TNA World Champion Mike Santana’s contract with the promotion runs through sometime in July, and there has been WWE interest in him in the past, according to PWInsider.
Santana is a two-time TNA World Champion currently in his second reign with the title. He also makes appearances for WWE on the NXT brand as part of the TNA-WWE partnership.
Before his current TNA run, Santana spent five years in AEW after leaving Impact Wrestling in 2019, where he had been one half of the Latin American Xchange alongside Ortiz. The duo held the Impact World Tag Team Championship four times during that run, accumulating 662 combined days as champions and setting, at the time, the record for the longest single reign at 261 days. In AEW, they were members of Chris Jericho’s Inner Circle before later aligning with Eddie Kingston. Santana left AEW in 2024 to return to TNA.
No announcement regarding a new deal or a WWE move has been made.
Former WWE Women’s Champion Bayley recently teased a possible appearance at TNA Slammiversary on June 28 following a social media exchange with former WWE star Indi Hartwell.
The interaction has sparked speculation about the WWE superstar crossing over to TNA Wrestling.
Hartwell asked Bayley on X whether she would be free on June 28, the date of TNA Slammiversary in Boston, Massachusetts. The former Damage CTRL member responded by strongly hinting she might have room in her schedule.
“I think I can fit you in my schedule,” Bayley wrote in her reply.
The tease got fans talking as WWE and TNA’s working relationship has continued expanding throughout 2026. Cedric Alexander then replied with an eye emoji reaction, adding fuel to the speculation.
Bayley has made it clear in previous interviews that wrestling in TNA has been one of her longtime goals, dating back to before she ever joined WWE. She explained that the TNA Knockouts division heavily influenced her while growing up as a wrestling fan.
“I would love to dip my toes in TNA and AAA. If we have the doors to do that, I would love to go,” Bayley said. “TNA was one of my dreams as a kid, you know? I love the Knockouts division. They were like the hottest division for so long. Gail Kim’s one of my favorites.”
With Slammiversary taking place just one day after WWE Night of Champions, Bayley’s latest comments are fueling major speculation that she could potentially become the next WWE star to cross over into TNA programming.
Former WWE NXT Women’s Champion Indi Hartwell is back in TNA Wrestling.
The former NXT star has officially re-signed with TNA Wrestling, ending weeks of contract negotiation storyline that played out on television.
TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella made the announcement during the May 14 episode of Impact. Hartwell’s contract had expired as part of an ongoing storyline that featured negotiations over multiple Impact episodes.
Hartwell previously helped Marella get reinstated from suspension, which fed into the contract-resolution storyline. The former WWE superstar was released in 2024 and joined TNA Wrestling in May 2025.
During her time in WWE, Hartwell captured the NXT Women’s Championship and was part of several high-profile storylines on the black and gold brand. Her transition to TNA has allowed her to showcase her skills on a different stage following her WWE departure.
The former WWE star had surfaced on social media last month after almost a year of complete silence following his mysterious release from the Endeavor-owned promotion back in February, 2025.
The 35-year-old, now going by the name Fabian Aichner, had then confirmed that he had taken a break from the wrestling world after his WWE exit, but he was not done with the wrestling world for good.
Giovanni Vinci Makes Surprise Return
Tonight’s TNA Impact episode was main evented by a 2-out-of-3 falls X Division Championship match. The defending champion Leon Slater got the first fall early in the bout.
His challenger, Cedric Alexander, managed to gain control of the bout afterwards, however, scoring two consecutive falls to end Slater’s 298-day reign.
Though the new champion didn’t get much time to celebrate his victory. Fabian Aichner made his surprise return to wrestling and confirmed that he will be coming after the title to end the show:
Giovanni Vinci has not wrestled a match since December 2024 and he has not had a TV match since September that year. We’ll have to see when he gets his title shot against Alexander after his surprise return.
Dixie Carter declined multiple invitations to appear in “Dark Side of the Ring’s” three-part TNA Wrestling documentary, according to PWInsider.
Carter served as TNA President from 2002 to 2017, after Panda Energy, the company run by her family, purchased TNA. She was also an on-screen character for much of her tenure. She made a surprise appearance on the TNA iMPACT! on AMC debut on January 15.
Jeff Jarrett, Vince Russo, Jim Cornette, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy have all been confirmed to appear in the documentary.
Season seven of “Dark Side of the Ring” premieres July 7 at 9 PM ET on Vice TV with two back-to-back episodes, both focusing on TNA and Jeff Jarrett. A third TNA-focused episode follows the week after.
The remaining episodes of the season cover Paul Orndorff, Ray “Big Boss Man” Traylor, Missy Hyatt, the Necro Butcher vs. Samoa Joe match, Zach Gowen, and Rick Wilson. Wilson was an exotic dancer who portrayed an Ultimate Warrior knockoff character billed as The Renegade.
TNA iMPACT airs tonight (Thursday, May 7, 2026) from Upstate Medical University Arena in Syracuse, New York, live on AMC starting at 9 PM ET.
TNA Wrestling continues its weekly programming with tonight’s episode. The show features two championship matches, a No Disqualification grudge match between EC3 and Eric Young, and a scheduled address from TNA World Champion Mike Santana on the future of the company. Here’s everything you need to know including start times, how to watch, and the full card.
