TNA Genesis results (1/17): Moore’s live review of Mike Santana vs. Frankie Kazarian in a Texas Death Match for the TNA World Championship with Nic Nemeth as special referee

By John Moore, ProWrestling.net Staffer (@liljohnm)

TNA Genesis
Dallas, Texas at the Curtis Culwell Center
Aired live January 17, 2026 on pay-per-view and TrillerTV.com

Pre-Show Notes

Arrival shots of Frankie Kazarian, Mike Santana, and Nic Nemeth were shown…

Gia Miller, Ash by Elegance, Dave LaGreca, and Tommy Dreamer checked in as the hosts of the pre-show. Gia talked about how the debut on AMC “had the world talking”. Gia then sent the show to the post show angle that wasn’t aired on TV where Nic Nemeth failed in his cash-in attempt of his not-money-in-the-bank Call Your Shot Trophy.

This led to Santino booking Mike Santana vs. Frankie Kazarian in a Texas Deathmatch. His assistant undercut him by booking Nic Nemeth as the guest referee. The panel then gave their thoughts. Gia then sent the show to a Hardys vs. Righteous hype package. The panel gave their predictions. Gia then talked about how Dani Luna wasn’t able to make the show due to “visa issues”. A replay aired of the segment where Zaria was set up as Dani’s replacement in the Knockouts Title match…

Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt checked in on the pre-show. Hannifan plugged Genesis merch and their electrolyte drink sponsor. Tom hyped the pre-show match, Stacks vs. Eric Young vs. BDE vs. KJ Orso. Hannifan noted that KJ Orso is the former Fuego Del Sol…

Entrances for the International Championship match took place…

1. Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo (w/Ariana Grace) vs. BDE vs. KJ Orso vs. Eric Young for the TNA International Championship. The bell rang once Stacks jumped Orso. Stacks and Orso brawled in the ring while Young and BDE brawled at ringside. Orso hit Stacks with a diving rana and crossbody in the corner. Orso hit Stacks with a inverted Angle Slam for a nearfall. Stacks reversed Orso into a lawn dart into the buckle. Orso used a huracanrana to dump Stacks and himself to ringside.

Eric Young was arguing with fans, which allowed BDE to blindside him and film it on Instagram. While BDE distracted himself, Stacks attacked BDE. Grace and Stacks used BDE’s phone to steal his stream. BDE hit Stacks with a Suicide Dive. Orso hit Young with a Flip Dive. Orso and BDE hit their opponents with Ten Punches in the Corner. The heels came back with clotheslines for a breather.

Young and Stacks worked on Orso and BDE with methodical offense. BDE rallied with right hands and hit Stacks with a Codebreaker (which he oversold). BDE hit Young with a running knee. Orso hit BDE with a cutter on rope. Orso hit Stacks with a Huracanrana and jump up double stomp. Orso hit BDE with the Orso Driver for a nearfall. Stacks hit Orso with a running uppercut and twisting neckbreaker.

BDE hit Stacks with a Cody Cutter. Young hit BDE with a wheelbarrow neckbreaker. Young hit Orso with a Pile Driver. Stacks tossed Young away and stole Young’s pin on Orso for the win.

Channing Lorenzo defeated KJ Orso, BDE, and Eric Young via pinfall in 6:23 to retain the TNA International Championship.

TNA President Carlos Silva put the title on Stack’s shoulder…

Santino Marella and Daria Rae were watching the match backstage, which Santino angry that his future Son in Law won. Daria talked to Santino that Stacks proved he belongs and they need to be fair as authority figures…

John’s Thoughts: Actually a decent enough match given how many people were in it and how little time it was. In fact, even though it was a dirty win, I thought it was a better dirty win for Stacks then his title defense on Tuesday. KJ Orso might be in because he was in town, but I wouldn’t mind if TNA ends up signing him. He looked really good here and I actually like him freshening things up by taking off the Fuego Del Sol mask.

