5 Stars you did not know wrestled in both WWE and TNA

Matt and Jeff Hardy are just two of the many former WWE stars to have been in TNAWWE is a sports entertainment behemoth. Ever since WCW self-destructed in 2000, Vince McMahon’s Connecticut-based organization has undeniably been the major attraction for wrestlers and fans alike.One of the prominent names whose contract was not picked up by WWE after WCW went out of business was Jeff Jarrett who had genuine heat with Vince McMahon. Rather than getting sidelined, Jarrett bravely started his own wrestling company TNA Wrestling.Over the years, many wrestlers have utilised TNA as an alternative to WWE With a lighter schedule and a chance to better develop their character, TNA presented a great second option to many WWE wrestlers over the years including the likes of Christian, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy.There are also many WWE stars who have made blink and miss appearances in TNA as well with the likes of Roddy Piper and Randy Savage coming to mind.This list takes a look at the latter variety of those WWE stars whom you might not remember wrestling in TNA.

#5 Curt Hennig

Mr.Perfect has appeared in WWE, WCW, AWA and TNA

Curt ‘Mr.Perfect’ Hennig has been widely acknowledged as one of the greatest in-ring technicians ever. In a career spanning 22 years, Hennig wrestled with great acclaim in the WWE, AWA and WCW.

His final run in the WWE ended in 2002 after a drunken altercation with Brock Lesnar on the infamous ‘Planeride from hell’ which led to his departure from the company.

Hennig would move on to the newly formed TNA, debuting as the surprise partner of Road Dogg and Sean Waltman against Jeff Jarrett, The Truth and Brian Christopher. Hennig would pin the then NWA-TNA World Champion Truth to get the victory and would proceed to have three title matches, failing to win the championship on all occasions.

He would team up with Road Dogg in a losing effort for the NWA tag team titles as well.

Hennig would remain in TNA for only about four months before his untimely death in February 2003. His final ever match was in a TNA ring, defeating David Flair in an ‘Axehandle on a pole match’.

#4 DDP

DDP had a TNA World title match once

For a person who had a late start to his in-ring career, Diamond Dallas Page has sure done a lot.

DDP is a 3 time WCW World champion, a multiple time US champion, WWE European champion and tag team champion. Page was treated shabbily in WWE storylines and following his release from the company in 2002 at the age of 46, many expected Page to hang up his boots.

However, he surprised everyone by turning up at the Impact arena in 2004. He would have a feud with Raven initially, before receiving a TNA World title shot against Jeff Jarrett at Destination X.

A pounce from Monty Brown ended DDP’s quest and Dallas Page left the promotion soon after to concentrate on other interests.

#3 Test

Test is a former WWE and TNA employee

After being in the WWE since 1998 (with a one-year absence in between), Test would be released by the company in 2007 after failing the WWE Wellness policy.

Towards the end of his final WWE run, Test’s physical size had increased drastically and there were rumours of steroid usage. It did not stop TNA from signing the former Intercontinental and European champion, who made his debut in the company as an ally of Sting.

Going by his real name of Andrew Martin, Test would wrestle only one match in TNA, a tag team contest at Hard Justice. He would be released yet again due to concerns over his physical size.

Test would retire from wrestling in 2008 before passing away in 2009 at the age of 34.

#2 Ken Shamrock

Ken Shamrock was the first ever TNA World Champion

If you thought Brock Lesnar with his solitary UFC title is the toughest man to step foot inside a WWE ring, you certainly haven’t seen any of Ken Shamrock’s Octagon fights in the 90s. A UFC Hall of Famer and ABC news anointed ‘World’s most dangerous athlete’, Shamrock is considered to be the greatest athlete in UFC history.

A legitimate badass, he would also have a distinguished WWE career where he became a two-time Intercontinental champion as well as the tag team champion. However, he would return to the UFC after just a two-year stint with the WWE from 1997-99.

Shamrock would surprisingly join the fledgling TNA promotion in 2002 and became the inaugural TNA World Heavyweight champion after winning the Gauntlet for Gold match during their debut show. Even though he had signed a one-year contract, Shamrock would leave the company within a few months, losing his title to R-Truth.

He would return in 2004 as an ally of Jeff Jarrett, but that run would be short-lived as well.

#1 CM Punk

C M Punk is a former TNA superstar

CM Punk is one of the most controversial and beloved superstars of the 21st century.

Punk would initially gain fame as a trendsetting member of the ROH roster where he ushered in the ‘Summer of Punk’ seven years before he did the same in the WWE. Both instances would see Punk drop controversial ‘pipe bombs’ that blurred reality and kayfabe.

However, not many realise that Punk had been a member of the TNA roster once as well. Way back in 2003, ROH and TNA had a working agreement and Punk was sent over to the latter promotion.

There he became a member of the Gathering, a stable headed by Raven – the very same man whom Punk was feuding with in ROH at the same time. The Gathering also had Julio Dinero and Alexis Laree – the future WWE and TNA Women's’ champion Mickie James in an old persona.

The followers would soon enter in to a feud against Raven, but TNA officials – in one of the greatest blunders of their existence – decided to release Punk as they felt he was not connecting with the fans as a heel. CM Punk – not connecting with the fans!! Wow!!

Punk would return to ROH and have his famous series of matches with Samoa Joe before embarking on his WWE adventure.