How to Watch TNA iMPACT Tonight
Date
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Venue
Upstate Medical University Arena, Syracuse, New York
Channel/Stream
AMC / AMC+ / TNA+ (worldwide)
US Start Time
9 PM ET / 8 PM CT / 6 PM PT
UK Start Time
2 AM BST (Friday) on DAZN and TNA+
India Start Time
6:30 AM IST (Friday) on Euro Sports Network and TNA+
Duration
2 hours
TNA iMPACT Match Card for May 7, 2026
Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight’s show:
Arianna Grace (c) vs. Léi Y?ng Lee (TNA Knockouts World Championship)
Arianna Grace puts the TNA Knockouts World Championship on the line against Léi Y?ng Lee, who returns to singles competition after Xia Brookside’s betrayal cost her the title at TNA Rebellion in Cleveland. Tommy Dreamer called Lee a warrior on last week’s episode, and the challenger looks to channel that momentum into a second Knockouts title reign.
The System (c) vs. Nic Nemeth and KC Navarro (TNA World Tag Team Championship)
Bear Bronson and Brian Myers of The System defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Nic Nemeth and KC Navarro. Director of Authority Santino Marella signed the match after Nemeth’s recent confrontation with TNA World Champion Mike Santana, with the Call Your Shot winner now eyeing tag team gold alongside Navarro.
EC3 vs. Eric Young (No Disqualification Match)
EC3 and Eric Young settle their reignited rivalry under No Disqualification rules, picking up where their TNA Rebellion collision left off. Young issued the no-rules challenge on the May 1 episode of iMPACT, and tonight’s bout strips both veterans of any safety net. The pair last clashed when EC3 returned to iMPACT television last month.
Moose and Leon Slater vs. Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander
X-Division Champion Leon Slater teams with Moose to face Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander of The System in a sanctioned tag team match. Marella made the bout official after last week’s two-on-four melee saw the babyface duo come up short on the numbers, evening the playing field for tonight’s rematch.
Mike Santana Addresses the Future of TNA
TNA World Champion Mike Santana takes center stage to outline what comes next for his title reign. Santana’s appearance follows his recent face-off with Nic Nemeth, with speculation building over the champion’s first defense at Slammiversary in Boston.
Elayna Black Speaks
Elayna Black gets the floor for an in-ring segment after rebounding from her TNA Sacrifice loss to Mara Sade with three straight wins across iMPACT and Xplosion. Specific details about her appearance have not been revealed.
Road to TNA Slammiversary 2026
Slammiversary 2026 takes place Sunday, June 28 at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts, marking TNA’s first Slammiversary in Boston in over a decade.
Tonight’s two title matches and the Mike Santana address are positioned to set the table for TNA’s biggest spring event. Live iMPACT episodes resume on May 14 from Sacramento as TNA builds toward Boston, with the revived Lockdown PPV waiting later in the summer.
Follow SEScoops for any news developments from tonight’s TNA iMPACT.
Dark Side of the Ring is coming back this summer, and the new season is leading with its most ambitious project to date.
Vice TV has set a Tuesday, July 7 premiere date for the seventh season of the acclaimed wrestling docu-series, with two back-to-back episodes airing at 9 p.m. ET, according to a Variety exclusive. New episodes will follow weekly.
The season opens with a three-part deep dive into Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and co-founder Jeff Jarrett, the longest single-subject arc the show has produced.
Dark Side of the Ring season 7 episode subjects:
TNA Wrestling & Jeff Jarrett (Trilogy)
“Mr” Wonderful’ Paul Orndorff
Big Boss Man
Missy Hyatt
Necro Butcher vs. Samoa Joe
Zach Gowen
The Renegade
The TNA Trilogy
The choice of subject is significant. Jarrett and his late father Jerry founded TNA in May 2002 in Nashville, launching the promotion as a weekly pay-per-view alternative to a wrestling industry that had just seen WCW and ECW collapse. The early years that the trilogy is set to cover include the original “TNA Asylum” venue, the X-Division revolution, the six-sided ring, and the messy 2002 sale of a controlling stake to Panda Energy after HealthSouth’s funding fell apart.
Jarrett’s own arc carries the season, from co-founding the company to being pushed out of his own promotion in 2013, the brief Global Force Wrestling era, and his eventual return to WWE in 2019. TNA itself, now under Anthem Sports & Entertainment, is in the middle of an active partnership with WWE, which gives the timing of this docuseries an added layer.
The Rest Of The Season
Beyond the Jarrett trilogy, season 7 will profile the late Paul Orndorff, Ray Traylor (The Big Boss Man), and longtime manager Missy Hyatt.
There is also an episode dedicated to the infamous 2005 IWA Mid-South match between Samoa Joe and Necro Butcher at the old ECW Arena in Philadelphia, a brawl that has been mythologized in independent wrestling circles for two decades.
Other episodes will tell the stories of one-legged wrestler Zach Gowen and Rick Wilson, the exotic dancer who briefly became WCW’s Ultimate Warrior knockoff The Renegade.
What Vice And The Creators Are Saying
Vice TV president Pete Gaffney pitched the series as a fixture of the network’s slate. “Dark Side of the Ring is one of our strongest franchises that speaks to our audience with its gritty exposition of the real emotional and physical costs behind professional wrestling,” Gaffney said in the Variety announcement.
Co-creators and executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener framed season 7 as their most ambitious yet. “That’s especially true with our three-part exploration of TNA Wrestling, where Jeff Jarrett’s journey of redemption and resilience gives us a unique lens into the highs, struggles, and lasting impact of the foundational years of the company,” they said.
Dark Side of the Ring is produced by Vice Studios in partnership with Bell Media’s Crave, and distributed worldwide by VICE Distribution. The show has spawned the broader Dark Side franchise that now includes Dark Side of Football, Dark Side of the 90s, Dark Side of the 2000s, Dark Side of Reality TV, and Dark Side of the Cage.
TNA Wrestling has a name for its August 23 Chicago pay-per-view, and it comes with history. The company announced on Thursday that Lockdown, the all-steel-cage event it ran annually from 2005 through 2016, is returning at Credit Union 1 Arena.