Gia brought up Leon Slater’s “visa issues” and brought up Joe Hendry being his replacement in Slater’s match, which is now a exhibition match. Tommy Dreamer made it seem like Ash by Elegance has retired against her will and talked about how JDC is a person who wants to go out on his own note. Ash agreed that she would have loved to

Robert Stone was in heel mode and walking backstage with Tessa Blanchard, Victoria Crawford, and Mila Moore. They were passing by random indie wrestlers and trash talking them all. They started to bully an indie wrestler named “Vicki”. Indi Hartwell showed up to have Vicki’s back. Tessa bragged about being a former men’s world champion in TNA. Indi proposed her and Vicki vs. Tessa and Mila…

The Personal Concierge was in the middle of the ring bragging about how everyone is talking about The Elegance Brand after the AMC debut. The Concierge then introduced Mr. Elegance, M, and Heather by Elegance. The Concierge smelled the trio and said they smell incredible, unlike the pigs in barbecue sauce in Dallas. The Concierge said they aren’t competing tonight, but The Elegance Brand will watch the next match at ringside.

Entrances for the opening match took place. Mr. Elegance was doing weird hip movements during Indi and Vicki’s entrance…

John’s Thoughts: Upon second look, Mr. Elegance looks like an AI generated Jungle Boy. In all seriousness, it’s a bit cringe, but I think if he can go over the top with the goofiness, he can be a fun guilty pleasure comedy character. He reminds me of a Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure character combined with Jiji from Dan Da Dan.

2. Tessa Blanchard and Mila Moore (w/Victoria Crawford, Robert Stone) vs. Indi Hartwell and Vicious Vicki Venuto. Tessa and Vicki started. Tessas let Vicki get the first shot, but then slammed her to the mat. Vicki rolled up Tessa for a two count. Indi tagged in and hit Tessa with a draping face wash kick. Tessa tackled Vicki to her corner and cut the ring in half on Vicki with quick tags. Hannifan reminded viewers that Tessa defeated Sami Callihan to become TNA World Champion several years ago.

Hannifan ran through the advertised card for the upcoming Impact TV show. The heels were still cutting the ring in half for about 3 minutes. Vicki used a mule kick to send Tessa to ringside and tag in Indi for the hot tag. Tessa escaped a suplex, but Indi came back with boots. Indi hit Moore and Tessa with spinebusters for a nearfall.

Vicki tagged in. Robert Stone got on the apron and Crawford tripped Vicki. Indi accidentally stepped on M’s toe. Indi then attacked M after she got hit. Heather slammed Indi to the floor. Tessa hit Vicki with the Buzzsaw DDT for the win.

Tessa Blanchard and Mila Moore defeated Vicious Vicki and Indi Hartwell via pinfall in 7:55.

John’s Thoughts: A decent TV level match. Mostly formula with a long heat segment. I wonder how they’ll utilize Tessa. I haven’t heard anything negative coming from Tessa and hope she’s matured? We all mature if we are accountable. I didn’t hear any “she’s a racist” chants, so that’s a plus. It’ll be interesting because she’s arguably the best worker on their women’s roster. And aside from Robert Stone having a split personality in TNA and WWE, I do like that heel act, especially Victoria Crawford with her antics at ringside. I also think Mila Moore has looked good so far, with good size.

Gia Miller went into Southern Accent mode when talking about how much she hates Tessa. She then put back on her interviewing accent to start the AJ Francis vs. Rich Swann discussion. They then hyped the Ryan Nemeth vs. Mara Sade match. Dreamer also reiterated that Ash’s career was over and she’d make a good commentator. They then discussed the Mustafa Ali vs. Elijah match.

John’s Thoughts: I’m not the biggest fan of pre-shows in general, and this kinda felt like WWE’s format of preshow where they give kayfabe match predictions which are not really interesting. What did help this a bit was Tommy Dreamer being a good talker in general and adding good historical tidbits. I wonder if the most meaningful part of the pre-show being them stressing that Ash’s career is over? If she can still come back, I pray that whatever ails her will get better. If not, then I wouldn’t mind her being a talker or character because she’s done a amazing job reinventing herself and I would like to see that strive in some form if she wants to continue to roll.

Main Show Review

McKenzie Mitchell was in the ring  and introduced singer Romeo Vaughn who sung the National Anthem. The intro teaser video aired…

Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt were on commentary. McKenzie Mitchell was the ring announcer…

Entrances for the opening match took place. Rich Swann was back to his dancing entrance, but with a new theme. Hannifan noted that AJ Francis was in his Washington Redskins colors. Swann was wearing Dallas Cowboys colors and tassels for the home crowd…

1. Rich Swann vs. AJ Francis. Francis attacked Swann while he was dancing. Swann recovered and hit Francis with Ten Punches in the Corner. Swann used a clothesline to dump AJ to ringside. AJ caught Swann out of the air. Swann reversed a chokeslam and hit AJ with a Asai Phoenix Splash. Swann hit AJ with buzzsaw kicks. AJ swatted Rich out of the air with an overhead clubbing blow. Rich rallied with right hands.

