Tessa Blanchard Responds To Bullying Accusations, More Female Talent Speak Out

NWA World Women’s Champion Allysin Kay, Chelsea Green, and Priscilla Kelly took to Twitter, blasting Tessa Blanchard after the Impact start tweeted out, “Hey women, try supporting one another. Cool things happen.”

NXT Superstar Chelsea Green responded, “You’ve consistently put down, bullied, and belittled countless female coworkers, including me. Is that support?”

Blanchard has since responded to Green’s bully comment, writing, “I’ve never been anything but kind to u. I’ve dealt with mean girls since I started…not saying I’m a saint, hell I’ve had my ups & downs & I’ve made silly decisions…Such is life. u have ZERO merit in your comments…Instead putting me down here for a little clout…you’ve got my #!”

Kay brought up claims about Blanchard during a trip to Japan, “Remember when you spat in a black woman’s face and called her the N-word in Japan? Was that you ‘supporting women’? The AUDACITY of this tweet.” Green responded to Kay with a .gif that said, “I remember that.”

In regards to Kay’s story, Blanchard wrote, “Not true. That’s my statement and the most attention I’ll give it because of how actually ridiculous it is.”

Puerto Rican wrestler, Black Rose, has since responded, thanking Kay and Green, while also saying the story happened in 2017. Rose worked for Stardom in 2015 and 2017. Blanchard also worked for Stardom in 2016 and 2017.

“@Sienna & @ImChelseaGreen Thank you so much!…That story!…Yes, that’s happens on Japan 2017! If Tessa Blanchard do not Remember it…Can I! I am not a mean girl with any coworkers around the world. Be kind of #racist is not ridiculous is a #sickness.”

Additional wrestlers have chimed in over the last couple hours, including NXT UK’s Isa Dawn writing to Blanchard, “As someone who experienced your bullying firsthand, received regular verbal abuse, was spat on, had rumours spread about me, dealt with multiple attempts by you to blacklist me from other companies, (plus more), I just pray you now follow your own advice.”

Fellow Impact star, Moose, was in support of Blanchard, writing to both Kay and Green, “I guess you and @ImChelseaGreen are absolute angels with a clean past. The timing of these tweets from you guys shows a lot about your characters.”

Former Impact star Rebel (Tanea Brooks), AEW’s Shanna, and Renee Michelle had more to say about Blanchard’s trip to Japan.

“I like to think people change over time. But I can confirm the bad behavior & non supportive attitude in Japan, I was there,” Rebel wrote.

“She did more nasty stuff in Japan…Never forget. Practice what you preach sweetheart. I standby @LaAbusadoradePR, she’s a fun loving person who would never disrespect anyone. Much love to you Rosa,” Shanna commented.

“The day I got the call from my gf La Rosa Negra of the incident-she made me promise to keep my mouth shut because she was afraid of being blacked ball by her. As promised, I did. So I helped her get into Marvelous which is another Japanese promotion,” Michelle revealed.

Allysin Kay followed up on why she’s telling the story about Blanchard now, saying she was given permission to make it public.

“The reason I’ve never said anything until now is because it wasn’t my story to tell. I made it clear to La Rosa that I had her back, and today was the day she gave me permission. You can’t force someone to come forward, but you can be there for them. THAT is ‘supporting women.'”

 

Tessa Blanchard is the new Impact World Champion after defeating Sami Callihan via pinfall at last night’s Impact Hard to Kill PPV in Dallas, Texas.

The PPV ended relatively quickly as Blanchard celebrated with the title, but she spoke to the live crowd about her win.

“Over the past eight months this has been my life, Sami and oVe has been the thorn in my side, and tonight, we did it,” Blanchard said. “Nobody, nobody in this life is perfect. We’re all human. And it doesn’t matter what you say about me it doesn’t matter what you call me. I have one of the strongest minds that I’ve ever known. So, whenever you come for me, you come for all of these people. I am now the standard bearer of Impact Wrestling. And man or woman, pound for pound, I am one of the best in the world and I am now your World Champion!”

Blanchard looked to somewhat address the recent controversy about her that came to light on social media yesterday.

Impact didn’t have Blanchard talk at Saturday’s Media Day.

Tonight, a handful of other PPV winners weren’t available to speak to the media after their respective matches. Blanchard also didn’t have a presser after her big victory.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling ‘Hard To Kill’ Results 1/12/20

(Dark Match) The Rascalz vs. Reno Scum vs. Mahabali Shera and Rohit Raju vs. TJP and Daga –

Winners: Mahabali Shera and Rohit Raju

 

(Dark Match) Joey Ryan vs. Johnny Swinger –

Winner: Joey Ryan

 

Madman Fulton w/Jake and Dave Crist vs. Ken Shamrock –

Winner: Ken Shamrock via Submission

 

Impact X-Division Championship: Ace Austin (c) vs. Trey –

Winner: Ace Austin via Pinfall

– Post-match, Trey’s mom checks on him. Austin goes over and say some stuff to his mom. Trey immediately runs out and takes out Austin. Referees and other wrestlers run out to break things up.

