Published: Jan 16, 2026 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Jan 16, 2026 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
WWE
Two WWE stars have been confirmed for matches in another company, replacing talent set to miss the show.
TNA Thursday Night Impact made its debut on AMC last night, with the company building to the Genesis pay-per-view on January 17.
With matches already announced for the upcoming event, changes were announced last night, with WWE stars entering the picture.
Initially. Leon Slater was announced as facing Cedric Alexander and Moose in a Triple Threat match for the X Division Championship.
That match will no longer have the title on the line, with Slater also being replaced due to ‘visa issues’, as announced by TNA Wrestling’s director of authority Santino Marella, who told Alexander:
“We have a little bit of an issue. It is an international problem. It’s a crisis, if you will, with the visas.
“Leon Slater is not going to be here for Genesis, so I had to find a replacement.
“You’re still going to get your X Division title shot. Put that one in the pocket for later. It’s guaranteed.”
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
Marella would be hesitant to say the name of the man replacing Slater, lest he should appear, however it was clear it would be Joe Hendry, with TNA Wrestling confirming the news in a post on Twitter.
TNA Genesis was also set to see the Knockouts World Championship on the line, with Lei Ying Lee defending against Dani Luna.
That match has also had a change for this Saturday’s pay-per-view, with details confirmed on last night’s Impact.
WWE NXT’s Sol Ruca and Zaria appeared on Impact, initially to ‘scope out the competition’ for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship, but chose to address Lee’s open challenge.
Ruca would put Zaria forward as the person who should answer the open challenge, with the contract signed on the back of Marella.
Last night’s show also saw The IInspiration lose their TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship, with reports that the pair are departing the company.
BREAKING – X-Division Champion Leon Slater will also be unable to compete at TNA Genesis due to Visa issues, with WWE's Joe Hendry replacing him in the three-way with Cedric Alexander & Moose!pic.twitter.com/d6QZtaoBRh
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) January 16, 2026
BREAKING: @joehendry will face @TheMooseNation and @CedricAlexander in a Triple Threat Match at #TNAGenesis LIVE on PPV THIS SATURDAY at 8PM ET from Dallas, TX!
Get tickets NOW: https://t.co/ExkKtFAdgg
SAVE 10% on TNA+ Annual VIP with code GENESIS26: https://t.co/aX0MxTNgPw pic.twitter.com/CrcRPKNnW7
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) January 16, 2026
OFFICIAL – With Dani Luna unable to compete at TNA Genesis, WWE NXT's ZARIA will challenge Lei Ying Lee for the TNA Knockout's World Title!pic.twitter.com/XkKuJqJsKf
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) January 16, 2026
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
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