The TNA Front Line
Encyclopedia
The TNA Front Line was a heroic
alliance in the professional wrestling promotion
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
(TNA). They were also known as the TNA Originals.
, Sting, Booker T
and Kevin Nash
formed a villainous
alliance called The Main Event Mafia, whose aim was to teach the younger stars of TNA about respect. The next week, Scott Steiner
joined the Mafia. The following week Samoa Joe
and A.J. Styles
asked the younger talent in TNA to join them against the Main Event Mafia, they were soon joined by many of the younger stars. At this point, they were called the TNA Originals. Later in the event, after his match with Abyss
, Kurt Angle attacked Abyss, but Matt Morgan came to his aid. Booker T and Kevin Nash then came to help Angle, and A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe and the other members of the Front Line came out to help Morgan and Abyss. Initially gaining the upper hand, they were attacked by Scott Steiner
who was revealed to be the fifth member of the Main Event Mafia. At Turning Point
, Styles was defeated by Sting in the main event, and Samoa Joe was defeated by Kevin Nash. Another match at the event was Christian Cage
(who had refused to join sides with either the Main Event Mafia or the Frontline) against Booker T. The stipulation was that if Cage lost than he would have to join the Main Event Mafia. Cage lost, but he was attacked by the Main Event Mafia who said it was because he was planning to leave TNA. Because of the attack, Cage’s real life friend Rhino
joined the younger talent, becoming leader and changing the name to The TNA Front Line. Rhino had not been with the Front Line for when he began training Jesse Neal to become a pro wrestler.
Angle and the Main Event Mafia then attempted to recruit Team 3D
. Team 3D appeared to join the Main Event Mafia but turned face by double crossing the Mafia and jumping them along with TNA Front Line leaders Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and Rhino. They also attempted to put former ally Kurt Angle through a table. The Front Line then formed alliances with other wrestlers, primarily Mick Foley
, Jeff Jarrett
and Abyss. Petey Williams, however, was released from TNA, thus removing him from the alliance. ODB was with the Front Line when it first formed. She joined to feud with Sharmell of the Main Event Mafia. She has not been a Front Line member since she paired up with Cody Deaner. While the group's stand remained active in TNA, their status was in question. Only Mick Foley, Jeff Jarrett, and A.J. Styles were still involved in feuds with the Main Event Mafia. All the other members had since become involved in different storylines. The Frontline name was rarely if ever mentioned for a continuous period of months. Eventually, Samoa Joe turned on his friends by helping Kurt Angle reclaim the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
at Slammiversary
, joining the Main Event Mafia in the process. On the July 23, 2009, edition of TNA Impact!, A.J. Styles, Daniels
, Robert Roode, James Storm
, and Eric Young
regrouped as the TNA Originals. During their 10-man tag team match against The British Invasion
, Kiyoshi
, and Sheik Abdul Bashir
, Young turned against his teammates by attacking Styles and aligned himself with their opponents. After the match, Young announced that he joined an alliance with their opponents, dubbing themselves "the World Elite
". All the remaining members of the TNA Originals then moved on to separate feuds and story lines and have not appeared together as a team since the emergence of the World Elite.Currently, A.J. Styles, Robert Roode, James Storm, Christopher Daniels, as well as Kazarian are in a group named Fortune, similarily fighting as the young guys facing the more established stars.
Face (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a babyface or face or in simple words, a fan favorite is a character who is portrayed as a heroic relative to the heel wrestlers, who are analogous to villains...
alliance in the professional wrestling promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
(TNA). They were also known as the TNA Originals.
Feud with Main Event Mafia (2008-2009)
On the October 23, 2008 episode of Impact Kurt AngleKurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
, Sting, Booker T
Booker Huffman
Robert Booker Tio Huffman , better known by his ring name Booker T, is a semi-retired American professional wrestler and currently signed to WWE, on its SmackDown brand, as part of the announcing team. Booker is best known for his time in both the World Wrestling Entertainment and World...
and Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash
Kevin Scott Nash is an American professional wrestler and actor. As of 2011, Nash is signed to a five year contract with WWE under their WWE Legends program and appears as part of their Raw brand roster...
formed a villainous
Heel (professional wrestling)
In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. In non-wrestling jargon, heels are the "bad guys" in professional wrestling; the term heel coming from the term take to you heels, which means to run away which heel champions tend to do to avoid losing their titles.storylines...
alliance called The Main Event Mafia, whose aim was to teach the younger stars of TNA about respect. The next week, Scott Steiner
Scott Steiner
Scott Carl Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Scott Steiner. Steiner is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling alongside his older brother Rick as the Steiner Brothers and as a member of the New World Order...
