After several weeks serving in an interim capacity, Robert Stone has officially been promoted to full‑time general manager of WWE NXT. Stone announced the news earlier today on social media, confirming that his new role is now permanent and expressing gratitude to those who helped him reach this point.
Stone thanked William Regal, Shawn Michaels, and the WWE Universe for their support, noting that the opportunity means a great deal to him. “Thank you WWE Universe. Being the Full Time GM is Set. In. Stone. Now the real work begins…” he wrote.
Stone stepped into the interim GM role on February 3, 2026, following Ava’s departure from WWE on January 30. Ava had served as NXT’s general manager from 2023 to 2026, overseeing a period of significant roster growth and brand evolution. Stone’s appointment marked a shift in leadership, and his promotion now solidifies that transition.
Earlier this week, Stone made one of his first major decisions as acting GM when he announced the future of the NXT Championship. At Stand & Deliver, Joe Hendry will defend the title in a multi‑man match against Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, and Tony D’Angelo — a high‑stakes bout that immediately signals Stone’s intent to shape NXT’s main event scene.
With his position now official, Stone begins his tenure at a pivotal moment for the brand, and his early moves suggest he plans to make an immediate impact on NXT’s direction.
Robert Stone Named Full-Time General Manager of NXT
The March 26 episode of TNA iMPACT featured two unexpected appearances, as Buff Bagwell and Crazzy Steve both returned during the broadcast.
Bagwell appeared in an in-ring interview segment conducted by Gia Miller, where he addressed the live crowd with an emotional message. He spoke openly about his recent struggles, including the leg amputation he underwent last year, and credited his faith for helping him through the difficult period. Bagwell also issued an apology for his actions over the past two decades before making a bold statement about his future.
He told the audience that if they supported him, he would walk to the ring and compete for TNA Wrestling one more time.
The segment was interrupted by Frankie Kazarian, who mocked Bagwell’s comments. Kazarian took aim at Bagwell’s promise to “walk” to the ring, claiming he was “half the man he used to be” while declaring himself “twice the man he ever was.” The situation escalated until Elijah made his way out, chasing Kazarian off and showing support for Bagwell by offering to accompany him to the ring.
Bagwell’s history with TNA dates back to 2002, when he competed in four matches, including an appearance on the promotion’s debut show.
Later in the episode, Crazzy Steve made his return in a filmed segment alongside Rosemary and Allie. The appearance marked his first time back in TNA since April 2024.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether Steve has officially re-signed with the company or if this was a one-off appearance. Since his previous run, he has stayed active on the independent circuit and had a brief stint with the National Wrestling Alliance. He also made a dark match appearance for All Elite Wrestling in January 2025 but did not continue with the promotion afterward.
Both returns added notable moments to the March 26 broadcast, bringing familiar faces back into the spotlight on TNA programming.
Buff Bagwell and Crazzy Steve Make Surprise Appearances on TNA iMPACT
TNA iMPACT Results – March 26, 2026 – Taped from Atlanta, Georgia, tonight’s TNA IMPACT episode is the go-home show before Friday’s Sacrifice event from New Orleans.
Mustafa Ali (w/ Order 4) vs. BDE (w/ Rich Swann)
Ali catches BDE on a crossbody attempt and tries for a fallaway slam, but BDE counters into a crucifix bomb. Ali rolls to the floor and BDE follows with a dive. Back inside, Ali targets the leg until BDE breaks free with an enzuiguri. BDE misses a corner splash, and Ali hits a rolling neckbreaker.
BDE ducks a clothesline and lands a running knee. Ali answers with a superkick. BDE hits a springboard cutter and a frog splash for a near fall. He goes for another springboard cutter, but Ali knocks him out of the air and hits a sit‑out powerbomb. Ali finishes with Dance with the Devil for the pin.
Winner: Mustafa Ali (4:46)
Post‑Match: Order 4 attack Rich Swann. Trey Miguel runs in and takes out Agent Zero with the title belt before being overwhelmed. Jada Stone hits a top‑rope hurricanrana on Ali and avoids the Great Hands. Agent Zero tries to chokeslam Stone, but Miguel pulls her clear.
