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Add FightsATW on GoogleHistory was at stake during Thursday’s episode of TNA “iMPACT.” Leon Slater put the TNA X Division Championship at stake against Cedric Alexander in a 2 out of 3 falls match. With a win, Leon Slater would become the longest-reigning TNA X Division Champion. Also, a No. 1 contender battle royal for a shot at the TNA World Championship opened “iMPACT.”
TNA World Championship No. 1 Contender Battle Royal
The likes of Elijah, Bear Bronson, Brian Myers, and even ECW veteran Mustafa Saed were featured in the battle royal. Saed immediately nailed Bronson with a trash can lid to the head. He even hit Frankie Kazarian with a steel chain. Special Agent Zero traded strikes with Saed before tossing him over the top rope. Dutch of The Righteous and Agent Zero then went to war. Agent Zero ran into Death Walks. Everyone in the battle royal teamed up to eliminate Agent Zero and Dutch. Mr. Elegance eliminated BDE, but he ended up being tossed over the top rope by The Home Town Man.
Myers was eliminated by The Home Town Man. John Skyler and Vincent were also eliminated. Elijah knocked Jason Hotch off the ring apron with a high knee for another elimination. Kazarian got rid of The Home Town Man, but Elijah sent him over the top rope. Kazarian tried to distract Elijah, but he ended up tossing Bronson and Eddie Edwards. Elijah and Eric Young were the final two men. They fought on the apron before Young delivered a low blow for the final elimination.
Winner: Eric Young
Leon Slater Promises to Make History
Gia Miller got a word with Leon Slater, who was asked about chasing history. Slater said he’s never been more ready. He said it’s a chance to draw the line between who he was and who he will become. He said he will go from the youngest to the greatest. Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy walked in to encourage Slater. The three embraced to end the interview segment.
Mustafa Ali Isn’t Happy With Order 4
Mustafa Ali and Order 4 requested an interview time with Gia Miller. Ali was disappointed in his faction. Ali revealed his TNA International Championship open challenge will continue before he stormed off. Miller then congratulated Jason Hotch on his efforts. Eric Young stormed in and vowed to end Mike Santana’s reign as the TNA World Champion.
Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside on Collision Course
Newly minted TNA Knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee made her way out for an in-ring promo. Fans greeted Lee with “You deserve it” chants. Lee said it was the best night of her life when she defeated Arianna Grace to become a two-time TNA Knockouts World Champion. Lee thanked the fans for giving her the strength to push forward.
Lee’s former friend Xia Brookside interrupted her. Brookside vowed to take Lee’s title sooner or later. Lee then vowed to give Brookside a beatdown on the spot, but Brookside backed down. Brookside said she’s already destroyed Lee emotionally and mentally, but soon she will do the same physically.
The System Takes Credit for Moose’s Injury
The System took credit for taking out Moose backstage at the end of last week’s episode of “iMPACT.” Brian Myers said Moose is weak, and he was broken for it. Alisha Edwards had to calm Bear Bronson down after he fell short in the battle royal earlier. Cedric Alexander threatened to spoil Leon Slater’s bid for history.
Keith Jardine Meets The Elegance Brand
Gia Miller was at ringside to interview former UFC fighter Keith Jardine. Jardine discussed “Over Your Dead Body.” The Personal Concierge and Mr. Elegance interrupted the interview. M and Ash by Elegance also appeared. The Personal Concierge suggested Jardine was jealous of Mr. Elegance.
Jardine said Mr. Elegance made him want to puke before having a choice word to describe the Elegance Brand. Security intervened before things got physical.
AJ Francis vs. KC Navarro – Sactown Street Fight
Athletics play-by-play announcer Chris Caray was a guest commentator. KC Navarro immediately ducked a clothesline and hit a unique 619 with Francis slumped over the ring apron. Navarro went for a table, but Francis thwarted him and shoved the table back under the ring.
Navarro countered Down Payment and went for a hurricanrana, but Francis looked for a Styles Clash reversal. Navarro slipped out and hit the 305. Navarro went for a suicide dive, but he got caught by Francis. Navarro countered with a DDT on the floor. He pulled out the table and set it up outside of the ring.
Francis sent his former stablemate crashing into the ring steps. Navarro avoided another Down Payment attempt, and he delivered a steel chair to the back.
Back from the commercial break, Francis launched Navarro into the ring post. Francis then snapped a baseball bat out of Caray’s hands. Navarro avoided disaster and threw Francis into the post. Caray then gave Navarro a helmet. Navarro struck Francis with the bat multiple times. With Francis in the corner, Navarro placed a trash can in front of him and landed a basement dropkick. Navarro hit a Famouser for a near fall. He then placed the trash can over Francis’ head and delivered another shot with the bat. Navarro grabbed some chairs and placed them in the ring.
