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Add FightsATW on GoogleThursday’s episode of TNA “iMPACT” featured a TNA World Championship match between titleholder Mike Santana and Rich Swann. Matt Hardy went one-on-one with Dutch of The Righteous. Nic Nemeth collided with one half of the TNA World Tag Team Champions, Bear Bronson. Plus, Xia Brookside opened up on her betrayal of Lei Ying Lee.
Nic Nemeth vs. Bear Bronson w/The System
Ryan Nemeth was a guest on commentary. Bear Bronson shoved Nic Nemeth to the corner and chopped him. Nemeth fought back before running into a scoop slam. Bronson delivered an elbow drop. He followed up with a spinebuster and a hip drop.
When the referee was distracted, Alisha Edwards choked Nemeth over the ropes. Bronson stayed in control with a side slam. Nemeth hit a back elbow and lured Bronson into the corner. He hit a series of lariats before punching his opponent in the corner. Bronson was dropped by a Famouser.
Nemeth measured Bronson for a superkick, but The System member caught the boot and landed a choke bomb. Bronson got sent into the corner post, allowing Nemeth to hit a big DDT. Bronson popped back up, but he was drilled by a superkick. Nemeth went for Danger Zone, but Bronson shoved him off and delivered a lariat.
Bronson hit a modified Death Valley Driver for the near fall. Nemeth was dumped outside of the ring, and The System swarmed. KC Navarro made his way out to distract The System. Ryan then put Nic back in the ring. This allowed Nemeth to hit a superkick and Danger Zone for the win.
Winner: Nic Nemeth
Rich Swann’s Final Words Before TNA World Title Match
Gia Miller was backstage with Rich Swann and BDE. She asked Swann how he was feeling before his world title match against Mike Santana. Swann said this opportunity is the reason why he’s been working so hard. Swann then asked BDE to take notes of the match backstage.
Elijah Ends Frankie Kazarian’s Mockery
Elijah was set to walk out for a concert, but Frankie Kazarian made his way out dressed as “The Drifer” instead. Kazarian mocked Elijah, calling him a homeless caveman. He then called Syracuse a “frozen dump.” He was going to perform “Kaz is my Daddy” when the real Elijah appeared in the ring. Elijah choked Kazarian out with a guitar strap. He proceeded with the real concert. He then challenged Kazarian to a guitar strap match.
EC3’s Feud With Eric Young Is Just Getting Started
EC3 addressed Eric Young attacking him after their quick match last week. He warned Young that he would use him to take the top one percent.
Real World vs. Undead Realm
Tessa Blanchard, Victoria Crawford, and Mila Moore reflected on their escape from the Undead Realm. Crawford and Moore tried making light of the situation, but Blanchard said next week there’s no more games. She suggested the trio face Rosemary, Allie, and Mara Sade.
Matt Hardy vs. Dutch
Jeff Hardy and Vincent were banned from ringside. Matt Hardy pulled out a table before the match even started. He set the table up outside the ring. Matt sprayed the word “sacrifice” on the table. Hardy and Dutch traded strikes at the start of the match. Hardy went for the Twist of Fate early, but Dutch countered. Dutch went for Death Walks, but Hardy avoided it and hit a Side Effect. Hardy sent Dutch crashing over the ring steps. He then rammed The Righteous member’s head into the steps numerous times.
Back from the break, Dutch was in control with a headlock. Dutch went for a splash, but Hardy moved out of the way. Dutch blocked the Twist of Fate, but Hardy settled for a DDT. He then landed the Twist of Fate. Dutch rolled to the outside, and Hardy placed him on the table he set up earlier.
Hardy climbed up the middle turnbuckle and hit an elbow drop, but the table did not break. Hardy stood the table up near the apron and put Dutch through it with a suplex. Back in the ring, the referee was focused on Dutch. Vincent appeared from under the ring and tossed a chair in the ring to distract the referee. Vincent shoved Hardy off the middle rope, allowing Dutch to hit Death Walks for the win.
Winner: Dutch
The Righteous started the post-match beatdown, but Jeff Hardy stormed down the ramp. Jeff planted Dutch with Twist of Fate. He then hit a Swanton Bomb on Dutch.