AJ caught Swann out of the air and hit him with a release Death Valley Driver. AJ hit Rich with his signature Flop Dolla Tennessee Whiskey. Swann fought out of a chokeslam with elbows and kickboxing kicks. AJ dumped Swann to ringside, which Rich sold well. Swann beat the ten count at nine. Francis went right back to the methodical offense. Rich hit AJ with a Jawbreaker, but AJ came right back with a Big Boot for a nearfall.

Swann dodged a running Senton and hit AJ with a Buzzsaw kick and jumping horse kick. Swann hit AJ with a Lethal Injection and cartwheel splash. Swann hit AJ with a 450 for a good nearfall. AJ used a single hand to launch Rich off the top rope. Swann tried to Power Bomb AJ off the top rope, but AJ stuffed that with a right hand. Swann bit AJ’s arm and followed up with a headbutt to drop him off the top rope.

Rich went for a dive, but AJ hit him with an impressive Twisting Slam. Swann blocked an Alabama Slam. Francis adjusted and hit Swann with a Styles Clash for good heat. Francis did the Styles pose. Swann reversed a 2nd Clash and hit AJ with an impressive Canadian Destroyer for a nearfall. Swann hit AJ with a Splash. Francis got a foot on the bottom rope for a good nearfall.

Francis hit Swann with a reverse chokeslam that spiked Swann. AJ hit Swann with a chokeslam for the clean win.

AJ Francis defeated Rich Swann via pinfall in 12:19.

John’s Thoughts: Wowzers! I loved that match! Very weird that they hid most of the build behind YouTube and didn’t do much on the AMC premiere, especially with Francis being one of the best heel talkers in the company. Tempered expectations made this match better though, and the crowd was won over too. Good to see Rich working his babyface style (though not the biggest fan of the dancing Lionel Richie gimmick that he’s done forever). AJ Francis has become one of my favorite wrestlers to watch given how much hard work he puts in. He’s willing to take risks, and succeeds (even though he gets a bad rap for the few that meme). What I would like to see from Francis is maybe him evolving the look a bit, get some character development, and maybe add a psychotic edge; and I can see him being a top heel world champion one day in TNA (and the guy comes off as a genuine nice teddy bear in real life, and maybe there’s a wholesome babyface run in there too).

Gia Miller interviewed TNA World Champion Mike Santana. Santana hyped up the Dallas crowd. Santana said Frankie gave him the fight of his life and deserves all the props. Santana talked about how he thrives in the trenches and under pressure and will bring it in the Texas Street Fight. Santana then thanked his family and friends for the congratulations, but the best one was his daughter saying “We back papi!”…

Order 4 made their. Elijah had a large elaborate entrance with a cool custom video playing on the LED ramp (reminded me a bit of Jinder Mahal’s cool entrance). He had a different ring announcer which sounded like a recording of his own voice…

John’s Thoughts: What is kinda ironic, while Elijah jokes that Joe Hendry took his job in WWE as the guitar guy; Elijah took Joe Hendry’s job in TNA in a similar babyface role. Both Joe and Elijah are hard to turn heel too due to how popular they are (Though I think Hendry might have potential as a heel given his first run in TNA with Grado as his buddy). Also fun to see Elijah throwback to his old “The Drifter” Elias Sampson name.

2. “The Drifter” Elijah vs. Mustafa Ali (w/Tasha Steelz, John Skyler, Jason Hotch, Agent Zero). Hotch and Skyler tried to jump Elijah before the match but he saw it coming and took care of them. Elijah hit Ali with a power bomb for a nearfall. While Ali ran away, Elijah took down Skyler and Hotch. This allowed Ali to hit Elijah with a Suicide Dive. Elijah dumped Ali to ringside with a flip whip. Ali came back with a rolling neckbreaker.

Elijah dumped Ali to the mat right back. Elijah and Ali traded Yay Boo right hands. Ali hit Elijah with a superkick but Elijah turned Ali inside out with a clothesline. Ali hit Elijah with a bell clap. Elijah hit Ali with a Tiger Knee for a nearfall. Ali hit Elijah with a nice deadlift Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Elijah dodged a 450 and hit Ali with a Highwayman’s Farewell (Tombstone Piledriver).

