WWE and TNA Announce Multi-Year Partnership

In what many wrestling fans have suspected for months, WWE and TNA Wrestling have officially confirmed their working relationship, solidifying it with a multi-year partnership. The announcement, made via a joint press release on Thursday afternoon, marks a major milestone for both promotions, as two of the biggest names in professional wrestling join forces in an unprecedented collaboration.

Building on a Year of Collaboration

The seeds of this partnership were planted last year, when former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace made a surprise appearance in the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble. That cameo was followed by a brief stint in NXT for Grace last summer, fueling speculation about a broader working relationship between the two promotions. Over the past year, cross-promotion between TNA talent and WWE’s NXT brand has been met with enthusiasm from fans, paving the way for this formal announcement.

While the press release didn’t go into specifics about whether the partnership would extend to WWE’s main roster, it did confirm that fans can expect continued talent exchanges between TNA and NXT. For now, it seems the focus will remain on developmental and crossover opportunities within these two brands.

A Win-Win for Both Sides

The leadership of both WWE and TNA expressed their excitement about the partnership, framing it as a chance to grow their respective rosters and improve the fan experience. Ariel Shnerer, TNA’s Senior VP of Content & Distribution, emphasized how the partnership has already benefited both companies and their audiences.

“This historic relationship demonstrates that collaboration and competition do not have to be mutually exclusive,” Shnerer said. “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.”

Shawn Michaels Speaks on the Future of NXT and TNA Collaboration

Shawn Michaels, the WWE Hall of Famer and head of NXT, echoed Shnerer’s sentiment, highlighting the opportunities this partnership brings for talent development and fan engagement.

“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,” Michaels said.

The announcement signals an exciting time for both promotions as they work to enhance their programming and strengthen their rosters. Whether it’s NXT stars heading to TNA for new challenges or TNA talent getting the chance to showcase their skills in front of WWE’s global audience, this collaboration promises to shake up the wrestling landscape in ways we haven’t seen before.

What’s Next for WWE and TNA?

While fans may be eager to see main roster crossover events involving Raw or SmackDown, for now, the focus appears to be on the NXT and TNA connection. However, given how open both companies seem to be about this partnership, anything feels possible down the road.

With both brands boasting a wealth of talented wrestlers, the potential for dream matches and unique storytelling is endless. For now, all eyes are on how this partnership will unfold in the coming months—and whether it will inspire other wrestling promotions to consider collaborations of their own.

TNA Genesis 1/19/2024 (Card)

TNA Genesis live on pay-per-view Sunday, January 19, 2025 – Curtis Culwell Center – Dallas, TX.

CARD

TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs. Joe Hendry

TNA X-Divsion Championship: Moose (c) vs. Ace Austin

TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys (c) vs. The Rascalz

TNA Knockouts World Championship – Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Rosemary

TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: Spitfire (c) vs. Ash & Heather By Elegance w/The Personal Concierge

I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana

Jordynne Grace vs. Tessa Blanchard

The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alicia Edwards vs. Eric Young & Steve Maclin

(Countdown to Genesis) – Frankie Kazarian vs. Leon Slater

Countdown to Genesis hosted by Busted Open Radio

TNA Impact Preview 1/16/2025

TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of Impact tonight on AXS TV, the last episode before this weekend’s Genesis PPV.

  • Sami Callihan & PCO vs. The Hardys (If Callihan & PCO win, they are added to TNA tag title match at Genesis)
  • Trent Seven vs. Leon Slater
  • Laredo Kid vs. Jake Something
  • Eric Young & Steve Maclin vs. First Class
  • Nic Nemeth & Joe Hendry go face-to-face
  • We’ll hear from Josh Alexander & The Northern Armory
  • Rosemary & Masha Slamovich confessional
  • Ash By Elegance & Heather By Elegance’s Pre-Launch Championship Celebration By Elegance

ROH Preview 1/16/2025

Ring of Honor will present a new episode of ROH TV on HonorClub tonight.

