7 TNA wrestlers who should be playable characters in WWE 2K25
WWE and TNA have been sharing wrestlers as part of a cross-promotional effort between both organizations. Stars like Joe Hendry and Jordynne Grace as well as teams like The Rascalz and NXT's No Quarter Catch Crew have crossed the line, making appearances and competing in the ring in both World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
What was once unheard of is becoming a common element of NXT and TNA. As a result of the crossover work that's intrigued the wrestling world, some people are speculating about the potential of TNA wrestlers appearing in a WWE-licensed video game, possibly as part of a DLC pack. Many fans hope to see their favorites from the Nashville-based promotion making their way into WWE 2K25.
2012 was the first year that featured crossovers between the two rival companies, including Ric Flair being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of The Four Horsemen while still signed with the Nashville-based promotion and the then-reigning Intercontinental Champion Christian making an appearance at TNA Slammiversary.
During her fourth reign as Knockouts World Champion, Mickie James became the first active IMPACT competitor to wrestle in a WWE ring as part of the 2022 Women's Royal Rumble Match.
In late 2023, it was announced that IMPACT Wrestling and WWE's parent company, Endeavor, had formed a unique relationship, meaning that TNA+ programming would be part of Endeavor Streaming.
The reigning Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace has reportedly done motion capture work for WWE games such as 2K23 (for Ivy Nile) and the upcoming 2K25 (for Chelsea Green and Jacy Jayne in MyRise mode).
What's next regarding the budding partnership between World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling? Could the developing bond between both promotions lead to TNA wrestlers appearing as playable characters in future video games? Without further ado, let's look at seven active TNA in-ring competitors who should appear in WWE 2K25.
#7 Will TNA's singing sensation Joe Hendry appear in WWE 2K25?
In recent weeks, Joe Hendry's face has become a regular part of NXT's weekly programming. The singing Scotsman first appeared in WWE as a surprise entrant in the 25-man battle royal on the June 18, 2024, edition of NXT. Hendry didn't win the match but conquered the hearts of the fans in attendance and at home. Most of the match's participants immediately teamed up against him, leading to fellow TNA star Frankie Kazarian officially eliminating him early in the contest.
On the July 9, 2024, episode of NXT, Joe Hendry was revealed as the partner of Trick Williams in a tag team match against Shawn Spears and NXT Champion Ethan Page. Hendry picked up the win for his team, pinning Spears after hitting him with a Standing Ovation. Most recently, Hendry appeared during a July 26th NXT live event, teaming up with Je'Von Evans and Shiloh Hill in a six-man match against Gallus, which the latter won.
Hendry is scheduled to perform music in a live concert segment during the first night of NXT The Great American Bash 2024. WWE seemingly sees a lot of potential in the singing Scotsman, whose theme song "I Believe In Joe Hendry" hit #4 on the official UK Singles Downloads Chart and #6 on the official UK Singles Sales Chart.
Plenty of wrestling fans want to play as Joe Hendry in a WWE game, leading to The Prestigious One appearing in 2K's Community Creations as a downloadable character. 2025's installment of the series could greatly benefit by officially including a TNA star with red-hot momentum like the longest-reigning Digital Media Champion of all time.
#6 TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace
Jordynne Grace arrived in WWE as the fifth entrant in the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble Match at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Though she did not win the female-exclusive battle royal, Grace left a lasting impression that helped familiarize her with mainstream wrestling fans months before debuting with the white-and-gold brand and challenging Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Championship.
Grace followed in the footsteps of Mickie James, becoming only the second woman to ever compete in a WWE ring as the reigning Knockouts World Champion. She's also the second wrestler to compete in a WWE ring while being recognized as an active member of the IMPACT/TNA roster.
The Juggernaut didn't wrest away the NXT Women's Title from Roxanne Perez at Battleground, but there is reason to believe her association with WWE is far from over. Grace came across as a star during her crossover appearances, and she's already done mo-cap work for multiple WWE-licensed video games.
Grace also defeated NXT competitors Tatum Paxley and Izzi Dame in separate singles matches after both women crossed the line to TNA and challenged for her gold.
The future looks bright for the reigning and defending Knockouts World Champion. According to Fightful, Jordynne's current contract with TNA will reportedly expire in January 2025. In recent years, WWE's 2K games have come out in March, with DLC packs being released later in the year. The Juggernaut would be a perfect candidate to be included in the game to represent her #NXTNA journey.
#5 Former two-time TNA World Champion Moose
The System's Moose recently lost his TNA World Title in a six-man elimination match at Slammiversary on July 20, 2024. During his second reign with TNA's top male singles title, Moose ran through TNA legends such as Eric Young, Alex Shelley, and Matt Hardy.
Moose's title reign ended after an elimination from Joe Hendry in a match ultimately won by Nic Nemeth, more famously known as Dolph Ziggler, the current TNA World Champion.
The 40-year-old's contract with TNA reportedly extends to June 2028. However, considering TNA's ongoing partnership with Endeavor and the NXT brand, the former NFL offensive tackle could find himself being featured as part of a WWE-licensed product, such as an entrant in the annual Men's Royal Rumble Match or as DLC in an upcoming video game.