Ali did a bridge out of instinct to kick out. Elijah hit Ali with hard chops. Ali bit and Elijah’s arm while on the top rope. Steelz distracted the ref to allow the Great Hands to help Ali escape a super tombstone. Elijah recovered and hit Ali with a Sky High. Special Agent Zero dragged the referee out of the ring with Zero trying to no-sell. The referee ejected Zero, Skyler, and Hotch. Steelz tried to hit Elijah with a guitar.

Elijah tried to hit Steelz with a Tombstone. Ali hit Elijah with a Home Run Swing to the back with a guitar. Hannifan said the referee didn’t see it (though there was a lot of cracked wood suddenly in the ring). Ali picked up the pinfall.

Mustafa Ali defeated Elijah via pinfall in 9:35.

John’s Thoughts: A decent enough match to forward the feud, with some good wrestling. Ali is always a treat to watch and a pro. Haven’t been the biggest fan of this feud as they’ve reduced Mustafa Ali from being the most interesting character in the company, down to being stuck to Looney Toon skits with Elijah. I hope they move away from the campy skits and we get back to Mustafa Ali being a strong heel, back to where he was back at Slammiversary.

The hype package aired for the Johnny Dango Curtis vs. Eddie Edwards match…

The System made their entrance together with Eddie carrying a Dirty Dango shirt to the ring. Dango showed off his Bray Wyatt tattoo. Hannifan and Rehwoldt ran through Dangos many names and career highlights. JDC soaked in a standing ovation…

3. Eddie Edwards vs. Johnny Dango Curtis. Curtis tried to roll up Eddie while Eddie had his back turned, which got a laugh from Eddie. Eddie took down Curtis with a wrist lock and he popped back up. Hannifan noted that it was odd that Eddie and Curtis never fought each other despite them being on the indies together as a tag team. Curtis hit Eddie with a dropkick. Rehwoldt talked about meeting Dango in WWE Developmental, FCW.

Eddie took down Dango with a clothesline. Eddie worked on Dango with methodical chops. Curtis came back with a Power Slam for a nearfall. Curtis hit Eddie with chops. Eddie hit Dango with a Gamengiri and Frankensteiner. Eddie hit Dango with a Suicide Dive. Eddie joined the crowd in a “Let’s go Dango” chant. JDC recovered and hit Eddie with a Back Suplex on the apron. Eddie tackled JDC into the post, but accidently hurt himself by chopping the post when JDC dodged.

Eddie and JDC traded strikes. JDC hit Eddie with a Beauty Shot. JDC worked on Eddie with rapid chops. Eddie came back with a back elbow. JDC came back with a Yakuza Kick and flip dive at ringside. Dango hit Eddie with running uppercuts. Eddie came back with a clothesline. Dango trapped Eddie in the ropes and hit him with a slingshot leg drop for a nearfall. Dango hit Eddie with a Tornado DDT and Falcon Arrow for a nearfall.

Eddie reversed JDC into a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count. Eddie put JDC in a sleeper. JDC smiled (which may or may not be a John Cena tribute). JDC escaped and then put Eddie in a Liontamer, which was a tribute to Chris Jericho. Eddie reversed into a two count. Dango hit Eddie with a Codebreaker for a fun sequence. Eddie and JDC brawled on the top rope. JDC hit Eddie with a Super Air Raid Crash for a good nearfall.

Eddie dodged a Last Dance leg drop and hit JDC with the Boston Knee Party. JDC kicked out of Eddie’s finisher. Eddie hit JDC with another Knee Party. Eddie kept saying “Stay Down”. Eddie hit JDC with a superkick and Emerald Flowsion. Eddie hit JDC with a Boston Knee Party for the win.

Eddie Edwards defeated JDC via pinfall in 17:16.

The System came back up to help JDC back up. Several roster members appeared on stage to give JDC a round of applause. JDC posed while also crying in the ring. JDC then high fived fans in the crowd while also giving hugs to the broadcast team. JDC posed and headed to the back with the locker room…

John’s Thoughts: A fun sendoff match (though because it’s wrestling, I will always keep my radar up for a potential swerve). A better tribute segment than the happy go lucky one on Thursday. The match dragged a bit for the first three quarters with a bit too much respect given between the wrestlers. The match really kicked in at the end with the Chris Jericho tributes. What could have improved the first part of the match was a bit more melodrama which the end had.

