By now, we've all heard the rumbling and the rumours about the possible collapse of TNA Wrestling. Now, this sort of talk is nothing new, as we have heard such rumours spark up in past years. However, things appear to be different this time, with several people from within TNA having publicly acknowledged the fact that the company is seeking investors, as well as other means of making financial adjustments in order to continue to operate. The bottom line, it looks like the end is inevitably near for TNA and that's too bad.
Speaking honestly, I'm not a big fan of the current TNA product and I haven't been for quite some time now. Nonetheless, I never like to see companies go under. Nothing good comes out of hard working folks losing their jobs. As mentioned before, TNA has roughly 150 non-wrestling employees are at their Nashville-based home office. If the company folds, that's 150 families affected, at a time when major holidays are rapidly approaching and the economy is already struggling. It's just not a good situation, no matter how you look at it.
With all of the TNA demise rumours, there's been a lot of talk regarding the potential buyout from WWE. While this may seem like a long shot to many, I can assure you that this is a very real possibility. With that said, who stays and who goes, in the event the WWE does takeover the brand? Do they keep the entire roster and make TNA a WWE Network exclusive program? Or, do they dissect the TNA roster and split the remnants between Raw and Smackdown, while sending some of the lesser accomplished talent down to Orlando, to learn the WWE way in NXT?
Either way, if a WWE buyout does take place, there will be a lot of questions to answer and a lot of potential excitement about this potential new milestone in professional wrestling history. Assuming WWE would only keep a select number of TNA stars, I've narrowed it down to 10 wrestlers that I believe should be kept, in the event WWE acquires TNA.
Please note: I've decided to not list Cody and Sandow, opting to focus on some of the more established TNA names. Personally, I'm not sure either Sandow, nor Cody would remain if this happened, simply because the wound is too fresh from their recent WWE departures.
#10 Grado
Okay, I get it. I really do! I'm aware the guy isn't necessarily the model picture of a prime athlete. No, he's not chiselled like Bobby Lashley and no, he isn't as fundamentally sound as Dolph Ziggler. But, the man is as entertaining as anyone you'll find in today's wrestling. There are a lot of wrestlers out there who can flawlessly execute a hurricanrana, but not nearly as many possess the natural ability to captivate an audience the way Grado can.
Grado is a spectacle in his own right. He's unorthodox and has a tendency of coming across as rather awkward. However, I hate to beat a dead horse, but this guy is just fun to watch and from what I have read, everyone loves him.
Grado is not going to win a world title, or any other title, for that matter. But, there is always a place for a quality entertainer, that can offer a healthy dose of comic relief from time-to-time. Another important factor is the relatively strong following Grado has accumulated. There's no doubt that he will fill seats, if for nothing else, than to see the hilarity that ensues when the Scottish jester is on the card.
#9 Jade
Many fans may remember her best as Mia Yim, where she made a name for herself with promotions like CZW, Shine and Shimmer, just to name a few. As Yim, she stacked up a mountain of title wins, such as the Shine tag team titles with Leva Bates, also known as "Blue Pants" by NXT fans. Jade also won the top singles prize while with the all-female promotion, winning the Shine Championship in late 2014.
Since arriving at TNA, Jade shot straight to the top. On April 5th, she captured the TNA Knockouts Championship, previously held by Madison Rayne. Jade would hold the title until Slammiversary, when she lost the title to Sienna, but to this day, has remained atop the TNA Knockouts division.
#8 Trevor Lee
This pick may come as a surprise to some fans, but don't let your unfamiliarity deceive you. Trevor Lee is a major star in the making. At only 23 years old, Lee has already compiled an impressive list of accolades, including the TNA X-Division title, TNA tag titles, PWG tag titles, Omega Championship and a laundry list of titles while at CWF Mid-Atlantic, which is where he rise to super stardom really began.
Trevor is well travelled, despite being so young. His age would allow him to be a prime candidate for a spot on NXT's roster, while his experience would prove him worthy of being a member of either of WWE's main rosters. No matter where he's assigned, Trevor Lee is definitely someone who will be a major name in the near future.
#7 Mike Bennett
It wasn't long ago that rumours were flying regarding Mike Bennett heading to the WWE, after news came about, regarding his Ring of Honor departure. However, The Miracle and his better half opted to take their talents to TNA, where a trip to the top would seem to be easier. Bennett has done extremely well in his time with TNA, having won the X-Division Championship and competing in angles with Galloway, EC3 and Moose, just to name a few.
