We are down to the final two episodes of Impact Wrestling before Bound For Glory. The two episodes left will both be from the 2nd night of tapings from Mexico City last month.
Impact Wrestling 10/4
Rich Swann vs Matt Sydal
Two of the most innovative wrestlers there are will clash tonight. Sydal and Swann are two big reasons fans have to be excited about the future of the X-Division. Swann has rebuffed Sydal’s offer at being his mentor so Swann will want to prove he doesn’t need one tonight. I would have to imagine that whoever comes out of this program the winner would be the next in line for a shot at Brian Cage’s X-Division title. That will have to wait until after Bound For Glory, however.
Joe Hendry vs Murder Clown
Possibly the best-named wrestler ever, Murder Clown, has been enlisted by Katarina to help get revenge on Joe Hendry and Grado. Murder Clown is part of the clown faction in AAA, with Psycho Clown perhaps being the best known of the bunch.
Katarina is a woman-scorn and she wants revenge on Hendry and Grado. Murder Clown seems like a good wrestler to turn to with help on this.
Eli Drake Open Challenge
Eli Drake will issue another open challenge tonight. Anyone from the Impact roster or any luchador near Mexico City could answer the call.
Su Yung vs Kiera Hogan
Kiera Hogan picked up arguably one of the most important victories in her young Impact career last week. Hogan pinned former Knockouts Champion, Su Yung, in a tag match. Hogan and Allie defeated Yung and one of her undead bridesmaids. A win in a single’s match for Hogan could push her high up in the Knockouts rankings. Yung, on the other hand, could be out for revenge.
Scarlett Bordeaux Smoke Show
Last week, Scarlett Bordeaux announced she was holding a global talent search. The lucky winner will have Bordeaux’s mentoring services all to themselves. Perhaps we will find out more about her plans tonight.
On a side note, Scarlett Bordeaux’s AAA debut is one of the most watched things on YouTube for the promotion ever. She has certainly been winning over new fans as of late.
What Is Next For LAX?
Last week, King burned Konnan’s mask in an act of disrespect. King called Konnan one of the biggest myths in all of Mexican wrestling. Tonight, Konnan and LAX will have to adhere to the ceasefire but they might just have something to say with only 10 days left until Bound For Glory (wow, just realized that).
Knockouts Championship Tessa Blanchard (c) vs Taya Valkyrie
There doesn’t appear to be anything specific dedicated to this pending matchup on tonight’s show but that doesn’t mean there won’t be anything. Likely we’ll get backstage promos from both or a video package.
Sami Callihan and OVE Issue A Challenge To Brian Cage and the Lucha Brothers
As I was writing this, Impact posted the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01kI289R2ig
Bound For Glory Lineup
Just for reference:
Bound for Glory LIneup October 14th
Melrose Ballroom, NYC
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs Johnny Impact
Knockouts Championship
Tessa Blanchard (c) vs Taya Valkyrie
Eddie Edwards vs Moose
Sami Callihan & oVe vs Brian Cage & the Lucha Brothers
Concrete Jungle Deathmatch
LAX & Konnan vs OGZ & King
Impact Wrestling aired their second show from the Mexico City tapings held earlier this month. Two more episodes from Mexico City will air before Impact travels to New York City for Bound For Glory.
Here are 8 Takeaways from Impact Wrestling 9/27.
Impact Wrestling 9/27
Taya Valkyrie Challenges Tessa Blanchard For Bound For Glory
After Tessa Blanchard defeated Faby Apache to open the show last night, she cut a promo saying she’d run through the entire Knockouts division. Taya Valkyrie then appeared on the big screen and explained to Blanchard that she had never beaten her. The match was then made official for Bound For Glory.
The Lucha Brothers Kidnapped Dave Crist
Brian Cage defeated Jake Crist
Brian Cage defeated Jake Crist in single’s action last night. Following the victory, however, he was jumped by Callihan and Dave Crist. Not long after this started, however, the lights went out and when they came back on, Dave Crist was gone.
A video on the big screen showed Pentagon and Fenix with an already tied up Crist brother. The brothers beat him up and gave him a double super-kick. Then back in the ring, Cage delivered a double clothesline to the two remaining guys from Ohio.
Moose Pinned Eddie Edwards
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHJ46Ng1-us&t=5s
Moose & Killer Kross defeated Eddie Edwards & Johnny Impact
Moose and Killer Kross picked up the win in last night’s main event. With all four men down in the closing moments of the match, Austin Aries attempted to interfere but was thwarted by Johnny Impact. Unfortunately, the distraction allowed Kross to hit him with a Saito suplex, taking Impact out of the match. Moose then delivered a spear to Eddie Edwards and picked up the win.
The OGZ Burned Konnan’s Mask
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-z6zqW0wdQ
LAX defeated the Desi Hit Squad
LAX defeated Great Gama Singh’s Desi Hit Squad in a non-title match this week. After the match, however, King again tried to goad Konnan and LAX to break the ceasefire. This time King cut a promo saying of all the myths and legends of Mexican wrestling, Konnan was one of the biggest myths. They then burned his mask in the back.
