wrestling / TV Reports
Ciocco’s TNA Impact Review 10.8.26
Image Credit: TNA
Loading...Impact Zone! It’s Thursday, which means that we are in for a brand new edition of the delight known as Impact! Coming to us from the taped sessions in San Antonio, Texas, tonight is the final stop on the way to Bound for Glory this Sunday in Tampa Bay, Florida. However, that doesn’t mean that the company is mailing in tonight’s effort, far from it. And with two title matches and a match to determine who has the advantage for the Call Your Shot gauntlet, tonight’s show is one that you won’t want to miss!
While the Nemeth Brothers and the Hardys may have their own matches to tend to on Sunday, tonight they will face-off, as Matt and Jeff look to become six-time TNA World Tag Team Champions. As alluded to previously, the Knockouts Television Title will only be defended on episodes of Impact, so in that spirit, M by Elegance will defend the title tonight against Elayna Black. The Call Your Shot gauntlet match at BFG will need a running order for all twenty entrants, and tonight, we will learn who lucks out and enters at #20 when eight of the participants in the match square off.
Elsewhere on the card, two of the men who will compete in the X-Division Scramble Match on Sunday will face off, as friends and previous allies KC Navarro and Fabian Aichner will go at it. The TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions Allie and Kiera Hogan will face a team to be named, and we will hear the final words between challenger Indi Hartwell and Champion Xia Brookside before their Knockouts World Title Match this Sunday. All of this and, of course, so much more in store for us tonight!
So, how is everyone doing on this Thursday Night? There is literally nothing that I can say about any of my Philly teams that won’t drive me into a complete rage. The Phillies, Eagles, and the Flyers are all on my L7 shitlist, but hey, at least the Pacers won a preseason game!
Also, I wanted to clear up some confusion, since I had mentioned that I was going to have to give up my live coverage duties on Wednesday and Thursday Night. Turns out, schedules are a funny thing after all, so not only will I continue covering Impact on Thursday, but you will have me for live coverage of the PPV shows and the previews for said shows! If you like my work, then be happy, because I am! But if you hate my work, then be happy, because I don’t care!
But enough about me and enough about you, let’s get ready to brace for Impact!
It’s the fourth and final show from San Antonio, Texas on the way to Bound for Glory! Tom Hannifan and Matt Rehwoldt are on the call!
We get the events from last week involving the continued breakdown of Order-4. We see syX and the Hardys challenging them for Bound for Glory.
No introduction tonight, we are starting off with the Goats! Primer 55, a band I may have heard a song or two from in the early 2000’s, are at ring side. Apparently, they are tour with Jeff’s band.
Matt says they have a chance to do something they have done before; step into the main event and win tag team gold. Tonight is Nic and Ryan’s worst nightmare, because Jeff and Matt get their title rematch.
Jeff says if, NO, when they beat the Nemeths TONIGHT, there is only one place those tag team titles belong, and that is with us.
Matt says syX have made it clear how they feel about the Hardys. They hate the Hardys, they hate TNA, and they want to kill us. But, after we win the titles back tonight, we’re putting them on the line against syX. Because we will prove that you can’t kill us, you don’t own us, and you won’t beat us.
Jeff wants syX to come out, but the Nemeth Brothers are here instead! Nic wants to know why the Hardys won’t die. He says the Hardys are talking about syX but they have a pair of tens starring them down. Ah-Ha! Ryan says you are living in the future and not looking at the main event tonight. Heck, he doesn’t think the Hardys will even make it to Sunday.
Matt says they need to enjoy their final moments with the tag team titles, because tonight, they are taking them back. Nic says you are not winning the tag team titles from them, and Nic is going to prove to Leon Slater that potential doesn’t win championships, talent does!
Like Beetlejuice, Leon is here! He doesn’t understand what any of these people are saying, but he knows that the tag team titles are coming back to Uncle Matt and Uncle Jeff! Nic calls him an idiot, and Leon says you always go back to that. He says he can’t touch Nic, but he can go at it with his bug-eyed little brother. Leon says in three days he will prove to Nic why he is the youngest in charge when he takes Nic’s World Title, that is if they aren’t DELETED tonight by the Hardys!
