The Hardys now have their next challengers confirmed for TNA Emergence. During television tapings held after the July 24 broadcast, Nic and Ryan Nemeth invoked their rematch clause to challenge for the TNA Tag Team Championship on August 15 in Baltimore, Maryland.
The championship match was set after the Nemeth brothers lost a tag team match to The Rascalz duo of Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed. Following the defeat, Nic Nemeth grabbed a microphone to announce their title intentions for Emergence.
Ryan Nemeth then drew the ire of the Kingston, Rhode Island crowd with a promo insulting the state for its lack of major professional sports teams and making disparaging remarks about children in the audience.
This prompted an appearance from a local talent billed as Home Town Man, who demanded the brothers apologize. Instead, the Nemeths attacked the local hero, unmasking him before security officials rushed in to cover him. The Rascalz then returned to the ring to chase the Nemeths away, ending the segment.
This title defense adds another layer of intrigue to Emergence, which is shaping up to be a critical event for TNA as the company navigates a storyline where its top championships are held by talent from WWE NXT. The promotion, led by Director of Authority Santino Marella, has established a clear mission to bring its titles back to TNA-contracted stars.
The match also creates a significant question for TNA’s fall schedule. The Hardys are already booked for a major encounter against Team 3D at Bound for Glory in October, a situation that now becomes complicated by their title defense against the Nemeths in August.