In a moving social media post on his 29th birthday, professional wrestler Chris Bey shared his inspiring journey of recovery following a life-threatening injury that occurred during a TNA wrestling event in Detroit on October 27, 2024.

During a match with Ace Austin and The Hardys, Bey suffered a severe neck injury that left him temporarily paralyzed in the ring. He underwent emergency surgery for spinal cord fusion (C6-C7 and C6-T1) and spent a week in ICU, followed by 50 days at a spinal cord rehabilitation facility in Detroit.

“Will I ever wrestle again? Never say never. I’m just so grateful to be alive.”

Initially given only a 10-25% chance of walking again, Bey has defied the odds. After three weeks of intensive rehabilitation, he reports being able to leave his wheelchair and take steps independently. Throughout his recovery, he received support from the wrestling community, his family, TNA colleagues, and his girlfriend Brittnie Brooks.

In his message, Bey expressed profound gratitude to his supporters and medical team, crediting them with helping him maintain hope during his darkest moments. While acknowledging that his recovery journey continues with ongoing pain and challenges, he remains optimistic about his future, though uncertain about returning to wrestling.

“Nothing is impossible, you just have to believe and do the work,” Bey wrote, concluding his message with characteristic determination and gratitude for being alive.

The news is particularly poignant as Bey celebrates this milestone on his birthday, marking both his survival and remarkable progress in just a few months since the injury.

Chris Bey’s Statement

Here’s the complete transcript of Chris Bey’s message:

“Today I turn 29… Blessed to see it

On October 27th, 2024 I suffered a life altering injury in Detroit at a TNA event while sharing the ring with my partner Ace Austin and some of my idols, The Hardys. This would be the scariest moment of my life as I’d try to get up to my feet and finish the match only to realize I couldn’t move. I was laid out paralyzed in the middle of the ring. I was ashamed for not being able to finish the match, I was embarrassed and I was scared. Thanks to our incredible ringside doctor and team at TNA I was rushed to a nearby hospital and quickly underwent a surgery fusing my neck c6-c7 and a spinal cord fusion c6-t1. If it weren’t for TNA and their quick reaction to the accident I may not be here today. They’ve been so helpful throughout this entire journey.

When I woke up the next day I was overwhelmed with the amount of love around me and the amount of love from the wrestling community. I was devastated with the idea that my lifelong dream and 8 year wrestling career was over. I sat there paralyzed from the neck down with no promises of ever walking again. Specifically I was told it wouldn’t be likely with a 10-25% chance. I also had no usage of my hands which is why I didn’t post or respond to anything. I spent about a week in the ICU, then 50 days in a spinal cord rehab facility in Detroit doing therapy 6 days a week for 3 hours a day, sometimes longer. December 28th I was able to go home.

Since I’ve been home I’ve been in therapy working as hard as I can. I’ve had an incredible support system. There’s so many people I want to thank but if I can narrow it down to a few I must thank my family, my TNA family, the dedicated staff in Detroit, my brother Ace Austin for never leaving my side, and my amazing girlfriend Brittnie Brooks for being there every single step of the way while I was at my absolute lowest. If you’ve reached out, donated, bought merch, said a prayer, or did any little thing even as simple as sharing a thought about me, thank you. I’m eternally grateful for every single one of you. Because of you even on my hardest days I’ve never given up. Because of you I’ve lived my dream and in my opinion helped inspire others to do the same. There’s so much more to the story and I will be telling all the details soon, but please allow me the time to get there.

Today you see me celebrating life and taking the steps they said would be unlikely. For 3 weeks I’ve been out of my wheelchair learning to walk again. Nothing is impossible, you just have to believe and do the work. I thank god every second. I thank you every second. Will I ever wrestle again? Never say never. I’m just so grateful to be alive. I don’t know what my purpose is, but I know there’s something meant for me to do. For now I just hope to continue to heal as my body is still in a lot of pain. It’s going to be a long road, but I will not give up. This will be the Greatest Story Ever Told. I love you all.

– Chris Bey”

TNA Wrestling underwent significant internal changes today. According to PWInsider, Anthony Cicione, who became President of TNA in February 2024, has departed from his position. At this time, no successor has been announced.

