Impact Wrestling has ceased ties with its world champion announcing the release of Tessa Blanchard, who has been stripped of the Impact Wrestling world championship.
In a statement provided to POST Wrestling, Impact Wrestling issued the following:
Impact Wrestling confirmed that it has terminated its relationship with Tessa Blanchard and stripped her of the Impact Wrestling World Championship.
Mike Johnson of PWinsider.com has reported on the strained relationship between the two sides including Blanchard failing to send in promos to air on the June 2nd edition of its flagship program. Johnson adds that Blanchard’s deal with the company was set to expire before the July 18th Slammiversary pay-per-view but Impact was hopeful she would appear for one last appearance and drop the Impact title.
Blanchard had been advertised for the pay-per-view in a five-way match for the title against Michael Elgin, Eddie Edwards, Trey Miguel, and Ace Austin. Earlier this week, Impact announced they had suspended Elgin as a result of allegations levied against the performer.
Blanchard, 24, has not appeared on Impact Wrestling programming since the shutdown began and last wrestled for the promotion on March 7th at the television tapings in Atlanta, Georgia where she defeated Ethan Page.
Blanchard had been Impact champion since January when she defeated Sami Callihan for the title at the Hard to Kill pay-per-view in Dallas, Texas.
Blanchard joined Impact Wrestling in the spring of 2018 and became their featured star holding the Knockouts championship from August 2018 until January 2019 prior to winning the Impact Wrestling title this year.
POST Wrestling has reached out to Tessa Blanchard for a statement on the matter and will update this story if she issues a response.
