Tag: TNA

TNA Parent Company Files Lawsuit Against Gail Kim Over Contract and Jurisdiction Dispute

A surprising and serious legal situation has emerged involving one of TNA Wrestling’s most iconic figures.

According to a report from PWInsider, TNA parent company Anthem Wrestling Exhibitions, LLC — operating under Anthem Sports & Entertainment — filed a lawsuit against TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim on January 10 in Nashville’s Chancery Court. The filing comes after Kim notified the company that she believed she may have potential legal claims following her departure in March 2025.

The core issue centers on jurisdiction and classification. Anthem’s lawsuit is a preemptive move, asking the court to rule that any disputes between the company and Kim must be handled under Tennessee law, not Florida law. Kim had reportedly indicated that she may pursue claims under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act, though Anthem’s filing does not outline the specific allegations behind those potential claims.

Anthem argues that Kim’s contractual agreements clearly state Tennessee law governs any disputes. The company points to a Services Agreement signed in September 2022 that outlined Kim’s responsibilities in talent relations, match production, and performer services, along with helping identify new revenue and growth opportunities. While the agreement expired at the end of 2024, it was reportedly extended on a month-to-month basis before the relationship ended.

The filing also references a separate, non-exclusive Booking Agreement that allowed Kim to work for other promotions or entertainment projects, as long as they were not direct competitors to TNA. Anthem is emphasizing that both agreements classified Kim as an independent contractor rather than an employee.

To support that claim, Anthem notes that Kim was not eligible for employee benefits such as health insurance, pensions, workers’ compensation, or paid leave. The company also states that during her most recent run, Kim primarily worked remotely, did not have dedicated office space, and wrestled only once. Her outside television appearances on The Amazing Race Canada and The Traitors Canada were also cited as examples of her independence, along with the fact that she received 1099 tax forms for her compensation.

Anthem further states that Kim’s exit was part of a broader “strategic decision to restructure.” That restructuring reportedly included the non-renewal of contracts for Kim and two other independent contractors, as well as the termination of five employees. The filing also mentions that Anthony Ciccione, former President of the Sports Group for Anthem Sports & Entertainment, stepped down from his role in May 2025.

Based on all of this, Anthem is asking the court to rule that Kim does not have viable claims under the Florida Private Whistleblower Act, the Florida Civil Rights Act, or Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The company is also seeking reimbursement for legal fees and court costs.

The situation is especially notable given Kim’s legacy within TNA. She is widely viewed as a cornerstone of the Knockouts division, with her feud against Awesome Kong helping legitimize women’s wrestling in the company during its early years. Kim first debuted in TNA in 2005, returned in 2011 after a WWE run, and remained with the promotion until 2022 before transitioning into backstage roles. She was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2016, becoming the first woman to receive the honor.

After her departure, Kim publicly thanked fans and colleagues, emphasizing her pride in helping build the Knockouts division and making it clear she wasn’t done with wrestling altogether. She later revealed during a December 2025 fan Q&A that she had turned down a WWE offer, saying she “had to decline” despite wanting to accept.

As of now, court records do not show whether Kim has been formally served with the lawsuit, and no court dates have been scheduled. The situation remains fluid, but it’s a rare and uncomfortable development involving one of TNA’s most respected names.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 2/5/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT on AMC taped from the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

  • Daria Rae is set to address the upcoming No Surrender match, building the intensity as anticipation builds toward the event.
  • Tessa Blanchard in action
  • Trey Miguel in action
  • Elijah & Jade Stone vs. Mustafa Ali & Tasha Steelz
  • The Elegance Brand vs. Xia Brookside, Lei Ying Lee & Indi Hartwell
  • The Righteous in action

Steve Maclin “Fired” in Shocking Feast or Fired Reveal on TNA IMPACT

TNA Wrestling delivered a classic Feast or Fired twist on Thursday night, and former world champion Steve Maclin ended up with the worst possible outcome.