Additionally, a new executive has been appointed to oversee production and other aspects of the company.

As part of these changes, Josh Mathews, Senior Producer and Senior Director of Digital Media, and Christy Hemme, head of social media, have both left TNA.

Mark Brown is the new TNA Director, according to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful. Brown held a similar position previously for Ring of Honor.

These developments follow recent contract news within TNA. Former TNA World Champion Josh Alexander’s contract is set to expire othis weekend, making him a free agent.

Additionally, Jordynne Grace confirmed that TNA allowed her to exit her contract early, with her departure effective in January 2025. 

Joe Hendry doesn’t just dream big—he delivers. The TNA World Champion has made a career out of setting seemingly impossible goals and making them happen.

From calling his shot on a WWE Royal Rumble appearance to setting his sights on a match with John Cena, Hendry’s approach is simple: go bigger than anyone expects and put in the work to get there.

Speaking with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Hendry shared the philosophy that fuels his relentless pursuit of success.

“Your goals better scare you. They better be so big that they scare you,” Hendry said. “They have to be something no one else has done before. It has to be scary, and scare you on a daily basis.”

For Hendry, that mindset has paid off time and time again. He told his students after last year’s Royal Rumble that he’d be in the next one—and he was. He declared he’d win the TNA World Championship—and he did. Now, he’s targeting a match with Cena, and he’s fully committed to making it happen.

Beyond just setting goals, Hendry believes constant improvement is the key to longevity in wrestling.

“I get better every month that I do this,” he said. “The match I had with Nick Aldis at Genesis was vastly superior to the one I had at Bound for Glory.

My performance in the Royal Rumble was miles ahead of my last multi-man match. I am not in my prime yet. Not even close.”

Whether it’s in TNA, WWE, or beyond, Joe Hendry’s confidence isn’t arrogance—it’s the product of years of backing up his words.

Watch Joe Hendry’s full interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri:

Veteran broadcaster Josh Mathews has officially parted ways with TNA Wrestling, reported exlusively at Fightful Select. Mathews, who joined TNA in 2014, has been a prominent figure in the company’s broadcasting and production departments.

Upon his arrival in TNA, Mathews quickly ascended to the role of lead commentator, replacing long-time announcer Mike Tenay in December 2014. In 2021, Matthews finished his time as TNA’s main play-by-play announcer but would step in on occassion if the lead announcer was unavailable. Behind the scenes, Mathews took on significant behind-the-scenes responsibilities, including serving as a senior producer and the senior director of digital media.

While Matthews s best known for his time behind the commentary table, he did compete a handful of times for the promotion. His biggest match came at Slammiversary XV, where he and Scott Steiner lost to Joseph Park and Jeremy Borash. In 2018, Matthews even became Impact’s Grand Champion after being gifted the title by the recently-heel-turned Matt Sydal.

Matthews is the latest notable name to part ways with TNA Wrestling. In recent months, fans have seen an exodus of talent including Rhino, PCO, Mike Bailey, and Jordynne Grace, the latter of whom has since joined WWE. Josh Alexander’s contract with TNA is set to expire this week with this week’s Impact set to feature his final TNA match against Eric Young.

A veteran of the business for decades, fans are eager to see what’s next for Josh Matthews now his TNA tenure has ended. Whether it’s a return to WWE, where he worked from 2001 to 2014, or something else entirely, expect Josh Matthews to remain part of pro wrestling.

Former TNA Wrestling World Champion Josh Alexander is set to become a free agent this weekend. The Walking Weapon’s final match for the promotion will is scheduled for Thursday, where he’ll face TNA legend Eric Young.

Alexander had previously signaled his intention to leave TNA, discussing potential opportunities in WWE, AEW, and Japan during a recent podcast interview. Alexander reportedly requested TNA Wrestling not to exercise his 2024 contract option, though the company initially opted to extend it. Despite this, he fulfilled his obligations, with his deal officially concluding on February 14. TNA officials have spoken highly of Alexander as he prepares to move on.

