It’s well known that TNA’s track record with signing talent is not exactly the best. To be blunt, fans remember when TNA had an obsession with hiring any random WWE cast-off and pushing them hard off the bat. This blew up in their faces with embarrassments like Rikishi and others. A few ex-WWE folks did okay like Tara. Meanwhile, Mick Foley seems openly embarrassed about his TNA tenure, and Booker T not far behind, yet they actually gained success.
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Some stars were good but not as much as hoped (like Mickie James), but others were notable for their TNA runs. Most of those were good ones that helped the company while a couple ended up doing more damage than good. Still, they stand tall as being important.
10 Lashley
Often, ex-WWE guys don’t fare too well in TNA, but Lashley is an exception. His first run in 2009 was forgettable, but his 2014 return was massive. TNA knew how to book Lashley as a powerhouse monster in a way that WWE never did.
He dominated with four reigns as World champion, X Division champion, and the final King of the Mountain champ. TNA truly got the most out of Lashley as a main eventer, so bringing him on was money well spent.
9 Austin Aries
Known as “The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived,” Austin Aries had a brief and forgettable run in TNA in 2005. When he returned in 2011, it was a much bigger deal. Not only did he hold the X Division title six times, but his first reign is the longest in the title’s history (301 days).
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Aries also created the "Option C” of cashing in the title to become the World champion. He also worked in a reign as tag team champion, and his later return in 2018 had another title reign. This made Aries one of TNA’s most successful talents.
8 Team 3D
After years of success in WWE, the Dudley Boyz were part of a wave of cuts in 2005. They traveled to TNA to quickly establish themselves as Team 3D. They made history as the only men to hold the WWE, WCW, ECW, and NWA/TNA tag team titles and spark up the division.
Bigger was when they split, and Bully Ray surprised many by becoming a real main event star and TNA champion. It added to the pair’s legacy to make them a fine acquisition for TNA in so many ways.
7 Christian Cage
While Christian was a good worker in WWE, he was always in Edge’s shadow. Signing to TNA in 2005, Christian made his presence felt to become the main event star he should have been. He won the NWA title in a few months and would have top reigns as both heel and face.
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Christian established himself as a real star in TNA and was a wave of fresh energy for the company. He would return to WWE to close out his career, but some fans may prefer how TNA let Christian be his own man rather than Edge’s partner and a star.
6 Gail Kim
After a lackluster WWE run where she was one of the poorest Women’s champions ever, Gail Kim had to think TNA was better. At first, she was just the valet for America’s Most Wanted and looking hot in outfits. Then Kim helped form the Knockouts division, which quickly became one of the best parts of TNA.
Overall, Kim would hold the Knockouts title seven times and the tag team belts as well. Her success in TNA is established as every woman in the company owes a considerable debt to Kim blazing the trail for them.
5 Samoa Joe
Rather than try to get big money in WWE, Samoa Joe took a chance with TNA in 2005. It paid off as the company knew how to use Joe properly. He started off with a stunning 18-month winning streak that included winning the X Division title and thrilling matches with AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels.
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Joe followed that up with his feud with Kurt Angle and held just about every company title. While he did eventually make his way to WWE, Joe’s presence in TNA raised their profile with serious wrestling fans.
4 Jeff Hardy
While TNA had been getting attention, it was signing on Jeff Hardy that made people really notice them. Hardy was fresh off a good WWE run and rising up more with his wild style. His first run ended poorly as Hardy returned to WWE to elevate himself as a main event talent.
His second TNA run was more significant with multiple runs as World champion. Sadly, that impact was bad with the Victory Road 2011 debacle, yet Hardy’s entrance boosted TNA majorly for a lot of fans to make his signing one of the biggest.
3 Sting
After WCW’s fall, Sting sat it out in retirement despite how WWE made scores of offers to him. Instead, Sting signed full-on with TNA in 2006 and was pushed well as the Icon. Sure, it wasn’t perfect (the “Joker” act comes to mind), but Sting wowed many by remaining a top athlete and pulling out some great matches.
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He had several runs as World champion, and it established him more as an icon for the company. Given how poor his WWE run went, Sting clearly made a better choice sticking with TNA for a great second act to his career.
2 Hulk Hogan
It can’t be denied that Hulk Hogan’s impact on TNA was huge. Just not in a good way. The company still had a good vibe in 2010 but felt getting Hogan on board was what was needed to push them to the next level. Sadly, that meant taking on Hogan’s immense ego and need to be in the spotlight.
From forcing TNA to hire the out of shape Nasty Boys to having his daughter be in charge of the Knockouts to dominating programming, Hogan put TNA in a major creative hole it took years to crawl out of. Instead of rocketing TNA to the top, his signing just made them a joke.
1 Kurt Angle
The signing of Kurt Angle in 2006 was a massive move for TNA. Angle was coming off a sensational run in WWE, having been World Champion just months before. His impact was felt immediately with the dream feud against Samoa Joe.
Over the next several years, Angle held every title in the company (including the three main ones all at once) and great matches. True, there were downsides of his legal issues and health, yet Angle did elevate TNA by his arrival so signing him on was one of the company’s best moves.
Next: TNA: The 10 Best Stars Who Never Won Titles In The Company
