06/22/2025
We will be simulcasting this week's episode of Nostalgia Mania! Why? Because it's wrestling!
The Real Josh Elliott and Bryan J break down the very first TNA Impact from June 2004!
In its very first show on June 19, 2002, TNA featured a battle royal to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight Champion—but it wasn’t a standard match. It was called the "Gauntlet for the Gold," a mix between a Royal Rumble-style match and a regular one-on-one match. After 20 men entered at intervals and were eliminated by going over the top rope, the final two (Ken Shamrock and Malice) then had to wrestle a singles match to determine the winner. Shamrock won and became the first NWA World Champion of the TNA era.
Bonus twist: Toby Keith performed live and suplexed Jeff Jarrett during that same show. Only in TNA.
We talk TNA Impact Tuesday night!