Mickie James Shocks TNA Crowd With Return At No Surrender 2026

The TNA Asylum in Nashville got a blast from the past on Friday night as “Hardcore Country” Mickie James made her long-awaited return at No Surrender 2026.

It had been nearly three years since James last appeared inside a TNA ring, but the former Knockouts legend chose the perfect moment to reemerge — and she didn’t come alone with just nostalgia. She came with a fight in mind.

The surprise unfolded after The Elegance Brand’s Heather and M successfully retained the Knockouts World Tag Team Championships against Indi Hartwell and Xia Brookside. With the champions celebrating, James’ music hit, instantly shifting the energy inside the building.

James made her way to the ring and quickly locked eyes with Ash by Elegance, signaling exactly who was on her radar. Ash didn’t waste time charging at the returning veteran as she stepped onto the apron — but the gamble backfired. James fired off a flurry of punches, reminding everyone why she’s one of the most respected brawlers in Knockouts history.

Of course, the numbers game soon caught up with her as Heather and M jumped into the fray. Before things could spiral out of control, Hartwell and Brookside rushed back to even the odds, leading to a chaotic scene that left fans buzzing about what comes next.

While this marked her first TNA appearance in quite some time, James hasn’t exactly been inactive. Nearly a year ago, in July 2025, she captured the ABC (Association Biterroise de Catch) Women’s Championship by defeating Mila Smidt — a title she still holds over 200 days into her reign. Even outside the ring, she’s remained a prominent figure in the industry, joining the 2025 TNA Hall of Fame class and serving as a coach on the debut season of WWE’s LFG.

Her last TNA match prior to this return came at Bound for Glory 2023, where she fell short in a Knockouts World Title challenge against Trinity (WWE’s Naomi). Now, with her focus clearly set on The Elegance Brand, it looks like James may be gearing up for another meaningful run in the company she helped define.

Whether this was a one-night appearance or the beginning of something bigger remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: the Knockouts division just got a lot more interesting.

TNA No Surrender 2/13/2026 (Results) – Mickie James Returned

Countdown To No Surrender

Sinner & Saint def. Brad Attitude & TW3

The local duo brought plenty of energy, but Sinner & Saint were clearly on another level. After absorbing some early offense, they sealed the deal with a sharp combo kick into a perfectly executed bridging suplex.


Mance Warner Calls Out “Action” Mike Jackson

Mance Warner and Steph De Lander interrupted the legendary Mike Jackson during a segment. Jackson didn’t flinch — but he made it clear that disrespect toward Gia Miller wouldn’t be tolerated. Warner questioned whether Jackson could still go. Jackson answered by accepting a match later in the night.


King’s Speech Leads To Frankie Kazarian vs. Alan Angels

Ryan Nemeth and Alan Angels were scheduled to wrestle, but Frankie Kazarian hijacked the segment for an impromptu edition of “King’s Speech.” Nemeth was fine with it — so long as he still got paid.

Angels refused to leave. Kazarian threatened to drop the mic and punch him — and followed through. Unfortunately for Kaz, Angels fired back.

In his official TNA return, Alan Angels made it clear he wasn’t there to waste time and challenged Kazarian on the spot.

Frankie Kazarian def. Alan Angels

Angels impressed immediately, flying around the ring and even locking in the Wings of Saturn. A missed moonsault proved costly, though. Kazarian capitalized and cinched in the chickenwing submission to force the tap.


Arianna Grace and Stacks vowed backstage that they would leave No Surrender as champions, promising to become wrestling’s ultimate power couple — and to make Santino Marella proud.


No Surrender Main Card Results

Knockouts Battle Royal

Winner: Jody Threat (Earns Knockouts Championship Match)

The Knockouts division brought chaos from the opening bell.

Late in the match, Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford tried to eliminate Jody Threat. Tessa Blanchard crashed into the pile — accidentally eliminating her own allies. Threat narrowly survived by hanging onto the bottom rope with her feet while the field assumed she was gone.

Blanchard thought she had it won after eliminating Mara Sade. Instead, Threat popped back in and sent Blanchard to the floor to secure the victory and a future Knockouts Championship opportunity.


Mike Santana cut a focused promo acknowledging Nic Nemeth and Eddie Edwards’ world title opportunities, warning that he sees “the snakes” lurking. Leon Slater also returned from visa-related absence and shot down the idea of using Option C — especially against Santana.

Oh — and yes, Jelly Roll was in attendance.


TNA International Championship

Trey Miguel def. Stacks (c) to win the title

Stacks had Arianna Grace in his corner — and she didn’t hesitate to get involved. However, the referee caught her slapping Trey Miguel and ejected her from ringside.

From there, Trey turned the tide. A sliding DDT on the floor shifted momentum before he put Stacks away with the Lightning Spiral to capture the International Championship.

Trouble in paradise for the “power couple.”


AJ Francis stormed the stage next, boasting that if Jelly Roll wants to wrestle in TNA, he’ll be waiting. Francis declared himself the real ratings mover and invited himself to commentary for the remainder of the night.


Mance Warner def. “Action” Mike Jackson

The 70+ year-old Jackson stunned the crowd with a suplex on the floor and a suicide dive. Warner recovered by avoiding a crossbody and leveling Jackson with a lariat before finishing him with a lifting DDT.

Post-match, Warner and Steph De Lander showed respect to Jackson — teasing a possible shift in attitude. A brief staredown with AJ Francis followed, but no punches were thrown.


Backstage, Arianna Grace berated Stacks for losing his title, warning him that one more embarrassment could mean the end of their relationship.


