Tons of TNA news: Hotch-Ali, Names backstage, MCMG, Mara Sade, OVW, Road Dogg News (Patreon)

TNA's Philadelphia tapings are ongoing, and we have a ton of news from them.

The Jason Hotch-Mustafa Ali match received heavy praise internally, as both men are incredibly well liked in the company, and sources we spoke to felt like it was one of TNA's best matches of the year. Mustafa Ali was credited with making a big push to help get newer guys established, specifically wanting to help Hotch step up his spot in the company.

In addition, we're told Mustafa Ali has been informally scouting talent while on the indies, and recommending names to TNA.

Gabby Forza, Lord Crewe, Cheeseburger, Jack Vaughn, Lucky Leone, Ray Jaz, Jonathan Gresham, Steve Glibbi, Sirena Linton, Lili Pescadita, Sophia Rose were all backstage at TNA this week. Some of those wrestlers (Sirena, Gabby, Cheeseburger, others) wrestled on the tapings. Others are working ring crew and helping out backstage, which have led to tryout matches in the past for people like Crewe and Lucky Leone. Jonathan Gresham has popped up at a number of tapings over the last year.

Sources we spoke to months ago did not expect TNA to land Motor City Machine Guns, because they expected AEW to come in with an offer TNA would not match. However, it was stated that the team is on good terms with TNA.

If anyone was asking, nobody actually expected LeBron James to show up at the tapings, and it was done as a press stunt. KC Navarro had been in Philadelphia the previous week doing press for the show as well.

Talks are ongoing with Road Dogg to contribute creatively to the company, but nothing is nailed down as of yet. TNA has also been in talks with OVW about an affiliation.

Also as of this week, Mara Sade had not signed a new contract, but there were ongoing talks. She's still expected to compete at the tapings this week in her TV Title tournament match. There were no concerns that she wouldn't work the match.