, he further opened up and shared his own feelings about the match getting canceled.

“I’m crushed, obviously, because you can have the business aspect, you explained to me and showed me the legal basis of why we can’t do this right now, but also the part where I was like ‘this is such a cool thing that’s gonna happen,’ Nemeth continued.

“Rarely you get these extra special cool moments, dudes from other companies, dudes from other generations, or in this case both, where you you know it’s going to be good, and big, and awesome and you just can’t get it done, and I’m absolutely crushed, because I go ‘this is gonna be something special down the line’.”

Nemeth further added that he is determined to make his match against MJF happen no matter how long it takes.

“I like to let everyone know once in a while I can still go, I don’t get tired, I got my stamina from St. Eds and Kent State wrestling team, it’s never going away. I want to show anybody, whether they’re 28, or 35, or the next guy who’s got the torch for AEW for the next 20 years, which really appears to be MJF dominating, I wanted to go ‘hey listen, I can go too, and I want to see if you can hang with me’. This is something we thought we’d never see; that’s what makes it extra special.”

Nic Nemeth addresses MJF match cancellation

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nic Nemeth is “crushed” that his scheduled match against MJF is no longer happening.

On Busted Open Radio this morning, Nemeth addressed the news that he will no longer be facing MJF at an upcoming indie show. The TNA and AEW stars were set to collide for Create-A-Pro on May 1, but the match has now been canceled with TNA citing “partner conflicts.”

“You know, I was really looking forward to this. I was really, really excited,” Nemeth said. “But, yes, as of yesterday, as I was flying in, I found out, because of certain partnerships and brands, TNA President Carlos Silva had to make a difficult decision and protect a couple of brands down the line and things that are actually contractually obligated to happen — can’t just kind of do whatever we want. Even though I think some things were approved at a different time, when it became the situation that it is now with a couple of different things happening at once, I feel like — I’m crushed. Because I was very much looking forward to doing this, but it’s unable to happen at the moment.”

Nemeth and MJF are still working the May 1 event in Melville, New York but will now have different opponents. Nemeth is facing fellow TNA star Bear Bronson, while MJF will hold an open challenge.

“Still doing the Create-A-Pro show, and refunds will be available. MJF is going to do an open challenge there and he’s still going to be signing and doing all of the things at Create-A-Pro for that big show. All of those things will happen,” Nemeth said. “I’m going to wrestle Bear Bronson for the first time ever. I hate that it had to come out this way. I hate that this wasn’t all taken care of in the past. But that’s something we can all work on, I gotta start reading some fine print and we have to protect people that we actually work with and we have partnerships with. Usually I’m pretty great about that, so I’ll stay on that for everything that we do.”

Though it can’t happen now, Nemeth does still hope to make the MJF matchup a reality at some point. The two had been building up a feud on social media and through Nemeth’s regular co-host role on Busted Open.

“I’m bummed out. I’m going to try and make this match happen one day, and hopefully soon,” he said. “But at the moment, it is currently not happening.”

MJF took a less diplomatic tone while addressing the situation, sending out a tweet this morning where he called TNA President Carlos Silva a “dumb motherf***er” and said the pay in TNA is “sh*t.”

Other TNA wrestlers have also been pulled from scheduled matches against AEW wrestlers, including a Leon Slater vs. Ricochet bout that was supposed to happen at WrestleCon’s Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow on April 16.

MJF calls out TNA’s Carlos Silva, Nic Nemeth match officially off

Posted on by Josh Nason

The match between AEW World Champion MJF and current TNA roster member Nic Nemeth is officially off, according to our Dave Meltzer with the titleholder calling out TNA president Carlos Silva himself.

Built up for several weeks on social media and Busted Open Radio, the bout was supposed to take place for Create-a-Pro Wrestling’s event on May 1 at the All Sportz Melville in New York.

