As Impact Wrestling gets closer to Slammiversary on July 18th, the company continues to tease new wrestlers coming into the promotion. Impact has lost a lot of talent in the last year to other companies. Departing names over the last year include the Lucha Bros, Brian Cage, John Morrison (aka Johnny Impact) and more. Over the last week, they have parted ways with Michael Elgin and former World Champion Tessa Blanchard as well.

Now, Impact seems poised to shake up its roster with a fresh influx of talent. EC3’s return seems set. Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows are all but confirmed to be headed to Impact. Heath Slater has heavily teased he could be on his way to the company. This week, Eric Young’s return to the promotion was teased as well.

Impact Results 6/30:

1. Chris Bey defeated Suicide
2. TJP & Fallah Bah defeated Reno Scum
3. TNA World Championship (Unofficial)
   Moose (c) defeated Crazzy Steve
4. Kiera Hogan w/Tasha Steelz defeated Havok w/Nevaeh
5. Madman Fulton w/Ace Austin defeated Trey Miguel via DQ

New Main Event For Slammiversary

A 5-way world title match had been planned for Slammiversary. In the time since the match was announced, however, 2 of the 5 wrestlers scheduled for the match have departed the company. This week, Impact announced that the 3 remaining wrestlers (Eddie Edwards, Ace Austin, and Trey Miguel) will be joined by a 4th mystery person in the match. With all the names being teased as on their way o the promotion, this mystery wrestler could be anyone.

Eric Young (and others) Teased For Slammiversary

In the last few weeks, the most notable moments on Impact’s weekly television program take place right at the end of the show. This week, superhero music was played as we saw Eric Young’s old “Super Eric” costume hanging. Just before the show concluded, a hand and arm are shown reaching for the gear.

Also this week, Eric Young vs Magnus for the TNA World Heavyweight title was the Flashback moment of the week on Twitch.

Other teases for this week, included Scott D’Amore talking to “a couple of good brothers” on the phone in a backstage segment. This week on social media, there have been teases that Heath Slater, Taynara Conti, and maybe (maybe not) Lance Storm as well.

The tagline for Slammiversary is “Our World Will Change” but you could change the word “World” with “Roster.”

Tommy Dreamer Cuts Scathing Promo On Moose

Moose picked up a victory over Crazzy Steve this week. While Moose is not an official World Champion, he has been successfully defending his self-awarded title for weeks now. After the match was over, Moose continued the assault on Steve. This brought out Tommy Dreamer to make the save. Moose then turned his attention to Dreamer and beat him down as well.

After Dreamer recovered, he cut a scathing promo on Moose. Dreamer said that Moose had all the talent in the world and that’s why he’s been successful. He also said that Moose will be a footnote in the history of the NFL and pro-wrestling because he is a “waste of talent.” Moose would later cut a backstage promo demanding that Dreamer make a public apology to him.

Sami Callihan & Ken Shamrock Join Forces Against The North

The North cut an in-ring promo this week addressing their recent attack on Ken Shamrock. Shamrock came out to confront the tag champions but before he could even hit the ring, the lights went out. Sami Callihan’s face was briefly shown as he said the line “who needs friends when you’ve got an enemy?”

When the lights came back on, Callihan and Shamrock were side by side in the ring. The two fought off the tag champs and took them out of the ring. As Shamrock and Callihan stood tall in the ring, Callihan did his thumbs up/thumbs down taunt, the lights went out and when they came back on Callihan was gone.

It was later announced that the North will defend their tag titles against Callihan and Shamrock at Slammiversary.

Trey Miguel Is Ready For Slammiversary

It was recently revealed that Madman Fulton is the one who attacked Trey Miguel in the back. Since leaving OVE, Fulton has been aligned with Ace Austin. Both Austin and Miguel will be in the world title match at Slammiversary.

This match was more about getting revenge than it was picking up a win. Trey used Ace Austin’s cane to hit Fulton in the head leading to the DQ. He then turned his attention to Austin and hit him with a chair. Trey then got back in the ring and continued the attack on Fulton with a chair. On commentary, they played up the idea that Trey’s aggression is what it takes to become world champion.

Johnny Swinger Helps Chris Bey Defeat Suicide

Chris Bey will challenge X-Division Champion Suicide at Slammiversary. This week, Bey took on a former X-Division Champion in Suicide. Bey’s ally, Johnny Swinger, would make his presence felt at the end of this match. Swinger tossed Suicide off the top turnbuckle when the referree was out of positiion. This allowed Bey to hit a springboard fame-asser for the win.