The reveal fills in one of the two unnamed dates on TNA’s 2026 live events schedule released earlier this month. A second still-unnamed PPV remains scheduled for Edmonton on November 15.
First Lockdown Event Since 2016
Lockdown’s defining gimmick is simple: every match on the card takes place inside a steel cage. TNA debuted the concept in 2005 with A.J. Styles vs. Abyss, and it also introduced Lethal Lockdown, the company’s WarGames-style main event where two teams enter a weapon-filled cage in alternating fashion.
The last Lockdown ran in 2016 at Wembley Arena in London, where Matt Hardy beat EC3 for the TNA World Championship. An Impact Lockdown event was briefly announced for March 2020, but that show was cancelled when the venue shut down all events due to the pandemic.
Talent Confirmed For Chicago
TNA has confirmed a wide slate of talent for the card without yet announcing specific matches. The names include Jeff and Matt Hardy, Nic Nemeth, Mustafa Ali, Moose, AJ Francis, Mike Santana, Steve Maclin, Brian Myers, Eric Young, and Leon Slater.
The Knockouts Division will also feature prominently, with Ash By Elegance, Tessa Blanchard, Elayna Black, and Indi Hartwell scheduled to compete inside the cage. Full match card details will be announced this summer.
Credit Union 1 Arena Has Deep Wrestling History
Credit Union 1 Arena, formerly known as the UIC Pavilion, is a first-time venue for TNA but not for major wrestling. WCW ran Chi-Town Rumble at the building in 1989, a card headlined by Ricky Steamboat beating Ric Flair for the NWA World Championship.
Lockdown pre-sale begins Wednesday, April 22 at 10 a.m. ET. The general on-sale opens Friday, April 24 at 10 a.m. ET. Ticket information is available at TNAWrestling.com.
TNA iMPACT airs tonight (Thursday, April 16, 2026) from the Medical University Arena in Syracuse, New York, live on AMC, AMC+, and TNA+ starting at 9 PM ET.
The first episode of Rebellion fallout is headlined by the first iMPACT match of EC3’s return to TNA. He goes one-on-one with Eric Young after clearing him from the ring in Cleveland on Saturday. KC Navarro also gets his hands on AJ Francis after turning on him at Rebellion, and TNA World Champion Mike Santana is in the iMPACT Zone. Here’s everything you need to know including start times, how to watch, and the full card.
How to Watch TNA iMPACT Tonight
Date
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Venue
Medical University Arena, Syracuse, New York
Channel/Stream
AMC / AMC+ / TNA+ (Sportsnet 360 in Canada)
US Start Time
9 PM ET / 8 PM CT / 6 PM PT
UK Start Time
2 AM BST (Friday) on DAZN and TNA+
India Start Time
6:30 AM IST (Friday) on Euro Sports Network and TNA+
Duration
2 hours
TNA iMPACT Match Card for April 16, 2026
Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight’s show:
EC3 vs. Eric Young (EC3’s First iMPACT Match Back)
EC3 calls this “not a comeback, a correction.” That was his framing in a post on X promoting tonight’s episode, which TNA is branding as #ECM3. It’s a statement of intent from a two-time TNA World Champion whose first run ended with the 2018 Feast or Fired pink slip, and who spent the last four years as the face of the NWA before departing in January.
Young set this up at Rebellion by calling EC3 a “nepo baby” and reminding him that Dixie Carter isn’t around anymore. EC3 answered the call in his hometown of Cleveland, ducked a Young cheap shot, sent him over the top with a clothesline, and cut the promo that put tonight’s match on the books. Young won’t give him a soft landing, and EC3 has built the last week of social media content around the idea that his TNA story wasn’t finished. Tonight is where he starts writing the next chapter.
KC Navarro vs. AJ Francis (Grudge Match)
Navarro cost Francis the Rebellion match with Nic Nemeth, setting up Bernie Kosar’s chair shot and the Fameasser finish. It was his first appearance since an ACL injury took him out in August 2025, and he came back specifically to turn on his former FIR$T CLA$$ partner. Francis replaced him during the layoff, and Navarro made sure his first move back was personal.
Francis is furious and will bring the aggression. Navarro’s speed gives him a puncher’s chance in his first singles match back in eight months.
Jada Stone vs. Tasha Steelz
Steelz attacked Stone the week after Steelz beat Dani Luna, so this is the pay-off. Stone has been on a strong run, but Steelz doesn’t tend to travel alone. Order 4’s presence at ringside is the variable that likely decides this one.
Mike Santana Addresses the iMPACT Zone
The TNA World Champion retained at Rebellion in a main event that featured Eddie Edwards cashing in his Feast or Fired contract and Alisha Edwards working with The System to try to strip him of the title. Santana survived it, and now he speaks for the first time since. Whatever he says tonight sets the direction for his reign heading into the summer run toward Slammiversary.
The Undead Realm: Part 3
Rosemary’s mission to resurrect Allie continues tonight. At Rebellion, Father James Mitchell and Abyss reconciled in what was the emotional peak of the arc so far. Part 3 is the next turn in one of TNA’s most distinct ongoing stories.
Road to TNA Slammiversary 2026
Slammiversary 2026 takes place Sunday, June 28 at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts.
With Rebellion in the rearview, tonight starts the two-month build to TNA’s midsummer premium event. Santana’s first words as the post-Rebellion champion will shape the title picture, and EC3’s path forward begins with whether he can get the win over Eric Young in his return match.
Follow SEScoops for any news developments from tonight’s TNA iMPACT.
AEW and TNA are on a collision course. Both promotions have locked in major pay-per-views for Sunday, June 28, 2026, setting up the first direct PPV showdown between the two companies in the modern era.
