Final iMPACT! - iMPACT! recap for January 23, 2025

In footage from earlier today, Gia Miller interviews Director of Authority Santino Marella, says there is electricity in the air as well as plenty of surprises. As he leaves, a black SUV pulls up.

Joe Hendry heads to the ring to start tonight's show. He thanks the fans for their support during the uphill battle to become World Champion, then says that he will not only be a fighting champion, but put the title on the line against anyone from anywhere. Director of Authority Santino Marella shows up and congratulates Hendry, then says he has someone who has taken Hendry up on his offer, and in tonight's main event, Hendry will defend against Matt Cardona.

In backstage footage from earlier this week, Eric Young confronts "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander for quitting. Alexander just walks away. Afterwards, we see Steve Maclin talking to Eric Young backstage. Young says he sees something in Alexander and says he is worth saving. Maclin mentions Alexander's actions towards them, TNA and the fans, but Young says Alexander is in a dark place and he plans to pull him up like he did Maclin. Maclin says Alexander is owed nothing, to which Young agrees, then Alexander shows up and says he is not here to make excuses and that he respects both men before thanking them for everything over the years. He shakes hands with Young, but Maclin refuses the handshake.

Backstage, Gia Miller gets an impromptu interview from "The Hollywood Hunk" Ryan Nemeth when "The Wanted Man" Nic Nemeth shows up, tells Ryan to relax, and says that he will address everything next week.

Before the next match, personal concierge George Iceman stomps his cowboy hat and says that San Antonio, Texas is trash before introducing Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance.

Ash by Elegance, Heather by Elegance and Rosemary beat Masha Slamovich and Spitfire (Jody Threat and Dani Luna) in a six-Knockout tag team match after Cora Jade shows up and hands Masha Slamovich a pink envelope containing a photo of Masha with a red X across it. This distraction allows Ash by Elegance to shove Dani Luna into Masha and roll her up for the win.

The Northern Armory ("The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus, Travis Williams) heads to the ring. Alexander addresses quitting TNA at Genesis, then thanks TNA for giving him the opportunity to address everything. He says he has been a wrestler for 20 years, and for every moment, he has prided himself on being unbreakable and giving all he has in the ring. He admits that he broke at Genesis after throwing everything he could at Mike Santana only for it to not be enough, and that he does not like who he has been for the past few months. Alexander says that he does not want to be remembered this way after his time in TNA has come to an end and that his six-year-old son only knows him as a TNA wrestler. He then talks about how he became a fan of TNA in 2002 when he was just fifteen years old, and that his time in TNA over the last six years have been a dream come true. Alexander then says it is time to step away. He tells Judas Icarus and Travis Williams that they have all the talent in the world and that he saw that talent, and that The Motor City Machine Guns also saw that talent. He calls them the best up-and-coming tag team, and tells them to do it the right way, as it will be without him. Williams tells Alexander that he cannot leave, and Williams hits him with a chop block before Judas hits him with a shoulder tackle. Eric Young runs out and saves Alexander, then challenges them to a tag team match.

The Hardys (Jeff and Matt Hardy) beat The System (Moose and JDC) despite Alisha Edwards distracting the referee. After the match, the lights go out and "23" shows up. After the commercial break, Sami Callihan is in the ring, demanding to know who "23" is. After the commercial break, Sami Callihan is in the ring, demanding to know who "23" is. Steph de Lander suddenly shows up and says it is her as she walks out with the Digital Media Championship, saying she won it in her divorce from PCO. She then introduces her new boyfriend: Mance Warner, who attacks Sami Callihan from behind with a clothesline before hitting him with the Digital Media Championship. De Lander and Warner then make out in the middle of the ring. (PCO is no longer in TNA, his contract having expired at the end of 2024. Recently PCO has made headlines for taking a sledgehammer to the Digital Media Championship at a Game Changer Wrestling event.)

NXT-TNA Liaison Arianna Grace guests on commentary for the next match.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom retain the WWE NXT Tag Team Championships against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz) after Wes Lee shows up and distract the referee while Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe attack The Rascalz from the outside. For the first time, a WWE championship was defended in a TNA ring.

Mike Santana heads to the ring. He talks about how his father taught him to be a man of his word and how he has been exactly that, and mentions his big win against "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander at Genesis. He says that Alexander not only passed the torch to him, but also said "I Quit," then says that in 2025, the goals remain the same and that he is here to be the best, climb the mountain and become World Champion. As he leaves the ring, Mustafa Ali suddenly shows up with his Secret Service entourage for the first time in months and heads to the ring. Mustafa Ali announces that he has signed with TNA Wrestling and that there is work to be done, as TNA needs great leadership and he is that great leader. He says he wants to give the fans something to truly believe in. He then launches a campaign in which he becomes the next World Champion, then leaves the ring. Mustafa Ali refuses to acknowledge Santana's presence throughout.

Tessa Blanchard heads to the stage. Tully Blanchard is seen in the crowd as Tessa talks about how her family practically owns San Antonio, Texas ever since her grandfather Joe Blanchard brought Southwest Championship Wrestling to national prominence. She says that the Spurs do not count as a professional sports team and that San Antonio is only famous for losing the Alamo, then mentions her father being in the crowd and how her father and grandfather knew there was something in her that could not be taught. She says that thing was greater than any Von Erich, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or Funk and that they said that she is going to be great. She says not everyone's parents tell their children that, and that a price has to be paid to be great. Tessa then says that the fans will not hear that she is great. She says the standard has just been raised in TNA and that it is time to put up or shut up. She says she took out the trash at Genesis and that it is time to get down to business, and that she answers to no one.

Frankie Kazarian guests on commentary for the next match.

Joe Hendry retains the TNA World Championship against Matt Cardona. During the match, Cardona inadvertently takes out referee Daniel Spencer, and Hendry hits Cardona with the Standing Ovation. Hendry then wills Cardona up, and Cardona hits Hendry with a low blow. Cardona then leaves the ring to grab the World Championship to use it as a weapon, but John Layfield shows up from out of the crowd to hit Cardona with a Clothesline From Hell. Layfield then has a staredown with Hendry before leaving through the crowd. Cardona then hits Hendry with the World Championship. Referee Daniel Spencer comes to, but Hendry kicks out. Cardona tries to use the World Championship as a weapon again only for Hendry to hit him with the Standing Ovation to retain.

Here are the must-see moments from tonight's show!