After the match, however, Impact officials informed Bey and Swinger that Johnny Swinger would not be allowed at Ringside for Bey’s match with Willie Mack at Slammiversary.

Kiera Hogan Steals One From Havok

The teams of Havok & Nevaeh and Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz have been building a rivalry in recent weeks. Last week, Tasha Steelz defeated Nevaeh with a little outside interference and this week Steelz helped her partner pick up the victory over Havok.

Steelz got up on the ring apron and began parading around with Havok’s mask on. As Havok and the referee turned their attention to Steelz, she tossed the mask into the ring. Hogan then hit Havok with the mask, delivered a series of kicks and got the pin.

TJP & Fallah Bah Defeat Reno Scum

Coming into this match, Reno Scum had just defeated Team XXXL. TJP and Fallah Bah were coming in off a loss to the Rascalz in a match that would have earned them a future title match. They would pick up a clean victory over Reno Scum here, however, and possibly move a win or two away from getting a crack at the belts.

As for Reno Scum, one step forward 2 weeks ago leads to one step back here with a loss to TJP & Fallah Bah.

In recent days, it has been heavily rumored that Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are on their way to Impact Wrestling. Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet and Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda both reported recently that a deal between the tag-team and Impact was close to being done. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has now confirmed the team is headed to Impact.

“Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are heading to Impact Wrestling in a deal that will allow them to also work for New Japan Pro Wrestling,” a report from the Observer reads.

Impact’s Slammiversary PPV is being built around the debut/return of recently released WWE stars. The event takes place July 18th, 2020, after any 90-day no-compete clauses has expired.

Who Else Is On Their Way To Impact Wrestling?

There are others who have been dropping hints lately that they could be on their way to Impact as well.

Heath Slater posted a video of him working out with the words “July 18th” scrawled over it today.

• Heath Slater Teases Going To Impact Wrestling

EC3 is someone else who has been heavily rumored to be on his way back to Impact. Taynara Conti’s name has been rumored to be headed to Impact as well.

Former WWE backstage agent, Lance Storm, posted a fairly ominous Tweet earlier today that might be in reference to the July 18th Slammiversary PPV (it might not too). Storm just posted the number 19. It is 19 days until Slammiversary.

Booker T was previously quite critical of Impact’s decision to put their world title on Tessa Blanchard. Booker says his criticism was not directed at Tessa, however, but rather the promotion’s decision to put the belt on her.

Recently on his radio show and YouTube channel, Booker addressed Blanchard’s free agency.

“Tessa Blanchard, she’s a catch in anybody’s company if they can get her right now,” Booker said.

“WWE picked Tessa Blanchard up, along with Charlotte Flair. I wish Hogan’s daughter would have stayed in there. That’s what I want to see, I want to see the second generation, all women and Tessa Blanchard is one of them.”

“We’re going to actually get a chance to see how good Tessa Blanchard really is. Is she as good as she says she is?”

Booker continued to talk about Tessa’s in-ring ability.

“Tessa, I really think she can work anywhere in the world with any of the women out there in the business today,” Booker continued. “She made herself, first and foremost. Tessa Blanchard, she’s never gone to WWE. She hasn’t gotten the rub from people in WWE. For people to know Tessa Blanchard’s name around the world, she’s done that on her own.”

“Hopefully, WWE can snatch her up and we can see some great matches with her and Charlotte Flair.”

• Booker T: Making Tessa Blanchard World Champion Is ‘The Worst Idea’ In Impact History

Booker’s full comments can be heard in the player below:

Heath Slater was one of many names WWE released from its roster in April. All of the names released will be contractually free of any 90-day no-compete clauses in time for Impact’s Slammiversary PPV on July 18th. One name the company has teased as coming in is Heath Slater.

Slater recently posted a brief tease that he could be headed to the promotion. He took to Twitter and posted a short video of him working out with the words “July 18th” scrawled on the screen.

Impact has also teased that Slater is likely coming to the promotion. On a recent episode, Rhyno talked about having a tag-team partner who “has kids.” This was a reference to Rhyno and Slater’s team in WWE. They are former Smackdown tag-team champions together.

Who Else Is Coming To Impact Wrestling?

