Once upon a time Total Nonstop Action – or TNA, as it was more commonly referred to – was considered the only promotion that posed any sort of threat to the WWE after the collapse of WCW. There was proper bad blood between WWE and TNA as evidenced by the fact that no one on WWE even mentions TNA officially.
After all, the likes of Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and Mick Foley amongst others switched over to the company and this was viewed as an act of war on the part of everybody at the biggest wrestling promotion in the world. Unfortunately, all those of efforts proved to be in vain as TNA failed miserably.
Nowadays, that role is taken up by New Japan Pro Wrestling while Impact Wrestling as TNA is now called nothing more than just another indy promotion. But, despite the steep decline in the stature of the company, there are still some legitimate stars on the roster who could do very well for themselves in Vince McMahon’s promotion.
So, without further ado, let's get into our list of 5 current Impact Wrestling superstars who could move to the WWE:
#5 Chris Adonis/Chris Masters
When Chris Masters burst onto the WWE scene back in the 2000s, nobody could deny that he had an impressive body. Unfortunately, his wrestling skills did not match up to that impressive physique.
As is Vince McMahon's way, Masters was pushed to the moon because of his looks and the fact that he just wasn't good enough to be a main eventer became clear to everybody who saw the young man wrestle. Eventually, Masters slid down the card and left the company.
Nowadays, he is making quite the name for himself at Impact Wrestling as Chris Adonis. He will never be a technical wrestling wizard but has improved leaps and bounds from the days of the Master Lock Challenge.
It would make a lot of sense to bring Masters back as a solid mid-card talent – especially considering that WWE desperately needs more mid-carders. He might never be a main event guy, but he has done enough to warrant a return to the WWE.
#4 Matt Sydal / Evan Bourne
Everyone remembers Evan Bourne, right? The high flying wrestler who took one of the sickest RKOs the world has ever seen. Unfortunately for Bourne, that was about the extent of his fame in the WWE.
Back on the indy scene and wrestling under the name of Matt Sydal, Bourne has really come into his own as a solid wrestler with a great combination of technical wrestling and the aforementioned high-flying.
He would be a perfect addition to help bolster the struggling Cruiserweight Division in the WWE and he has always been a fan favourite which helps. The only issue here could be Bourne's numerous run-ins with the law on marijuana-related issues.
After all, he was jailed in Japan for carrying liquid marijuana into the country. This led to him being fired by New Japan Pro Wrestling. If he's able to keep himself clean, though, there is no reason that Evan Bourne won't be a decent acquisition for the WWE.
#3 Magnus
Magnus is great. A British wrestler who has become quite well-known in the world of professional wrestling due to his exploits on the indy scene – especially in TNA – he would be a wonderful addition to the WWE roster.
He is the only name on this list to never have competed inside a WWE ring, but that should hardly matter to the big man. He cuts an imposing figure but has surprising speed and athleticism to go with that size.
Another point in his favour is that his wife is Mickie James – the WWE Women's Division legend who recently made her return to Vince McMahon's company. No reason why Magnus couldn't follow suit sometime this year and make a name for himself. After all, the Englishman is just 30 years old.
#2 Ethan Carter III
Ethan Carter III or EC3 as he is more popularly known will forever be the one that got away for the WWE – well, that is unless they are able to bring him back into the fold, of course. He was a part of the company's developmental program for six years between 2007 and 2013 before he finally left NXT to try his luck on the indy scene.
It was his stint in TNA that made him a megastar. Competing as Ethan Carter III – the arrogant nephew of then TNA owner, Dixie Carter – EC3 rose swiftly through the ranks and enjoyed a purple patch where he became TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
He is one of the most gifted people on the Impact Wrestling roster, and while he won't be able to use his EC3 gimmick in WWE, there is definitely a place for him in his old home should he ever decide return.
#1 Bobby Lashley
It just had to be him. After exiting from the WWE, Bobby Lashley has gone from strength to strength – both in professional wrestling as well as MMA. The man is a physical specimen of immense quality and now he has the wrestling skills to back it up.
He should be the number 1 target for the WWE if they decide to raid Impact Wrestling and you can easily see the big man coming back and making an impact the same way Brock Lesnar did upon his return to the WWE.
Hell, he even juggles his wrestling and MMA duties simultaneously and with ease. Bobby Lashley is without a shadow of a doubt the best wrestler in Impact Wrestling today.
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