Time for the usual sponsored Injury Report. Elijah is “under evaluation” for reaggravating his injury during the match earlier. Steve Maclin is out due to getting attacked by the NXT Outlaws, but will be okay by Thursday. Matt and Jeff Hardy are not 100%, but clear…

A replay aired of Vincent using a padlock on Jeff Hardy’s gauge ear from Impact…

Entrances for the next match took place…

4. “The Hollywood Hunk” Ryan Nemeth vs. Mara Sade in an intergender match. Ryan was acting like a creep to start. He then pie faced Mara. Ryan reversed a sleeper with a slam. Mara landed on her feet with a hip toss. Ryan ducked to ringside to avoid getting hit by a superkick again. Ryan tripped Sade and hit her with a back suplex on the apron. Ryan yelled “you love me!”. Sade escaped an arrogant cover. Sade slapped Ryan in the face.

Ryan fired up and slammed Sade to the mat. Ryan kept pumping his hips in the air. Sade rallied with right hands. Sade rallied with dropkicks. Sade hit Ryan with a Superman Forearm. Sade hit Ryan with a Tornado DDT for a two count. Ryan hit Sade with a thumb to the eye. Ryan tried to get a leverage pin, but the referee saw it.

Sade hit Ryan with a Slingblade. Ryan used a dropkick to knock Sade off the top rope. Ryan then used his body to mask that he was against the rope to get the pin on Mara Sade.

Ryan Nemeth defeated Mara Sade via pinfall in 5:21.

John’s Thoughts: Eh, buffer comedy match. This feud is a bit weird, kinda like Mara trying to fight away a predator, but at least Ryan is good at being a goof. Not the best

Stacks and Ariana Grace cut a promo backstage. Ariana talked about her dad thinking with his emotions to try to screw over Stacks. Stacks said he didn’t just win, he shoved it in Santino’s face. Grace said that Santino keeps losing and will soon lose his job to Daria Rae. Grace then dragged Stacks away…

John’s Thoughts: It’s weird she gets so little TV time in NXT. Ariana Grace is a wonderful character and would definitely enhance the Women’s division in NXT which could use some strong characters.

A Tale of the tape aired for the Knockouts Title Match…

Zaria and Sol Ruca made their entrance to Karrion Kross’s old TNA theme (in TNA now). Lei Ying Lee made her entrance doing her usual Wushu Kata. Xia Brookside was with her. McKenzie Mitchell handled the formal in ring championship match introductions…

John’s Thoughts: The production seems to be a bit better tonight. I also really like the LED ramp.

5. Lei Ying Lee (w/Xia Brookside) vs. Zaria (w/Sol Ruca) for the TNA Knockouts Championship. Zaria tossed Lee away. Zaria hit Lee with a shove. Zaria caught Lee out of the air and hit her with a delayed vertical suplex for a nearfall. Lee fought off Zaria with a few kicks. Hannifan noted that Zaria wrestled Jordynne Grace in TNA a few years ago. Zaria escaped strikes in the corner and tripped up Lee. Zaria hit Lee with a hanging sleeper on the ropes.

Zaria hit Lee with a strong clothesline for a nearfall. Zaria put Lee in a Prism Lock. Zaria then tossed Lee aside. Lee reversed Zaria into a STF which Zaria blocked. Lee hit Zaria with a rapid palm and kick combination. Lee hit Zaria with a back elbow and Ten Punches in the Corner. Lee hit Zaria with a Pumphandle Exploder for a nearfall. Lee put Zaria in a Sleeper.

Zaria escaped with a sick looking Cannonball while Lee was on her back. Lee kicked out at two. Lee used a huracanrana to drag Zaria to the apron. Lee and Zaria traded strikes on the apron. Zaria hit Lee with a Back Suplex on the apron. Heather and M by Elegance walked out to the stage. Hannifan then plugged the tag contenders match on NXT this upcoming tuesday.

Zaria hit Lee with a spear. Zaria hit Lee with an F6, but Lee’s feet hit the ref. REF BUMP!!!  Ruca and Xia fought away M and Heather. Sol and Xia hit M and Heather with diving crossbodies. The ref was still bumped. Zaria dragged the ref up. Lee dodged a spear and rolled up Zaria for a two count. Zaria hit Lee with a headbutt. Lee escaped a hangman in the corner.

Lee hit Zaria with a Frankensteiner. Some Aussie fans were cheering on Zaria. Zaria and Lee traded fighting spirit right hands. Zaria hit Lee with a low kick. Lee reversed Zaria with a DDT. Lee hit Zaria with a high spin kick. Lee hit Zaria with Warrior’s Way for the victory.