Navarro placed the seated chairs in the ring and put Francis on them. Navarro went high-risk, but Francis cracked him with the bat. Francis attempted an avalanche Down Payment, but Navarro countered with a cutter onto the chairs for a two-count. Francis turned the tide with a big boot before finally landing Down Payment through two tables outside of the ring. Francis tossed Navarro in the ring and scored the pin.
Winner: AJ Francis
Mike Santana’s Next Title Challenger Isn’t Eric Young
TNA World Champion Mike Santana was in the ring to respond to Eric Young’s No. 1 contender win earlier in the night. He said Young is a “foundational pillar” of TNA, but he’s beaten tons of names with that reputation. Santana reminded Young that he is the gold standard of TNA Wrestling.
Daria Rae then made her way out. She delivered a sarcastic congratulatory message to Santana. Rae revealed that Young isn’t the next contender. She got off the phone with TNA doctors and said that Steve Maclin has been medically cleared to return. Santana will put the TNA World Championship at stake against Maclin next week.
Santino Marella’s music then hit. Marella said Indi Hartwell has signed a new contract with TNA Wrestling. Santana had enough of the bickering between Marella and Rae and said it doesn’t matter who shares the ring with him because they’ll get hit with Spin The Block.
Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford w/Tessa Blanchard vs. Rosemary and Allie w/Mara Sade
Rosemary and Mila Moore got the match started. Moore took too much time trash-talking and got choked in the corner. Rosemary even bit Moore on the forehead before Allie took a bite of her own. Allie was tagged in and hit a double-team move with Rosemary. Moore was popped by a running knee.
Tessa Blanchard got involved by pulling Allie’s foot. This allowed Moore to knock Allie off the middle rope. Victoria Crawford got the tag and tossed Allie across the ring. Moore and Crawford hit double knees on Allie in the corner.
Allie rebounded with a swinging neckbreaker. Rosemary got the tag, and she delivered two clotheslines to Crawford. She then connected with a sling blade. Crawford was planted by an exploder suplex. She lifted Rosemary up, but was countered by a reverse DDT. Mara Sade delivered a superkick to Blanchard outside of the ring.
Allie delivered a Death Valley Driver to Moore outside of the ring. Back in the ring, Rosemary took out Crawford with As Above, So Below for the win.
Winners: Rosemary and Allie
Matt Hardy Challenges Vincent
“Broken” Matt Hardy said The Righteous freed the monsters out of the “broken universe.” He also said Jeff Hardy has unlocked his Brother Nero persona. Matt invited Vincent to a match next week.
2 out of 3 Falls Match: Leon Slater (c) vs. Cedric Alexander – for the TNA X Division Championship
The challenger charged at the champion right away. Leon Slater went for a quick Styles Clash, but Cedric Alexander looked for the Lumbar Check. Slater caught Alexander in a pin reversal for the quick first fall. TNA “iMPACT” went to a commercial break with Slater up 1-0.
First Fall: Leon Slater
Alexander was back in control when the break was over. Slater found himself perched on the top rope. Alexander then applied a submission before driving the TNA X Division Champion’s back onto his knee. The two engaged in a chop battle before Alexander delivered a strike to drop Slater.
Slater popped Alexander with a high kick, followed by two clotheslines. Alexander was nailed by a big boot in the corner. Slater went to the top turnbuckle, but Alexander moved out of the way. Slater rebounded and hit a flying crossbody. Slater and Alexander traded pin attempts before the champion ran into a Michinoku Driver.
The champion had some blood from his nose. Alexander got his first fall with a Lumbar Check going into the final commercial break.
Second Fall: Cedric Alexander
Alexander was knocked off the ring apron with a big boot. This allowed the champion to land Big Play Slater. Alexander looked to rebound with a hurricanrana off the top rope, but Slater countered with an avalanche Styles Clash for a near fall.
Alexander knocked Slater out of the ring, and the champion’s knee got hung up on the middle rope. The challenger tossed Slater into the ring steps. Alexander grabbed the TNA X Division Championship and posed with it. Slater was busted open after the spot on the steps. Back in the ring, Slater nearly got a small package pinfall, but Alexander dropped him with a brainbuster. Alexander hit a second Lumbar Check, but Slater kicked out this time.
Slater then planted the challenger with a throwaway Blue Thunder Bomb. Slater missed the Swanton 450. Alexander hit a third Lumbar Check and then a fourth to capture the TNA X Division Championship.
Winner and New TNA X Division Champion: Cedric Alexander
Fabian Aichner Makes TNA Debut
The lights went out as Cedric Alexander was celebrating. Fabian Aichner then made a surprise appearance. He made it clear he’s going after Alexander’s TNA X Division Championship.
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