Backstage Update On WWE-TNA Relationship

With TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace set to challenge Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's Title at NXT Battleground later today, there's now an update on the relationship between WWE and the Anthem promotion.

As per Fightful Select, over a dozen WWE talent the outlet spoke to expressed interest in appearing on TNA programming, with all of those names expecting something to happen sooner rather than later in that regard. Similarly, there is "significant interest" from NXT talent in working with certain TNA wrestlers, with Josh Alexander and Leon Slater amongst the names being spoken highly of as potential opponents for the NXT roster. Steve Maclin is another who's been viewed as a "natural crossover fit", with it noted how few people in the industry are as familiar with NXT and the Performance Center process - Maclin having spent seven years under WWE contract, six of which were spent in NXT.

As for Jordynne Grace, she made a great impression with WWE officials at this year's Royal Rumble, generating immediate interest in bringing her back in the future. And on that front, Fightful has been told TNA made the process very easy, with TNA VP of Business Development Ariel Sherner helpful on this matter, in addition to now-former TNA President Scott D'Amore previously playing a role. Several female WWE talent Fightful spoke to were keen to appear for TNA, with one unnamed WWE star seeing this as a great opportunity to generate buzz and create angles outside of the WWE bubble.

Grace vs. Perez takes place tonight at NXT Battleground, as fans eagerly await to see whether any other TNA names make an appearance at this hotly-anticipated NXT special.