TNA Xplosion is a professional wrestling television program that is produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). Launched in 2002, the show features highlights from TNA's flagship television program Impact!, exclusive taped matches, and other content. It was mainly produced for international markets, though in its later years, episodes would be distributed in the United States on the then Impact Plus (Now TNA+).

TNA Xplosion
Also known asNWA-TNA Xplosion
Impact Xplosion
GFW Xplosion
GenreSports entertainment
Professional wrestling
Presented byMike Tenay
(2002–2008, 2013–2014)
Jeremy Borash (2008–2016)
Josh Mathews (2015–2020)
Matt Striker (2020–2021)
Tom Hannifan (2024–present)
StarringTNA roster
Opening theme"My Fate" by Violence, BillyBio, and Niveau Zero
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons17
No. of episodes865 (as of March 22, 2024)
Production
Production locationsTennessee State Fairground Sports Arena (2002–2004, Early 2019)
Impact Zone (Universal Studios Florida)
(2004–2017, 2018–2019)
Various arenas
(2013–2014, 2017–2021, 2024–present)
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time1 hour per episode (45 minutes plus commercials)
Original release
Network
ReleaseOctober 5, 2002 (2002-10-05) –
present
Related

The show was cancelled in 2021 and its final episode aired on March 6, 2021. It was replaced by Before the Impact (BTI), which had premiered two weeks earlier.[1] Archived episodes continued to broadcast in Africa and India.[2]

Following the company returning to the TNA name in January 2024, Xplosion relaunched as a web series, replacing BTI.

Format and history edit

First run edit

2002–2010 edit

TNA Xplosion was launched on November 27, 2002, as the promotion's first regular cable show. In its original format, the show featured exclusive matches from the TNA Asylum, as well as exclusive interviews with members of the TNA roster.

On November 18, 2004, Xplosion was revamped as a recap of the previous week's Impact! episode in light of alterations in the taping schedule. The show would resume airing exclusive matches (billed as "Xplosion Xclusives") once more on October 7, 2005, in addition to recapping Impact!. These matches also aired on the TNA Global Impact! web show. "Xplosion Xclusives" matches normally featured wrestlers who rarely appeared during regular Impact! episodes. Occasionally, wrestlers may have made their debut or return on Xplosion and angles also took place.

Airings of Xplosion in the United States ceased at the end of 2006, although some of the exclusive matches could be seen on TNA Today. Starting on December 22, 2008, "Xplosion Xclusive" matches were also streamed on the promotion's website and YouTube channel.

2010–2017 edit

Xplosion was revamped at the June 14, 2010, tapings of its 300th episode, now featuring more original matches with Jeremy Borash and Mike Tenay on commentary.[3] In addition to the format changes, Xplosion received a new logo, graphics package and theme music performed by Taproot.[4] The show would also feature a segment called "Spin Cycle", where Borash had a Q&A session with various TNA stars in front of a live crowd.

In 2013, Xplosion began including matches from the promotion's early years and matches prior to the upcoming PPV event. Beginning in December of that year, Rockstar Spud replaced long term color commentator Mike Tenay.

2017–2021 edit

In early 2017, as the promotion officially changed its name to Impact Wrestling, the show gradually became known as simply Xplosion (and later, Impact Xplosion). On October 10, 2017, Xplosion launched on Global Wrestling Network, making the program available in the U.S. for the first time since 2006. By 2019, the show was streaming on Wednesdays 7PM ET on Impact Wrestling's Twitch channel and Impact Plus.

On March 3, 2021, PWinsider reported that production had halted on new Xplosion episodes.[5] Later that month, it was reported in Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the show had been cancelled to focus on Before the Impact.[6]

Revival (2024–present) edit

In 2024, Impact Wrestling returned to the TNA name at Hard To Kill and the day after it was revealed that Xplosion would be coming back as TNA Xplosion.[7] On January 26, 2024, it was officially announced that Xplosion would return. New episodes are released every Friday for TNA+ subscribers, as well as for free on YouTube the following Tuesday.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Clark, Ryan (2021-03-26). "Impact Wrestling Officially Cancels Xplosion - Details". eWrestlingNews.com. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
  2. ^ "TV Guide | e.tv". www.etv.co.za. Retrieved 2021-07-01.
  3. ^ Caldwell, James (2010-06-14). "TNA News: TNA revamping Xplosion show with new format and lead announcer". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
  4. ^ "TNA Relaunches "Xplosion" Program". TNAwrestling.com. Archived from the original on 2010-06-24. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
  5. ^ Impact Wrestling Pauses Production Of Weekly Xplosion Series, March 3, 2021
  6. ^ Impact Wrestling Quietly Cancels Xplosion, March 21, 2021
  7. ^ Lambert, Jeremy. "TNA Xplosion Set To Return". www.fightful.com.

External links edit