TNA iMPACT: Trust the System as Santana is a fighting champ

Boris Roberto Aguilar

TNA iMPACT image for April 23, 2025
TNA iMPACT image for April 23, 2025

Greetings and salutations! TNA iMPACT! comes to you from Syracuse, New York with a full night of action following the fallout from Rebellion. Nic Nemeth faces Bear Bronson after last week’s confrontation. We will also see Matt Hardy going one-on-one with Dutch as The Hardys and The Righteous make things personal. In the main event, TNA World Champion Mike Santana gives takes on Rich Swann. Here is the full card:

  • Mike Santana (c) vs. Rich Swann – TNA World Title Match
  • Matt Hardy vs. Dutch
  • Nic Nemeth vs. Bear Bronson (with The System)
  • Elayna Black in action
  • Xia Brookside addresses her betrayal of Lei Ying Lee
  • Elijah in concert

With all this and so much more, let’s get to the action.

Nic Nemeth vs. Bear Bronson

Ryan Nemeth joined the commentary team and pretty much made fun of KC Navarro. Bronson dominated tons of the match with his power advantage, while The System took every opportunity to interfere when the referee’s back was turned. Nemeth rallied late by sending Bronson shoulder-first into the ring post before spiking him with a DDT. Both men traded nearfalls. Bronson connected with a Falcon Arrow for a 2-count, while Nemeth came right back with a Superkick of his own.

The System surrounded Nic Nemeth at ringside, but Navarro evened the odds when he came out for the good guys save. Ryan Nemeth then left commentary and tossed Nic back into the ring. With Bronson distracted by Navarro, Nemeth hit a HUGE superkick followed by the Danger Zone for the win.

Winner: Nic Nemeth

Backstage, Rich Swann made it clear he has one goal: reclaim the TNA World Championship. Swann told BDE to stay out of his business, emphasizing that he wants no excuses when he defeats Mike Santana.

We are ringside for the “Elijah” concert as Frankie Kazarian was disguised as Elijah. After mocking Elijah and teasing a song titled “Kaz Is My Daddy,” the lights went out and the real Elijah appeared behind Kazarian and choked him out before issuing a challenge for a “Walk With Elijah Guitar Strap Match.” Elijah ended things with a song for Kazarian.

EC3 with a chair around his neck said that his return is a “crusade,” not a comeback. He vowed to finish what he started, and said that defeating Eric Young is essential to reaching his “Act III.”

Backstage, Tessa Blanchard, alongside Mila Moore, talked about how dangerous the Unndead Realm is after their recent experience there. Victoria Crawford downplays it, but Tessa insisted it changes people. Tessa then challenged Rosemary and Allie to a match next wee, saying they’ll fight them “in their world.”

Dutch vs. Matt Hardy

With Jeff Hardy and Vincent banned from ringside, Matt took early control and even spray-painted “SACRIFICE” on a table. The match spilled outside, with both men using anything and everything to their advantage. Matt delivered a top-rope elbow through a table, but the damn thing couldn’t even break.

After resetting the table, Matt finally drove Dutch through it with a suplex. The match went nuts as Vincent just showed up from under the ring, sliding in a chair. As the referee tried to remove it, Vincent knocked Matt off the top rope, allowing Dutch to hit Death Walks for the win.

Winner: Dutch

After the match, Dutch continued the assault until Jeff Hardy made the save, hitting a Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb. Vincent watched from the ramp, laughing as he stared down The Hardys.

The Elegance Brand met with Daria Rae. She confirmed Santino Marella is still suspended. After some lobbying from the Personal Concierge, Mr. Elegance was granted a match for next week, even though Daria just couldn’t with them anymore.

Léi Ying Lee apologized to Xia Brookside for everything going on between them. Xia blamed Lee for her Knockouts Championship loss and lashed out over the pressures of being a second-generation star. Lee started crying and even apologized. They hug and through the hug….the con was on as Brookside attacked her. Brookside hit a huge DDT and said “We are done.”

This was an awesome segment!

Elayna Black vs. Katie Arquette

In the weekly squash match of the week, Elayna Black made quick work of Katie Arquette. Black took control early, and never let the foot off the peal as she hits a brutal running knee and the Blackout for the win.

Winner: Elayna Black

Mustafa Ali and Order 4 held an “international summit” to determine the next challenger for the International Championship. After a random draw, Australia was selected. Adam Brooks was announced as the next challenger and will face Ali next week.

The System addressed their bad night after Bronson’s loss earlier. Bronson vowed it wouldn’t happen again, while Cedric Alexander called out Leon Slater, demanding a title match after pinning him a few shows back. Eddie Edwards summed up the group’s mentality: they own their failures, and that’s why they remain dangerous.

TNA World Championship: Mike Santana (c) vs. Rich Swann

Both men went back and forth early on. Santana delivered a brutal Alabama Slam to the outside, while Swann responded with his speed to get control back. The match escalated into a back-and-forth battle filled with nearfalls. Swann hits a huge Frog Splash, and moments later a Canadian Destroyer for a close 2-count. Santana came right back with a Rolling Buck .50 and a running powerbomb. Santana caught Swann with Spin The Block for the win.

Winner: AND STILL TNA Champion; Mike Santana

Daria Rae appeared post-match, presenting Santana with the championship as he celebrated to end the show.

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