Scarlett Bordeaux Is Holding A Global Talent Search
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ROhzc5MXVk
Scarlett Bordeaux announced she is holding a Global Talent Search for someone she can dedicate her full attention to. Bordeaux mentioned the success KM and Fallah Bah have had since enlisting her help as reasons why wrestlers from other the world should be crawling over one another to have Bordeaux on their side.
Kiera Hogan Pinned Su Yung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHJ46Ng1-us
Kiera Hogan & Allie defeated Su Yung & Undead Bridesmaid
Kiera Hogan pinned former Knockouts Champion, Su Yung, with a spinning fisher-suplex. It’s arguably the biggest win of Hogan’s Impact career thus far. The win moves Hogan’s winning streak to 5 matches. Allie and Kiera Hogan are now 3-0 as a team and Hogan has defeated Alisha Edwards and KC Spinelli (ONO show) recently as well.
Shortly after this match, Impact announced Su Yung and Kiera Hogan will clash in single’s action next week.
Joe Hendry Has To Worry About MURDER Clown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB5qvVXcQxE
Katarina ran into Joe Hendry and Grado in the back. It appears Katarina is looking for revenge against the two. She announced she’d enlisted the help of Murder Clown, one of the murderous clown faction which also includes Psycho Clown and Monster Clown. Henry will have to take on Murder Clown next week.
Last night on Impact Wrestling, Taya Valkyrie returned after a short hiatus from the promotion. Fittingly, last night’s episode emanated from Mexico City, where Taya has been building a large following since debuting there in 2012.
Knockouts Champion, Tessa Blanchard, had just finished off Valkyrie’s old rival, Faby Apache, when she cut a promo saying she had gone through the entire Knockouts division. Valkyrie appeared on the big screen wearing a “Perros Del Mal” T-shirt, a nod to her longtime faction.
Valkyrie explained that Blanchard couldn’t say she’d gone through the entire division when she hadn’t yet beaten her. She then challenged the champ to a title match at Bound For Glory.
Tessa Blanchard (c) vs Taya Valkyrie – Bound For Glory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxmRms-qybw
Newlyweds, Johnny Impact and Taya Valkyrie, both have title shots at Impact’s October 14th PPV from New York City. Johnny will take on Austin Aries for the Impact World Championship.
In 2018, the Knockouts division has arguably been the most talked about in the promotion. Blanchard’s performances on Impact Wrestling shows are often the most talked about matches. Valkyrie will be the tough test for Blanchard, who has already successfully defended her title against Su Yung, Gisele Shaw, and now Faby Apache. Blanchard defeated Allie, Rebel, Kiera Hogan, and Alisha Edwards in single’s action before winning the Knockouts title.
Impact Wrestling presents their second show from their Mexico City tapings tonight. After tonight, just two more episodes will air before Bound for Glory in New York City.
Impact Wrestling Preview 9/27
Knockouts Championship Tessa Blanchard (c) vs Faby Apache
Last week on Impact Wrestling, AAA Reina De Reinas Champion, Faby Apache, defeated Alisha Edwards. After the match, she challenged Knockouts Champion, Tessa Blanchard, to a title match. Blanchard and Faby were involved in an altercation in the locker room earlier when Blanchard was acting entitled regarding where she could put her bag down.
Blanchard will be looking for her 3rd straight title defense. She’s successfully defended the belt against Su Yung on Impact from Toronto and against Gisele Shaw at a One Night Only show from Mississauga.
Johnny Impact & Eddie Edwards vs Moose & Killer Kross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWuVrcCCU80
This match has been announced as the main event tonight despite the Knockouts title match also scheduled. Johnny Impact’s first episode of Survivor aired last night. He’ll be looking to get revenge on Aries’ two run-in buddies ahead of their title clash at Bound For Glory.
Eddie Edwards will face Moose at Bound For Glory but tonight he’ll have a chance to get his hands on his former ally as well.
Su Yung & The Undead Maid Of Honor vs Kiera Hogan & Allie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgK0KF5Abts
Allie and Kiera Hogan have made it their mission to stop Su Yung from locking anyone else inside a coffin. They will get their chance to take out Yung and her Undead Maid Of Honor tonight in tag-team action.
Tessa Blanchard has her eyes on Allie, however, and feels the former Knockouts Champion is just angling to get a crack at her belt. We’ll see if Blanchard gets involved this week. She has a history with both sides of this tag match, after all.
Scarlett Bordeaux Announcement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_bJnxRv2GE
Scarlett Bordeaux has been giving advice to several wrestlers as of late. Her advice to KM and Fallah Bah helped the team get on the same page and pick up a win. It didn’t help Fallah Bah much in his Impact World Championship match 2 weeks ago, however.
The Smoke Show is set to make an announcement tonight. Bordeaux’s popularity in Mexico has been rising rapidly as of late so it will be interesting to see the reaction she gets. Her highlights on YouTube from AAA are hitting high numbers.
Brian Cage vs Jake Crist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4apQDLeV-Ik&t=13s
Brian Cage will team up with the Lucha Brothers at Bound For Glory to take on Sami Callihan and oVe. Tonight, Cage gets a chance to get his hands on one of Callihan’s minions when he takes on Jake Crist.
