TNA iMPACT 4/17 Recap: Leon Slater Falls To The System, Elijah’s Major Announcement

Leon Slater Won’t Get Ahead of Himself

Gia Miller interviewed Leon Slater to discuss the rising star’s busy schedule. Slater said the thought of becoming the youngest X Division Champion in history sounds good to him. He warned Brian Myers that he’s solely focused on their match later on.

Can Cody Deaner Stay in TNA?

Cody Deaner approached Santino Marella and admitted he was worried about his TNA wrestling contract, due on May 1. Due to his poor record, Marella said it’ll be tough to convince the TNA brass to renew his deal. Deaner said he nearly defeated X Division Champion Moose, which must count for something. Marella granted Deaner an Ultimate X qualifying match against KC Navarro. If Deaner wins, he’d make a strong case for the TNA higher-ups to keep him on the roster.

Xia Brookside w/Lei Ying Lee vs. Jazmyn Nyx w/Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne

Jazmyn Nyx faked a test of strength to boot Xia Brookside in the midsection. She then landed a penalty kick for a two-count. Nyx scored a fisherman’s suplex, but Brookside quickly kicked out. Nyx sent Brookside headfirst into the middle turnbuckle.

Brookside and Nyx both landed simultaneous kicks to the head. Brookside fired up and landed two clotheslines and a headscissors takedown. Brookside went for Broken Wings, but Nyx got out of the way. Brookside landed a crossbody for a two-count. This time, Brookside hit Broken Wings. Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne both got on the ring apron. Rosemary appeared and became an unlikely ally for Brookside by misting Jayne’s face. Brookside pinned Nyx with a small package.

Winner: Xia Brookside

KC Navarro vs. Cody Deaner – Ultimate X Qualifying Match

Before the match began, Cody Deaner grabbed a mic and said if he has TNA fans by his side, he thinks he can “beat the crap” out of KC Navarro. Navarro snatched the mic and reminded Deaner that he hadn’t won a match in over a year. Navarro said fans truly want to see him in the match, not Deaner.

Navarro offered Deaner $500 to forfeit the match. Deaner said the people would decide if he should leave the ring. The fans wanted to see a match, and they got one. Deaner immediately landed a right hand. He was tripped onto the middle rope, and Navarro landed a kick. Navarro sunk in a headlock, but Deaner fought out of it. He landed a series of clotheslines in the corner, followed by a bulldog. He then sent Navarro for a ride with the airplane spin into a TKO.

Navarro wrapped his necklace around his fist and popped Deaner between the eyes when the referee wasn’t looking. Deaner was pinned, and Navarro is moving on to the Ultimate X match at “TNA Rebellion.”

Winner: KC Navarro

KC Navarro Eyes TNA X Division Championship

KC Navarro bragged about defeating Cody Deaner. He called Deaner a loser and vowed to win the TNA X Division Championship.

Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley vs. Heather by Elegance and Maggie Lee

Gigi Dolin tagged in Tatum Paxley, but not before charging at her for a dropkick. Lee dropped Paxley with a suplex, but Heather did not tag in. Golin hit a Bronco Buster on Lee. The Personal Concierge distracted the referee, allowing Lee and Heather to land a double-team jawbreaker into a backdrop.

Lee landed a drive-by kick on Dolin. She took turns with Heather stomping Dolin in the corner. Paxley got the tag, and she landed a twisting neckbreaker on Heather. Paxley sent Heather crashing into Lee, who was knocked off the corner. Dolin and Paxley hit Cemetery Drive for the win.

Winners: Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley

A Meltdown by Elegance

Heather by Elegance, was worried that Ash would be upset about the loss. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson mocked Heather for being unable to take a loss. Spitfire said they deserved a shot at the gold before Dolin reminded everyone that she and Paxley had just beat Heather and Lee.

Heather said she’d give all teams a shot in a four-way tag team match. The Personal Concierge panicked after Heather may have made a huge mistake.

AJ Francis Not Worried About ‘TNA Unbreakable’ Opponents

AJ Francis said he was buying property in Las Vegas because he isn’t worried about who he faces in the AEW International Championship tournament finals. He says whoever he faces will take a Down Payment.

Joe Hendry and Masha Slamovich Warn Frankie Kazarian and Tessa Blanchard

Joe Hendry and Masha Slamovich fired warning shots at Frankie Kazarian and Tessa Blanchard ahead of “TNA Unbreakable.” Slamovich said she wants to hurt Blanchard. Hendry said Kazarian and Blanchard won’t be able to withstand the grasp that both he and Slamovich have on TNA’s top titles.

Jakara Jackson w/Lash Legend vs. Dani Luna w/Jodi Threat

Dani Luna dropped Jakara Jackson with a shoulder block. Jackson was then hit with a suplex, followed by a sliding clothesline. Legend tripped Luna on the apron when the referee wasn’t looking. Legend was thrown out of the match as a result of her actions.

Legend refused to leave until TNA security ran down. Legend popped one of the guards with a right hand. Luna hit a scoop slam on Jackson. Luna and Jackson dropped each other with simultaneous punches. Jackson was dropped by a single-leg dropkick. Luna hit a slingshot Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Luna rushed in but only found the turnbuckle. Jackson took advantage and connected with a tornado DDT. Luna landed a huge clothesline, followed by the Luna Landing for the win.

Winner: Dani Luna

Elijah Makes Major Announcement

Elijah was in the ring for his concert. He had a custom song for Frankie Kazarian. He mocked Kazarian’s cheating ways. Elijah said both he and Joe Hendry will stomp Kazarian and Ethan Page. He had the crowd chanting, “Walk This Way.” Elijah then announced that at “TNA Rebellion,” he was challenging anyone in any promotion.

Ethan Page Sends Clear Message to Joe Hendry

Ethan Page says he only has to worry about “TNA Rebellion,” unlike his opponents Joe Hendry and Frankie Kazarian. He said Hendry was making a mistake putting his gold on the line with his injured shoulder. Page said Kazarian will only make things worse at “TNA Unbreakable.”

Leon Slater vs. Brian Myers

Brian Myers kicked Leon Slater in the corner. He landed a snapnare, followed by a kick to his opponent’s back. Slater gained some momentum with a reverse enzuigiri and then a springboard back elbow. Myers avoided Big Play Slater, but Slater grabbed his arms and drove him into the ring post. Slater went outside the ring but was drilled with a spear.

Myers kept Slater grounded for a bit. Slater bounced back with a single-leg dropkick. Slater hit The Crossover for a two-count. Myers went for another spear, but he ran into a leg lariat.

Myers rolled outside of the ring, and he was hit by Big Play Slater. Myers reached for a weapon in his shirt. The referee saw the ring and placed it out of the ring. Myers then kicked Slater low and hit a lariat for the win.

Winner: Brian Myers