  • LEEJ (EJ Nduka & Lee Johnson) & Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor) vs. Boulder, Serpentico & The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver)
  • Tony Nese vs.The Beast Mortos
  • Katsuyori Shibata vs. TBD
  • Blake Christian vs. TBD
  • The Outrunners vs. TBD
  • Red Velvet in Proving Ground action
  • Athena World Tour update

Baseball Legend and WWE Hall of Famer Bob Uecker Passes Away

The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that ‘Mr. Baseball’ Bob Uecker has passed away at the age of 90.

The Brewers wrote: “We are heartbroken to announce that Brewers icon & Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Uecker passed away today at the age of 90.”

Uecker is a baseball legend, WWE Hall of Famer and actor. He played for the Milwaukee Braves, then won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. He also served as the Brewers’ play-by-play radio announcer since 1971.

For wrestling fans, Uecker is best known for his role at Wrestlemania IV, where he interviewed and got choked by Andre the Giant.

As an actor, Uecker starred in the sitcom Mr. Belvedere and appeared in the Major League films.

Samoa Joe Returns On AEW Dynamite Maximum Carnage

AEW’s latest episode of Dynamite delivered another unforgettable moment as Samoa Joe made his highly anticipated return to the company. The former ROH World Television Champion came to the aid of Hook, who found himself outnumbered after a disqualification victory over Christian Cage.

The chaos began when Hook’s match against Cage concluded, only for Kip Sabian and Nick Wayne to blindside the FTW Champion. The Patriarchy’s two-on-one assault left Hook at a serious disadvantage. Just when things were looking grim, the familiar strains of Samoa Joe’s theme music echoed through the arena, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Joe stormed the ring, clearing out Sabian and Wayne to even the odds and offer his assistance to the young champion.

Joe’s appearance marks his first in-ring return to AEW programming since July. His last match was the grueling Stampede Street Fight against Chris Jericho on Dynamite, after which Joe stepped away to focus on other projects. Fans of the hard-hitting veteran may recognize him from his role as Sweet Tooth in the Peacock streaming series Twisted Metal. While Will Arnett provided the voice for the character, Joe’s physical portrayal of the terrifying, ice cream truck-driving villain left a lasting impression in the show’s first season. Joe has reportedly been working on season two of the popular series in recent months.

Outside of his on-screen projects, Joe has continued to express enthusiasm for AEW’s growing roster and exciting matchups. In an earlier interview, he praised the company’s trajectory, highlighting the additions of top-tier talent like Will Ospreay and the return of Kenny Omega, who recently battled back from his struggles with diverticulitis. With the company expanding its talent pool and Joe back in action, the future looks bright for AEW fans.

Now that Samoa Joe has reinserted himself into the AEW landscape, fans are left wondering what’s next. Will this alliance with Hook evolve into something more? Or is Samoa Joe setting his sights on a larger prize? One thing’s for sure—his return has once again shaken things up in AEW, and the locker room better take notice.

AEW Dynamite ‘Maximum Carnage’ Preview 1/15/2025

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage episode will air live on TBS beginning at 8:00 pm ET and live coast to coast on Max, from the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

  • AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Casino Gauntlet Match for a title shot at the AEW Women’s Championship at the Grand Slam Australia event on Saturday, February 15
  • The Hurt Syndicate (MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley) vs. Mark Briscoe and AEW World Tag Team Champions Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy)
  • Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage
  • We will hear from Ricochet
  • Christian Cage vs. Hook

Bayley Confronts Roxanne Perez on WWE NXT, Setting the Stage for a Heated Rivalry

Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT proved to be a must-watch event, delivering surprises that had fans buzzing. Not only did TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich make an appearance at ringside, but the closing segment of the show brought another unexpected moment: the return of Bayley to her old stomping grounds. The former NXT Women’s Champion confronted Roxanne Perez, and the fiery exchange may have just set the stage for a high-profile feud between the two stars.