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026 will emanate from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. TNA Slammiversary 2026 is scheduled for the same night as part of the promotion’s newly announced 2026 touring schedule.
From Talent Pulls To PPV Warfare
The scheduling conflict marks a sharp escalation in what has been a rapidly deteriorating relationship between the two promotions. Just over a week ago, TNA President Carlos Silva pulled Nic Nemeth from a scheduled Create A Pro match against AEW World Champion MJF, citing conflicts after AEW Collision aired on Impact’s traditional Thursday night.
That decision set off a chain reaction. Nemeth publicly called the cancellation “crushing” on Busted Open Radio, while Will Ospreay slammed TNA on social media, labeling the talent pulls “cowardly.” The independent scene, long a neutral ground where AEW and TNA talent crossed paths freely, has become a front in a promotional cold war.
Now that war is moving to the main stage.
What’s At Stake On June 28
Forbidden Door has been one of AEW’s marquee events since its debut, built around dream matches between AEW’s roster and stars from New Japan Pro-Wrestling and other international partners. The San Jose date was confirmed earlier today, with the SAP Center announcement setting the stage for another star-studded card.
Neither promotion has publicly acknowledged the head-to-head scheduling, but the timing, coming days after the MJF match cancellation fallout, is difficult to read as coincidence.
AEW or TNA?
For wrestling fans, the Sunday night scheduling creates a choice that hasn’t existed in years. Split audiences historically benefit the promotion with the deeper roster and broader reach, and AEW enters June with significantly more mainstream visibility. TNA, however, has momentum from recent international broadcast deals and a resurgent in-ring product.
Match cards and start times for both events have yet to be announced. Expect more details in the coming weeks as both promotions begin hyping their respective PPVs.
Nic Nemeth has revealed that his career ambitions extend far beyond professional wrestling, with political office remaining a serious long-term goal. The TNA star opened up about his future plans during a recent appearance on the Generation of Wrestling podcast.
Nemeth, known to WWE fans as Dolph Ziggler, explained that he mapped out an ambitious 20-year plan while attending Kent State University. That roadmap included becoming a lawyer, winning multiple World Championships, competing in MMA, hosting Saturday Night Live, and eventually entering politics.
“20 years ago, the plan was to be pre-law at Kent State, become a lawyer while I’m training for wrestling, become a two-time world champion, host Saturday Night Live, join UFC for one fight, and then go on to become like the Mayor of Palm Springs, and then move my way into being like a Senator,” Nemeth said. “I still have those political aspirations.”
Political Passion Remains Strong
The former WWE Champion discussed his long-standing interest in politics and law, noting how public engagement with political issues has evolved dramatically since his college days. He recalled the 2000 presidential election tie, which fascinated him despite widespread campus apathy at the time.
“I love everything about politics, and so many people started following it about 10-11 years ago,” Nemeth explained. “In college, there was a tie for the presidential election. There was a tie in 2000, and nobody cared on my campus because nobody gave a damn about it. Now, too many people might care about it.”
Nemeth revealed he continues to study law in his spare time, reading legal textbooks to stay informed and sharp. He specifically mentioned Cleveland as a potential starting point for his political career.
“I still follow the law. I get certain laws for like dummies books, and that’s something I like to read in between to stay smart with everything and learn as much as I possibly can,” he said. “Yes, I absolutely would still love to do that, and I feel like that would be something that I could very well do some good, maybe for Cleveland down the line.”
Nemeth currently competes for TNA Wrestling after departing WWE in 2023. He has held the TNA World Championship and continues to work as one of the promotion’s top stars.
Santino Marella has announced that he successfully underwent surgery for sleep apnea, a condition he says has affected him for approximately 30 years.
The TNA Director of Authority shared the news on Instagram, expressing optimism about the long-term benefits while being candid about the immediate discomfort of recovery.
“Sleep apnoea surgery was a success. In a couple weeks I’ll be sleeping properly for the first time in about 30 years,” Marella wrote. “Better recovery, better blood oxygen levels, less brain fog, more energy, less inflammation, and lower cortisol levels to start.”
He acknowledged the procedure has been rough in the short term while remaining upbeat about what lies ahead. “I feel like it’s gonna be a new lease on life. Sucks pretty bad at the moment not gonna lie, but in a few days, I should begin to see the benefits.”
Sleep apnea causes repeated breathing interruptions during sleep, resulting in reduced oxygen levels and consistently poor rest quality. The timing means Marella will miss TNA Rebellion on Saturday in Cleveland. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Will Ospreay recently criticized TNA Wrestling for pulling talents from scheduled independent matches against AEW wrestlers. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ did not hold back in his assessment of the promotion’s decision.
On Wednesday, TNA announced that Leon Slater and Nic Nemeth were pulled from their respective independent matches. Slater was scheduled to face Ricochet while Nemeth was set to wrestle MJF. TNA President Carlos Silva cited “partner conflicts” as the reason for pulling the talent.
Ospreay Questions TNA’s Decision
Speaking to Josh Martinez, Ospreay referenced his own experience wrestling Pete Dunne in January 2018. At the time, Ospreay held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship while Dunne was WWE UK Champion, and both promotions allowed the match to happen.
“The fact that WWE and New Japan let that match happen, and TNA, of all people, who the fu** do you think you guys are? I’m sorry. All the fu**ing talk they were giving about being number two and you want to get permission for these guys to do that match and then pull them? I think that’s cowardly sh*t.”
He continued his criticism, stating:
“I think that says everything about what you view your talent as. You view them as less than AEW talent, and that they don’t want to grow and they don’t want to develop and they don’t want to give back to fans.”
Ospreay is scheduled to challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW Continental Championship at AEW Dynasty on April 12.
EC3’s return to TNA Wrestling is no longer a tease — it is confirmed.
