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* Moose vs. Lashley
* Impact Grand Championship (No Rounds, No Judges): (C) EC3 vs. Matt Sydal
* X Division Championship: (C) Taiji Ishimori vs. Trevor Lee
* Knockouts Championship: (C) Laurel Van Ness vs. Allie
* Impact Global Championship – Six Sides Of Steel: (C) Eli Drake vs. Johnny Impact vs. Alberto El Patron
* Chandler Park vs. Kongo Kong
* Rosemary vs. KC Spinelli
* Global Title Match (taped back in December at a Border City Wrestling event in Michigan): (C) Eli Drake vs. Alberto El Patron vs. Johnny Impact
* X-Division Title Match: (C) Taiji Ishimori vs. Desmond Xavier
* Barbed Wire Massacre: oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake & Dave Crist) vs. LAX (Homicide, Santana, & Ortiz) [airing on Twitch at 10PM ET]
According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Impact Wrestling is no longer working with Crash. Konnan was the intermediary between the sides so with him out of the CRASH (due to Konnan working with Aro Lucha) the relationship is over. AAA & The CRASH do not get along, and Konnan had met with AAA’s Dorian Roldan, trying to smooth things over for Penta 0M and Rey Fenix and others (which didn’t work since AAA sent Arolucha, which Konnan is involved with, a cease and desist on Penta 0M). This led to Konnan’s departure from The CRASH.
Source: 411Mania
It’s now confirmed that Ethan Carter III (Michael Hutter) will be returning to WWE soon, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter . It’s possible that EC3 will use the same name in WWE as he does own the rights to it. He previously used the Derrick Bateman name in WWE.
Regarding a possible WWE return for Bobby Lashley, it’s still believed that he will be returning to the company as some have expected it to happen for months but there’s been no confirmation like there has with EC3.
A Royal Rumble appearance for EC3 is possible as he’s now able to sign with any promotion he wants following the Impact Wrestling departure. As Raj noted before, EC3 was recently pulled from a Renegade Wrestling Revolution indie event in Houston, TX on the day of the Rumble. The promotion noted on Facebook that EC3 pulled out of the show due to a private family matter. They wrote, “Unfortunately it is a private family matter. He is ok just has to be with family. But don’t be discouraged there isn’t shortage of talent on this card”
Lashley could appear at the Rumble as well but it would take Impact officials giving approval to WWE.
Source: WrestlingINC
UPDATE:
EC3 was seen at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week, according to PWInsider.
Impact wrestler Sienna has revealed that she was hospitalized during the recent set of TV tapings due to a blood clot in each of her lungs.
The former Knockouts Champion tweeted, “I went to the hospital during tapings suspecting a displaced rib or collapsed lung. Turns out I have a blood clot in each lung.”
Adding, “I won’t be wrestling right now, but I’m still making appearances, raising money for the Undie Run… & judging everyone in this hospital. #PinkiesUp”
No word on at this time on how long she’ll be out of action.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Another Impact Wrestling departure has occurred, as Laurel Van Ness announced that she’s been granted her release from the company.
Van Ness aka Chelsea Green tweeted saying, “I have been granted my release, am excited for the future, and I can’t wait to see what 2018 holds.”
She also wrote: “THANK YOU Impact Wrestling. I will always be grateful for the opportunities I received, and the people who had faith in me. Thanks to everyone both in front of, and behind the camera, the production team, and most importantly my fellow Knockouts. I have grown as a wrestler, and a performer because of the amazing locker room at Impact.”
Green was signed to a contract in 2016 but really began to take off as a character the following year due to her messy, not married, drunken, maniacal bride gimmick.
According to Squared Circle Sirens, Van Ness asked for her release back in November.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
After over four years with Impact Wrestling, EC3 seems to be done with the company — and his character was written out of storylines during last night’s TV taping.
Sources say Carter’s deal expires between now and the next set of tapings in April, so he was officially written off the program. It’s unclear when the actual date of expiration is on the contract, but the Wrestling Observer reports that he doesn’t intend to re-sign.
As we previously reported, EC3 filed documents to trademark his name last month.
For those who don’t recall, Ethan previously worked in WWE as Derrick Bateman. He was released in 2013 and re-invented himself in TNA, becoming one of the most popular acts on the roster. According to sources, WWE officials have been extremely interested in bringing him back to the company in the past … but it’s unclear if any recent talks have occurred.
Former World champ Bobby Lashley said goodbye to the crowd at Impact Wrestling TV taping this past weekend and he seems to be done with the company.
According to those in attendance, Lashley lost his final match to recent signee Brian Cage … then, as he walked to the back, Bobby waved goodbye and bowed.
Similar to EC3, sources tell us Lashley’s contract expires before the next taping in April so he was written out of storylines in case he doesn’t re-sign.
The 41-year-old wrestler returned to Impact in 2014 and won their World title shortly after, making him the first African-American to do so. He went on to capture the belt three more times.
No word on his current plans for the future.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Could EC3 & Lashley be headed to WWE?
The following matches have been announced for tonight’s Impact Wrestling episode:
* Trevor Lee, Caleb Konley, Hakim Zane vs. Garza Jr., Dezmond Xavier, Sonjay Dutt
* Impact Grand Champion EC3 issues an open challenge
* Global Champion Eli Drake issues a Championship Address
* American Top Team’s Dan Lambert opens the show
* KC Spinelli vs. Knockouts Champion Laurel Van Ness
Austin Aries returned at last night’s impact tapings and challenged Eli Drake for the Global Title. PWInsider reports that the title match is scheduled to air on the February 1st episode.
Prepare for some WONDERFUL news … because Matt and Jeff Hardy are once again able to use their characters from the Broken Universe without fear of a lawsuit.
As we previously reported, Impact President Ed Nordholm had stated the company was working to amend old contract agreements in an effort to give wrestlers more ownership over their characters — and now he’s lived up to his word.
Sources say the two sides finally came to a mutual agreement that allows the Hardy brothers to utilize their Broken Universe characters in the future. However, terms of the agreement are still unclear.
After things were made official, Matt tweeted a photo of him and Ed with a caption saying: “I am thrilled to PROCLAIM that we have ACQUIRED new ALLIES on our side of #TheGreatWar.”
Adding, “Ed Nordholm & The Owl of Anthem have revealed themselves as MAJESTIC beings who stand on the side of the LIGHT. The LIGHT always EMERGES, #WOKENWarriors. Everything is COPASETIC & WONDERFUL!”
The Great Trademark Battle of 2017 is officially OVAH.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
The six-sided ring is no more at Impact Wrestling (at least for now) … as the company revealed today that they’ll once again be using a traditional four-sided ring.
Impact tweeted a picture of the new ring with a caption saying “see it here first,” even though wrestler Taiji Ishimori posted one hours before showing something they left out — a giant Twitch logo on the ring skirt, seen in the photo above.
No word on whether the two companies have struck a deal.
For those unaware, the set of tapings that begin tonight are the first since Don Callis and Scott D’Amore were named as Executive Vice Presidents of Impact Wrestling.
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
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