Impact has heavily-teased that EC3 is likely returning to the promotion.

Additionally, it is now being reported that the chances of Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson ending up in Impact is strong. Anderson and Gallows are believed to have been offered a deal that would allow them to work for NJPW as well.

• Impact Said To Be Pushing Hard For Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows

D’Lo Brown teased a return of the Aces and Eights faction last week. That could mean the return of some names that had been associated with the group. Gallows was formerly a member of Aces and Eights as well.

Taynara Conti’s name has come up as someone who could be Impact bound as well. Conti and Scott D’Amore recently began following each other on Twitter. She has also been interacting with some of Impact’s roster through Twitter as well.

• Taynara Conti To Impact Teased, KO Tag Titles Returning?

Impact Wrestling has an important PPV coming up next month on July 18th. The tagline for Slammiversary this year is “Our World Will Change.” The company is heavily-teasing that several wrestlers recently released from WWE in April could debut for Impact on the PPV. Impact has recently added a gauntlet match to July 18th’s lineup, which could potentially provide an opportunity for new talent to appear.

The gauntlet match will be to determine a new #1 contender for Jordynne Grace’s Knockouts Championship. Grace will defend the title against Deonna Purrazzo at Slammiversary as well.

Rosemary, Neveah, Su Yung (aka Susie), Kiera Hogan, Taya Valkyrie, Tasha Steelz, Alisha Edwards, Kylie Rae, Kimber Lee, and Havok are all scheduled for the match.

Additionally, an X-Division Championship match featuring Willie Mack defending against Chris Bey will be on the show. Another match was also to see Tessa Blanchard defending against Michael Elgin, Trey Miguel, Ace Austin, and Eddie Edwards. Blanchard and Elgin are both now gone from the promotion, however.

• Impact Results (6/23): Return Of Aces & Eights Teased

The company is also said to be making a hard push to get Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Impact offered the team a deal that would allow them to also work for NJPW.

• Impact Said To Be Pushing Hard For Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows

WWE has not filmed content for the NXT UK brand since March. In light of recent allegations made against multiple members of the brand, some fans weren’t sure if NXT UK would be returning at all. According to social media comments by Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda, however, the plan is to return to filming content for NXT UK within the next two months.

“I’ve had several people asking NXT UK,” Cassidy wrote. “Last month, I reported on how talents were “working from home” and that there was a plan to tape content when safe to do so. A couple of weeks ago, I was told there’s a tentative plan to tape empty arena shows within roughly two months…”

The plan is for the brand to film empty arena shows but a venue has not been determined. The company does have the WWE UK PC available in Enfield, North London, however.

The current United Kingdom Champion is WALTER from Imperium. Mark Coffey and Wolfgang hold the brand’s tag titles. Kay Lee Ray is the current Women’s Champion in the UK as well. NXT UK’s Jordan Devlin is still technically the holder of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship as well, having never been formally stripped of the belt.

• Stu Bennett Discusses Potentially Signing With AEW, If He’s Interested In WWE Return

For the first time in 2 years, Tessa Blanchard is a free agent. There have been reports that WWE is interested in her and others have suggested she could end up in AEW where her father Tully is.

Last September, Big Swole and Tessa Blanchard met in single’s action at an independent show in Orlando. They’ve also wrestled in a multi-person match for Warrior Wrestling in February. According to comments Swole made on Twitter recently, she thinks Blanchard’s best choice is to sign with AEW.

Swole was asked on Twitter about the possibility of Tessa ending up in AEW:

Both wrestlers were trained by George South Jr. before starting their careers. Cedric Alexander, Swole’s real-life husband, is also said to have had a hand in training Blanchard.

Swole also suggested that perhaps apologizing for past behaviour would be in Blanchard’s best interest, however.

The match between Big Swole and Tessa Blanchard from last September can be viewed in the player below:

Big Swole In AEW

At the moment, Big Swole sits outside AEW’s top-5 rankings. She seems more focussed on making life miserable for Dr. Britt Baker DMD. In recent weeks, she has dumped Baker in a dumpster and taken her “Role’s Royce” for a ride. Swole is sporting a 4-3 record in 2020 and a career 5-7 record in AEW.

• WWE Interested In Signing Tessa Blanchard

Kevin Owens recently released a video through his social media. In the video, Owens details his wife losing her grandfather to COVID-19 and implores people to please wear a mask.

