A new era in TNA’s rich history began tonight under the AMC banner, following their departure from AXS TV— the company’s home since 2019 before leveling up on this three-year distribution deal. With tonight’s launch marking nearly twenty-two years from the company’s original TV debut in June of 2004, though it has existed in many different forms since, making TNA the second-longest existing wrestling promotion in North America to have a media rights deal of this magnitude.
Following a six-year rebranding era under the name ‘Impact Wrestling’ (2017-2024), it is important to note that the current company has completely revamped itself from the promotion with a wacky reputation. Strategic, smart business moves went into securing TNA a place within the current wrestling landscape, and none have paid off more than their association with WWE/NXT.
For the network’s part, AMC treated this debut like a very big deal with a countdown on the network displayed on all programming several hours from showtime—The Equalizer with Denzel Washington was the film leading into the 9 pm ET program appropriately named “Thursday Night iMPACT” at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas.
FRANKIE KAZARIAN(c) VS MIKE SANTANA
Former TNA world champion Bully Ray was brought out to be the third man on commentary for the world title main event between champion Frankie Kazarian and the man he took the title from, Mike Santana. The way Kazarian secured the world title was based on chaos, and tonight’s narrative mirrors that November show where he cashed in on his “Call Your Shot Gauntlet” prize.
On this night, however, it was Nic Nemeth waiting in the wings to play spoiler with the “Call Your Shot Gauntlet” trophy.
Santana and Kazarian started the match hot with a very appreciative crowd responding to every offensive sequence. Santana was in control after hitting a ‘Canadian Destroyer’ for the near fall, but Kazarian pulled out ‘Angel Wings’ to sap Mike’s momentum. The action was back-and-forth for the next few exchanges until Frankie hit a springboard cutter into a leg drop for a near fall of his own.
It was after that the champ figured he would need to pull some ‘veteran tactics’ to get this thing finished. The ref took a bump after Kazarian illegally introduced the world title into the situation. Mike gained control of the action and decided to check on the ref, and that is when Kazarian grabbed the belt once again and this time smashed Santana’s head with it.
Kazarian attempted the pin just as the ref was revived, but the challenger kicked out at the last moment. Then, after Santana no-sold Frankie’s own ‘Canadian Destroyer,’ he hit his “Spin the Block” finisher, and Kazarian beat the three with a very rare kickout of that move.
It was anyone’s match at the end, it seemed, but a second “Spin the Block” would put away the champion for good as Mike Santana became TNA world champion for the 2nd time in his career.
AJ GOES OUT IN STYLES
It did not take long for AJ Styles to remind us that he is one of the contractors who helped build the company, including its current position. Styles, who was promoted for the show this week, launched “Thursday Night Impact” on AMC with a brief appearance in the form of the coach’s cold-open pep-talk (imagine AJ in the Paul Levesque role for the promotion one day).
He promised great wrestling to the Texas crowd that cheered his every word so loudly that it made it difficult to pick up his early promo.
AJ kept it brief, leaving the crowd wanting more, but his ‘show arch’ was just beginning as he later interrupted a backstage interview with TNA world champion Frankie Kazarian. Styles and Kazarian have a history that dates back to TNA’s ‘golden age,’ so seeing them interact would have been enough for the cheap pop.
However, as Kazarian marked his territory by telling AJ he should thank the champ ‘for the house’ (a reference to the show’s attendance), and before AJ responded with a sarcastic “thank you,” he eyed the TNA title up and down on Frankie’s shoulder.
The next time we saw AJ, he was in the locker room talking to former TNA champ Mike Santana ahead of his world title rematch with the very man who took it from him.
THE HARDY BOYZ & ELIJAH VS ORDER 4—Six-Man Tag Team Match
It was some smart producing/booking to send out one of wrestling’s most recognizable teams, The Hardy Boyz, teaming with Elijah to take on Order 4, led by their founder, Mustafa Ali. The match started hot with a big multi-man spot off the corner turnbuckle,
The Hardy Boyz picked up the win, and even though Jeff Hardy officially picked up the pinfall win for his team, it was a group effort as Elijah sent the opponent into Matt’s ‘Twist of Fate’ before Jeff hit the ‘Swantom Bomb.” The finish did not work for Ali as Agent Zero immediately began attacking Jeff.
Number one contenders for the Hardy’s TNA tag team titles, The Righteous (Dutch and Vincent), came out to, at first, help their opponents for ‘Genesis’ (TNA’s first PPV of the year). But it became clear very quickly that The Righteous were merely protecting their own date for violence. The challengers yelled in the champs’ faces and left them demoralized ahead of their upcoming title match.
THE IINSPIRATION(c) VS THE ELEGANCE BRAND—TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
The former champs in The Elegance Brand reclaimed the titles on the night that they debuted ‘Mr. Elegance’ in front of the AMC audience, and, not so coincidentally, Mr. Elegance would help M by taking out the knee of Jessie McKay, and the interference directly led to the title change.
TNA KNOCKOUT CHAMPION GETS HER NXT CHALLENGER
Lei Ying Lee was scheduled to defend her knockout title against Dani Luna before she became injured and could no longer compete ahead of their TNA Genesis date. Santino announced the cancellation before announcing that Lee agreed to an ‘open challenge’ for the Sunday show.
Sol Ruca and Zaria received full entrances on their way to the ring to claim the open challenge. Sol Ruca was on fire last year, culminating in a spot on John Cena’s final show where she defeated former WWE women’s world champion Bayley, and so maybe she was considering all of that success (not to mention the bright future on the main roster one day) when she announced that Zaria should be the one to receive the opportunity.
The contract was quickly signed, and now Zaria will challenge for Lee’s title at TNA Genesis.
Other Tidbits
- TNA’s X and Knockouts divisions, respectively, received amazing promo videos selling their distinct title histories.
- DFW’s finest was in the building for this huge event as Vergil Ortiz was out repping Texas ahead of his ‘maybe fight’ with “Boots” Ennis. Eric Young and Candice Michelle were in the building repping for the TNA OGs.
- In what will go down as one of the best celebrity spots used on weekly TV in 2026, Zahn McClarnon of Dark Winds fame hit Ryan Nemieth with a chop that knocked the highlights off his head.
- Daria Rae, the former Sonya Deville in WWE, debuted tonight and was introduced by the ‘Director of Authority’ himself, Santino Marella. Rae played it sweet at first, before later announcing an authority coup. She said TNA did not need Santino before announcing that she already signed a ‘Knockout’ for the roster—that is when Elayna Black made her entrance in a re-debut of the former ‘Cora Jade’ in WWE.
- A CM Punk movie trailer was played during the show’s commercial. The film, “Night Patrol,” is a vampire-police movie starring Justin Long and Jermaine Fowler, though Freddie Gibbs and YG will certainly add to the movie’s star power.
- Dirty Dango (JDC) announced that he will debut the newest member of ‘The System’ faction in this, his ‘final dance’ at Genesis. He had an emotional promo on stage with Eddie Edwards in the segment leading into the main event.
- TNA President Carlos Silva brought out Dixie Carter to mixed reactions from the crowd (but a pop is a pop). The former head of TNA was a controversial figure in her time at the helm, but it was all love tonight as she and Bully Ray squashed their longtime beef in front of the crowd.
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