During this week’s episode of TNA IMPACT, the four briefcases from last week’s Feast or Fired match were finally opened, revealing exactly what was on the line for Steve Maclin, Eric Young, Eddie Edwards, and the returning Trey Miguel. It marked the first Feast or Fired match in three years, and TNA wasted no time reminding fans why the concept remains so ruthless.

Trey Miguel was the first to open his case, learning he had earned a shot at the TNA International Championship. Eddie Edwards followed, discovering he’ll be receiving an opportunity at the TNA World Championship. At that point, the tension was already high — and it only escalated from there.

Maclin was next. When he opened his briefcase, he found the dreaded pink slip, signaling that he had been fired from TNA. The former champion stood in stunned silence as the reality set in. Moments later, Eric Young opened the final briefcase, revealing an opportunity at the TNA X-Division Championship. Young didn’t miss the chance to rub salt in the wound, mocking Maclin and reminding him that “actions have consequences” before laughing and walking away.

Maclin declined to comment on the situation, choosing instead to leave the ring visibly shaken.

The result is especially notable given Maclin’s history with the company. He joined TNA in 2021 after departing WWE and quickly became a key player. Maclin captured the Impact World Championship in 2023 (now known again as the TNA World Championship) and also enjoyed two reigns as International Champion throughout 2024. Reports late last year indicated that Maclin had signed a short-term contract extension after his deal expired in December, making this storyline development all the more intriguing.

Whether this “firing” leads to time away, a storyline suspension, or something more unexpected remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Feast or Fired has once again shaken up TNA in a major way, and Steve Maclin’s future with the promotion is now clouded with uncertainty.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 1/29/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT tonight at 9pm ET on AMC and TNA+

  • The System to kick off the show
  • The Feast or Fired cases will be opened
  • No Holds Barred Match: Rich Swann vs. AJ Francis
  • Elayna Black’s in-ring debut
  • BDE vs. Nic Nemeth
  • Jason Hotch vs. Elijah

TNA Impact On AMC Viewership & Ratings Report, Holds Steady In Week Two As Fan Reception Improves

TNA’s jump to AMC got off to a rocky start, and heading into week two, there was real concern that Impact might follow a familiar wrestling trend — a sharp drop after the premiere. While the January 22 episode did see a slight decline, the numbers suggest the situation isn’t nearly as dire as some feared.

According to reports from Wrestlenomics and the Pro Wrestling Torch, the second AMC airing of TNA Impact averaged 171,000 viewers, along with a 0.03 rating in the key 18–49 demographic. That’s a modest dip from the debut episode’s 173,000 viewers and 0.04 demo rating, translating to just a 1% drop in overall viewership and a 0.01 slide in the demo. Considering how often wrestling shows see steeper declines after a premiere, TNA managing to retain most of its audience is an encouraging early sign.

Where Impact really rebounded, though, was in fan perception. The episode scored a 6.09 rating on Cagematch, a massive improvement over the premiere’s rough 1.47 score. That jump suggests that while viewers may still be cautious, those who tuned in were far more satisfied with the in-ring product and presentation this time around.

A big talking point from the show was the return of TNA’s classic “Feast or Fired” match. Eddie Edwards, Eric Young, Steve Maclin, and Trey Miguel walked away with the briefcases, but it was Miguel’s involvement that generated the most buzz. Just a week earlier, Miguel had exited TNA for AEW, only to be released almost immediately after past comments resurfaced and were deemed homophobic. With his AEW stint ending as quickly as it began, Miguel was free to return to TNA — the company where he spent the majority of his eight-year career.

While Impact hasn’t delivered a breakout ratings moment yet, holding steady in week two and dramatically improving its reception gives TNA something to build on. The bigger question now is whether the promotion can turn that stability into growth as its AMC run continues.

Trey Miguel Re-Signs With TNA, Makes Surprise Return on Thursday Night iMPACT!