“A little over a month ago, my wife lost her grandfather to COVID-19,” Owens begins the video. “It was awful to see it happen. He was a sweet, kind, man and while he was elderly, he was still taken too soon from us because if it wasn’t for this virus, he’d still be here.”

“Seeing her go through that, seeing her family go through it, it was just so terrible. We had to watch his funeral on Zoom. We had to see the effect it had on her mother, my mother-in-law, who wasn’t even able to give her Dad a proper goodbye. It was just really awful and that story is one amongst thousands like it.”

Kevin Owns Says Please Wear A Mask

“Please, if you are going to go out in public, wear a mask, keep social distancing, it’s not over and it could make a huge difference.”

“If you’re going to choose not to do those things please have the decency not to admonish, belittle, or talk down to people who take those steps. I’ve seen a lot of that lately and it’s kind of sickening.”

“At worst, wearing a mask and social distancing does nothing. At best, it helps save lives.”

Owens continued to talk about those who belittle others for wearing a mask.

“At worst, making fun of people wearing a mask and not wearing a mask yourself, telling people to not wear a mask, can help spread this disease and make things worse. At best, if you are doing that, belittling people and calling them ignorant for wearing masks, at best you are making fun of people who are trying to do what they think is best for their community. So, let’s try to remember that.”

• Top WWE Officials Haven’t Reached Out To Renee Young After Positive COVID-19 Test

The full video can be viewed in the Tweet below:

Wrestling legend Bret “The Hitman” Hart has announced a new web series available for purchase. “Confessions of the Hitman” Season 1 has been released and can be purchased for a cost of $35.The first season of the show features 35 episodes in total and new episodes are uploaded weekly.

The show will feature Bret telling classic stories, revealing his favourite moments in wrestling and more. It is available for purchase at BretHart.com.

“Hey everyone my new web series Confessions Of The Hitman season 1 is now available at BretHart.com $35 Canadian for 35 episodes total with new episodes uploaded weekly. I talk about aspects of my childhood, career, life after wrestling, and current events,” Bret Tweeted.

Bret Hart Career Highlights

Bret Hart’s career in pro-wrestling is one of the most decorated in the history of the business. Here are some of the highlights:

• 2x WWE Hall of Famer: Solo induction in 2006, w/ Jim Neidhart as the Hart Foundation in 2019.
• 5x WWE Champion
• 2x WCW Champion
• Ranked 39th greatest Canadian of all-time in 2004 CBC poll.
• 2x WWE Tag Team Champion w/ Jim Neidhart
• 6x Stampede North American Champion (Stampede Wrestling)
• Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 1995
• George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2006
• Iron Mike Award (Cauliflower Alley Club) 2008
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Class of 1996
• Feud of the Year (WON) Hart Foundation vs Steve Austin (1997)
• Match of the Year (WON) vs Steve Austin WM13 (1997)
• Feud of the Year (WON) vs Jerry Lawler (1993)

• Bret Hart On Signing With WCW: “I’m Sorry That I Ever Went There”

WWE has a busy week of taping upcoming. The company was scheduled to tape two nights of Smackdown on Friday but only ended up taping the one which aired that night. The episode also featured a re-airing of the Boneyard Match at WrestleMania between AJ Styles and the Undertaker. The company is also believed to have taped this coming Monday’s RAW from the Performance Center yesterday.

John Pollock of Post Wrestling was the first to report WWE’s taping schedule this week.

Here is the company’s upcoming taping schedule for this week:

• Wednesday, July 1st, 2020: WWE will tape two episodes of NXT from Full Sail University this Wednesday. One will air that night and the other will air the following week. Both episodes are being branded as “The Great American Bash.” An NXT Championship match between Adam Cole and Keith Lee is scheduled for the July 8th episode.
• Thursday, July 2nd, 2020: Two episodes of Smackdown will be taped. One will air the following evening and the other the week after.
• Friday, July 3rd, 2020: Two episodes of RAW and Main Event will be taped.

WWE is not taping Sunday through Tuesday this week.

It is not clear at the moment how much of WWE’s roster will miss some of these shows. Several absences were noted on Friday’s episode of Smackdown. These included AJ Styles, who had been scheduled for a match with Drew Gulak. A segment involving Sheamus and Jeff Hardy was also postponed until next week.