 

Impact Knockouts Championship: Taya Valkyrie (c) w/John E Bravo vs. Jordynne Grace vs. ODB –

Winner: Taya Valkyrie via Pinfall

 

Rob Van Dam w/Katie Forbes vs. Brian Cage –

As Cage slapped hands with the fans at ringside, a woman grabbed his arm, allowing RVD to take him down. It was RVD’s other girlfriend. RVD goes to work on Cage’s arm, but Cage finally gets in some offense with a couple kicks to the head. RVD drops Cage with a chair, Cage’s mouth looks to be busted open after that one. Forbes now comes into the ring and holds the chair in front of Cage’s face. RVD heads to the top rope and hits the van terminator into Cage’s face. Cage looks to be out of it now. Daga runs down to the ring and doesn’t want RVD to keep attacking. Cage is taken to the back now? No announcement is made. Not one-percent sure the match ever even got started, very strange.

Winner: Rob Van Dam via Referee Stoppage

– RVD ends up attacking Daga, and the bells rings! So, looks like we have another match going with RVD.

 

Rob Van Dam vs. Daga –

Winner: Rob Van Dam via Pinfall

 

Michael Elgin vs. Eddie Edwards
Edwards’ Call Your Shot trophy is on the line.

Winner: Eddie Edwards via Pinfall

 

No DQ Match: Moose vs. Rhino –

Winner: Moose via Pinfall

 

– Rich Swann hurt his ankle on Friday and isn’t cleared for tonight’s match. The doctor won’t even let Swann go to ringside, so Mack is going after the titles himself.

Impact World Tag Team championship: The North (c) vs. Willie Mack –

Winners: The North via Pinfall

 

Impact World Championship: Sami Callihan (c) vs. Tessa Blanchard –

Winner: Tessa Blanchard via Pinfall to win the Impact World Championship

Impact Wrestling ‘Hard To Kill’ 1/12/20

January 12, 2020 at 8:00 PM ET – The Bomb Factory, Dallas, Texas – Available on FITE, Traditional PPV

Impact World Championship: Sami Callihan (c) vs. Tessa Blanchard

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

Impact X-Division Championship: Ace Austin (c) vs. Trey

Impact World Tag Team championship: The North (c) vs. Willie Mack and Rich Swann

Michael Elgin vs. Eddie Edwards
Edwards’ Call Your Shot trophy is on the line.

Rob Van Dam vs. Brian Cage

Moose vs. Rhino

Madman Fulton vs. Ken Shamrock

AEW Dynamite Tops WWE NXT In Viewership, NXT Fails To Crack Top 50

Week 14 of the Wednesday Night War saw AEW Dynamite top WWE NXT once again.

Wednesday’s Anniversary Edition of Dynamite on TNT drew 947,000 viewers, topping the 721,000 viewers garnered by NXT on the USA Network by 31%, according to Showbuzz Daily.

AEW ranked #6 in the Cable Top 150, while NXT ranked #55. AEW ranked #36 in viewership, while NXT ranked #45 in viewership.

Last week’s Dynamite episode drew 967,000 viewers and ranked #13 in the Cable Top 150, and #40 in viewership, so it was only down 2% against a live episode of NXT. Last week’s taped special edition of NXT drew 548,000 viewers and ranked #66 in the Cable Top 150, and #48 in viewership.

AEW drew a 0.36 rating in the 18-49 demographic, beating the 0.19 that NXT drew in the same demo by 89% this week. Last week’s AEW show also drew a 0.36 rating while the NXT episode drew a 0.15 in that demographic.

This week’s NXT episode was the first regular live show of 2020, headlined by the beginning of the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and a Fatal 4 Way main event to crown the new #1 contender to NXT North American Champion Roderick Strong, won by Keith Lee. The Dynamite episode was the big Anniversary Edition.

Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo topped the night in the 18-49 demographic on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.45 rating, beating both NBA games on ESPN. Hannity topped the night on cable in viewership with 4.196 million viewers, ranking #10 on the Cable Top 150 with a 0.31 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

The Jeopardy special on ABC topped the night on network TV in the 18-49 demographic with a 24 rating, and in viewership with 14.872 million viewers.

