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WWE & TNA Name Special Referee For Huge Showdown

By Lyle Kilbane • Published Oct 06, 2025 05:10 EDT
Ava WWE

An NXT vs. TNA showdown is on the horizon, but could WWE have a trick up its sleeve with a special referee named for a huge match?

After several TNA stars expressed how unhappy they were with WWE’s perceived control over the company as part of their ongoing partnership, it seemed trouble was on its way.

It came when TNA stars invaded NXT after the winner-take-all double title match between Trick Williams and Oba Femi was thrown out after Mike Santana became physically involved.

WWE was forced to abandon their original ‘Invasion’ plans, but NXT and TNA stars will face off in two massive Survivor Series-style ten-person tag team matches at Showdown.

Although the teams for those matches have raised eyebrows. Despite being an NXT-contracted star, TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan will captain the team for her title’s brand. Jordan will be joined by former WWE stars Cassie Lee, Jessie McKay, and Mara Sade. Team NXT will be captained by NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and feature Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker, and Lola Vice.

Joe Hendry Nets Major Role On WWE Show

The TNA World Champion Trick Williams will co-captain the NXT team alongside NXT Champion Ricky Saints. They will be joined by Myles Borne and Je’Von Evans to take on Mike Santana, Frankie Kazarian, Moose, and Leon Slater.

Conspicuous by their absences on both teams are Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry. Grace made the jump from TNA to WWE earlier in 2025, and Hendry seems to be on the cusp of doing the same when his TNA deal is up. On TV, neither team wanted much to do with them, given their affiliations with the other side and Grace was named as special referee for the women’s match.

Now, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella might have made a huge mistake as he has named the almost certainly WWE-bound Hendry as the special referee of the men’s match in a video released on social media.