While TNA Genesis marked the start of TNA’s 2026, it also marked the tip of the profession of a wrestling stalwart.
Johnny Curtis, known to fans as Fandango, Dirty Dango, Dango, and other names, wrestled his final match at Genesis, losing to former TNA World Champion Eddie Edwards via Boston Knee Party in an emotional match. Curtis selected Edwards as his final opponent back in November, because the two members of The System trained together under Killer Kowalski. The loss marks the tip of a 27-year profession for Curtis.
Curtis was best known for his time in WWE, where he wrestled as “Fandango,” a flamenco-dancing wrestler who defeated Chris Jericho in his WrestleMania debut. Fandango went on to be an everyday presence alongside the equally air-headed Tyler Breeze. Often called “Breezango,” the comedic duo was a staple of the tag division on “WWE SmackDown” for a few years. Curtis left WWE in 2021, happening to the independent scene, in addition to TNA. His TNA tenure found him back in WWE, though, as a partnership between TNA and WWE’s NXT developmental promotion led to Curtis returning to WWE to challenge WWE NXT Heritage Cup holder Lexis King in an unsuccessful challenge. Curtis was suprised to seek out himself back in WWE on such short notice, but was complimentary of King’s abilities within the ring. His retirement comes just over a month because the retirement of former WWE Champion John Cena, and weeks after the retirement of former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.