In January 2025, WWE and TNA Wrestling announced a multi-year partnership with one another to create unprecedented crossover opportunities between the two companies.
This working relationship has led to several different TNA stars appearing on WWE television over the past year.
Considering last year’s WrestleMania 41 featured then-TNA World Champion Joe Hendry making a surprise appearance against Randy Orton, this year’s “Show of Shows” might see another talent from the company competing in the ring once again.
Here are eight TNA Wrestling stars to potentially appear at WWE WrestleMania 42.
8. Mustafa Ali
Back at WWE NXT Showdown 2025, Ethan Page defeated Mustafa Ali to retain the NXT North American Championship.
This performance opened a lot of eyes and reminded fans just how good Ali can be inside the squared circle.
Reports circulated about how impressed WWE management was with Ali’s performance and should lead to more opportunities for the former TNA X-Division Champion.
With his presence as one of the most consistently featured stars on the TNA roster, Ali is someone WWE would call upon to appear at the upcoming WrestleMania 42 premium live event.
7. Elijah
Another former WWE star who has become one of the most prominent names on the TNA Wrestling roster is Elijah.
Debuting in TNA in February 2025, Elijah has become someone regularly featured on the company’s programming over the past year.
Considering his established character, Elijah has been a dependable performer who has been highlighted in big spots for TNA and could do the same over in WWE.
Elijah being spotlighted in a multi-man match or answering an open challenge at WrestleMania 42 does not seem out of the realm of possibilities for the huge show.
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6. Frankie Kazarian
On the February 23 edition of WWE Raw, the company celebrated the career of AJ Styles with a tribute show.
This episode featured several stars that have played a pivotal role in Styles’ career, such as TNA Wrestling’s own Frankie Kazarian.
In the past, Kazarian has also appeared on WWE NXT TV and could get one of the biggest matches of his career if he were chosen to appear at WrestleMania 42.
Kazarian making a surprise appearance to represent TNA Wrestling at Mania would be a huge statement and emphasize his importance to the company’s history at the same time.
5. Leon Slater
There is probably no one on the TNA Wrestling roster who has been more regularly featured on WWE TV quite like Leon Slater.
“The Youngest In Charge” has clearly become the breakout star for TNA Wrestling since rising the ranks to become the youngest X-Division Champion of all time.
From challenging Oba Femi for the NXT Champion to teaming with Je’Von Evans on the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Slater is someone who clearly has big things in his future.
Slater showing up at WrestleMania 42 would be yet another bucket list moment that further allows the current X-Division Champion to shine on WWE programming.
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4. AJ Francis
Another former WWE star who has reinvented himself in TNA Wrestling over the past couple of years is AJ Francis.
The former Top Dolla signed with TNA in 2024 and has since established himself as one of the top heels in the company.
Looking at the TNA roster, there is probably no one more well rounded and experienced who is ready for the WrestleMania spotlight than AJ Francis.
If WWE is looking for TNA Wrestling to be spotlighted at Mania, Francis should be chosen and appear at “The Showcase of the Immortals” in a high-profile spot.
3. Moose
Another TNA Wrestling star who has appeared on WWE TV on more than one occasion is Moose.
Over on TNA, Moose has recently turned babyface and started feuding with his former faction, The System.
With the fans by his side, Moose has felt like a renewed character and someone that TNA will continue to feature in a major way.
If TNA Wrestling needs to be represented at WrestleMania 42, it feels like Moose would be one of the first names called up to fill that role.
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2. Mike Santana
Returning to TNA Wrestling in 2024, it was clear that this was a totally different Mike Santana than the man that was previously with the promotion or had been signed by All Elite Wrestling back in 2019.
Rising the ranks, Santana became the TNA World Champion by dethroning Frankie Kazarian on the January 15 AMC premiere of Thursday Night Impact.
Now reigning as a two-time TNA World Champion, Santana sits at the mountaintop and could follow in the footsteps of Joe Hendry at this year’s WWE WrestleMania 42.
Santana answering an open challenge against one of the heels on the WWE roster at Mania would be very intriguing and present him with one of the biggest opportunities of his career.
1. The Hardy Boyz (Matt & Jeff Hardy)
The Hardy Boyz feels like one of the more obvious choices to appear at WWE WrestleMania 42.
Matt and Jeff Hardy are one of the most legendary and important tag teams in pro wrestling history.
With the tag team picture not clear for WrestleMania 42 at this time, it would be massive if The Hardys had a role to play at “The Grandest Stage of Them All.”
The Hardys making a surprise appearance to win tag team gold would be a memorable moment that would have everyone talking coming off the heels of WrestleMania 42 this year.
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