After the promotion posted a cryptic teaser video on Friday featuring merchandise and ring gear associated with the former two-time TNA World Champion, TNA officially confirmed on Saturday morning that EC3 will be in the building at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio for tonight’s Rebellion pay-per-view.
“Ladies and gentlemen, two-time TNA World Champion EC3 RETURNS to TNA TONIGHT at TNA Rebellion LIVE on PPV and TNA+ from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio!” the promotion wrote on social media.
EC3 announced his departure from the National Wrestling Alliance in January after a four-year run that included a reign as NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion from August 2023 to August 2024.
His exit from NWA opened the door to his return to TNA, the promotion where he made his name as a two-time world champion before receiving the pink slip in the 2018 Feast or Fired match. He subsequently signed with WWE and was released in 2020 before eventually landing in NWA.
The full Rebellion card for tonight features Mike Santana defending the TNA World Championship against Eddie Edwards, Trey Miguel defending the TNA International Championship against Mustafa Ali, Leon Slater defending the TNA X Division Championship against Cedric Alexander, the Hardys defending the TNA World Tag Team Championships against The System’s Bear Bronson and Brian Myers, Arianna Grace defending the TNA Knockouts Championship against Lei Ying Lee, Nic Nemeth facing A.J. Francis with Bernie Kosar in his corner, Frankie Kazarian vs. Elijah, Moose vs. Special Agent 0, the Hardcore Country match between The Elegance Brand and ODB, Mickie James, and Taryn Terrell, and now the confirmed return of EC3.
TNA Rebellion takes place tonight live from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ladies and gentlemen, two-time TNA World Champion @therealec3 RETURNS to TNA TONIGHT at #TNARebellion LIVE on PPV and TNA+ from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio!
The TNA star, currently going by the name of Nic Nemeth, recently spoke to the Generation of Wrestling podcast to promote the Rebellion PPV. He discussed things such as the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy, his upcoming match with A. J. Francis and more.
During the talk, the former World Champion also revealed what his career plans were when he first entered the wrestling world. One interesting aspiration for Dolph Ziggler was to enter politics, and the former WWE star mentioned that he still wants to do that:
“20 years ago, the plan was to be pre-law at Kent State, become a lawyer while I’m training for wrestling, become a two-time world champion, host Saturday Night Live, join the UFC for one fight, and then go on to be the mayor of Palm Springs and then move my way into being a senator. I still have those political aspirations; I love everything about politics. “
Dolph Ziggler later claimed that he still likes to read about law and learn as much as he can in his free time. He said that he absolutely will love to be involved in politics, and maybe he can do something good for his hometown of Cleveland down the line.
Talents choosing politics as a post-wrestling career is not a new thing, and a number of them have found success in the transition. Jesse Ventura is the former governor of Minnesota and Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs currently serves as the Mayor of Knox County. Apart from this, former TNA star Matt Morgan is the former Mayor and current commissioner of the city of Longwood.
TNA Wrestling is teasing the return of a familiar face ahead of Rebellion this Saturday.
The promotion posted a teaser video on Friday featuring merchandise and ring gear associated with EC3, with the caption reading: “BREAKING: You CAN’T MISS TNA Rebellion THIS SATURDAY LIVE on PPV and TNA+! Get tickets now and join us at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.”
BREAKING: You CAN'T MISS #TNARebellion THIS SATURDAY LIVE on PPV and TNA+!
EC3 announced in January that he was departing the NWA after four years with the promotion, where he held the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship from August 27, 2023 to August 31, 2024. His exit from NWA opened the door to speculation about his next move, and TNA’s teaser suggests the answer could come as soon as this weekend.
EC3 is a two-time TNA World Champion and a familiar name to the promotion’s fanbase. He left TNA in 2018 after drawing the pink slip in the Feast or Fired match, went on to sign with WWE, and was released from that deal in 2020 before eventually landing in NWA.
TNA Rebellion takes place Saturday, April 11 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. The card features Mike Santana defending the TNA World Championship against Eddie Edwards in the expected main event, Trey Miguel defending the TNA International Championship against Mustafa Ali, Leon Slater defending the TNA X Division Championship against Cedric Alexander, the Hardys defending the TNA World Tag Team Championships against The System’s Bear Bronson and Brian Myers, Arianna Grace defending the TNA Knockouts Championship against Lei Ying Lee, Nic Nemeth facing A.J. Francis with Bernie Kosar in his corner, Frankie Kazarian vs. Elijah, Moose vs. Special Agent 0, and a Hardcore Country match pitting The Elegance Brand against ODB, Mickie James, and Taryn Terrell.
The latest episode of TNA Impact continued the Undead Realm story with multiple segments featuring names such as Tessa Blanchard, Father James Mitchell, Mara Sadè, and Rosemary roaming the plain in different pairs.
In one segment, Rosemary entrusted Sadè to Allie so she could guide Mara around. Another segment saw Mila Moore getting abducted by Havok while she was roaming the Undead Realm alone
The most unexpected segment of the night, however, was when Rosemary met up with Father Mitchell and said that she needed a favor. Mitchell mentioned that nothing was free in the Undead Realm.
Rosemary assured him that she was not suggesting that, and she brought the official into a room. The camera then panned to the other side of the room to reveal Abyss standing in a corner. The TNA legend said ‘Forgive me, father, for I have sinned’ before a To Be Continued graphic appeared on screen.
Abyss, real name Chris Parks, has been working with WWE as a producer since 2019. He has a long history with James Mitchell, as the latter served as Abyss’s manager between 2005 and 2008.
There is no word on where the story is leading, but based on tonight’s segment, it seems likely that we’ll see more of the wrestling veteran on TNA programming in coming times.
