Following her surprise in-ring return on the July 24 episode of Impact, former WWE star Mara Sadè (fka Jakara Jackson) has been announced to have officially signed with TNA Wrestling.
TNA has traditionally been a great place for former WWE stars to land and with the two companies in partnership with one another there’s also the opportunity for these former WWE stars to re-appear in NXT.
Here are eight more former WWE stars to potentially sign with TNA Wrestling.
8. Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman was certainly the biggest name to be released from WWE in early May, the “The Monster Of All Monsters” regularly featured on TV up until his departure.
While his best days, physically were noticeably behind him, Strowman was still a big name and always provided entertainment when he was clashing with fellow ‘Meaty’ stars such as Jacob Fatu and Bronson Reed.
While Strowman may opt to pursue opportunities outside of wrestling one his 90-day non-compete clause expires, he would also make for a huge signing for TNA if they can afford to bring him in.
Even appearing sporadically, Strowman can offer a lot to a promotion such as TNA and would immediately provide the company with a legitimate main event level star.
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7. Gallus
Another act let go by WWE in May was the Scottish trio of Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang aka Gallus.
While all three stars had a successful run in WWE NXT and NXT UK, they never received the shot at the main roster that many fans thought was inevitable – especially with fellow Scot Drew McIntyre at the peak of his heel powers in 2024.
While the Coffey brothers and Wolfgang may return to their UK stomping grounds they could still offer a lot in the United States.
Clashing with the likes of Order 4, First Class and The System, Gallus could become TNA’s next dominant faction and provide depth to the company’s tag team and singles ranks.
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6. Shayna Baszler
While it has been reported that Shayna Baszler is helping out behind-the-scenes in NXT following her WWE release in May, it does not currently seem that “The Queen of Spades” is set to actually re-sign with the company.
Baszler, like Strowman and other main roster WWE releases, is soon set to be free to compete outside of the company following the expiry of her non-compete clause.
While her importance diminished as her WWE run went on, Baszler was a force to be reckoned with during her initial run on NXT, and TNA could potentially recapture that magic.
Baszler showing up to destroy Jacy Jayne and reclaim the TNA Knockout’s Championship right off the bat would be a highly effective way of debuting her, with matches against the likes of Masha Slamovich waiting for her on the other side.
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5. Riddick Moss & Tenille Dashwood
Since their respective WWE releases in September 2023, Mike Rallis (fka Riddick Moss) and Tenille Dashwood (fka Emma) have been largely inactive within wrestling, making only a handful of indie appearances between them since.
The husband and wife pairing seem happy in their post-WWE life, with Dashwood giving birth to the couple’s first baby earlier this year.
While the Australian star has hinted that she may never wrestle again, the pair haven’t officially retired, so perhaps a return to the ring could happen at some point in the future.
TNA signing both Rallis and Dashwood as a pairing carries a lot of potential, and without the WWE schedule to go along with it, it may make for an ideal home for them if they are to continue wrestling.
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4. Trevor Lee (Cameron Grimes)
Before signing with WWE in 2019 as Cameron Grimes, Trevor Lee made his name in TNA Wrestling.
Winning three X-Division Championships across a three year spell, it’s easy to forget that Lee is still only 31 years old.
Given his youth and experience, Lee makes for a an ideal signing with plenty still to offer, but as of yet no major promotion has taken the opportunity to sign him.
While this is surprising, it’d be nice to see Lee make his return to TNA, readopting his unkempt, loud mouth character he once portrayed in the promotion.
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3. Dakota Kai
Another surprising name released from WWE in May 2025, Dakota Kai is among those currently siting on the sidelines amid her 90-day non-compete clause.
Kai’s run on the WWE main roster saw her suffer some injury setbacks, but the New Zealand born star was always promintely featured due to her position in the Damage CTRL faction.
Given that Kai was mere months removed from competing to become the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion, her departure came out of left field, but WWE’s loss could be TNA’s gain should they pursue her signature.
Potentially following Indi Hartwell, who recently joined TNA after her WWE release, Kai could help fill the void left by Jordynne Grace and quickly become the Knockout’s Division’s top star.
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2. Shotzi
Keeping with potential TNA Knockout’s Division recruits, Shotzi is another name the company could snap up following her WWE departure.
Given that Shotzi exited at the end of her WWE contract, rather than being released, the California native has already been back to work for many different independent promotions.
While she’s publicly expressed interest in working in AEW, there hasn’t been any word on Tony Khan pursuing her signature as of late.
Much like Cedric Alexander, speculation could be high for Shotzi becoming All Elite, only for the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion to “Cross The Line” to TNA instead.
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1. Raj Dhesi (Jinder Mahal)
Released from the company in April 2024, former WWE Champion Raj Dhesi (Jinder Mahal) has been active on the independent wrestling scene since then – competing for the likes of MLW and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling among many other promotions.
While Dhesis push to the main event of WWE back in 2017 is still a polarizing decision, he is still one of the bigger names on the free agent market and remains in great physical shape.
To many fans, Dhesi felt like a TNA-like signing in 2024, however, “The Modern Day Maharaja”, like fellow April 2024 WWE release Trevor Lee, has remained a free agent.
With Elijah (fka Elias) showing up in TNA earlier this year, perhaps Mahal can follow suit and have one more big run at the top of a notable promotion.
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