'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Throughout their existence, WWE have featured a long list of talents that impressed generations and become popular all over the world. As long as relationships remain positive, opportunities for the company and its past talent to work together will often present themselves.
In recent years, a number of WWE Superstars in the twilight of their careers, if not right at the end, have had the opportunity to be a part of another prominent promotion, Impact Wrestling, formerly known as TNA.
While many will recall the likes of Kurt Angle, Sting, Kevin Nash and Scott Steiner competing in Impact Wrestling, a number of other former WWE stars were also a part of Impact Wrestling, though their time there may have been forgotten. Some names may surprise you. Who were they? When did they compete there, and how long did they stay with the company? Here are five WWE legends who you probably forgot were a part of TNA/Impact Wrestling.
#5 Mick Foley
WWE Hall of Famer, Mick Foley is recognized for his many accomplishments throughout his career. Many will recall that he first achieved success competing in World Championship Wrestling. His early feuds with the likes of Vader, Sting, and Abdullah the Butcher were among the most notable of his early career.
Once he left WCW, he joined ECW, and it is there where the Hardcore Icon was born. His on the edge character and his feuds and alliances with Terry Funk, Tommy Dreamer, and Mikey Whipwreck are some of the most noteworthy of his time there. He then transitioned to WWE in 1996 and got involved in a longstanding feud with the Undertaker that many will recall.
In 2008, after leaving WWE voicing frustration with the creative for his character, he joined TNA and performed there from 2008 until 2011. His time was spent engaged in feuds with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Abyss and Kevin Nash.
#4 Booker T
Booker T first gained mainstream attention during his time in World Championship Wrestling, alongside his brother Stevie Ray as the tag team Harlem Heat. He eventually transitioned from being a tag team wrestler and became the break out star of the duo, becoming a very successful Singles Superstar. He captured the Television, United States, World Heavyweight, and Tag team championships during his time in WCW, in the process becoming a grand slam champion with the company.
After WCW closed his doors, Booker T came to the WWE and continued his rise to the top despite having to re-establish himself in a new company. He is greatly admired for his accomplishments in both the WCW and the WWE. In 2007, Booker T joined Impact Wrestling as a mystery partner alongside Sting. He initially spent time as a face, and later became a heel as part of the Main Event Mafia faction with the likes of Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner and Sting.
#3 ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper
The late ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper has been an inspiration for others in the business in both past and present. Fans will recall how the heelish Piper first rose to prominence during his feud in the NWA with ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. His rivalry with Hulk Hogan in the 1980s was one that never seemed to end, and never had any real resolution though it was very notable. A WWE Hall of Famer, Piper is recognized for shooting from the hip and never holding back, whether as a heel or face.
In 2003, Piper joined TNA Wrestling and integrated into his on-screen presentation fairly controversial real-world topics, such as his past drug addiction and blaming Vince Russo for the death of Owen Hart. While he never performed in a wrestling capacity, Piper took on various roles as an on-screen character, including being a referee and hosting a segment called ‘In the pit with Piper’. Piper passed away on July 31st, 2015.
#2 Goldust
A former Intercontinental and tag team champion, Goldust is widely respected in the business, not only because of his father but because of the countless amount of work he has put in and continues to put in today. His character has been a labor of love, and he has continued to push the boundaries with the character throughout his career.
But for all his success and notoriety in WWE, that isn’t the only place where he has built a name for himself. During his time in WCW, Rhodes began to build his legacy as ‘The Natural’ Dustin Rhodes.
However, what tends to fly under the radar are his two tours of duty with the Impact Wrestling promotion. Rhodes competed for them in 2004 and 2005, and then again 2007 and 2008. In both instances, it appeared they wanted to replicate what he was known for. Whether it was as ‘The Lone Star’ or Black Reign, Rhodes made the most of his time in TNA.
#1 ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair
On sixteen separate occasions, Ric Flair proved that he was indeed the man. Since his rise in the NWA and then WCW, along with the many years spent in WWE during the latter stage of his career, Flair has forged a legacy to which few can compare. But after retiring from WWE, he couldn’t sit idle and felt he could still be active in the business, if necessary in a different promotion. So between 2010 and 2012, he competed for Impact Wrestling.
While with the company, Flair’s role was to show them what a real wrestling faction looks like. He created the group Fortune, modeled closely after the Four Horsemen like Evolution was in WWE.
The group consisted of Frankie Kazarian, AJ Styles, and Bobby Roode, among others. He did say he would remain loyal to Vince McMahon and end his career with the company, and eventually, he did. Today he lives vicariously through his daughter Charlotte, who is a multiple-time women’s champion both on Raw and Smackdown Live.