AEW World Champion MJF escalated his war of words with TNA President Carlos Silva on Busted Open Radio, calling the executive’s decision to block TNA talent from competing against AEW wrestlers on the independent circuit “disgusting.”
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) April 9, 2026
“Let’s talk about TNA and the fact that they are pulling young talent off of shows when they’re barely paying them any money whatso-f*cking-ever and telling them, ‘Hey, you can’t wrestle because there is a guy from another promotion that is wrestling on this show,’” MJF said. “Does that help young talent grow? Does that help young talent become better inside the squared circle?”
“Moreover, does that help young talent put food on their plate and on their table so they can eat? What Carlos Silva is doing is disgusting and if anybody supports him or that company at this point, it is very hard for me to wrap my head around.”
The remarks come one day after TNA’s new policy torpedoed several high-profile indie bookings, including MJF vs. Nic Nemeth at Create-A-Pro’s Monumental Moment show on May 1 and Ricochet vs. Leon Slater at WrestleCon’s Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow on April 16. Per Fightful Select, TNA also blocked a planned MJF vs. Bear Bronson match for GCW in March.
Silva confirmed the pullbacks to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, citing “partner conflicts,” an apparent reference to TNA’s ongoing partnership with WWE. Per PWInsider, TNA’s concern was that its wrestlers could look bad by losing to talent from outside companies on uncontrolled events. Sources close to the situation told Fightful the move appears to be trending toward a full ban on TNA talent facing AEW wrestlers anywhere.
MJF had already taken to social media ahead of Busted Open, calling Silva “actively a dumb motherf***er” and noting that TNA pays its talent “sh*t” while simultaneously cutting off their independent income.
Nic Nemeth says he is “crushed” after TNA President Carlos Silva pulled him from his scheduled match against MJF at Create-A-Pro Wrestling’s Monumental Moment event on May 1. Nemeth addressed the cancellation Thursday morning on Busted Open Radio.
“I was really looking forward to this. I was really, really excited,” Nemeth said. “As of yesterday, as I was flying in, I found out, because of certain partnerships and brands, TNA President Carlos Silva had to make a difficult decision and protect a couple of brands down the line and things that are actually contractually obligated to happen.”
Nemeth acknowledged the constraints that led to Silva’s call, saying he understands that certain partnership agreements limit what talent can do independently.
“Can’t just kind of do whatever we want,” he said. “Even though I think some things were approved at a different time, when it became the situation that it is now with a couple of different things happening at once, I feel like… I’m crushed. I’m bummed out.”
Both Stars Still Appearing at Create-A-Pro on May 1
Despite the match being scrapped, both Nemeth and MJF will still appear at the Melville, New York event. Nemeth will instead face fellow TNA star Bear Bronson, while MJF will issue an open challenge. Refunds will be available for fans who purchased tickets specifically for the originally announced bout.
“I’m going to wrestle Bear Bronson for the first time ever,” Nemeth said. “I hate that it had to come out this way. I hate that this wasn’t all taken care of in the past. But that’s something we can all work on.”
TNA’s decision also affected a second match. Ricochet vs. Leon Slater, set for WrestleCon’s Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow on April 16 during WrestleMania 42 week in Las Vegas, was also pulled after Slater was withdrawn from the card.
Nemeth Hopes to Revisit the Match
Despite the disappointment, Nemeth left the door open for the matchup to happen down the road.
“I’m going to try and make this match happen one day, and hopefully soon,” he said. “But at the moment, it is currently not happening.”
Silva cited “partner conflicts” as the reason for withdrawing TNA talent from the affected bookings. MJF took a sharply different tone in response, blasting Silva on social media and calling the TNA President’s decision a disservice to the roster.
News came out this Wednesday that the bout between AEW’s MJF and TNA’s Nic Nemeth, announced for an indie show in May, had been cancelled. This wasn’t the only change, as another similar match between Ricochet and Leon Slater was also called off.
The Salt of the Earth was the first talent to react to this news. MJF claimed on X that TNA President Carlos Silva did not care about his talents or the fans, suggesting that the decision to cancel the bout. did not come from AEW’s side.
Welp.
Nic Nemeth and TNA are afraid of the AEW World Champion.
Shame old, Carlos doesn’t care about the fans or his roster getting paid.
When reached out about the turn of events, the Anthem-owned promotion released a short statement to PWInsider, stating, “TNA wrestlers were pulled due to partner conflicts.”
Fightful Select provided some backstage updates on the matter later on, revealing that these two weren’t the only matches the promotion had blocked. According to the report, TNA had also stopped a bout between Bear Bronson and MJF planned for GCW in March.
Sources claimed that Silva was unhappy with AEW airing last week’s episode of Collision on Thursday, the designated night for Impact. Though the decision did not come from AEW management, and it was said to be a WBD call.
A number of TNA wrestlers expressed frustration over this decision from the management. TNA also did not stop the match between Mercedes Mone and Jody Threat last week, where Threat defeated Mone for the WPW Women’s Title.
TNA Rebellion 2026 takes place Saturday, April 11, at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio, with a stacked nine-match card headlined by Mike Santana putting the TNA World Championship on the line against Eddie Edwards in a Feast or Fired cash-in. Five titles are up for grabs across the night.
Key Points
Title Matches: TNA World, Knockouts, X Division, International, and Tag Team championships all on the line in one night
How to Watch: TNA+ and traditional PPV, Saturday April 11, pre-show at 7 ET / main card at 8 ET, $39.99
Rebellion is TNA’s signature spring event. The 2026 edition carries real stakes across the board. The main event is a Feast or Fired cash-in that came together out of chaos, the tag title picture features legends defending against a hungry faction, and Cleveland gets a homecoming story with Nic Nemeth settling a score in front of a partisan crowd.
