TNA Wrestling is getting into business with two Chicago-area sports teams as the company builds toward Lockdown on August 23. TNA announced partnerships with the WNBA’s Chicago Sky and the Schaumburg Boomers, putting Mustafa Ali, Elayna Black and Matthew Rehwoldt in front of local sports fans just days before the steel cage event hits Credit Union 1 Arena.
TNA laid out the plan in its announcement, making it clear these appearances are part of a larger push around Chicago heading into Lockdown.
“TNA Wrestling today announced two new cross-promotions with sports teams in the Chicagoland area as TNA builds to Lockdown — a showcase event in which every match is contested inside a steel cage — on Sunday, August 23, at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago.”
The first partnership will put Mustafa Ali on the baseball field Thursday, August 20. Ali will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Schaumburg Boomers face the Windy City Thunderbolts at Wintrust Field, with the game scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Ali won’t just be there for the first pitch. TNA says he’ll also take part in multiple promotions during the game, including trivia and the Bucket Shuffle, giving the company another way to push Lockdown directly in front of Chicago-area sports fans.
One night later, TNA shifts from baseball to basketball. Mustafa Ali, Matthew Rehwoldt and Elayna Black will appear at the Chicago Sky’s home game against the Golden State Valkyries on Friday, August 21, at Wintrust Arena. Black is getting a special role in the partnership, as she’ll serve as the Chicago Sky’s Honorary Co-Captain and take part in the pre-game captains meeting.
“One of the highlights of the Sky game that night will be Elayna Black serving as the team’s Honorary Co-Captain; she will join the pre-game captains’ meeting with the referees and more.”
The timing isn’t accidental. Both partnerships come immediately before TNA brings Lockdown back for the first time since 2016, giving the company a chance to push its wrestlers and its pay-per-view outside the usual wrestling bubble.
Lockdown takes place Sunday, August 23, at Credit Union 1 Arena, with every match on the show contested inside a steel cage. Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Nic Nemeth, Mustafa Ali, Moose, AJ Francis, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Leon Slater, KC Navarro, Ricky Sosa, Xia Blackwell, Indi Hartwell and Jada Stone are among the names TNA has announced for the event.
What do you think about TNA partnering with the Chicago Sky and Schaumburg Boomers ahead of Lockdown? Do you want to see the company do more cross-promotions with major sports teams? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
