Former WWE & TNA star Mara Sade reportedly signs with AEW: More names next to jump ship

TNA

With some intriguing news regarding movements in professional wrestling, there could be more moves left ahead.

As reported by Fightful Select, former NXT star Jakara Jackson who rebranded herself as Mara Sade in TNA Wrestling is now AEW bound.

Making a new name for herself before becoming All Elite, there could be other stars set to follow in her footsteps of launching in TNA only to later switch over to AEW.

Here are more stars who relaunched in TNA Wrestling but could end up signing with AEW before long.

Steph De Lander

While notably an industry veteran at this point, Steph De Lander has had an impressive series of appearances across independent wrestling and TNA Wrestling in recent years.

However previously appearing on NXT as Persia Pirotta, there could definitely still be some mileage left for the compelling performer on TV.

Already appearing in ROH and noting that she has enjoyed the creative freedom it has afforded her, there may be a natural progression to appear next in AEW.

Able to join forces on-screen with her real-life husband Mance Warner with both having recently appeared for ROH, a brand new pro wrestling power couple could bring their antics to AEW.

Leon Slater

While he wasn’t signed to WWE, Leon Slater made a number of high profile appearances on WWE TV in late 2025.

Both feuding against Je’Von Evans as well as teaming up with him at NXT Gold Rush in November 2025 to challenge DarkState (Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin) for the NXT Tag Team Championship, they teamed again the following month on the main roster.

Taking on AJ Styles and Dragon Lee for the WWE World Tag Team Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025 for the event that hosted John Cena’s last match, Slater definitely made an impact.

With reports that his contract with TNA Wrestling is set to expire before the end of 2026, it could be that Slater ends up taking his high-flying talents to AEW.

More signings fans still want to see

While fantasy booking top talent to switch companies can be fun, there are at least a few names that seem off the list of those primed to jump ship from TNA to AEW any time soon.

Former WWE fan favorites like Indi Hartwell, Daria Rae (formerly known as Sonya Deville) and Mustafa Ali could find solid footing on the AEW roster one day, but their current contract status would make them longshots.

Since all have reportedly signed new contracts with TNA Wrestling in 2026 with reports pinning down the signatures to Ali in January, Hartwell in May and Rae in July, any moves to become All Elite will have to wait.

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• Mara Sadè
• AEW
• wwe
• TNA

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