WWE announced a multi-year partnership with TNA on January 16, 2025, following appearances by TNA stars Joe Hendry and Jordynne Grace on NXT in 2024. Former writer for both companies, Vince Russo, addressed the implications of this cross-promotional agreement during an appearance on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Writing With Russo.
Russo discussed potential challenges that could arise from the partnership, particularly regarding talent reception. During the conversation with Dr. Chris Featherstone, he referenced recent events involving commentator Corey Graves’ move to NXT following RAW’s Netflix premiere.
If now you’re integrating TNA talent on your television, we saw what happened at the WWE when certain people were not on the first Netflix show. Now what starts happening in that locker room if you’re a WWE talent and now a TNA talent is gonna jump in front? That’s how trouble starts in the locker room. So, I can see positives and negatives in this, Chris.
While acknowledging benefits for both companies, Russo expressed concern about how NXT talent might respond to featured appearances by visiting TNA performers.