• Matt Riddle Recalls Wearing Flip Flops During First Meeting With Vince McMahon

Impact Wrestling has built up their PPV on July 18th as the start of a new era for the promotion. Their weekly television show is filled with hints that multiple names recently released from WWE in April could be on their way to the promotion. Two of the names the company has teased are Karl Anderson & Luke “Doc” Gallows.

According to a report from Pro Wrestling Sheet, Impact has tabled a strong offer to the tag-team, one that would also allow them to work for New Japan Pro Wrestling as well once that is possible. The hope is that Anderson and Gallows will be at the Slammiversary PPV on July 18th.

Gallows previously performed in Impact Wrestling from 2011 to 2013. After leaving the promotion, he joined Bullet Club in NJPW. While apart of the Impact roster, Gallows was a member of the Aces and Eights faction. Impact has recently been teasing a return of the group. Former member, D’Lo Brown, ominously broke out his old Aces and Eights vest at the end of last week’s episode.

Anderson & Gallows are 2x RAW tag-team champion in WWE. They also won the Tag Team World Cup in Saudi Arabia while in the promotion in 2019. They are 3x IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions in NJPW. Anderson and Gallows also won the World Tag League tournament in 2013 shortly after Gallows debuted.

• A Fight Reportedly Took Place At Recent Impact Tapings

Tessa Blanchard was released from her contract with Impact Wrestling earlier this week. The 24-year-old has spent the last two years with the promotion. Things between the two sides took a turn after the onset of the pandemic as Blanchard was unwilling to leave Mexico for TV tapings. There was concern that if she left Mexico, she might not be able to return. She has been staying in the country with her fiance, Daga.

There are also reports that Blanchard failed to turn in taped promos for an episode of the show. Her contract with Impact was said to expire before Slammiversary and the two sides were unable to come to terms on her performing on the PPV.

According to a report from Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE has sent feelers out to Blanchard now that she is a free agent.

“I know she’s gotten feelers out from WWE, I don’t know AEW,” said Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. “It’s funny, if WWE signs her, I don’t think anyone says anything. If AEW signs her, I think that people will just go berserk on AEW signing her.”

Blanchard had been scheduled to take part in a 5-way world title match at Slammiversary. Both she and Michael Elgin have now been removed from that match, however.

• Impact Terminates Contract Of World Champion Tessa Blanchard

It’s been an eventful week for Impact Wrestling. The promotion terminated the contract of their world champion Tessa Blanchard. Dave Crist and Joey Ryan were both fired and Michael Elgin has been taken off all future shows. It is also now being reported that a backstage fight occurred at the most recent set of tapings.

The fight is believed to have been between Michael Elgin and Sami Callihan. It is being reported that the fight didn’t come to blows but there was some shoving and it had to be broken up by Scott D’Amore.

“(Michael Elgin) also got into a backstage fight with Sami Callihan arguing about how a three-way match with the two of them and Ken Shamrock would be laid out,” wrote Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Impact recently announced that Elgin will no longer be appearing on any Impact shows. This decision was reportedly made due to the recent allegations against him as part of the #SpeakingOut movement, however, and not due to the backstage incident with Callihan.

Elgin was to be in the 5-way world title match at Slammiversary. The match was to pit Tessa Blanchard vs Ace Austin vs Trey Miguel vs Eddie Edwards vs Michael Elgin. 2 of the 5 competitors in the match are now gone from the company, however.

• Impact Results (6/23): Return Of Aces & Eights Teased

WWE is reportedly looking at bringing back fans to events as early as next month. According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Vince McMahon is determined to be the first promoter to run a live event indoors with fans again.

“WWE had planned to start taping with crowds in Florida. They have contacted a company for local people for a Friday and a Monday in late July,” wrote Dave Meltzer. The report continues to say this has likely been pushed back to August.

The plan would be to run the events from the RP Funding Center in Lakeland, FL. The venue holds about 8,000 people but the events would not run with capacity attendance. Instead, fans would be socially distanced and the venue would be at limited capacity. This is similar to NJPW’s plan for next month’s Dominion event from Osaka Jo-Hall, although the outbreak of the coronavirus in the two locations is at significantly different stages.

As of this writing, WWE appears to be dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 from the Performance Center in Orlando. Multiple WWE employees have announced publicly that they have tested positive for the virus. Additionally, several advertised segments for last night’s Smackdown did not occur. AJ Styles vs Drew Gulak was advertised but did not happen. Gulak did commentary for 205 Live but Styles was not on the show, other than the airing of his Boneyard Match with the Undertaker from WrestleMania.