Below is 2020 NXT Viewership Tracker:

January 1 Episode: 548,000 viewers with a 0.15 rating in the 18-49 demographic
January 8 Episode: 721,000 viewers with a 0.19 rating in the 18-49 demographic
January 15 Episode:

2019 Total: 10.209 million viewers over 13 episodes
2019 Average: 785,307 viewers per episode

Below is 2020 AEW Dynamite Viewership Tracker:

January 1 Episode: 967,000 viewers with a 0.36 rating in the 18-49 demographic
January 8 Episode: 947,000 viewers with a 0.36 rating in the 18-49 demographic
January 15 Episode:

2019 Total: 10.840 million viewers over 12 episodes
2019 Average: 903,333 viewers per episode

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite “Tribute To Legends Of Memphis Wrestling” Preview 1/8/20

Tonight’s Anniversary Edition of AEW Dynamite will air live from Southaven, MS (the Greater Memphis area).

* Tribute to Legends of Memphis Wrestling

* Riho (c) vs. Kris Statlander (AEW Women’s World Championship)

* Sammy Guevara vs. Christopher Daniels

* Cody and Dustin Rhodes vs. Lucha Bros.

* Private Party vs. Hangman Page and Kenny Omega

* The Best Friends & Orange Cassidy vs. Jurassic Express

* Jon Moxley to give his answer about joining the Inner Circle

https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1213501823027417089

Jerry Lawler Talks AEW’s Tribute To Memphis Wrestling

Memphis is getting lots of love from pro wrestling to kick off 2020 as SmackDown took place from there last week and AEW is visiting the city this week. During WWE’s trip to Memphis, they also recorded 205 Live where Ariya Daivari offered a tribute (or a shot) to The King of Memphis Wrestling, Jerry Lawler, by staging a fist drop from the second rope.

Lawler was asked about the spot when he joined Cerrito Live.

“Well, he took a little too long up there. I watched it and I never would give my opponent that much time to recover while he was lying there waiting for me to drop a fist on him,” said Lawler. “He took a little too long as a matter of fact he acted like he was wearing two straps. He was dropping two straps. Then by the time he finally dropped down on his opponent, the guy raised his feet up right in his face and it didn’t work out too well for him.”

The removing of the strap and second-rope fist drop didn’t work out in terms of functionality, but Lawler was still honored by the acknowledgement.

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” stated Lawler.

He was then asked about tonight’s AEW’s show which is being billed as a tribute to the legends of Memphis Wrestling. Lawler won’t be on hand due to his WWE ties, but many greats will be there including “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant and The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express.

“I have talked to some guys and I think they’re gonna have quite a few guys who were well known in Memphis,” Lawler said before rattling off the names of Memphis wrestlers who he knows will be on hand. “Dave Brown will be there. I talked to Dave and we have lunch every Thursday. Yeah, he’s gonna be there.”

While this will be a trip down nostalgia lane, Lawler thinks there is a more pertinent reason for AEW to bring out the Memphis legends.

“They’re looking to sell some tickets and pop the crowd,” stated Lawler. “I think a tribute to Memphis Wrestling is actually the last thing on their minds. They’re looking to sell some tickets and pop the crowd.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Impact Wrestling Preview 1/7/20

Tonight on Impact at 8/7c on AXS TV and Twitch

* Moose and RVD vs. Brian Cage and Rhino

* Havok w/James Mitchell vs. Rosemary

* Taya Valkyrie, Madison Rayne and Kiera Hogan vs. Tenille Dashwood, ODB and Jordynne Grace

* Feature in-depth look at this Sunday’s Hard To Kill pay-per-view. In the historic main event, Tessa Blanchard looks to become the first woman to hold the IMPACT Wrestling World Championship when she challenges her ultimate rival Sami Callihan.

AEW Dark Preview 1/7/20

The following matches were taped for tonight’s AEW Dark episode on YouTube:

* SCU vs. Kip Sabian and TH2 (Jack Evans and Angelico)
* Shawn Spears and Preston Vance vs. Austin and Billy Gunn
* Awesome Kong vs. Skyler Moore

AEW Reveals List Of Memphis Legends Being Honored On Dynamite

Ahead of this week’s episode (1/8/20) of Dynamite in Southaven, MS (the Greater Memphis area), AEW has revealed a list of some of the legends they plan to pay tribute to.

New Impact World Title Belt Revealed (Photos)

Impact Wrestling has a new World Title belt to kick off 2020.

Impact World Champion Sami Callihan took to Twitter this week and revealed an up-close look at the design with black, red and gold on the front.

“#HappyNewYears,” Sami wrote. “@IMPACTWRESTLING loves me so much… they got me a NEW f–king belt. Black & Red like my heart. #TheDRAW”

It looks like the red has replaced the previous blue shading to represent the new Impact TV home, AXS.

Sami began his first Impact World Title reign during the AXS TV debut episode on October 29, 2019, which was taped on October 25. He defeated Brian Cage, who had won the title from Johnny Impact back at Rebellion on April 28. Sami’s title win was named the “Best Moment” in the 2019 Impact Year-End Awards.

You can see Sami’s full tweet with photos below:

https://twitter.com/TheSamiCallihan/status/1212221114547671041

Source: Wrestling Inc.