Coming off of what was a TNA match of the year candidate, in last week’s main event…and a generally really good episode, I may be getting my hopes up. I tend to like to go into most things expecting the worst, so it’s hard to be disappointed. But TNA is starting to put competent shows together again after a few weeks of dog water.

Let’s find out if things stay interesting or if drink myself into a coma tonight.

.@MeanGiaMiller catches up with @FrankieKazarian ahead of TONIGHT’S first-ever Walk With @_Iam_Elijah_ Guitar Strap Match! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/iucrqgqHgJ

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 1, 2026

Ratings:

• Jeff Hardy vs Vincent: Jeff wins via Swanton Bomb – ** 3/4
• TNA International Championship: Adam Brooks vs Mustafa Ali (c) w/Order 4: Ali retains via 450 – ***
• Mara Sade, Rosemary & Allie vs Diamond Collective (Tessa Blanchard, Mila Moore, Victoria Crawford): Allie wins via Codebreaker – ***
• Home Town Man vs Mr. Elegance w/Elegance Brand: Mr. E wins via Excusez Moi – t(-_-)o
• Walk With Elijah Match: Elijah vs Frankie Kazarian: Elijah wins via 4 Corners – *** 1/4

Results:

Jeff Hardy vs Vincent

Oh no awful talking segment to open the show, we go straight into the entrances. That’s nice to see.

Jeff tosses his shirt or whatever and instantly bull rushes Vincent. A few quick strikes, a Snapmare and Jeff wants a quick Swanton, but Vinny powders. Jeff splashes Vinny, rolls him back in, and looks to continue. Jeff wants a Whisper in the Wind, but Vinny blocks that and eats the signature Jeff Hardy Mule Kick. Jeff tries for the Swanton again, but Vinny pulls him down, crotches him on the top rope and starts to dissect Jeff. A few deliberate strikes to the back, a backbreaker that Vinny holds. Jeff fights up out of it, they exchange a little, both hit the ropes and simultaneous Cross Bodies see both guys slow to stand.

Jeff is up first, Lariat, Back Elbow, Manhattan Drop, Low Dropkick. Jeff wants the Twist but his back spasms, Vinny tries a Shiranui, but Jeff stops it and finally hits the Twist of Fate, but only a near fall. Russian Leg Sweep to follow up from Jeff into that Seated Prawn Hold he likes to do, but another two count. Jeff is pulling out different things from his arsenal, including a Sit Out DDT, he’s favoring the back, so he’s not going to the Swanton. Vinny peppers in some Forearms to Jeff’s back and hits a Side Effect for two! Vinny goes to the top, implies a Swanton, but the lights go out and Matt is back in the ring in full Broken regalia. He gives the Delete, the lights go out and Jeff is on the top with a downed Vincent. Swanton Bomb from Jeff, and the crowd is hype, even if it’s pure chicanery.

TNA International Championship: Adam Brooks vs Mustafa Ali (c) w/Order 4

Simple tie up and Shoulder Tackle spot, Ali then runs Adam ragged with the rope run into a Frankensteiner for the arrogant gloating. Another cocky Back Heel Kick from Ali before Brooks hits a Big Boot, into a Cappo Kick, and a Back Body Drop sends Ali to powder. Adam tries to throw Ali back in but Ali slides across to the outside, Adam follows but gets caught and DDT’d onto the floor. Rolling Neckbreaker from Ali, and only a near fall. Adam tries a Standing Switch, but they trade switches until Ali just snaps off a DDT. Ali tries to control Adam but he gets out of it, Pele Kick. Ali uses the Bell Clap to disorient Adam, but Adam catches Ali’s next move. Some back and forth, Ali tries something, but Adam stuffs him, Cheeky Nandos, Last Ride Powerbomb into an Ushigoroshi. Adam charges the corner but Ali gets out of the way and Adam crashes in with his head bouncing off the turnbuckle. 450 from Ali, and he retains.

Mara Sade, Rosemary & Allie vs Diamond Collective (Tessa Blanchard, Mila Moore, Victoria Crawford)

Well time to see what Allie looks like after only have 2 matches in the last 3 years.