However, Wednesday brought news that TNA was going to pull some talent from indie shows that was possibly to include Nemeth and Ricochet who is scheduled to face Leon Slater next week at the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow during WrestleMania 42 week in Las Vegas.

Meltzer confirmed the reports, followed by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reporting Silva has said some TNA talent have been pulled from shows due to “partner conflicts.”

While Slater’s status is still unknown, Meltzer said the Nemeth match with MJF is off.

Nemeth has yet to address the situation on social media, but that didn’t stop MJF from sharing some thoughts about Silva on X, shortly before Dynamite was supposed to begin.

He said both Nemeth and TNA are afraid of him, and that he will still be there at the event and “Let’s see if Nicky still has the balls to show up to Long Island.”

He added, “Shame old, Carlos doesn’t care about the fans or his roster getting paid.”

We’ll have more on this situation tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Nic Nemeth’s TNA Rebellion opponent revealed

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

With over a week left for TNA Rebellion, the promotion has finally revealed and announced Nic Nemeth’s opponent.

Nemeth was recently ambushed backstage by a mystery attacker, following which he filmed a video and issued a challenge to whoever attacked him for a match at Rebellion.

On the April 2nd episode of TNA Impact, fans witnessed A.J. Francis admitting to being the one who attacked Nemeth backstage last week at TNA Sacrifice. Shortly after, it was confirmed that Nemeth would now face Francis in a singles match at the upcoming TNA Rebellion event.

Later in the show, fans saw Moose vs. Special Agent 0 as another match that got confirmed for TNA Rebellion.

TNA Rebellion updated lineup | April 11, 2026

TNA Rebellion is scheduled to take place on April 11th at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Trey Miguel (c) vs. Mustafa Ali for the TNA International Championship
  • Leon Slater (c) vs. Cedric Alexander for the TNA X Division Championship
  • The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) (c) vs. The System (Bear Bronson and Brian Myers) for the TNA World Tag Team Championship
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Elijah
  • The Elegance Brand (Ash By Elegance, M By Elegance, Heather By Elegance) vs. ODB, Mickie James & Taryn Terrell in a Hardcore Country match
  • Mike Santana (c) vs. Eddie Edwards for the TNA World Championship
  • Arianna Grace (c) vs. Lei Ying Lee for the TNA Knockouts Championship
  • Nic Nemeth (with Bernie Kosar) vs. A. J. Francis
  • Moose vs. Special Agent 0

Nic Nemeth issues challenge for TNA Rebellion, invites NFL legend to show

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nic Nemeth has issued a challenge for TNA Rebellion.

TNA posted a digital exclusive filmed at Sacrifice on Friday that showed Ryan Nemeth discovering his brother unconscious backstage after an apparent attack. On Thursday, Nemeth posted a video issuing a challenge to whoever attacked him for a match at Rebellion.

Nemeth said in the video:

“To whom it may concern, I don’t know who you are and I don’t care, but after 20-plus years in this business, I should know better. This one’s on me. I should have had eyes in the back of my head, but I didn’t. I got blindsided. I got attacked.

And if you’ve got the stomach for it, whoever you are, if you’ve got the guts to face me eye-to-eye, now that you got the cheap shot in, you made your mark, it got my attention, are you willing to go one step further? Face me eye-to-eye in that ring?”

Rebellion will take place in Nemeth’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and he has invited Cleveland Browns legend Bernie Kosar to be in his corner.

Nemeth continued:

“There’s nobody that embodies the spirit of the city of Cleveland more than Cleveland and Cleveland Brown legend Bernie Kosar.

Bernie, you’re a hero to so many of us. You’re a hero to the city of Cleveland. And I think you’re the exact right person to be in my corner, to have my back, as you’ve had Cleveland’s for all these years.”

TNA Rebellion takes place Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland. The updated lineup is below. 