The Desi Hit Squad vs LAX
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4JPgHrVUZU&t=14s
It was revealed last week that the Desi Hit Squad have a non-title match against LAX tonight. A win in a non-title match would likely move Great Gama Singh’s team into position for a title match. LAX will have to look over their shoulders as well since King and the OGZ will likely have something in store for them now that we are less than 3 weeks away from their Concrete Jungle Deathmatch at Bound For Glory.
Impact Wrestling presented another show from Toronto’s Rebel Nightclub last night. Next week’s episode will be the last of Impact’s 5 shows over a 22-day period in the city. In total, 8 episodes and 1 pay-per-view have taken place over the last couple of months from Toronto.
Impact heads to Manchester for a live show on Sunday and then they head to Mexico City for two nights of tapings next week.
Bound For Glory Main Event Revealed
Perhaps the biggest story coming out of Impact Wrestling this week is the confirmed main event for Bound for Glory. Johnny Impact interrupted Austin Aries’ promo time last night and informed the champion he will challenge for his belt in New York.
Aries, Moose, and Kross didn’t waste any time trying to soften up Johnny. The trio wrapped Johnny’s head around a steel chair and smashed it into the steel post.
Should Johnny still be able to make it to Bound for Glory, it would kick-start a big month for him. His season of Survivor begins airing in late September, he’ll challenge Aries on the 14th, and then sets sail with the Jericho cruise at the end of the month.
Konnan Returns To The Ring At Bound For Glory
Another match booked for Bound for Glory last night was the OGZ and King to face Konnan and LAX. A fictional crime boss ordered a ceasefire between the stables leading up to Bound for Glory.
The crime boss was upset a kid got run over as part of their rivalry and has ordered them to settle things once and for all at Bound for Glory.
Rich Swann Is Sick of Matt Sydal and His 3rd Eye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUkKzGlYp7Y
Petey Williams defeated Rich Swann
Matt Sydal has been saying he would like to mentor Rich Swann. He appeared at the commentary booth during Swann vs Petey Williams this week.
Swann had defeated Petey Wiliams last week with a standing shooting star press but a rematch was ordered for tonight between the two X-Division stars. Williams picked up the win after Sydal distracted Swann, allowing him to hit the Canadian Destroyer.
Swann and Sydal were seen arguing in the back later.
Allie and Kiera Hogan Rescued Tessa Blanchard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBO8vT3OEB8
Knockouts Championship Tessa Blanchard (c) defeated Su Yung
Tessa Blanchard solidified her spot at the top of the Knockouts division this week when she pinned former champion, Su Yung clean. After the match, however, Yung’s army of undead brides eerily marched a coffin onto the entrance ramp.
With Blanchard distracted, Yung attacked and hit her with the Panic Switch. As Yung was about to lock Blanchard in the coffin, however, Allie and Kiera Hogan came to the rescue. Allie has promised she won’t let Su Yung lock anyone else in a coffin.
After being rescued, Blanchard did not seem pleased with Allie or Hogan. Blanchard said she can take care of things by herself.
Brian Cage To Team With The Lucha Bros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH1QrsZS_LY
The Lucha Bros cut a promo in the back. They sent a message to Brian Cage that if he really wanted to know what it felt like to cause Sami Callihan and oVe pain, then he should team up with them.
Previously, Cage saved Pentagon and Fenix from a 3-on-2 beatdown from the Ohio-based wrestlers.
Katarina Does Not Understand What Platonic Means
The Desi Hit Squad defeated Joe Hendry & Grado
Before the Desi Hit Squad defeated Joe Hendry and Grado last night, Hendry debuted a new music video. This video was a tribute to the platonic love he feels for his buddy’s girlfriend, Katarina.
After the Desi Hit Squad defeated her team, however, Katarina cut a promo on Grado. She said he was always losing and then said she was in love with Hendry. She kissed Hendry but the Prestigious One was having none of it. He loudly questioned if Katarina knew what “platonic” meant.
Grado and Hendry were shown in the back later. It seems Grado really appreciated Hendry being a good friend to him. Wrestling loves good friends!
Eli Drake’s Great Adventure and “Night of the Dummies”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnRcY8itQtA
Eli Drake defeated Stone Rockwell
Eli Drake held another “Open Challenge” this week. This brought out local wrestler, Stone Rockwell. The man of adventure was quickly dispatched by Drake, however, after being attacked from behind before the bell.
Drake’s themed One Night Only pay-per-view “Night of the Dummies” will premiere on the Global Wrestling Network on September 14th. The lineup for the show is below:
Eli Drake vs Eddie Edwards
Moose vs KM
Sean Carr vs Brute Vanslyke
Z&E vs LAX
Homicide vs TBD
Wagner Brown vs Axel Lennox
Alisha Edwards vs Rebel
Fallah Bah vs Richard Justice
Impact Wrestling At MediaCon
On Sunday, Sami Callihan will bring a barbed wire baseball bat into a match with the famed UK-hardcore wrestler, Jimmy Havoc.