A two-time Impact World Champion, Alexander originally signed with TNA in 2019. His accolades include reigns as World Tag Team Champion alongside Ethan Page and as X Division Champion. His second Impact World Championship reign, which began in April 2022 after defeating Moose at Rebellion, stands as the longest in the promotion’s history. The title was vacated in March 2023 due to an injury that required surgery.

Alexander has recently expressed interest in reuniting with former tag partner Ethan Page, who currently competes in WWE NXT. He also confirmed that past plans for a WWE debut fell through, which could have seen him appear on NXT.

As of now, it remains unclear where Alexander will land in the coming months.

Could Rey Mysterio finally step into a TNA ring? The WWE legend recently hinted at the possibility during a conversation with Adrian Hernandez.

Mysterio confirmed that despite his decades-long career, he has never wrestled for TNA—though he nearly did after leaving WWE in 2014. However, with WWE and TNA now in a working partnership, that could soon change.

“I’ve always been loyal to WWE here in the U.S., but I think that might be something we need to cross off the bucket list,” Mysterio said.

With WWE superstars now able to appear in TNA, the prospect of Mysterio making his long-awaited debut in the promotion is more real than ever. Fans will have to wait and see if the masked icon finally checks that box.

Dominik Mysterio Eyes TNA Takeover Amid WWE Partnership

Dominik Mysterio is looking beyond WWE as he sets his sights on TNA, following the recent announcement of a working relationship between the two promotions. The Judgment Day member expressed interest in stepping into the TNA ring during his appearance on the Battleground Podcast.

“I’d love to show up on TNA. Why not?” Dominik said. “I went down to NXT and took over—why not do the same there?”

His comments come as WWE and TNA recently struck a deal allowing crossover appearances, a rare move for WWE, which has historically kept its talent separate from other wrestling organizations. With stars like TNA World Champion Joe Hendry making appearances on WWE programming, Dominik’s interest in invading TNA could hint at bigger collaborations in the future.

Though he didn’t name specific opponents, Dominik has made it clear he isn’t afraid of stepping into new territory, whether it’s to cement himself further as a top heel or to chase championship gold.

If Dominik does make the leap, it wouldn’t be his first time making waves outside WWE’s main roster. His run in NXT saw him capture the North American Championship and elevate the Judgment Day’s influence across multiple brands. A TNA appearance could be another power move for Mysterio and his faction.

With WWE’s openness to cross-promotion growing, the idea of Dominik Mysterio showing up in TNA isn’t far-fetched. Whether he’s there to expand Judgment Day’s reach or simply prove himself outside of WWE, one thing is clear—he’s ready to make an impact.

Catch Dominik Mysterio’s appearance on the Battleground podcast:

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus made a high-impact return at the 2025 Royal Rumble, proving that even after 25 years, she remains a dominant force. Ahead of her comeback, Stratus trained with TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champion Jody Threat to prepare for the match.

The former WWE Women’s Champion shared a behind-the-scenes video on Twitter, showing her training with Threat at Santino Marella’s Battle Arts Academy in Mississauga. In the clip, Stratus emphasized her commitment to giving fans her absolute best.

“I’m not gonna give 60%, 100% or I’m not gonna do it. Check out @JodyThreat helping me get Rumble ready!!”

Stratus entered the Women’s Royal Rumble match at No. 25, sharing the ring with stars like Jordynne Grace and Candice LeRae. While she was eventually eliminated, her return thrilled fans who hadn’t seen her compete in months.

With Elimination Chamber 2025 set for March 1 in Toronto, speculation is growing about another appearance from Stratus. Given her deep connection to the city and her milestone WWE anniversary, a return at the event would be fitting.

Close to four years after his release from WWE, JDC (fka Fandango) made a surprise appearance on the February 4 episode of NXT, stepping up to challenge NXT Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King. Their showdown will take place next week with JDC hoping to take the trophy to The System and TNA.

In an NXT digital exclusive, JDC opened up on what his return means to him.

“NXT means the world to me, to have me back tonight. Just goosebumps, man. I can’t get over it. I’m grateful, that’s exactly what I am.”

