Tag: Thursday Night iMPACT

TNA Quietly Removes X-Division Title Match From AMC Debut Amid Contract Uncertainty Of The Rascalz

TNA Wrestling has made a notable last-minute change to the lineup for its upcoming AMC debut episode of iMPACT!, and it appears to stem from real-world contract issues rather than creative direction.

The company has quietly pulled the previously announced X-Division Championship match that would have seen Leon Slater defend his title against Myron Reed. The bout has been removed from promotional graphics and the official event listing for Thursday’s show at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas. While Slater is still featured in TNA’s “tune in” press materials for the venue, Reed’s name is no longer mentioned.

Behind the scenes, reports suggest the decision is tied to the contract status of The Rascalz. According to PWInsider, members of the group are no longer under contract with TNA Wrestling. Trey Miguel and Zach Wentz are believed to have seen their deals expire at the end of 2025, with no option in place for TNA to extend them for an additional year.

Reed appears to have confirmed his own status indirectly, as his social media now lists him as a “free agent.” Dezmond Xavier has also resurfaced recently, though he is likewise believed to be unsigned. While all four performers still appear on some TNA roster listings, multiple sources indicate that there are currently no active contracts binding them to the promotion.

TNA officials reportedly declined to comment when asked about The Rascalz’ status. Despite the group still being listed on the company’s website, the belief backstage is that all four wrestlers are free to work elsewhere without restriction.

As for the X-Division Championship picture, Leon Slater’s reign remains intact and unaffected by the change. He is still scheduled to defend the title this Saturday at TNA Genesis in a Triple Threat match against Cedric Alexander and Moose, a bout that continues to be heavily promoted.

With TNA stepping onto a new platform with its AMC debut, the situation surrounding The Rascalz is one worth keeping an eye on, especially given their popularity and long-standing association with the company’s X-Division.

TNA Reportedly Wants AJ Styles To Wrestle On AMC Debut Episode Of “Thursday Night iMPACT”

TNA is gearing up for a massive relaunch in 2026, and the company is apparently shooting big when it comes to star power. With the promotion’s new multi-year media rights deal officially locked in, iMPACT is set to make its AMC debut on January 15, 2026, airing live from the Curtis Caldwell Center in Garland, Texas. And according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, TNA is hoping to bring back one of its most iconic names for the premiere: AJ Styles.

Per Dave Meltzer, a WWE source says TNA has reached out with interest in having Styles actually wrestle on the debut episode. The idea is simple—kick off the AMC era with a major ratings splash by featuring the man many still associate with the company’s glory years. Styles himself recently said he’d love to wrestle in TNA one more time before wrapping up his in-ring career, and January would mark his first match for the promotion since 2013.

WWE did allow “The Phenomenal One” to make a cameo at TNA Slammiversary back in July, appearing in a non-wrestling role. Letting him work an actual match is, of course, a different conversation entirely—but not outside the realm of possibility given WWE’s slightly more flexible approach to cross-promotional moments in recent years.

If the match does happen, Meltzer notes a likely opponent: Frankie Kazarian. The reigning TNA World Champion has a long, shared history with Styles dating back to the 2000s, and the two have locked up many times over the years. A Styles vs. Kazarian showdown on AMC’s debut night would be a fitting callback for longtime fans while spotlighting today’s TNA main event scene.

Along with the network move, TNA is giving its flagship a refreshed identity. The show will officially be known as Thursday Night iMPACT, maintaining its two-hour timeslot from 9–11 p.m. ET and streaming concurrently on AMC+.

Whether AJ Styles steps back into a TNA ring remains to be seen—but if TNA gets its wish, their AMC premiere could instantly become one of 2026’s most talked-about wrestling nights.