The show will air live on Twitch. Here is the lineup:
Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championships
LAX (c) vs Jody Fleisch & Jonny Storm
Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Death Match
Sami Callihan vs Jimmy Havoc
Eli Drake vs Joe Hendry
Su Yung vs Lana Austin
Rich Swann vs Matt Sydal vs Trevor Lee
Quick Results:
Petey Williams defeated Rich Swann
the Desi Hit Squad defeated Joe Hendry & Grado
Eli Drake defeated Stone Rockwell
Knockouts Championship
Tessa Blanchard (c) defeated Su Yung
Sami Callihan & oVe defeated Zack Wentz, Trey Miguel, & Ace Austin
Bound for Glory (October 14th)
Impact World Championship
Austin Aries (c) vs Johnny Impact
Impact Wrestling is back tonight with a show featuring matches taped on the final night of the Toronto tapings. It was the fifth show Impact held in Toronto over a 22-day period. The matches taped for tonight’s episode were held on the 13th inside Rebel Nightclub.
After tonight, Impact has a live Twitch show on Sunday from Manchester. Impact then travels to Mexico City for two nights of tapings from September 13th to 14th.
Impact Wrestling 8/6 Preview
Knockouts Championship Tessa Blanchard (c) vs Su Yung
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm3HFVISlkQ
Tessa Blanchard is the new Knockouts Champion but Su Yung will cash in her rematch clause on tonight’s show.
It’s been a huge week for Blanchard who was just announced as the newest signee and trainer for Women of Wrestling. Blanchard praised Impact and WOW to work together and allow her to work for both promotions.
Blanchard will need to defeat the former champion to prove she’s the top competitor in the division. Allie will likely be watching this match closely.
Moose Explains His Actions From Last Week
Last week, Moose turned on his longtime ally, Eddie Edwards. Moose joined with Austin Aries and Killer Kross. Now, the Impact World Champion has two of the biggest wrestlers on the roster watching his back.
Tonight, Moose will explain his actions from last week.
Who Called King and Konnan?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pcOBq8wpW4&t=13s
Both King and Konnan received mysterious phone calls turning their scenes last week. In each case it caused them to drop what they were doing and leave.
Tonight, we will find out who was the person who made those mysterious phone calls and we might find out more about what they said to both King and Konnan.
Rich Swann vs Petey Williams II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXz9vOV8DOg
Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams with a standing shooting star press. The two X-Division athletes had exchanged pinning combinations leading up to the end.
Swann has been saying as of late it is his dream to go after the X-Division Championship. Former X-Division Champion, Matt Sydal, offered to mentor Swann last week but it does not appear as though Swann is interested.
Tonight, a rematch between Swann and Petey Williams will take place.
Sami Callihan & OVE vs Ace Austin, Zach Wentz & Trey Miguel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owg_l5TZH_Q
Sami Callihan and his minions from Ohio will take on 3 young prospects looking to get noticed. Wentz lost to Matt Sydal on a recent episode of Impact.
Callihan and OVE still have Pentagon and Fenix in their sights but after last week, they might have added Brian Cage to their target list. Last week, Cage broke up a 3-on-2 assault by Callihan and OVE against the Lucha Brothers.
Eli Drake Open Challenge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec_8g5a2yOE&t=4s
Eli Drake will hold an open challenge tonight. Somebody will get the chance to take on a former Impact World Champion, all they have to do is answer the call.
Joe Hendry & Grado vs the Desi Hit Squad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC1ssMng-3w&t=9s
Hendry and Grado paid a visit to Scarlett Bordeaux recently and they are likely hoping it works out in the favor as it did for KM and Fallah Bah.
This week, Hendry and Grado will take on the Great Gama Sing’s Desi Hit Squad.
AXS TV sent in word that third generation wrestler Tessa Blanchard has signed with the WOW (Women of Wrestling) promotion. Blanchard is scheduled to debut for the company at the upcoming WOW Superhero TV tapings from Los Angeles.
The WOW Live Event Tapings are scheduled for October 10th and October 11th from downtown Los Angeles at the famed Belasco Theater. The shows will air on AXS TV in early 2019.
“Knowing the expectations of our WOW fans to see the best in women’s professional wrestling, we are elated to sign Tessa Blanchard,” WOW Owner, Jeanie Buss said in a press release. “Tessa enhances and elevates our athletic roster of talent beyond measure and we can hardly wait to showcase her skills in the series set to broadcast on Mark Cuban’s AXS TV.”
Blanchard is a third generation wrestler. Her wrestling lineage includes grandfather, Joe Blanchard, father Four Horsemen member, Tully Blanchard, step-father Magnum T.A.
At 22 years old, Blanchard has held championships in the United States, Mexico and Japan. She is the reigning Impact Wrestling Knockouts champion.
“I am grateful to both Impact Wrestling and the WOW executives for working out the details to allow me to pursue my dream of competing at the highest levels within our industry,” Blanchard said. “The success I’ve experienced in the past month in winning the Impact Championship, winning in Chicago at the ‘All In’ event in front of over 10,000 people, and now signing with WOW is what dreams are made of. My next dream to come true that will top off my year’s success will be when I beat Santana Garrett to win the WOW World Championship.”
For more information about Women of Wrestling, visit WOWE.com.
Impact Wrestling presented a special branded show “Impact ReDefined” tonight. The show featured two championship matches and one main event caliber tag-team match featuring the Impact World Champion, Austin Aries.
