Before the Impact, or simply BTI, is a professional wrestling streaming television program produced by the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA; then known as Impact Wrestling) that premiered on February 16, 2021, on AXS TV in the United States, owned by parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment. The show would also be made available on TNA+, as well as the promotion's YouTube channel and Facebook page.[1]
| Before the Impact | |
|---|---|
 Before the Impact logo | |
| Also known as | BTI |
| Genre | Professional wrestling |
| Presented by | Josh Mathews Gia Miller George Iceman |
| Starring | Impact roster |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 141 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Multicamera setup |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | AXS TV (2021–2022) Impact Plus (2022–2023) |
| Release | February 16, 2021 – October 19, 2023 |
| Related | |
| |
BTI is a pre-show airing before the weekly broadcast of the flagship show, Impact!, that features recaps, previews, and an exclusive match.
The show's final episode aired on October 19, 2023. In 2024, it was replaced by a revival of TNA Xplosion.[2]
History
editOn February 10, 2021, Impact Wrestling announced the launch of a new program called Before the Impact, which will lead into the weekly Impact! broadcast.[3] Josh Mathews serves as both senior producer and co-host, alongside Impact interviewer Gia Miller, and, previously, Nashville sportscaster Jon Burton. BTI features previews of upcoming matches, interviews with the Impact roster, behind-the-scenes access, and an exclusive match.[3] Insider George Iceman hosts a segment called “Iceman’s Intel”, which features news relating to the upcoming Impact episode.[3]
The first BTI match featured Decay (Black Taurus and Crazzy Steve) (accompanied by Rosemary) facing XXXL (Acey Romero and Larry D).[4] BTI would first crossover with Impact! on their June 3 episodes, when Josh Alexander faced T. J. Perkins for the X Division Championship in a 60-minute Iron man match. The match began on BTI and concluded in the opening minutes of Impact!.[5]
Personnel
editThe wrestlers featured on BTI take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match or series of matches.
Commentators
edit| Commentators | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matt Striker and D'Lo Brown | February 16, 2021 – May 20, 2021 July 22, 2021 – January 6, 2022 |
| Josh Mathews and D'Lo Brown | May 27, 2021 – July 15, 2021 |
| Tom Hannifan and D'Lo Brown | January 13, 2022 |
| Tom Hannifan and Various Guest Commentators | January 13, 2022 – January 20, 2022 |
| Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt | January 27, 2022 – October 19, 2023 |
Broadcast history
editOn April 8, 2021, BTI, along with Impact!, would move to Thursday nights.[6]
Beginning with the January 20, 2022 episode, BTI moved to Impact Plus and Impact's YouTube channel and Facebook page.[1] The move coincided with the return of New Japan Pro Wrestling programming to AXS TV.[7]
| Channel | Time slot | Years |
|---|---|---|
| AXS TV | Tuesday 7:00pm | February 16, 2021 - April 1, 2021[6] |
| Thursday 7:00pm | April 8, 2021 – January 13, 2022[8] | |
| Impact Plus | Thursday 7:00pm | January 20, 2022 – October 19, 2023[1] |
References
edit- ^ a b c IMPACT! on AXS TV Preview: January 20, 2022 – IMPACT Wrestling; archived February 10, 2022
- ^ Miller, Haley (2024-01-14). "TNA Wrestling Announces the Return of Fan-Favorite Show". comicbook.com. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ a b c "IMPACT WRESTLING ADDS NEW WEEKLY TV SHOW "BEFORE THE IMPACT"". Impact Wrestling Staff. February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ "Decay Victorious Over XXXL on First Ever Before the IMPACT". Impact Wrestling Staff. February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
- ^ "Impact Wrestling Results (6/3): Sami Callihan Vs. Moose, Historic Iron Man Match, More". Wrestling Inc. June 3, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "IMPACT Wrestling Moving To Thursdays". March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ "NJPW Returning To AXS TV With New Episodes In March". Fightful. January 4, 2022.
- ^ IMPACT! on AXS TV Preview: January 13, 2022 – IMPACT Wrestling; archived February 10, 2022