Knockouts Tag Team Championship

The Elegance Brand (c) def. Indi Hartwell & Xia Brookside

Mr. Elegance’s interference helped swing control early. Indi Hartwell eventually got the hot tag and cleaned house, but The Elegance Brand weathered the storm.

A brutal corner assault and their bow-and-arrow flying stomp finisher put Hartwell down for the three-count.

Moments later…


Mickie James Returns

Hardcore Country is back.

Mickie James stormed the ring and immediately targeted Ash. The Elegance Brand retreated before Mickie could land her jumping DDT, clearly setting up unfinished business.


Eric Young def. BDE

Before the bell even rang, BDE launched a series of dives onto Young. Once the match officially began, things turned nasty.

There was biting. There were low blows. There was referee distraction.

BDE nearly stole it with a Canadian Destroyer, but Young survived. A shove into the ropes knocked BDE off the top, and Young capitalized with a piledriver for the win.


Jody Threat celebrated her title opportunity until Tessa Blanchard and company interrupted. The trash talk quickly escalated into a singles challenge for Impact.


Knockouts Championship

Arianna Grace def. Lei Ying Lee (c) to win the title

Despite earlier tension, Stacks remained at ringside.

Lei Ying Lee dominated early with strikes and suplexes. Chaos erupted when Dani Luna appeared on stage, demanding the title shot she never received due to visa issues. Security restrained her, but the distraction gave Arianna the opening she needed.

Stacks attempted to assist with the belt. Lee fought him off, but upon returning to the ring, Arianna kicked the ropes into her face. She then struck with the Cobra — yes, Santino’s Cobra — before finishing Lee with a fireman’s carry knee strike to win the Knockouts Championship.

Arianna Grace is now champion.


Santino later confronted Arianna backstage, only for Daria Rae to answer the door. Rae verbally tore into Santino, accusing him of failing both professionally and personally. When Santino reached for the Cobra — it was gone. Rae warned she would fire him if he used it and reminded him of her MMA background.


Order 4 def. The Hardys & The Righteous

Questions about trust between The Hardys and The Righteous lingered throughout the match. At one point, they appeared fully united, even delivering stereo Twists of Fate and Swantons.

Late chaos saw Tasha Steelz throw powder into Dutch’s eyes. Mustafa Ali exploited the confusion, leading to a spinning side slam on Matt Hardy before Ali hit a 450 splash for the win.

Afterward, Elijah appeared with a guitar-case “casket” ahead of his upcoming match with Ali. Ali attacked a decoy, only for Elijah to emerge from inside the case and brawl with him.


Main Event

Mike Santana & Leon Slater def. Nic Nemeth & Eddie Edwards

The looming threat all night was whether Nemeth, Edwards, or Slater would cash in their world title opportunities mid-match, which would have immediately halted the tag bout.

Instead, we got chaos.

Steve Maclin brawled Santana into the crowd. The System interfered. The referee was knocked down. Moose ran in for the save and fought Edwards to the back.

It ultimately came down to Slater vs. Nemeth.

Nemeth connected with a Fameasser and signaled for a superkick, but Slater beat him to the punch with a spinning heel kick. Slater then soared with a swanton 450 splash to secure the victory in a breakout performance.

No cash-ins. No world title shockers.

Just momentum shifting across the TNA landscape heading out of No Surrender.

TNA No Surrender 2/13/2026 (Card)

TNA No Surrender – Friday , February 13, 2026 – The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee

CARD

  • TNA International Championship: Stacks (c) vs. Trey Miguel.
  • TNA Knockouts World Championship: Léi Yǐng Lee (c) vs. Arianna Grace.
  • TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: The Elegance Brand (c) vs. Indi Hartwell & Xia Brookside.
  • TNA Knockouts Championship #1 Contenders Battle Royal: Competitors TBA.
  • The Hardys & The Righteous vs. Order 4.
  • Mike Santana & Leon Slater vs. Nic Nemeth & Eddie Edwards
  • Eric Young vs. BDE

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.

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 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.

TNA Genesis 1/17/2026 (Card)

TNA Genesis – Saturday, January 17, 2026 – Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas (Dallas).

CARD

  • TNA World Championship – Texas Death Match (Nic Nemeth serving as the Special Guest Referee): Mike Santana (c) vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • J.D.C.’s Retirement Match: J.D.C. vs. Eddie Edwards
  • Three-Way Match: Joe Hendry vs. Moose vs. Cedric Alexander
  • Elijah vs. Mustafa Ali (with Tasha Steelz, Jason Hotch, John Skyler & Agent Zero)
  • TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys (c) vs. The Righteous
  • TNA Knockouts World Championship: Léi Yǐng Lee (c) vs. ZARIA (with Sol Ruca)
  • A.J. Francis vs. Rich Swann
  • Mara Sadè vs. Ryan Nemeth

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! AMC Debut Preview 1/15/2026

A new era of TNA Wrestling begins tonight as Thursday Night iMPACT! makes its historic debut on AMC, airing LIVE at 9/8c from the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas. Streaming on AMC+ and TNA+ in the U.S., Sportsnet and Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and TNA+ internationally.

  • TNA World Championship: Frankie Kazarian (c) vs. Mike Santana
    (Bully Ray as guest commentator)
  • TNA Knockouts Tag Team World Championship: The IInspiration (c) vs. The Elegance Brand
  • Six-Man Tag Team Match: The Hardys & Elijah vs. Order 4
  • WWE’s AJ Styles to appear