Which Wrestlers Are Likely to Leave TNA Next?

Daria Rae, who currently plays the heel foil to “Director of Authority” Santino Marella, has said that her contract expires this month. Now, that is a problem.

Fans have generally not wanted Marella to be opposed, as he has been generally a fair and just executive (maybe except when it concerns his daughter Arianna Grace). Robert Stone lasted just one and a half months last year, but he was obnoxious, especially with his favoritism towards Tessa Blanchard and Victoria Crawford.

Rae, however, has managed to surpass that level of obnoxiousness. Making decisions without Marella’s input? Check. Demanding that her music be played after she runs down wrestlers? Check? Still not wrestling herself despite her combat sports background? Check.

One need only look at Ash by Elegance and Lei Ying Lee, who have become champions after being underwhelming in WWE. It seems likelier, however, that Rae will join her frenemy Mandy Sacs (fka Mandy Rose) in modeling.

Leon Slater

Leon Slater is one of the most promising young talents in wrestling today. Even at just 21 years of age, he has already established himself as a future main-eventer in any promotion.

Working with the Hardys? Check. Tying the longest X Division Championship reign ever? Putting on banger after banger? Check.

That is why Slater’s loss to Cedric Alexander last month was very telling – albeit apparently for the wrong reasons. While it might initially have been because he was bound for a World title push, the actual reason may be more sinister.

According to Dave Meltzer last week, Slater did not break the record because he is going elsewhere once his contract ends, whenever that happens. WWE seems to be a logical fit for him – he has competed there while still under contract, after all. AEW, however, has an advantage of its own: getting to cross over with the likes of New Japan (imagine him at the Best of the Super Juniors).

Now, Slater leaving TNA is not totally unprecedented. It happens. Wrestlers on the rise come here to put themselves on the map, then parlay it into bigger contracts elsewhere. For it to happen this soon, however? That is an unfathomable fumble that Carlos Silva might blame himself for.

Mike Santana

Who else was going to be on this list other than Mike Santana?

The TNA World Champion is set to defend the title against Eric Young on the June 11 episode of Impact. Should Santana win, however, he will have another opponent to contend with, as Nic Nemeth is cashing in his Call Your Shot trophy at Slammiversary.

Make no mistake about it: Santana has the charisma to be a main-eventer anywhere. WWE and AEW will throw plenty of money at him to come on board. Thus, the ploy is clear: Nemeth dethrones Santana, then he leaves. Maybe Slater gets paid to stay for an eventual World title reign after that.

It will be devastating for TNA, but it is not as if they have never recovered. “They should be able to find new stars, right?”

End Of My TNA Rant

Speaking of new stars, there are at least two newcomers and one veteran that could fit the mold for TNA.

The first is Ricky Sosa. Think of the Belgian as Slater, but somewhat more muscular. Sosa debuted only this year and has had some appearances, but visa issues have largely kept him off TV recently. Once he returns, however, one should expect big things from him.

The other is Fabian Aichner. He was mainly an enhancement talent in WWE, but TNA’s ever-changing landscape may give him a second wind in his career. His current program has seen him oppose The System, the heel faction led by former World Champion Eddie Edwards, and that is a big angle for Aichner.

Finally on the women’s side, Xia Brookside’s heel turn has surprisingly done her wonders. The face version of her was mainly Lee’s lackey and a failed tag team competitor. Now, however, Brookside has a title shot against her friend at Slammiversary, and a win will vindicate her betrayal.

Whatever happens next, though, TNA has plenty of work to do when it comes to maintaning its current roster…