Can TNA Overtake AEW? Inside Wrestling’s Most Unlikely Comeback Story

The Fall: TNA’s Identity Crisis

In the late 2000s and early 2010s, TNA Wrestling (Total Nonstop Action) was seen as the clear #2 wrestling promotion in North America. At its peak, TNA had Hulk Hogan, Sting, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, and Samoa Joe—household names with credibility. But poor booking decisions, overreliance on nostalgia acts, and mismanagement pushed TNA into what many called “the walking dead years.”

By 2016, the brand’s reputation was in shambles. Ownership battles, funding issues, and declining TV ratings made it seem like TNA was finished. That’s when Anthem Sports & Entertainment (Battle Anthem) stepped in, acquiring majority control and trying to steer the ship back to relevance.

Yet, the rebrand to Impact Wrestling didn’t solve the core problem—fans didn’t know what TNA’s identity was anymore. Was it a WWE alternative? A place for ex-WWE stars? A proving ground for indies? This “identity crisis” defined the brand for years.

The Rise of AEW—and TNA’s Lost Spot

The real blow came in 2019, when All Elite Wrestling (AEW) burst onto the scene. Backed by billionaire Tony Khan and The Elite (Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks), AEW quickly claimed the #2 spot in the industry with a national TNT/TBS TV deal, stacked rosters, and weekly live touring.

Suddenly, the “what if” that wrestling fans once reserved for TNA shifted to AEW. TNA was left behind—overshadowed, underfunded, and fighting for attention in a wrestling landscape that no longer considered it the alternative.

Experimentation: NJPW, AXS TV, and the Failed AEW Alliance

To claw back relevance, Anthem made bold moves:

In 2019, Anthem purchased AXS TV, giving Impact a secure broadcast home and opening the door to cross-promotional events.

TNA rekindled ties with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), which led to shared talent appearances.

Most notably, TNA formed a short-lived partnership with AEW. While the alliance fizzled, it did create one unforgettable headline: Kenny Omega—as AEW’s champion—appeared on Impact, ultimately winning both the Impact and TNA World Championships.

Though short-term, Omega’s reign proved that Impact’s titles could still mean something on the global stage.

Rebuilding: WWE Acknowledgement and the Power of Moments

The true turning point came not from AEW, but WWE. In 2022, Mickie James walked into the Women’s Royal Rumble carrying the TNA Knockouts Championship—officially acknowledging the brand on WWE programming for the first time.

Years later, Jordynne Grace followed, entering the 2024 Royal Rumble and even defending her TNA title at WWE’s NXT Battleground. Grace’s crossover moments introduced the TNA name to a new generation of WWE fans, legitimizing the brand in a way that even AEW’s partnership hadn’t.

These weren’t just cameos—they were lifelines. They reminded the wider wrestling world: TNA is still alive.

The Viral Era: Joe Hendry Leads the Charge

If WWE opened the door, Joe Hendry kicked it off its hinges.

His theme song “I Believe in Joe Hendry” went viral worldwide, charting in the UK Official Singles Downloads Chart.

His WWE NXT debut racked up over 17 million views across social platforms, making it one of WWE’s most-watched digital moments of the year.

He became a pop-culture meme machine, crossing from niche wrestling fandom into mainstream recognition.

In many ways, Hendry is now the most famous wrestler TNA has ever produced—not because of a title run, but because he embodies what modern wrestling needs: virality, charisma, and crossover appeal.

The WWE Partnership and Tangible Growth

In January 2025, WWE and TNA announced a multi-year partnership. This wasn’t just symbolic—it produced hard numbers:

Live Events: Attendance spiked from 500–800 fans to sold-out venues with 2,000+ paying customers.

Digital Growth: TNA’s YouTube topped 5 million subscribers, with Instagram followers surpassing 1 million.

Pay-Per-Views: Buys and streaming numbers showed year-over-year growth, with Slammiversary 2025 outperforming projections.

In short: TNA went from an afterthought to a relevant, profitable wrestling promotion again.

The Future: Weekly Live TV and the $10 Million Dream

The next frontier is TNA’s rumored $10 million TV rights deal, which would make Impact Wrestling a live weekly show, 52 weeks a year.

This matters because:

Live TV sells tickets. Every week becomes a marketable event.

Free agents notice. Wrestlers looking for exposure beyond WWE/AEW see TNA as a true stage.

Consistency wins. AEW grew because it trained fans to show up every Wednesday night. TNA now has a chance to condition audiences in the same way.

TNA vs. AEW: Lessons to Copy, Lessons to Avoid

So, what can TNA learn from AEW—and what should it do differently?

What TNA Should Copy From AEW

Fan-first approach: AEW marketed itself as “for the fans, by the fans.” TNA can lean on authenticity and community engagement.

Long-term storytelling: AEW’s biggest hits—Hangman Page’s arc, MJF’s rise—came from layered storytelling. TNA must resist quick-fix booking.

Production value: Big arenas, pyro, crisp cameras. Presentation matters.

What TNA Should Do Differently

Don’t oversaturate. AEW runs too many shows with inconsistent focus. TNA should keep programming tight and meaningful.

Develop homegrown stars. AEW leans on ex-WWE names. TNA can be the place where new stars—like Hendry, Grace, or Jake Something—become legends.

Balance nostalgia. Showcase TNA’s rich history (AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Kurt Angle) without making the past the main attraction.

Strategic partnerships. AEW sometimes spread itself thin with too many promotions. TNA should prioritize WWE and NJPW, which give maximum visibility.

The Road Ahead: Can TNA Truly Pass AEW?

Right now, AEW is still bigger—stronger TV deals, bigger rosters, and deeper financial backing. But AEW also faces internal criticism: messy booking, backstage drama, and audience fatigue.

TNA, in contrast, is the hot underdog story. With WWE backing, viral stars, and consistent growth, they’ve carved a narrative fans want to root for.

If Anthem secures the TV deal and continues to grow stars like Hendry and Grace while building consistent weekly programming, TNA could very well position itself as AEW’s equal—and maybe one day surpass them in fan perception.

Conclusion: A Second Life Few Saw Coming

TNA was once dead in the water. But today, through resilience, partnerships, and a little bit of viral magic, the promotion stands on the brink of its most important chapter ever.

The question isn’t just “Can TNA overtake AEW?”—it’s “Can TNA finally become the company it always promised to be?”

The answer may define the next decade of professional wrestling.