In a significant development in TNA Impact Wrestling, The IInspiration, the tag team comprising former WWE stars Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee, have recaptured the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship. At the September 27, 2025, television tapings in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, The IInspiration defeated reigning champions The Elegance Brand (Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance) to begin their second reign, re-establishing themselves atop the Knockouts tag division.
Title Change Details and Background
The championship match was originally slated for the Victory Road pay-per-view but was moved to Impact tapings due to the unexpected vacating of the TNA Knockouts Championship by Ash by Elegance, prompting a reshuffling of title defenses and storylines. With the belts on the line at the Edmonton Expo Centre, The IInspiration overcame The Elegance Brand in a memorable contest, sparking renewed interest in the women’s tag division.
This victory marks The IInspiration’s second tenure as Knockouts Tag Team Champions, their first reign having ended in March 2022, making this win a significant career milestone and a major storyline catalyst for the upcoming events in TNA.
Impact on Bound for Glory Build-Up
The title switch immediately sets up a high-stakes rematch for the upcoming Bound for Glory 2025, scheduled for October 12 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. The rematch between The IInspiration and The Elegance Brand will be a headline attraction, intensified by the title history and recent competition between the teams.
Sources close to the promotion reveal the plan to strategically build anticipation for this feud through the October 2 and 9 episodes of Impact Wrestling, promising intense promos and in-ring segments focused on the rivalry and championship stakes[4]. According to a TNA insider, “The IInspiration’s return to the top spot injects freshness into the Knockouts tag division, and fans are excited to see them battle The Elegance Brand once more at Bound for Glory.”
The IInspiration: Former WWE Stars Finding New Success
Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee, known in WWE as the iconic tag team formerly called The IIconics, have been steadily gaining momentum since transitioning to Impact Wrestling. Their return as The IInspiration has revitalized their careers, showcasing their chemistry and ring savvy that initially captured WWE audiences before their release.
Their victory in Edmonton reaffirms their status as one of the premier women’s tag teams in the sport today. Wrestling analysts note that their blend of charisma and experience makes them key players in the Knockouts roster’s ongoing evolution.
Broader TNA Impact Tapings Recap
Aside from the title change, the September 27 tapings featured several notable matches and storylines:
- Dani Luna scored a pinfall over Jody Threat, continuing her rise.
- The System won a four-way tag match against The Rascalz, The Great Hands, and Sinner and Saint.
- Matt Cardona defeated Ryan Nemeth, generating buzz ahead of Victory Road.
- Promos and confrontations heightened the drama around Bound for Glory, including a contract signing for the TNA World Knockouts Championship between Indi Hartwell and Kelani Jordan, adding depth to the Knockouts division’s storylines.
Veteran Tommy Dreamer also appeared, announcing the Invasion event featuring NXT on the CW, signaling TNA’s ongoing collaboration efforts and cross-promotional opportunities.
Backstage Reactions and Future Outlook
Industry insiders suggest that TNA is positioning itself aggressively to reclaim attention in the competitive wrestling market, particularly by leveraging former WWE talents such as McKay and Lee and enhancing the prestige of the Knockouts Tag Team Titles.
A backstage source shared, “Bringing The IInspiration back as champions is a calculated move to draw global interest and remind fans of the vibrant women’s tag scene in Impact Wrestling. Their previous WWE fame combined with their current passion creates a compelling draw going forward.”