TNA Rebellion 2026 announced lineup

  • TNA World Champion Mike Santana defends against Eddie Edwards
  • X-Division Champion Leon Slater defends against Cedric Alexander
  • Nic Nemeth w/Bernie Kosar vs. TBA
  • International Champion Trey Miguel defends against Mustafa Ali
  • Elijah vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) defend against Bear Bronson and Brian Myers
  • The Elegance Brand (Ash By Elegance, M By Elegance, Heather By Elegance) vs. ODB, Mickie James & Taryn Terrell in a Hardcore Country match

Nic Nemeth addresses MJF match, believes he wants Tony Khan to intervene

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Last week MJF called out Nic Nemeth in a lengthy tweet citing disrespect and issued a challenge for a match. It was later made official by Create-a-Pro Wrestling for May in Melville, New York. 

In an interview with Pep Shop Collectibles, while promoting the feud, Nemeth commented on MJF’s post claiming his intention to hype the AEW star took a turn for the worse.

“We saw some beef online, it was Max being insecure and being mad at me and saying a bunch of mean things and some of them true. He made some good points. Some digs, some gut punches that hurt. All I did was say that I think the world of him and I want him to be better and I want him to be like Dylan Carrizo. I want him to be someone that leads his company and leads everybody into 10 years from now where they’re talking about this might be one of the greatest of all time. So, I look forward to it.”

Nemeth added that he feels MJF was provoking him for the fight to the extent that Tony Khan might be forced to step in and potentially consider cancelling the match. 

“As long as his boss (Tony Khan) lets him fight me, I think he’s counting on his boss stepping in and being like ‘Oh, sorry’ because he’s afraid to back down now. I ain’t afraid of sh*t, I don’t lose to anybody. I think I’m the best damn wrestler going today and then some. That’s me being humble. I look forward to this match, I look forward to kicking the sh*t out of him, maybe breaking his leg and tapping him out if I have to.”

Nemeth and MJF have never faced each other in a wrestling ring making this a first-ever collision between the two. Ever since the dispute escalated in January this year, a back-and-forth online exchange occurred. In MJF’s last post targeted at Nemeth, he labeled the former WWE wrestler as being an unworthy opponent against someone like him.

MJF vs. Nic Nemeth announced for indie show

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

The AEW World Champion is set to wrestle a member of the TNA roster.

Nic Nemeth vs. MJF has been announced for Create-a-Pro Wrestling’s event on May 1 at the All Sportz Melville in New York. The official poster for the event features TNA’s Frankie Kazarian, The System, AEW’s Kris Statlander and more.

“@Myers_Wrestling just hit me up and said this clowns down to throw hands. See ya there Nicky” posted MJF

This comes barely a few hours after MJF’s blatant rant on X about Nemeth’s regular criticisms on Busted Open Radio. It ignited in January this year and MJF issued multiple challenges to Nemeth. MJF mocked Nemeth’s early WWE career when he was a part of Spirit Squad. He further ridiculed him by citing he was shifting focus on his upcoming match against Kenny Omega at AEW Dynasty since he only faces the best the industry has to offer.

MJF trained at Create A Pro Wrestling Academy by Brian Myers and Pat Buck. He signed with AEW in 2019 and has established himself on the roster. 

Meanwhile, Nemeth is signed to TNA Wrestling but after the MJF incident cited his contract permits him with the flexibility to compete on any promotion. 

Nemeth was signed to WWE from 2004 to 2023. During this time he was a Money in the Bank winner and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion among his other accolades with the company. 

MJF to Nic Nemeth: ‘You know where to find me’

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

MJF seems to have had the last straw with Nic Nemeth’s comments. He took to X with a lengthy post name-calling and issuing a challenge to end their dispute once and for all. 

In his post, MJF addressed Nemeth’s ‘advice’ on varied episodes of Busted Open Radio criticizing his in-ring work. MJF proceeded to call him an ‘overhyped mid-carder’ with a warning to refrain from talking about him in any capacity. He mocked his WWE tenure when he was a part of the Spirit Squad.

