Mike Santana won’t back down from anyone as reigning TNA world champion. The road isn’t getting any easier, and two former titleholders are next in line.
Impact (May 14, 2026) opened with a battle royal to determine the #1 contender. TNA spiced things up with the surprise of Mustafa Saed, who was a member of the Gangstas with New Jack in ECW. Saed didn’t last long. He was the first elimination after throwing hands with Agent Zero.
The finish came down to Eric Young delivering a mule kick to Elijah on the apron. The music man clutched his groin in pain and tumbled down to the floor for the final elimination.
Santana respects Young as a former two-time world champion, and he is ready to do battle. Not so fast. Daria Rae interrupted to reveal that Young is the #1 contender, but he is not next in line. The Suit booked Santana versus Steve Maclin in a world title bout for next week on Impact. Her rationale is that Santana never pinned Maclin at Sacrifice. Maclin suffered legit head trauma early in that bout, and the referee waved it off for his own safety. Maclin is now cleared to compete.
Even though the assumption is that Santana will be successful over Maclin and also over Young when that match comes, nothing is certain anymore in the Impact Zone, especially after Cedric Alexander won the X-Division Championship from Leon Slater on Thursday night.
Also as a reminder, Nic Nemeth still holds the Call Your Shot trophy to cash in at any time.
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