• WWE Doesn’t Want Wrestlers Publicly Announcing COVID-19 Positive Tests

There are multiple news items concerning NXT’s Velveteen Dream at the moment. Dream’s last official match in WWE came at the NXT: In Your House show where he lost a title match to Adam Cole. According to various reports, it may turn out to have been Dream’s last match in the company.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and the Mat Men Pro Wrestling Podcast both stated on Twitter that they have heard from sources that Dream’s days in WWE could be numbered.

He was also reportedly recently involved in a car accident.

Velveteen Dream In WWE

Patrick “Velveteen Dream” Clark signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2015. He had previously competed on the 6th season of the Tough Enough reality show competition. Clark debuted the Velveteen Dream persona in NXT in May of 2017.

In 2018, his Prince-inspired persona was voted “Best Gimmick” by the readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He is a former NXT North American Champion, having held the title from January 2019 to September 2019. After losing to Cole at IYH, Dream can no longer challenge for the title while he is champion.

• Ligero and Travis Banks Reportedly Released By WWE

It is being reported that Travis Banks and Ligero are gone from WWE. Both NXT UK wrestlers are alleged to have committed offenses as part of the #SpeakingOut movement. WWE has not commented publicly on the matter. News of Ligero’s release was first reported by PW Insider.

El Ligero first debuted in WWE in 2018. He wrestled in the tournament to determine who would faced United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne.

Travis Banks’ case as part of the #SpeakingOut movement received much attention. He is alleged to have been involved in a relationship with Millie McKenzie when she was only 17 years old and he was her trainer. Banks is 13 years older than McKenzie is. She would turn down a contract offer to be apart of the NXT UK brand in 2019.

Banks released the following statement in the wake of the allegations:

“Millie was a trainee of mine at Fight Club: Pro. She was also a close personal friend. We would be at shows together, attend the same social events, travel together and hang out at the wrestlers house where I was living.”

• Travis Banks Releases Statement Regarding Allegations From Millie McKenzie

The relationship broke down between both parties and it ended. After it ended we agreed to talk it out. We apologized to each other for any individual actions behind the relationship breakdown. After seeing these comments, I can only repeat my apology.”

Impact Wrestling made an announcement today regarding the future of Michael Elgin. The company announced Elgin was being suspended earlier this week in the wake of allegations made against him as part of the #SpeakingOut movement.

Impact stated they were suspending Elgin as they sought to investigate the claims against him further. The promotion has now announced that he will not be appearing on any future Impact shows. A statement at the company website reads:

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

It is notable that Impact has not announced Elgin has been released. The company has simply stated he will not be appearing on any further programming. He was not featured in any meaningful way on Tuesday’s show beyond possibly having been in some highlight packages.

Elgin had been scheduled to participate in the 5-way match at Slammiversary for the Impact World Championship. That match has now had two participants removed as the company announced Tessa Blanchard’s contract had been terminated yesterday. Impact has also terminated the contracts of Dave Crist and Joey Ryan recently in the wake of allegations against both.

Elgin debuted for Impact at the Rebellion PPV from Toronto on April 28th, 2019. He also performs with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan. His last match for the promotion was their January 5th, 2020 show from Korakuen Hall.

• Impact Terminates Contract Of World Champion Tessa Blanchard

WWE producer and former wrestler, Jamie Noble, announced on his social media that he has tested positive for COVID-19. He joins Kayla Braxton, Renee Young, and Adam Pearce as WWE employees who have publicly announced having contracted the virus.

“Not how we expect this month to go! Covid-19 has hit home. Prayers for me and my family will be greatly appreciated!” Noble wrote on Instagram.

Noble’s Instagram page has since gone private. Kayla Braxton also took her social media offline shortly after she announced she had contracted the virus a second time. Young and Pearce’s social media posts about testing positive are still public, however.

WWE has since announced they plan to test everyone for COVID-19 before filming shows for the foreseeable future. They also reportedly said friends and family will not be permitted into the Performance Center for upcoming tapings as they had been in recent weeks.

WWE is back taping inside the Performance Center today and tomorrow. In spite of the positive coronavirus tests, WWE will be taping Smackdown and RAW beginning at 12 PM est. today. The company will also be back in the Performance Center tomorrow for more tapings.