Rosemary and Vix start, Vix takes cheapshots at Mara and Allie first, Rosemary hammers her with Forearms, Exploder Suplex, and as Vix stumbles, Allie bites her! The Diamond Collective is trying to collect themselves, but Mara hits a Crossbody into the three heels. Vix finally tags out after things normalize, so Rosemary tags out to Mara. Mila and Mara go back and forth, Mara hits a sexy body wave to taunt Mila. Mila eats consecutive Dropkicks, then Mara tries a PK but Mila trips her on the apron.

Mila tags in Vix, but Mara turns it around instantly and then tags Rosemary back in. Interesting that Allie and Tessa are the ones coming in last. Vix hits her patented Northern Lights Suplex to take control and finally get Tessa in. Snapmare and Dropkick to the back of the spine from Tessa, before she tags Mila back in. Quick tags in the heel corner are keeping Rosemary in the masochist position. As the heels keep control, we slip to commercial.

We come back in time to see a Triplicate Knee Strike to Rosemary in the heel corner. Mila tags back in, but Rosemary tries to turn things around but now it’s a struggle to slow her. Allie and Tessa get the simultaneous tags and Allie comes in hot. Big Knee Lift, Running Spicolli Driver, Rosemary and Allie pull off a tandem Upside Down, Mila tries to help by tagging out Tessa while she’s in the submission, but Mara levels Mila, Rosemary Spear Mila, Allie hits the Codebreaker on Mila…and our Living Dead Girls win!

Santino sends a video message about him getting unsuspended and trying to fix some of the scummy stuff Daria did last few weeks. Indi comes out to reaffirm that she’s unsuspended too and lay claim to her eyes being on the Knockout’s Title. 

Home Town Man vs Mr. Elegance w/Elegance Brand

I again find myself rooting for Home Town Man. Yikes.

Mr E wants to pose but HTM grabs an arm and hits a few Arm Wringers. Mr E is spending more time getting away from something and posing before HTM throws him into the corner and starts stomping his chest. HTM with a long spin TKO and Mr E crawls to the ropes for safety. HTM just does 10 Count punches in the ropes. The Elegance Brand are shrieking, the crowd is behind HTM but with the 45 extra bodies, Mr E catches HTM with a Spine Buster, Shoulder Tackle, Sliding…stupid looking Splash thing, and just connects on some knees while HTM is down.

HTM hulks up, does the point, and Flip, Flop and Fly on Mr E. High Fly Home Town Flow, for only a two count! ASH starts trying to be Maria Kanellis and seduce HTM, he has her make out with his mask instead, Mr E lands his Lightning Spiral finish with a ridiculously awful pin. I…hated everything about this.

.@THETOMMYDREAMER tries to help @TheLeiYingLee recover following @XiaBrookside’s betrayal ahead of her TNA Knockouts Championship match next week on #TNAiMPACT!@MeanGiaMiller pic.twitter.com/xJ0m86qh2L

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 1, 2026

Leon Slater comes out, and I’m falling into a coma. This dude can’t talk, he has zero aura, he’s trash. All he has is flips. I need Cedric to beat the brakes off this boy. Thank GOD Cedric comes out to make this segment interesting. Cedric tells him that he might not make it to their match on the 14th, The System come out of the crowd and beat down Leon. Moose comes out for the save. Moose cleans house, Leon and Moose threaten to take out Lish too, but Eddie pulls her out in time. Weird for babyfaces to be okay with attacking the valet.

.@ryrynemnem confides in @AJFrancis410 about his issues with his big brother. #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/bZZS8HeuHH

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 1, 2026

Walk With Elijah Match: Elijah vs Frankie Kazarian

So it’s a 4 Corners Strap Match. That’s it, the winner hits the buckles in succession. I haven’t seen a 4 corners match in a while. 

The match starts in the back, Kaz takes his sweet time before tying on the strap, Kaz uses a short cut with the Hand Sanitizer to the eyes and slams Elijah’s Shoulder into a door. Elijah finally turns things around with crotching Kaz on junk in the back and drops a ladder on him. Elijah puts Kaz on a manual forklift and sends him into the pile of junk. Elijah continues to bounce Kaz off the bay doors. Elijah scoops up Kaz and walks him to the ramp and kicks him down it. So now the match is closer to the finish.