MJF wrote:

“I’ve been listening to @NicTNemeth trashing me through veiled ‘advice’ and ‘notes’ on busted open for months when in reality he’s just s—-ing on me out of jealousy. This dude actually said I remind him of a younger Dolph Ziggler. lol. I don’t remember ever being an overhyped mid carder. This dude is delusional. This dude is jealous. And most importantly this dude should keep my name out of his f—ing mouth. I’m the most complete professional wrestler in the world. you couldn’t lace my boots or carry my mic. 

Say my name again on your little show and I’ll beat the f—ing s–t out of you. You know where to find me. 

In the meantime I’m gonna focus on my world title defense against ‘The God’ Kenny Omega at Dynasty. Cuz I only face the best of the best. Lmk when the spirit squad guy belongs in that conversation.” tweeted MJF. 

MJF’s post on X is available here.

The conflict began in January this year with MJF telling Nemeth to ‘stop being a b*tch’ and fight him. He even went to the extent of calling him out on an edition of Busted Open Radio. A back-and-forth ensued since but it seems to have reached its peak. 

MJF is set to face Kenny Omega at AEW Dynasty on April 12. He referenced it in his tweet when he proclaimed to only fight the best of the best.

Nemeth is currently signed to TNA but cited his ability to compete for other promotions. It remains unclear whether the disagreement pertains to a potential bout on the horizon or a legit conflict.

Nic Nemeth: My last WWE contract was to keep me from going to AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nic Nemeth says his final contract with WWE was meant to keep him from going to AEW.

The former Dolph Ziggler appeared on Off the Ropes with Jonathan Coachman recently and explained that he told WWE he was asking for more money than he believed they would pay him because he was ready to leave.

Nemeth said:

“My last contract was to keep me from going to AEW. That was it. It was winked and not said, but it was completely understood. I go, I’m asking for this elaborate amount because I know you won’t pay me what I’m worth. I’m gonna make a move. I’m going elsewhere. They go, nope, we’ll do it. I go, what? Okay.”

It is not entirely clear when Nemeth’s final WWE contract was signed. However, it was reported in 2018 that he had signed a two-year deal with the company believed to be worth $1.5 million per year. He likely signed an extension at some point, as Nemeth later said that at the time of his WWE release in September 2023, he still had a year and a half left on his deal.

Nemeth announced that he re-signed with TNA Wrestling in January. The length of the deal has not been disclosed.

A clip of Nemeth talking about his final WWE deal is available below:

TNA Impact live results: Santana & Leon Slater vs. The Nemeths

Posted on by Joseph Collins

TNA Wrestling presents Impact on AXS TV tonight.

This week’s show was taped at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee, on Saturday, February 14.

Five matches and one segment are advertised.

TNA World Champion Mike Santana and X-Division Champion Leon Slater will team up to take on Ryan Nemeth and Nic Nemeth.

In an eight-man tag, The Hardys and The Righteous will face The System’s Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Bear Bronson, and Cedric Alexander.

We will have a face-to-face segment with Ash By Elegance and Mickie James.

We will hear from Steve Maclin on the show.

In the Knockouts division, Dani Luna will wrestle Lei Ying Lee. This had originally been planned as a Lee title defense against Luna on the AXS TV debut. However, visa issues prevented Luna from making it to the show.

In singles action, AJ Francis faces Mance Warner, who will have Steph De Lander in his corner.

Tasha Steelz of Order 4 will wrestle Jada Stone.

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

Taped! from the Pinnacle in Nashville, TN.. 

Tom Hannifan & Matthew Rehwoldt were on commentary. 

For a guy who got fired a month ago Steve Maclin has been hanging around this show a lot. 

Mike Santana & Leon Slater v. Nic & Ryan Nemeth

Frankie Kazarian joined the commentary team for the opener. Slater took out both the Nemeth brothers early on with a dive on the floor. In the ring, Santana hit Nic with a back elbow in the corner. Ryan tried to cheap shot Santana with a knee, which allowed Nick to hit Santana with a superkick. 