joined the Mafia. The following week Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe
Nuufolau Joel "Joe" Seanoa is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Samoa Joe. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
and A.J. Styles
A.J. Styles
Allen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
asked the younger talent in TNA to join them against the Main Event Mafia, they were soon joined by many of the younger stars. At this point, they were called the TNA Originals. Later in the event, after his match with Abyss
Chris Parks
Christopher J. "Chris" Parks , better known by his ring name "The Monster" Abyss, is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
, Kurt Angle attacked Abyss, but Matt Morgan came to his aid. Booker T and Kevin Nash then came to help Angle, and A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe and the other members of the Front Line came out to help Morgan and Abyss. Initially gaining the upper hand, they were attacked by Scott Steiner
Scott Steiner
Scott Carl Rechsteiner is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Scott Steiner. Steiner is perhaps best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling alongside his older brother Rick as the Steiner Brothers and as a member of the New World Order...
who was revealed to be the fifth member of the Main Event Mafia. At Turning Point
Turning Point (2008)
Turning Point was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion, which took place on November 9, 2008 at the TNA Impact! Zone in Orlando, Florida. It was the fourth event under the Turning Point chronology and first event under the name to...
, Styles was defeated by Sting in the main event, and Samoa Joe was defeated by Kevin Nash. Another match at the event was Christian Cage
Jason Reso
William Jason Reso is a Canadian professional wrestler and actor, better known by his ring names Christian and Christian Cage...
(who had refused to join sides with either the Main Event Mafia or the Frontline) against Booker T. The stipulation was that if Cage lost than he would have to join the Main Event Mafia. Cage lost, but he was attacked by the Main Event Mafia who said it was because he was planning to leave TNA. Because of the attack, Cage’s real life friend Rhino
Terry Gerin
Terrance "Terry" Gerin is an American professional wrestler and actor, better known by the ring name Rhino . He is best known for his career in Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
joined the younger talent, becoming leader and changing the name to The TNA Front Line. Rhino had not been with the Front Line for when he began training Jesse Neal to become a pro wrestler.
Angle and the Main Event Mafia then attempted to recruit Team 3D
Dudley Boyz
Team 3D was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Brother Ray and Brother Devon, formerly sporadically joined into a stable by Brother Runt on several intervals...
. Team 3D appeared to join the Main Event Mafia but turned face by double crossing the Mafia and jumping them along with TNA Front Line leaders Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and Rhino. They also attempted to put former ally Kurt Angle through a table. The Front Line then formed alliances with other wrestlers, primarily Mick Foley
Mick Foley
Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he...
, Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett
Jeffrey Leonard Jarrett is an American professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , an organization he co-founded along with his father and in which he holds some stock but not total control...
and Abyss. Petey Williams, however, was released from TNA, thus removing him from the alliance. ODB was with the Front Line when it first formed. She joined to feud with Sharmell of the Main Event Mafia. She has not been a Front Line member since she paired up with Cody Deaner. While the group's stand remained active in TNA, their status was in question. Only Mick Foley, Jeff Jarrett, and A.J. Styles were still involved in feuds with the Main Event Mafia. All the other members had since become involved in different storylines. The Frontline name was rarely if ever mentioned for a continuous period of months. Eventually, Samoa Joe turned on his friends by helping Kurt Angle reclaim the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
TNA World Heavyweight Championship
The TNA World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is currently the highest ranked championship in TNA and is primarily defended in TNA's heavyweight division...
at Slammiversary
Slammiversary (2009)
Slammiversary was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , which took place on June 21, 2009 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It was the fifth event under the Slammiversary chronology and used to commemorate the seventh...
, joining the Main Event Mafia in the process. On the July 23, 2009, edition of TNA Impact!, A.J. Styles, Daniels
Christopher Daniels
Daniel Christopher Covell is an American professional wrestler, best known in the United States by his ring name "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels. He is also known for performing under the ring name Curry Man. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , while also...
, Robert Roode, James Storm
James Storm
James Allen Cox is an American professional wrestler who competes under the ring name "The Cowboy" James Storm. Since 2002, Storm has been employed by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he, along with A.J...
, and Eric Young
Eric Young (wrestler)
Jeremy Fritz is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Eric Young. He currently performs for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he has gained popularity using a variety of comic relief gimmicks....
regrouped as the TNA Originals. During their 10-man tag team match against The British Invasion
The British Invasion (professional wrestling)
The British Invasion is a professional wrestling alliance in the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , currently consisting of English wrestlers Douglas Williams and Magnus. The group previously also included their Welsh enforcer Rob Terry...
