Get ready for a shocker! TNA's debut on AMC was nothing short of explosive, capped off with a brand-new TNA World Champion being crowned! But here's where it gets controversial... was it the right call?
The January 15, 2026, edition of Impact Wrestling kicked off with a high-energy promo from AJ Styles himself, setting the stage for a night of intense action. However, the real fireworks were reserved for the main event, where Frankie Kazarian, the then-reigning TNA World Champion, put his title on the line against the formidable Mike Santana.
From the opening bell, the match was a whirlwind of near-falls and close calls. Santana showcased his power early, managing to escape Kazarian's signature chickenwing submission. Kazarian, known for his agility, dodged Santana's devastating 'Spin the Block' lariat. The champion then strategically retreated, attempting to dictate the pace of the contest. Santana, not one to be outmaneuvered, soared through the air with a dive to the outside, only to be met with a brutal belly-to-belly suplex on the unforgiving floor by Kazarian. The tone had been set: this was going to be a war.
Adding a touch of nostalgia and respect, Santana paid homage to the legendary Amazing Red with a picture-perfect Code Red, a move that always gets the crowd buzzing. Kazarian responded in kind, honoring Christopher Daniels with a flawless rendition of Angel's Wings. These moments of tribute added a layer of depth to an already captivating match.
Kazarian then seemed to gain the upper hand, unleashing a flurry of offense, including a slingshot cutter and a slingshot leg drop. But Santana refused to stay down, kicking out just before the three-count. Frustration mounting, Kazarian reached for his title belt, hinting at a desperate, and potentially illegal, strategy.
And this is the part most people miss... The match then took a turn into slightly awkward territory. There were a few moments where the timing seemed off, and the flow was disrupted. It felt like Santana, Kazarian, and the referee weren't quite on the same page. While the energy remained high, a few sequences didn't quite land as intended, which some fans have criticized.
The referee managed to intercept the title belt before Kazarian could use it. A chaotic scramble ensued, culminating in a bizarre referee bump caused by a jump kick from Kazarian. With the referee incapacitated, Santana seized the opportunity, connecting with the 'Spin the Block' lariat. The crowd erupted, counting along as Santana covered Kazarian, but the referee was still down! The tension was palpable.
Kazarian, ever the opportunist, retrieved the title belt and attempted to use it on Santana. He then followed up with a devastating Fade to Black piledriver on the unforgiving apron. He rolled Santana back into the ring, and the referee, finally regaining his senses, began the count. 1... 2... the commentary team screamed, "Not like this!" But Santana, showing incredible resilience, kicked out at the last possible moment!
The next major turning point came when Kazarian caught Santana out of nowhere with a Canadian Destroyer. But Santana, displaying an uncanny ability to absorb punishment, bounced back to his feet and retaliated with another 'Spin the Block' lariat. Again, Kazarian kicked out, keeping the match alive.
The final sequence was a frantic exchange of moves. Kazarian attempted to steal Santana's finisher, but he missed. Santana capitalized, sending Kazarian crashing into the ropes and following up with the decisive 'Spin the Block' to secure the victory! Mike Santana is the new TNA World Champion!
But there was a lingering question: Would Nic Nemeth, armed with his 'Call Your Shot' trophy (essentially a guaranteed title shot at any time), cash in? On this night, the answer was no. Nemeth remained absent, allowing Santana to bask in the glory of his hard-fought victory.
Commentary fueled speculation that Kazarian would invoke his contractual rematch clause at the Genesis PPV on January 17th.
Hold the presses! Just when you thought the night was over, TNA dropped a bombshell on social media. A bonus clip revealed that Nemeth did appear after Impact went off the air, trophy in hand! Santana wasn't about to let him ruin his celebration, and a brawl erupted. Security intervened, preventing an official cash-in. Santino Marella, the Director of Authority, then confirmed the Santana vs. Kazarian rematch at Genesis, upping the ante to a Texas Deathmatch.
But the drama didn't end there! Daria Rae (formerly Sonya Deville), the new authority figure, added another twist: Nic Nemeth would be the special guest referee! Intrigue has officially reached fever pitch.
So, what do you think? Was Mike Santana's victory a well-deserved triumph, or did the slightly disjointed nature of the match detract from the moment? And what about Nemeth as the special guest referee? Will he call it down the middle, or will his presence inevitably influence the outcome? Is Daria Rae adding too many stipulations? Sound off in the comments below! We want to hear your opinions!
