6. Shinsuke Nakamura (2008)

During a foreign training excursion, Nakamura found himself in TNA Wrestling for a one-off as a member of Team Japan. Unfortunately for TNA, a long term deal was never discussed before Nakamura left to try his hand in other countries.

Since leaving, Nakamura has become one of the biggest wrestlers in the world for New Japan and WWE. Nakamura has won the IWGP 3rd Title, IWGP Heavyweight Title (3 times), IWGP Intercontinental Title (5 times), and the IWGP Tag Team Title (twice). Shinsuke also won the 2011 NJPW G1 Climax and the 2014 New Japan Cup before departing for the WWE. Once there, Nakamura has been one of two men to win the NXT Title twice. After debuting on the main roster, Nakamura went on to win the 2018 Royal Rumble event, main evented WrestleMania against AJ Styles, and is the current WWE United States Champion.

5. Tetsuya Naito (2009)

Naito is another New Japan wrestler who was brought into TNA Wrestling as a member of Team Japan for a World X Cup event and was never brought back.

Since leaving TNA, Naito has won the IWGP Heavyweight Title, IWGP Intercontinental Title (twice), IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title, IWGP Tag Team Title, and the NEVER Openweight Title. Naito is also a 2 time NJPW G1 Climax winner (2013 and 2017) and the winner of the 2016 New Japan Cup.

4. Hiroshi Tanahashi (2006 and 2008)

The Ace was brought in to TNA Wrestling twice to be a part of Team Japan, but again was never offered any long term deals. Tanahashi’s career is legendary in Japan as he has won the IWGP Heavyweight Title SEVEN TIMES! Along with that, Tanahashi is a 2 time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, 2 time IWGP Tag Team Champion, 3 time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion, 3 time NJPW G1 Climax winner (2007, 2015 and 2018) and a two time New Japan Cup winner in 2005 and 2008.

3. The Young Bucks [Nick Jackson & Matt Jackson] (2009-2011 and 2013)

Nick and Matt were brought into TNA in 2009 for a tryout match and were offered a one year contract immediately after. Repackaged as Generation Me, they put on exciting matches but never got the win to gain any gold in the tag team division. After two years on a one year contract, Generation Me left for Ring of Honor. They came back to TNA Wrestling in 2013 for a One Night Only pay-per-view, and only won a single match before being eliminated and leaving the company

Outside of TNA/IMPACT, The Young Bucks have become ELITE (pun intended). As premier members of The Bullet Club, The Bucks are 7 time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, one time IWGP Tag Team Champions, 3 time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champions, 2 time and current Ring of Honor 6-Man Tag Team Champions, and 3 time Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions, along with a host of many other titles from independent promotions around the country.

The Bucks also have a YouTube series called Being The Elite that is one of the hottest topics in wrestling today. Recently, The Bucks co-promoted a large independent wrestling show called ALL IN with Cody Rhodes that sold over 11,000 tickets, a feat not accomplished by a promotion not called WWE since 2003.

2. Kazuchika Okada (2010-2011)

In 2010, TNA Wrestling began a working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling, bringing over talent like Okada as members of their roster. The losses piled up, his name was changed to Okato, and he was made to look like Kato from The Green Hornet before New Japan, unhappy with how he was being used, ended their relationship and brought Okada back. It wasn’t all bad for Okada, however, as he decided that in order to be successful, he needed a character that stood out. Thus, The Rainmaker was born.

In New Japan, Okada is a 4 time, and longest reigning, IWGP Heavyweight Champion, including his classic “6 Star” defenses against Kenny Omega. Okada has also won the NJPW G1 Climax in 2012 and 2014 and the New Japan Cup in 2013

In 2017, IMPACT Wrestling attempted to again create a working relationship with New Japan, and management personally apologized to The Rainmaker for his mistreatment in TNA, but a new deal was not able to be made.

1. Seth Rollins (as Tyler Black) (2006)

In October of 2006, Tyler Black had a televised try out tag team match on an episode of TNA Impact! After the match, Black was never seen in TNA Wrestling again.

Black later arrived in Ring of Honor where he was a 2 time Tag Team and one time ROH Champion

In August of 2010, Black was offered contracts from TNA, Ring of Honor and the WWE, which he chose to sign with, changing his in ring name to Seth Rollins. Rollins debuted for FCW, which was later branded NXT. After winning a tournament, Rollins became the first ever NXT Champion before moving on the the main roster. In the WWE, Rollins is a member of the exclusive Grand Slam Club, winning the Intercontinental Title twice (currently holding), Tag Team Titles three times, the United States Title, and has twice won the WWE World Heavyweight Title. As a member of The SHIELD and on his own, Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in the world today, and his in ring and mic work have carried Monday Night Raw through some tough times on his own.

That’s the list! Did I miss anyone? Let me know in the comments below, or shoot me a Tweet @OldSkewlPantz. Don’t forget to join me every Thursday night for Live IMPACT Wrestling results RIGHT HERE on TheChairshot.com.

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