The worlds of WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling are colliding again—this time with sass, slaps, and suspiciously convenient matchmaking.
At the upcoming TNA Under Siege event on May 23, the ever-subtle Tessa Blanchard will go one-on-one with Arianna Grace, in a match that screams “corporate partnership with unresolved daddy issues.”
Grace, daughter of Santino Marella and self-appointed peacekeeper of the “NXT x TNA Cinematic Universe,” officially crosses the ropes into TNA competition—ready to wrestle, regulate, and maybe throw hands if Tessa so much as breathes smugly in her direction.
🧨 The Setup
On this week’s TNA iMPACT, Blanchard teamed up with Victoria Crawford (yes, the former Alicia Fox) to face Masha Slamovich and Nikkita Lyons in a match that ended in a steel chair DQ moment so sudden, you’d think Masha was re-enacting an Attitude Era DVD.
Santino Marella, ever the mustached authority figure, tried to restart the match… until Robert Stone pulled the power move of the night by saying “Nah, we’re good” on behalf of NXT GM Ava. Because nothing says wrestling diplomacy like using your assistant to veto chaos.
Backstage, Blanchard cornered Grace with that classic “I’m going to subtly insult your father and your face” energy. Grace responded with words. Blanchard responded with a slap. And just like that, a match was born—because in wrestling, HR doesn’t exist.
🏟️ The Match
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Tessa Blanchard (with Robert Stone)
vs. -
Arianna Grace (with Dad-a-geddon, Santino Marella)
The match was made official by Anthem brass, which means the paperwork has been signed, the slap footage has gone viral, and the wardrobe team is prepping at least two capes.
Under Siege emanates from CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario, where Grace will make her official in-ring TNA debut. Meanwhile, Crawford—now the Deputy Director of Authority (that’s not a gimmick, that’s an Excel title)—will challenge Masha Slamovich for the Knockouts Championship.
Between this and Robert Stone wearing sunglasses indoors, Under Siege might be the most chaotic crossover since the Marvel/Sony licensing wars.