5 Trades of Talent Between WWE and TNA

Today is the trade deadline in Major League Baseball.

Imagine if professional wrestling had a different landscape and the companies did out-front trades with each other. Just as in professional sports, the contracts would carry over and there is no claim to intellectual property when trading. When a talent gets traded, their name and gimmick gets traded to the company as well.

I thought it would be fun to think about possible trades between WWE and TNA. Again, this is just for fun so don't over-analyze anything.

I am going into this trade deadline period with the situation of WWE has higher-paid contracts. They have guys who work 300-plus days a year making six figures. As the company's stock isn't the greatest, some financial and character changes could be best.

TNA, on the other hand, is looking for a crop of talent to continue helping them grow as they are live every week on SpikeTV and beginning to do more live event touring.

Here we go!

Abyss for Tyler Reks and Beth Phoenix

Abyss has run his course in TNA. Now with the Joseph Parks story, it seems TNA and Abyss himself are in a reset process trying to figure out what they want to do next. The Abyss character inside the machine that is WWE has a lot of possibilities.

Tyler Reks has potential to be one of the biggest stars in TNA. His look, along with more quality time to work in TNA, could bring great things for both parties. Because Abyss is more proven, WWE needs to give up two pieces.

Beth Phoenix would be a fair second piece in the deal because her talents would be better utilized in a Knockouts division than as a WWE Diva.

This would also provide TNA the opportunity to bill the match people were mentally teased at having over the past year―Phoenix versus Kharma/Awesome Kong. Right now, Kharma is a free agent waiting for her non-compete to end, and after that she would be fair game.

Zema Ion for Evan Bourne

This is a straight-up trade with considerable upside for both. Bourne over to TNA would be an obvious blessing for the X-Division.

Ion to WWE would bring a fast-paced entertainment style, but Ion carries an entertainment spark that WWE looks for. He has a gimmick with more depth and can do more talking than Bourne. With the right situation, both of these guys in their new homes would have their best career days ahead of them.

Mr. Anderson for Jack Swagger and FCW Talent to Be Named Later

Mr. Anderson was on the fast track to the top in WWE. He's got a look, tremendous microphone skills and an “it” factor when it comes to believably selling in a match.

It seems in the two and a half years in TNA, there was no steady momentum with him. The time for him to be the biggest star in TNA has passed, but he still has some valuable years left. And TNA would be giving a possible main-event star back to WWE.

In return, WWE can provide Jack Swagger. Here is a guy with all the physical tools, but who needs someone, either behind the scenes or in the ring, to find the right combination with him. Swagger could be a boom or bust, so WWE needs to toss in a developmental talent as well.

TNA gives back someone who has already been teased in WWE to be a big star before politics, and TNA gets two projects, one immediate and one more long-term for the future, hoping at least one pans out.

Kazarian and Developmental Talent for Zack Ryder

Some in WWE see the merchandise value in Zack Ryder. Some of those same people in WWE also seem to not want to have Ryder featured on television in any consistent fashion.

Say whatever you want about Ryder, he is a draw in some capacity. He is a draw, but I believe there are those in management who wouldn't miss Ryder and would be willing to deal him.

TNA would jump at the chance to have Ryder. Potentially, if money and booking are right, Ryder would be spending the rest of his career in that top spot for the growing company. The sky would be the limit for anything he would want to do regarding his YouTube show and more.

In return, TNA parts ways with a talented Kazarian who has the WWE look along with another prospect TNA might have down the line.

Kurt Angle for Randy Orton

This is one of those blockbuster trades. Kurt Angle came to TNA to help get them to new levels. After five-plus years, he's five years older and is going to want to finish his career in the WWE.

You can't get a big talent like Angle without giving something in return. Randy Orton would be the biggest talent WWE has that is reasonable to think, in this fantasy world of company trades, could actually happen.

Angle is more established and would create a big buzz if returned to WWE. Randy Orton would help TNA draw some new fans to their product, as well as eliminate WWE's risk of having to fire him due to a third Wellness Policy violation.

WWE gets an Angle with two years left in him, while TNA gets a Randy Orton with eight years left in him.

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