Wrestling has had its history of wars in the business. From the “Monday Night Wars” in the 90s to the ‘Wednesday Night Wars’ in the 2020s. Territory rivals and backdoor politics have always been present in wrestling. Pro-Wrestling’s cold war has started. One thing stands true now, more than ever.
“Because War… War never changes.”
-Ulysses S. Grant, US President
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On Tuesday night’s edition of WWE NXT, TNA Wrestling Knockout’s Champion Jordynne Grace made her TV debut. The TNA Champion is coming off a dominant showcase during the WWE Royal Rumble this past January. Grace will make her in-ring debut next week against Stevie Turner on NXT.
Jordynne also made it clear her eyes are set on the NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez. The two will face off at the next Premium Live Event, NXT Battleground. This blossoming relationship isn’t the first time WWE and TNA have crossed paths. In 2022 the IWC saw a returning Mickie James to the Rumble, also wearing her Knockout’s Women’s title.
HISTORY. @JordynneGrace and @roxanne_wwe will battle it out for the NXT Women’s Championship at #NXTBattleground!!!#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/yT5FrtAMQs
— WWE (@WWE) May 29, 2024
Fightful is reporting, “that the door is very open for more NXT crossover with TNA.” The publication also stated that Grace was scheduled for three NXT appearances and a six figure payout. Although it is unclear what the future holds in regards to the cross promotion work, all signs point to there being more of it.
Wrestling’s Cold War
Unlike the Monday Night War when two powerhouses were going head to head against each other. This war is a (semi) silent war with the occasional shade being thrown in each other’s directions. The big two in this war, WWE and AEW, are assembling their allies.
For the first time in a long time, WWE is not performing in a bubble. The WWE Universe has started to open up to other wrestling worlds. The relationship between WWE and Japanese wrestling had been strained in the past. T
he Connecticut based promotion is hoping to change that. Shinsuke Nakamura was allowed to go to Japan to participate in the Great Muta’s final match in Pro-Wrestling NOAH. In January of 2024 we saw another olive branch as Charlie Dempsey from NXT traveled across the Pacific to wrestle in AJPW.
TNA Wrestling also has a very open and public working relationship with AAA. WWE has also had relationships in the past with the Mexican based promotion during the luchador invasion in the 90’s.
All Elite Wrestling and Tony Khan have not been sitting back quietly. Since its inception, AEW has had a strong working relationship with NJPW. With this partnership came a strong relationship with Stardom, also owned by Bushi Road in Japan. AEW and CMLL have also developed a working relationship since the beginning of 2024.
NJPW and CMLL have had a working relationship since the 1980’s. CMLL and AAA have a heated rivalry that even in 2024 prevents contracts from either company to work with the other.
GCW is Switzerland
As the sides build their armies and prepare for war, the wrestling world has a Switzerland. It comes in the form of Game Changer Wrestling. Brett Lauderdale and company have made it a point to focus on working with everyone they can.
As GCW goes around the country they routinely put over independent talent from territory to territory. GCW featured both AEW and WWE wrestlers at The Collective during WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia. They truly do not pick a side. GCW wants to make wrestling better.
The Chessboard is Set
As the pieces get put into place and the chessboard is set, wrestling fans have to wait. The wrestling BUSINESS is exactly that, a business. The goal is to bolster their reputation as being able to put the most butts every 12 inches in the arena, and as many eyes on the television product as possible.
The community needs to remember though, WWE doesn’t have the best history with cross promotion work. They need to prove this isn’t another Memphis Wrestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling or ECW situation.
Opening the proverbial “Forbidden Door” means it has to be a healthy relationship going both ways. AEW has also started to develop the reputation of “taking top talent” from their partners, by offering huge contracts. With Okada and Ospreay recently signing with the Jacksonville based promotion.
But at the end of the day, war never changes.
Pro-Wrestling’s Cold War is here, are you all ready?
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