Looking ahead to his future showdown with King, JDC shared that fans “couldn’t predict what would happen” when the pair face off one-on-one. The pair has quickly become one of the most talked about aspects coming out of this week’s WWE NXT with fans interested at the prospect of the TNA star winning the NXT Heritage Cup.

JDC’s role on this show further highlights the multi-year partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling that promises plenty of crossover. Natalya and Cora Jade have both shown interest in becoming TNA Knockouts World Champion, while the NXT Tag Team Titles will be on the line this Thursday on iMPACT! Fraxiom will put the gold on the line against Nic and Ryan Nemeth and the Hardys have also shown interest in NXT tag team gold.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the WWE-TNA partnership as fans are awaiting to see who will be next to ‘cross the line.’

During Royal Rumble weekend, WWE’s Natalya made headlines by issuing a bold challenge to TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich, setting the stage for a potential inter-promotional clash. Speaking with Contralona at the WWE 2K2 event, she declared,

“Masha, I’m coming for your championship,” signaling her interest in stepping into the TNA ring.

This challenge comes as WWE’s NXT and TNA Wrestling continue their growing partnership, which has already seen crossover appearances by top talent. Natalya spoke highly of this collaboration, calling it “amazing” and emphasizing how it provides wrestlers from both promotions with new career-defining opportunities.

“The fact that they’re collaborating and working together is amazing because you look at so many talented men and women that are going to get the chance to work in WWE and have that platform,” she said.

She also acknowledged TNA’s resurgence, noting its consistently sold-out events and strong roster.

“I saw Tommy Dreamer the other day, and I was like, ‘I’m watching, I’m looking at TNA; all their shows are sold out, the crowds look amazing, and they have a stacked roster like Masha Slamovich.’”

With increasing crossover between the two brands, Natalya’s challenge could be the latest sign of bigger inter-promotional matches to come. Whether this leads to an official showdown between her and Slamovich remains to be seen, but fans of both WWE and TNA will be watching closely to see how this rivalry unfolds.

The WWE-TNA partnership has promised years of crossover between the two promotions, with strides already being made with NXT stars appearing on TNA shows, now, one of WWE’s longest-tenured talents, Natalya, is coming for Masha Slamovich and the TNA Knockouts title.

In an interview with Contralona, Natalya made it clear she has her sights set on Slamovich and invited the champion to train in her Hart Family dungeon.

“Masha, I’m coming for your championship. That’s the cool thing about challenging you right now, Masha. I think you’re so talented. Listen, Masha, if you want to come down to the dungeon, this is an official invite for you to train. I’ll try not to kick your ass too much—but yes, that’s an invite.”

Natalya, a former Divas Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion, and Tag Team Champion, isn’t the only WWE name with an eye on Slamovich. Cora Jade has also targeted Slamovich and has been making appearances on TNA iMPACT! While a title match has yet to be announced, fans can expect the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion in the ring with Masha soon enough.

With the TNA Knockouts division gaining increased attention, a match between Masha Slamovich and Natalya could mark a significant moment for the careers of both women. Fans will have to wait and see if this highly anticipated showdown becomes a reality.

Joe Hendry stunned fans with his surprise appearance in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match, once again highlighting the partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling. On the Ariel Helwani Show, Hendry shared his disbelief that his role in the match didn’t leak. Hendry also shared that he was able to receive advice from some of WWE’s very top sars, including Cody Rhodes and CM Punk.

“I said, ‘If you guys were me, how would you approach this?’ I got great advice. I have to tell you, I don’t know if he would want me to say this, but The Miz is awesome. These guys go out of their way to help you succeed.”

After three minutes in the match, Hendry was eliminated by Roman Reigns, robbing fans of a chance to see the TNA World Champion share the ring with John Cena. Hendry has been vocal about wanting to face Cena on the WWE icon’s retirement tour, though a match has yet to be announced. On the show, the Scottish star recalled speaking with Cena at the Royal Rumble.

“What he made clear is that, if I want that match to happen, it’s on my shoulders. I have to make it happen and I have to generate the interest to make it happen. It was almost like a challenge.”