Lei Ying Lee defeated Zaria via pinfall in 14:23 to retain the TNA Knockouts Champion.

TNA President Carlos Silva entered the ring to hand the Knockouts Title to Lei Ying Lee (How soon until Silva gets power bombed through a table by Bully Ray?). Elayna Black (f.k.a. Cora Jade) made her entrance. Hannifan noted that it looks like Black is coming after the title…

A TNA Merch ad aired…

John’s Thoughts: The crowd was a bit mute at first (credit for Sol Ruca for noticing and firing up the crowd). Probably because Lei Ying Lee is underdeveloped as a character and they are unfamiliar with Zaria. Credit to the women, they worked hard and won the fans over in the end with an entertaining match. Could have done without the TNA Ref Bump as that was unnecessary. We’ve seen Lee as a strong character in the past when she was in Tian Sha, and when they gave her those awesome animated Donghua vignettes when she was “The Protector”. TNA needs to find a way to bring her back to being that fun character that we’ve seen in WWE.

Separate shots of Kazarian and Santana were show as they were warming up…

Nic Nemeth cut a promo about how he’s going to enjoy watching Kazarian and Santana tear each other up…

A tag line graphic aired for the Hardys vs. Righteous match…

The Righteous made their entrance. The Hardys then came out to their nostalgic Loaded theme. The Hardys jumped Vincent and Dutch before the bell with their theme still playing. McKenzie Mitchell handled the formal in-ring championship match introductions…

John’s Thoughts: I always love random background music during matches if it works (shout out and RIP New Jack). That opening segment worked, notably with the Hardy’s nostalgic Loaded theme…

6. Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy vs. “The Righteous” Vincent and Dutch for the TNA Tag Team Championships. The Hardys cut the ring in half on Vincent for the first 3 minutes of the match. The Hardys hit Vincent with Poetry in Motion. Matt hit Vincent with a Side Effect for a two count. Dutch got a clothesline on Matt. Vincent used the moment to recover. The Righteous cut the ring in half on Matt. Vincent kept yelling that he’s sorry. The crowd chanted “culero”.

Matt hit Dutch with a Twist of Fate for a window of opportunity. Jeff caught the hot tag and hit his signature hot tag sequence on Vincent. Jeff bent Vincent’s back over hit knee. Dutch broke it up with a big boot. Matt knocked Dutch off the apron. Matt blind tagged in. The Hardys hit Vincent with a Plot Twist for a nearfall by Matt. Dutch tripped up Matt while he was running.

Dutch hit Matt with a modified Bossman Slam. Dutch hit Matt with a Twist of Fate and Vincent hit Matt with a Twist of Fate. Jeff dragged Vincent off the pin. Vincent tossed Jeff into the ringpost. Matt and Vincent took each other out with clotheslines. Dutch crashed and burned as a big man when Jeff dodged his senton at ringside. Matt and Vincent traded Yay Boo right hands.

Vincent begged Matt for mercy. Dutch got a mic and said that this is exactly what they wanted, “to hurt”. A “shut the F**k” chant ensued. Matt hit Vincent with a Twist of Fate. Jeff hit Vincent with a Swanton Bomb for the win.

The Hardy Boyz defeated The Righteous via pinfall in 12:40 to retain the TNA Tag Team Championships. 

Hannifan noted that Vincent was smiling. Dutch took the tag belts from TNA President Carlos Silva and politely slid them to the Hardys…

John’s Thoughts: A good Hardys style match that they’ve been working well for a good while. Happy to seem them finding the fountain of youth in TNA and looking healthier than ever, while also working safer. Credit to them for having a solid string of PPV matches, but they must have liked the break from their string of high spot gimmick matches too. The Righteous looked solid in defeat while slowing the

Hannifan noted that Leon Slater is legitimately stuck in the UK (convenient for WWE) due to global visa issues that are effecting everyone. Highlights from Carmelo Hayes vs. Leon Slater for the United States Championship aired from Smackdown…

They cut to a Leon Slater cellphone promo where he apologized for not being able to make Impact and Genesis. He thanked Joe Hendry for taking his spot in the Triple Threat match. Slater said he will make sure Alexander and Moose get title shots when he is allowed to fly back…

“Say his name and he appears! I believe in Joe Hendry! Clap clap!”. Joe Hendry made his entrance. Hannifan noted that Joe Hendry was TNA Champion a year ago and that he might be one of the best TNA Champions of all time. Cedric Alexander made his entrance. Moose made his entrance (which actually looked pretty cool with the new video wall and LED ramp…

Anthem executives Leonard Asper and Carlos Silva were shown in the crowd…

John’s Thoughts: Ok, at least Silva isn’t the top babyface on TV and hitting Destroyers like D’Amore was (Though credit to D’Amore for setting all this momentum for TNA in motion). Again, he’s on the Bully Ray power bomb path given how a lot of other company presidents have ended up.

