WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle believes the current partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling will culminate in WWE purchasing the TNA video library. Speaking on Ken “Mr. Kennedy” Anderson’s podcast, Angle expressed his excitement about the collaboration, a development he never anticipated.
Angle stated that the primary benefit of a potential library acquisition would be making his TNA tenure accessible to the WWE audience. “I’m going to tell you right now, I had a much better career at TNA than I did WWE,” Angle said. “I was there a lot longer, too. So most of my career was in TNA. A lot of the WWE fans didn’t see me. So now I have the opportunity of having the fans being allowed to see me compete in TNA and perform.” He added, “I know it’s going to happen eventually. I just never thought it would in a million years.” (quote courtesy Corey Brennan)
Angle’s comments come over seven months after the formal partnership between the two promotions was announced. In January 2025, WWE and TNA revealed a multi-year agreement designed to facilitate talent crossovers, primarily between the NXT and TNA brands. At the time, TNA’s Ariel Shnerer called it a “historic relationship,” while WWE’s Shawn Michaels stated the goal was to create “new opportunities to further the development of our talent.”
The official deal followed a series of successful talent exchanges throughout 2024 that generated significant fan interest. TNA’s Jordynne Grace was a surprise entrant in the Women’s Royal Rumble and later challenged for the NXT Women’s Championship at Battleground. Joe Hendry also had a prominent run in NXT, which led to a title match against Ethan Page at No Mercy. In return, NXT talent like Wes Lee and Charlie Dempsey appeared on TNA programming.
This working relationship has roots in earlier, more isolated crossovers. Back in 2022, then-TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James competed in the WWE Women’s Royal Rumble, appearing with her title. An even earlier instance occurred in 2012 when WWE’s Christian appeared at TNA’s Slammiversary as part of an arrangement that allowed Ric Flair to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.