Tag: TNA

TNA’s The Hardys Have Signed Official WWE Merchandise Deal, Part of WWE 2K26 Video Game

Matt and Jeff Hardy’s renewed connection with WWE just took another interesting turn, as the legendary tag team has officially locked in a new merchandise deal with the company.

Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt confirmed that The Hardy Boyz have signed an agreement with WWE that not only brings them into WWE 2K26, but could also lead to more collaborations down the line.

According to Matt, the deal is expected to extend beyond a one-off appearance, with plans for the duo to remain part of WWE’s video game landscape for the foreseeable future. He also hinted that this partnership could grow into additional opportunities, suggesting WWE may have more in mind than just nostalgia-driven content.

The Hardys’ inclusion in WWE 2K26—particularly in editions centered around the Attitude Era—feels like a natural fit. After all, Matt and Jeff were key figures during that time, redefining tag team wrestling with their high-risk style and unforgettable ladder matches. Matt noted that fan demand played a big role in making this happen, with many pushing for the brothers to be included in a game celebrating that era.

The response so far has reportedly been overwhelmingly positive, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by WWE. That kind of feedback likely helped solidify the deal and could be a factor in expanding the partnership moving forward.

What makes this situation even more notable is that the Hardys haven’t been full-time WWE performers in years. Following their departure, both men spent time in AEW and later resurfaced in TNA Wrestling. However, the growing working relationship between WWE and TNA opened the door for crossover appearances, including matches on WWE NXT—appearances that may have ultimately paved the way for this new agreement.

While there’s no official word yet on whether this leads to a more permanent in-ring return, the door is clearly open wider than it has been in quite some time. At the very least, fans can expect to see plenty more of The Hardy Boyz in WWE projects moving forward.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 3/19/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT tonight on AMC at 9/8c.

  • The Righteous vs. The Nemeths
  • Brian Myers vs. Moose
  • Dani Luna & Arianna Grace vs. Angel Warriors
  • Frankie Kazarian vs. Home Town Man
  • Elayna Black vs. Jada Stone
  • Mr. Elegance vs. TBA

Former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle Officially Signs With TNA Wrestling

Former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle is officially back in the wrestling world — this time with TNA Wrestling.

TNA confirmed the news on Friday, sharing a video on social media showing Michelle signing her contract alongside company president Carlos Silva and longtime wrestling veteran Tommy Dreamer. The announcement comes after Michelle had quietly made a few appearances for the promotion in recent months.

According to Silva, Michelle will be joining the organization primarily in a behind-the-scenes capacity. During the signing video, Michelle expressed her excitement about returning to the industry that helped shape her career.

She described the opportunity as a meaningful full-circle moment, noting that she never expected wrestling to come back into her life in this way. Michelle said she’s eager to contribute however she can and help TNA continue building its future.

“I didn’t know this could come back,” Michelle said in the video. “Just being able to help build this with you guys and play even a small role in it is really a dream come true.”

Michelle also revealed that Dreamer was the one who reached out to her about returning to the business. She said he contacted her the day after Christmas to discuss the possibility of helping the company behind the scenes. Dreamer later thanked Michelle during the signing, praising her loyalty to both him and the wrestling industry over the past two decades.

While TNA confirmed her signing, the company has not yet shared details about the terms of her contract. It’s also unclear whether Michelle will appear on-screen or potentially become involved with the Knockouts division in any capacity.

Michelle first entered the wrestling world in 2004 when she competed in WWE’s Diva Search. Although she didn’t win the competition, WWE still signed her, and she quickly became a recognizable figure during the mid-2000s era of the company’s women’s division.

Over the course of her WWE run, she shared the ring with names like Trish Stratus, Torrie Wilson, Ashley Massaro, and Melina. Her biggest career moment came at the 2006 Vengeance pay-per-view, where she defeated Melina to capture the WWE Women’s Championship — becoming the first Diva Search contestant to win the title.

Michelle continued wrestling for several years before stepping away from the business. Her last known match took place in 2017 outside of WWE, where she picked up a victory over Lisa Marie Varon, known to WWE fans as Victoria.

Now, nearly a decade after her final match, Michelle is once again part of the wrestling industry — this time helping shape it from behind the curtain. Whether her new role eventually leads to an on-screen appearance remains to be seen, but her return adds another familiar name to TNA’s growing roster of industry veterans and contributors.

Former AEW Star Allie Reunites With Rosemary During TNA Impact Appearance

A familiar face made a surprising return on TNA Impact, as former AEW performer Allie — also known to many fans as The Bunny — showed up in a backstage segment alongside longtime ally and rival Rosemary.

