The TNA Knockouts Television Championship tournament begins Thursday night on Impact (July 2, 2026). Let’s break down the bracket with current champions, former champions, NXT superstars, and more.
Opening round matchups in the 16-woman tournament include:
- Indi Hartwell vs. Vicki Venuto
- Harley Hudson vs. Thea Hail
- Elayna Black vs. Wendy Choo
- M by Elegance vs. Rosemary
- Jada Stone vs. Alisha Edwards
- Jody Threat vs. Gabby Forza
- Mara Sade vs. Tasha Steelz
- Heather by Elegance vs. Allie
Indi Hartwell defeating Vicki Venuto
is the closest pick to a lock for the first round. Hartwell is a real shot to win the whole enchilada whereas Venuto is filler in the bracket. Venuto comes from the indies and has had one match per year in TNA over the past three years. Interestingly enough, Hartwell and Venuto have a connection when the veteran stepped up to stop the on-screen bullying of Tessa Blanchard. Blanchard and Mila Moore defeated Hartwell and Venuto in a tag match on the Genesis pre-show back in January.
Thea Hail comes in from NXT as a former women’s North American champion, albeit by accident. Hardy Hudson is a scrappy youngster without much success yet in singles matches on Impact. I expect Hail to be protected here by at least winning this round.
Elayna Black shouldn’t lose in the first round in general as a talent TNA wants to push. However, I can see a scenario where payback from Mara Sade could cost her. Sade wrestles former Knockouts champion Tasha Steelz on the other side of the bracket. That contest is a toss-up in predicting the winner. If Steelz can convince Black to ruin Sade’s chances, then that’s where the potential payback could stem from. Wendy Choo comes in from WWE as the former Evolve women’s champion, which she recently lost to Nikkita Lyons. Choo also had a brief partnership with Rosemary in 2024.
Speaking of Rosemary, the current Knockouts tag team champions are conveniently paired against the team they just beat. Rosemary wrestles M by Elegance, while Allie wrestles Heather by Elegance. The Elegance Brand should be present with cheating shenanigans, so it could be an elegant sweep. Rosemary has green mist on her side, and a second round matchup against Choo would be fun.
Jada Stone is the underdog special of the tournament. Facing Alisha Edwards shouldn’t be that difficult, but the System could interfere. Jody Threat is certainly tough enough to punch her way through to the final four. I’m not familiar with indie wrestler Gabby Forza. Just looking at photos, she looks like someone who could be in a tag team with Threat. Perhaps their match ends with respect that was earned from combat.
Based on storylines, I think the semifinal favorites are Indi Hartwell versus Elayna Black and Jada Stone versus Tasha Steelz. Hartwell and Black have been dissing each other back and forth lately. Stone was a victim of Order 4, so a match against Steelz picks that up again. Ignoring storylines, then I think Thea Hail and Mara Sade could be in the final four mix as well. Sade doesn’t have much connection to anyone on her side of the bracket. Sade fighting Black in the final is where their bad blood could boil. Heck, imagine the reaction if an NXT wrestler wins the inaugural Knockouts Television Championship.
Share your thoughts on the matchups for the Knockouts Television Championship tournament. What are your predictions for the first round, final four, and overall winner? How do you think TNA handles the NXT talent involved?
