WWE’s influence on TNA deepens as the Nashville-based wrestling company partners with Qatar Pro Wrestling (QPW) once again. QPW is the largest wrestling promotion in the Middle East. The Qatar-based company’s largest event is called SuperSlam, and has featured the likes of Rey Mysterio, Sting, and Mick Foley in the past. With Qatar recently gifting President and WWE Hall of Famer Donald Trump a Boeing plane, it looks like the Persian Gulf-based company is trying to expand its reach as a tourist destination. Taking a page out of the WWE-Saudi Arabia relationship, TNA partners with Qatar for a large-scale event in 2026.

TNA Expands Partnership with QPW

TNA is never afraid to cross the line. In 2026, it looks like TNA will cross hemispheric lines as the Anthem-owned company partners with QPW for a show.

The 2026 event wouldn’t be the first time that TNA and QPW partnered together. In February 2025, TNA was credited as a “Supporting Partner” for QPW SuperSlam III. TNA was said to have helped with promoting the two-day spectacular and producing the live show.

This collaboration was an immense success, with SuperSlam III being QPW’s most successful show to date. Many TNA Superstars also competed at the event, including Mustafa Ali, Nic Nemeth, and Matt Cardona. It also featured ex-AAA talent Alberto El Patron and former AEW talent Miro prior to his WWE return. 

Local Qatar news outlet The Peninsula wrote:

“Speaking to The Peninsula, Niral Merchant, Chief Financial Officer of Anthem Sports & Entertainment –the company that owns TNA Wrestling– said the event was ‘beyond expectations.’”

Apparently, Niral still feels that way. TNA heads to Qatar next year for an even bigger event. While it’s good to give global exposure to the pro wrestling business, TNA is starting to face backlash that their partners WWE receive for their involvement with Saudi Arabia.

TNA Following In WWE’s Footsteps In Middle East

Anyone who has watched WWE this past decade has become very familiar with their dealings in Saudi Arabia. The Stamford-based company promotes propaganda videos for Riyadh Season, which is a six-month block of sports events catered to European, Australian, and American tourists. In addition, WWE will hold WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is one of the many countries that operate under Sharia law. Sharia law is predominant in the Middle East and is controversial for its patriarchal systems. Women and LGBTQIA+ individuals have unequal rights compared to heterosexual men.

WWE gets significant flak for its partnership with Saudi Arabia, as women must cover their bodies from head to toe. Plus, the Saudi government murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi for criticizing the regime.

Qatar isn’t as strict as Saudi Arabia for women. While women must dress modestly, they are not required to wear a hijab or abaya.

Qatar can imprison and fine homosexuals. Conversion therapy is also considered acceptable, especially for transgender individuals.

While women and minorities are seen as unequal to men, Qatar also faces criticisms for the poor treatment of migrants. In fact, their sportswashing initiative has come at the cost of the lives of thousands of workers.

Qatar’s Sportswashing Problem

Sportswashing is a term that describes countries that use sports to boost their economy and improve their public image. This strategic initiative is done to distract other countries from the controversial practices within the country.

Digital Censorship and Free Speech Issues

For instance, Qatar uses digital surveillance and censorship on its community. Much like Saudi Arabia, freedom of speech is censored. While Qatar hasn’t been accused of killing journalists, they do levy fines against those who speak out against authority, namely Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Deaths of Migrant Workers

Qatar’s sportswashing initiative began when it won the bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This project required Qatar to build and renovate eight stadiums. To achieve this, Qatar promised very good wages to migrant workers.

Therefore, thousands of people traveled from South Asia and Northern Africa in search of a good life. These migrants were going to send the money back to their family members at home. However, many ended up dying on the job.

Thousands of migrants worked long days in extreme heat. Many died from heat stroke and dehydration. Others passed away from untreated illnesses and injuries that occurred on the job. There have been an estimated 6,500 migrant deaths since Qatar first won its 2022 bid in 2010.

Unfair Wages for Stadium Workers

Qatar sent recruits to neighboring countries to bring migrants to Qatar. The migrants had to pay recruitment fees, which ended up gauging their wages.

Furthermore, many migrants were never paid. In fact, they entered kafala agreements with contractors. Employers were responsible for the migrants. So, they held onto the migrants’ passports, oversaw their wages, controlled their work hours, and more.

Many would liken this to earlier this year, when USA President Donald Trump started enforcing ICE raids. The President suggested that farmers become “responsible” for their immigrant and migrant employees. This suggestion drew much ire from Americans, as they likened this recommendation to “slavery.”

Qatar & Donald Trump Connection

It shouldn’t come as a shock that Qatar’s politics would inspire Donald Trump. After all, the country provided a $400 million Boeing 747 jet as an “unconditional gift” to the US President earlier this year. This olive branch was made when there was a delay announced in the construction of Trump’s new Air Force One. However, American citizens complained about corruption, not to mention potentially spyware. So, American taxpayers covered the cost of getting the plane retrofitted to meet America’s security standards.

The plot thickened even more when Donald Trump’s Trump Organization announced that it would break ground in Qatar for a deluxe real estate destination. Trump Organization proposed a $5.5 billion beachside estate in Simaisma, just north of Doha, where wrestling and sports events take place. This complex will feature hotels, entertainment venues, and a Trump International Golf Course.

Donald Trump is no stranger to sporting events. The WWE Hall of Famer infamously crashed Chelsea’s victory during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in New Jersey. It’s heavily rumored that the WrestleMania icon, President Trump, might be in attendance for John Cena’s last match in Washington, D.C. The White House lawn will also be home to a UFC event in the coming year. 

Unique Tie Between Scott D’Amore and QPW

2026 will see more than just TNA partnering with QPW. It will also see TNA working once again with Scott D’Amore.

Scott D’Amore is the former TNA President and is credited with helping keep the company afloat before its most recent boom. The company had been on its last legs various times throughout the last 20 years. However, Scott D’Amore helped stabilize the creative direction and reinvigorate jaded competitors.

As WWE and TNA’s relationship thickened, TNA started to cut ties with key members of production, including Gail Kim and Scott D’Amore.

After his TNA dismissal, Scott D’Amore revived Canadian wrestling staple, Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling (MLPW). He then spearheaded an NWA-esque “Pro Wrestling Alliance,” which is intended to make talent exchanges and creative collaborations easier.

Under the PWA, MLPW works with Oceania Pro Wrestling (OPW) in Australia and QPW in Qatar. MLPW and QPW work especially close together, as MLPW’s El Phantasmo, Ace Austin, and Gisele Shaw have all competed in Qatar, while QPW’s Classy Ali has appeared in MLPW’s Canadian events. It will be interesting to see if this partnership continues as TNA and QPW’s relationship strengthens.