Tonight’s show was the 2nd from the August 12th, 2018 taping out of Toronto’s Rebel Nightclub.
Here are 9 Takeaways from Impact ReDefined:
Tessa Blanchard Is The New Knockouts Champion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tx0u7DnXBk
Knockouts Championship Tessa Blanchard defeated Allie and Su Yung (c) – Title Change
When Tessa Blanchard made her first appearance for Impact Wrestling at the Redemption pay-per-view, she was portrayed as a blue-chip prospect. In the months since Blanchard has shown she is one of the best women’s wrestlers on the planet.
While Blanchard came out the winner, the story this match told actually favored Allie right up to the very end. It was Allie who got the initial first bit of offense in the match and it was Allie who broke up Su Yung’s mandible claw on Blanchard near the end of the match. Shortly after this, Allie hit a codebreaker on Yung but Blanchard rolled her up, grabbed Allie’s tights, and won the title.
The Weapon X Division Continues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gd6HyxjZxw
X-Division Championship Brian Cage (c) defeated Fenix – (2nd title defense)
Tonight’s episode started off with a 20-minute opening match that was as good as anything you’ll see on television this year. Cage dominated the match early but Fenix got back into things when he hit a rolling cutter on the entrance ramp.
Fenix reversed both Weapon X and a discus clothesline, something Don Callis made a point of mentioning on commentary. Rather than attempt one of the two moves which had already been reversed, Cage chose to give his opponent a powerbomb from the top rope instead and got the victory as a result.
After the match, oVe and Sami Callihan attacked Fenix and Pentagon. Although he initially hesitated, Cage sprinted back to the ring and took out Fenix’s attackers to close the segment.
Moose Aligns With Austin Aries
Austin Aries & Killer Kross vs Eddie Edwards & Moose – No Contest
In a shocking heel turn, Moose delivered a spear to his partner during the night’s main event.
Moose had been shown beaten up in the back so it looked as though Edwards would be forced to take on both Aries and Killer Kross by himself. After Edwards started the match by himself, Moose hit the ring with his head all in bandages. At the same time, it looked as though Kross had double-crossed Aries as he jumped off the apron and looked like he was refusing to tag. Moose then attacked Edwards, however, and the 3 men reveled in their clever ruse.
Austin Aries now has both Killer Kross and Moose working to protect his Impact World Championship reign.
The Kid Isn’t Dead
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pcOBq8wpW4
Following Slammiversary there have been a couple of complaints about Impact Wrestling which I’ve received. Some fans were not happy that a kid was shown run over by a car last week. These fans tend to feel the segment went too far while other fans are willing to put the angle into the same category as a Lucha Underground or Total Deletion styled scene.
What may have also thrown people off was that last week Don Callis and Josh Mathews reacted to the scene. In Lucha Underground, the idea is the commentators do not see all the over-the-top scenes and are then not in a position where they have to respond. It’s a little disturbing to the 4th wall to have a commentary team acting like the promotion’s tag-team division is running over children as part of their rivalry.
Regardless, a clear message was sent by the commentary team this week that the kid is not dead. Both Konnan and King received phone calls in their respective segments that caused them to leave immediately.
Throughout the show, fans were shown commercials for Impact’s upcoming show in Manchester on September 9th. The show will air live and for free on Twitch.
The main event will be a hardcore wrestling fan’s dream as Sami Callihan takes Jimmy Havoc in a Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Deathmatch.
The rest of the card is as follows:
Impact Wrestling Tag Team Championships
LAX (c) vs Jody Fleisch & Jonny Storm
Barbed Wire Baseball Bat Death Match
Sami Callihan vs Jimmy Havoc
Eli Drake vs Joe Hendry
Su Yung vs Lana Austin
Rich Swann vs Matt Sydal vs Trevor Lee
Matt Sydal Wants To Mentor Rich Swann
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj1xcHwxJew
Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams
Last week, Rich Swann told Alicia Atout he wanted to win the X-Division title. It’s a title Swann has been dreaming about his whole career. Unfortunately for Swann, the title belt is currently in the Weapon X division.
Swann defeated Williams via standing shooting star press after the two had exchanged pinning combinations. Callis suggested that Williams is too reliant on the Canadian Destroyer.
In the back, former X-Division Champion Matt Sydal offered to mentor Swann and seemed to go frustrated when Swann was not interested in his offer.
Scarlett Bordeaux Whispered Something To Grado
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC1ssMng-3w
After KM and Fallah Bah visited the Smoke Show a couple of weeks ago, the team turned things around by beating the Desi Hit Squad. This week, Grado, Joe Hendry, and Katarina were her guests.
Bordeaux whispered something to Grado which seemed to have quite the impact on him. After some hijinx ensued it was clear that whatever she whispered to Grado will do something to get in between Katarina and her boys.
In addition to the upcoming Twitch special taking place a week from Sunday, Impact presents a One Night Only pay-per-view which debuts on the Global Wrestling Network on Friday night. The streaming service also features the video libraries of Destiny Wrestling, World Series Wrestling, Smash, and several other independent promotions from around the world.
