TNA Wrestling returned to the Dothan Civic Center in Dothan, Alabama, Thursday night for another edition of iMPACT!, and the fallout from Bound for Glory continued with championship action, a significant betrayal in the Knockouts division, and a familiar face returning to the company.
Jason Hotch defended the TNA International Championship against former Order 4 leader Mustafa Ali in a Two Out of Three Falls Match, Cedric Alexander battled three opponents for an X-Division Championship opportunity, and Avery Styles stepped into the ring for his first singles match on iMPACT!.
But perhaps the biggest surprise came from the Knockouts division, where a former championship partnership came crashing down and an old alliance was reborn.
With Destination X approaching on November 15, TNA has plenty of unfinished business. Let’s get into the results.
Daria Rae Returns From Suspension
Director of Operations Daria Rae returned to TNA programming after serving her suspension, with her ongoing issues involving Knockouts World Champion Indi Hartwell hanging over the proceedings.
Rae’s return puts another authority figure back into the picture at a time when TNA’s championship divisions are already dealing with plenty of controversy.
Stinger’s View: I’ve never been particularly fond of authority figures becoming the center of a wrestling show, but they can be useful when their involvement actually moves a storyline forward. The important thing is keeping the focus on the wrestlers rather than turning every championship rivalry into an argument with management.
Cedric Alexander Wins X-Division Number-One Contender’s Match
Winner: Cedric Alexander
Four-Way X-Division Championship Number-One Contender’s Match
Rich Swann, KC Navarro, Cedric Alexander, and Fabian Aichner entered Thursday night’s four-way with one objective: earn an opportunity to challenge Amazing Red for the TNA X-Division Championship.
Alexander emerged victorious, although assistance from The System played a role in the outcome.
The victory gives Alexander a championship opportunity against Amazing Red, who captured the vacant X-Division Championship at Bound for Glory.
Stinger’s View: I was looking forward to this match because all four competitors bring something different to the table. Cedric Alexander is a pretty good wrestler, and the prospect of him challenging Amazing Red certainly has my attention.
I’m less enthusiastic about The System getting involved. Sometimes I’d just like to see a talented wrestler win an important match without somebody else sticking their nose into the proceedings.
Still, Alexander against Amazing Red has the potential to be a terrific X-Division Championship match.
Avery Styles Defeats Joe Alonzo
Winner: Avery Styles
Avery Styles made his first singles appearance on TNA iMPACT! against Joe Alonzo, with Frankie Kazarian accompanying the young wrestler to ringside.
Styles came away with the victory, giving him an important early success as he begins establishing his own career in TNA.
Being the son of AJ Styles naturally brings attention, but Avery now has an opportunity to build a reputation based on what he accomplishes inside the ring.
Stinger’s View: I’m interested in seeing how Avery develops. His father’s name will open doors and create expectations, but it won’t wrestle the matches for him.
I like having Frankie Kazarian involved as a mentor. Kazarian knows TNA, knows the business, and has plenty of experience to pass along, plus a solid history with AJ. Hopefully, the company gives Avery time to develop instead of expecting him to become another AJ Styles overnight.
Kiera Hogan Betrays Allie — Fire ‘N Flava Reunites!
Former TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions Allie and Kiera Hogan came to the ring to address their championship loss at Bound for Glory.
Allie wanted another opportunity to regain the titles, but Hogan had something very different in mind.
Kiera announced that she’d had enough of their partnership and was finished with Allie.
Then Tasha Steelz entered the picture.
Hogan and Steelz reunited their former team, Fire ‘N Flava, and attacked Allie, leaving their former championship partner in serious trouble.
But Allie wasn’t left without help.
Shotzi Blackheart Makes the Save!
Shotzi Blackheart rushed to the ring and drove off Hogan and Steelz, making a dramatic return to TNA programming after seven years away.
What began as a conversation about a championship rematch ended with a broken partnership, a reunited tag team, and a returning wrestler immediately becoming involved in the Knockouts division.
Stinger’s View: Now this is the sort of storyline development that gets my attention.
Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz already have history together, so their reunion makes sense rather than feeling like two random wrestlers thrown into a team. The betrayal gives Allie an immediate personal rivalry, and Shotzi’s arrival adds another interesting piece to the puzzle.
I also appreciate that the Knockouts division is getting meaningful storyline development outside the world championship picture. Women’s tag team wrestling works best when the teams have personalities, histories, and reasons to fight beyond simply wanting the belts.
And if Rosemary is watching all this unfold, I imagine she’s going to have a few thoughts of her own.
Jason Hotch Defeats Mustafa Ali to Retain the TNA International Championship
Winner: Jason Hotch — Still TNA International Champion
Two Out of Three Falls Match
The evening’s featured championship contest saw Jason Hotch defend the TNA International Championship against former champion Mustafa Ali.
Their rivalry has become increasingly personal since Hotch broke away from Ali’s Order 4 faction and captured the championship at Bound for Glory.
Ali had already cost Hotch an opportunity to challenge for the TNA World Championship during last week’s number-one contender’s ladder match. Now the former champion had his chance to reclaim the International Championship.
Hotch emerged victorious in the Two Out of Three Falls Match, retaining the title and denying Ali another championship reign.
For Hotch, the victory represents another important step toward establishing himself independently of his former leader.
Stinger’s View: This was the match I circled when we wrote the preview, and I like the decision to keep the championship on Hotch.
Ali is an established performer who can make a challenger look credible, but Hotch needs victories like this if TNA wants fans to see him as more than a former member of Order 4.
The championship should mean something, and a successful defense against the man he took it from is a meaningful accomplishment.
I hope this rivalry gives Hotch the opportunity to develop further as a singles competitor. He’s got a championship, a personal story, and a recognizable opponent. That’s a pretty good foundation.
TNA iMPACT! Results — October 22, 2026: Quick Results
- Jason Hotch defeated Mustafa Ali in a Two Out of Three Falls Match to retain the TNA International Championship.
- Cedric Alexander defeated Rich Swann, KC Navarro, and Fabian Aichner to become number-one contender for the TNA X-Division Championship.
- Avery Styles defeated Joe Alonzo in singles competition.
Other major developments: Daria Rae returned from suspension, Kiera Hogan betrayed Allie and reunited with Tasha Steelz, and Shotzi Blackheart returned to make the save.
Stinger’s View: The Knockouts Steal the Headlines
Thursday night’s iMPACT! had several important developments, but the one that interests me most moving forward is the situation involving Allie, Kiera Hogan, Tasha Steelz, and Shotzi Blackheart.
Hogan turning on Allie gives the division an immediate personal rivalry, while the reunion of Fire ‘N Flava provides a recognizable team with an established history. Shotzi’s return was a nice surprise and gives TNA another personality to build around.
Jason Hotch retaining the International Championship was another sensible decision. He needs to establish himself as a champion, and beating Mustafa Ali helps accomplish that. I’d like to see TNA continue building Hotch rather than immediately putting him back into the same faction-related problems.
Cedric Alexander earning an X-Division Championship opportunity is also intriguing. I’m not thrilled about The System interfering, but Alexander against Amazing Red is a match I’d happily watch.
And Avery Styles picked up his first singles victory. It’s only the beginning, but that’s exactly what it should be: the beginning. Let the young man develop without rushing him into expectations he hasn’t had time to earn.
Overall, TNA accomplished something important tonight. The championships remained relevant, new contenders emerged, and the Knockouts division delivered a storyline development that gives fans a reason to tune in next week.
That’s what a weekly wrestling show should do.
