An Emotional Tribute at the Agganis Arena

Honoring the Legacy of Joe Doering

Grab a cold draft, pull up a stool, and let us get real about what went down in Boston tonight. TNA Slammiversary 2026 was never going to be just another wrestling show. The news that broke two days ago changed everything before a single boot touched the canvas.

Joe Doering passed away on June 26, 2026, at the age of 44. He died at 9:13 a.m. after fighting brain cancer for a decade. The man was a absolute tank, a two-time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion who wrestled like he wanted to break the ring.

Tonight in the Agganis Arena, TNA paid tribute to their fallen big man. Commentators Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt called the action with heavy hearts, sporting black armbands with "JOE" written in white block letters. Referees and wrestlers wore the same bands, showing that the locker room lost a real brother.

It was a heavy way to start a pay-per-view, but TNA has a history of fighting through the dark times. The show must go on, and the guys in the back made sure they left everything in the ring. According to live Slammiversary updates, the energy in the building was electric despite the sadness.

Ultimate X and the Return of the Pioneers

Ultimate X and the Return of Amazing Red

Let us talk about the X-Division match because Ultimate X is always a circus. Cedric Alexander walked in as champion, but he was facing six hungry challengers who wanted to rip his head off. Frankie Kazarian, Fabian Aichner, KC Navarro, Leon Slater, and Mr. Elegance all wanted that red belt hanging above the ring.

But the biggest surprise was the return of the legend Amazing Red. Red has not wrestled a match in a TNA ring since 2011, which is wild to think about. He is the godfather of the modern X-Division style, the guy who paved the way for everyone else.

The match was a car wreck in the best possible way. Leon Slater hit a crazy swanton bomb off the steel structure that looked like it hurt his own knees. Fabian Aichner used his raw power to toss KC Navarro across the ring like a sack of garbage.

Amazing Red looked a little slower than he did fifteen years ago, but the crowd did not care. He hit a code red on Kazarian that got a massive pop from the Boston fans. Cedric Alexander eventually climbed the cables and pulled down the title, showing why he is the top dog.

This match was a reminder of why the X-Division was the foundation of TNA. It was fast, reckless, and left you wondering how these guys walk tomorrow. But it also showed that the veterans still have a place on the big stage.

Undercard Action and Creative Flaws

Why We Do Not Need Another Championship Belt

But here is my first hot take of the night. Why on earth is TNA introducing another championship belt? During the pre-show, Traci Brooks announced the creation of the Knockouts Television Championship.

They are starting a 16-woman tournament on the next episode of Impact to crown the first champion. Look, I love the Knockouts division as much as anyone, but the roster is already stretched thin. Adding a third singles title for the women is just bad booking.

Lei Ying Lee is currently defending the Knockouts World Title against Xia Brookside. We also have the Knockouts Tag Team Championships, currently held by The Elegance Brand. TNA does not have the depth to make a mid-card women's title feel prestigious.

It is going to dilute the main title and lead to meaningless matches on television. We do not need a belt for everyone just to make the roster happy. TNA needs to focus on building compelling storylines instead of buying more gold from the trophy shop.

This is a classic case of a wrestling company trying to solve creative problems with shiny objects. If you cannot book the women you have in meaningful stories, another belt will not fix it. It is lazy creative, plain and simple.

The Elijah Name Rights Stupidity

Speaking of questionable booking, let us talk about AJ Francis and Elijah. They had a singles match with a stipulation that feels like it came from the Vince Russo era. If Elijah lost, AJ Francis would win the rights to his name and music catalog.

Who came up with this garbage? It is the kind of silly drama that makes casual fans turn off the TV. Elijah is a talented worker who deserves better than fighting over his own Spotify royalties.

AJ Francis is fine in his role, but this feud has dragged on for far too long. The match itself was a slow, plotting affair that dragged the crowd down after the high-flying action of Ultimate X. TNA needs to leave these cartoon stipulations in the past where they belong.

The Pre-Show Debut

Let us not overlook the pre-show triple threat match between Indi Hartwell, Mara Sadé, and Elayna Black. This was Indi Hartwell's first appearance in a TNA ring since her departure from WWE, and the crowd was eager to see what she could do. She showed some good fire, but Elayna Black stole the spotlight in the end.

Elayna Black picked up the win by pinning Mara Sadé after executing a devastating "Blackout" DDT that had the fans on their feet. It was a fast-paced match that set the tone for the rest of the night. Black looks like she is ready for a major push in the newly crowded Knockouts division.

The Tag Team Ladder Match

The tag team division did its best to wash the bad taste out of our mouths. The System defended their World Tag Team titles in a four-way ladder match. They went up against The Hardys, The Righteous, and The Great Hands.

Putting Matt and Jeff Hardy in a ladder match in 2026 is always a risky move. The brothers have taken enough bumps to last three lifetimes. Yet, they still climbed those metal rungs and threw caution to the wind.

Jeff Hardy hit a whisper in the wind off a ladder that made the entire arena gasp. Vincent and Dutch from The Righteous brought their usual chaotic violence, using chairs to dismantle Jason Hotch. The Great Hands showed great tag team chemistry, but they fell short in the end.

Brian Myers and Bear Bronson managed to retain their titles after a chaotic scramble at the top. It was a solid match, but it felt a bit chaotic with eight guys running around. Sometimes less is more, especially when you have ladders flying everywhere.

The Moose vs. Eddie Edwards Brawl

Moose and Eddie Edwards also went to war in a No Surrender match. This was a brutal, physical brawl that spilled out into the crowd. Moose took a bump onto a pile of thumbtacks that looked absolutely painful.

Eddie Edwards is a veteran who knows how to pace a hardcore match. He used a kendo stick to bruise Moose's back until it was bright red. It was a stiff contest that showed both men still have plenty of fight left in them.

Mustafa Ali's Open Challenge

Mustafa Ali's TNA International Championship open challenge also had the internet buzzing all week. The rumors were true, and former WWE Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews made a shock appearance to answer the call. The match was a high-flying spectacle that showed why both men are considered elite athletes.

Ali used his signature speed to counter Crews' power, hitting a spectacular rolling neckbreaker from the top rope. Crews answered with a military press slam followed by a standing moonsault for a very close near-fall. Ali managed to secure the win after a 450 splash, retaining his championship in a match that stole the middle portion of the show.

The Main Event Clash

Mike Santana vs. Nic Nemeth

Now let us get to the main event. Mike Santana defended the TNA World Championship against Nic Nemeth. Nemeth cashed in his Call Your Shot trophy to get this match, setting up a huge clash.

The fans in Boston were split down the middle. Santana has been a fighting champion, but Nemeth is still a huge star with a massive following. The match was a masterclass in drama and near-falls.

Santana hit a spinning heel kick that almost ended the match early. Nemeth countered a powerbomb into a beautiful sunset flip for a two-count that had the crowd screaming. Both men traded their best shots, refusing to stay down.

As the final bell rang in Boston, it was clear that TNA has a bright path ahead if they can avoid their own worst creative impulses. As detailed in PWInsider's coverage, the roster went all out to honor their fallen comrade. They honored Joe Doering the best way they knew how—by leaving everything in the ring.