By Craig Ferriman@MrImpact
In the 17 years IMPACT Wrestling has been around it’s been known by a few names whether it be NWA/TNA, GFW IMPACT, TNA or Just IMPACT but the talent walking through the doors have always been excellent now here’s just a few names you may have forgotten.
10, Junior Fatu (RIKISHI): The former Intercontinental champion and WWE hall of famer Rikishi only had a short run with TNA in 2005 after being introduced to the company by then executive Jim Cornette. Big Kish would have a pretty good match on episode of IMPACT with Robert (Bobby) Roode, he wouldn’t secure any championships and would leave soon after.
9, Johnny B. Badd (Marc Mero): In 2004 the former Intercontinental champion walked into TNA in early October debuting on an episode of Xplosion in a tag team match with Russ Rollins facing off Rod & Bruce Steele but would swiftly turn heel after the match when he smashed Jarrett’s guitar over the head of Rollins. He would stay with the company until final resolution in January 2005 in which is last match would be in a tag team match partnering with Sonny Siaki facing off against The Naturals, a match The Naturals would win and that would be it for Marc Mero he never had another Televised match.
8, DDP (Diamond Dallas Page): The master of the diamond cutter had a rather lacklustre run with TNA and instead of being booked as the veteran and put the new faces of pro wrestling over he would be put into a feud with Raven & Erik Watts at Turning Point 2004. He would defeat Raven at Final Resolution 2005. During his time there Page would receive an opportunity at the NWA World championship at Destination X but would be defeated by current Champion Jeff Jarrett. In his final match Page and Ron Killings would defeat the pairing of Monty Brown and the outlaw which would be Pages last match for TNA and shortly left the company thereafter.
7, Shinsuke Nakamura: With a completely different look and demeanour to the Shinsuke we see in todays WWE, Nakamura would only have one match in TNA against Elix Skipper on an episode of Xplosion. The Artist was the IWGP World champion at the time well the 3rd champion given the situation with Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle, something which if you’re unfamiliar with I recommend you read up because it truly is something else. Nakamura would win the match but wouldn’t feature for TNA again.
6, Rosita (Zelina Vega): The former knockouts tag team champion Rosita, now working as Zelina Vega in WWE worked for TNA from 2011-2013 and during that time would become the youngest knockout to hold the tag team titles with her partner Sarita, She featured as part of the Mexican America faction along with SuperMex Hernandez and Sarita. The 3 would be defeated in a 6-person tag match to Angelina Love, Winter and Matt Morgan. Vega would however return to IMPACT for a few weeks in 2016 under her real name Thea Trinidad as Valet for her then boyfriend Austin Aries as he agreed to compete in the world championship tournament before he heading to WWE.
5, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan: The Brain would feature on IMPACT a couple of times In December 2005 culminating at Turning Point when he would sit on commentary along with Mike Tenay & Don West as The Brain would call the match between The Rough Diamonds vs Chris Sabin, Dale Torborg and Sonjay Dutt. The Brain was one of the very best and a deserving Hall of Famer, clearly more known for his run as the greatest manager and his excellent partnership with Gorilla Monsoon. Heenan would finish his series of appearances for TNA when he appeared to make a bid to become manager of Free Agent Bobby Roode.
4, Tajiri: The Japanese Buzzsaw would make his TNA/IMPACT debut in 2014 during the companies’ New York City tapings and would defeat Robbie E. He also feuded with James Storm & The Great Sanada, whilst teaming with Austin Aries they would lose. He also competed in the Gold Rush finals in a 5-way match featuring Austin Aries, MVP, Mr Anderson and Abyss. A match that would be won by Mr Anderson, Tajiri’s last match for TNA would come at Bound for Glory 2014 in Japan in partnership with Wrestle-1. He and The Great Muta would team up to the defeat James Storm and The Great Sanada (The Revolution).
3, Trent Barretta: Working under his real name Marasciulo, worked a few appearances for IMPACT between 2013-2014 even receiving an opportunity for the X Division championship in an Ultimate X at Destination X 2014 to determine a new champion as Chris Sabin was cashing in Option C that same night. Trent was very impressive but for whatever reasons he wasn’t signed to any type of permanent deal and as I’m sure we all know he is now working for AEW along with his partner Chuckie T.
2, Curt Hennig (Mr Perfect): After being released from WWE the perfect one decided to make his way over to TNA and despite a great feud with Jeff Jarrett and Ron Killings both for the NWA world heavyweight and tag team championships both of which he would sadly fail to gain due to interference and shenanigans Hennig would leave TNA after his final match which was an Axe handle on a pole match (Typical Russo) against David Flair.
1, Randy “Macho Man” Savage: The Macho Man would have a very quick run in TNA in November 2004 when he was revealed as the tag team partner for Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles to face the Kings of Wrestling (Jarrett, Hall and Nash). Savage would pin Jarrett in that match at turning point earning himself an opportunity at the NWA World Championship Title and was scheduled to face JJ at Final Resolution 2005 and the believed plan was for Savage to defeat Jarrett and become champion then drop it back to him the following night on IMPACT. However due to health concerns the Macho Man would quit the company.
That’s my list of the big names you may or may not remember have graced the halls and Ring of TNA/IMPACT over these 17 years and although the company has had it’s ups and downs it’s clear their ability to bring the big names hasn’t been one of the problems. Even to this day with names like Michael Elgin and the newest addition to the Knockout division Tenille Dashwood, if you want to checkout the TNA runs from anyone on this list I’m sure you can find them on the IMPACT Plus App.
Thank You For Reading
