Our TNA iMPACT results for tonight include Frankie Kazarian defending his world title against Mike Santana, Bully Ray on commentary for the TNA World Championship main event, The IInspiration vs. The Elegance Brand for the Knockouts World Tag Team Championship, Elijah and The Hardys in action against Order 4, and AJ Styles appearing in the iMPACT Zone on AMC.
TNA iMPACT Card
- Frankie Kazarian (c) vs. Mike Santana – TNA World Championship
- Bully Ray on commentary for the world title main event
- The IInspiration (Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee) (c) vs. The Elegance Brand (M & Heather by Elegance – TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship
- Elijah and The Hardys vs. Order 4 (Mustafa Ali, Jason Hotch & John Skyler)
- AJ Styles returns
- Joe Hendry to appear
TNA iMPACT Results
We get a recap of the events leading up to TNA Wrestling’s debut on AMC. From Santino Marella getting betrayed by his daughter, Arianna Grace, to Mike Santana once again taking the road to becoming TNA World Champion, the stage is set for the big show as TNA iMPACT enters an all new era.
A Phenomenal start to TNA iMPACT
AJ Styles is here, and he has his TNA theme song playing in the background.
AJ has the mic. He keeps it short and sweet because TNA has got some wrestling to do. The fans are welcomed to the house that AJ Styles built. Styles said things are bigger and better because they are on AMC. The crowd responds with the “AMC” chants. AJ tells the crowd to keep the energy going. Styles then leads the TNA chants.
Who’s ready to walk with Elijah!
Elijah appears for his pre-match promo. The Hardys then make their entrance. Justin Lyons is on guitar for a live music performance. Matt and Jeff enter the ring to a thunderous ovation. Mustafa Ali and The Great Hands show up next. The trio gets straight for the attack as the referee calls for opening bell.
Eljah and The Hardys vs. Order 4
- The finish of the match saw Jeff Hardy hit John Skyler with the Swanton Bomb for the win.
Winners: Elijah and The Hardys
After the match, Special Agent Zero takes out Elijah with a double-hand chokeslam before stiffing Matt and Jeff with an explosive clothesline. The Righteous appear inside the ring. Vincent and Dutch seemingly try to help Matt and Jeff only to show their true colors. Dutch plants Matt with a slam. Vincent takes out Hardy before putting a padlock through Jeff’s ear. Ouch!
Grade: A+
What an opener! They kept it short and engaging. Tasha Steelz and Mustafa Ali took a double Twist of Fate. The post-match assault by The Righteous was brutal. Fun fact: LA Knight may be missing from WWE TV but he actually surfaced in a commercial break tonight. Ric Flair also appeared in the commercial, taking out Knight with a chop. CM Punk was referenced as well, when the commentary told fans to tune into Night Patrol.
Frankie Kazarian meets an old rival…
Backstage, Frankie Kazarian is with Gia Miller. Before Frankie could talk about his upcoming title match, he gets approached by AJ Styles. Kaz asks AJ what he’s doing here. Maybe, he wants to thank Kaz for the house. AJ looks at Kazarian before taking a good look at the TNA World Championship on Kaz’s shoulder. Styles smiles and says “thanks.”
Gia Miller is at ringside. Miller introduces fans to the Hollywood row sitting frontside – the stars of Dark Winds and Night Patrol. The camera then pans to Mara Sade and former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle. Before Gia could interview the guests, Ryan Nemeth interrupts. Nemeth tries to belittle the celebrities but gets put in his place by one of the stars of Dark Winds.
Santino Marella in-ring promo segment
The TNA Director of Authority in in the ring. Marella puts over TNA iMPACT’s debut on AMC. Santino says he’s been hurt by his own flesh and blood. It’s not something he can shake off “like the water on the duck.” Marella cannot afford to make a mistake but it’s not the time to drop the ball. Santino then introduces the TNA fans to the new Director of Operations.
It’s Daria Rae, formerly known as Sonya Deville. Marella welcomes Daria to TNA. Rae thanks the crowd and Santino. She congratulates TNA on their historic debut. Daria puts over Santino for being one of the pillars of TNA through thick and thin. The crowd responds with “Santino” chants. Marella gets emotional.
But wait!
The passionate promo was all just a ruse. Daria tells Santino TNA doesn’t need him because he can’t even put his family in order. Santino can’t believe what’s happening. The crowd is booing Daria but she tears into them. Rae says she can do Santino’s job better than him. Things get even more interesting as Daria Rae reveals she’s signed a new Knockout as her first order of business.
Elayna Black has arrived on TNA iMPACT.
AJ Styles gives a pep talk
We see AJ Styles approach Mike Santana. Styles tells Santana he carried TNA on his back for as long as he could but it’s his time now. AJ tells Mike to beat Frankie Kazarian for the TNA World Championship. Santana thanks AJ for the words.
We hear from The Elegance Brand
All members of The Elegance Brand are in the ring. The Personal Concierge introduces the crowd to Perez Hilton. Perez mocks the Texas crowd before PC tears into them. But that’s not (only) what they are here for. The search for the newest member of The Elegance Brand is over as we are introduced to Mr. Elegance.
