The first episode of “TNA iMPACT” in 2026 aired on Thursday, and there was a TNA World Championship match in the main event. Titleholder Frankie Kazarian put his gold at stake against Bear Bronson, who pulled off an upset battle royal win to earn his championship opportunity. The Angel Warriors were also featured on the show, and they collided with Heather and M by Elegance. Also, The Righteous shared some words after their ominous show-closing segment with Matt Hardy last week.
The Angel Warriors vs. Heather and M by Elegance
M by Elegance mocked Lei Ying Lee’s karate style, and she got put in a leg lock for her efforts. Xia Brookside was tagged in, and she hit Angel Wings. Heather by Elegance had some illegal contact, which halted Brookside’s momentum.
Lee chopped down M with a series of kicks, followed by a knee to the jaw. The Angel Warriors teamed up for a leg sweep into an elbow drop combination. M popped Brookside with a superkick.
Dani Luna appeared out of nowhere and sent Lee crashing into the ring post, and the referee didn’t notice. The Elegance Brand then pinned Brookside after landing a bow and arrow dropkick.
Winners: Heather and M by Elegance
Santino Marella is Distraught
Gia Miller walked into Santino Marella’s office, and the TNA director of authority said he wasn’t ready to respond to Arianna Grace’s betrayal. He then handed Miller a note to reveal on the show later on, which ended up being some match announcements for “TNA Genesis.”
Mustafa Ali w/Order 4 vs. The Hometown Man
The Hometown Man gained some steam early on. He planted Mustafa Ali with a spinning TKO, followed by the hometown elbow drop and a bulldog. John Skyler and Jason Hotch distracted The Hometown Man on the apron, allowing Ali to strike his opponent in the corner.
Ali then climbed up the top turnbuckle and landed the 450 splash to secure the pinfall.
Winner: Mustafa Ali
After the match, The Great Hands held The Hometown Man down. Ali grabbed a chair and was ready to strike when the start of Elijah’s theme played. Elijah initially appeared on stage, but he snuck up behind Ali and nearly took him out with a guitar.
Elijah then played a song for The Hometown Man.
The Rascalz Get Major Opportunity
The Rascalz had a discussion backstage. Zachary Wentz joked that Dezmond Xavier blew his chance at getting the TNA X Division Championship. Wentz questioned who would speak to Santino Marella. The whole group went into his office and asked if one of them could get an X Division title shot.
Marella then booked a match between members of The Rascalz, with the winner getting a title opportunity.
Arianna Grace Explains Her Actions
Arianna Grace was with Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo and other “NXT” outsiders on stage. Grace bragged about betraying Santino Marella. She said she’s been in her father’s shadow for too long. Grace said she was tired of solely being looked at as Marella’s daughter.
Grace revealed that she has a grudge with Marella over the brief time she wasn’t booked on TNA TV. She vowed to stand by “Stacks” from here on. Lorenzo said Grace called her daddy before the two kissed.
Tessa Blanchard, Victoria Crawford, and Mila Moore w/Robert Stone vs. Indi Hartwell, Jody Threat, and Jada Stone
Jody Threat had clotheslines in the corner for both Victoria Crawford and Mila Moore. Threat lifted Crawford up and slammed her onto Moore. Stone used her partners for leverage and hit a somersault on the field.
Stone hit a standing moonsault on Moore. Robert Stone caused a distraction, allowing Moore to swing things in her favor. Blanchard entered the ring and slammed Stone down to the mat with a scoop slam. Indi Hartwell was tagged in, and she landed a spinebuster on Moore. Threat hit a driver on Moore, but Blanchard delivered a kick. Blanchard got nailed with a big boot from Hartwell.
Robert Stone got involved again. Blanchard bit one of her opponents and hit Magnum. Moore then pinned Jada Stone for the win.
Winners: Tessa Blanchard, Victoria Crawford, and Mila Moore
The Hardys Want to Fight The Righteous
The Righteous made their way out to the ring. Vincent said, “The Righteous gathers with purpose, not violence.” Vincent said The Righteous gave Matt Hardy what he wanted last week, and that was a safe space when he was down. Vincent then said he’s been watching Jeff Hardy all of his life, and he claimed it was just a reflection of him.
The Hardys interrupted and weren’t very happy with The Righteous hauling Matt Hardy somewhere without consent. The Hardys proposed a TNA World Tag Team Championship match against The Righteous. Vincent and Dutch insisted they didn’t want to fight The Hardys.
Matt told The Righteous that he wants them out of their lives.
Zachary Wentz vs. Trey Miguel vs. Myron Reed – TNA X Division Championship No. 1 Contender Match
Leon Slater was a guest commentator for this No. 1 contender match. The three Rascalz members all attempted sneak pins early. Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel, and Myron Reed all exchanged arm drags. Reed leaped over the top rope to land a leg drop on Miguel.
Wentz delivered a kick to the side of Reed’s head, followed by a corkscrew crossbody. Reed and Miguel landed a double-team move on Wentz. Reed bounced Miguel off the top rope and tossed him into Wentz’s neckbreaker. Wentz went for a draping DDT on Reed, but Miguel landed a blockbuster.
Miguel hit an aerial move on Reed. Wentz delivered a high knee, followed by the UFO cutter. Reed took advantage with a springboard 450 to score the win.
Winner: Myron Reed
One More System Dance for JDC
All members of The System entered the ring, JDC said things were going to get weird in his retirement match against Eddie Edwards at “Genesis.” JDC requested one last team match with The System. JDC revealed that next week, it’ll be The System taking on Cedric Alexander, Leon Slater, and The Hardys.
The Righteous Makes Things Personal
Gia Miller asked The Hardys for their thoughts on facing The System next week. Matt Hardy said it’s the perfect way to get prepared for the TNA on AMC debut. The Hardys found that The Righteous had decorated their locker room with personal images.
Frankie Kazarian (c) vs. Bear Bronson – for the TNA World Championship
Bear Bronson immediately nailed Frankie Kazarian with a clothesline. He then delivered chops to Kazarian and then a back body drop. The champion looked for an exit, but Bronson tossed him back in the ring. Kazarian gained the upper hand when he caught the challenger in a guillotine leg drop.
Bronson looked to rebound, but he was dropped by a clothesline. The challenger intercepted a sunset flip attempt and connected with a hip drop. The champion was dropped by a back suplex. Bronson landed an Oklahoma slam for a near fall. Kazarian countered a chokeslam with a DDT. The challenger knocked Kazarian off the apron and landed a suicide dive. The champion planted Bronson with a scoop slam onto the steps. Back in the ring, Kazarian went for a springboard leg drop, but Bronson reversed with a pin attempt.
Bronson went for a powerbomb, but his back gave out. This allowed Kazarian to hit Fade to Black for the win.
Winner and still TNA World Champion: Frankie Kazarian
After the match, Mike Santana entered through the crowd. He revealed that he will be challenging Kazarian for the TNA World Championship on Jan. 15 during the AMC debut.
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