The WWE-TNA partnership may not be as active as it was earlier this year, but Nic Nemeth isn’t ready to write it off just yet. After TNA was noticeably left out of WWE’s upcoming Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, the reigning TNA World and Tag Team Champion shared where he thinks the relationship stands.
Speaking with Adrian Hernandez, Nemeth was asked about TNA’s absence from the tournament, which features teams from Raw, SmackDown, NXT and AAA—but not TNA. Considering he and his brother Ryan Nemeth are the reigning TNA Tag Team Champions, the interviewer asked whether being left out bothered him.
Nich Nemeth admitted it didn’t really affect him personally because of how busy he currently is, but as someone representing TNA, he would’ve liked to see the company included.
“It doesn’t because I myself and my brother are comically busy at the moment, but it does as a TNA wrestler, not being the tag champs. Yeah, it does because there’s a relationship there.”
He pointed out that the partnership had already benefited both companies, especially when NXT talent regularly appeared in TNA and vice versa. While he understands timing plays a role, he’d still like to see more of that crossover return.
“We’ve had some moments where we got a lot of NXT people who were brand new, gave them a shot, gave some TV time, got those reps in. It would be nice to see it replicated, but of course, it’s not always the time and place for it.”
The TNA World Champion recalled just how active the relationship was for months, with talent moving back and forth between the two companies and even making appearances on WWE’s main roster.
“There were times for months where we were going back and forth all over NXT. Our guys and gals were, and all over TNA NXT guys and gals were, and some people were going to Raw and SmackDown, and it led to Leon Slater getting some cool moments and Joe Hendry getting some cool stuff when he was still with us. So all of those moments can still happen and they will when the time is right.”
As for whether he personally wanted to be part of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Nemeth joked that he’s already got more than enough on his plate. Even so, he made it clear he’d love to see WWE and TNA work together more again if the partnership continues.
“It would be great to be represented out there, but also I’m super busy right now and I am not interested in doing NXT as the world champion and tag team champion. But down the line, I would love to see more of an interaction if we continue that relationship because it was really fruitful for both sides.”
Nemeth also praised the opportunities younger wrestlers received through the crossover, using Cruz Montana as an example of someone who benefited from appearing in NXT before officially arriving there.
“I was very impressed with some young up-and-comers getting some reps with us and getting to see our guys. We, you know, we got to see Cruz Montana showing up on NXT before he showed up at NXT. So he’s doing, in theory, his own vignette to let that audience know, when you see me next time, I’m gonna be kicking everyone’s ass. And that’s why you get that emotion and that reaction because he got to be over there a few times before that. So it’s been really positive for us. Hopefully, it’s been as positive for them, and I would like to see more in the future.”
Nemeth’s comments come after weeks of speculation that the once red-hot WWE-TNA partnership has cooled off. WWE talent has largely stopped appearing in TNA, TNA wasn’t represented in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic despite the crossover with AAA, and many fans have started wondering whether the relationship is quietly winding down.
For Nemeth, though, it doesn’t sound like he sees this as the end. He believes the partnership has been a win for both companies and hopes it’s only taking a breather rather than disappearing for good.
Do you think WWE and TNA should bring back more crossover appearances, or has the partnership already run its course? Let us know what you’d like to see next in the comments below.
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