Hendry is willing to put in the work to make the idea of a Cena-showdown “one of the most compelling matchups in professional wrestling.” Cena would also come up short in the Men’s Royal Rumble and would be the last Superstar eliminated by the winner Jey Uso. Now, Cena’s attention turns towards Elimination Chamber, but Joe Hendry remains eager to face the 16-time World Champion on the final year of the WWE icon’s career.

Someone in Indianapolis must have said Joe Hendry’s name, as the TNA World Champion appeared in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Hendry entered the match at #15 to a huge pop from the crowd inside Lucas Oil Stadium. On commentary, Michael Cole shared highlights of Hendry’s career, including his victory over Nic Nemeth at Genesis.

Despite the ovation, Hendry’s time in the Men’s Royal Rumble match wasn’t a long one. The Scottish star was thrown about by Roman Reigns, who was the #16 entrant.

Hendry’s appearance in the WWE Men’s Royal Rumble match is just the latest showcase for the TNA World Champion. Hendry appeared in WWE NXT in 2024 and challenged then-NXT Champion Ethan Page at No Mercy. Though Hendry failed to win the richest prize in NXT, the Scottish star remains one of the most popular stars in pro wrestling today.

Hendry’s role in the Royal Rumble comes after WWE and TNA announced a multi-year partnership that has promised plenty of crossover between the two companies. Though Joe Hendry didn’t win the Men’s Royal Rumble match, this may not be the last time fans see the TNA World Champion in a WWE ring.

TNA wrestler Jake Something has announced that he will be out of action for an undisclosed period due to an injury, which may require surgery.

Something shared the news on Tuesday, telling fans he needs to “go away for a while to heal up.” He expressed appreciation for the support he has received, particularly from Deadlock Pro Wrestling (DPW), where he was set to defend the DPW World Championship against Calvin Tankman in a Last Man Standing match on January 26.

The injury comes shortly after Something competed at TNA’s recent television tapings in San Antonio. His absence has led to changes in multiple promotions. Wrestling Revolver has vacated the Remix Championship, which Something was scheduled to defend against Crash Jaxon in Indianapolis on January 26. A new champion will be crowned at the event.

Something, who has wrestled under the names Cousin Jake and Jake Deaner in TNA, recently defeated NXT’s Ashante “Thee” Adonis at TNA’s Genesis pay-per-view pre-show. Despite this setback, he remains grateful for the support, urging fans to continue backing DPW.

Wrestling Revolver and other promotions have wished him a speedy recovery. Fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to the ring once he is fully healed.

WWE and TNA recently announced their multi-year partnership, which will see talent from both promotions ‘cross the line.’ On a recent edition of the Talk’n Shop podcast, Karl Anderson shared that this partnership is a dream come true, especially for stars in TNA.

“I don’t care what anybody thinks or says, any chance you get an opportunity to work with WWE, you’re getting a platform that people dream of getting.”

Luke Gallows, Anderson’s tag-team partner agreed, and shared that he had fun watching a recent TNA iMPACT, his first time watching in eight years. Gallows also looked ahead to this weekend’s Royal Rumble, which he predicts could see TNA involvement.

“They pulled the trigger on Joe Hendry. So now you wonder, does this feed into, and there’s speculation about this, a Joe Hendry surprise Royal Rumble appearance? I would have to think yes, correct?”

Hendry has already teased entering the Royal Rumble, and if he does, he will be proud to represent TNA Wrestling. Whether or not the viral star enters this weekend’s 30-Man match, fans can expect years of crossover between two promotions which were once bitter rivals. Wes Lee will be in action during this week’s episode of TNA iMPACT after costing his former allies the Rascalz on last week’s show.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the WWE-TNA partnership and to see who crosses the line next.

Former TNA World Champion Tessa Blanchard speaks highly of WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, and discussed a potential clash between the two stars.

Blanchard, who recently returned to TNA at Final Resolution and defeated Jordynne Grace at Genesis, addressed the idea of a dream match during a recent appearance on the DeLoco Podcast.

When asked about a showdown with Ripley, Blanchard expressed admiration for the WWE star’s evolution.

