Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Should Bobby Lashley Return to TNA in 2024?
Alan Poizner / USA TODAY NETWORK

On July 21st, 2024, it was reported by Fightful Select that Bobby Lashley was no longer on WWE’s internal roster page and that his WWE contract is expiring very soon. This likely means that Lashley is leaving the company and could end up wrestling elsewhere. If he decides to do that, there are multiple places he can go considering the wrestling business is booming right now. One of those places is his former home, TNA, a company that has been rising again after falling from grace in the last few years.

Should Bobby Lashley Join TNA?

Bobby Lashley, known just as Lashley in his second TNA run, may very well rejoin the company considering how well it has been doing in recent months. Much of this success has come from a partnership with the WWE, but other factors include the arrival of Mustafa Ali and Nic Nemeth as well as the popularization of Joe Hendry.

Lashley would join a star-studded roster with names such as Moose and Josh Alexander being great potential opponents for him. It would also allow him to shine more as TNA does not have as many stars as companies like WWE and AEW, and he would instantly become one of the faces of the brand if he goes there.

This would be a better option for Lashley instead of a company such as AEW, as they have been known to not book former WWE superstars correctly, such as Miro and Keith Lee. Although he became a 2-time WWE Champion, he was not one of the company’s biggest stars from 2018 to 2020 and from 2023 to now and only had a short tenure as a main event star.

With him now leaving WWE and potentially joining TNA once again, it’s important to look back at how he was treated in TNA during his first two runs.

Bobby Lashley’s Previous TNA Run

Bobby Lashley had two stints in TNA, one which took place in 2009 and another from 2014 to 2018, and had multiple title reigns while with the company. His first ever TNA match came on a taping of iMPACT after he departed from the WWE, in a tag match alongside Mick Foley against Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash, where he and Foley won resulting in Mick becoming the new TNA Legends Champion. He then had a short run there which lasted around five months before returning to the indie scene.

He returned to TNA on March 3rd, 2014, in a match against EC3 which ended in a DQ. It was during this run that he stopped referring to himself as Bobby Lashley and just began using his last name. He ended up becoming a 4-time TNA World Champion in his four years with the company. During this stint, TNA had rebranded to Impact Wrestling, with Lashley as one of the biggest names in the company.

He returned to the WWE at the beginning of 2018 and was a member of that roster for over six years. Although he had success in his WWE run, it was clear that he was a much more prominent figure in TNA, and a return would benefit him. Now that he is no longer a member of the WWE roster, he has the opportunity to return to TNA and can once again start being a top star.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Chiefs React to Travis Kelce's Decision on Sunday
NFL

Chiefs React to Travis Kelce's Decision on Sunday

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce continues to make headlines on and off the field. Entering Sunday's Week 11 game against the Denver Broncos, Kelce has been one of the most reliable players on the Chiefs. In nine games this 2025, he has recorded 41 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns. He actually leads in the team in receptions and receiving yards and is second in receiving touchdowns. Off the field, the Chiefs tight end has been the subject of plenty of interest due to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. Not to mention, he has been growing his personal brand by diversifying his ventures — from going into acting to opening up his own restaurant with teammate Patrick Mahomes. Now, prior to their showdown with the Broncos, Kelce drew plenty of attention again with his off-field decision. The 36-year-old star arrived at Empower Field at Mile High wearing a black blazer with a subtle striped pattern, which he paired with matching pants. What stood out from his outfit were his bags, as he brought a Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandouliere and Horizon 55 that cost over $9,000 combined, per Style By Kelce. Even the Chiefs couldn't help but react to Kelce's outfit, as they shared photos of him on social media. "Find you someone who cleans up like @TKelce," the Chiefs wrote. For what it's worth, fans agreed with the Chiefs' post, taking to the comment section to share their reactions. "He cleans up Nicely," a commenter wrote. Another one said, "He Polishs up real nice!" A fan added, "There’s only one Travis Kelce." "Looking good as usual Travis! Let's go Chiefs! Let's get those Broncos," a supporter remarked. A fifth follower shared, "He always keeps it tidy." Kelce's popularity remains sky-high. That being said, it shouldn't be a surprise that anything he does is talked about.

Steelers' Darnell Washington Makes History After Brutal Run Against Bengals: 'You Have Infamy'
NFL

Steelers' Darnell Washington Makes History After Brutal Run Against Bengals: 'You Have Infamy'

