WWE NXT x TNA improves on what AEW x Impact started

The September 10 edition of WWE NXT featured some big names from TNA. Jordynne Grace took on Sol Ruca, Alex Hammerstone stepped up to Oba Femi, and Rosemary furthered her partnership with Wendy Choo, who is challenging Grace on Friday at TNA Victory Road. The two promotions are working closely together in a way that few would have guessed WWE would do at any point. In the eyes of many, this iteration of the Forbidden Door is a vast improvement over what was shown when AEW and TNA were working together.

In just three events, AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door has become one of the biggest annual showcases in wrestling. Tony Khan continues to successfully bring performers from multiple companies together under one roof, putting on some of the greatest dream matches available.

Before that, the forbidden door was initially broached during the Kenny Omega run known as “The Belt Collector.” Omega was picking up champions in multiple organizations, including a 110-day run as the Impact World Champion. This was considered the time when AEW and TNA (then Impact) were working together, with some stars showing up on both shows. But their level of inclusion was far below what NXT and TNA are doing today.

For starters, there was seemingly zero interest in involving the women’s division. Even as ladies like Britt Baker, Deonna Purrazzo, and Jordynne Grace openly called for it, the women’s divisions on both shows were ignored. The only moment that was close to this was when Mercedes Martinez defeated Purrazzo on the May 4, 2022, edition of AEW Dynamite. The AEW women’s division was in a much different place than it is today. Bringing in names like those mentioned above would have greatly benefited the growth of that group. Khan completely missed out on that opportunity.

Another point is the involvement of performers in both shows. With AEW x TNA, a few names from TNA moved over to AEW to be on Dynamite. But with NXT x TNA, several names have gone between both shows. This brings value to both products, and this is represented by the boost in KPIs that TNA has seen since the two companies started working together. A door that opens both ways is clearly beneficial to both groups.

Collaboration in professional wrestling is beneficial to all groups involved. As more organizations work together in different ways, it’s important to look back at other examples to see where there were areas for improvement. WWE NXT x TNA is going well for both parties and is a strong improvement over what AEW did with TNA years ago.