In a shocking turn of events on last night’s episode of WWE NXT, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella challenged, and was granted, a match for the NXT North American Championship.
Santino Marella To Challenge Ethan Page
The segment began with NXT North American Champion Ethan Page in the ring with a newly customized title belt featuring a Canadian flag strap. After a promo denouncing the United States, Page was interrupted by the visiting TNA official. Marella took exception to Page’s comments and challenged him to a championship match, which is now set for next week’s July 29 episode of NXT.
A Return To The WWE Ring
The match will mark Santino Marella’s first official bout under the WWE banner since 2014, aside from a brief cameo in the 2020 women’s Royal Rumble. Though his full-time career ended after leaving WWE, he has wrestled sporadically for TNA and on the independent circuit, with 2025 being his most active year in the ring since.
Marella’s championship match is the latest development in the ongoing partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling. The crossover saw NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne win the TNA Knockouts World Title at Slammiversary, while NXT’s Trick Williams is the reigning TNA World Champion.
