Not too long ago, the idea of WWE collaborating with another wrestling organization would have seemed far-fetched. WWE long regarded itself as the dominant entity in the wrestling world; collaborating with another promotion seemed pointless, if not outright unthinkable to them.

It’s fascinating how quickly situations can change.

That “forbidden door” has swung wide open, especially after WWE formed a partnership with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

“We’re open for business,” declared WWE’s chief content officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, following SummerSlam 2024.

Since TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace made her debut in the 2024 Royal Rumble, WWE and TNA have been actively sharing talent, giving their stars the opportunity to appear on each other’s events. Initially, it felt as odd as running into your teacher at a coffee shop.

Fast forward to today, and fans have embraced these crossovers, eagerly anticipating each appearance. They’re witnessing the rise of numerous emerging talents poised to be the future stars of wrestling.

Among these talents is the remarkable Joe Hendry.

If he wasn’t already the most talked-about wrestler this year, his fame skyrocketed when he made a surprise appearance in NXT on June 18. His time in WWE has been successful, but he’s just one of many talents involved in the partnership, which has so far garnered positive feedback.

“This collaboration between TNA Wrestling and WWE exemplifies business being conducted correctly,” Hendry stated in an interview with YSL News Sports. “Business done right is where every single party benefits.”

TNA stars have their moment in WWE

As fans showed their support for Hendry in WWE, the Scottish talent was uncertain about whether his dream of competing there would become a reality. However, he felt a change in the atmosphere. Recognizing it was his moment, Hendry communicated his desires to the executives, and soon after, his entry music electrified the WWE Performance Center.

Hendry consistently smiles as he walks towards the ring, but the joy that radiated from him during his debut was unmistakably genuine.

“It was an incredible moment, and you could see that on my face as I walked out,” he shared. “I did a double take, almost astonished by the magnitude of the reaction.”

Other notable names making the transition include Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz, who reunited with WWE’s Wes Lee, bringing back The Rascalz, the group they were part of during their rise in wrestling before joining TNA. Lee and Wentz previously teamed up in WWE as MSK.

When Miguel and Wentz were approached with this idea, they were thrilled and jumped at the chance to reform their trio. Their reunion on July 9 was met with excitement from the crowd, and the TNA talents felt the energy from the fans.

“Being able to experience that moment again was so rewarding,” Wentz expressed.

Narratively, The Rascalz find themselves in a tricky situation after Lee’s betrayal of Miguel and Wentz on the August 6 NXT episode. While surprising, this twist sets the stage for a storyline that can unfold in both WWE and TNA.

Similarly, Hendry, after defeating Joe Coffey in his debut singles match, announced his intention to remain in NXT. Subsequently, on TNA “iMPACT!” he faced Coffey’s teammate Wolfgang, and is now pursuing the NXT Championship.

What makes the WWE-TNA partnership a success

Although it may seem unusual for WWE to form a partnership, this is routine for TNA, which has collaborated with wrestling promotions worldwide. Recently, TNA worked alongside All Elite Wrestling from 2020 to 2021.

Although this kind of business is familiar territory for TNA, this collaboration with WWE feels unique, and the talent are aware of the difference. Miguel refrained from revealing the specific company, but a recent The partnership didn’t appear to bring much advantage to his workplace.

“The previous times we collaborated with another brand, it felt very unbalanced. I believe TNA didn’t gain any benefits from it,” he remarked.

When the news about a potential collaboration between WWE and TNA surfaced, Miguel was skeptical about it being different. However, the reality has proven to be “quite the opposite.”

In response to why this collaboration began, Levesque mentioned he aimed to create a situation that would be beneficial for both WWE and the partnered promotion. This would allow the other company to showcase its brand on WWE’s globally recognized platform while giving its talent the chance to learn from competing against different stars and diverse wrestling styles.

Currently, things are going as planned. Miguel noted that the partnership thrives because both organizations recognize it’s a reciprocal arrangement in which sometimes one brand may appear stronger than the other. While it may seem like one company suffers at times, the truth is that it’s beneficial for both throughout.

“TNA is gaining tremendously; we are consistently selling out shows and our audience has grown significantly. We’re benefiting greatly from this heightened visibility,” Hendry remarked. “WWE’s NXT talents are getting the chance to perform for a fresh audience. It’s a win for the wrestlers and fans alike since it offers a thrilling product.”

Being featured on WWE’s programs is not the only advantage Hendry is enjoying; he has also been training at the WWE Performance Center, acquiring insights and experiences from a different group of trainers. He commented that WWE has provided him with “invaluable knowledge and guidance” during his training, and he appreciates TNA for allowing him to balance this with his commitments there. Although his schedule is packed, this experience has highlighted “the positive intentions of all involved.”

However, Hendry believes all of this hinged on Grace’s remarkable performance during her surprise appearance at the Royal Rumble. He feels she didn’t merely create an opportunity; she truly broke down barriers, enabling others to follow suit.

The potential for both companies to explore future collaborations is vast. They have initiated some long-term storytelling that could extend into late this year or even into 2025.

Yet, this partnership’s success depends on the commitment of either or both entities, but it seems they are heading in a positive direction for now.

“I believe that if everyone remains dedicated to their current business strategies and continues to build on them, this collaboration could have lasting significance,” Miguel expressed.

This collaboration has certainly caught the attention of the TNA roster. Since its inception, Wentz noted that his peers have noticeably heightened their intensity, recognizing a significant opportunity if they elevate their performance levels. Look at how far Hendry has come.

Wentz also mentioned this could potentially lead to a premium live event bringing the two brands together, taking their partnership to new heights. Although there are no official plans yet, it doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility. Regardless of what unfolds, it’s an exciting time for both organizations.

“Both sides appear genuinely pleased with what’s happening, which is a rarity in wrestling,” Wentz observed.

“The atmosphere right now is simply outstanding.”