It’s not the same person the Elegance ladies wanted in their group last week on TNA iMPACT. He has the looks and confidence of a pro wrestler. Mr. Elegance cuts his first promo as the new member of the group. Before he could finish, TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions The IInspiration arrive for their tag team title defense.
The IInspiration (c) vs. The Elegance Brand
- The finish of the match saw M by Elegance capitalize on a distraction to get the pinfall victory on Cassie Lee.
Winners and new TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions: The Elegance Brand
Grade: C-
The in-ring action was a major let down but the outcome was a big surprise. The finish looked sloppy as hell. That being said, it’s certainly a bold new era for TNA iMPACT with The Elegance Brand once again the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions.
Stacks and Arianna Grace speak
TNA International Champion Stacks is backstage with Arianna Grace. Stacks mocks Santino for his daughter turning against him. He says Santino led an investigation into NXT’s attack on TNA stars but never managed to find out how the rogues got here in the first place. Arianna says confirms she led the boys in.
Indi Hartwell backstage promo
Indi Hartwell is backstage talking about TNA Genesis. Hartwell gets interrupted by The Elegance Brand. The group mocks Hartwell before leaving her hanging to celebrate their TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship victory.
Open challenge announced for TNA Genesis
Santino Marella introduces TNA knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee. Marella informs that Dani Luna will be unable to compete at Genesis due to visa issue. That being said, Lee would still defend her title… in an open challenge. The open challenge is answered by NXT’s ZARUCA (Sol Ruca and ZARIA).
The crowd pops big time for Sol Ruca. Sol says they initially wanted to challenge for the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship but the open challenge presents an even greater opportunity at the bigger prize. She says Lee may be a warrior but ZARUCA have a warrior of their own as she announces ZARIA as the number one contender, much to ZARIA’s surprise. The Australian powerhouse signs the contract and the match is made official for TNA Genesis.
Another star out of TNA Genesis
Cedric Alexander is backstage. Alexander is approached by Santino Marella. Santino says TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater won’t be able to defend his title due to visa issue at Genesis. Cedric will still get his title shot but on a later date. As for Genesis, it will be Alexander versus Moose versus JOE HENDRY. Marella says the name and Alexander starts receiving a phone call from Joe Hendry.
TNA Genesis Card
- AJ Francis vs. Rich Swann
- Elijah vs. Mustafa Ali
- Ryan Nemeth vs. Mara Sade
- Lei Ying Lee (c) vs. ZARIA – TNA Knockouts World Championship
- Cedric Alexander vs. Joe Hendry vs. Moose
- The Hardys (c) vs. The Righteous – TNA World Tag Team Championship
- JDC vs. Eddie Edwards – The Last Dance
We hear from The System
The System are on stage. Eddie Edwards puts over TNA iMPACT’s debut on AMC. Edwards then hypes his match against JDC at Genesis. JDC says he will announce his replacement in The System next week on iMPACT. He then tells Eddie to pull the trigger in their Last Dance at Genesis because JDC won’t go down without a fight.
A familiar face pops up!
TNA President Carlos Silva is on the ramp. Carlos introduces former TNA Executive and Texas’ very own Dixie Carter. Dixie appears to a polarizing reaction. She congratulates Carlos, the company and the fans for TNA’s historic debut on AMC. The fans do not seem happy with Carter’s appearance. Boos can be heard. Carter gets interrupted by Bully Ray’s music, who shows up to a huge pop from the crowd. The TNA Hall of Fame stares a hole through his former boss before sharing a hug with her.
Next week on TNA iMPACT
- The System announces new member
- We hear from Elayna Black
- Feast or Fired returns
- Jeff Hardy vs. Mustafa Ali
- Indi Hartwell vs. M By Elegance
Frankie Kazarian (c) vs. Mike Santana – TNA World Championship Main Event
- The finish of the match saw Mike Santana plant Frankie Kazarian with a Spin the Block for the win.
Winner and new TNA World Champion: Mike Santana
Grade: A-
Mike Santana is once again the TNA World Champion. NXT did the same thing when Trick Williams dropped the NXT Championship to Ethan Page only to reclaim it on NXT’s CW debut a while ago. That said, a win’s a win. There was some sort of miscommunication when the referee’s hand hit the mat for the third count but the match continued. The final Spin the Block looked like it decapitated Kaz.
Overall Grade: A-
An impressive show to kick off TNA Wrestling’s new era on AMC. There were quite a number of surprises this week. I’m really looking forward to how the AJ Styles-Frankie Kazarian tease plays out. Daria Rae (Sonya Deville) makes for a solid addition to the TNA roster. As for Elayna Black, we’ll have to wait till the former Cora Jade cuts her first promo in several months on television next week. The Elegance Brand segment was… something. TNA fans still hate Dixie Carter. The reaction was brutal. That’s it for tonight and this writer will be back with all new TNA iMPACT results next week.
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How would you rate this week’s episode of TNA iMPACT on a scale of 1 to 10? Let us know in the comments!