The lineup for the show is as follows:
Petey Williams vs Michael Elgin
The Desi Hit Squad vs OVE
KC Spinelli vs Kiera Hogan
Steel Cage:
Josh Alexander vs Sami Callihan
Tessa Blanchard vs Gisel Shaw
Eli Drake Beat Some Dummies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec_8g5a2yOE
Eli Drake beat both Brandon Tidwell and Mr. Atlantis this week. The two local Toronto wrestlers had defeated the Cult of Lee last week.
Speaking of Eli Drake, another Impact Wrestling One Night Only pay-per-view was filmed recently. “Night of the Dummies” does not have a release date yet but will air on the Global Wrestling Network in the near future.
The lineup for that show is as follows:
Eli Drake vs Eddie Edwards
Moose vs KM
Sean Carr vs Brute Vanslyke
Z&E vs LAX
Homicide vs TBD
Wagner Brown vs Axel Lennox
Alisha Edwards vs Rebel
Fallah Bah vs Richard Justice
Impact Wrestling “Impact ReDefined” Quick Results:
X-Division Championship
Brian Cage (c) defeated Fenix – (2nd Title Defense)
Knockouts Championship
Tessa Blanchard defeated Allie and Su Yung (c) – Title Change
Eli Drake defeated Brandon Tidwell
Rich Swann defeated Petey Williams
Austin Aries & Killer Kross vs Eddie Edwards & Moose – No Contest
Impact Wrestling airs a special branded episode tonight. “Impact ReDefined” will feature two championship matches and a main event caliber tag-team match with Austin Aries and Killer Kross facing Eddie Edwards and Moose.
Tonight’s episode was filmed August 12th, 2018 at Rebel Nightclub in Toronto.
Impact ReDefined Preview
Knockouts Championship Triple Threat Su Yung (c) vs Tessa Blanchard vs Allie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIudo0FmZSM
Tonight’s the night. Tessa Blanchard gets her first crack at the Knockouts Championship since arriving in the company. She took a rather odd route to get here, however.
Blanchard was knocked out of title contention for Slammiversary after suffering two losses to Madison Rayne via clever pinning combination. She bounced back by beating former champion, Allie, in a single’s match on the PPV, however. Allie then defeated the champion, Su Yung, in a non-title match, which then put her in title contention despite her earlier loss to Blanchard.
Allie says she only wanted to face Yung to prevent the Bloody Undead Bride from putting any more Knockouts in coffins. Blanchard says Allie was just trying to weasel her way into a title shot. The result is tonight’s triple threat and the toughest test yet for Su Yung’s reign.
X-Division Championship Brian Cage (c) vs Fenix
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FqwN-6bAWU
Cage will look for his second defense of the X-Division title tonight against Fenix. The popular luchador just won the AAA Mega Championship in Mexico and will be looking to add the X-Division title to his list of accomplishments.
Brian Cage was this week’s guest on the Impact media conference call. He spoke about the importance of the X-Division title to him and the promotion.
“I want to make the X-Division so awesome and so entertaining,” Cage said on the call. “That the world title becomes option C because I have option A.”
I asked Cage if he feels he can bring the X-Division title to a level of prominence where it feels on-par with the world title.
“Absolutely,” Cage answered. “I think that’s going to be through the quality and the entertainment and the matches set going forward.”
Cage will look to keep ushering in the “Weapon X” era of the division tonight.
Moose & Eddie Edwards vs Austin Aries & Killer Kross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2waSNkkMqc
Eddie Edwards has been spiraling as of late. The return of his old friend Moose evens up the odds in his rivalry with the Impact World Champion, however.
For two weeks in a row, Aries and his new ally, Killer Kross, have gotten the better of Edwards. They even cost Edwards the Impact World Championship. Now with Moose back by his side, however, Edwards is in prime position to get his revenge.
The Smoke Show with Scarlett Bordeaux Guests: Joe Hendry, Katarina, and Grado
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCTXB7NEwtk
So far, Scarlett Bordeaux’s advice has worked out great for Fallah Bah and KM. The comedic team scored a victory over the Desi Hit Squad last week after Bordeaux advised KM to start doing things Bah’s way.
Tonight’s guests on the Smoke Show are Joe Hendry, Grado, and Katarina. Perhaps Bourdeaux will help the trio navigate through what appears to be a platonic and non-platonic love triangle.
Rich Swann vs Petey Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m__UL61TzU&t=15s
Last week on Impact Wrestling, Rich Swann told Alica Atout that it is his goal to capture the X-Division Championship.
“Growing up aspiring to be a professional wrestler my size and stature that was one of my goals, if not the goal, to be in the X-Division to be in Impact, to get the X-Division championship,” Swann said.
If Swann wants to join the ranks of those who have held X-Division gold, he’ll likely have to defeat a former champion in Petey Wiliams tonight.
IMPACT Wrestling star Tessa Blanchard recently recently took part in a media call. The IMPACT Wrestling Knockouts Champion talked about wanting to make a bigger name for herself within the promotion.
Blanchard noted she wants to bring intergender matches to the promotion and also learn as much as possible. She also said she needs to make a name for herself in IMPACT before going anywhere else:
“I have goals, I have my purpose, I want to build upon what my grandpa and my dad and my stepdad did in the past,” Blanchard said. “I also want to do that while making a name for myself I believe it’s important to do that before I go anywhere else.