• Update On WWE Taping Schedule Amidst Positive COVID-19 Tests

WWE employees continue to come out publicly and announce they have tested positive for COVID-19. Despite this, the company still plans on pushing forward with tapings scheduled for today and tomorrow.

According to a report from PW Insider, WWE plans to tape tonight’s episode of Smackdown this afternoon. WWE will also tape Monday’s edition of RAW today. The company also plans to continue taping episodes tomorrow from the WWE Performance Center. The report continues to say that there are people at all levels of WWE concerned about the recent positive tests. Some employees are said to be in disbelief at others who are attending bars and social gatherings in the area despite the positive tests within the company.

Tonight’s episode of Smackdown may have been changed. Drew Gulak was at one point scheduled to challenge AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Championship on the show. That match is no longer being advertised on WWE.com, however. Additionally, WWE has announced that part of tonight’s Smackdown will air the Boneyard match from WrestleMania between AJ Styles and the Undertaker.

Sheamus and Jeff Hardy were also scheduled for a segment on tonight’s Smackdown. It is not clear if that segment is still happening tonight, however.

• WWE Producer Reveals He’s Tested Positive For COVID-19

“WWE will continue COVID-19 testing of its talent, production crew and employees in advance of TV productions for the foreseeable future,” reads a WWE statement sent to media on the matter.

Ring of Honor has announced they are launching an investigation immediately into allegations made against some of their contracted roster members.

ROH released a statement today in regard to the matter:

“At Ring of Honor, we pride ourselves on the respectful and inclusive environment we have built, one that ensures all employees can work in a place where they feel safe and respected.

We take these matters extremely seriously and have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to this type of behaviro.

Ring of Honor has launched an immediate investigation into the claims made against its currently contracted wrestlers. We will update you on our investigation once it concludes.”

Marty Scurll Releases Statement In Regards To Allegations

Marty Scurll has now released two statements in regard to claims made about him as part of the #SpeakingOut movement.

“Although I truly believe that our encounter that evening was consensual, and the fact that the encounter was legal; is almost not the point. I understand that she now views our encounter as part of a bigger problem within the wrestling community,” part of Scurll’s statement reads.

His first statement is below:

Scurll would later release the following statement:

• Marty Scurll Releases Statement On Recent Allegations

In the wake of news coming out that multiple WWE employees have tested positive for the coronavirus, Kayla Braxton has revealed she has tested positive for the virus for a second time. Braxton revealed on Twitter recently that she tested positive for the virus in early March and can now confirm it is possible to get the virus more than once.

“Was keeping it quiet but since everyone else is sharing, I feel like it is my responsibility to share this PSA: YOU CAN GET COVID-19 MORE THAN ONCE! I had it back in early March and then thought I was invincible after I recovered. Not true. Dont be dumb like me,” Braxton Tweeted.

Studies have recently shown that the antibodies produced by those who have recovered from COVID-19 may only last a few months. Braxton’s diagnosis’ appears to be roughly 3.5 months apart.

Reports came out yesterday that multiple people in WWE had contracted COVID-19. So far, Kayla Braxton, Renee Young, and WWE producer Adam Pearce have stated they have tested positive.

Renee Young was reportedly bed-ridden with the virus but her condition is said to have improved.

• Update On Renee Young’s Condition Following Positive COVID-19 Test

“She was pretty sick, that’s why she got tested,” said Dave Meltzer. “I mean, she’s doing fairly well now, she’s doing a lot better than she was doing or better than she was doing yesterday. I was told they are pretty confident that the worst is over.” 

Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion and current WWE producer, Adam Pearce, has announced he has tested positive for COVID-19.

Pearce posted the following to Twitter to announce the news:

Pearce seemingly confirming he has tested positive for the virus comes on the heels of reports that several in WWE have. Renee Young was the first to admit publicly to having tested positive for the virus. According to recent reports, she is feeling better today after having been bed-ridden with the virus. Young’s husband, Jon Moxley, has tested negative for the virus but could still have it. There is a delay between contracting the virus and when it can be detected.

• Update On Renee Young’s Condition Following Positive COVID-19 Test

“She was pretty sick, that’s why she got tested,” said Dave Meltzer. “I mean, she’s doing fairly well now, she’s doing a lot better than she was doing or better than she was doing yesterday. I was told they are pretty confident that the worst is over.” 