7. Moose (w/Alisha Edwards) vs. Cedric Alexander vs. Joe Hendry. Hendry cleared Alexander and Moose from the ring. Hendry then power bombed his opponents on the apron. Alexander hit Joe with a Suicide Dive. Joe backdropped Moose on the steps for a high bump. Medics ran out to check on Moose. F’n Carlos Silva went to check on Moose.

The match paused for a few minutes. Joe and Alexander then continued. Cedric hit Joe with a German Suplex. Cedric hit Joe with a low dropkick. Joe came back with an Angle Slam for a two count. Joe caught Cedric out of the air. Alexander got two counts off an inside cradle and Michinoku Driver. Joe and Cedric took each other out with clotheslines. A “Moose” chant ensued. Moose got to his feet selling the back.

Moose then did his arm pumps when Alexander and Joe punched him. Moose hit Cedric with a headbutt and hit Joe with a Uranage and Senton. Cedric hit Moose with a kick. Moose hit Cedric on the top rope with a drop kick. Moose reversed a suplex into a chop. Moose hit Joe with a Superplex. Joe no sold it and hit him with a Suplex. Cedric hit Joe with a splash for a nearfall.

Moose hit Cedric with a hard looking Go to Hell for a nearfall. Moose and Joe traded chops. Joe hit Moose with a Pop Up Power Bomb for a good nearfall. Joe went for his Zoolander turn, but Cedric hit Joe with a slam for a two count and then put him in a Crossface. Moose held on to Joe’s hand to prevent the tapout.

Cedric got a two count off a Victory Roll. Cedric rolled Moose into a Styles Clash for a nearfall. Alexander turned Moose inside out with a clothesline. Moose hit Cedric out of midair with a Spear for a nearfall. Moose went for a spear, but his back gave out on him. Alexander hit Moose with a Lumbar Check. Joe hit Cedric with a Uranage for the win.

Joe Hendry defeated Cedric Alexander and Moose via pinfall in 15:21.

Joe Hendry did his Zoolander turn at the top of the ramp with Hannifan wishing him well in WWE…

John’s Thoughts: I had tempered expectations due to this being a replacement match, but all three men came together to put together a strong match. The whole Moose fake injury felt forced, but it did ultimately work well enough in the end. I don’t think Joe Hendry needed the win though as if you didn’t want to pin the WWE guy, just keep him out of the finish. I think it would have been better if they had Cedric pick up the win on Moose, notably because it would have been good storytelling by having Cedric pick up the win with the Lumbar Check on Moose’s injured Lumbar!

TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella made his entrance and called out the pre-show panel to give their main event predictions. Santino, Ash, LaGreca, and Miller predicted Santana. Daria Rae cut off Tommy Dreamer and made her entrance. Rae fired up the crowd. Rae called Tommy “little Timmy” and said no one cares what he has to say. A “shut the F**k up” chant aired. Rae said to cut to the hype package…

John’s Thoughts: That segment felt weird and unnecessary, especially since they all gave their predictions during the pre show.

A match rules graphic aired. If a wrestler is pinned, then they need to beat a ten count…

A tale of the tape aired…

Referee Nic Nemeth made his entrance with his Call Your Shot trophy. Nemeth was wearing Shawn Michaels tribute booty shorts. Frankie Kazarian made his entrance. Hannifan noted that Kazarian confronted AJ Styles on both the first ever episode of Impact and the first episode of Impact on AMC. Mike Santana made his entrance from the concourse through the crowd. McKenzie Mitchell handled the formal in-ring championship match introductions…

8. Mike Santana vs. Frankie Kazarian in a Texas Deathmatch for the TNA World Championship (Nic Nemeth is the Guest Referee). Kazarian quickly stalled at ringside.  Kazarian and Santana then traded right hands in the ring. Santana caught Kaz with a Superkick. Kazarian dodged a Yakuza Kick and dragged Santana to the apron. Both men were blocking moves on the apron. Kazarian used a roundhouse to trip Santana on the apron. Hannifan noted Kazarian was bleeding on the ear.

