As the wrestling world collectively gears up for TNA’s premier annual spectacle, Bound For Glory, the promotion delivered its final episode of Impact this past Thursday night. This crucial broadcast served as the last opportunity to build momentum and solidify storylines heading into the pay-per-view event, and it certainly didn’t shy away from action, featuring multiple championship bouts and significant announcements. For dedicated observers and casual fans alike, the show presented a landscape of compelling developments alongside moments that left something to be desired. This analysis delves into the key highlights and lowlights of the evening, examining how each segment contributed to the overall narrative arc leading into the company’s flagship event.
One particular segment that felt like a misstep in an otherwise engaging narrative involved the Knockouts Tag Team Champions, Allie and Kiera Hogan. The broadcast saw a backstage altercation between the champions and challenger Zoey Serrano, escalating to the point of shoves and raised voices. While the palpable tension was a positive, the subsequent decision to have Allie and Hogan engage in a non-title match against indie standouts Alex Gracia and Ki Vibez felt like an unnecessary detour. While the inclusion of Gracia and Vibez on national television was a welcome opportunity for them, the match itself was brief and served little purpose beyond acting as a buffer. The primary objective of this sequence was to solidify the challenge from Serrano for a title match at Bound For Glory. Instead of following the heated backstage confrontation with an immediate, spontaneous offer of a match from the champions, the promotion opted for a filler bout. A more impactful approach would have been for Allie and Hogan to leverage the energy and animosity from their verbal exchange to directly call out Serrano for a championship encounter right then and there. This would have bypassed the superfluous match and maintained the high-octane emotional state of the participants, creating a more organic and powerful build-up to the Bound For Glory clash. Despite this criticism of the execution, the prospect of Serrano, potentially reunited with Shayna Baszler, facing the formidable champions remains a tantalizing prospect for fans.
Conversely, an eight-man tag team match with significant implications for the upcoming Call Your Shot Gauntlet bout proved to be a masterclass in dynamic storytelling and high stakes. The inherent intrigue of the match was amplified by the inclusion of both fan favorites and villainous characters on opposing sides, creating a captivating blend of alliances and betrayals. A prime example of this was Joe Alonzo’s opportunistic tag-in, where he deliberately stole the pinfall from Trey Miguel to secure the coveted number 20 spot in the gauntlet. This heelish maneuver perfectly encapsulated the cutthroat nature of the competition and the lengths individuals would go to gain an advantage. Beyond Alonzo’s individual act, the interactions between various participants showcased the intricate web of relationships and rivalries. Bear Bronson’s strategic decision to tag out and physically drag Trey Miguel into the fray, avoiding a confrontation with Brian Myers while simultaneously encouraging Myers to target his own teammate, Miguel, was a particularly noteworthy moment. These complex dynamics kept viewers invested in a match that, on paper, might have otherwise seemed like a standard tag team affair. The added stipulation of the Call Your Shot Gauntlet made every moment feel more urgent and consequential, turning a potentially ordinary match into a captivating exhibition of strategic wrestling and character play.
However, not all matches delivered on their potential. The encounter between Fabian Aichner and KC Navarro, while featuring two highly capable performers, suffered from a drastically truncated runtime. The contest concluded almost as soon as it began, leaving viewers wanting significantly more. This brevity was disappointing not because of any fault of the competitors – both Aichner and Navarro showcased impressive skills and chemistry – but because the match was cut short before it could truly develop into the barn-burner it had the potential to be. The pacing of the episode, which needed to accommodate several key segments and promotional material for Bound For Glory, regrettably led to the sacrifice of this promising bout. One can only speculate about the possibility of extending this match or perhaps featuring it on the pre-show for Bound For Glory, allowing it the time it deserved. The sequence of counters, Navarro’s impressive aerial maneuvers, and Aichner’s impactful finisher, the Hasta La Vista, were all glimpses of a truly exceptional contest. It’s a testament to their abilities that even in its truncated form, the match exceeded expectations, leaving a strong desire for a rematch with a more generous time allocation.
On a more positive note, the Knockouts division continued to shine with its consistent ability to weave compelling narratives, particularly around the Knockouts Television Championship. The championship match between reigning champion M By Elegance and challenger Elayna Black ended in a time-limit draw, a result that resonated deeply with Black’s recent history. This marked the second consecutive instance where Black found herself falling victim to the 10-minute time constraint of the KO TV Title. Previously, this had occurred in the opening round of the tournament, leading to her elimination and a bye for M By Elegance to the semi-finals. The dramatic conclusion saw Black seemingly on the cusp of victory after executing her signature "Black Out" maneuver, only for the referee’s count to be interrupted by the final bell. Black’s visible distress at this recurring misfortune was palpable, highlighting the narrative frustration of a competitor consistently thwarted by the clock. In stark contrast, M By Elegance’s reaction was one of triumphant amusement, a subtle yet effective portrayal of her opportunistic success. This simple, yet powerful, storytelling effectively underscored the unique stipulations of the championship and the distinct characterizations of both competitors, demonstrating that sometimes, the most effective narratives are the most straightforward.
The main event of the evening, unfortunately, fell short of expectations, earning the moniker of "meh." The primary objective was to further the feud between TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth and challenger Leon Slater, with Slater positioned at ringside as a commentator during Nemeth’s tag team title defense. The match itself featured a pairing of the legendary Hardys against the Nemeth brothers, with the added presence of the mysterious faction known as the Syx. The match’s foundation felt dated, leaning heavily on nostalgia rather than present-day impact. The Hardys, while undeniably iconic, are clearly past their physical prime, and their in-ring performance reflected the wear and tear of a long career. Ryan Nemeth, while present, did little to elevate the proceedings. Nic Nemeth, despite his continued skill, could not single-handedly carry the weight of a main event match against the combined shortcomings of his opponents. The match struggled to generate any significant excitement, even before the Syx made their peculiar intervention. Their finisher, involving the manipulation of the arena’s lighting, led to Jeff Hardy’s distraction, allowing Nic Nemeth to secure a pinfall. The subsequent attack on Leon Slater by Nic Nemeth, occurring under the guise of the flickering lights and a violation of a no-contact clause, felt like a contrived attempt to extend the feud. The post-match beatdown of the Hardys by Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Shaw, members of the Syx, further solidified the faction’s generic heel persona. Their actions, devoid of any unique threat or compelling motivation beyond being "creepy guys," failed to add any significant intrigue to the program. The overall presentation of this main event screamed mediocrity, a missed opportunity to build genuine anticipation for the World Championship match at Bound For Glory.
On a much brighter note, the confirmation of Shayna Baszler’s impending arrival in TNA Wrestling was a significant coup and a cause for genuine excitement. While often hesitant to embrace the influx of former WWE talent, Baszler represents an exception, a performer whose addition to the Knockouts division is undeniably a net positive. Having been released by WWE the previous year, Baszler has maintained a behind-the-scenes role and even made sporadic appearances. Her return to television, particularly in TNA, is a welcome development. Baszler is a formidable in-ring competitor with a compelling presence, possessing the skills to elevate not only the quality of matches but also to mentor and improve the existing roster. Her presence will undoubtedly make Impact a more engaging product and inject a new level of intensity into the Knockouts division. While her pre-taped segment introducing her as Zoey Serrano’s tag team partner for Bound For Glory wasn’t the most polished introduction, the potential for Baszler to positively influence Serrano’s trajectory in TNA is significant. This signing represents a strategic move by TNA, bringing in established talent that can immediately impact the product and contribute to the growth of their respective divisions.