Allie and Kiera Hogan are walking! Allie runs into Zoey Serrano, and there is a shoving match until security come to break the ladies up. Allie and Kiera keep walking like nothing ever happened lol.
BREAK IN PROGRESS!
Moose is in the back. Everyone wants to know what is next for Moose, and he is issuing an open challenge to anyone to step up to him on the biggest show of the year.
The Knockouts tag team champions are here!
Allie and Kiera Hogan vs. Ki Vibez and Alex Gracia
Non-title match. Hogan and Gracia to start. Hogan wrestles Alex to the mat and then hits a bulldog into the ropes. Leg drop from Hogan for a two. Allie is in with clotheslines and a Thesz Press to Vibez. Allie screams! Allie hits the corner butt bump for a two. Vibez trips up Allie into the ropes and takes the ref so Gracia can attack. Her pin gets a two.
Gracia wails away on Allie, but she manages to escape and tag in Hogan. Vibez is in, but Kiera overpowers her. Corner booty bump and the sliding dropkick follow. The cover, but Gracia ends up hitting her partner. Codebreaker into Face the Music and the Champions win!
WINNERS: Allie and Kiera Hogan
TIME: 3:10
THOUGHTS: A slight level above a squash, but Kiera and Allie getting out there is always welcome to see!
RATING: Undead Pretty Girls Beating
Post-match, Allie has the mic. She doesn’t know what Zoey’s problem with them is, but they are fighting Champions! Kiera says that’s right, and at Bound for Glory, they are challenging Zoey and whoever she can get to team with her for a shot at their titles. Interesting.
Frankie Kazarian and Avery Styles are walking. Frankie explains that their match tonight will establish who enters number 20 and number one on Sunday. He’s been number one before, and it’s a hard day at the office. He tells Avery to look alive and don’t trust anyone.
BREAK IN PROGRESS!
Frankie Kazarian is making his entrance post-break, followed by Elijah.
8-Man Tag Team Match to determine the first and last entrants for the Call Your Shot Gauntlet: Elijah, Frankie Kazarian, Bear Bronson, and Trey Miguel vs. AJ Francis, Joe Alonzo, Brian Myers, and the Hometown Man
The man from San Antonio is set to start this with Kazarian, but Myers tags himself in instead. Neither man gets a distinct advantage, and Myers steps between the ropes to play keep away. Frankie slaps Bronson to tag him in, and it looks like Myers and Bronson are going to throw down, but Bronson slaps Miguel and throws him into the ring lol.
Miguel regains the advantage and sends Myers from the ring. Miguel takes out Myers on the floor, here comes everyone to get their shit in with dive upon dives, which ends with HTM hitting everyone on the floor with a crossbody splash! Miguel works the arm of Myers, who implores his “idiot teammates to come on” lol. Tag to Elijah, who stomps away on Myers. Elijah tags in Kazarian, who throws up the horns, hits a back elbow, and pins Myers for a two. Elijah is back with a snapmare and a kick to the back of Myers.
Myers crawls away and he tags in Joe Alonzo. Elijah lights him up with chops, leading to the fans chanting ONE MORE TIME, and the Drifter obliges! Alonzo scurries away and tags in Myers. Francis helps from the outside by grabbing Elijah, allowing Myers to hit the King’s Knee. Tag to Francis who headbutts Elijah. Francis walks over the chest of Elijah and uses the ropes for leverage. Bearhug initiated by Francis, as Elijah fights his way free. Elijah wants to walk the ropes, but his Drifter Destroyer is countered with an Alabama Slam from AJ. From Alabama to Tennessee to get some of that good whiskey. Bronson tags in and pins Elijah for a two.