Nic distracted the referee so Ryan could choke out Santana with a tag rope. Nic dropped a big elbow for a near fall. Santana tried to brawl his way out of the heel corner, but Nic put him down with a kick to the knee. Ryan slapped on a chinlock as the show headed into a commercial. 

Santana escaped the chinlock and dropped Ryan with a rolling stunner. Tags were made on both sides, and Slater dropped Nemeth with a kick. Slater came off the top with a crossover crossbody for a near fall. Nic backdropped Slater to the floor. The Nemeths countered the rolling stunner with a back suplex/neckbreaker cover for a near fall. 

Santana took out Ryan with an enziguri and hit Nic with a boot. Slater got the tag and Nemeth hit him with the Famouser for a near fall. They showed Ryan’s girlfriend in the crowd (and unfortunately the crowd looked bored). Nic and Staler fought up to the top, where Slater pushed Nic off. As Slater was setting up a dive, Eric Young ran in to distract Slater. Santana ran interference to hold off Young. Slater went for the 450 on Nic, but Nic got his knees up, and rolled up Slater for the pin. 

Match Result: The Nemeths won when Nic pinned Slater (11:05 aired). 

This finish annoyed me at first, but it set up Nic v. Slater for the X Division title on next week’s show. So hopefully Slater is getting a victory in a singles match.

— Gia Miller interviewed Vincent and Dutch who talked about brotherhood and trust with the Hardys. 

Dani Luna v. Lei Ying Lee (w/ Xia Brookside)

Lee took Luna down with a leg sweep and followed that up with knee to the face and a dropkick. Luna pulled Lee out of the corner going for a powerbomb, then turned that into a sort-of hot shot move between the middle and top ropes. 

Luna hit an exploder suplex, then wrenched away at Lee’s neck. Luna viciously dumped Lee to the mat for a near fall. Lee countered a suplex with a small package for a near fall. Lee locked Luna in a guillotine choke, but Luna countered that with a suplex for a near fall. 

Luna dropped to the floor and pulled out a steel chain from under the ring. Luna wrapped the chain around the top turnbuckle. Luna tried to send Lee into the turnbuckles, but she blocked that and came back with a series of kicks and strikes. Lee hit Luna with a superkick, then reigned down with punches in the corner. 

Lee hit an exploder suplex for a near fall. Lee missed a charge in the corner, and Luna hit a slingshot blue thunder bomb for two. Lee came back and went for a kick, but Luna ducked and locked in a sleeper. Lee escaped and went for a roll up, but Luna kicked out and sent her face first into the chains that she set up five minutes ago. Why isn’t that a disqualification? Why didn’t the ref get rid of those chains? Then Luna hit the Luna Landing and got the pinfall. 

Match Result: Luna pinned Lee (10:13)

— Alisha Edwards was ready to reject a new contract from Tommy Dreamer and Carlos Silva until Moose showed up. Moose told Alisha she wasn’t just the first lady of the System, but she was the first lady of TNA. Moose asked Alisha to be her manager and she (all too easily) changed her mind, and signed the contract. 

AJ Francis v. Mance Warner (w/ Steph DeLander)

Francis’ gear was inspired by the African-American Flag for Black History Month. DeLander wore a Predators jersey to suck up to the Nashville crowd. 

This brawl started outside the ring. Warner tried to piledrive Francis on the stairs, but Francis blocked it, then slammed Warner from the stairs to the floor. Back in the ring, Francis choked Warner against the ropes. Francis hit a running knee and went over the ropes, landed on his feet and flirted with DeLander on the floor. She was not receptive. 