Full Match Card
Match
Stipulation
Mike Santana (c) vs. Eddie Edwards
TNA World Championship
Arianna Grace (c) vs. Lei Ying Lee
TNA Knockouts World Championship
Leon Slater (c) vs. Cedric Alexander
TNA X Division Championship
Trey Miguel (c) vs. Mustafa Ali
TNA International Championship
The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) (c) vs. The System (Brian Myers & Bear Bronson)
TNA World Tag Team Championship
Ash by Elegance, Heather by Elegance & M by Elegance vs. Mickie James, ODB & Taryn Terrell
Hardcore Country Six-Woman Tag
Nic Nemeth vs. AJ Francis
Singles Match
Moose vs. Special Agent 0
Singles Match
Frankie Kazarian vs. Elijah
Singles Match
Match Previews
TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs. Eddie Edwards
Santana has held the TNA World Championship for over two months after winning the belt at the AMC premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT on January 15 by defeating Frankie Kazarian. The Realest has been a fighting champion through his second reign, but Rebellion brings a different kind of challenge: a former ally turned adversary cashing in a guaranteed contract.
Edwards won his Feast or Fired briefcase on the January 29 episode of iMPACT and had been waiting for the right moment. That moment arrived at Sacrifice in the messiest possible way. Santana’s scheduled title defense against Steve Maclin ended prematurely after a Superkick legitimately knocked Maclin out 31 seconds in. Edwards seized the chaos, ran down to attack Santana, and the two brawled until Santana put him through a table with a frog splash. TNA made it official March 30: Edwards cashes in at Rebellion.
The match shapes up as two TNA veterans who know each other well. Both made the jump from tag teams to singles careers at different points, and Santana has acknowledged the symmetry. The System will almost certainly have a presence at ringside, which was a factor Santana navigated successfully earlier in his run. Two-time champion Edwards goes into this as the challenger with everything to prove, while Santana is hungry enough to match him.
TNA Knockouts World Championship: Arianna Grace (c) vs. Lei Ying Lee
Grace defended the Knockouts title against Xia Brookside in the April 2 iMPACT main event, the first women’s main event in the AMC era, and won. That same night, TNA Director of Operations Daria Rae announced Lee as the next challenger for Rebellion. Grace has been built as the polished, imperious heel champion, and Lee brings a physical, hard-hitting contrast heading into Cleveland.
TNA X Division Championship: Leon Slater (c) vs. Cedric Alexander
Alexander won a six-man number one contender’s match on the December 11 iMPACT to earn this shot, originally scheduled for Genesis. Visa issues kept Slater from traveling to the United States at the time, pushing the match to Rebellion.
Slater has quietly put together one of the longer X Division title reigns in TNA history, surpassing Moose for the second-longest ever. Alexander has been patient waiting for his opportunity and goes in confident this is his night.
TNA International Championship: Trey Miguel (c) vs. Mustafa Ali
Ali and his Order 4 faction crossed a line at Sacrifice, zip-tying Miguel to the bottom rope during an intergender tag match to cost him the win. That interference also set up Ali’s title shot, announced by TNA that same night. Miguel defends with a legitimate grievance, which rarely makes a champion easier to deal with. Ali, backed by the full Order 4 contingent including Tasha Steelz, Jason Hotch, and John Skyler, will look to use numbers to his advantage again.
TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys (c) vs. The System (Brian Myers & Bear Bronson)
Myers and Bronson won a four-way match on the March 5 iMPACT to earn this shot, then TNA confirmed the match officially at Sacrifice. The Hardys have also been booked in a tables match against The Righteous on iMPACT with the titles on the line, meaning the champions heading into Rebellion could change depending on that result.
If Matt and Jeff survive that hurdle, they face a System team that is part of a faction with designs on the entire TNA title picture Saturday night.
Hardcore Country Six-Woman Tag: The Elegance Brand vs. Mickie James, ODB & Taryn Terrell
Santino Marella made this one official after an Elegance Brand confrontation with TNA’s legendary trio at Sacrifice. No disqualifications, anything goes, and three Hall of Fame-caliber names in James, ODB, and Terrell against the polished Elegance unit in a match designed to get physical in a hurry.
Nic Nemeth vs. AJ Francis
Nemeth was found unconscious backstage the night of Sacrifice and issued an open challenge to whoever attacked him. On April 2 iMPACT, Francis (Top Dolla) stepped forward and confirmed he was responsible, saying he was tired of Nemeth taking opportunities that should be his. Nemeth, fired up and fighting in a Cleveland building, has invited Browns legend Bernie Kosar to be in his corner. Francis goes in as the heel picking a fight in the wrong city.
Moose vs. Special Agent 0
Order 4’s Special Agent 0 attacked Moose 31 seconds into his Sacrifice match against Edwards, costing him the bout via disqualification. TNA booked the rematch for Rebellion with Moose looking to get his hands on the man who blindsided him.
Frankie Kazarian vs. Elijah
The two collided at Sacrifice, and TNA has the rematch booked for the Rebellion pre-show. Kazarian is a TNA veteran who has been trading wins and losses with the rising Elijah over recent weeks.
How to Watch
Date/Time: Saturday, April 11, 2026, pre-show 7 ET / main card 8 ET
Venue: Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Streaming: TNA+
Price: $39.99 PPV
Don’t Miss SEScoops Coverage
Stay tuned to SEScoops.com for live results, match recaps, and post-event fallout.
Mike Santana’s TNA Wrestling contract is set to expire this summer, according to a report by PWInsider on April 6, 2026. The two-time TNA World Champion will soon face a major decision about his wrestling future.
Santana is currently in his second reign as TNA World Champion. He has been one of the promotion’s top stars since returning in 2024.