Backstage: Gia Miller With Leon Slater & Mike Santana
Slater and Santana discuss their Sacrifice matches and tonight’s main event. Daria Rae interrupts to remind Santana he cannot touch Steve Maclin before Sacrifice due to the ongoing tournament.
Brian Myers (w/ The System) vs. Jeff Hardy (w/ Matt Hardy)
Jeff starts fast until Myers trips him up. Myers avoids a Twist of Fate and hits an implant DDT for two. Jeff ducks a clothesline, hits the Twist of Fate, and follows with the Swanton Bomb for the win.
Winner: Jeff Hardy (3:18)
Post‑Match: The System attack Jeff. Matt tries to help but is outnumbered. The Righteous run in and the teams brawl through the crowd. Bear Bronson is left alone in the ring as Moose’s music hits.
Moose (w/ Alisha Edwards) vs. Bear Bronson
They trade heavy chops. Bronson suplexes Moose and the fight spills outside, where Moose sends Bronson into the steps. Bronson suplexes Moose on the floor and later hits a senton on the apron.
Bronson superplexes Moose, but Moose powers out before one and fires up. Moose hits a headbutt, corner forearm, uranage, and senton. Bronson counters a charge with a pop‑up powerbomb for two. They trade clotheslines until Moose drops Bronson with a discus lariat.
The System attempt to interfere, but former Atlanta Falcons jump the rail to stop them. Moose hits the spear for the win.
Winner: Moose (12:28)
Backstage: Gia Miller With Mara Sadé
Sadé speaks about her Sacrifice match. Afterward, she receives a mysterious note instructing her to “follow the White Rabbit.”
The System in the Stairwell
The System cut a promo. Bronson and Myers threaten to take the tag titles. Eddie Edwards vows to take down Moose at Sacrifice. After they leave, The Righteous are shown watching.
Mila Moore, Victoria Crawford & Tessa Blanchard vs. Harley Hudson, Myla Grace & Jody Threat
Grace works over Moore until Crawford tags in. Grace hits a dropkick for two. Threat tags in and runs wild, stacking all three opponents in the corner and charging. She suplexes Blanchard, then Moore, and hits a fallaway slam on Crawford.
Grace and Hudson hit dives on Moore and Blanchard. Threat misses a charge and Blanchard suplexes her on the stairs. Blanchard superkicks Hudson and hits a hammerlock DDT on Grace for the pin.
Winners: Blanchard, Moore & Crawford (6:16)
TNA Injury Report
Indi Hartwell remains out with a knee injury. Ash by Elegance is out with mental health concerns. Leon Slater has a sore neck but is cleared. A mysterious masked figure appears, revealed as Rosemary’s brother, who can see Allie. The segment continues the supernatural storyline.
Eric Young vs. Brad Attitude
Attitude kicks out of a Death Valley Driver and hits a dive. He lands a slingshot senton and goes up top, but Young crotches him and finishes with a piledriver.
Winner: Eric Young (3:51)
Matt Hardy Attacked
Matt Hardy is found attacked in the same stairwell The System used earlier. The Righteous vow revenge, but Matt says he didn’t see who hit him.
Buff Bagwell Appearance
Gia Miller interviews Buff Bagwell. He thanks the fans and God for supporting him through his struggles, including his leg amputation. He apologizes for past behavior and says he wants to wrestle one more time.
Frankie Kazarian interrupts and mocks him. Elijah chases Kazarian off and offers to walk Bagwell to the ring.
Santino Marella Announcement
Matt Hardy is injured and off Sacrifice. The Righteous offer Vincent as Jeff Hardy’s partner against Brian Myers and Cedric Alexander. Marella makes the match official.
Mara Sadé vs. Elayna Black Added to Sacrifice
A no‑disqualification match is confirmed.
