Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-6-148: Appearance of defendant

(a) Should the defendant appear in time, the defendant may make defense, and the cause proceed as if the suit had been commenced by personal service of process.

(b) If the defendant fails to appear or make defense, the plaintiff may take judgment at law, or obtain a decree in equity, in like manner as if the defendant had failed to appear and defend upon personal service of process.