Cedric Alexander shocks TNA fans, wins X Division title from Leon Slater

All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night; Leon Slater was looking to defend his title against Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest reigning X Division champion in the company’s history.

Slater knew a legacy was at stake as he tried to break the record set by Austin Aries. However, he needed to pin Alexander twice in one match to retain the title. It was a steep mountain to climb, as it had been equally dangerous since Alexander entered the company.

The match started with Slater and Alexander exchanging blows. But quick-thinking Slater quickly recovered Alexander on first down.

Alexander was able to attack from there. He hit a hard German suplex from outside the ring. He continued to work on Slater’s bent neck. He then hit the Lumbar Check to tie the match at 1-1.

Slater dug deep into his bag. Styles snowballed into the Clash, which could have left anyone else behind. However, Alexander was thrown out of the game. Alexander was able to momentarily counter Slater’s high-flying abilities and knock him out of the ring.

Alexander sent Slater into the steel steps, leaving him exposed. Alexander declared that he would be the “greatest” X Division champion. After a brainstorm, Alexander tried to pressure Slater but was unable to convince him.

Alexander hit the Lumbar Check again, but Slater was kicked out. Slater mustered every last ounce of his energy. A spinner hit set Alexander up for a swansong of 450. Slater misses and Alexander hits another Waist Check and then again.

Leon Slater enters the arena during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on January 6, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)

Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California. This would be Alexander’s first reign and first championship in TNA.

Alexander reminds us that, at least for TNA, “The system always wins.”

ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. GET THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!

Fabian Aichner appears

Fabian Aichner, formerly known as Giovanni Vinci, steps into the ring during WWE SmackDown at Golden 1 Center on September 20, 2024 in Sacramento, California. (WWE/Getty Images)

Moments before TNA went off the air, the lights went out at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Fabian Aichner was emerging from the darkness.

Aichner looked at Alexander and named himself the next challenger for the X Division Championship. Aichner, known as Giovanni Vinci for most of his run in WWE, hasn’t really been seen or heard from in months since his departure from WWE.

Aichner wrestled under her real name in WWE for a time before returning as Vinci on June 22. He was with WWE until 2025. He was a two-time NXT tag team champion and Evolve champion before becoming the WWE brand.

Eric Young gets his chance at the TNA World Championship

Eric Young bested nine other men in the high-profile battle royal and earned a shot at Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship to kick off the show.

The match was left to him and Elijah; Elijah threw members of The System out of the ring while also preventing Frankie Kazarian from trying to return to the match following his own elimination.

Young and Elijah got into a brawl on the apron, knowing they would be eliminated the moment their feet touched the ground. Young grabbed Elijah’s hair to try to hold on to the moment. Elijah left with Young’s back turned to him. However, Elijah did not explain the reason for his broad stance.

The TNA original kicked Elijah in the groin and pushed him to the ground. Young won the match and had a chance to win the TNA World Championship in the future.

He also made it clear that Santana was next on his list of people to eliminate, as he has done with Joe Hendry, EC3 and Ricky Sosa in recent weeks.

“Mike Santana, you’re leaving now,” he said.

CLICK HERE TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS ON FOXNEWS.COM

Mike Santana finds out his next opponent

Mike Santana stands in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on September 30, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)

Mike Santana addressed the crowd and praised Young for his efforts in helping get TNA off the ground.

“You better come with something different because even though you’re someone who helped build this place, when it comes to the new era of TNA on AMC, I’m the man. I’m the man. I’m the one holding down the fort every week as your TNA world champion.”

Although Young deserved a title shot, Daria Rae came out and announced to the crowd that Steve Maclin had been cleared to return to action following Santana’s hand injury.

Next week on “Impact,” Maclin will see Santana get a chance to compete in the TNA World Championship.

Santino Marella also appeared in the segment after being “suspended”. Announced that Indi Harwell has re-signed with TNA.

Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside rivalry heats up

Xia Brookside attended a screening of “Free” at Regal Waterford Lakes in Orlando, Fla., on October 24, 2023. (Jose Devillegas/Getty Images)

Lei Ying Lee brought home the TNA Knockouts Championship last week by defeating Arianna Grace. She addressed the crowd before being interrupted by her former best friend, Xia Brookside.

Dressed in all black, Brookside claimed that he was already on Lei’s mind.

“You are a complete fraud. I destroyed you mentally, I destroyed you emotionally, I destroyed you physically, and I will have that title around my waist.”

Both contestants shouted profanities at each other before the segment ended. But Brookside made it clear he has his eye on the title.

AJ Francis defeated KC Navarro

AJ Francis told Fox News Digital on “Impact” ahead of the SacTown Street Fight that he would bring the pain to Navarro.

Francis did just that while wearing “Showthief” on his back. Francis took some punishment from Navarro; a few throws with a baseball bat and a dropkick with a trash can.

Francis was able to turn the tables for a few minutes by using the baseball bat to his advantage. But Navarro dug deep. He lined up six chairs in the ring, hoping to splash Francis. Instead, Francis balked and attempted a snowballing Cash-In. Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men waded through a sea of ​​chairs.

It looked like it might happen. Navarro tried to get the pin but could only get a two count.

From there, Francis turned on the heater. He caught up with Navarro and made Cash Pay through the tables lined up outside the ring.

He rolled Navarro back into the ring and got the pinfall victory.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“Impact” match results

• Eric Young won the 10-man battle royal for a shot at the TNA World Championship.
• AJ Francis Def. KC Navarro at SacTown Street Fight.
• Rosemary and Allie def. Veronica Crawford and Mila Moore
• Cedric Alexander Def. Leon Slater will win the X Division championship.