Mustafa Ali’s world came crashing down Thursday night live on Impact (July 30, 2026) when he lost the TNA International Championship in an upset.
Ali wrestled Jason Hotch in the main event. The story coming in was Ali being magnanimous enough to allow the locker room to vote for his next challenger. They picked Hotch, who is one of Ali’s underlings in Order 4. And frankly, Hotch’s character is a loser in the ring. Hotch, John Skyler, and Tasha Steelz never win, and yet they carry a chip on their shoulder
about mistreatment from Ali. They do have a point there. Ali can be a jerk. However, none had the chutzpah to break away. Upon hearing the news for this match, Ali demanded that Hotch not take the fight. Hotch disobeyed orders, because this was an opportunity to better provide for his family.
Order 4 were ringside for the main event with orders from Ali not to interfere. The action was back and forth. The cool spot was Hotch countering Ali into a suplex off the apron through a table on the floor.
The finish broke down into chaos. Ali pulled the referee in front of Hotch for a ref bump, then Ali cheated for a low blow. He was out to inflict pain by whipping Hotch with his own belt. Skyler saw enough and snatched the weapon from Ali’s hands in an act of defiance. Ali turned that position to his advantage as Hotch collided into Skyler on the apron. Ali went for a roll-up with feet on the ropes. This felt like a scumbag finish fitting of Ali’s character. Steelz wouldn’t let it end that way. She shoved Ali’s feet off the ropes to break the pin. New Order 4 addition Mila Moore had Ali’s back, and that led to fisticuffs with Steelz.
Back in the ring, a smooth sequence between Ali and Hotch led to the finish. Hotch landed a frog splash for the shocking win.
Hotch celebrated with his wife and young daughter as the show went off the air.
This goes down as one of the biggest upsets in TNA history. Hotch clearly has skills in the ring, but his character could never put it together for success. It was satisfying to see Hotch serve Ali a big slice of humble pie.
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