Bennett thrived in ROH, aligning themselves with The Kingdom, during a time when they were among the top factions in wrestling. Along with winning tag team gold with Ring of Honor, Bennett also won the IWGP tag team titles as well, both times with Matt Taven as his partner. Bennett is very versatile, proven as a quality tag team performer, as well as a top-level singles competitor, making him a very attractive name in the eyes of WWE's decision makers.
#6 The Hardy Boyz
It's only fitting that Matt and Jeff Hardy return home. The Hardys revolutionised tag team wrestling, with the evolution of the TLC match and other various extreme based gimmick matches. Both Hardys have had a fantastic run in TNA and continue to sit at the top of the rankings within the company, most recently winning the TNA tag team championships against Decay for a second reign.
Matt and Jeff are 39 and 42 years old, respectively. While they continue to compete at a high level, it's important to note that the industry is flooded with a new era of great, young talent, which increasingly puts pressure on the veterans to push the limits in order to keep a job. With that in mind, The Hardys may only have a few good years remaining, so if there is indeed to be a WWE homecoming, it needs to happen sooner, rather than later.
#5 The Wolves
This is undoubtedly one of the modern era's most established and successful tag teams. However, don't put these guys in a box, because Eddie and Davey have proven themselves capable of handling serious singles runs when called upon. Both Davey and Eddie have each won the ROH World Title, during their time with Ring of Honor. They also ran with the ROH tag titles not once, but twice as well. Both men were also named in the top 50 of the 2010 PWI Top 500.
The Wolves have accumulated championships both in ROH and TNA, as well as various indie promotions. Their locker room leadership has been mentioned by several wrestlers, on more than one occasion. These guys are more than capable of coming to the WWE as a top tier ready tag team or thrown into the mix as singles competitors, maybe even being a good fit for the newly formed Cruiserweight division.
4. Moose
We've all seen it happen in the past. A big, strong, athletic prospect comes into the wrestling business, after a failed football career but for whatever reason, they just can't grasp the concept. Example, Mojo Rawley is someone who was an outstanding football player, but as we see now, he's just not putting it all together in the WWE. Well, that's not the case with the man they call Moose.
Moose also had a stellar football career, but once things began to unravel for him in the NFL, he started looking towards a possible attempt at making it in professional wrestling. After being trained by Mr. Hughes, Moose slowly worked his way into in-ring action. He started with a light role as a bodyguard at Dragon Gate USA, then eventually made his in-ring debut, while with Jeff Jarrett's GFW. After a successful run with Ring of Honor, Moose found a new home with TNA.
While Moose is still chasing that first major title run, he has approached his promo wrestling career from a steady, methodical standpoint and that seems to work perfectly for him. In 2015, Moose was named PWI Rookie Of The Year and has been on a constant upswing ever since. Moose would fit perfectly into the NXT system for a brief period, before being introduced to the main rosters.
#3 Drew Galloway
Since leaving the WWE, Drew Galloway has set the wrestling world on fire. He's made a trip back home help put ICW in the major wrestling spotlight, where he's won their championship twice. Drew has also risen to the top of TNA's roster, where's he's remained as one of the top championship contenders in the company. Drew has been able to explore a more creative side of himself and been seen in a much more competitive light than what he was limited to with the WWE.
Galloway can make an immediate impact back in the WWE, where fans would welcome him back, with excited open arms. There's no need to relegate this guy back to some ridiculous comedic angles, like when he was with 3MB, where he was not able to showcase his true talents. He was expected to stand in the middle of the ring and play an air guitar with Hornswoggle.
#2 Lashley
At 40 years old, Lashley appears to be in better shape than he's ever been. He's cut and chiselled like a Greek god and is as strong as an ox. Lashley has been THE man in TNA for quite some time now, while simultaneously keeping his feet wet with a steady MMA career.
Admittedly, Bobby didn't have the best possible tenure with the WWE. The Donald Trump angle at Wrestlemania sort of stunk up the industry and at one time, he was getting the Roman Reigns treatment by the fan base, as being a highly detested babyface. However, a lot of time has passed since then and Lashley could very well be a welcomed addition to the current WWE scenery.
#1 Ethan Carter III
How many of us remember that Derrick Bateman character in NXT? Of course, you do. For whatever reason, WWE creative just couldn't figure out exactly what to do with this guy and while it's impossible to foresee the future, I have no doubt that someone regrets letting this one get away.
Since being released from his WWE contract in 2013, Carter has been on a complete tear. Ethan has indeed found his groove and rode it to the very top. Ever since the birth of "Team Dixie," he has taken the initiative that he's the man and if anyone else wants to be at the top, they must go through EC3.
Carter has a new found sense of swagger and charisma, to accompany his great fundamental skill-set. He's ready, right away to take an upper-mid card role with the WWE and would be a very valuable addition to either Raw or Smackdown.
