Xavier Woods has made a bold claim about his place in wrestling history, declaring himself the first success story to transition from TNA to WWE.
Speaking with Peter Rosenberg during Royal Rumble weekend, Woods reflected on his pioneering journey from TNA to becoming a multi-time champion in WWE.
I'm so not to be pompous, but I'm the first success story from TNA to WWE," Woods stated confidently. "I'm the first one to find like long-term success from TNA. You're pre Samoa Joe. Yeah. You're pre AJ, pre Bobby.
Woods elaborated on what his early success meant for TNA's reputation within WWE circles.
I'm the one who came over and washed the stink off. I'm the one who came over and said TNA is a viable place. We have great talent," he explained.
The New Day member spoke highly of TNA's roster during his tenure, making a bold statement about its talent level.
I would put that roster against any roster in the history of wrestling," Woods declared. "Some of the best matches, some of the best wrestlers on the planet. So many legends were there. So many. It was crazy.
Woods shared a fascinating detail about wrestling international talent during his TNA days, including a series of matches with future NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi.
At one point like Tanahashi came through and he was just part of the exhibition. So I was just wrestling Tanahashi for months and like what having these awesome matches building this great friendship," he recalled.
His TNA debut was equally unusual. Woods debuted at Bound for Glory as part of the Consequences Creed team, winning the TNA Tag Team Championships in his first televised match—then returned to his college classes the next day.
That was my first televised match. I'm in college... Then the next day I was at my 8 a.m. biopsychology class senior college at that point," Woods laughed.
The path from TNA to WWE success paved the way for future stars like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Bobby Lashley to make similar transitions.
