A former WWE star currently signed to TNA Wrestling has noted that there is “still room to improve” the relationship between both companies.
In January 2025, a multi-year partnership was officially announced between WWE and TNA Wrestling, with NXT stars being specifically referenced in the press release.
Since then, there has been crossover between iMPACT and NXT, with stars from both shows featuring on weekly television and PLEs/pay-per-views.
While the relationship seems to have cooled recently, a current TNA Wrestling star sees a future for the arrangement, with opportunities to explore:
The highlights of the relationship so far
Whether it’s the rise of Joe Hendry on NXT before he signed with WWE, including his first WrestleMania moment, or Leon Slater getting a main roster debut while being signed with TNA Wrestling, the partnership has had some bright moments, including Trick Williams becoming TNA World Heavyweight Champion and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo as International Champion.
2025 also saw the return of The Hardy Boyz to WWE, with the pair capturing the NXT Tag Team Championship.
The cooling of the partnership
It does feel that the partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling has cooled since its earlier days, which brought fans ShoWdown, a co-produced show between both companies, coming off the back of an invasion angle.
More recently, Indi Hartwell, Xia Brookside, M & Heather by Elegance all represented TNA Wrestling in the NXT Women’s Championship No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal.
“Room to improve”
Speaking on Medd in the Morning, Cedric Alexander reflected on the relationship, noting it was “good for business”, saying:
“I think it’s been working very well. I think there’s still room to improve that relationship but, also, it’s one of those things that’s good for the business.”
“I remember I was in NXT when the partnership was announced and I remember being excited. I remember thinking I could probably go to TNA and do some things in TNA.”
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Alexander was released from his WWE contract in February of last year, debuting in TNA Wrestling that June.
The TNA Wrestling star would share his belief that the industry is better through collaboration, stating:
“I feel like the way the wrestling is progressing now, it’s getting bigger and bigger.
“There’s more wrestling companies on television, and everyone is killing it. Wrestling is in a great place, and the more companies like WWE and TNA Wrestling work together, the whole of pro-wrestling is just better.”
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Speaking about the relationship in October of last year, TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva would state that they are “playing the long game”.
Winner takes all
WWE are, without doubt, the bigger partner when it comes to the relationship with TNA Wrestling, with prime broadcast partners around the globe and a worldwide reach that continues to pay dividends.
With speculation that WWE are cherry-picking talent upon contract expiry or looking to potentially buy out TNA Wrestling, it would perhaps be foolish to think that the TKO-owned entity is not looking at how they can benefit from the relationship.
For TNA Wrestling stars and the product itself, exposure in the same breath as WWE has its upside, and for stars from either iMPACT or NXT, it opens opportunities for rivalries that would be unlikely to exist otherwise.
When it comes to signing talent, there’s every likelihood that WWE already has eyes on who they want to bring over and this is not new, whether it be TNA Wrestling, AEW, NJPW or any number of independent companies.
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