TNA Star Santino Marella Spotted Backstage at WWE NXT Heatwave

One big thing: TNA’s Santino Marella made a surprise backstage appearance at WWE NXT Heatwave

Former WWE star and current TNA talent Santino Marella was seen backstage at WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th in Toronto, Canada.

• CM Punk shared a photo with Marella on Instagram, part of a “Toronto photo dump” from Money in the Bank and NXT Heatwave events.
• Marella’s daughter, Arianna Grace, had a match at Heatwave, likely explaining his presence.
• This follows recent cross-promotions between WWE and TNA, including appearances by Jordynne Grace on NXT and Charlie Dempsey on TNA television.

Why it matters

Marella’s appearance signals continued collaboration between WWE and TNA, potentially opening doors for more talent exchanges and joint initiatives in the future.

By the numbers

• WWE and TNA have been rekindling their partnership since May 2023.
• Marella is a former WWE Intercontinental Champion and United States Champion.
• NXT Heatwave took place at the Scotiabank Arena, with a capacity of 19,800 for wrestling events.

The bigger picture

This backstage sighting is part of a larger trend of inter-promotional cooperation in professional wrestling, breaking down long-standing barriers between companies.

What’s next?

Wrestling fans will be watching closely to see if Marella makes an on-screen appearance in WWE, or if more TNA talent will be featured in upcoming WWE events.

What do you think about the growing relationship between WWE and TNA? Share your thoughts in the comments below!