Trey Miguel is once again part of the TNA Wrestling roster, and the company didn’t waste any time making his return feel important.

Miguel made his surprise comeback on this week’s episode of TNA iMPACT!, entering the Feast or Fired match to immediately reinsert himself into the title picture. During the bout, commentary confirmed what had been rumored earlier in the day — Miguel has officially re-signed with TNA Wrestling.

The former X-Division standout’s return comes after a short and rocky stint with AEW. Miguel was released from that deal not long after signing, reportedly due to a past 2020 social media comment that resurfaced. The comment, which was a homophobic response to an online troll, led to backlash at the time, and Miguel later issued a public apology. With that chapter seemingly behind him, TNA has welcomed him back into the fold.

Prior to his on-screen return, reports had already suggested that TNA was in talks to bring Miguel back, making Thursday night’s appearance a confirmation rather than a total shock — though the timing and presentation still caught fans off guard.

Miguel wasn’t alone in the Feast or Fired match, which featured a stacked lineup including AJ Francis, The Home Town Man, Rich Swann, Mance Warner, Eric Young, Jason Hotch, John Skyler, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, and Steve Maclin.

By the end of the chaotic stipulation match, Steve Maclin, Trey Miguel, Eddie Edwards, and Eric Young walked away with the four briefcases. As always with Feast or Fired, three of the cases guarantee future championship opportunities, while the fourth carries the brutal consequence of termination. Which briefcase contains what will be revealed on next week’s episode of TNA iMPACT!.

With Trey Miguel immediately landing a briefcase in his first night back, it’s clear TNA sees him as a key player moving forward — and his return could have major implications for multiple divisions depending on how the briefcases shake out.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 1/22/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC LIVE TONIGHT at 9pm ET from the Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

  • Feast or Fired Match: Competitors TBA
  • Indi Hartwell vs. M by Elegance
  • Jeff Hardy vs. Mustafa Ali
  • We’ll hear from Mike Santana
  • We’ll hear from Elayna Black
  • The System reveal their new member after JDC’s retirement

TNA Genesis 1/17/2026 (Results)

Quick Results:

COUNTDOWN TO TNA GENESIS 2026

  • Four-Way Match for the TNA International Championship: Stacks (c) defeated BDE, Eric Young, and KJ Orso to retain
  • Tessa Blanchard and Mila Moore (with Robert Stone and Victoria Crawford) defeated Indi Hartwell and Vicious Vicki Venuto by pinfall

MAIN CARD

  • A.J. Francis defeated Rich Swann by pinfall.
  • Mustafa Ali defeated Elijah by pinfall.
  • JDC’s Retirement Match: Eddie Edwards defeated JDC by pinfall.
  • Intergender Match: Ryan Nemeth defeated Mara Sadé by pinfall.
  • Singles Match for the TNA Knockouts World Championship: Léi Yǐng Lee (c) defeated Zaria
  • Tag Team Match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys — Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy (c) defeated The Righteous (Vincent and Dutch)
  • Three-Way Match: Joe Hendry defeated Cedric Alexander and Moose
  • Texas Death Match for the TNA World Championship (with Nic Nemeth as special guest referee): Mike Santana (c) defeated Frankie Kazarian

TNA Genesis 2026 delivered a packed night of action, blending championship stakes, storyline advancement, and a memorable farewell. From a chaotic Countdown pre-show to a violent Texas Death Match main event, the company gave fans plenty to talk about.

Countdown Pre-Show

TNA International Championship:
Stacks successfully defended his title in a four-way match against Eric Young, BDE, and KJ Orso. Santino Marella clearly intended to make life difficult for the champion, but Stacks once again proved his resilience. The challengers lit up the match with fast-paced offense, especially BDE and Orso, but the closing moments turned chaotic. After a rapid exchange of finishers, Stacks capitalized by dumping Young from the ring and stealing the pin to retain.

