TNA iMPACT After The Bell (8/21/25) – A Mind-Game Fallout

TNA iMPACT Results (8/21/25)

• Knockouts Gauntlet Match: Jody Threat becomes the new #1 contender for the TNA Knockouts World Championship
• Frankie Kazarian defeated Jake Something
• Order 4 defeated The System and Matt Cardona

The Nygma’s View

Focus

TNA World Champion NXT’s Trick Williams kicked off the show, and Williams continued to disrespect TNA Wrestling. Mike Santana interrupted him. He said he played a role in Williams’ failing to become the #1 Contender for the NXT Championship on WWE NXT. Santana reminded the world that he was not pinn ed by Williams at Slammiversary and laid claim to the TNA World Title.

Williams denied him another opportunity. TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella was about to give Santana what he wanted and had deserved. Sadly, Williams’ contract states that he does not have to defend the title for another 50 days. Williams mentioned Santana’s family, causing him to charge the ring. Williams retreated.

Nygma says: It’s clear now Santana vs Williams will happen at Bound For Glory. Then, the 50-day no-competition clause, coming outta nowhere, I say thumbs down. This clause means there will be no title defense at Victory Road due to the 50-day clause. In case Williams thinks otherwise, Santana won’t break down and will stay focused till October 12.

Backstage, Santino Marella informed Trick Williams that he must find a partner to face Mike Santana and a partner of his choosing next Thursday. AJ Francis had Trick’s back. Later, TNA International Champion Steve Maclin came to Marella and stepped up to be Mike Santana’s partner against Trick Williams and A.J. Francis next week.

After Leon Slater defeated Cedric Alexander to remain X-Division Champion at Emergence, they will now team up against TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardys next Thursday. Nygma talked about this with Leon Slater on Thursday, French night, so stay tuned in the coming days.

Breakdowns

May there be more than 20 Knockouts in the TNA roster, only six of them were involved in the Knockouts Gauntlet. Xia Brookside, Killer Kelly, Rosemary, Dani Luna, and Indi Hartwell. Brookside defeated Kelly, Luna de feated Brookside, and then Rosemary. Indi Hartwell defeated Luna.

Jody Threat defeated Indi Hartwell by disqualification to win the Knockouts Gauntlet because Dani Luna blew a fuse. Luna attacked Hartwell to help Jody Threat. Later, Luna returned to the ring with a steel chair, but was confronted by Threat. Luna then pummeled Threat with the chair to cause the disqualification.

After the gauntlet, Dani Luna became unhinged as she attacked both Hartwell and TNA security. Later, as Jody Threat was telling Santino Marella she didn’t deserve that title shot, Luna explained her actions from earlier tonight; she isn’t getting what she deserves. Nygma says: I said Spitfire would end spitting fire at each other. Then, who really deserves the title shot, Hartwell or Threat?

After crossing paths during the TNA International Championship match at Emergence, Jake Something battled Frankie Kazarian one-on-one. Kazarian exposed a turnbuckle, so sending Something into it helped him get the win. Nygma says: Kazarian is undeniably the King of TNA. Then, I’m not sure this loss will help Jake Something calm down.

TNA Knockouts World Champion and NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne addressed her TNA Knockouts World Title defense against Masha Slamovich and Knockouts World Tag Team Champion Ash By Elegance this Sunday at WWE Heatwave. Jayne claimed that Santino Marella is trying to stack the deck against her in an attempt to bring the Knockouts World Title back to TNA.

Jayne was confronted by Ash, who insisted that the world should be talking about her accomplishments. Slamovich joined the heated war of words, promising victory this Sunday. Nygma says: I wish the title to come back home. A 3-Way match usually benefits the Champion. If the Elegance Brand and Fatal Influence are here, things can take a different twist. And don’t forget Lash Legend, who also wants her piece of the cake.

Disorder

Before the 6-Man match, Order 4 reminded Gia Miller that they trust Mustafa Ali. They showed it as Ali was not only surrounded by Tasha Steelz and The Great Hands but also by his Secret Service. Matt Card ona, Moose, and Brian Myers had Alisha Edwards, which meant 8 vs 4.

The match was messy but good. When the match spilled to the outside, Tasha Steelz got involved, allowing Order 4 to send Moose crashing into the steel ring steps. Steelz also threw Alisha into the steps. Eddie Edwards was out to defend his wife but was neutralized by Agent Zero. Ali Nutcracked Myers before The Great Hands put him away with The Favor.

After the match, Ali continued the assault with a steel chair on Cardona and the rest of The System. JDC joined the fray, wiping out everyone with a dive off the top rope. Agent Zero destroyed JDC with a chokeslam on the chair. Moose was forced to watch as Order 4 stood tall. Ali sat down in the middle of the ring with a cynical smile on his face, surrounded by his goons.

Tom Hannifan said, “Are we witnessing the System shutdown? Order 4 is at the top of the food chain in TNA Wrestling.” Nygma says: No. The System is a brotherhood when Order 4 is all about Ali. He found in Agent Zero a weapon of mass destruction. Nothing prevents the System from finding its own Agent Zero…

The Best of The Rest

• The IInspiration and NXT’s Fatal Influence have their sights set on capturing the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Titles and proving which brand is superior.
• Ryan Nemeth reminded the world that his big brother, Nic Nemeth, will return from suspension in two weeks.
• Mara Sadè and the Hardys shared their passion for art. Later, Tasha Steelz and The Great Hands insulted Mara Sadè’s art. Sadè requested a match against Tasha next week.
• Eric Young tried to get inside the head of the Rascalz’s Myron Reed.

The Nygma’s Last Word(s)

It was a disturbing but good episode. Only 3 matches but 52 minutes of wrestling, good thing. The matches were really good, even if the gauntlet ended up a mess, Kazarian had to cheat to win, and Order 4 wreaked havoc. Mustafa Ali’s smile may look cynical. Quite strangely, I liked it. There’s nothing more interesting than something disturbing.

Also, new stories emerged. Leon Slater and Cedric Alexander teaming up, Eric Young and Myron Reed, Mara Sadè and the Hardys… I pass on everything NXT-related. Santana and Williams will play the cat-and-mouse game until the end of the 50 days. We’ll see on Sunday what happens to the TNA Knockouts World Championship.

Nyma doesn’t know where the road goes, but I’m too curious not to follow it till the end. The 7-week path to Bound For Glory remains eNYGMAtically long and epic. Till next week, may the Nygma be with you.