WWE Interest and Contract Timing
The contract expiration comes at a significant time for Santana. He recently addressed the possibility of joining WWE but stated his focus on his current TNA run.
With his deal ending this summer, those WWE discussions could become more concrete. Santana now has a clear window to explore his options, whether that means re-signing with TNA, moving to WWE, or considering other promotions.
What’s Next for the TNA Champion
Santana continues to represent TNA as World Champion heading into the summer months. His contract situation puts him in a position to make a career-defining choice in the coming weeks.
The timing of his contract expiration could reshape the landscape for both Santana and TNA Wrestling. For now, he remains at the top of TNA’s card, but a major decision looms on the horizon.
Former TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth recently issued an open challenge for TNA Rebellion after being attacked backstage at TNA Sacrifice. He called out his unknown assailant for a match at the upcoming TNA Rebellion in Cleveland.
TNA posted a digital exclusive filmed at Sacrifice on Friday showing Ryan Nemeth discovering his brother unconscious backstage after an apparent attack.
On Thursday, Nemeth dropped a video issuing a challenge to whoever attacked him for a match at Rebellion.
“To whom it may concern, I don’t know who you are and I don’t care, but after 20-plus years in this business, I should know better. This one’s on me. I should have had eyes in the back of my head, but I didn’t. I got blindsided. I got attacked,” Nemeth said in the video.
“And if you’ve got the stomach for it, whoever you are, if you’ve got the guts to face me eye-to-eye, now that you got the cheap shot in, you made your mark, it got my attention, are you willing to go one step further? Face me eye-to-eye in that ring?”
Rebellion will take place in Nemeth’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and he has invited Cleveland Browns legend Bernie Kosar to be in his corner for the match.
“There’s nobody that embodies the spirit of the city of Cleveland more than Cleveland and Cleveland Brown legend Bernie Kosar,” Nemeth continued. “Bernie, you’re a hero to so many of us. You’re a hero to the city of Cleveland. And I think you’re the exact right person to be in my corner, to have my back, as you’ve had Cleveland’s for all these years.”
TNA Rebellion takes place Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland.
Dani Luna has been granted her release from TNA Wrestling and is now a free agent. According to Fightful Select, Luna requested her release over the weekend, and the company approved it without any issues.
Sources indicated there were no hard feelings between Luna and TNA when the release was finalized. The split was described as amicable, with both parties parting ways on good terms.
Final TNA Appearance
Luna’s last appearance for the promotion came at TNA Sacrifice on March 27. She competed in a match against Lei Ying Lee and TNA Knockouts Champion Arianna Grace, which now stands as her final outing with the company.
The match marked the end of Luna’s run with TNA after requesting her departure shortly thereafter.
What’s Next for Luna
As a free agent, Luna now has the freedom to explore opportunities across other wrestling promotions or return to the independent scene. Her availability opens the door for potential bookings with various companies looking to add talent to their rosters.
Luna’s departure adds to the recent roster changes within TNA’s Knockouts division. With her release now official, the wrestling community will be watching to see where she lands next.
TNA Wrestling came out of last night’s Sacrifice event with four matches officially announced for April’s Rebellion pay-per-view, setting up several key storylines for the upcoming show.
Hardy Boyz Face System Challenge at Rebellion
The biggest match confirmed for Rebellion will see The Hardys defending the World Tag Team Championships against Brian Myers and Bear Bronson of The System. Myers earned this title shot by winning the Feast or Fired match earlier this year.
The Righteous are expected to play a role in the championship match after finally turning on The Hardys at Sacrifice. Vincent had teamed with Jeff Hardy during the event to face Myers and Cedric Alexander, but a backstage video showed Dutch standing over a bloody Matt Hardy.
The System then attacked Jeff Hardy and scored the pinfall victory as Vincent stood by without helping his former allies.
Three Additional Matches Announced
TNA also confirmed three other matches for the Rebellion card. Cedric Alexander will challenge Leon Slater for the X Division Championship, continuing Alexander’s pursuit of singles gold.
Elijah will face Frankie Kazarian in a one-on-one encounter, while Trey Miguel will defend the International Championship against Mustafa Ali.
World Championship Picture Remains Unclear
While TNA World Champion Mike Santana is expected to defend his title at Rebellion, no challenger has been announced following the controversial ending to Sacrifice’s main event.
TNA Sacrifice Quick Results
Leon Slater def. Eric Young (X Division Title retained): Slater hit a Swanton 450 to retain; strong 15-minute match
AJ Francis & Frankie Kazarian def. The Home Town Man. Kazarian hit the Fade to Black to close it out
Arianna Grace def. Léi Y?ng Lee & Xia Brookside (Knockouts Title retained, 3-Way). Stacks interfered and helped Grace steal the pin on Léi Y?ng Lee; Santino booked Grace vs. Xia Brookside for next week’s Impact.
Mustafa Ali & Tasha Steelz def. Jada Stone & Partner. Ali hit a 450 splash for the win; Steelz and Ali looked dominant
Moose def. Eddie Edwards by DQ. Barely lasted 30 seconds; Agent Zero ran in immediately, causing the disqualification
Mara Sadé def. Elayna Black (No DQ). Sadé slammed Black into thumbtacks then hit a moonsault to win in brutal fashion
Cedric Alexander & Brian Myers def. Jeff Hardy & Partner. Jeff was distracted by footage of Vincent and Dutch attacking his brother Matt Hardy, costing his team
Mike Santana vs. Steve Maclin (TNA World Title) — No Contest — Maclin took a superkick and collapsed, prompting the X sign (possibly a legit injury); Eddie Edwards immediately ran in and attacked Santana, setting up a title match at Rebellion.