Kaz tries to get away, but Elijah keeps pulling him back by the strap and into Knife Edge Chops. Elijah bounces Kaz off the ropes, Back Drop! Elijah touches two corners, but Kaz interrupts the count. A Dropkick stops Elijah and now Kaz gets to two before Elijah levels Kaz. Kaz gets thrown out, fishes under the ring and finds a guitar! While Elijah stops the guitar, Kaz uses Elijah’s over shirt to choke him. Some back and forth before Elijah bounces Kaz’s head off a turnbuckle and Kaz powders.

Elijah follows and gets the best of Kaz until Elijah is looking for a weapon but can’t find it, so Kaz starts getting in a few shots before Kaz tries to leave through the crowd. Elijah pulls him back into the barricade and lights up his chest. Kaz gets battered with a few Flying Shoulder Tackles, Walk with Elijah rope walk, into a Sunset Bomb. Corner 1, 2, 3 – but Kaz uses the strap to whip Elijah and stop him from touching the 4th buckle. A few more strap shots, Kaz throws Elijah out of the ring, but Elijah brings him with! Then he ties the strap in the post and starts lighting up Kaz’s torso with strap strikes. Kaz turns things around, but they’re trading pulling one another into the post. It’s like Tug of War, but both are losing. Back in the ring, Kaz with the Up and Over, tries the Chicken Wing, but Elijah is walking with Kaz on his back. He tags 3 corners, reaches for the fourth, but succumbs to the submission. Kaz now takes the opportunity to start his corners but Elijah starts moving so Kaz decides he’s gonna rope walk.

Kaz jumps off the ropes and Elijah connects with the Knee Lift! A few more big strap shots from both, Kaz hits a Backstabber, and tries the corners, gets to three, Elijah flips Kaz inside out and the Strap breaks! Strap choke, Highway Man’s Farewell from Elijah and at the fourth, Kaz tries to pull him, but Elijah grabs the guitar, El Kabong’s Kaz and touches the fourth corner for the win.

Overall Score: 6/10

While not a bad episode, the main event was super campy and an old school gimmick, not done very well. The comedy match was even bad on comedy standards, and that dragged down the rhythm of the show. Lei Ying Lee being a very believable betrayed babyface may actually have her win next week, she’s so sweet and seemingly upset, the whole Chinese Ricky Morton comparison, I still stand by. Santino and Indi being back works fine, Indi saying she wants Arianna with or without the title, is the only reason I think Lei has a real shot at winning. Indi going to her phone after the talk with Daria is 99% Dexter Lumis/Sam Shaw. Ryan being jealous of KC and Nic is good comedy, Ali and Brooks’ match was short but effective. Also Allie’s in-ring TNA return after 7 years, was really good. Allie seems to have given Rosemary a spark again and Mara being added to mix works better than expected.

So yeah, the show wasn’t bad, it just didn’t stick the landing so it made the show feel like a bigger slog than it should have. Here’s to hoping the next two weeks are exciting with the matches we know of.

It’s been a long weekend with Strangle-mania, WrestleMania, fallouts, bailouts, crash outs and 4/20 fog. I’m pretty sure I didn’t mind last week (you may be thinking to yourself, that I could easily check, but what’s the fun in that).

So I’m just gonna say we’ve had some solidly entertaining shows, and let’s see if this continues or if we start to tread water until Slammiversary is closer.

.@therealec3 responds after @TheEricYoung’s attack in their match last week as the crusade continues!#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/M3gg0PxeuO

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 24, 2026

Ratings:

• Bear Bronson w/The System vs Nic Nemeth: Nic wins via Danger Zone – ***
• Dutch vs Matt Hardy: Dutch wins via Death Walks – ** 3/4
• Katie Arquette vs Elayna Black: Elayna wins via Black Out – SQUASH
• World Heavyweight Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Rich Swann: Santana retains via Spin the Block – **** 1/4

Results:

Bear Bronson w/The System vs Nic Nemeth

Our favorite Nemeth, Ryan, is on commentary complaining about KC Navarro and reassuring everyone that he is indeed, Nic’s Brother, not KC.

