Buff Bagwell Makes Emotional TNA Return, Eyes One More Match After Life-Changing Setback

TNA Wrestling delivered a genuinely unexpected and emotional moment on last night’s episode of Thursday Night iMPACT!, as former WCW standout Buff Bagwell made his first appearance for the company in two decades—and he didn’t come quietly.

Appearing with Gia Miller at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, Bagwell addressed both the live crowd and viewers at home with a tone that was far more reflective than the cocky persona fans remember. The five-time WCW World Tag Team Champion opened up about the struggles he’s faced in recent years, including a major life-altering surgery.

Bagwell revealed that he underwent a leg amputation on July 10, 2025, calling the experience devastating. From there, he shifted into a heartfelt apology, acknowledging that his behavior over the past 20 years hasn’t always reflected the performer fans once rallied behind. Admitting that his journey has been filled with more lows than highs, Bagwell asked for one more chance to earn the support of the wrestling audience.

But he didn’t stop at words. Bagwell made it clear he has a goal in mind—to walk back down the ramp, step into the ring, and compete for TNA one last time.

The crowd responded with a loud show of support, signaling that fans may be ready to embrace a redemption story. However, the moment didn’t stay entirely sentimental for long.

Frankie Kazarian interrupted the scene, taking a jab at Bagwell by twisting his famous catchphrase and suggesting that “The Buff” isn’t what it used to be. The comment drew heat quickly, but Bagwell wasn’t left to stand alone. Elijah stepped in to back the veteran, voicing his support and even suggesting he’d be honored to stand alongside Bagwell when the time comes for his return to the ring.

Bagwell’s career has been anything but smooth. Since breaking into the business in 1991, he’s endured a series of setbacks, including a broken neck, multiple car accidents, and well-documented personal struggles. Despite that turbulent history, Thursday’s appearance painted the picture of someone determined to rewrite the final chapter.

Now, the big question is whether TNA will follow through on this story and give Bagwell the opportunity he’s asking for. If the fan reaction is any indication, there’s certainly interest in seeing “Buff” attempt one more walk—and one more match—inside a TNA ring.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 3/26/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC from the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, GA.

  • Mike Santana & Leon Slater vs. Cedric Alexander & Eddie Edwards
  • Tessa Blanchard, Mila Moore & Victoria Crawford vs. Jody Threat, Myla Grace & Harley Hudson
  • Moose vs. Bear Bronson
  • Mustafa Ali vs. BDE
  • Jeff Hardy vs. Brian Myers
  • Eric Young vs. TBA

TNA’s The Hardys Have Signed Official WWE Merchandise Deal, Part of WWE 2K26 Video Game

Matt and Jeff Hardy’s renewed connection with WWE just took another interesting turn, as the legendary tag team has officially locked in a new merchandise deal with the company.

Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt confirmed that The Hardy Boyz have signed an agreement with WWE that not only brings them into WWE 2K26, but could also lead to more collaborations down the line.

According to Matt, the deal is expected to extend beyond a one-off appearance, with plans for the duo to remain part of WWE’s video game landscape for the foreseeable future. He also hinted that this partnership could grow into additional opportunities, suggesting WWE may have more in mind than just nostalgia-driven content.

The Hardys’ inclusion in WWE 2K26—particularly in editions centered around the Attitude Era—feels like a natural fit. After all, Matt and Jeff were key figures during that time, redefining tag team wrestling with their high-risk style and unforgettable ladder matches. Matt noted that fan demand played a big role in making this happen, with many pushing for the brothers to be included in a game celebrating that era.

The response so far has reportedly been overwhelmingly positive, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by WWE. That kind of feedback likely helped solidify the deal and could be a factor in expanding the partnership moving forward.

What makes this situation even more notable is that the Hardys haven’t been full-time WWE performers in years. Following their departure, both men spent time in AEW and later resurfaced in TNA Wrestling. However, the growing working relationship between WWE and TNA opened the door for crossover appearances, including matches on WWE NXT—appearances that may have ultimately paved the way for this new agreement.

While there’s no official word yet on whether this leads to a more permanent in-ring return, the door is clearly open wider than it has been in quite some time. At the very least, fans can expect to see plenty more of The Hardy Boyz in WWE projects moving forward.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 3/19/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT tonight on AMC at 9/8c.

  • The Righteous vs. The Nemeths
  • Brian Myers vs. Moose
  • Dani Luna & Arianna Grace vs. Angel Warriors
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Home Town Man
  • Elayna Black vs. Jada Stone
  • Mr. Elegance vs. TBA

Former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle Officially Signs With TNA Wrestling

Former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle is officially back in the wrestling world — this time with TNA Wrestling.