“She’s phenomenal. I’ve watched some of her matches, and we actually did the first-ever Mae Young Classic for WWE together. But she was a different Rhea Ripley then. She was blonde hair, still tall, still built, still phenomenal in the ring.

But she has just transformed into this absolute powerhouse over there. So yeah, I would be down for that,” Blanchard remarked.

With WWE’s partnership with TNA making cross-promotional matches possible, the prospect of Ripley facing top TNA talent like Blanchard has generated significant excitement among wrestling fans.

Joe Hendry hopes that his TNA title win inspires people to chase their dreams.

The TNA world title is the first major championship Hendry has won in his career. Despite being active in the business for 12 years, Hendry’s breakout year came in 2024 and he has finally started getting the recognition he deserves after more than a decade in the business.

The new TNA Champion reflected on his years of hard work in a new interview with WrestleZone. While discussing his previous losses to Nic Nemeth before he finally defeated the wrestling veteran for the championship, Joe Hendry said that the whole story is very representative of his real life:

“Taking three times is very representative of my real life. If you look at all the things that I’ve done in my life, it’s taken me a long time to do them. When I started amateur wrestling, I think I had probably about six or seven attempts at national titles before I finally won one. I had been to TNA before in the past, and it only lasted a few months. I’ve been other places, something or other didn’t quite work out.”

• Joe Hendry Calls Out John Cena For TNA Vs. WWE Match

It’s Going To Happen: Joe Hendry

Hendry got his first shot at the World Championship at the Slammiversary event last July. Coming off the success of his viral theme song, many thought Joe would win the bout but it didn’t end up being the case. After being diverted to a feud with Josh Alexander, Hendry got his second opportunity at the world title at Bound For Glory in October but he lost the match again due to interference from JBL.

After finally succeeding in his quest at the Genesis event on January 19, Joe Hendry explained that he’s never gotten anything in life in his first try. Having to work his way back up to the card and the title match after every defeat, the new champion hopes that his story will help teach the importance of not giving up to people:

“In my life through all the things I’ve done, I never get things the first try. So doing it this way is actually a bit of a snapshot into my life, and I hope it inspires people to realize that when not to be cliche, but when you do get knocked down, you just have to keep going and being relentless and believe in yourself.

If you keep doing the right things you’re supposed to be doing, it’s going to happen, and you’re going to get there. That is who I am. That it happened in this way, that is Joe Hendry.”

Joe Hendry had his first title defence after winning the championship at the first live episode of Impact in eight years this week. You can check out who was his surprise opponent for this bout here.

Cora Jade’s pursuit of the TNA Knockouts World Championship will lead her to competing on a future episode of TNA iMPACT. After this week’s show, TNA filmed next week’s episode of their weekly flagship show. During the taping, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion took on TNA Wrestling’s Hyan.

This match marked Jade’s first time competing for TNA Wrestling, but not her first time competing for the company. In 2019, Jade competed as Elyana Black against Havok during the TNA Prelude to Glory event. Jade, again as Elyana Black, has also competed for AEW, making her one of a select few to compete in the three major wrestling promotions in the United States.

Jade appeared at TNA Genesis where she confronted Masha Slamovich after the TNA Knockouts World Champion retained her gold against Rosemary. Jade was also a part of this week’s iMPACT, where her distracting presence would cost Slamovich and Spitfire in six-woman tag-team action.

Cora Jade had shared her intent to win the TNA Knockouts World Title, which if successful would be a historic first between the two parties. With a match between Jade and Slamovich seeming inevitable, it remains to be seen whether it’ll be the champion or the challenger who has the home-field advantage.

Matt Cardona has returned to TNA Wrestling.

The company presented a special live episode of its weekly flagship show Impact Wrestling from San Antonio, TX for the first time in eight years this Thursday. The show featured a number of surprise appearances with both NXT stars and free agents making their presence felt.

New TNA World Heavyweight Champion Joe Hendry opened the show. Hendry first cut a promo about his title win before proclaiming that he’ll be a fighting champion and then announced an open challenge for his title on the same night.

TNA’s Director of Authority Santino Marella then came out to announce Hendry’s opponent for the night – Matt Cardona. Cardon a came out with a big smile to end the segment.

