Category: Impact

Michael Elgin Will Not Appear In Any Further Impact Wrestling Programming

Impact Wrestling has announced Michael Elgin will no longer appear on their shows going forward.

According to a statement first given to PWInsider, and later shared on their website:

“Impact Wrestling announced that Michael Elgin will not be appearing in any further Impact Wrestling programming.”

The report notes that Elgin has been removed from the roster page, as well as the merch store, but he has not been announced as officially released yet.

Elgin was suspended from Impact this week pending further review after being accused in the #SpeakingOut movement of sending unwanted nude photos to women, among other old incidents. The company also fired Joey Ryan and Dave Crist due to allegations made.

As we previously reported, Impact additionally terminated Tessa Blanchard’s contract last night. Blanchard, whose contract was set to expire next month, had reportedly landed in hot water after not filming content requested for a promo segment while quarantining in Mexico.

Blanchard was originally scheduled to defend the Impact title in the main event of Slammiversary next month against Elgin, Trey Miguel, Eddie Edwards and Ace Austin.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Impact Wrestling Terminates Tessa Blanchard’s Contract

Impact Wrestling has terminated Tessa Blanchard’s contract and stripped her of the Impact World Championship, according to PWInsider.

Tessa was originally going to defend the Impact World title at Slammiversary on July 18 against Eddie Edwards, Ace Austin, and Trey. The match was going to be her first match since COVID-19. She has been stuck in Mexico due to the pandemic and missed several empty arena TV tapings.

PWInsider also reports that Tessa was supposed to send promos from Mexico for a June episode of Impact, but she never sent them. Reportedly there were even attempts made to get her to return and drop the Impact World Championship, but neither side would come to terms.

Tessa Blanchard won the Impact World Championship earlier in January at the Hard to Kill PPV after defeating then-champion Sami Callihan. She became the first woman to win the title.

Below is Impact’s statement that was originally sent to PWInsider:

Impact Wrestling confirmed that it has terminated its relationship with Tessa Blanchard and stripped her of the Impact Wrestling World Championship.

Joey Ryan And Dave Crist Terminated From Impact Wrestling, Michael Elgin Suspended

Following multiple allegations shared on social media over the past few days, Impact Wrestling has taken action against three of their wrestlers.

The company released a statement on Monday saying:

“IMPACT Wrestling confirms that it has terminated its contracts with Dave Crist and Joey Ryan, effective immediately. In addition, it has suspended Michael Elgin pending further review of allegations of misconduct.”

As we previously reported, Ryan has been accused of numerous acts of sexual abuse and harassment since the #SpeakingOut movement began. An anonymous female wrestler said he once sexually assaulted her after a show. A former girlfriend alleged Ryan choked her and was verbally abusive. Wrestler Rok-C says Ryan began a flirting with her when she was just 17 years old. And more stories have since come to light.

Crist has been accused of multiple accounts of sexual assault and misconduct. This includes a claim from an ex-girlfriend who claimed he had been abusive and sexually assaulted her more than once.

Elgin has been accused of sending unwanted nude photos to women, among other old incidents.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Impact Wrestling Preview 6/23/20

The following is scheduled for tonight’s Impact on AXS TV:

* Susie vs. Taya Valkyrie

* #CancelCulture (Joseph P. Ryan, RVD and Jacob Crist) vs. Crazzy Steve and 2 Mystery Partners

* The Deaners & Willie Mack vs. Chris Bey, Johnny Swinger and a Mystery Partner

 

Joey Ryan Reportedly Not Returning To Impact Wrestling

In the wake of ongoing sexual assault allegations against him, a new report from Pwinsider.com reports that sources close to the matter believe that Impact’s Joey Ryan will not be returning to the company.

As noted, several allegations against Ryan continue to surface online via social media since the #SpeakingOut movement first began. One incident involves a wrestler named Corinne Mink, who said she was once picked up by Joey Ryan from the airport for a show and he groped her.

Ryan did provide a statement online regarding the allegations that first began to surface. In it, Ryan revealed that he entered counseling in October 2018 and still attends it every week. He also admitted that he didn’t always treat people with respect and acknowledges he could have possibly made others feel uncomfortable in the process.

Both Ryan and Bar Wrestling deleted their Twitter accounts this past weekend. Bar Wrestling, located in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Ryan in 2017.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 6/9/20

The following is scheduled for tonight’s Impact on AXS TV:

* Sami Callihan vs. Michael Elgin vs. Ken Shamrock

* Impact Knockouts Championship: Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Taya Valkyrie

Impact Wrestling Features Released WWE Superstars In Slammiversary PPV Promo Video

Impact Wrestling released a new Slammiversary PPV video Tuesday night which starts out with someone in a hood pouring a drink into a glass and watching a “You’re Fired breaking news report” about over 20 plus superstars released from contracts amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The video shows brief clips of Eric Young, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Rockstar Spud (Drake Maverick), Curt Hawkins, Mike Bennett, Maria Kanellis and EC3. There was also an apparent reference to Rusev as the Bulgarian flag was shown.

These wrestlers’ that appeared in the video are all under a 90-day non-compete clause with WWE so none of them can legally negotiate with another promotion until early July.

It should be noted, however, that each wrestlers’ non-compete clauses expire just a few days before the Slammiversary pay-per-view.

This year’s IMPACT Slammiversary takes place, live Sunday, July 18.  A location for the event has yet to be announced.

 

UPDATE:

Drake Maverick has re-signed with WWE.

Impact Wrestling Preview 6/2/20

The following is scheduled for tonight’s Impact on AXS TV:

* Tag Team #1 Contender’s match: The Rascalz vs. TJP and Fallah Bahh

* Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz vs. Kylie Rae and Susie

* Crazzy Steve vs. Joseph P. Ryan w/oVe at ringside

* Madison Rayne and Johnny Swinger host episode of Locker Room Talk with guest Chris Bey

* #1 Contender’s Final for the impact World Title: Ace Austin vs. Trey

Deonna Purrazzo Heading To Impact Wrestling Following Release From WWE

Deonna Purrazzo didn’t waste time landing in a new promotion following her WWE release, as the former NXT wrestler was shown in a vignette this week on Impact.

The video begins with Purrazzo introducing herself as “The Virtuosa,” followed by her explaining what that means. No word at this time on if Deonna has signed a full-time deal with Impact.

As you’ll recall, the 25-year-old was released in April amidst cost cutting measures in WWE. She, as well as others in NXT like Taynari Conti and Cezar Boni, were quietly let go.

Watch the video shown on Impact below.

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1265453684172996609

Impact Wrestling Preview 5/26/20

The following is scheduled for tonight’s Impact on AXS TV:

* Impact World Tag Team Championship: The North (c) vs. Cody Deaner and ??

* #1 Contender’s Semi-Finals

Ace Austin vs. Hernandez

Trey vs. Michael Elgin