“Impact has given me the platform and the exposure and they’re supplying me with the tools and the teachers to do that and I’m very, very grateful for that. Because not only am I learning so much but I’m also honing my own skills and taking it to the next level in a way.
“I’m very grateful to be in Impact and honestly, if I’m being completely honest I was just going with my gut and signing with Impact was a feeling I had that was right for me and it will be right for me for the next two years.”
Discussion: Do you think Blanchard needs to make a name for herself before departing IMPACT Wrestling? Where else would you like to see her work? Sound off in the comments below!
Tessa Blanchard is only 4 years into her professional career but has already won several championships.
Blanchard currently holds title belts for 6 independent promotions. She’s the current champion for Zelo Pro, Women Superstars Uncensored, the Crash, RISE, PWX, and PCW Ultra.
Impact Wrestling has recently revealed that Tessa has added arguably her most prestigious title to her resume recently.
Blanchard defeated Su Yung and Allie in a triple threat match Sunday at Rebel Nightclub in Toronto.
She phoned her parents, including step-father Magnum TA, after her victory.
If you’re unable to view the player above, you can view the clip here.
Tessa Blanchard Knockouts Champion
Just 3 days before she would win the title, we asked Blanchard what winning the championship would mean for her career.
“My main goal in Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Championship,” Blanchard said with confidence. “I’m going to have my opportunity to claim that on Sunday against Allie and Su Yung.”
“That is the goal,” Blanchard said in reference to the Knockouts Championship. “Because having that championship means you are the best.”
“I’m confident I am the uncrowned champion because I am the best women’s wrestler in Impact Wrestling,” she continued.
Blanchard successfully defended the title against Yung last night in Toronto as well. She defeated the former champion with a hammerlock DDT.
Blanchard is a third generation wrestler. Her father is WWE Hall Of Famer Tully Blanchard and her grandfather is NWA legend Joe Blanchard. Since beginning her training back in 2014, Blanchard has done work for various promotions.
She has made several appearances on WWE TV, worked for World Wonder Ring Stardom and The Crash. She currently serves as the Women’s Champion for the latter and is also in her first reign with the IMPACT Knockouts Title.
Blanchard spoke to Icon Versus Iconrecently and discussed several professional wrestling topics. During the conversation, Blanchard was asked about who her favorite wrestler of all time is.
She named former NWA star Johnny Valentine as her all time favorite. Blanchard also expressed interest in sharing the ring with Gail Kim. She called Kim “one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world!”:
“My favorite wrestler of all-time is Johnny Valentine. I believe him to be the best bad guy ever in wrestling and he is my absolute favorite.
“Actually, recently I had a conversation with Greg Valentine about this at WrestleCon Mania Weekend in New Orleans. Female-wise, one person that I really, really, really would like to share the ring with is Gail Kim.
“I say that because I believe her to be one of the best women’s wrestlers in the world!”
Tessa Blanchard recently did an interview where she talked about various topics such as her professional wrestling career, who the best female wrestler is in her opinion and more.
While speaking with Icon Versus Icon, Blanchard explained why she chose Impact Wrestling to start her wrestling career. It should be noted that she started wrestling in 2014 on the independent scene.
Blanchard brought up the fact that she had a conversation with herself where she told herself that she has goals and purpose where she wanted to build upon what her grandfather, father, and stepfather did in this business “I want to do that while making a name for myself. To make a name for myself, I feel it’s important for me to establish myself before I go anywhere else. Impact has given me the platform, exposure and access to the tools and teachers to do that.”
She added that she’s grateful for that and is learning so much as she continues to hone her skills and take it to the next level.
“I feel like this is a great place for me right now. It feels good. It’s a good locker room and a good production.”
What are your thoughts on Blanchard’s comments? Sound off in the comment section.
Dusty Rhodes once told his son Cody the only thing real in wrestling is the World Championship. Cody will challenge Nick Aldis for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at All In on September 1st. Also booked for that show is Impact Wrestling’s, Tessa Blanchard.
The 3rd generation wrestler has a similar view regarding the importance of world titles. Blanchard was this week’s guest on Impact Wrestling’s media call and stated unequivocally that winning the Knockouts Championship is her goal.
“My main goal in Impact Wrestling is the Knockouts Championship,” Blanchard said with confidence. “I’m going to have my opportunity to claim that on Sunday against Allie and Su Yung.”
Blanchard will wrestle Alisha Edwards tonight on Impact Wrestling. She’s then scheduled to face Allie and Su Yung in a triple threat match for the title at the upcoming set of tapings. The title match will be held this Sunday in Toronto.
“That is the goal,” Blanchard said in reference to the Knockouts Championship. “Because having that championship means you are the best.”
“I’m confident I am the uncrowned champion because I am the best women’s wrestler in Impact Wrestling,” she continued.
A Knockouts Championship victory would also add to Blanchard’s already impressive (and still growing) list of titles. She’s won titles with WSU, RISE, PCW, and in Mexico for the Crash promotion.
Those who have been following the 23-year-old’s career will note she has a realistic and intense style. Blanchard has said previously she is influenced heavily by the era of her father and step-father’s prime.
