10 Best TNA Wrestlers During The Impact Wrestling Era, Ranked

TNA opened its doors well over two decades ago. Founded as a competitor to WWE after WCW was bought out, the company eventually fell into a lot of the same pitfalls that the Ted Turner-led company had, even down to hiring Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff to help lead the company.

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In 2017, the company was re-branded to Impact Wrestling. Over the next six years, there were some incredible names who helped rebuild the company to its glory. Now, back as TNA, it only feels right to pay tribute to some of the best wrestlers from Impact Wrestling’s existence, from 2017 to 2023.

10 Tessa Blanchard

Talent-Wise, Few Women Were Better

Tessa Blanchard isn’t exactly well-liked by a lot of wrestling fans these days. Although, the former Impact world champion has to get a certain amount of praise. While she’s hated by many, it has nothing to do with wrestling.

In the ring, Blanchard is very well-rounded, and commands respect. There’s a reason why they felt strongly enough about her to make her the first woman to become a TNA champion. However, they would later regret that decision.

9 Sami Callihan

This Ohio Native Has Grown Throughout The Years

Sami Callihan has been one of Impact’s top stars since arriving at the company in 2017. A member of Ohio Versus Everything, the former world champion famously had his title reign ended by the aforementioned Tessa Blanchard.

However, he’s had a lot of great matches over the last few years. Funnily enough, Callihan recently wrapped up his tenure with Impact, leaving the company right as soon as they’re about to rebrand to TNA.

8 Eli Drake

Everybody’s Talking About LA Knight, But Eli Drake’s TNA Stint Also Deserves Praise

Before he was LA Knight in the WWE, he was Eli Drake in Impact Wrestling. First debuting in the company in 2015, he was the right man, in the right spot, at the right time. Around the late 2010s, many of their top stars began leaving.

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That left Drake, who had insane charisma, to fill the gap. He won Impact heavyweight gold, was a tag team champion alongside Scott Steiner, and more! While his time in the company was brief, he did a lot of great work.

7 Chris Sabin

The Tag Team Specialist Is Still Kicking In 2023

Chris Sabin is one of the longest-tenured TNA stars of all time. One half of The Motor City Machine Guns alongside Alex Shelley, the two have dominated the tag team division for a long time.

However, Sabin has also done a lot of great work as a singles talent as well. A former TNA world champion, he’s been one of their top stars since returning to the company in 2019.

6 Mickie James

One Of The Greatest Women’s Wrestlers Of All Time Hasn’t Lost A Step

Mickie James has been another talent who has had multiple tenures in Impact Wrestling. Her most recent stint began in 2021 after she was released from the WWE. While her latest tenure hasn’t been long, she’s made an impact.

During her ongoing stint, James has had bangers with the likes of Deonna Purrazzo, Jordynne Grace, and more! Furthermore, she made history in 2022, by appearing in the WWE Royal Rumble as Knockouts champion.

5 Jordynne Grace

An Incredible Talent Who Is Only Getting Better With Time

Speaking of Mickie James, one of her bigger rivals comes just one spot ahead of her. Jordynne Grace signed with Impact Wrestling in 2018 and was quite green at the time. However, her ability to grow and improve has her one of the biggest women in the business.

A former multiple-time Knockouts World Champion, she’s held tag team, and digital gold as well. Furthermore, at just 27 years old, she’s seemingly just getting her career started.

4 Moose

Former NFL Star Has Come Into His Own Over The Last Few Years

Moose is another one of those wrestlers who benefitted a lot from TNA’s talent exodus in the mid-2010s. Debuting in 2016, the former football player was a bit green, but was quite physical and had a great look.

Over the last few years, however, Moose has come into his own. A former TNA world champion, he’s become one of the top faces in the company since 2017.

3 Alex Shelley

One-half Of The Motor City Machine Guns & Impact World Champion

The other half of the Motor City Machine Guns, Alex Shelley is currently doing some of the best work of his career. While Chris Sabin reached the top of the mountain and became world champion a decade ago, it took his partner some more time.

RELATED: 5 Impact Wrestlers Who Signed With The Company Too Late (& 5 Who Signed Too Soon)

Earlier this year, however, Shelley was able to finally win the world title by defeating Steve Maclin. His title reign has been pretty fun to watch, which helps as well, having put on fun title defenses with names such as Josh Alexander.

2 Deonna Purrazzo

This Knockouts Star Has Dramatically Improved Over The Last Few Years

Deonna Purrazzo signed with Impact Wrestling in 2020 and instantly made a big impact. Despite her brief time in the company, she’s become one of the best Knockouts of all time. That’s largely built off the strength of her multiple world title reigns.

Furthermore, her rivalry with Jordynne Grace produced some excellent matches, including their famous Iron Man match in 2020. Much like her rival, she’s still in her 20s, and will only get better with time.

1 Josh Alexander

In Terms Of Match Quality, He’s One Of The Best On The Planet

Josh Alexander is the MVP of the Impact Wrestling era (2017-2023) and it’s not particularly close. While not many fans were watching for all of that time, the former amateur wrestler was putting on banger after banger.

His historic world title reign from 2022 to 2023 was the longest in TNA history as well. The company is in a much greater spot today than it was a few years ago, and a lot of that is owed to Alexander.