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Add FightsATW on GoogleOne week after Leon Slater failed to make history by falling one day short of breaking the record for the longest-reigning TNA X Division Champion in history, newly crowned titleholder Cedric Alexander shared some words about derailing “The Youngest in Charge’s” place in the record books on TNA “iMPACT.” Plus, TNA World Champion Mike Santana put his gold at stake against Steve Maclin after their first meeting at “TNA Sacrifice” was cut short.
The System’s Celebration Ruined by Fabian Aichner
The System got Thursday’s episode of TNA “iMPACT” started. Eddie Edwards called The System the most dominant force in TNA history. He praised Cedric Alexander’s statement-making title win over Leon Slater. Edwards said the win signifies that the wrestling industry belongs to their faction.
Edwards urged Mike Santana to watch his back because he still has his eyes on the TNA World Championship. Brian Myers called Edwards a future TNA Hall of Famer. Bear Bronson then grabbed the mic and said anyone who steps up to The System gets taken out.
Finally, Alexander had a chance to speak. He gloated about ruining Slater’s chance of becoming the longest-reigning TNA X Division Champion. He is now calling himself “The Record Taker,” and he even has a new shirt to honor that nickname. Alexander took exception to Fabian Aichner trying to steal his spotlight at the end of last week’s episode of “iMPACT.”
Aichner made his way out and said he’s in TNA to make a name for himself. He said the bigger the obstacle, the better he becomes. Aichner vowed to become a future TNA titleholder.
The System went after Aichner, but he began picking them off one by one. Aichner slipped out of a Lumbar Check and locked in a submission before The System pulled Alexander out of the ring.
Daria Rae Plays Favorites With Steve Maclin
Daria Rae spoke to Steve Maclin backstage. She claimed the TNA brass wanted to erase Maclin. Rae said she always saw value in Maclin. She claimed Maclin would be a better world champion than Mike Santana.
Indi Hartwell vs. Elayna Black
Arianna Grace and Stacks joined the commentary desk for the match. Indi Hartwell immediately took Elayna Black down with a clothesline. Black went for a high knee strike in the corner, but she was thwarted. Hartwell then delivered a big boot. Hartwell went for a punch combination in the corner, but Black dumped her outside of the ring.
Back in the ring, Black nailed a high knee in the corner for a near fall. Hartwell fought out of a headlock and fired back with two clotheslines and a spinebuster. Hartwell went up the top turnbuckle, but Stacks distracted the referee. Grace shoved Hartwell to the mat, but the referee saw it and called for the disqualification.
Winner by DQ: Indi Hartwell
Santino Marella and Stacks Nearly Brawl
After the match, Arianna Grace dumped Indi Hartwell out of the ring and blamed Santino Marella for losing the TNA Knockouts World Championship. Marella made his way out and said his daughter’s actions have been classless, and he even called her a brat. Marella then said he’s had enough of Stacks.
Marella was about to pull out the Cobra, but Rae made her presence felt yet again. Rae said if Stacks and Marella want to fight, they need to do it the formal way and request the match to the TNA brass.
The Elegance Brand Has a Big Problem
The Elegance Brand were in the dressing room without Ash. The lights went out and “See You Soon” was written on the mirror. The message was delivered by Rosemary, Allie, and Mara Sade.
Matt Hardy w/Jeff Hardy vs. Vincent w/Dutch
Before The Hardys made their entrance, Vincent had something to say. He questioned why The Hardys’ theme was playing instead of “Broken” Matt’s theme. Vincent then went up the ramp before getting his wish.
Per the stipulation of the match, Jeff Hardy and Dutch were handcuffed to the ring posts. Matt delivered a series of knees to Vincent and bit him. He then knocked The Righteous member off the ring apron. Vincent looked for the Sliced Bread, but Matt shoved him off. When the referee wasn’t looking, Dutch tripped Matt.
Matt fired back and rammed Vincent’s head into the turnbuckles. He then hit a sit-down powerbomb for a two-count. Vincent faked an ankle injury and looked to hit Matt with his boot, but he was thwarted. Matt then bit Vincent’s toes. Vincent ran into a Side Effect, but he kicked out at two.
Vincent rammed Matt into the corner to avoid a Twist of Fate attempt. Dutch assisted Vincent on a pin attempt, but Matt managed to kick out. Vincent climbed the top turnbuckle, but Matt bit his finger and tossed him down. Matt went for another Twist of Fate, but Vincent shoved him into the referee. With the official down, Vincent grabbed the key to try to uncuff Dutch, but the lights went out.
When the lights returned, Willow appeared and hit Vincent with two umbrella shots. Matt hit Twist of Fate for the victory.
Winner: Matt Hardy
Elijah Shuts Down AJ Francis’ Proposal
Elijah was playing a tune backstage when AJ Francis walked in. Francis suggested a collaboration with Elijah musically. Elijah said he’s a drifter and he walks alone. Francis took exception to being rejected.
TNA Champions Challenge Returns
Santino Marella was backstage and announced the return of the Champions Challenge. There will be one for the men’s division and one for the women’s division. Daria Rae once again barged in to speak. Rae revealed Marella will face Stacks next week.
