Last week, WWE and TNA (Impact Wrestling) made headlines by announcing a multi-year partnership that will allow for unprecedented crossover opportunities. The agreement is designed to provide talent from both promotions with additional exposure, featuring appearances on flagship shows like NXT (on The CW) and TNA Impact!, as well as cross-promotion on WWE Premium Live Events and TNA pay-per-views.
This partnership highlights what many fans see as a missed opportunity for AEW, given the history of collaboration between AEW and TNA during the COVID-19 pandemic. AEW and TNA worked together at a time when crossover events and appearances bolstered both companies, with stars like Kenny Omega and The Good Brothers crossing over into TNA programming, while Impact Wrestling talent appeared on AEW shows.
WWE-TNA Partnership Details
The new WWE-TNA partnership provides several key benefits:
- Talent Development: WWE’s deep roster of developmental stars will gain valuable experience by working with TNA’s world-class talent and coaches, allowing both companies to mutually benefit from in-ring crossover and mentoring.
- Expanded Programming: WWE stars could appear on TNA Impact!, while TNA talent may show up on NXT or other WWE platforms.
- Increased Visibility: The partnership brings TNA into the mainstream spotlight, leveraging WWE’s massive global audience to raise TNA’s profile, while WWE gains access to TNA’s loyal fanbase and rich legacy.
This partnership echoes similar cross-promotional arrangements WWE has rarely done in its history, but it also marks the first significant collaboration with a notable competitor since WWE’s working relationships with ECW and NJPW in the 1990s.
AEW’s Missed Opportunity with TNA
AEW had a chance to solidify its working relationship with TNA years ago, particularly during the pandemic, but the partnership fizzled out after Kenny Omega’s run as AEW and Impact World Champion concluded in 2021.
What AEW Did Right During the Partnership:
- Crossover Storylines: AEW helped raise TNA’s profile during a difficult period, with high-profile matches featuring Omega and other AEW stars like Private Party and Matt Hardy appearing on Impact Wrestling.
- TNA Talent on AEW: Impact stars like The Good Brothers were heavily featured on AEW programming, particularly during Omega’s run in the Elite faction storyline.
What Went Wrong:
- Short-Term Focus: The partnership felt one-sided, with AEW largely benefiting from exposure while TNA received limited long-term gains. Once Omega dropped the Impact World Title to Christian Cage, the crossover quietly ended, leaving little room for ongoing collaboration.
- Missed Buyout Opportunity: According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, TNA approached Tony Khan in 2018 with the idea of selling the company. Khan declined, likely due to AEW’s focus on establishing itself as a standalone promotion. Talks reportedly resumed about a year ago when Scott D’Amore attempted to negotiate a sale, but AEW turned down the offer, believing the asking price was too high.
What the WWE-TNA Partnership Means for AEW
The WWE-TNA deal puts AEW in an interesting position:
- Competition Heats Up: WWE’s partnership with TNA gives them access to another talent pool, creating fresh matchups and storylines while also providing developmental opportunities for NXT stars. This collaboration could reduce TNA’s appeal as an ally for AEW.
- Missed Strategic Advantages: If AEW had cemented its relationship with TNA earlier, it could have prevented WWE from gaining a foothold in a promotion that has a strong legacy and passionate fanbase.
- Rising Threat to AEW’s Roster: TNA’s relationship with WWE could potentially lure AEW talent looking for new opportunities. For example, stars like Deonna Purrazzo or Moose might now see TNA as a viable pathway to WWE, especially if their AEW futures are uncertain.
Could AEW Rekindle the Partnership?
While the WWE-TNA deal appears to leave AEW out of the equation, it’s not impossible for AEW and TNA to work together in the future. However, this seems unlikely given TNA’s recent focus on WWE and AEW’s apparent disinterest in acquiring or further collaborating with the promotion.
Credit Source: F4WOnline.com. Thanks for checking out this article. Make sure to follow Jeff Jarrett and all things GFE on Facebook.