Back in the ring, Warner mounted a comeback and poked Francis in the eyes. A short bulldog got Warner a near fall. Warner charged into a spear from Francis, but kicked out at two. Francis went to the floor and grabbed a chair. DeLander grabbed the chair, and got into a tug of war with Francis over the chair. Eventually the chair went flying into Warner’s hands, who had no problem using it as a weapon. 

Match Result: Francis won via disqualification (4:25). 

This feud will continue. 

The TNA Injury Report:

  • Mustafa Ali is not cleared after the casket match. 
  • Jody Threat is also not cleared after a 3-on-1 beatdown last week. 
  • Leon Slater is being evaluated. 

Hardcore Country Elegance

Mickie James called out Ash by Elegance. The Concierge came out to introduce Ash, but James sent him to the back because she wasn’t “here for the nonsense.” Not sure she’s in the right place then. Anyway, Ash came out. Mickie James had called Tommy Dreamer on Ash’s behalf to get her job in TNA after she was cut by WWE. But Ash knows she was the hottest free agent when she was released, and didn’t need James to grease the wheels to get her a job. James asked if Ash was “a mark” for starting “twitter beef” with other former Knockouts World Championship. James told Ash she was disgracing the Knockouts World Title that she abandoned (which James also had to relinquish due to injuries). Ash was just shouting for heat. I guess its working for the crowd but it’s not working for me. She’s shouting insults but saying nothing.

This devolved into a shoving match, but before it could really get physical, the other members of the Elegance Brand were shown intimidating Mickie’s son in the back. James ran to the back, but M by Elegance leveled her from behind the curtain with a forearm. The rest of the Elegance Brand joined in on the beating, which ended with Ash diving Mickie a Mick-DT. 

I’m now less interested in the impending Ash/James match than I was last week. I really like Mickie and was into Ash’s comeback story.

— In the back, Jody Threat was allegedly laid out by Tessa Blanchard and her crew. Naturally, this leads to an argument between Daria Rae and Santino Marella about how Santino has no control over the show.

Jada Stone v. Tasha Steelz (w/ The Great Hands)

Steelz nailed Stone with a clothesline before the bell. Stone came back with a shotgun dropkick, and Steelz dropped to the floor to regroup. Stone wiped out Steelz and the Great Hands with a moonsault off the apron. Steelz suplexed Stone on the floor. 

Back in the ring, Stone hit a superkick and a slingblade for a near fall. Stone hit a handspring into the ropes, but Steelz snatched her out of the hair with German suplex. Steelz went for a cutter, but Stone blocked it with a handstand, then rolled up Steelz for the shock pin. 

Match Result: Stone pinned Steelz (5:47) 

After the match, the Great Hands tossed Stone back into the ring, and Steelz hit her with a cutter. 

Steve Maclin’s Side of the Story

Tom Hannifan brought out Steve Maclin, flanked by security to address the TNA crowd and explain his actions. And the crowd just completely hijacked this segment. 

The crowd chanted “you don’t work here!” at Maclin.  Hannifan asked Maclin to explain why he was attacking Santana. The crowd chanted “we dont care!” while Maclin tried to explain himself. The crowd was pretty brutal, chanting “leave!” and “you’re a liar!” They even booed him for being a marine before switching to a “USA!” chant. Then the crowd hit him with the “what?” chants and Maclin was visibly frustrated. 

But it boiled down to this: Maclin was mad at Santana for leaving him hanging in the tag match at Turning Point. Santana tried to justify it by telling Maclin he was “going through some things and had to catch a meeting.” Clearly tired of all this, the crowd chanted “wrap it up!” Maclin took credit for Hannifan having a job in TNA, which caused the crowd to chant “he’s still working!” Hannifan actually got the crowd to calm down a bit. Hannifan asked Maclin how many times he’s been fined by TNA for “the same things” over and over, and asked if he would ever take responsibility for his own actions. 

So Maclin leveled Hannifan with a punch to the gut.

Santana ran through the crowd to make the save, but Maclin dropped out of the ring, and shoved Rehwoldt down to the ground on his way out.     