The System then walked in. Eddie Edwards asked Rae for a singles match against Fabian Aichner next week. Rae approved Edwards’ request.
Mustafa Ali (c) w/Order 4 vs. Chazz “Starboy” Hall – for the TNA International Championship
Chazz “Starboy” Hall had some words in a pre-recorded video prior to the title match. He vowed to leave Mustafa Ali starstruck.
Ali and Hall displayed their athleticism early on. The champion got a bit too cocky and was almost rolled up. Ali chopped Hall in the corner and mocked him. “Starboy” landed a spinning heel kick on Ali. Hall went for a monkey flip, but Ali placed him on the top turnbuckle.
Hall avoided damage by landing an armdrag, followed by a dive to the outside. John Skyler got on the apron, allowing Ali to hit a cutter. With “Starboy” perched on the top rope, Ali went for a Razor’s Edge, but he was countered by a hurricanrana. Hall landed a springboard head scissors.
“Starboy” then landed a springboard tornado DDT, followed by Cosmic Swirl for a near fall. Hall whiffed on Sliced Bread, but he landed a superkick. Ali countered a handspring attempt from Hall with a bridge pin for the victory.
Winner and still TNA International Champion: Mustafa Ali
Keith Jardine Meets A New Ally
Keith Jardine and Santino Marella exchanged pleasantries backstage. Mara Sade then introduced herself to “The Dean of Mean.” She revealed she’ll be in the Champions Challenge. Sade offered Jardine to be in her corner, and the former UFC star accepted.
Eric Young Manipulates Steve Maclin
Eric Young approached Steve Maclin before his world title match. Young said he offered Maclin a real opportunity, and he turned it down. He reminded Maclin that he was once fired before he turned himself into who he wanted him to become. Young claimed Santana tried to end his career.
Young said the winner of tonight’s world title match will have to face him. He claimed he’s always told Maclin the truth. Young said Maclin’s fate is in his hands.
Xia Brookside vs. Jada Stone
Xia Brookside shoved Jada Stone to the corner and choked her immediately. Stone delivered a headlock takedown. She transitioned into a cradle pin attempt. Brookside left the ring to regroup. Brookside looked to target her opponent’s leg, but Stone got to the bottom rope.
Brookside grabbed Stone’s foot, but her opponent freed herself with a backflip. Stone delivered a basement single-leg dropkick. Stone looked for a moonsault, but Brookside yanked her down to the canvas. Brookside then weakened the leg of Stone with elbow drops. She used the bottom rope to do more damage to the leg.
Stone found herself in an Indian Deathlock. Brookside moved towards a full mount position and mocked Stone. Stone fired back with clotheslines. Brookside ate a kick to the side of the head and was hit with the split-legged moonsault. Stone tried to lift her opponent, but the left leg gave out.
Brookside was nailed by a Codebreaker. Stone went for the Spark Stunner, but Brookside kicked her left knee and hit Darkside for the win.
Winner: Xia Brookside
Stacks and Arianna Grace Warn Santino Marella
Arianna Grace and Stacks vowed to expose Santino Marella next week. Stacks claimed Marella was the true bad influence. Grace called her father a comedy act. Stacks claimed Grace doesn’t need Marella in her life anymore.
Mike Santana (c) vs. Steve Maclin – for the TNA World Championship
Mike Santana and Steve Maclin immediately traded punches. Maclin avoided the same superkick that knocked him out at TNA “Sacrifice.” The challenger knocked the champion down with a back elbow. Santana ate three chops, but he landed a forearm. Santana then connected with a shotgun dropkick.
Santana went for a dive, but Maclin moved out of harm’s way. The champion then climbed up the top rope and dove onto Maclin anyway. Maclin rebounded and sent Santana crashing into the ring post twice. He pulled a table from under the ring and set it up. Santana sold a knee injury after leaping off the ring steps, and Maclin capitalized with a chop block.
Maclin had Santana trapped on the middle rope and delivered a dropkick to the injured leg going into a commercial break. Back from the break, Santana countered Maclin’s figure-four leglock attempt. Santana reversed Maclin’s kick attempt in the corner with an enzuigiri.
Maclin avoided Spin The Block and The Rolling Buck Fifty. He went for Caught in the Crosshairs, but Santana moved and hit the Rolling Buck Fifty for a close two-count. Maclin ran into a popup powerbomb. Santana then landed a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall.
The challenger once again avoided Spin The Block and planted the champion with an Olympic Slam. Maclin nearly won the world title after spiking the head of Santana with a driver. Maclin went for another Caught in the Crosshairs, and this time he landed it.
Maclin looked to superplex Santana onto the table outside of the ring. Santana kicked the challenger off the top turnbuckle, and Maclin went through the table. Santana then hit the frog splash for a two-count. Santana set up for Spin The Block, but Maclin collapsed in front of him.
Maclin was playing possum and he delivered a superkick for a near fall. He went for the K.I.A., but Santana caught him with a leaping clothesline. The champion then hit Spin The Block for another successful title defense.
Winner and still TNA World Champion: Mike Santana
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