Mike Santana Retains TNA World Title Over Steve Maclin as Eric Young Looms as No. 1 Contender
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 22
Mike Santana Retains TNA World Title Over Steve Maclin as Eric Young Looms as No. 1 Contender
10 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 22
Mike Santana closed Thursday’s Impact by pinning Steve Maclin in their resumed TNA world title grudge match, ending Maclin’s dramatic return after their Sacrifice bout was halted by injury.
A tweaked left leg became the match’s focal point after Maclin drove Santana into the ring post and worked the injury, but Santana survived a superkick trap and finished the bout with Spin the Block.
Eric Young, already established as the No. 1 contender, warned before the match that the winner would face him next, adding immediate pressure to the title picture.
Elsewhere on Impact, new X Division champion Cedric Alexander was confronted by Fabian Aichner, who stood tall ahead of a match with Eddie Edwards next week.
Next week’s show also adds Santino Marella vs. Stacks after Arianna Grace interfered in Indi Hartwell’s disqualification win over Elayna Black.
With his contract expiring this summer, is Mike Santana's TNA title reign simply a prelude to his potential jump to WWE?
Will Santino Marella's in-ring return be a nostalgic one-off, or the surprising start of a new chapter in his career?
As the TNA and NXT partnership deepens, which promotion will ultimately benefit more from the ongoing talent exchange?