Alonzo is in, he talks too much and, in a good bit of karma, eats a knee strike from Elijah. Tag to Kazarian. Scoop slam and springboard leg drop gets him a two. Kazarian sends Alonzo to the floor, where he gets in the face of Avery and talks shit to him. Kazarian waits on Alonzo and hits a springboard CUTTER. Everyone is fighting everyone! Avery climbs the top rope and hits the Spiral Tap! Francis makes the save for his team! More fighting ensues, as Miguel tries a moonsault but he is caught. Trey reverses with a DDT for a two. Yet another get your shit in spot lol. Kazarian with the springboard DDT to HTM. Francis with the Down Payment to Frankie. He tries this to Trey, but Miguel fights his way free. TFL by Francis, but Alonzo with the blind tag, and in the chaos, Joe pins Trey!
WINNER & LOSER: Joe Alonzo earns the #20 spot, Trey Miguel “earns” the #1 spot.
TIME: 12:40
THOUGHTS: Alonzo winning the #20 spot means he isn’t going to win, because that is the last thing we need. The match was fine, it was there. I think my favorite spot was Avery getting into the ring and hitting the Spiral Tap on Alonzo.
RATING: ***
Good lord, the Righteous are now trying to recruit Harley Hudson to the Many! Apparently, they too are going to enter the CYS Gauntlet, and they can help out Miss Hudson, but Harley is like I don’t need your help BRUV!
Tonight’s injury report is brought to us by IHeart Radio!
Short clip from when ODB defeated Gail Kim for the Knockouts Title. A reminder that she will be inducted into the TNA Hall-of-Fame on Sunday!
BREAK IN PROGRESS!
Tom advocates for Tanea Brooks and taking up to donate for ALS.
The Order-4 is in session, again! Mustafa Ali says that Santino Marella has allowed them this time to talk things out, but at Bound for Glory, there will be nothing but action. If you have anything to say, then speak your peace.
Jason Hotch says that Ali crossed the line with him a long time ago when he threatened his wife and his daughter. His daughter still says Uncle Ali, and that kills him. Hotch is sorry that he put Ali in the hospital, because he meant to kill him.
John Skyler should have told Ali how he felt on day one, but he will now. He considered everyone here family, but now, he has a new family (meaning Mila Moore, of course). And he tells Ali that he is a piece of shit human being.
Tasha Steelz says that Special Agent 0 showed you how he felt last week, but Steelz says they all scarified everything to make sure that Ali was the victor. But now, her attitude is FUCK Order-4.
Ali calls all of them ungrateful swine. Without him, they would be nothing, and he isn’t God, but you all are bowing your heads to him. He will destroy them all at Bound for Glory, but in Ali he still trusts! This was REALLY good stuff here.
It’s time for two ladies who are definitely TV ready!
TNA Knockouts Television Title Match: M by Elegance (C) vs. Elayna Black
Just a reminder that the rest of the Elegance Brand are banned from ringside. Also, a reminder that the title matches harbor a ten-minute time limit. Definitely NO foreshadowing here!
Maggie wrestles Elayna to the corner and pats her on the head. I’m jealous. Maggie with a headlock takeover, but Black uses her legs to get free. Maggie slaps Elayna in the face, and she backs off when Black steps to her. Black with a dropkick that sends Maggie to the floor, and she almost ends up running into the announcer’s table. She returns to the ring, where Black hits some arm drags, but she misses the double stomp when Maggie rolls out of the ring.
Elayna is seen favoring her ankle as Maggie pulls her out of the ring. Maggie tries to stomp on the ankle of Black, but Elayna moves, and Black shoves the Champion into the ring steps. Black pulls Maggie up to the top of the steps, but it’s Maggie who hits a snap suplex off the steps! Maggie breaks the count and grabs Black by her hair before planting her on the apron with a side suplex. Back in the ring, and Maggie scores a two on the pin.
Maggie stomps away on Elayna and hits a Northern Lights Suplex for a two. Maggie mounts and punches Black and admires her handiwork. It leads to her getting rolled up for a two, and like Jordan, Maggie took that personally, as she wrenches the arm and tries to break the digits of Elayna. Black with a drop toehold, but she misses the follow-up elbow strikes, and Maggie scores with a drive-by dropkick on the apron for a two.
