TNA threw a little swerve into next week’s steel cage match against NXT. Instead of Matt Cardona on the TNA squad, Santino Marella is stepping in.
Teams were announced with Mike Santana, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Steve Maclin, and Matt Cardona representing TNA, while Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Lexis King, Tyson Dupont, Tyriek Igwe, and Brooks Jensen stand tall from NXT to take what’s owed. The steel cage match is scheduled for Impact on December 18.
There was business to handle beforehand this week on Impact (Dec. 11, 2025). Cardona wrestled King in singles action to determine the man advantage for the cage match. The NXT crew was hyped. King dished out insults about Cardona, and Stacks had harsh words for Santino. Stacks called Santino a horrible father (in-law).
King picked up the win over Cardona thanks to interference from Stacks. King distracted the referee. Cardona sensed the trap and hit Radio Silence on Stacks. King swooped low for a roll-up on victory. Afterward, King smashed his licking stick on Cardona’s arm. Commentary later informed viewers that Cardona was injured and will be unable to compete in the steel cage match.
Later in the show, Stacks shot his mouth at Santino again to call him a controlling father. Arianna Grace slapped her husband. Oh my!
TNA needed a fifth man, so Santino decided to fill that spot.
TNA made the change official with the steel cage match graphic.
TNA added a nice touch of entertainment plotting this story throughout the show. I loved the little reactions from the Marella family, such as Santino pulling out the Cobra when NXT approached and Arianna’s concerned look of support for her father’s announcement.
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