Santana hit Kazarian with a flying clothesline. Santana brought a table in the ring. Santana hit Kazarian with a knee against the barricade. Santana then hit Kazarian with a cannonball through the barricade. Kazarian kicked out at two. Santana hit Kazarian with ten punches against the steps in the crowd. Mike and Frankie brawled to a higher level of the crowd. Santana hit Kazarian with a dive from the higher level.

Mike and Kazarian brawled to the backstage area. Kazarian slammed Mike into the garage door and hit him with a trash can to the back. Kazarian dragged Mike back to ringside and tossed a water bottle at him. Kazarian and Mike had a sword fight with chairs with Kazarian winning. Kazarian opened up chairs opposite to each other. Mike escaped a Fade to Black attempt. Santana hit Kazarian with a Pile Driver through the set up chairs (it was clever and safe because the chairs were far enough away from each other, I assume).

Santana picked up the pinfall. Kazarian beat the ten count. Santana set up a table. Kazarian blocked a power bomb by holding the ropes. Kazarian and Mike brawled on the apron. Kazarian reversed Santana with a cutter from the apron, through the table. Kazarian picked up the pinfall. Santana beat the ten count. Kazarian immediately shoved Santana into the steel steps.

A “F you Frankie” chant ensued (the crowd really likes their F bombs tonight). Kazarian set up a table in the ring and brought a ladder into play. While Kazarian was posing, Santana recovered and entered the ring with a barbed wire baseball bat. Kazarian reversed the swing with a Chickenwing. Santana got the bat and jabbed Kazarian in the gut. Kazarian then raked it on the face of Kazarian.

Santana hit Kazarian with a Michinoku Driver. Santana climbed to the top of the high ladder and hit Kazarian with a Frog Splash through the table. Kazarian kicked out at two. Nemeth got a “ref you suck” chant. Hannifan noted that the replay showed Nemeth called it fair. Santana and Kaz traded fatigued right hands. Kazarian spit on Santana.

Santana picked up barbed wire and wrapped his arm with it. Santana hit Kazarian with a barbed wire Spin the Block. Mike pin Kazarian and Kazarian couldn’t beat the ten count.

Mike Santana defeated Frankie Kazarian in a Texas Death Match in 19:13 to retain the TNA World Championship. 

TNA President Carlos Silva entered the ring to hand Santana the title belt. Nemeth raised Santana’s arm in victory, and as expected, hit him with the Danger Zone (Zig Zag). Nemeth then called for a referee. Before the ref could get there, Santana recovered and hit Nemeth with Spin the Block. Santana celebrated with the title belt as the show closed with the Executive Producer graphics airing on the screen…

John’s Thoughts: A fun gimmick hardcore match with the unique pinfall and ten count rule that isn’t burned out. I think blood would have enhanced the match and protected Kazarian for taking the big moves that would trigger blood (We did see a blood bath done well with Indi Hartwell and Dani Luna a few weeks ago during TNA’s lame duck period on AXS). Santana does thrive in these last man standing matches (I would also recommend checking out Mike Santana vs. JDC in a no-DQ match from a year or two ago for a hidden gem). Meanwhile, Nic Nemeth is back to his constant failed cash-ins from when he was Money in the Bank winner in WWE (which led to the “I’m here to show the world” memes).

At least they decoupled Nic from Ryan and he can linger as a main event heel force again, where TNA needs to strengthen up their upper card again. Side note, maybe for future TNA shows, you can make the drinking game gimmick of “take a shot every time TNA President Carlos Silva appears on TV”. I’m kidding, but it is funny how much and how random he shows up. Did he inherit Joe Hendry’s teleportation? Anyways, a much better impression of TNA compared to their AMC debut.

One negative of this show, is I think it did go a bit too long, with a lot of matches that didn’t “need” to be on PPV. That said, this also felt like an AEW show somewhat in a good and long way. What I mean by that is the match quality was solid top to bottom, and that Rich Swann vs. AJ Francis match did a great job kicking things off to a good start. There’s a good chance the crowd was exhausted at points, but I didn’t notice and they seemed to enhance the show. Overall, solid effort and I kinda hope they hit the reset button on a lot of their universe due to the fresh start on AMC. I’ll be by in a bit with my members exclusive audio review for the Dot Net Members and Patreon Patrons.