5 Booking Moves WWE Can Make with TNA Partnership

For the first time ever, WWE and TNA have entered a formal working relationship that should see several stars cross over and make an impact.

TNA Knockouts world champion Jordynne Grace made history by breaking down "the forbidden door" and appearing on the May 28 edition of NXT.

At Sunday's Battleground event, she'll challenge Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Championship, and it isn't completely out of the realm of possibility that she could walk away with both belts.

The two promotions have engaged in the occasional talent exchange in the past, but nothing quite to this extent. Per Mike Johnson of PWInsider, the collaboration is expected to extend beyond Battleground and simultaneously stretch across TNA programming.

The partnership is mutually beneficial for both brands. The up-and-coming athletes on the NXT roster could use the added experience that TNA provides, while TNA's presence on WWE TV alone gives it excellent exposure.

NXT recently lost a handful top-tier talent to the main roster in the 2024 draft, so bringing in familiar and fresh faces from TNA helps replenish the pot and give fans matches and moments they never thought would be possible.

With the WWE-TNA partnership officially in full swing, these are five booking moves that must be made.

Grace being invited to join the 2024 women's Royal Rumble match and being acknowledged as the the TNA Knockouts world champion were encouraging signs for her future.

All signs point to Perez retaining the NXT women's title at Battleground, but Grace being a dual champion and defending the belts in both companies would a surreal sight.

At the very least, she'll still have her TNA Knockouts World Championship after Sunday, though it might not be for much longer.

It's already been announced that at Against All Odds—TNA' s next monthly live special on June 14—The Juggernaut will defend the Knockouts title in an open challenge. At this point, it'd be disappointing if it was anyone else but someone from NXT answering the call.

Grace crossed paths with multiple women in a backstage segment on the June 4 edition of NXT, planting the seeds for future matchups if WWE is interested in exploring them.

Tatum Paxley would be a perfect fit considering her current obsession with gold, not to mention that they'd have a quality contest together.

It's been nearly four years since The Rascalz last appeared on television together, and they're long overdue for a reunion.

Following a solid stint in TNA, Dezmond Xavier (Wes Lee) and Zachary Wentz (Nash Carter) made the jump to WWE at the onset of 2021, though Trey Miguel didn't follow suit.

While they went on to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and the NXT Tag Team Championship twice as MSK, Miguel returned to TNA and broke out as a singles star, eventually capturing the TNA X-Division Championship.

Getting all three guys to work for the same company could be tough, but a one-off reunion for The Rascalz in six-man tag team action would make for a fun moment.

It wouldn't matter whether it happens in an NXT or TNA ring. It probably means more in TNA because that's where they had their run, but NXT fans would give it the reaction it deserves considering how familiar they already were with Grace when she showed up last week.

The Rascalz are a terrific trio and deserve the chance to reconnect for one night, if only for old times' sake.

Gallus vs. The Rascalz writes itself.

After Ethan Page's exit from All Elite Wrestling became clear last month, WWE and TNA were his most likely destinations.

He had already spent a number of years in TNA but didn't leave on the highest note in early 2021. Going back for a quick stint would've allowed him to reestablish himself as a main event player and link back up with Josh Alexander, his old tag team partner in The North.

During his time alongside Alexander, they dominated the TNA tag team division and held the tag titles for just over one year. Page departed the company before they could have a formal feud.

Of course, he opted to sign with WWE instead and eliminated any chance of a North reunion and/or feud, or so fans thought. With WWE and TNA now working together, it's possible it can still happen eventually.

Alexander isn't in the middle of anything important at the moment, and Page will need immediate direction if he fails to unseat Trick Williams as NXT champion at Battleground.

If Alexander fancies himself the "gatekeeper" of TNA, he should be the first person Page targets if a return run is in the cards.

This one is more a case of wishful thinking than anything else, but a WWE and TNA working relationship wouldn't live up to its full potential if it didn't at some point feature a WWE cameo from the uber-popular Joe Hendry.

Those unaware of the man's greatness soon should be, not for any one thing he's accomplished in TNA but rather for the infectious nature of his sheer presence. His catchy entrance theme has gone viral several times over and even cracked the charts upon its recent release on iTunes.

The Scot can more than hold his own in the ring, but his real strong suit is connecting with the audience through his promos and walk to the ring.

In many ways, he's the quintessential WWE Superstar, and thus an appearance from The Prestigious One would undoubtedly go over huge with the NXT faithful. Specifically, having him show up at Clash at the Castle on June 15 in his home country would be outstanding.

The TNA partnership possibly being exclusive to NXT makes this a lot less likely, but it would be prime placement for such an anticipated arrival.

Say his name and he appears.

Similar to Joe Hendry popping up at Clash at the Castle, this may well be null and void if the main roster won't be getting involved in whatever NXT has planned with TNA in the months ahead.

However, it's fun for fans to imagine a scenario in which a TNA original such as AJ Styles returns to his old stomping grounds after over a decade away for a final run or match before he hangs up his boots for good.

At the very least, the 47-year-old should be the headliner for the TNA Hall of Fame Class of 2024 after all he accomplished there and the pivotal role he played in putting the promotion on the map.

As of the May 31 edition of SmackDown, The Phenomenal One now finds himself firmly entrenched in a rivalry with Cody Rhodes over the Undisputed WWE Championship once again, but depending on how long it lasts, he could be freed up by the fall to do something with TNA.

If the sun is setting on Styles' iconic career, it would only be appropriate for his "retirement tour" to feature a stop at his former home.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.