Eddie Edwards & Cedric Alexander (w/ The System) vs. Mike Santana & Leon Slater
Santana and Slater double‑team Alexander early. The System isolate Slater after interference. Alexander and Edwards work him over with strikes and holds until Slater hits a leg lariat and tags Santana.
Santana hits a flying lariat and rolling cutter for two. Slater and Santana hit a splash and moonsault combination. Edwards counters with a backpack stunner. Alexander hits a frog splash for two. Santana lands a Death Valley Driver and a tope con hilo.
Slater sets up a dive, but Steve Maclin runs in and chokes him out. Santana and Maclin stare down but do not fight. Slater superkicks Maclin, but Edwards hits the Boston Knee Party for the pin.
Winners: Eddie Edwards & Cedric Alexander (approx. 12:30)
Mike Santana vs. Steve Maclin – TNA World Championship
Leon Slater vs. Eric Young – X Division Championship
Arianna Grace vs. Lei Ying Lee vs. Dani Luna – Knockouts World Championship
Moose vs. Eddie Edwards
Mustafa Ali & Tasha Steelz vs. Trey Miguel & Jada Stone
Elijah & The Home Town Man vs. Frankie Kazarian & AJ Francis
Mara Sadé vs. Elayna Black – No Disqualification
Jeff Hardy & Vincent vs. Brian Myers & Cedric Alexander
Jon Jones is appreciative of fellow former UFC Heavyweight Champion’s support after falling out with the promotion over pay.
Jones said that he was in negotiations to return from his 2025 retirement for the Freedom 250 card at the White House in June. But then the card was announced without him on it, and Dana White said that he was never being considered for the card and was thought to be done in MMA.
That prompted Jones to refute what White had said, going further to say he was lowballed, what he would later describe as UFC refusing to go further than $15 million to fight Alex Pereira, and if he is truly considered inactive then he would like to be released from his contract.
The issue of fighter pay has often been a prevalent one when it comes to UFC, especially with the numbers being attached to its sister project Zuffa Boxing. And given Ngannou’s own disputes with the company while he was Heavyweight Champion, he had recently shown support for his contemporary. Something that Jones took some time out to appreciate on his Instagram Stories.
“I appreciate you advocating for me, Francis,” he wrote, responding to a video of Ngannou aligning with Jones in an interview with Ariel Helwani.
Ngannou had also said that he worried if the UFC would treat their lauded “GOAT” that way, as it is indicative of what fighters on the lower rungs are being treated.
Reigning Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has also offered support for Jones in agreeing that he should be getting paid properly.
Welcome back, as another episode of “TNA Impact” comes to a close. With tonight’s show, the company put the finishing touches on the build to tomorrow’s TNA Sacrifice, and it was a fairly uneventful installment as a result. It was an especially System-heavy episode, so your mileage with this one may depend on how much you’re willing and able to put up with the current state of that faction. As you’ll soon find out, not everyone here at Wrestling Inc. is a fan.TNA Wrestling/X
TNA doesn’t really have a good relationship with the concept of the wrestling faction, smashing together all manner of names over the years and hoping for the best, the result being not so much the best. And that appears to be the matter with the System too, despite the very deliberate attempt to try and make them something that matters.
They are legitimately everywhere on every single show, but they are more often than not some of the more mundane moments of the show. It’s all obvious, trodden and trodden again road, yet they continue to do it in lieu of what they could be doing.
One might say TNA is filled with veterans and those either yet to be or not quite on the radar of the bigger two companies, but there are also some really good names on the roster that could be getting the attention that is being given to them. Every week TNA goes for what feels like contented middle-of-the-road booking and while it’s great that they have this landmark TV deal it doesn’t feel as though its done any good for them creatively speaking. It’s just really frustrating.
The issue is the very nature of what the System is and how the System has been presented means there’s only going to be more of this, and it has an effect on the overall desire to watch the show every week. There is so much more the promotion can be doing, so very much like in real life, the System is broken and it’s beginning to grate on me.
