TNA Impact shows why relying on nostalgia holds back top-tier wrestling

Main Event standard versus cinematic gimmickry

Nic Nemeth proved once again on the July 23, 2026 edition of TNA Impact why he remains a pristine main event anchor. Defending his world championship with the kind of footwork and pacing that makes classic pro wrestling work, Nemeth anchored a broadcast that otherwise struggled with its identity.

The central friction in TNA right now comes down to allocation of television time. When Nemeth is in the ring, the promotion feels like a legitimate alternative built on inside-the-ropes storytelling. When the show pivots to pre-taped novelty, the illusion breaks down instantly.

The Righteous Deletion misses the mark

Earlier on the card, Matt and Jeff Hardy took on The Righteous in a Righteous Deletion cinematic match. While cinematic wrestling provided a necessary creative escape valve during the pandemic era, running this format in 2026 feels completely out of touch with modern audience expectations.

Instead of building momentum around the hard-fought tag team division, TNA opted for pre-taped spots and heavy editing. The match stripped away the live energy of the arena, substituting ring work for theatrical gags that ran far too long. The Hardys have earned their status as legends, but leaning into 2016 nostalgia does nothing to elevate Vincent or Dutch for the future.

Pacing problems and booking priorities

TNA's roster features enough raw talent to deliver a focused two-hour wrestling show, yet segment distribution remains flawed. Expending major creative real estate on cinematic matches limits match flow and cuts into the build for underlying division rivalries.

If TNA wants to compete for market share, the blueprint lies in Nemeth's main event work, not in revisiting decade-old gimmicks. Prioritizing crisp execution over nostalgic parlor tricks is the only way forward.