, Kiyoshi
Akira Raijin
is a Japanese professional wrestler, who formerly competed in North America for the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion under the ring name Kiyoshi and previously worked under a mask as Suicide...
, and Sheik Abdul Bashir
Shawn Daivari
Dara Daivari is an Iranian American professional wrestler, currently performing on the American independent circuit as Shawn Daivari. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment as simply Daivari and with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Sheik Abdul Bashir.-Career:Daivari...
, Young turned against his teammates by attacking Styles and aligned himself with their opponents. After the match, Young announced that he joined an alliance with their opponents, dubbing themselves "the World Elite
World Elite
World Elite was a villainous professional wrestling alliance in the American promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . The group consisted of multicultural wrestlers, representing various countries around the world...
". All the remaining members of the TNA Originals then moved on to separate feuds and story lines and have not appeared together as a team since the emergence of the World Elite.Currently, A.J. Styles, Robert Roode, James Storm, Christopher Daniels, as well as Kazarian are in a group named Fortune, similarily fighting as the young guys facing the more established stars.
Championships and accomplishments
- New Japan Pro WrestlingNew Japan Pro Wrestlingis a major professional wrestling promotion in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in June 1972 and owned by Yuke's since 2005, when Inoki sold the promotion. Naoki Sugabayashi is the current President of the promotion and has held that position from 2007. Owing to its TV program aired on TV Asahi, it...
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) –Team 3DDudley BoyzTeam 3D was a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of Brother Ray and Brother Devon, formerly sporadically joined into a stable by Brother Runt on several intervals...
(Brother Ray and Brother Devon) - IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipIWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team ChampionshipThe IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling tag team championship owned by the New Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. "IWGP" is the acronym of NJPW's governing body, the International Wrestling Grand Prix. The title was introduced on August 8, 1998 at a NJPW live event...
(1 time) –The Motor City Machineguns (Chris SabinChris SabinJoshua Harter is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin. He is currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling , where he currently teams with Alex Shelley as The Motor City Machine Guns.After being trained by Scott D'Amore, Sabin debuted in 2000 for...
and Alex ShelleyAlex ShelleyPatrick Martin , is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Alex Shelley. He wrestles for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he currently teams with Chris Sabin as The Motor City Machine Guns. He previously gained fame on the independent circuit, working most notably for...
)
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (1 time) –Team 3D
- Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
- TNA Legends ChampionshipTNA Legends ChampionshipThe TNA Television Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It was introduced on the October 23, 2008 episode of TNA's television program TNA Impact! as the "TNA Legends Championship"...
(1 time) – A.J. StylesA.J. StylesAllen Neal Jones , better known by his ring name A.J. Styles is an American professional wrestler currently working for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling... - TNA X Division ChampionshipTNA X Division ChampionshipThe TNA X Division Championship is a professional wrestling championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily defended in TNA's X Division—a style based on a fast-paced, daredevil type of wrestling...
(2 times) – Eric YoungEric Young (wrestler)Jeremy Fritz is a Canadian professional wrestler, best known under his ring name Eric Young. He currently performs for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he has gained popularity using a variety of comic relief gimmicks....
(1) and Alex ShelleyAlex ShelleyPatrick Martin , is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Alex Shelley. He wrestles for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he currently teams with Chris Sabin as The Motor City Machine Guns. He previously gained fame on the independent circuit, working most notably for...
(1) - TNA World Tag Team ChampionshipTNA World Tag Team ChampionshipThe TNA World Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling world tag team championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily contested within TNA's tag team division. It was created and debuted on May 14, 2007 at the taping of TNA's primary television program,...
(1 time) – Lethal ConsequencesLethal ConsequencesLethal Consequences was a professional wrestling tag team in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . The team consisted of Jay Lethal and Consequences Creed. The team name was a portmanteau of the ring names of Lethal and Creed.-Formation :...
(Jay LethalJay LethalJamar "Jay" Shipman better known by his ring name Jay Lethal, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Ring of Honor , where he is the ROH World Television Champion...
and Consequences Creed)
- TNA Legends Championship
See also
- The Main Event MafiaThe Main Event MafiaThe Main Event Mafia was a heel stable in the professional wrestling promotion Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
- The New Blood
- Sports Entertainment XtremeSports Entertainment XtremeSports Entertainment Xtreme was a heel professional wrestling stable in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, once led by Vince Russo. It debuted in December 2002, but disbanded in mid-2003.-History:...
- Fortune (professional wrestling)Fortune (professional wrestling)Fortune is a professional wrestling alliance in the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It currently consists of A.J. Styles, James Storm and Kazarian...