While speaking with MetroUK, Moose revealed his opinion on WWE's ongoing partnership with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
"I think this is the best relationship that TNA's ever had. [It is] way better than the one we had with AEW, better than what was done with AAA, and any other company. Both companies respect each other and doing great by each other." (H/T: MetroUK)
In May 2024, while in his second reign as TNA World Champion, Moose teased tensions with RAW star Drew McIntyre on the social media website, X. Both men have a noted history with one another dating back to Drew's time in IMPACT Wrestling.
In 2017, the future figurehead of The System defeated Drew Galloway to become Impact Grand Champion. Moose made note of this achievement when responding to a photo McIntyre posted on X that showed The Scottish Warrior in 2016 as the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
"DREW I see where your Title obsession Began. If this is something you truly want. Have your Boss call my Boss. The outcome will be the same #TrustTheSystem #TheSystem."
McIntyre vs. Moose is a match that many wrestling fans would enjoy watching. Fans would also be interested in playing as Moose in the upcoming video game, WWE 2K25. If he's not officially included in the game, wrestling gamers must look to Community Creations to play as TNA's resident Wrestling God.
#4 Ash by Elegance w/ personal concierge
The former Dana Brooke has completely reinvented herself on the TNA roster with a character reminiscent of "Timeless" Toni Storm of AEW.
Ash by Elegance introduced her new persona to the WWE Universe at NXT Battleground, making a surprise appearance during the match between Jordynne Grace and Roxanne Perez. Ash attempted to prevent Tatum Paxley from stealing Grace's title, and The Juggernaut responded by taking down both women.
Ash by Elegance didn't win the Knockouts World Championship from Jordynne Grace at Slammiversary 2024. However, she could join her pay-per-view opponent as DLC in WWE 2K25.
Ash appeared in numerous WWE-licensed video games under her previous moniker, Dana Brooke. She made her video game debut in WWE 2K17 and appeared in all future iterations of the series, excluding the most recent release, WWE 2K24.
Despite losing to Grace at Slammiversary, Ash's stock continues to rise as a standout knockout with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Ash and her personal concierge have entertained audiences in TNA since debuting in early 2024.
Maybe next year they'll make their way into a WWE-licensed game. Elegance will need a concierge in her corner as a ringside manager if she crosses the line into video games. George Iceman plays the role of Ash's concierge.
In September 2023, Dana Brooke was released by WWE following a 10-year run with the Stamford-based promotion. During her time with the company, Brooke became a 15-time 24/7 Champion. However, she's arguably at her best right now as the self-centered blonde beauty known as Ash by Elegance.
#3 Trey Miguel and #2 Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz
The Rascalz are quickly becoming one of the most popular trios to wrestle on the white-and-gold brand. Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz arrived on the July 9th episode of NXT, giving Wes Lee a new lease of life as a pro wrestler in WWE's developmental brand.
Since reuniting, the high-flying stable hasn't been defeated in either NXT or TNA, winning all of their six-man tag team matches (so far) as part of the Rascalz reunion tour.
Miguel, Wentz, and Lee have defeated three-man NXT stables such as Gallus and No Quarter Catch Crew. The reunited risk-takers also defeated makeshift trios, such as KUSHIDA and Speedball Mountain in TNA and Je'Von Evans, Axiom, and Nathan Frazer on the white-and-gold brand.
The Rascalz's battle with No Quarter Catch Crew happened at 2024's Slammiversary. This would be the first cross-promotional pay-per-view match between WWE and TNA wrestlers from the men's division.
Zachary Wentz (while using the 'Nash Carter' moniker) was initially going to be included in WWE 2K22 as DLC. However, Nash Carter's character was officially removed from the game due to the circumstances relating to his release in April 2022.
Considering that he is back in good standing with World Wrestling Entertainment, Wentz could appear in future iterations of 2K-branded wrestling video games. His treehouse pal, Trey Miguel, may also come along for the ride by appearing as a playable character in 2K25.
#1 TNA Digital Media Champion and Canadian International Heavyweight Champion "The French-Canadian Frankenstein" PCO
"The French-Canadian Frankenstein" PCO is a persona mirroring the monster in Mary Shelley's most famous novel. Before arriving in TNA, he was perhaps best remembered as one-half of The Quebecers in the wrestling promotion formerly known as the World Wrestling Federation.
During their run as a tag team, Pierre (PCO) and Jacques became three-time WWF Tag Team Champions. However, he never appeared in an officially licensed wrestling video game.
As a singles competitor much later in his career, he'd win the ROH World Championship while using the PCO moniker as part of Ring of Honor. He'd also secure title reigns in the tag team and trios divisions.
At TNA's most recent pay-per-view, PCO became a double champion by defeating AJ Francis for both the TNA Digital Media Title and the Canadian International Heavyweight Championship.
The French-Canadian Frankenstein is set to marry Steph De Lander on the upcoming episode of TNA iMPACT, which is set to air on August 1, 2024. The monster has romance on his mind and is smitten with The Deathmatch Queen.
World Wrestling Entertainment has a history of outlandish gimmicks, though it has never featured the persona of The French-Canadian Frankenstein. PCO would predictably be a welcome addition to WWE 2K25 if the Stamford-based company does decide to showcase a TNA DLC crossover in the game.