WWE Rumors: Two Former World Champions Leave TNA — Are They Heading For WWE?

TNA held tapings last night in Orlando for some upcoming episodes of Impact Wrestling, and there were some really big happenings. Yes, a number of titles changed hands, but there are bigger things that took place. Two longtime stars for the company, and two former world champions at that, are officially done with the company. Are Bobby Roode and Eric Young possibly heading to WWE?

Yes, as reported by PWInsider, Roode and Young both finished up their work with TNA Impact Wrestling last night and are done. Both of the former world champions have requested their releases from the company, and they were granted.

Young was actually trying to negotiate a new deal with TNA and has been in discussions with them for some time. It appears as if talks broke down at some point, and he ended up requesting his release instead.

The interesting thing is that neither of the stars had a no-compete clause in their old contracts. With that being in there and their contracts with TNA being up, they are now free agents and can begin working with any other wrestling promotion immediately.

Storylines did take place at the Impact tapings in Orlando on Saturday night that kind of wrote them both out. Well, Eric Young did end up losing his TNA King of the Mountain Title in a match to Bram, and that takes the belt off of him.

Later in the night, Abyss and Crazzy Steve, members of the Decay, took on Beer Money for the TNA Tag Team Championship. The two members of the Decay ended up taking out Beer Money (James Storm and Bobby Roode) to capture the titles.

While that takes the belts off of both superstars, it isn’t exactly known how TNA will write them out completely. There were not said to be any injury angles or anything more done that will explain their absences from the company in the future.

Impact Wrestling did confirm that both stars are done with TNA and are on their way out. Both stars have been with TNA since 2004, and terms have been agreed upon for both of their releases. The company did wish them well, and got a statement from Roode.

“To the guys and girls I got to work with for the past 12 years, IMPACT WRESTLING, the office and everyone associated with me getting to live this dream, I say thank you. It is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life. This has been amazing.”

There was also a statement from Young regarding his departure.

“Thank you. Thank you to everyone who watched me for the past 12 years. Thank you to IMPACT WRESTLING. I wish everyone here nothing but the best going forward.”

Now, it may not be shocking that the departures happened from the wrestlers point of view, but it is from TNA’s standpoint.

Last year, longtime TNA star James Storm randomly showed up in NXT at one point and it was rumored he would sign with WWE. Well, a couple of NXT appearances later and he went back to TNA after signing a deal with them for more money.

He came back, regrouped with Bobby Roode, and reformed Beer Money.

It is not known at this time if either Roode or Eric Young are going to contact WWE, have been contacted by WWE, or going to end up in NXT. With their departures just happening last night, it’s still a bit early in the process.

TNA losing two former world champions and longtime stars is a big deal for them, and it’s going to deliver a hit to the roster. Eric Young and Bobby Roode have been staples with the company for over a decade, and are talented stars that could provide a lot to WWE if that is the route chosen.

[Image via TNA]