The Pittsburgh Steelers are no stranger to Kyle Brandt's Angry Run award, but it usually goes to a running back, typically Jaylen Warren, or previously, when he was on the roster, Najee Harris. In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, someone made history, and it was not a running back. It was the 6'7", probably 300-pound tight end, Darnell Washington. During the game, Washington delivered a 31-yard catch and run and bulldozed through the Bengals’ defense. He was a one-man wrecking crew as he overpowered any defender brave enough to try and tackle him. His domination quickly became the talk of the game and left fans in awe of his size, strength, and determination. For the first time ever, Brandt did not have any other finalists for the award. Washington was finalist 1, 2, and 3. His historic performance against the Bengals will live on in football fans’ memories forever, a moment that changed the way people view the Angry Run award. For Steeler Nation, the 2025 season has finally been the year of Washington. "That is Darnell doing Darnell things, way too big of a dude to be running like that," Brandt said. "So I have got Darnell Washington from the Steelers and there it is again. That is the third finalist as Darnell Washington runs over a dude... This was the Godfather trilogy of runs, except he stuck the landing on part three." Not only was it crazy that a tight end was being nominated for the award, he completely stole any running back's chance of even being considered for the Angry Run award. That just shows how dominant Washington’s run truly was on Sunday. Every defender in his path was left in awe. His performance will be remembered as one of the most unstoppable plays of the 2025 season. "A play of three acts," Brandt said. "A play of violence, a tragedy, but also a comedy at the same time. This thing's going to the Steel City. Darnell Washington, you have made history. You have infamy, and you have the scepter. It's going back to where it belongs after an all-time Angry Run. New York, an all-time Angry Run. Boom. See you next week." Steelers fans have been waiting to see this kind of performance from Washington ever since he was drafted 93rd overall by Pittsburgh in the 2023 NFL Draft. Steelers' Darnell Washington Is Tight End 1 Coming out of Georgia, he was known as an elite blocking tight end, but Sunday showed the full extent of his rare combination of speed, size, and sheer strength. When used properly, Washington can be one of the most unique and dominant tight ends in the league. His historic run against the Bengals was a glimpse of his true potential and a reminder of why Steelers fans are so excited about his future. It seems that Washington has now clearly passed tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith to become the current number one tight end for the Steelers. The Steelers have three elite tight ends on their roster. Now it's up to Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith to continue to find out how to use them properly. Steelers fans, when you saw Darnell Washington bulldozing through Bengals defenders and making those jaw-dropping plays, what was going through your mind in that moment? How did it feel to see him dominate like that on the field?

Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin breaks silence on reported ultimatum
College Football

Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin breaks silence on reported ultimatum

The Ole Miss Rebels reportedly gave head coach Lane Kiffin a deadline of Nov. 28 to decide whether he wants to stay with the school. That was news to him. On Tuesday, Kiffin joined "The Pat McAfee Show" to discuss his future. The coach is widely considered a top candidate for the head-coaching jobs with the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators. He denied that Ole Miss gave him an ultimatum, which Stewart Mandel of The Athletic first reported. Lane Kiffin calls report false "That's absolutely not true," Kiffin said. "There hasn't been anything like that at all. And so, I don't know where that came from, like a lot of stuff that comes out there." After denying the report, Kiffin reiterated how much he loves Oxford and said he's ecstatic the team is in the thick of the College Football Playoff Hunt. As of Tuesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives the 10-1 Rebels an 89.1% chance to make the CFP, the third-best odds in the SEC behind the Georgia Bulldogs (9-1) and Texas A M Aggies (10-0). "Like I said, man, we're having a blast," he said. "It just couldn't be better. Like I said, you pray for things. Our fans prayed for this type of thing, and now we're in the middle of it. So, enjoy it." Is Lane Kiffin telling the truth? While the school may not have issued an ultimatum, ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported that Ole Miss is "pressing" Kiffin and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, to inform the school of his decision soon. Schlabach added that Rebels athletic director Keith Carter wants to know his plans by this upcoming weekend. Kiffin may be able to provide an answer soon. He has reportedly met with Florida and LSU. Kiffin may ultimately stay with Ole Miss, where he has compiled a 54-19 record in six seasons. He's already making $9M this season, and the Rebels are reportedly willing to match contract offers from LSU and Florida. Still, Kiffin should make it clear what he wants to do soon. The Rebels host the Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-6) in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28. He doesn't want rumors about his future to distract his team, especially when it can get even closer to securing the school's first CFP berth in the upcoming rivalry game.

Mets, Brandon Nimmo Trade Development Emerges on Tuesday
MLB

Mets, Brandon Nimmo Trade Development Emerges on Tuesday

The New York Mets are entering the offseason looking to retool the roster with hopes of returning to the MLB playoffs in 2026. The Mets collapsed during the second half of the year, finishing with an 83–79 record. Despite the disappointing end to the year, outfielder Brandon Nimmo remained a bright spot in the lineup. The 32-year-old veteran posted a .262 batting average, .324 on-base percentage, .760 OPS, 25 home runs and 92 RBIs across 155 games. Nimmo has continued to be a reliable player for New York and just finished playing in his tenth season for the organization. The Mets are the only franchise Nimmo has ever known in his professional career since they selected him in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft. However, that could change following a report on Tuesday from ESPN’s Jeff Passan. “The Mets are blowing up plenty. It's not just Luisangel Acuña or Mark Vientos or Brett Baty — center fielder Brandon Nimmo (who has full no-trade protection) and utilityman Jeff McNeil can also be had,” Passan wrote. Nimmo’s name surfacing as a trade possibility is a genuine surprise given everything he has meant to the organization. At the very least, the Mets are now faced with a decision on whether to explore moving him. As noted, Nimmo has a full no-trade clause, which gives him the final say on any potential deal. He still has five years remaining on the eight-year, $162 million contract he signed with New York in 2023. While the Mets would likely prefer to keep Nimmo’s bat and leadership in the lineup, trading him could help replenish the farm system or address other areas of need, particularly pitching, which was a major weakness in 2025. A deal would also free up significant payroll space, potentially allowing the team to pursue other upgrades, including a possible reunion with first baseman Pete Alonso. The decision to trade Nimmo is not an easy one, but it is certainly intriguing. He will be entering his age-33 season, and offensive players often begin to decline around that point. Whatever the Mets decide, this offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one for the future of the franchise.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!