This week’s TNA IMPACT marked the first live episode of the weekly program in eight years, with the NXT Tag Team Championship on the line, a former TNA champion returning to the company, a debut that saw the Digital Media Championship change hands, and a message from Joe Hendry leading to his first defense of the TNA World Championship since winning it at Genesis! All this and much more, as TNA invites you to Cross The Line!
The follow results for this LIVE edition of IMPACT are courtesy of TNAWrestling.com:
TNA iMPACT! is LIVE for the first time in 8 years, emanating from the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas!
Gia Miller interviews Director of Authority Santino Marella, who promises a few surprises as we make history tonight.
After defeating Nic Nemeth at Genesis to become TNA World Champion for the very first time, we kick things off with Joe Hendry in the ring! Hendry vows to be a fighting champion and will put his title on the line against anyone, from anywhere. Director of Authority Santino Marella reveals that someone has taken up Hendry on his offer – Matt Cardona! Hendry will make his first defense of the TNA World Title against Cardona TONIGHT!
Eric Young tells Steve Maclin that Josh Alexander is worth saving – but Maclin disagrees after Alexander’s heinous actions in recent months. Alexander appears and thanks the both of them, showing a different side than what we’ve seen in recent months.
Gia Miller interviews Nic Nemeth after losing the TNA World Title to Joe Hendry at Genesis. She’s confronted by his brother Ryan, before Nic reveals that he will address the world next week on iMPACT.
The Knockouts take center stage as Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich and Knockouts World Tag Team Champions Spitfire join forces against Rosemary and Ash & Heather By Elegance! It doesn’t take long before Rosemary has issues coexisting with Ash and Heather. Threat hits the ropes but Heather delivers a shot from the apron. Threat makes the tag to Slamovich, who goes on the attack. Luna hits Ash with a flurry of suplexes. In the middle of the match, NXT’s Cora Jade makes her way to ringside and hands Slamovich an envelope. Slamovich opens it and she’s been marked! Meanwhile, Ash rolls up Luna from behind to steal the victory.
Rosemary, Ash & Heather By Elegance def. Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich & Knockouts World Tag Team Champions Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat)
After quitting TNA this past Sunday at Genesis, Josh Alexander is in the ring alongside The Northern Armory. Alexander admits that he isn’t proud of what he’s done and the person he’s become over the past several months. Alexander reminisces about becoming a TNA fan when he was a child and says that it’s time for him to step away. Alexander parts ways with Judas Icarus and Travis Williams but out of nowhere, they attack him from behind until Eric Young comes to his aid. Young lays out a challenge – him and Alexander vs. Icarus and Williams next week!
The Hardys reignite their rivalry with The System as they battle Moose and JDC in tag team action! Moose and JDC jump them from behind to gain the advantage. The Hardys turn the tide momentarily but Alisha gets involved from the outside, allowing Moose to capitalize with a clothesline to Matt. JDC comes up empty on Down & Dirty from the top. Jeff avoids a Spear from Moose, then hits the Twist of Fate. Moments later, Matt takes out JDC with a Twist of Fate on the floor. Jeff puts Moose away with the Swanton Bomb to win.
TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) def. The System (X-Division Champion Moose & JDC) w/ Alisha Edwards
The lights go out and the mysterious number 23 appears once again – today’s date is January 23rd.
Sami Callihan is in the ring and calls out whoever is behind the number 23. Steph De Lander returns and announces that she won the Digital Media Championship in a divorce from her husband. De Lander introduces us to her boyfriend – Mance Warner! “The Southern Psycho” attacks Callihan from behind and drills him with the Digital Media Championship.
The official liaison between NXT and TNA, Arianna Grace, joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary for our next matchup.
History is made as the NXT Tag Team Titles are defended in a TNA ring for the first time ever – it’s time for Fraxiom vs. The Rascalz! Nathan Frazer and Zachary Wentz face off. Wentz hits a running knee in the corner, followed by a standing Shooting Star for two. Frazer sets up Axiom for a missile dropkick to Miguel. Frazer picks Wentz off the top with a Superplex, followed by a superkick from Axiom for two. Miguel handsprings Frazer off the apron. Wentz delivers a knee to the chin of Axiom and everyone is down. The Rascalz intercept Frazer with double mid-air superkicks. NXT’s Wes Lee distracts the referee, while his allies Tyriek and Tyson attack The Rascalz. Axiom capitalizes with a Spanish Fly to Miguel, followed by a Phoenix Splash from Frazer to win.
NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) def. The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) – NXT Tag Team Championship
Mike Santana addresses the iMPACT! Zone after his victory over Josh Alexander in an I Quit match at Genesis. Santana talks about how Alexander passed the torch to him as the new standard bearer of TNA. Santana sets his sights on capturing the TNA World Championship when Mustafa Ali makes his return! As Santana looks on, Ali announces that he’s signed with TNA Wrestling and stakes his claim to the title.
“The Undeniable Diamond” Tessa Blanchard joins us LIVE after defeating Jordynne Grace in her TNA in-ring return this past Sunday at Genesis. Blanchard speaks on the legacy of the her family, and how she was always destined for greatness. Blanchard delivers a confident message that she’s back, and she answers to no one!
TNA World Champion Joe Hendry vs. Matt Cardona – TNA World Championship
It’s main event time as Joe Hendry defends his newly-won TNA World Championship against Matt Cardona! Call Your Shot Trophy holder Frankie Kazarian joins Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on commentary. Hendry hits a delayed vertical suplex. Cardona sends Hendry crashing into the steel ring steps at ringside. Back in the ring, Hendry tries to build momentum but Cardona shuts him down. Hendry powers out of a headlock to create separation. Cardona counters the Standing Ovation into a Straight Jacket for two. Cardona connects with the Reboot in the corner. Cardona inadvertently takes out the referee. Hendry has Cardona beat with a pop-up powerbomb but there’s no referee to make the count. Cardona delivers a low blow. John Layfield makes another appearance, levelling Cardona with a Clothesline from Hell.
Cardona hits Hendry with the TNA World Title but Hendry kicks out at two. Hendry bounces back with the Standing Ovation to score the victory.
TNA World Champion Joe Hendry def. Matt Cardona – TNA World Championship
Joe Hendry celebrates as TNA iMPACT! goes off the air.
Next Thursday on an all-new TNA iMPACT: Eric Young and Josh Alexander vs. The Northern Armory, Mustafa Ali in action, we’ll hear from TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth, NXT’s Wes Lee vs. Ace Austin, and so much more!
Following this week’s TNA IMPACT, PWInsider reported that the company was very happy with the live broadcast and hoping to present the show live “at least once a month going forward.”
Ali’s return to the company is said to kick off a program with Mike Santana, after interrupting the “new standard of TNA” on the program to announce he signed with the company.
Kazarian’s appearance at ringside in the main event came after news that he had re-signed with TNA as well.
Nathan Frazer posted the following on social media, following his defense of the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Axiom:
Regarding PCO’s situation after the events of last weekend, PWInsider noted that the (now former) Digital Media Champion has been removed from the TNA roster after last wrestling for the company in December.
TNA has not commented on PCO at all, even privately, with the title having now been replaced as Stephanie De Lander declared herself the new champion on IMPACT.
Tully Blanchard was in attendance for tonight’s show, reportedly involved in filming material with daughter Tessa backstage.