• Fraxiom Makes History with NXT Title Defense on TNA Impact

The title match main evented the show. Frankie Kazarian who won the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match previously was on the commentary for this bout. Cardona played the typical heel role from the beginning doing things like poking Hendry in the eye and mocking the crowd.

The Indy God accidentally knocked the referee out towards the end of the bout and used the opportunity to low blow the champion. He then went outside to grab the TNA title belt but JBL came out. The WWE Hall of Famer delivered a Closethline from Hell to Cardona, leaving Hendry confused.

Matt Cardona still managed to hit Joe Hendry with the title later on but it didn’t prove to be enough. In the end, the champion delivered the Standing Ovation to retain the title.

It appears that Cardona’s return was a one-night-only affair. Though there was another former champion who returned to the company tonight and announced a new contract with the promotion. You can check out more about it here.

• Mance Warner Makes TNA Debut

In a historic moment for professional wrestling, the January 23, 2025 episode of TNA Impact featured the first-ever defense of a WWE-sanctioned championship on TNA programming. NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) successfully retained their titles against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) in a match that showcased the growing collaboration between WWE and TNA Wrestling.

Fraxiom secured the victory with a dynamic Flying Spanish Fly and Phoenix Splash combination on Miguel, but the finish wasn’t without controversy. Wes Lee, along with Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe, interfered by taking out Wentz, creating a critical opening for the champions to retain their titles.

This groundbreaking match was made possible by the multi-year partnership between WWE and TNA, announced on January 16, 2025. The agreement allows talent from NXT and TNA to appear on each other’s programming and premium live events, ending decades of rivalry between the promotions.

The successful defense of the NXT Tag Team Championships on TNA Impact marks a pivotal milestone, signaling a new era of collaboration and opportunity for the wrestling industry. This partnership opens the door for unprecedented crossovers that could reshape the sport’s landscape.

Mustafa Ali announced during Thursday’s live episode of TNA Impact that he has officially signed with TNA Wrestling. This move marks Ali’s return to the promotion, where he previously made a significant impact by winning the X-Division Championship in 2024.

As part of his new agreement, Ali is scheduled to appear at six TNA Wrestling events across February and March 2025. His return coincides with TNA’s exciting new multi-year talent exchange partnership with WWE, signaling a collaborative future for both promotions.

Outside of the ring, Ali is focusing on personal projects, including the launch of his Chicago Wrestling Center, which is set to begin training classes in January 2025.

Additionally, he has signed with Gray Talent Group, securing representation for ventures in television, film, and commercial work.

With his diverse endeavors and in-ring talent, Mustafa Ali’s addition to the TNA roster brings fresh energy to the promotion’s expanding landscape.

Mance Warner Makes TNA Debut

Mance Warner has officially debuted in TNA Wrestling alongside Steph DeLander, who had the TNA Digital Media championship with her.

This surprise debut follows a controversial series of events, including former champion PCO’s actions at GCW’s The People vs. GCW event, where he destroyed a replica of the championship belt with a sledgehammer.

Since his debut in 2015, Warner has become a well-recognized name in independent wrestling. He has claimed numerous championships (GCW, AAW, CZW), solidifying his reputation as a top-tier performer.

TNA Digital Media Championship Controversy

The TNA Digital Media Championship storyline escalated after PCO’s dramatic outburst at The People vs. GCW on January 19, 2025. PCO, whose contract with TNA had ended in late 2024, destroyed what appeared to be the championship title and delivered a scathing promo against TNA before being cut off.

TNA responded swiftly, removing PCO from their roster and distancing the promotion from his actions.

Warner’s Role in TNA

Warner’s arrival coincides with significant changes in TNA Wrestling, including the company’s recently announced multi-year partnership with WWE, which allows for talent crossover opportunities.

Making his TNA debut alongside Steph DeLander, Warner enters the promotion as part of a new power couple in wrestling, generating considerable buzz among fans.

With Warner’s history of success and a high-profile entrance into TNA, expectations are high for his contributions to the promotion’s evolving landscape.