Allie previously spent several years in TNA from 2013 to 2019, where she became a prominent figure in the Knockouts division. During that run, she captured the TNA Knockouts Championship twice and shared a memorable on-screen history with Rosemary, alternating between partners and adversaries.

Her original run in the promotion came to a dramatic end when her character was written off television in a storyline where she died in Rosemary’s arms. Not long after, Allie resurfaced in AEW, debuting under the name The Bunny.

While in AEW, she aligned with The Butcher and The Blade, frequently acting as their manager while also competing in the ring herself. She later formed a tag team with Penelope Ford before eventually departing the company in 2023.

In recent months, Allie has been gradually making her way back into the wrestling world. She began training for an in-ring return last year and even appeared at Border Brawl as the coach for Team Canada. Not long after, she officially returned to action at Evil Uno’s Mystery Wrestling event, teaming with Penelope Ford.

Hints about a potential TNA return started circulating recently thanks to Raven, who posted a photo on social media showing himself, Allie, and Rosemary together at a TNA taping, sparking speculation among fans.

On this week’s episode of TNA Impact, that tease paid off when Allie appeared in a backstage segment involving Rosemary, who has been involved in a series of mysterious and cryptic interactions lately.

Just before Allie’s cameo, Rosemary was shown speaking with Johnny Swinger. In a comedic moment, Swinger noticed someone walking by in a bunny costume and jokingly referred to the figure as the “Gobbledy Gooker.”

With Allie now back in the TNA universe — and once again crossing paths with Rosemary — it looks like the promotion may be revisiting one of its most unique and supernatural storylines. Fans will be watching closely to see what role The Bunny plays next.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 3/12/2026

TNA Thursday Nigh iMPACT! on AMC taped from the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta, GA.

  • Atlanta Street Fight: Moose vs. Cedric Alexander
  • Non-Title Match: The Hardys vs. Sinner and Saint
  • Trey Miguel, BDE & Rich Swann vs. Order 4
  • A.J. Francis vs. Elijah
  • Indi Hartwell vs. TBA
  • Ricky Sosa debuts
  • We’ll hear from Steve Maclin

Jeff Jarrett Documentary “Heart of a Promoter” Now Streaming Free on YouTube

Wrestling fans can now take a deep dive into the life and legacy of one of the industry’s most polarizing and influential figures — for free.

The Jeff Jarrett Story: Heart of a Promoter is officially available to stream on YouTube, giving viewers an in-depth look at Jarrett’s Hall of Fame career both inside the ring and behind the scenes as a wrestling executive.

The special chronicles far more than just Jarrett’s time as a multi-time world champion. Alongside longtime collaborator Conrad Thompson, the self-proclaimed “King of the Mountain” reflects on his family’s deep-rooted history in the wrestling business — a lineage that dates back to 1946. From Memphis territory days to the national expansion era, the Jarrett name has been intertwined with the evolution of sports entertainment for decades.

Of course, a major focus of the documentary centers on Jarrett’s bold moves as a promoter. That includes the founding of NWA Total Nonstop Action (TNA) as well as his later venture, Global Force Wrestling. The project explores the risks, setbacks, and perseverance required to launch and sustain wrestling promotions in an industry dominated by larger corporate entities.

In addition to revisiting his past, Jarrett remains active in today’s wrestling landscape. He hosts the popular My World with Jeff Jarrett podcast alongside Thompson, where he regularly shares behind-the-scenes stories from throughout his career. Jarrett also currently serves as AEW’s Director of Business Development, playing a key role in expanding the company’s partnerships and strategic opportunities.

For fans interested in wrestling history — especially the business side of the industry — Heart of a Promoter offers a comprehensive look at one of the most resilient figures the business has produced.

And now, it’s just a click away.

Also available to watch: the making of the documentary.

AJ Styles Reveals He Nearly Retired in TNA Before WWE Run Changed Everything

AJ Styles’ in-ring career officially came to an end at the 2026 Royal Rumble, where “The Phenomenal One” fell to GUNTHER in a career-on-the-line showdown. The following night on WWE Raw, Styles received an emotional sendoff, capped off with confirmation that a WWE Hall of Fame induction is on the horizon.

But as it turns out, Styles once envisioned a very different ending to his story.

Speaking on Raw Recap: WWE Now, Styles admitted that there was a time when he fully expected to retire under the TNA banner — the company where he became a cornerstone star and helped build its identity during its formative years.

According to Styles, had TNA presented him with a comparable contract offer back in 2014, he likely never would have left.