A not so clean break, Bear throws some fists, connects a big Chop, and Nic is reeling early. Nic fights up with some jabs, quick chops, goes for a Crossbody, but Bear catches him and slams him down. A short moment to taunt, but Bear keeps laying into Nic with Elbows and Knees. Nic again fights back with some punches, a headbutt, but then gets flattened with a Spinebuster. Bear puts Nic into the ropes, distracts the referee so Lish gets involved.

Bear throws Nic around a bit more, Headlock gets applied, but Nic slowly tries to fight out. A few Uppercuts, a Superkick, Flying Lariat into Nic just jumping into the 10 Count Punches. FameASSer, but only a two count. Nic tunes up the band, Bear catches it, Chokebomb, 1-2-but Nic gets the shoulder up. Bear calls for the Fire/Thunder Driver, gets Nic in position, Nic slips it, posts Bear, Implant DDT and…Bear no sells it just to eat a Superkick! Only a near fall, but a neat sequence. Nic tries Danger Zone but Bear grabs the ropes to protect himself. Slams into Nic, Landslide from Bear! A near fall again, Bear starts the Ground and Pound so Nic powders and gets surrounded.

KC Navarro walks down the ring to distract The System, Ryan helps Nic get back in the ring. Superkick into Danger Zone! Nic wins!

Kaz comes out in Elijah cosplay, and some of Frankie’s best segments are when he’s just making fun of people. Elijah busts it up, beats up Kaz, says they will have a “Walk with Elijah Guitar Strap match”. Then he starts a little song that goes over fairly well with the crowd. A little lame, but not awful.

From the Undead Realm to the iMPACT Zone… it’s far from over between @T3SSABLANCHARD, @VIX_CROW, @itsmilamoore, @WeAreRosemary and Allie!#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/FEESa3jLRB

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 24, 2026

Dutch vs Matt Hardy

Matt comes out looking like he’s ready to slap a tornado. Matt pulls out a table, sets it up, grabs red spray paint and writes Sacrifice on it.

As soon as Matt gets in, Dutch attacks. They throw a few strikes, Matt tries the Twist, Dutch pushes off, tries Death Walks, but Matt turns it into a Crucifix Hold. Dutch walks to the ropes and grabs them with his teeth. Matt connects on a Side Effect, and then they head to the outside. Dutch gets thrown into the steps and then his head gets repeatedly smashed into the steps. Commercial break time.

Back from break, Matt gets bounced out of the corner, Sidewalk Slam from Dutch and then a Headlock has Matt down and begging the crowd. Dutch slams Matt back down, wants a Splash, but misses! Twist of Fate gets blocked, Matt turns it into a DDT. Then Matt finally hits the Twist of Fate. Dutch rolls out, Mat places him on a table, peppers in a few more punches and goes up. Matt with the Extreme Elbow, the wood turns out to be Japanese, but the one leg snaps. Matt repositions the table as the crowd chants one more time. Vertical Suplex sends Dutch through the table and the crowd is happy.

Matt looks to finish things but Vincent appears from under the ring. Slides in a chair to distract the referee and then interferes, which allows Dutch to hit Death Walks and win the match.

Dutch and Vincent look to make a larger example of Matt, but Jeff makes the save and doesn’t dance on the way down. Vincent powders, Dutch eats a Twist and Swanton. 

Lei Ying Lee comes out ahead of Xia Brookside’s scheduled segment to explain herself. Lei is upset, she starts the promo off by apologizing for not speaking English perfectly, which is a great way to appeal to sympathy. She calls out Xia, Xia comes out and blames Lei for sabotaging her shot when she showed her the video of her dad. Xia is playing the delusional conspiracy victim. She tries to talk about being alone to Lei who came over from China alone. Lei apologizes and it seems like its hard for Xia to stay in heel character because Lei seems legitimately upset. 