Bayley Challenges Perez’s Legacy

Roxanne Perez, coming off her recent loss of the NXT Women’s Championship to Giulia, opened up about her reign during the final segment of the show. Perez, who held the title for an impressive 276 days, boldly claimed she elevated the championship and the women’s division as a whole—something she doesn’t believe Giulia is capable of replicating. She also suggested that the current women’s roster would be “lost without her,” doubling down on her role as the division’s backbone.

But not everyone agreed with Perez’s self-assessment. Enter Bayley.

“The Role Model” made her surprise return to NXT, addressing Perez in a rare veteran-versus-prodigy moment. Initially, Bayley attempted to guide Perez, offering advice about how losses can help a wrestler grow stronger. However, Perez wasn’t in the mood for life lessons. She rejected Bayley’s input outright, prompting the veteran to shift her tone.

Bayley reminded Perez that NXT’s women’s division has thrived in her absence and insisted it would continue to do so with or without Perez. Taking it a step further, Bayley declared that while Perez wallowed in her defeat, she herself was on the path to WrestleMania 41, where she plans to capture the WWE Women’s Championship.

The heated confrontation boiled over when Perez blindsided Bayley with a punch to the face. Not one to back down, Bayley responded by raining down punches of her own, ending the show in a chaotic brawl that left fans eager to see what’s next.

What’s Next for Roxanne Perez?

Perez’s loss to Giulia last week left many speculating about her future in NXT. The fiery encounter with Bayley suggests that her next chapter may involve the SmackDown star, but how this rivalry plays out is anyone’s guess.

One possibility is that Perez could follow Bayley to SmackDown, where she’s made only one prior appearance. A move to the main roster would make sense for the former champion, who has already achieved so much in NXT and is poised to become a major player on WWE’s biggest stages.

On the other hand, Bayley has proven she’s not above stepping back into NXT to settle a score. Over the past two years, WWE has frequently integrated main roster stars into NXT storylines, with superstars like Becky Lynch, Finn Bálor, and Natalya making impactful appearances on the brand. Bayley working a full-fledged program in NXT could not only elevate Perez but also continue to shine a spotlight on the already thriving division.

A Battle of Eras

Bayley’s return to NXT and her clash with Roxanne Perez feels like a clash of two eras. Bayley helped define NXT’s golden age of women’s wrestling alongside stars like Sasha Banks, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch. Perez, meanwhile, represents the next generation of WWE’s women’s division, carving out her legacy with a title reign that brought prestige to the NXT Women’s Championship.

The contrast between Bayley’s veteran confidence and Perez’s youthful defiance has already created a compelling dynamic. If this rivalry continues, it could serve as a defining moment for Perez, whether she stays in NXT or makes the leap to the main roster.

Closing Thoughts

Bayley’s surprise return to NXT and her confrontation with Roxanne Perez marks another exciting chapter for WWE’s developmental brand, which continues to mix established stars with rising talent. Whether this feud unfolds in NXT or on SmackDown, it’s clear that Bayley and Perez are on a collision course.

TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich Appears at WWE NXT, Continuing Crossover Trend

The lines between WWE and TNA continue to blur, as reigning TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich made a high-profile appearance at this week’s WWE NXT. Slamovich, one of the most dominant champions in TNA today, was seen sitting ringside during the show, catching attention during a match between Cora Jade and Kelani Jordan.

This isn’t the first time a TNA star has stepped foot in WWE’s developmental brand—last year, Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry both made waves with appearances on NXT. Now, Slamovich becomes the first TNA talent to cross over in 2025, sparking speculation about what her appearance might mean for both promotions.

A Smirk and a Stare

During the Jade-Jordan match, which centered on both women’s desire to challenge for the NXT Women’s North American Championship, the cameras frequently cut to Slamovich at ringside. Commentary also acknowledged her presence, mentioning her upcoming Knockouts title defense against Rosemary at TNA’s Genesis this weekend. After securing her victory, Jade shot a knowing smirk in Slamovich’s direction—a subtle moment that has left fans buzzing about a potential clash between the NXT standout and the TNA champion in the future.