Maggie panders to the crowd before hitting a running uppercut. She tries a running big boot, but Black avoids. She lands self-defense kicks before sending Maggie to the apron, where she smacks her face on the way down. Black goes on offense with clotheslines, a running elbow, and big kick. Double stomp from Black gets her a two. Blackout, NO, SUPERKICK from Maggie! Maggie powers Black to the corner and gets her straddled on the middle rope. Big running boot from Maggie and she hits the Michinoku Driver for a two.
Maggie asks how much time is left before she drags Black to the corner. No one is home on her moonsault, Black with a knee strike and a powerslam for a two. Black with the hammer throw, but Maggie holds the ropes and she escapes to the floor. She asks McKenzie Mitchell how much time is left, and we get a chase on the floor. Elayna spikes Maggie with the Blackout, but she can’t follow-up! Black goes for the cover, but at the count of two, the bell rings!
WINNER: No One/Draw (Maggie retains the title)
TIME: 10:00
THOUGHTS: I wish they would have gotten overtime, but alas it wasn’t mean to be. These two had fairly good chemistry, and it was the best thing on this show so far.
RATING: ***1/2
Ricky Sosa promo time. This match at Bound for Glory isn’t just any match. The man who stands across the ring from him is a TNA legend, and he respects what he has done in this business. But on Sunday, Ricky doesn’t care, because he will show Eddie why he is the young savage and he will defeat Eddie.
Video for Amazing Red from the time he defeated Samoa Joe for the X-Division Title. You know, when Joe had the tribal tattoo on his face that TOTALLY didn’t look like a penis.
BREAK IN PROGRESS!
Eddie Edwards promo. Apparently, he is the veteran saint of TNA. Possible play on Boondocks Saints? Can’t say I cared about the rest of his promo.
Good guys doing good things!
Fabian Aichner vs. KC Navarro
Prime Alexander is here on commentary for this match. No way he gets involved in this match, like at all, no way.
Handshake and a fist bump at the bell. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Aichner wrestles Navarro to the corner and sits him on the top rope and pats him on the head LOL. Navarro is like REALLY? KC goes behind and rolls up Fabian for a two. Navarro off the ropes, Aichner catches him, but KC snaps off a head scissor. Navarro misses the 305, and Aichner misses a chance to stomp on KC. Navarro sends Aichner to the floor, Navarro looking Tope Suicida, but Aichner catches him and drops him on the apron! The cover follows for a two.
Aichner catches Navarro off the ropes with a wheelbarrow German for a two. Aichner stalks Navarro to the corner and lays in the uppercuts. Not an overly positive reaction for Aichner there. Navarro with forearms and a head scissor. Snap Rana from Navarro into the 305! KC to the top and he hits the splash for a two. Code Red, no, thrust kick from Navarro. Aichner catches out KC and hits the backbreaker. Hasta La Vista Powerbomb from Aichner gets him the win.
WINNER: Fabian Aichner
TIME: 5:00
THOUGHTS: Well that ended rather abruptly. This was good stuff for what we got, but I was left wanting a LITTLE bit more.
RATING: ***1/2
Zoey Serrano is in the back, and she calls someone who she used to know. Zoey tells her that she has been called out by Allie and Kiera and she needs someone to back her up that she can trust. She says she will throw some gas her way, but we see she’s talking to Shayna Baszler, who says she doesn’t need it. Let her know the time and the place and she’ll be there. They agree to split the breaking of limbs 50-50.
Video for Konnan, from the time he brought in Santana and Ortiz as the new LAX during their fight with Decay.
BREAK IN PROGRESS!
Video package for Indi Hartwell and Xia Brookside. Indi says one year ago she had the chance to bring the TNA Knockouts Title back to TNA, but she failed. Can you imagine your family traveling 20 hours to come and see you only for you to lose. Xia says she failed and let everyone down. Indi says that since last year’s Bound for Glory, she has been working towards another chance at the Knockouts Title. Xia says that Indi is a bitch. Indi says that she does things the right way and she doesn’t turn on her best friends like Xia does. Xia says she was victorious at Lockdown, and she shouldn’t have to face Hartwell here. Indi says when the lights are brightest on the 11th, she will turn those toy belts of herx\z into the real deal. Xia says she is the Knockouts Champion, and come Bound for Glory, she will embarrass Indi and she will hold the title high over her head. Really good stuff!