Xia says Lei is right, there’s a moment where it seems like they might reconcile. Xia said she made a mistake, the crowd isn’t buying it. Xia accepts the apology, they hug, but Xia deadpans to the camera and starts to ground and pound Lei. Xia DDT’s Lei, and Lei is out. 

Katie Arquette vs Elayna Black

Elayna tries to big time Katie, hits a few Japanese Arm Drags, but Elayna kicks her down, and decides to strut around the ring and talk to the crowd. Kati tries to attack her while she’s being condescending, but Elayna dodges the PK, Katie lands back first on the apron and Elayna just points and laughs at her. Elayna with slow and deliberate offense, but the crowd tries to work Katie back into the match. She gets a small hope spot, but Elayna dodges the charge in the corner and hits the Black Out.

.@theadambrooksy will represent Australia when he steps up to take on @MustafaAli_X for the TNA International Championship!#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/tG6KwdiEei

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 24, 2026

World Heavyweight Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs Rich Swann

They shake hands to start and we get the typical slow burn, tie up, push to a corner and then clean break into a little World of Sport chain wrestling. Test of Strength next, and they trade momentum, Swann turns it into a Monkey Flip, they are both flat, so we get the alternating near fall spot into the double Wrestler’s Bridge, Dropkick misses for all until the stereo Dropkick spot. It’s been three minutes and still no strike has been thrown. After a Frankensteiner pass through Rich is the first to connect on a Dropkick to the chest. Four minutes in and someone finally got hit.

Santana Chops Rich, they start to pick up the pace, Santana catches Swann with a Dropkick. Into an Alabama Slam, Snake Eyes and Santana is using his size advantage. They go to the outside, trade Chops before Santana just kicks Swann and then spikes him into the floor. We go to commercial. Back to te show Rich has Santana propped up on a chair, Rich goes around the world and Bootwash! One more, for a Yakuza Kick! Rich goes for 3 but Santana cuts him off with a Superkick and throws him back in. Santana flies and Rich catches Santana with a Superkick.

Swann wants to fly but Santana Kips Up, cuts him off and Super Falcon Arrow! Car crashy spot, but cool. Santana lights up Swann, Punches, Diving Shoulder, some up and over, Santana with a Gamengiri, after a few more counter attempts from both, Santana catches Swann with the Rolling Buck Fifty for two! Flash Cradle from Swann, he tries to turn it into more but Santana hits the Outline in Chalk! Cannonball into Batista Bomb and Rich still won’t stay down!

After a few seconds to collect himself, Santana keeps charging, but Swann gets his foot up twice. Santana doesn’t stop so Swann hits a Springboard Lariat. Back Kick, into 450 attempt, but misses, Santana tries another Rolling Buck Fifty but Rich passes by it and hits the Lethal Injection for a near fall. They trade kicks, Swann hits the Frankensteiner, Frog Splash from Swann…but only two! Santana Reverse Powerbomb, wants another but Swann turns it into a Destroyer!

Swann with his kick combo but as Rich hits the ropes, Santana hits Spin the Block out of nowhere! Santana retains.

Overall Score: 7/10

The first hour wasn’t bad, but was a little paint by numbers with the Matt and Dutch match probably acting as a turning point. Lei and Xia’s segment was great. Lei…looked so upset for real, it seemed like part of Xia’s fake out was legit with how well Lei was getting sympathy and trying her damnedest to repair the friendship. This could possibly set Lei up for another title run, I didn’t expect this, because I didn’t foresee Lei being able to evoke sympathy like a Chinese Ricky Morton from 1981. Then there’s the main event match…wow. That…had no business being free and being on a taped show. Imagine if that was one of the LIVE iMPACT episodes. That very well may have been the best match in TNA for far this year, and it had no story, no build and a commercial.

Ryan’s jealousy angle I’m here for, Kaz and Elijah is…something for them to do, Xia is the biggest cunt in the company right now and there were a few other little odds and ends to be interesting. Elegance Brand, Diamond Collective, The System…all had their own moments to build a story. But we had decent to really good wrestling and a great promo segment. I’m shocked, but this was objectively…not trash.