Backstage, Daria Rae confronted Santino over what she called emotionally driven decision-making. While Santino tried to justify the match as punishment for Stacks, he was forced to admit—albeit reluctantly—that the champion continues to rise above adversity.

Elsewhere, tensions brewed when Tessa Blanchard and the Diamond Collective disrespected locker room newcomer Vicious Vicki. Indi Hartwell stepped in, leading to a tag match later in the night.

Tessa Blanchard & Mila Moore def. Indi Hartwell & Vicious Vicki Venuto:
The heels controlled much of the contest by isolating Vicki, and outside interference proved decisive. Distractions from Robert Stone, Victoria Crawford, and members of the Elegance Brand kept Indi from helping her partner. Blanchard ultimately finished Vicki with a hammerlock DDT to secure the win.

Genesis Pay-Per-View

AJ Francis def. Rich Swann:
Francis set the tone early by attacking Swann before the bell, but Swann’s speed and creativity kept him competitive. The match featured several near-falls and counters, including dueling Styles Clash attempts. Outside interference from Top Dolla turned the tide, allowing Francis to land the Down Payment chokeslam for a hard-fought victory in an energetic opener.

Mustafa Ali def. Elijah:
Elijah battled not only Ali but the constant presence of Order 4. Despite multiple momentum shifts and a strong showing from Elijah, interference proved too much. After Tasha Steelz attempted to use Elijah’s guitar, Ali turned the weapon against him, scoring the pinfall in controversial fashion.

The Final Dance:
Eddie Edwards def. Johnny Dango Curtis
In Dango’s retirement match, the veteran delivered a serious, emotional performance. After an opening handshake, Dango briefly tried to catch Edwards off guard, but the match settled into a respectful, hard-hitting contest. Dango paid tribute to his career with classic offense, but Edwards ultimately needed a Die Hard Driver and three Boston Knee Parties to put his longtime rival away. The locker room joined Dango in the ring as the crowd showed its appreciation.

Ryan Nemeth def. Mara Sade:
A lighthearted bout saw Nemeth lean into underhanded tactics. Sade had brief flashes of offense, but Nemeth’s experience—and rule-bending—earned him the win.

Backstage segments continued the theme of questioning Santino Marella’s leadership, with Arianna Grace echoing earlier criticism and warning that emotional decisions could cost Santino his job.

Knockouts Championship:
Lei Ying Lee (c) def. Zaria
A physical, evenly matched title bout was briefly disrupted by a referee bump and ringside chaos involving the Elegance Brand. Once the dust settled, Lee countered Zaria’s power offense and landed the Warrior’s Way to retain. A respectful post-match moment was interrupted by Elayna Black, who made her intentions clear as the next challenger.

TNA World Tag Team Championship:
The Hardys (c) def. The Righteous
The champions came out aggressive, but The Righteous controlled long stretches, especially by targeting Matt Hardy. Miscommunication and a missed senton from Dutch opened the door for the Hardys to rally. A Twist of Fate and Swanton Bomb combo sealed the retention. Despite some cryptic words from Dutch afterward, the Hardys celebrated with the titles.

A video message from Leon Slater explained his absence due to visa issues. He thanked Joe Hendry for stepping up and promised future X-Division opportunities for Cedric Alexander and Moose.

Joe Hendry def. Cedric Alexander & Moose:
The triple threat was built around Moose fighting through a potential back injury, which TNA presented as serious. Alexander and Hendry briefly squared off while Moose was checked, but the powerhouse returned to the match. In the closing stretch, Moose’s injury backfired on him, allowing Hendry to capitalize and hit the Standing Ovation on Alexander for the win.

TNA World Championship – Texas Death Match:
Mike Santana (c) def. Frankie Kazarian
With Nic Nemeth as special guest referee, Santana and Kazarian engaged in a brutal, crowd-brawling war. Both men survived devastating table spots, barbed wire shots, and near finishes. Santana finally wrapped barbed wire around his arm to deliver the Spin the Block lariat, keeping Kazarian down for the full ten count.

