TNA Thursday Night Impact 4/23 Results: Mike Santana defends against Rich Swann

April 23, 2026 Jason Ounpraseuth NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: TNA Wrestling

Upstate Medical University Arena At The Oncenter War Memorial — Syracuse, New York

Results

  • Nic Nemeth def. Bear Bronson (8:28)
  • Dutch def. Matt Hardy (10:46)
  • Elayna Black def. Katie Arquette (2:30)
  • Mike Santana def. Rich Swann (19:04)

Nic Nemeth vs. Bear Bronson

Ryan Nemeth joined the commentary desk, ragging on KC Navarro and making it clear that he is Nic’s brother, not KC, even telling everyone to “watch the footage” of their births. Bronson got in a lot of power moves on Nic, with The System also getting in extra shots whenever Bronson distracted the referee. The closing stretch of the match saw Nic send Bronson shoulder-first to the corner post and hit a DDT. Bronson powered up, but Nic lands a superkick for a nearfall. Bronson hits a Falcon Arrow for a two-count of his own. He got frustrated and sent Nic outside. The System surrounded Nic, but Navarro came out to help. Ryan wasn’t happy about this, left the commentary desk, and sent Nic back into the ring. Nic caught Bronson with a superkick while he was looking at Navarro, and then Danger Zone for the win.

Rich Swann ready to reclaim gold

Swann was interviewed backstage, where he talked about his excitement to become the TNA World Champion again. He told BDE to stay in the back and take notes because he didn’t want any excuses or distractions when he beat Mike Santana.

Elijah/Kaz concert

This was advertised as an Elijah concert, but it was pretty easy to see that Frankie Kazarian was dressed as Elijah. He had a hard time getting into the ring with his get-up, and he seemed to try to approximate Elijah’s accident, but didn’t go with an AJ Styles Southern accent. He said that Elijah had the case of the blues because he couldn’t seem to beat Kazarian. He was about to sing a song called “Kaz Is My Daddy,” but the lights went out, and Elijah emerged behind Kazarian and choked him out. Elijah challenged Kazarian to a “Walk With Elijah Guitar Strap Match,” and he sang “Syracuse Knows, Frankie Blows.”

EC3 not afraid of Eric Young

EC3 showed up backstage with a chair around his neck. He said this is exactly what he wanted: trial by combat. EC3 said this isn’t a comeback, it’s a crusade. He returned to finish what he started, and beating Young will help him get to his Act III.

Tessa issues challenge

Tessa Blanchard and Mila Moore weren’t happy about being sent to the Undead Realm. Victoria Crawford didn’t think it was so bad, but Tessa tells her that going to the Undead Realm changes you, and they don’t come out the same. Tessa said that next week, after Rosemary and Allie send them to their world, they will face them in their world.

Matt Hardy vs. Dutch

Jeff and Vincent were banned from ringside. Matt spraypainted “SACRIFICE” on a table and quickly hit a Side Effect to start the match. Dutch rolled outside, but Matt smashed his head into the steel steps, similar to what Dutch did to him. Matt yells at Dutch that he will be his sacrifice, as he does the “Delete” taunt. Back from commercial, Dutch blocked a Twist of Fate but ate a DDT. Matt hit the Twist of Fate, but Dutch rolled out of the ring. Matt set him up on the table and hit a top-rope elbow drop. However, the table didn’t break, and the fans chanted, “One more time.” The table’s legs were broken, so Matt angled the table on the ring and suplexed Dutch through the table. This apparently wasn’t a DQ since the table was already near the ring before the match started. Vincent emerged from the bottom of the ring and slid a chair into the ring. The referee tried to get it out, which led to Vincenet knocking Matt off the top rope to set Dutch up for Death Walks for the win. Dutch beat up Matt after the match, but Jeff came out for the save and hit a Twist of Fate and a Swanton Bomb on Dutch. Vincent was at the ramp, laughing, as he stared down The Hardys.

Mr. Elegance in action next week

The Elegance Brand met up with Daria Rae, who confirmed Santino Marella was still suspended. The Personal Concierge sucked up to Daria and asked to give Mr. Elegance, whom he called a future world champion, a match. Mr. Elegance flexed in front of Daria, who didn’t care for any of it. Daria gave him a match next week.

Xia Brookside explains

Léi Ying Lee came and apologized because her English isn’t that great. She said Rebellion was bad for her and asked Xia why she had done what she had done. Xia, whose segment was already advertised, came out in all black. She told Lee how dare she question her when she was in the wrong. Xia blamed her loss to Arianna Grace for the Knockouts Championship on Lee, who showed her a video of her father. Xia said Lee doesn’t understand the pressure of being a second-generation star and that her father never supported her. Lee, who started emotional, got even more emotional and apologized to Xia. They hugged, but Xia stared at the camera and attacked Lee. She hit a brutal-looking DDT and yelled, “We are done.”

Elayna Black vs. Katie Arquette

Yes, Katie is David’s cousin and made her TNA return. This was a quick match, but Katie got some offense in. There was a funny moment when Black said, “This is too easy for me,” while loosening her arm. Katie missed a corner splash, which set up Black for a running knee and a Blackout for the win.

Ali’s next challenger

Mustafa Ali and Order 4 held an international summit. This was oddly framed, with Ali talking off-frame, but they had a monitor to randomly decide which country would get to challenge for the International Title. Australia won; an Order 4 member mistook the flag for New Zealand. The Australian representative is Adam Brooks, who will face Ali next week.

The System not done

Bronson is still pissed about his loss to Nic earlier in the night. Curt Hawkins said they will learn from the loss, and Bronson added that it wouldn’t happen again. Cedric Alexander called out Leon Slater, noting he pinned him last week, and the loss at Rebellion doesn’t count because Slater “cheated.” He demanded a title match because of those factors. Eddie Edwards said that this was what The System was about: they might lose, but they own their mistakes, which is why you can’t beat The System.

TNA World Championship: Mike Santana vs. Rich Swann

This was the first time these two had faced each other, so there was a feeling-out process. Swann showed he’s still athletic as ever, but Santana hit a rough-looking Alabama Slam, taking Swann outside. He then slammed Swann’s head into the outside apron. Back from commercial, Swann is taking it to the champion, seating him alongside the barricade and running around the ring and kicking him. Santana caught Swann with a superkick, but back in the ring, Swann caught Santana with a superkick as he went off the top rope. Santana kip-up with Swann setting up in the corner. After getting knocked down, Santana leaped up and landed a superplex, laying them both out. Both men landed a bunch of big moves for nearfalls. Santana hit Rolling Buck .50 and a running powerbomb. Swann had nearfalls after a frog splash and even hit a Canadian Destroyer for a two-count. But Santana caught Swann with Spin The Block to retain the title. Daria Rae was out in place of Carlos Silva, even wearing a TNA hat, and put the title over Santana’s shoulder as he celebrated his win.

The following was advertised for next week:

  • Walk With Elijah Guitar Strap Match: Frankie Kazarian vs. Elijah
  • Jeff Hardy vs. Vincent
  • Rosemary, Allie & Mara Sadé vs. Tessa Blanchard, Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford
About Jason Ounpraseuth 89 Articles
Jason Ounpraseuth is a journalist from Massachusetts. He writes and reports about New England and Boston sports and professional wrestling.
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