A Reign of Destruction

Slamovich has been a dominant force in TNA’s Knockouts division, capturing the Knockouts title from Jordynne Grace at Bound for Glory in 2024. Since then, she’s made four successful defenses, including a hard-fought two-out-of-three falls rematch against Grace and a recent win over Tasha Steelz in December. Known for her hard-hitting style and unrelenting intensity, Slamovich has solidified her place as one of the most respected names in women’s wrestling today.

TNA-WWE Crossovers: A Growing Trend

Slamovich’s appearance comes on the heels of Jordynne Grace’s impressive showing in WWE last year. Grace, who also entered WWE as the Knockouts Champion in early 2024, competed in the Women’s Royal Rumble and even challenged Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship at Battleground. Her most recent WWE appearance came at NXT 2300 in November, where she joined a star-studded team featuring Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, Giulia, and Kelani Jordan.

Slamovich’s ringside visit represents the closest she’s come to making an in-ring debut in WWE. The Russian-born powerhouse has made her name on the independent circuit and in TNA, with brief stints in AEW back in 2021. While no official match or storyline has been announced, her presence on NXT hints at exciting possibilities for the future.

What’s Next for Slamovich?

For now, Masha Slamovich’s focus remains on her Knockouts Championship defense against Rosemary at Genesis this weekend. However, her appearance on NXT has opened the door for endless speculation about potential dream matches and storylines. Could Slamovich eventually clash with Cora Jade or another top NXT star? Could this signal deeper collaboration—or even competition—between TNA and WWE?

One thing is clear: Slamovich’s arrival adds another layer of intrigue to WWE NXT, a brand already thriving on fresh faces and compelling matchups.

Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for updates on this developing story and coverage of TNA Genesis!

Corey Graves Absent From WWE NXT After Expressing His Displeasure

Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT at the Performance Center raised eyebrows with the absence of Corey Graves, who was originally slated to be part of the commentary team. Instead, the show featured a two-man booth consisting of Vic Joseph and Booker T. While many fans initially assumed Graves’ absence was tied to a storyline, new reports suggest there’s more to the situation than meets the eye.

Recently Graves took to X (formally known as Twitter) to express his displeasure over being reassigned from Friday Night SmackDown to WWE NXT. In an tweet earlier on Tuesday, hinted that he’d have plenty to say on NXT later that night. However, the expected commentary appearance never materialized, and sources close to the situation claim his frustrations are very real.

According to Fightful Select, Graves was genuinely upset about his move to NXT, and his no-show on Tuesday was not part of a scripted angle. PWInsider further reported that Graves was spotted at the Orlando Airport on Tuesday, heading back home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Graves’ feelings are understandable when considering his long history as a staple of WWE’s commentary teams. After being forced to retire from in-ring competition in 2014 due to medical reasons, Graves transitioned to a full-time commentary role. By 2016, he had cemented his place on the main roster, working for both Raw and SmackDown over the years. In 2024, Graves even served as the play-by-play voice for SmackDown, before being replaced by Joe Tessitore.

The current shake-up in WWE’s commentary teams appears to have left Graves without a spot on the main roster. WWE made significant changes to align with Raw’s recent move to Netflix, appointing Michael Cole and Pat McAfee to handle commentary duties for Raw, while Tessitore and Wade Barrett became the voices of SmackDown. These changes seemingly pushed Graves down the hierarchy, relegating him to NXT—a move he reportedly didn’t take kindly to.

For now, there’s no official word from WWE regarding Graves’ absence or the reports of his frustration. Whether this story becomes part of a larger on-screen narrative or remains an off-screen issue remains to be seen.

One thing’s for sure—Corey Graves has been a vital voice for WWE fans over the last decade, and his absence from Tuesday night’s NXT broadcast did not go unnoticed. With NXT continuing to grow as a developmental and third brand for WWE, only time will tell how Graves fits into the picture moving forward.

Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for more updates on this developing story.