After the match, Nemeth teased a cash-in with the Call Your Shot trophy, raising Santana’s hand before attempting to strike. Santana reacted first, dropping Nemeth with another lariat. With no official cash-in, Nemeth retained the trophy, and Santana closed the show standing tall as champion.

Backstage Update on Leon Slater’s TNA Absence and Surprise WWE SmackDown Appearance

Leon Slater has found himself at the center of a lot of buzz this week, and while his surprise appearance on WWE SmackDown turned heads, there’s now more clarity on why the TNA X-Division Champion has been pulled from multiple scheduled matches.

WWE had interest in featuring Slater during its ongoing European tour, which included SmackDown emanating from Wembley Stadium. Slater answered Carmelo Hayes’ open challenge for the United States Championship, giving the British standout a high-profile moment on WWE television. Although Slater didn’t walk away with the title, his performance reportedly left a strong impression backstage.

At the same time, fans noticed Slater’s sudden removal from upcoming TNA programming. He was initially advertised to defend the X-Division Championship against Myron Reed on the AMC debut of Thursday Night iMPACT, but that match was quietly scrapped. Shortly after, Reed and The Rascalz were announced as new signings with AEW, further fueling speculation.

Slater was also pulled from a major title defense at TNA Genesis on January 17, where he was set to face Cedric Alexander and Moose. That bout has since been changed, with Alexander and Moose now challenging Joe Hendry instead.

Given Slater’s crossover appearance on SmackDown, rumors quickly surfaced suggesting a working arrangement between WWE and TNA—possibly with Slater’s appearance being traded for AJ Styles showing up on iMPACT. However, according to Fightful Select, the situation is far less political and more logistical.

The report notes that Slater is one of several TNA talents currently dealing with visa issues. Because he was already back home in the UK, TNA opted to allow WWE to use him during their European tour rather than keep him sidelined entirely. During iMPACT, TNA officially addressed the situation in a backstage segment, announcing that Slater would miss Genesis due to those visa complications.

Before Friday’s SmackDown, Slater’s most recent WWE appearance came at NXT New Year’s Evil, where he suffered a loss to Oba Femi. Despite the crossover exposure, Slater remains under contract with TNA through the end of 2026.

While visa issues may have temporarily disrupted his TNA run, Slater’s recent WWE appearances have only elevated his profile. Once those matters are resolved, it’ll be interesting to see how TNA positions its X-Division Champion after gaining valuable experience on one of WWE’s biggest stages.

The IInspiration Reportedly Departing TNA

The IInspiration’s latest run in TNA appears to have reached its final chapter.

On the debut episode of TNA iMPACT! on AMC, Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay dropped the Knockouts Tag Team Championships to The Elegance Brand, a result that now carries much bigger implications. According to a report from Fightful Select, the former champions are expected to be finishing up with the company following the title loss.

While Lee and McKay were still prominently featured on television, their contractual status had already been a talking point for months. The duo’s TNA deals officially expired back in October, even as they continued working with the promotion and eventually captured the tag titles. Rather than locking into new long-term agreements, The IInspiration continued on a series of short-term arrangements.

Despite being open to staying with TNA under the right circumstances, both sides ultimately decided this week would be the right time to move on. With the titles now off them and the AMC era of iMPACT officially underway, their exit neatly closes the book on their most recent TNA chapter.

The report also notes that there is outside interest in Lee and McKay, suggesting this may not be the last fans see of the popular tag team anytime soon. Given their name value and experience, that’s not much of a surprise.

Before returning to TNA, Lee and McKay were best known to WWE audiences as Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, where they enjoyed a long run and held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Their chemistry and character work made them one of the more memorable women’s teams of the modern era.

For now, The IInspiration’s future destination remains unclear — but with momentum, name recognition, and championship pedigree, their next move will be worth keeping an eye on.