The Elegance Brand Granted Request by Daria Rae
The Elegance Brand showered Daria Rae with praise. The Personal Concierge told Rae he has a vision for Mr. Elegance. He called him a future champion. Ash requested a singles match for Mr. Elegance next week. Rae granted the request.
Xia Brookside Swerves Lei Ying Lee
Lei Ying Lee made her way out to look for an explanation for Xia Brookside’s betrayal at TNA “Rebellion.” Lee reflected on Brookside ending their friendship by costing her a chance of becoming a two-time TNA Women’s World Champion. Brookside entered the ring and grabbed a mic. She claimed Lee was the one in the wrong. Brookside got bitter over Lee “costing her” a title match against Arianna Grace by showing her the message of her father before the match.
Brookside said she’s done translating for Lee. She claimed she was alone, but Lee said they had each other. Lee said she never wanted to hurt Brookside’s feelings. She apologized to Brookside. Brookside claimed Stacks got in her ear prior to “Rebellion.” The two hugged in the ring, but Brookside struck Lee and rained down punches. She then took out Lee with a spike DDT.
Elayna Black vs. Katie Arquette
Elayna Black and Katie Arquette battled for position early on. Black slammed Arquette to the mat. Arquette responded with a hip toss. Black fired back with a clothesline. Black bragged on the apron, but Arquette met her right there. Black tripped her opponent and rammed her head on the apron. Arquette fought out of a headlock. She landed two shoulder tackles. Black landed a high knee, followed by The Black Out for the win.
Winner: Elayna Black
Mustafa Ali’s First International Title Defense Announced
Mustafa Ali held a TNA International Championship summit. He announced that he will be defending his gold against someone from Australia. Adam Brooks accepted the open challenge next week. Brooks called Ali a “flog.”
The System Vows to Correct Mistakes
The System was starting a backstage promo, but Bear Bronson was irate over his loss to Nic Nemeth earlier. Brian Myers said bad nights don’t last for The System. Cedric Alexander bragged about pinning Leon Slater in a handicap match last week. Alexander demanded an X Division title rematch. Eddie Edwards said The System owns their mistakes and always fixes them. Edwards said you can’t beat The System.
Mike Santana (c) vs. Rich Swann – for the TNA World Championship
Mike Santana and Rich Swann shook hands once the bell rang. They got into a tie-up, and Santana shoved Swann to the corner. The champion broke cleanly, and the action resumed in the center of the ring. Swann countered Santana to gain the edge in a wrist lock. Santana responded by gaining the dominant position.
Swann was lifted up and dumped down to the canvas. The challenger landed a monkey flip. Both men bridged out of simultaneous pin attempts. Swann landed a hurricanrana. The two reached a stalemate with double dropkick attempts. The challenger rocked the champion with a dropkick. Santana chopped Swann and hit a shotgun dropkick. Swann went for a headscissors, but the champion reversed into an Alabama Slam. Santana then connected with a senton.
The action spilled outside of the ring. Santana and Swann exchanged chops against the guardrail. Swann landed a huge kick to the jaw of the champion. He then ran around the ring and delivered another huge running boot. He then went for the third, but Santana had a superkick of his own.
Back in the ring, Santana went high-risk, but Swann caught him with a superkick. Swann went up the top rope, but Santana hit a super falcon arrow. Swann leaped over Santana, but the champion followed him and hit the Rolling Buck Fifty. Santana followed up with Outlined in Chalk and then a cannonball. Swann kicked out of a pin attempt after getting planted by a sitdown powerbomb. The challenger regained momentum with a swinging neckbreaker. He went for a 450 splash, but Santana moved. Swann hit a handspring cutter for a two-count.
The champion went to the top rope, but Swann hit him with a hurricanrana. The challenger landed a frog splash for a near fall. Santana hit a powerbomb and went for another, but Swann countered with a destroyer. Swann ran the ropes, but Santana landed Spin The Block for the victory.
This was an excellent main event and highly recommended to watch if you missed it.
Winner and still TNA World Champion: Mike Santana
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