By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Impact Wrestling issued the following statement to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com regarding Tessa Blanchard status with the company.
“Impact Wrestling confirmed that it has terminated its relationship with Tessa Blanchard and stripped her of the Impact Wrestling World Championship.”
Powell’s POV: Blanchard has not been appearing on the Impact television show throughout most of the pandemic because she’s been staying in Mexico with her boyfriend Daga. Johnson reports that her contract with the company expires prior to the Slammiversary pay-per-view on July 18. She was scheduled to defend the championship against Ace Austin, Michael Elgin, Trey Miguel, and Eddie Edwards in a five-way elimination match.
I hope this is the end of the absurd intergender matches.
They havent had one since March! LOL
Good.
Don’t forget Tessa was the world champ of the promotion though and I think we haven’t seen any intergender matches with her lately only because of COVID.
A pandemic was the only thing that forced them to stop being stupid. Hopefully they don’t do anything like this again, especially not with a freaking 5’4″ 120 lb woman. At least have it be someone like Chyna or Nicole Bass.
What is the point of firing her if her contract ends on July 18th? Stupid move on Impact’s part. Totally unnecessary. They could have just let it expire. Instead, they are “the company that fired someone during the pandemic.”
they need a new mainevent for slamaversary is why. and they need to start promoting it now! PLZ EC3 vs MOOSE
Why is it stupid? They made a statement! They invested in her, put the championship on her and she is refusing to work. Other promotions will take notice.
Good.
Don’t forget Tessa was the world champ of the promotion though and I think we haven’t seen any intergender matches with her lately only because of COVID.
I enjoy the occasional intergender match. It’s wrestling. It’s scripted. It’s not actual combat. I don’t understand the hate for this. If it’s the size thing, there are also about 5000 other things in wrestling, if you look at logically, that also wouldn’t make sense
I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t enjoy it by any means, but I can offer some perspective as someone who typically isn’t a fan of it. First off, there are exceptions. I get a kick out of the James Ellsworth comedy style matches from time to time. I also enjoyed Tessa Blanchard and Sami Callihan’s program far more than I anticipated.
In general, though, I think it comes down to your personal tastes as far as how pro wrestling is presented. I enjoy it most when it’s presented in the most realistic manner possible. Tessa and Sami did a really nice job and made me suspend my disbelief while watching their matches, but I just couldn’t buy in when Tessa faced Brian Cage because it just felt too fake.
It’s no different than watching a movie. If a fight scene works for you, then it works for you. But that same fight scene might feel totally unrealistic for another viewer. It’s a personal viewing experience, so neither person is right or wrong. I hope that makes sense.