Adam Pearce In Wrestling

The 41-year-old held the NWA World Championship 5x between 2007 and 2012. He is also a former PWG Champion. Pearce first started with WWE as a guest trainer in 2013 and eventually signed on full-time in 2015. He was with Ring of Honor from 2005 until 2010. Pearce also was the head booker for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.

Popular independent promotion Chikara is finished. Promoter for the company, Mike Quackenbush and others from the company have been the subject of allegations as part of the #SpeakingOut movement. Quackenbush was also the head trainer at the Wrestle Factory school.

“I have been made aware of recent allegations about myself, and people in my employ.

I take all allegations seriously – whether they are about me, or members my team.

Addressing these with openness and transparency is of the utmost importance to me. So these matters can be given the proper time and attention, I am discontinuing CHIKARA and resigning as head trainer at the Wrestle Factory.

I’ll make a full statement on these matters in the near future.”

CHIKARA Roster Members Resign

Multiple members of CHIKARA’s roster has resigned in the wake of the allegations. Hallowicked posted the following:

Former CHIKARA Grand Champion, Kimber Lee, posted the following:

She resigned from the company with the following Tweet:

“Effective Immediately I am resigning from CHIKARA. I gave everything I had to the company, and while I do not believe any of the allegations levied are against me personally. I can not in good conscience continue with this company. Thank you for the years of support, wrote Frightmare on Twitter.

“I can barely make it off the couch/floor. My heart is broken. So many are hurting. I wish I could take all the pain away from everyone who is down. I wish I could make things better,” wrote Gentleman Jervis.

Lince Dorado from the Lucha House Party has also been critical of the promotion.

• Marty Scurll Releases Statement On Recent Allegations

Renee Young announced on Twitter yesterday that she has tested positive for COVID-19. According to comments made by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Young was symptomatic and feeling sick with the virus but appears to be getting better now.

“She was pretty sick, that’s why she got tested,” said Dave Meltzer. “I mean, she’s doing fairly well now, she’s doing a lot better than she was doing or better than she was doing yesterday. I was told they are pretty confident that the worst is over.”

“She lost her sense of taste,” he would continue to say later during the show. “I don’t know if she has that back.”

“I know she was pretty much bed-ridden. Obviously, she was well enough to tell people today.”

Additionally, it was noted that Young’s positive test was not administered by WWE. Rather, Young was feeling sick and had a test done in Las Vegas on Monday. She got her result Tuesday night.

How Will This Impact Jon Moxley?

Jon Moxley has been tested but has tested negative. That does not mean he hasn’t caught the virus, however, as there can be a delay between catching the virus and when it will cause a positive test.

“He is basically in this situation. This is the Jon Moxley situation, he is not feeling sick, he’s been around someone with COVID constantly,” Meltzer continued. “He was suggested to go to a hotel by somebody and the reality is that he did not want to go to the hotel because he feels there is a pretty decent chance that he may have it but hasn’t tested positive for it yet because it takes several days.”

Young and Moxley are said to be isolating in separate parts of their house.

Jon Moxley is scheduled to face Brian Cage at AEW Fyter Fest. The 2-show event is scheduled to take place next Wednesday and Thursday.

• Multiple People In WWE Reportedly Test Positive For COVID-19

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will not be on tonight’s broadcast AEW Dynamite. QT Marshall will miss tonight’s show as well. Both wrestlers will be missing the show due to having been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Neither Moxley or Marshall have tested positive for the virus themselves but were exposed to the virus through contact with others.

Both wrestlers have been told to stay home and get tested for COVID-19.

In the case of Jon Moxley, he had second-hand exposure to the virus recently. This means he was in contact with someone who was in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. In QT Marshall’s case, he was in contact briefly with someone who tested positive for the virus.

QT Marshall and Dustin Rhodes were scheduled to face Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler of FTR tonight. FTR will now face SCU in tag-team action instead.

Jon Moxley did not have a scheduled match tonight but is building to his Fyter Fest match with Brian Cage.

AEW President Tony Khan announced the news today on Twitter.

“Jon Moxley can get slammed on a car, crawl through tacks & fall through the stage, but it’s every bit as cool that he came forward & told us he’d had secondhand exposure to COVID. We test everyone here at #AEWDynamite, but Jon protected everyone onsite like the great champ he is,” wrote Tony Khan.

• Multiple People In WWE Reportedly Test Positive For COVID-19