By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW issued the following press release to announce that Tully Blanchard has signed a multi-show agreement and will work as the on-air advisor to Shawn Spears.
During last night’s episode of AEW’s “The Road to All Out,” Shawn Spears unveiled the ace up his sleeve in the form of legendary wrestling villain Tully Blanchard. Effective immediately, Blanchard has entered into a multi-show agreement with Spears and AEW.
Blanchard, a second generation star who is widely considered one of the most notorious and treacherous wrestlers of all time, was a member of the world renowned Four Horsemen, the NWA World Television Champion and holder of multiple tag team titles.
“Shawn Spears’ new advisor Tully Blanchard is a legendary retired wrestler and a canny tactician known worldwide for his vicious streak and penchant for chicanery,” said Tony Khan, President and CEO of AEW. “Given the challenge that Shawn has issued to Cody for a match at ALL OUT as well as the long, bitter history between Tully and the Rhodes family, plus Shawn’s recent behavior in AEW, it appears that Tully Blanchard has a great deal of influence over Shawn’s intents and actions. This indicates that going forward Shawn Spears will be one of the most feared and unpredictable wrestlers in AEW.”
Powell’s POV: While a lot of the press release is storyline based, I like the idea of Blanchard signing for multiple shows. He was a great talker during his career and if he shows that he still has it today then I could see him becoming a long term thorn in the side of Cody by aligning with various wrestlers. If nothing else, it’s a nice addition to the Rhodes vs. Spears feud that obviously plays on the history that Tully has with Cody’s late father Dusty Rhodes. Blanchard appeared at the end of the first Road to All Out video and it was clear that he was aligned with Spears.
Does this end up leading to his daughter Tessa Blanchard jumping ship from Impact Wrestling and signing with AEW? While I want Impact to have a thriving Knockouts Division, Tessa in AEW would be a terrific signing for their women’s roster.