Exclusive: Actual reason why Impact Wrestling footage was shown on the WWE Network

What's the story?

If you watched the most recent episode of WWE 'Table For 3', you must have been in for a surprise. Not only did Shane McMahon, Kurt Angle and AJ Styles mention TNA by name, they also aired footage from the company.

Moreover, there was a still graphic for the Global Wrestling Network at the very end of the video. I reached out to Anthem Sports & Entertainment for details and they replied saying that this episode of 'Table For 3' was a collaboration between the two parties.

In case you didn't know...

We were first informed that TNA would be mentioned during the episode through a social media post from RAW GM, Kurt Angle. This is what he had to say:

One must also remember Kurt Angle telling Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn that he had no place for them on RAW but that TNA was hiring, on the episode after WrestleMania 34.

The heart of the matter

Here is the official response from Anthem about WWE using their footage in the video, and also about WWE showcasing the GWN ad:

IMPACT Wrestling collaborated with WWE on the project and sub-licensed the footage to them for use in their original productions. Accordingly, WWE issued a courtesy for GWN when the footage airs.

I really do hope that it opens up a world of collaborations between WWE and Impact Wrestling in the future. Considering Jeff Jarrett is in the WWE Hall of Fame and the top tier talent like Samoa Joe, Bobby Roode, AJ Styles and Bobby Lashley among others have a strong body of work in Impact Wrestling, WWE could benefit from the footage.

What's next?

This was an incredible episode of 'Table For 3'. I can't wait for more episodes on the Network. I do hope that there are more crossovers of this nature planned!

Author's take

Remember the days when TNA would never be mentioned on WWE television? Those days are behind us and I do hope it's the beginning of great things for both companies.

I think Impact Wrestling is in capable hands with Scott D'Amore and Don Callis at the helm and will continue to do great things in the coming months.

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