Next week on Impact: 

  • Sinner/Saint v. The Righteous v. Rich Swann/BDE v. The System
  • Arianna Grace v. Jody Threat for the Knockouts Title 
  • Nic Nemeth v. Leon Slater for the X Division Title 

— Gia Miller replaced Hannifan on commentary for the main event. 

The System (Bear Bronson, Cedric Alexander, Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) v. The Hardys & The Righteous

The Hardys and the Righteous worked well together early in the match. The Hardys double teamed Myers with a slingshot/legdrop combo. Alexander got the tag and Matt dropped a leg on him for a near fall. 

Bear Bronson tagged in to square off against Dutch in a hoss fight. Dutch dumped Bronson to the mat with an exploder, and Vincent tagged in to hit Poetry in Motion. Bronson hit Vincent with a choke bomb for a near fall. 

Vincent has made a very good babyface in peril in these tag matches. Myers floored Vincent with a running knee. Bronson dropped an elbow off the middle rope for a near fall. Alexander dumped Vincent with a German suplex. Vincent fought his way out of the heel corner and took out Alexander with a leg sweep before getting the tag to Matt Hardy. 

Matt hit Edwards with a hangman’s neckbreaker and DDT Alexander at the same time. Matt hit a Side Effect on Edwards for a near fall. It was “hit a move, take a move” time, with everyone hitting a hot move, then taking one from a different opponent. Matt went for the Twist of Fate on Edwards, but Edwards pushed off and Vincent got the tag. Edwards set up Matt for the Boston Knee Party, but Vincent shoved Matt out of the way and took the bullet. 

Match Result: The System won when Edwards pinned Vincent after the Boston Knee Party (11:24 aired). 

After the match, Moose tried to take on the System 4-on-1. He was overwhelmed until Alisha Edwards got between Moose and the System. 

Nic Nemeth hopes to see AJ Styles in AEW after WWE retirement

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

In less than a few days, AJ Styles is set to have his potential retirement match against Gunther, but former WWE and TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth hopes to see Styles in AEW or TNA.

In a recent interview with Card Player, Nemeth opened up about his thoughts on Styles’ career and how he feels he is not done yet.

“AJ (Styles) is a special performer, and if this is the end of his run, he’s going out on top in all of our eyes and hearts and minds. And I’m glad I got to get a couple reps in there with him,” Nemeth said. “I hope even if he has finished full-time, we could have him part-time or bouncing around or in Japan or in AEW or TNA. I would love to see him, but if he’s calling it a career, he’ll probably become a part-timer or help backstage or something.”

Over the last week, Styles, 48, wrestled both Shinsuke Nakamura and CM Punk before his bout against Gunther at this Saturday’s WWE Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia.

TNA star explains why an AEW World title match against MJF is possible

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Despite Nic Nemeth and MJF being contracted to two different wrestling promotions, Nemeth believes a future match between the two cannot be ruled out.

In a recent interview with Card Player, Nemeth addressed MJF’s recent challenge. Despite Nemeth’s status as a TNA star, he claimed that he could still fight MJF because he is “allowed to do basically whatever the h**l” he wants.

“The really funny thing is, yeah I absolutely can fight MJF this year. I’m allowed to do basically whatever the hell I want with TNA. So it absolutely can be real. He’s got all the potential in the world to be one of the greatest of all time and so far from what I’ve watched, I’m a fan of his, but he couldn’t possibly hang in the ring with me. He’s hung around a broken down Daniel Bryan,” Nemeth stated. “He’s going to be a fantastic multi-time champion and I really think he’ll be solidified as a legend, but at the moment he couldn’t hold my jockstrap.”

While MJF is currently involved in a World title feud with Brody King, Hangman Adam Page, Andrade El Idolo and Kenny Omega, he has actively defended the title across other promotions. Meanwhile, Nemeth also actively performs across different wrestling promotions apart from TNA.