10 Most Succesful TNA Wrestlers In WWE

10. CM Punk

Despite the crazy amount of success that CM Punk has achieved in the business, he’s ranked low on this list because his TNA run was very brief, and it likely didn't contribute in any way to him being hired by WWE.

In late 2003, Punk joined the company as a lackey to Raven, along with Julio Dinero and Alexis Laree, the future Mickie James. Together they formed The Gathering, a promising stable of young talent that broke up too soon. Punk only lasted a few months in TNA, as they didn’t think he was getting over enough. So instead of waiting around to see if they'd ever call him again, he decided to make a new home in Ring of Honor.

In 2005, Punk was signed to WWE, and spent some time in developmental before being brought up to the main roster. It took a few years, but he eventually became one of the biggest stars in the company.

Much like Steve Austin being let go from WCW a couple years before he exploded in popularity, you can only imagine how different the landscape of WWE and TNA would have been had Punk been protected, and been signed to a long-term deal by Dixie Carter.