9 Ups & 11 Downs For WWE In 2025

2. The TNA/AAA/Everything Else Of It All

Cross-promotion has never gone that well historically in wrestling, but that's often down to obvious politics and/or a lopsidedness leaning towards one promotion that removes the drama from the overlap between companies in the first place. There's been none of that in 2026, but WWE's purchase of AAA and ongoing business relationship with TNA has created an entire new slate of issues entirely.

The attempt to get people casually considering TNA as the "number two" promotion just to reduce AEW's status in the eyes of the paymasters is laughable, and if you've fallen for any of it more fool you. But the inclusion of the wrestlers from the company alongside using main roster stars for AAA supershows has resulted in crossovers the limited creative staff aren't anywhere near talented enough to manage.

Quality of a television show is subjective, but just look at the declines in Raw and SmackDown crowd numbers to see some objective proof of a fall-off over the last 12 months. The same can be said for the NXT Premium Live Event business when they go out on the road. CM Punk once infamously noted that "the grass is greener where you water it", and he may well one day get the chance to put that into practice if he lives another of his dream and steals Shawn Michaels' job. The developmental brand gained more wrestlers, titles and company initials than it knew what to do with in 2025, drastically diminishing the quality of the show and fudging the production line that is supposed to keep the main roster refreshed with new talents.

WWE wants pro wrestling dominance. The sky is blue and water is wet. But how has another attempt at total control conspired to result in dilution?