Joe Alonzo has a potentially career-changing opportunity ahead this Sunday, August 23, at TNA Lockdown in Chicago, Illinois.
Santino Marella made an appearance at Saturday’s AAW Unbreakable and announced that Alonzo will put the AAW Heavyweight Championship on the line against The Home Town Man in a pre-show match at Lockdown. The stakes, however, go well beyond the title.
If The Home Town Man wins, he walks away with the AAW Heavyweight Championship. If Alonzo picks up the victory, he earns a TNA contract.
“Hello, Mr. Alonzo. It is I, Santino Marella, the TNA Director of Authority. I hear you whining, I hear you complaining. And let me tell you this. At Lockdown, in a pre-match, you’re gonna have a match with a TNA Superstar.
If you lose, the TNA Superstar will get the AAW Championship. But if you win, you’ll be given a TNA contract.”
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1:11 AM · Aug 23, 2026Alonzo’s involvement in Lockdown has been building for several weeks. On July 10, after defeating Trey Miguel to retain the AAW title, the champion declared that he would be at the TNA event with or without an invitation.
The Home Town Man re-signed with TNA in January and stated at the time that winning a championship with the company was one of his top priorities going forward.
Lockdown takes place at Credit Union 1 Arena. The Countdown begins at 5 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 6 p.m. ET.