He explained that he took pride in helping establish TNA as a legitimate wrestling promotion and had every intention of finishing his career there. However, circumstances changed. With TNA dealing with financial struggles at the time, Styles was reportedly asked to accept a significant pay cut — said to be around 60 percent. That proved to be the turning point.

Rather than re-sign under those terms, Styles bet on himself.

After departing TNA in early 2014, Styles revitalized his career on the global stage. He made high-profile stops in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he further cemented his legacy and expanded his international reputation. That momentum ultimately led to his surprise debut in WWE as an entrant in the 2016 Men’s Royal Rumble — a moment that instantly reshaped the industry landscape.

Over the next decade, Styles built a résumé that erased any doubt about his place in WWE history. He captured the United States Championship, Intercontinental Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, and most notably, the WWE Championship — a reign that solidified him as one of the defining stars of his era.

His final chapter came full circle at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Putting his career on the line against GUNTHER, Styles was ultimately defeated after “The Ring General” forced him to pass out to a sleeper hold. It was a fittingly hard-fought end for a competitor known for his resilience and elite in-ring ability.

While Styles once pictured his retirement happening in TNA, fate had other plans. Instead, he closes his career as a future WWE Hall of Famer — a testament to a journey that took risks, crossed borders, and ultimately redefined what was possible for a wrestler who built his name outside the WWE system.

In hindsight, turning down that TNA offer may have been the most important decision of his career.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT!

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight on AMC at 9/8c.

Where To Watch: AMC, AMC+, & TNA+ (US), Sportsnet & Sportsnet 360 (Canada), TNA+ (internationally)

  • The Hardys and The Righteous vs. The System
  • Mike Santana and Leon Slater vs. Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth
  • Frankie Kazarian will be on commentary
  • Lei Ying Lee vs. Dani Luna
  • AJ Francis vs. Mance Warner
  • Ash by Elegance face-to-face with Mickie James
  • Jada Stone vs. Tasha Steelz
  • Tom Hannifan interviews Steve Maclin

JBL Says TNA Creative Shake-Up Halted Planned In-Ring Return

John “Bradshaw” Layfield was a lot closer to lacing up his boots again than most fans realized — but a sudden creative shift in TNA ultimately pulled the plug on the idea.

Speaking recently on TMZ’s Inside The Ring, the WWE Hall of Famer addressed the growing buzz about a potential in-ring comeback. Between appearances in GCW and AAA, along with reports that he had been training with veterans Jody Malenko and Gerald Brisco, speculation had been building that JBL was preparing for something substantial.

As it turns out, those rumors weren’t far off.

Layfield confirmed that he had agreed in principle to work with TNA last year. However, after a change in the company’s creative direction, he decided it was no longer something he wanted to be part of.

According to JBL, the revised plans simply didn’t make sense — not from a storytelling standpoint and not from a business one. Rather than force something he didn’t believe in, he chose to step away, noting that there are no hard feelings and that he still maintains a positive relationship with the promotion.

Interestingly, the creative decision-maker behind the change was reportedly let go shortly afterward. Around the same time, WWE’s evolving relationship with TNA shifted the broader landscape, and the proposed return never resurfaced.

TNA wasn’t the only company where plans changed. JBL also revealed that he had discussions about doing something with AAA in Mexico. But once WWE became more directly involved, his role pivoted. Instead of stepping back into the ring, Layfield found himself transitioning into commentary duties.

In hindsight, JBL seems perfectly fine with how things played out — even joking that WWE moving him to commentary might have been a subtle message.

That doesn’t mean he isn’t taking training seriously.

At 59 years old, Layfield has built out a personal training setup complete with mats, suplex dummies, and conditioning equipment, and he’s clearly enjoying the grind. While he stopped short of confirming any concrete return plans, he admitted there’s at least an outline of an idea floating around.

For now, JBL appears content staying active, staying in shape, and keeping his options open. If he does make one more walk to the ring, it won’t just be for nostalgia. As he made clear, any comeback would need to make sense creatively — and, just as importantly, be good for business.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 2/19/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight on AMC.

Watch on AMC, AMC+, & TNA+ (US), Sportsnet & Sportsnet 360 (Canada), TNA+ (internationally)

  • Fallout from No Surrender
  • Guitar Case Casket Match: Elijah vs. Mustafa Ali
  • TNA International Championship: Trey Miguel (c) vs. Stacks
  • Tessa Blanchard vs. Jody Threat
  • BDE and Rich Swann vs. Sinner and Saint
  • We’ll hear from Elayna Black.
  • We’ll hear from TNA World Champion Mike Santana