Last night, TNA Wrestling made its Thursday Night iMPACT premiere on AMC TV. The episode was a bit underwhelming, but we know Rome wasn’t built in a day. The scheduled title matches both led to title changes. The Elegance Brand defeated The IInspiration to become the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions again. Mike Santana became a 2-time World Champion when he defeated Frankie Kazarian. A few hours after the show, it’s time to tell you more about that unique night.
EXCLUSIVE: There was drama following the conclusion of #TNAiMPACT as @NicTNemeth looked to call his shot and a big #TNAGenesis World Title match was made official! @Santana_Proud @FrankieKazarian @milanmiracle @TheDariaRae pic.twitter.com/BNzINpMe3p
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026
What Happened After The Show Went Off Air
The episode stopped with Mike Santana celebrating his World Championship win. What only the crowd witnessed was Dolph Ziggler making his way to the ring. Santana would fend off an opportunistic Nic Nemeth, who attempted to call his shot. But now, Santana must defend against the former champion just two days later as Kazarian invokes his rematch clause at TNA Genesis.
As revealed by Director of Authority Santino Marella and TNA Official Daria Rae, Santana and Kazarian will collide in a Texas Death Match with Call Your Shot Trophy holder Nic Nemeth serving as the Special Guest Referee. As Nemeth promised to call his shot soon, the Genesis match could hide another.
Daria Rae and Elayna Black debut
With Director of Authority Santino Marella still reeling after being betrayed by his daughter, the board has appointed Daria Rae to help oversee TNA operations. Better known as Sonya Deville in WWE, Daria Rae is a former MMA fighter and a one-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Chelsea Green.
After her release in 2025, Rae announced her retirement from wrestling but did not rule out a possible return in the future. She came back to MMA, hosting UFC shows and joining the commentary team of Invicta Fighting Championships, an all-women’s MMA promotion. She is now the TNA on-screen Director of Operations.
Mere moments after her stunning arrival on the premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT on AMC, Rae made an impactful first impression when she introduced TNA Wrestling’s newest Knockout, Elayna Black. Black challenged for the TNA Knockouts World Championship in 2025 and has proven that she can go toe-to-toe with the very best in the Knockouts Division.
Before becoming Cora Jade in NXT, Black competed in TNA in 2019. The former one-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship, with Roxanne Perez, was released in 2024. Last year, she came back to TNA and challenged Masha Slamovich for the TNA Knockouts Championship.
The IInspiration left
Last night’s TNA Knockouts World Tag Team title change was by design. The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay) did not escape TNA’s AMC debut with the Knockouts Tag Team Championships. Lee and McKay’s title loss comes as the duo is set to imminently leave TNA Wrestling.
Lee and McKay reportedly inked a series of short-term deals following their return to TNA in 2025. They recently opted not to ink another one. As such, Lee and McKay were said to be finishing up with TNA after this week, with interest from outside wrestling companies already brewing.
Mr. Elegance just helped @justmaggielee and @Heathereckless STEAL the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team titles! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/t8sShIwAwr
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header image credit – TNA Wrestling – Stay tuned to Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on TNA Thursday Night iMPACT, TNA Genesis 2026, TNA on AMC, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Catch Thursday Night iMPACT on AMC in the US, Sportsnet in Canada, and TNA Plus worldwide. All TNA events, shows, and previous episodes are available on TNA Plus and the TNA Wrestling YouTube channel.
