What Are Some Problems with the WWE-TNA Relationship?
Ever since the WWE and TNA Wrestling announced that they had made a multiyear partnership to allow talent crossovers between the two brands, fans have been witnesses to dream matches and cross-promotional champions. However, one has to wonder if this relationship is benefiting TNA overall. Last Sunday at Slammiversary, both Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne either retained or won TNA gold, meaning that the top two champions on the TNA Brand are WWE superstars. Is it great that the top TNA championships are on WWE television, maybe, but wouldn’t have benefited TNA more if one of their superstars held a WWE championship? I understand that the World Wide Leader in Sports Entertainment is a big conglomerate, but it is better for the wrestling industry if TNA shares a little bit of the spotlight.
Many notable TNA wrestlers have appeared on WWE TV, primarily on NXT, and have received significant pushes and have been met with positive reactions from the fans. These superstars include Joe Hendry, Mike Santana, and Moose. Former WWE superstars have returned to NXT TV and have gotten the same reaction as well. However, the TNA stars mentioned above could be primed for the taking once their contracts are up, and could find themselves heading to the WWE to continue their wrestling careers. This is a huge problem for TNA because the company needs to make sure that its roster is as strong as possible, as they are reportedly on the verge of securing a huge TV deal that could set them up to be the second-best wrestling company in North America. Keeping their stars has to be a priority. They cannot allow their roster to be a feeder system to the WWE. This was stated by Bubba Ray Dudley on his podcast as being one of the biggest issues with this relationship because he feels that TNA cannot survive if WWE takes some of their best talents. An example of this already happening is when the WWE acquired Jordynne Grace when she became a free agent. She was featured on WWE television screens numerous times, and when it came time for her to sign or re-sign with a company, the five-foot-two juggernaut chose the WWE over TNA.
Overall, the relationship between WWE and TNA is an exciting partnership between the two companies, where they are giving the fans what they want. However, it feels that one company is benefiting over the other. The WWE is taking the spotlight over TNA by having its superstars hold their championships, and is planting the seeds of taking away some of TNA’s top talent and bringing them to the WWE. The partnership is fine on paper, but one has to wonder who is profiting from this relationship and who could be in the process of being disadvantaged by it.