Tom shills the Hardy Party in Tampa on Sunday. Tom hypes the Hall-of-Fame inductions before launching into the main card for Bound for Glory.
It’s time for the MAIN EVENT! Tonight’s Matter of Fact states that Matt Hardy has won 32 tag team titles in his career. Damn. I knew he had a lot but that’s insane.
Of course, it is time for the obligatory main event final break!
BREAK IN PROGRESS!
TNA World Tag Team Title Match: The Nemeth Brothers (C) vs. The Hardys
Leon Slater is on commentary for this one. I know I was wrong on the previous match, but I feel like something will happen involving Slater and someone, probably Ryan Nemeth.
Matt and Ryan to start this one. I feel like this is going to be the ONLY match where I can use first names and not surnames lol. Matt decks Ryan with a shoulder tackle, here comes Jeff with a finger guns double axe. Jeff with a leg drop for a two. Ryan reverses with arm control and tags in his BIG BROTHER! Nemeth with the gyrating neckbreaker. Nic goes to introduce Jeff’s face to the corner, but it’s Nic who gets the buckle treatment. Tag to Matt, VINTAGE tag team offense gets Matt a two.
HARDY chants, as Nic counters Matt with a shot to the throat. Tag to Ryan, who throws himself into Matt in what was supposed to be a corner SPEAR. Matt isn’t having this and he lays into Ryan. Tag to Jeff, catapult into a leg drop from Jeff. Back in the ring, Jeff hits an elbow drop for a two. Tag to Matt, who DELETES Ryan out of existence. Here comes Nic, but Jeff cuts him off and Matt DELETES Nic out of existence. Double clotheslines send the Champions to the floor as we hit the “break.”
Matt smacks Ryan’s face off the A-Game Hydration table, and Leon keeps yelling for POPS to give him one for me, which Matt does lol. Back in the ring, and Jeff works the left arm of Ryan. Tag to Matt, off the top with an elbow to the back. Matt off the ropes, Nic hits him from behind, so Jeff runs in as well. Nic gets the tag and he hits the stalling DDT for a two. Nic goes to the eyes of Matt, and Ryan does the same as Jeff distracts the ref.
Ryan with the Rude Awakening neckbreaker on Matt for a two. Ryan with the Davey Boy Smith approved chinlock, as Matt fades to the mat. Matt is able to roll-up Ryan for a two, but the YOUNGER BROTHER goes back to the ground game. Matt back to his feet and he drives Ryan into the corner. Matt looking tag, but Ryan doesn’t let it happen. Side Effect from Matt, and the match resets!
We get tags, as Jeff runs over Nic and Ryan without prejudice. Double leg, leg drop to the groin, another leg drop and an elbow drop gets Jeff a two on Nic. Both Nemeth Brothers get taken out by a flying clothesline from Jeff. Twist of Fate Stunner edition to Nic, who also gets the Poetry in Motion treatment. Splash from Jeff, but Ryan saves his BIG BROTHER! The Nemeth Brothers post Matt, Hollywood Ending and the Danger Zone to Jeff, but he kicks out at 2.99999! Nic tunes up the band, but Jeff intercepts him and Matt with the Twist of Fate! One for Ryan as well! Jeff’s shirt comes off and he heads to the top.
The lights flicker on and off, and Matt and Jeff go to get weapons to fight off syX, but they never show up. It was a ruse, as Jeff looks for the Swanton Bomb, but Nic ends up cradling him in order to retain the titles!
WINNERS: The Nemeth Brothers (and still!)
TIME: 13:20
THOUGHTS: I’m not sure anyone actually bought the Hardys winning the titles back here after they lost them not even two months ago at Lockdown. Besides, Nic will have to rely on the tag title afters he losses at BFG to Slater. This was fine, not great, but fine.
RATING: ***1/4
Post-match, Nic wants Leon to hit him, but before he can think about it, the lights go out, and we see Leon has been attacked! Nic walks away, the lights go out again, and this time, syX are in the ring beating up the Hardys! Nic smiles from the top of the ramp, and with that, we are done!
