TNA Wrestling broke the news Thursday afternoon they have agreed to a “multi-year partnership” with WWE, allowing professional wrestlers from both companies to have crossover moments and be featured in both WWE and TNA programming.

If you have followed this unofficial partnership, we have seen Mickie James and Jordynne Grace enter the Royal Rumble as the reigning TNA Knockouts Champion in back-to-back years. We have also experienced some NXT superstars on TNA programming, and vice versa, with TNA wrestlers like Joe Hendry and The Rascalz on NXT.

Now it is an official partnership for multiple years!

The press release from TNA Wrestling’s website shared a quote from Ariel Shnerer from TNA which read, “Our partnership allows the TNA Wrestling brand and its incredible athletes to reach a significantly wider audience, while giving WWE and NXT stars an opportunity to cross the line and gain valuable experience, as they join forces with one of the most talented rosters in professional wrestling today.” You can read more of the official press release on TNA Wrestling’s website here.

For any wrestling fan knowledgeable of the industry’s history, this is a monumental move for the business. 25 years ago the top two companies, WWE and World Championship Wrestling, were at each other’s throats trying to put the other out of business. Vince McMahon won that battle dubbed as the Monday Night War and ever since, WWE has been adamantly against collaborating or helping other promotions, no matter how big or small they may be.

TNA Wrestling was briefly on Monday nights in early 2010 when Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff came to the company, trying to compete with Monday Night Raw again and failed miserably. It appeared WWE was #1 at that time and TNA had been the strongest #2 in the United States, but was far off from WWE’s level. Since then, TNA has fallen off by failure to maintain a consistent television deal, talent purging, and financial ruin in many cases.

TNA has fallen off enough that they haven’t been seen as the #2 promotion in the United States for quite some time. In fact, All Elite Wrestling has staked claim to that silver medal with their deep talent pool, international shows like All In at Wembley Stadium, and it becoming a prime destination for former WWE superstars to land.

Many online communities joked about TNA Wrestling being dead or on the brink of extinction for years. Now with the news of this partnership, it appears TNA has some life to it.

This partnership would never be possible without the regime change WWE has undergone since TKO bought the company and put Triple H fully in charge as the WWE’s Chief Content Officer. Triple H’s willingness to think outside the box with partnerships like this one allows this partnership to exist and create dream matchups for the fans.

WWE and TNA will continue sharing talent on an official partnership, allowing WWE superstars (particularly those from NXT) to compete on TNA programming, and vice versa with TNA wrestlers getting the opportunity for more exposure on NXT and select premium live events.

This is a win for the industry and everyone should be excited for the growth and evolution, especially with how those in charge conduct their business.