TNA confirmed the news on Friday, sharing a video on social media showing Michelle signing her contract alongside company president Carlos Silva and longtime wrestling veteran Tommy Dreamer. The announcement comes after Michelle had quietly made a few appearances for the promotion in recent months.

According to Silva, Michelle will be joining the organization primarily in a behind-the-scenes capacity. During the signing video, Michelle expressed her excitement about returning to the industry that helped shape her career.

She described the opportunity as a meaningful full-circle moment, noting that she never expected wrestling to come back into her life in this way. Michelle said she’s eager to contribute however she can and help TNA continue building its future.

“I didn’t know this could come back,” Michelle said in the video. “Just being able to help build this with you guys and play even a small role in it is really a dream come true.”

Michelle also revealed that Dreamer was the one who reached out to her about returning to the business. She said he contacted her the day after Christmas to discuss the possibility of helping the company behind the scenes. Dreamer later thanked Michelle during the signing, praising her loyalty to both him and the wrestling industry over the past two decades.

While TNA confirmed her signing, the company has not yet shared details about the terms of her contract. It’s also unclear whether Michelle will appear on-screen or potentially become involved with the Knockouts division in any capacity.

Michelle first entered the wrestling world in 2004 when she competed in WWE’s Diva Search. Although she didn’t win the competition, WWE still signed her, and she quickly became a recognizable figure during the mid-2000s era of the company’s women’s division.

Over the course of her WWE run, she shared the ring with names like Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson, Ashley Massaro, and Melina. Her biggest career moment came at the 2006 Vengeance pay-per-view, where she defeated Melina to capture the WWE Women’s Championship — becoming the first Diva Search contestant to win the title.

Michelle continued wrestling for several years before stepping away from the business. Her last known match took place in 2017 outside of WWE, where she picked up a victory over Lisa Marie Varon, known to WWE fans as Victoria.

Now, nearly a decade after her final match, Michelle is once again part of the wrestling industry — this time helping shape it from behind the curtain. Whether her new role eventually leads to an on-screen appearance remains to be seen, but her return adds another familiar name to TNA’s growing roster of industry veterans and contributors.

Former AEW Star Allie Reunites With Rosemary During TNA Impact Appearance

A familiar face made a surprising return on TNA Impact, as former AEW performer Allie — also known to many fans as The Bunny — showed up in a backstage segment alongside longtime ally and rival Rosemary.

Allie previously spent several years in TNA from 2013 to 2019, where she became a prominent figure in the Knockouts division. During that run, she captured the TNA Knockouts Championship twice and shared a memorable on-screen history with Rosemary, alternating between partners and adversaries.

Her original run in the promotion came to a dramatic end when her character was written off television in a storyline where she died in Rosemary’s arms. Not long after, Allie resurfaced in AEW, debuting under the name The Bunny.

While in AEW, she aligned with The Butcher and The Blade, frequently acting as their manager while also competing in the ring herself. She later formed a tag team with Penelope Ford before eventually departing the company in 2023.

In recent months, Allie has been gradually making her way back into the wrestling world. She began training for an in-ring return last year and even appeared at Border Brawl as the coach for Team Canada. Not long after, she officially returned to action at Evil Uno’s Mystery Wrestling event, teaming with Penelope Ford.

Hints about a potential TNA return started circulating recently thanks to Raven, who posted a photo on social media showing himself, Allie, and Rosemary together at a TNA taping, sparking speculation among fans.

On this week’s episode of TNA Impact, that tease paid off when Allie appeared in a backstage segment involving Rosemary, who has been involved in a series of mysterious and cryptic interactions lately.

Just before Allie’s cameo, Rosemary was shown speaking with Johnny Swinger. In a comedic moment, Swinger noticed someone walking by in a bunny costume and jokingly referred to the figure as the “Gobbledy Gooker.”

With Allie now back in the TNA universe — and once again crossing paths with Rosemary — it looks like the promotion may be revisiting one of its most unique and supernatural storylines. Fans will be watching closely to see what role The Bunny plays next.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 3/12/2026

TNA Thursday Nigh iMPACT! on AMC taped from the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, GA.

