WWE and TNA Wrestling have officially announced a multi-year partnership, providing new and unparalleled crossover opportunities for NXT and TNA Superstars. This partnership will allow talent from both the NXT and TNA rosters to gain additional exposure on both programs and premium live events for both companies.
According to Ariel Shnerer, Senior Vice President of Content & Distribution for TNA Wrestling and Anthem Sports & Entertainment, “This historic relationship demonstrates that collaboration and competition do not have to be mutually exclusive. Our partnership allows the TNA Wrestling brand and its incredible athletes to reach a significantly wider audience, while giving WWE and NXT stars an opportunity to cross the line and gain valuable experience, as they join forces with one of the most talented rosters in professional wrestling today. The response to our collaboration over the past year has been tremendous and both companies have benefited, but the fans have reaped the greatest rewards from this talent crossover and working relationship.”
WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We look forward to growing and evolving our partnership with TNA Wrestling and its outstanding group of athletes by creating new opportunities to further the development of our talent and to elevate the viewer experience at home.”
AJ Styles’ Potential Return to TNA
As soon as the partnership was announced, fans of AJ Styles took to social media, making him trend on X. Styles, known for his legendary tenure in TNA from 2002 to 2013, where he was dubbed “Mr. TNA,” is now expected to make a return to the promotion. Many fans hope to see him have one final match in TNA and possibly end his career there.
In 2024, Styles declined an invitation to be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame, stating, “I’m still an active wrestler… I made the decision not to go into the TNA HOF, not WWE. I appreciate TNA, but I don’t want to go into any HOF as long as I’m still active. My choice.”
Styles has remained open to the idea of wrestling one more match in TNA. In a June 2024 interview with Cultaholic, he discussed the benefits of the WWE-TNA partnership, emphasizing how it could help develop younger talent. “It’s very important that we are well-rounded, and you can’t do that all in NXT. So the fact that we’re going to be able to do that somewhere else is great,” said Styles.
With TNA’s Slammiversary 2025 scheduled for July 20, 2025, in New York, fans are eagerly speculating about Styles’ appearance at the event.
TNA Slammiversary 2025.
The return of AJ Styles. pic.twitter.com/S95VjedTR6
— Pro Wrestling Finesse (@ProWFinesse) January 16, 2025
AJ Styles’ Current Status
Currently, AJ Styles is recovering from a Lisfranc injury sustained during a match against Carmelo Hayes on the October 4, 2024, episode of “WWE SmackDown.” On X in January 2025, Styles provided an update on his recovery, saying, “I’ll be honest, this injury is challenging.”
I’ll be honest, this injury is challenging. https://t.co/uIwfcKWnMD
— AJ Styles (@AJStylesOrg) January 11, 2025
Despite the setback, fans remain optimistic about his return to action and his potential involvement in TNA’s future storylines, thanks to the new WWE-TNA partnership.
TNA and NXT Crossovers in 2024
The partnership between WWE and TNA has already led to notable crossovers in 2024. Former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace made a surprise appearance in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, while Joe Hendry challenged for the NXT Championship against Ethan Page at WWE’s No Mercy premium live event.
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The partnership between WWE and TNA is expected to bring about exciting new opportunities for both companies and their respective talent. With the possibility of AJ Styles returning to TNA, fans are eagerly awaiting what’s to come.