TNA Wrestling is set to make its mark at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida, with live tapings of TNA iMPACT! on Thursday, February 20, followed by TV tapings on Friday, February 21. Tickets for these events will go on sale tomorrow at 10 AM ET at Ticketmaster. This announcement highlights a significant milestone in the long-standing connection between professional wrestling and Full Sail University.

Jeff Jarrett Explains How WWE-TNA Alliance Redefines Wrestling

Professional Wrestling at Full Sail University

Full Sail University first entered the professional wrestling spotlight in 2012 through its groundbreaking partnership with WWE. This collaboration positioned Full Sail as the home of WWE NXT, offering students hands-on experience in key areas such as marketing, social media, media production, and graphic design. The initiative provided real-world training opportunities for students, with approximately 50-60 students actively involved in each production, supported by another 30 handling setup and breakdown operations.

Over the years, this partnership evolved significantly. Beyond practical experience, the collaboration yielded nearly $400,000 in scholarships for Full Sail students, derived from ticket sale proceeds. It also allowed students to work closely with WWE professionals on globally broadcast productions, blending education with industry-level mentorship.

In 2020, WWE ended its partnership with Full Sail as NXT operations shifted to the renovated WWE Performance Center, marking the end of an era for the university’s direct involvement in weekly wrestling tapings. However, the relationship between WWE and Full Sail continues, with WWE utilizing the university’s facilities for special projects, such as filming content for Netflix’s “Road to WrestleMania” and “RAW Classics.”

With TNA Wrestling now stepping into Full Sail’s iconic arena, the tradition of wrestling at this historic location remains strong, offering fans another thrilling chapter in the venue’s legacy.

At TNA Genesis 2025, Cora Jade confronted Masha Slamovich following Slamovich’s Clockwork Orange match victory over Rosemary. During an appearance on Busted Open Radio, Jade shared what she told the reigning TNA Knockouts World Champion.

“I said that title is gonna be mine. That TNA Knockouts Title is coming to me.”

Jade is aware of the skepticism from fans who doubt her chances against Slamovich, widely regarded as one of the toughest women in wrestling today. While Jade’s matches in WWE may not have been as brutal as what Slamovich displayed at Genesis, she’s no slouch to getting violent in the ring.

“I think people forget that before I got here [WWE NXT] I was doing hardcore matches. I had a deathmatch right before I got signed.”

Jade is hardly the only name wanting to cross the line in the WWE-TNA partnership. Fresh off his World Championship victory at Genesis, Joe Hendry has challenged John Cena to a showdown in the ring and on the mic. WWE’s Sheamus would love the chance to step in the ring with TNA’s Nic Nemeth in a revival of their feuds as part of WWE.

Sheamus: TNA Deal Gives A Second Chance to WWE Alum

The multi-year partnership between WWE and TNA has sparked excitement among fans and promises plenty of thrilling moments. While an official match between Jade and Slamovich has yet to be announced, it seems likely that they will meet in the ring again soon.

WWE’s recently-announced partnership with TNA has excited fans with many fans excited to see who ‘crosses the line’ and appears for the other promotion. On the Masked Man Show, Sheamus was asked about the partnership and who he wants to face from the TNA roster.

“I loved working Ziggy (Nic Nemeth). Ziggy was great. I don’t think he he’s the fondest memories of working me, taking all those Brogue Kicks.”

Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler, parted ways with WWE in September 2023 after nearly two decades with the company. Many fans believe he wasn’t fully utilized, particularly in the later years of his WWE tenure. However, Sheamus sees the WWE-TNA partnership as a new opportunity for Nemeth and others.

“I think there’s a lot of opportunities now for some of that talent to come back over and create different stories. It’d be fun, it’d be a good time.”

Sheamus isn’t the only one watching the WWE-TNA collaboration closely. Fresh off his World Championship victory over Nemeth at Genesis, Joe Hendry wasted no time in calling out John Cena. With Cena set to retire from wrestling in 2025, fans are eager to see if he might make an appearance—or even have a match—in TNA.

Meanwhile, TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich recently appeared on WWE NXT and has hinted at more involvement with the silver brand. With NXT Superstars making appearances at Genesis, the partnership is already off to a promising start.