  • Atlanta Street Fight: Moose vs. Cedric Alexander
  • Non-Title Match: The Hardys vs. Sinner and Saint
  • Trey Miguel, BDE & Rich Swann vs. Order 4
  • A.J. Francis vs. Elijah
  • Indi Hartwell vs. TBA
  • Ricky Sosa debuts
  • We’ll hear from Steve Maclin

Jeff Jarrett Documentary “Heart of a Promoter” Now Streaming Free on YouTube

Wrestling fans can now take a deep dive into the life and legacy of one of the industry’s most polarizing and influential figures — for free.

The Jeff Jarrett Story: Heart of a Promoter is officially available to stream on YouTube, giving viewers an in-depth look at Jarrett’s Hall of Fame career both inside the ring and behind the scenes as a wrestling executive.

The special chronicles far more than just Jarrett’s time as a multi-time world champion. Alongside longtime collaborator Conrad Thompson, the self-proclaimed “King of the Mountain” reflects on his family’s deep-rooted history in the wrestling business — a lineage that dates back to 1946. From Memphis territory days to the national expansion era, the Jarrett name has been intertwined with the evolution of sports entertainment for decades.

Of course, a major focus of the documentary centers on Jarrett’s bold moves as a promoter. That includes the founding of NWA Total Nonstop Action (TNA) as well as his later venture, Global Force Wrestling. The project explores the risks, setbacks, and perseverance required to launch and sustain wrestling promotions in an industry dominated by larger corporate entities.

In addition to revisiting his past, Jarrett remains active in today’s wrestling landscape. He hosts the popular My World with Jeff Jarrett podcast alongside Thompson, where he regularly shares behind-the-scenes stories from throughout his career. Jarrett also currently serves as AEW’s Director of Business Development, playing a key role in expanding the company’s partnerships and strategic opportunities.

For fans interested in wrestling history — especially the business side of the industry — Heart of a Promoter offers a comprehensive look at one of the most resilient figures the business has produced.

And now, it’s just a click away.

Also available to watch: the making of the documentary.

AJ Styles Reveals He Nearly Retired in TNA Before WWE Run Changed Everything

AJ Styles’ in-ring career officially came to an end at the 2026 Royal Rumble, where “The Phenomenal One” fell to GUNTHER in a career-on-the-line showdown. The following night on WWE Raw, Styles received an emotional sendoff, capped off with confirmation that a WWE Hall of Fame induction is on the horizon.

But as it turns out, Styles once envisioned a very different ending to his story.

Speaking on Raw Recap: WWE Now, Styles admitted that there was a time when he fully expected to retire under the TNA banner — the company where he became a cornerstone star and helped build its identity during its formative years.

According to Styles, had TNA presented him with a comparable contract offer back in 2014, he likely never would have left.

He explained that he took pride in helping establish TNA as a legitimate wrestling promotion and had every intention of finishing his career there. However, circumstances changed. With TNA dealing with financial struggles at the time, Styles was reportedly asked to accept a significant pay cut — said to be around 60 percent. That proved to be the turning point.

Rather than re-sign under those terms, Styles bet on himself.

After departing TNA in early 2014, Styles revitalized his career on the global stage. He made high-profile stops in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he further cemented his legacy and expanded his international reputation. That momentum ultimately led to his surprise debut in WWE as an entrant in the 2016 Men’s Royal Rumble — a moment that instantly reshaped the industry landscape.

Over the next decade, Styles built a résumé that erased any doubt about his place in WWE history. He captured the United States Championship, Intercontinental Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, and most notably, the WWE Championship — a reign that solidified him as one of the defining stars of his era.

His final chapter came full circle at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Putting his career on the line against GUNTHER, Styles was ultimately defeated after “The Ring General” forced him to pass out to a sleeper hold. It was a fittingly hard-fought end for a competitor known for his resilience and elite in-ring ability.

While Styles once pictured his retirement happening in TNA, fate had other plans. Instead, he closes his career as a future WWE Hall of Famer — a testament to a journey that took risks, crossed borders, and ultimately redefined what was possible for a wrestler who built his name outside the WWE system.

In hindsight, turning down that TNA offer may have been the most important decision of his career.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT!

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight on AMC at 9/8c.

Where To Watch: AMC, AMC+, & TNA+ (US), Sportsnet & Sportsnet 360 (Canada), TNA+ (internationally)

  • The Hardys and The Righteous vs. The System
  • Mike Santana and Leon Slater vs. Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth
  • Frankie Kazarian will be on commentary
  • Lei Ying Lee vs. Dani Luna
  • AJ Francis vs. Mance Warner
  • Ash by Elegance face-to-face with Mickie James
  • Jada Stone vs. Tasha Steelz
  • Tom Hannifan interviews Steve Maclin