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WWE has never felt legitimate competition from another wrestling promotion since they acquired WCW and ECW. While the Tony Khan-led AEW is attempting to fill the gap, another promotion tried to rival WWE. It was TNA, known as IMPACT Wrestling these days.
IMPACT was known for excellent matches, storylines, and the famed X-Division. When WWE failed to promote women's wrestling and promoted divas instead, the female wrestlers of TNA were performing at an amazing level.
However, the company couldn't become a legitimate competition for WWE. Nevertheless, TNA is still known as a hotbed for rising stars, and the destruction of the forbidden door has seen their talents appear in AEW and vice versa.
Several TNA/IMPACT Wrestling talents eventually moved to WWE and succeeded in becoming star attractions. They include current champions in both the WWE main roster and NXT.
Here's a list of five current WWE Superstars who were once in IMPACT Wrestling.
#5. Former WWE NXT Champion Robert Roode
Robert Roode is currently part of a tag team with Dolph Ziggler, where they act as handy veterans putting over younger stars. Roode is still a competent in-ring talent, and his skills are appreciated by WWE, although he will most certainly never reach the top of the mountain.
In TNA, Roode formed the successful tag team Beer Money with James Storm and, as a singles competitor, won the company's World Championship twice.
In 2013, a Tournament of Champions was organized to decide the greatest World Champion in TNA history. Roode defeated another future WWE NXT Champion in the finals to win the tournament.
#4. Former WWE NXT Champion Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe may have lost the tournament to future WWE Superstar Bobby Roode, but the loss did nothing to reduce his status as one of the greatest competitors in IMPACT Wrestling history.
Before becoming a staple of the black-and-gold brand, where he is a three-time NXT Champion, Joe completed IMPACT Wrestling's Triple Crown and Grand Slam.
The Samoan Submission Machine was a huge success in IMPACT and NXT but did not find similar success on the main roster of WWE, although fans invariably chant his name during his entrances.
He has become injury-prone as of late, with his latest injury leading him to relinquish the WWE NXT Championship.
#3. Former WWE Champion Jeff Hardy
The Charismatic Enigma dabbled in IMPACT Wrestling in two different runs in between his three WWE stints. He was constantly presented as a dangerous daredevil and a genuine main eventer.
Like Robert Roode, Hardy was successful both as a singles competitor and as a tag team specialist. However, he had his share of infamous incidents as well.
At Victory Road 2011, Hardy came out to wrestle in an intoxicated state, with Sting having to forcefully pin him for a victory.
#2. Former WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre's return to WWE began in IMPACT Wrestling. After being released by the company that had previously termed him "The Chosen One," McIntyre decided to show the world what he was capable of.
He wrestled everywhere he could, including ICW and IMPACT Wrestling. He found considerable success in the latter promotion, winning the World Championship and the IMPACT Grand Championship.
McIntyre subsequently returned to WWE, where he finally became the superstar he was always supposed to be. Now, as part of SmackDown, he will inevitably engage in a rivalry with Roman Reigns.
#1. Former WWE Champion AJ Styles
Perhaps the greatest wrestler in the history of IMPACT Wrestling, AJ Styles is old enough to have wrestled in WCW, yet was synonymous with TNA during his 12 year-long run with the promotion.
He was one of the primary reasons for TNA's fame amongst wrestling fans and won everything there was to win in the promotion. He subsequently shifted to NJPW with impressive success and then to WWE, debuting at Royal Rumble. Styles has won world championships in all three of these promotions.
AJ Styles currently spends his time teaming up with Omos, with whom he has already won the tag team titles.
