On tonight’s live episode of “TNA Impact,” fans witnessed the introduction of new wrestlers, the comeback of familiar faces like Mustafa Ali and Jeff Hardy, and plenty of thrilling moments as the promotion builds towards Bound For Glory. Our team at Wrestling Inc. sifted through the show’s strongest and weakest moments to bring you a thorough analysis.
With Mustafa Ali returning, we also give our thoughts on newcomers Samuel Shaw and Joseph Sawyer, the opening promo featuring Nic Nemeth and Leon Slater, Rosemary’s brief but impactful return, and much more. For those wanting a detailed recap, our full “TNA Impact” results from 9/24/2026 are available. Otherwise, keep reading and share your opinions with us below.
Disliked: Nemeth’s Nepotism
Ryan Nemeth seems like the wrestling world’s version of “You can go out, but you have to bring your brother along.” Though wrestling has seen many nepotistic booking choices before, Nemeth’s push as a singles competitor feels particularly undeserved. Already holding the TNA Tag Team Championship, Nemeth surprisingly entered the X-Division Championship contenders’ scene this week in a match against KJ Orso (formerly AEW’s Fuego del Sol). This clash was basically an “AEW Dark” throwback, as their last encounter was on “Dark” in 2021, a program that no longer exists.
The match held no genuine stakes because Orso wasn’t winning and isn’t especially captivating either, especially given that both wrestlers were heels battling each other. Nemeth won as expected and is now set to compete against fighters like Fabian Aichner, KC Navarro, Cedric Alexander, and Rich Swann—a lineup he clearly doesn’t fit into. Without his last name, Nemeth likely wouldn’t even be in the sport, making his over-promotion frustrating for fans. Instead of adding value, his presence seems more detrimental, and the constant spotlight on him overshadows true talent. It would be reasonable for Nemeth to serve as a sidekick or interference role for his brother, but TNA’s overzealous push is counterproductive.
Praised: Nic Nemeth & Leon Slater’s Raw Intensity
TNA often struggles with coherence and consistent storytelling, sometimes delivering lackluster in-ring action. However, the opening segment between Nic Nemeth and Leon Slater stood out as a brilliant moment of storytelling and psychology that advanced their feud ahead of their Bound For Glory World Championship match. Slater’s initial comment about Nic always having the other Nemeth nearby subtlety laid the groundwork for the segment to come full circle. The no physicality clause imposed by Santino Marella also made perfect sense given their previous violent encounter, requiring double security intervention. This segment worked seamlessly and was a highlight in an otherwise uneven episode.
Disliked: Great Idea, Weak Execution
The storyline centered around authority figure Daria Rae’s schemes to oust Santino Marella felt sensible in theory. Since Rae’s arrival, she has actively worked to destabilize Marella, even causing his suspension. When Indi Hartwell defended Marella, Rae used a minor shoulder nudge from Hartwell to justify suspending her as well. Rae then continued to block Hartwell from TNA Knockouts World Championship chances, most recently after Hartwell forced reigning champ Xia Brookside to tap out, granting the title shot to newcomer Gabby Forza instead.
The payoff came when Hartwell tricked Rae into slapping her, only to be caught on Marella’s hidden recording. Despite the logical storyline, the execution was lacking—Rae’s slap appeared soft, and the scene of Rae’s angry discovery of the recording felt awkward and unconvincing, especially since viewers were watching through another camera’s point of view. Since Rae should have known about being filmed by the main cameras, it was hard to believe she was truly shocked by Marella’s secret recording.
Praised: Eerie Return of Rosemary & Courtney Rush
Rosemary’s absence has been deeply felt, and her recent return delivered just the right amount of intrigue. The former Knockouts Champion is one of the few TNA characters adept at blending cinematic elements with wrestling, captivating viewers. Her short, eerie vignette tonight showed her in a straightjacket with dark makeup, accompanied by her alter ego Courtney Rush. The segment lasted only about 30 seconds but was enough to grab attention.
Rosemary’s straightjacket, marked with a “666,” hints at a mental or supernatural struggle. The contrast between Rosemary’s disturbed demeanor and Rush’s calmer attitude suggests an identity crisis narrative, with Rush trying to help Rosemary regain her grip on reality. The phrase “What if we just start from the beginning?” points back to Rosemary’s unexplained disappearance during her Knockouts Tag Team Championship reign with Allie. This mysterious setup promises an entertaining storyline filled with depth and suspense.
Disliked: Technical Glitches Mute SYX’s Debut
The anticipation surrounding the debut of former Wyatt Sicks members Joseph Sawyer and Samuel Shaw was high, but their introduction fell flat due to numerous audio glitches and muted moments, which detracted from the excitement. It was hard to tell if the interference was intentional or a technical issue, only to realize it was a production problem on TNA’s part. The crowd’s enthusiastic “holy s***” chants were drowned out, robbing the moment of the energy it deserved.
Given SYX’s creative potential and October approaching—a perfect time for such a dark, mysterious group—this debut deserved a more impactful presentation. Hopefully, TNA can elevate these talents beyond the limited exposure they had in WWE and give them the grand entrance they truly merit.
Praised: Mustafa Ali Returns Strong
Before tonight’s show, it had been over a month since Ali last competed in TNA, having won against Jason Hotch at TNA Lockdown before an injury sidelined him from recent tapings. His return is a welcome boost, despite being entwined in some questionable storyline choices, particularly the romance plot involving Mila Moore and John Skyler.
TNA quickly put Ali back in the spotlight by giving him a title defense in the main event, pitting him against Jason Hotch and Trey Miguel in a three-way match since both challengers were due rematches. While the match wasn’t flawless—ending on an awkward note involving Tasha Steelz’s unexpected interference—it was an overall fun contest and a reminder that Ali remains one of TNA’s top performers.
Fan Take:
This episode of TNA Impact highlights both the promise and the pitfalls of modern wrestling storytelling—where fresh talent and compelling characters can sometimes be overshadowed by inconsistent booking and technical hiccups. For fighting enthusiasts, the blend of character work and in-ring action here signals ongoing growth for the sport, but also a need for promotions to fine-tune execution to truly elevate the wrestling experience.
Source: www.wrestlinginc.com
