WWE has filed a new trademark that is sure to fuel speculation about the future of its partnership with TNA Wrestling. On September 24, the company filed a trademark for the word “Invasion” for a wide range of entertainment services. The timing of this filing comes just one day after the September 23 episode of NXT, which ended with a show-closing brawl between the stars of NXT and an invading group of TNA talent.
The trademark application for “Invasion” covers a broad spectrum of services, including: “Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment”.
The invasion angle on NXT marked a significant escalation of the partnership between the two companies, which was officially announced in January 2025. The show-ending segment featured TNA stars such as Eric Young, Moose, and the returning Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder in WWE), who appeared in the building and eventually entered the ring, leading to a brawl with the NXT roster. The scene prompted NXT’s creative head, Shawn Michaels, to issue a direct warning to TNA, signaling that the conflict is far from over.
The “Invasion” name holds a significant place in wrestling history. The original Invasion storyline in 2001 saw the stars of the purchased WCW and ECW promotions “invade” the then-WWF in a months-long angle. That storyline is often criticized for its execution.
