TNA Impact! Notes: AMC Premiere Show, New Theme Song, Daria Berenato Surprise Appearance & Revealed as New TNA Authority Figure, Elayna Black Returns, The Elegance Brand Wins TNA Knockouts Tag Titles, ZaRuca & Dixie Carter Appears, Mike Santana Wins TNA World Title

Jan 15, 2026

TNA Impact! AMC Premiere Show

Thursday’s live TNA Impact! show at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas was notable for being the official Impact! premiere show on AMC.

New Impact! Theme Song Debut

Thursday’s live TNA Impact! show also featured TNA officially debuting a new entrance theme song for their Impact! shows on AMC.

The new intro for TNA iMPACT! on AMC.#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/15du4Wn7q8
— meraWRESTLING (@meraWRESTLING) January 16, 2026

Daria Berenato Revealed as New TNA Authority Figure, Elayna Black Makes Surprise Return

Thursday’s live TNA Impact! show also featured Daria Berenato, former Sonya Deville in WWE, making her surprise appearance and revealing herself as the new authority figure in TNA.

During the show, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella came out to the ring and talked about his recent depression and issues with his daughter Arianna Grace. Marella stated that the TNA board decided he needs some help and proceeded to introduce Berenato who came out under the new name of Daria Rae.

Welcome to TNA @TheDariaRae! @milanmiracle
#TNAiMPACT @AMC_TV pic.twitter.com/aSMFcYUQRV
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026

After some words of positivity by Rae, she proceeded to leave the ring only to stop and berated Marella instead.

Well.. That escalated quickly! "The Suit" has arrived. @TheDariaRae @milanmiracle
#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/gtq0j7JuFw
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026

After some more insults directed at Marella, Rae announced that her first act as the new authority figure was to sign a new Knockouts for the Knockouts division. This led to Elayna Black making her surprise return to TNA.

.@TheDariaRae’s first act of business is signing @ElaynaBlack as TNA Wrestling’s newest Knockout! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/etz4sFuvbJ
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026

The Elegance Brand Wins TNA Knockouts Tag Titles

Thursday’s live TNA Impact! show also featured The Elegance Brand (M & Heather By Elegance) defeating The IInspiration (Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee) to become the new TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions.

Mr. Elegance just helped @justmaggielee and @Heathereckless STEAL the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team titles! #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/t8sShIwAwr
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026

#ANDNEW TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Champions

The Elegance Brand @justmaggielee @Heathereckless #TNAiMPACT @AMC_TV pic.twitter.com/boojQvIDco
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026

This was The Elegance Brand’s second TNA Knockouts World Tag Team titles and M & Heather’s first titles victory together as a team in their TNA careers.

ZaRuca Makes Appearance

Thursday’s live TNA Impact! show also featured NXT talents ZaRuca (Zaria & Sol Ruca) making an appearance.

During the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship match between The Elegance Brand and The IInspiration, Zaria and Ruca were seen backstage looking on.

In a follow-up segment, TNA Director Santino Marella was in the ring and introduced TNA Knockouts World Champion Lei Ying Lee for her contract signing segment. Lee came out to the ring with Xia Brookside alongside her. Marella announced that due to visa issues, Dani Luna will not be able to be at Genesis for her scheduled match against Lee. Marella stated that Lee wanted to put her title up on the line in an open challenge match. This led to ZaRuca’s music playing and they came out to the ring. Ruca announced that Zaria would be accepting the challenge and Zaria made it official signing the contract using Marella’s back as a table.

#WWENXT's @SolRucaWWE and @ZariaWWE_ are in the iMPACT! Zone and they heard Open Challenge!#TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/OCqN03x5qv
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026

Dixie Carter Makes Surprise Appearance

Thursday’s live TNA Impact! show also featured former TNA President Dixie Carter making a surprise appearance.

During the show, TNA President Carlos Silva came out to the stage and introduced Carter. This led to Carter coming out to a chorus of boos from the crowd and gave a speech about TNA as the crowd continued to boo her. This then led to Bully Ray coming out for his guest commentary for the TNA World Championship match. Ray stared down Carter and gave her a hug before walking away.

Former TNA President @TNADixie returns to #TNAiMPACT for the @AMC_TV premiere, and @bullyray5150 heads to commentary for the MAIN EVENT! pic.twitter.com/rFr7HZ1uzo
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026

Mike Santana Wins TNA World Title

Thursday’s live TNA Impact! show also featured Mike Santana defeating Frankie Kazarian to become the new TNA World Champion.

Mike Santana defeats Frankie Kazarian to become TNA World Heavyweight Champion. After accidentally knocking the referee out, Mike ultimately secures victory, hitting the spin to block multiple times. #TNAiMPACT pic.twitter.com/Y6scqAS8kP
— Pro Wrestling & MMA News (@PWMMANews) January 16, 2026