“I have huge respect for the 4 Horsemen, all bias aside,” Blanchard said earlier this year. “I think my Dad and Arn were one of the greatest tag-teams of all time.”
She would continue to say she studies tape from this era.
“I watch that era of professional wrestling for inspiration and to study tape,” Blanchard continued to say. “I want to portray that style through my work.”
– Two weeks ago, IMPACT Wrestling announced that Tessa Blanchard had signed a “long-term” contract.
BREAKING: @Tess_Blanchard will continue to prove she's undeniable in the Knockouts Division as she has signed a long-term contract with IMPACT Wrestling. pic.twitter.com/3SWenkIJyG
– Madison Rayne is a five-time Knockouts Champion looking to become Champion for the sixth time. She will have that opportunity tonight at Slammiversary when she challenges Su Yung. Ahead of tonight’s match, Rayne tweeted the following.
There were 4 years between my 1st Knockouts Championship win and my 5th.
This Sunday, Impact Wrestling will present Slammiversary from Toronto’s Rebel Nightclub. The company announced yesterday the event has sold-out. The current belief is that the set-up for the venue will host 1000 fans for the show.
Tonight is the final episode of Impact before the pay-per-view.
Up until tonight the rivalry between Moose and Austin Aries has been contested through sit-down interviews. Last week, however, Aries assaulted Moose’s friend DeAngelo Williams.
Moose has promised to confront Aries tonight about his actions from last week.
Eli Drake vs Joe Hendry
Joe Hendry makes his Impact Wrestling debut tonight and he’s got his hands full. Hendry will face former Impact World Champion, Eli Drake. Last week, Drake defeated Grado and then tried to tell his opponent that Hendry and Katarina had something going on behind his back.
It doesn’t appear Hendry and Katarina have Grado’s best interests at heart. What that will mean for this match, however, remains to be seen.
Desi Hit Squad vs Fallah Bah & KM
This match came about as a result of a backstage interaction last week. The Great Gama Singh said Bah and KM represent Western culture in that one of them can’t control what they put into their mouth and the other can’t control what comes out of it.
Singh has been running the members of the Desi Hit Squad through traditional conditioning drills and will likely have them ready for tag-team action tonight.
Konnan Addresses the OGz
Last week, King said the reason Homicide and Hernandez joined him is Konnan reunited LAX without them. Now, they were out for revenge on him. Tonight, Konnan will address his former tag-team just days ahead of the 5150 Street Fight at Slammiversary between the two teams.
Tessa Blanchard & Shotzi Blackheart vs Kiera Hogan & Allie
Tessa Blanchard and Allie will go one-on-one at Slammiversary. Before Sunday, however, they will meet in tag action tonight.
Allie will team with the young upstart, Kiera Hogan. Blanchard will align with the standout from a recent RISE seminar, Shotzi Blackheart. Allie defeated Blackheart last week.
Killer Kross vs Petey Williams
Before Killer Kross was discovered as the man behind the attacks in the back, there was suspicion on Petey Williams. Tonight, Williams will get a chance for revenge and Kross will get a chance to hurt someone (which he seems to enjoy).
Only two matches have been officially confirmed for All-In so far. Cody will challenge for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (likely against Nick Aldis) and Marty Scurll will take on Kazuchika Okada.
Another championship match may appear to be in the works. Madison Rayne just challenged Tessa Blanchard to a match which could have title implications for multiple belts.
Rayne sent the following message to Tessa Blanchard recently:
Congrats @Tess_Blanchard on capturing yet another championship last night. I say after this weekend, we settle the battle of the belt collectors… and I know the perfect venue… @ALL_IN_2018 ?? vs ??? pic.twitter.com/bfRpMScicD
Blanchard captured a title recently for the Crash promotion in Mexico. She is also the RISE champion, WSU champion, PCW women’s champion and the list goes on.
Madison Rayne and Tessa Blanchard have met twice recently on Impact Wrestling. Both times Rayne used a pinning combination to score the upset victory over Blanchard. Those are the only two losses on Blanchard’s Impact record so far.
Partially as a result of the victories, Rayne has been granted a title shot against Su Yung. She’ll take on the champion July 22nd at Slammiversary. Should Rayne be victorious on that night she’s challenged Blanchard to a champion vs champion match at All-In.
Tessa Blanchard in Impact Wrestling
Blanchard just signed a new deal with Impact reported to be 2-years in length. The contract with Impact will keep her from competing for the second year in a row in the Mae Young Classic. She lost to Kairi Sane in the 1st round of the tournament last year.
On a recent Impact Wrestling media call, Blanchard had this to say about how she’s glad she didn’t sign on with WWE last year or after her initial tryout with the company.
“These life experiences, these personal experiences through wrestling, if I was signed on (with WWE), my entire path would be different,” she said. “I’m very blessed for things to have played out the way they have.”
Impact Wrestling has locked up Tessa Blanchard to a multi-year contract. The 22-year-old prospect started with the company earlier this year but had yet to sign a long-term contract.
Impact Wresting announced the signing earlier today on Twitter.
BREAKING: @Tess_Blanchard will continue to prove she's undeniable in the Knockouts Division as she has signed a long-term contract with IMPACT Wrestling. pic.twitter.com/3SWenkIJyG
Blanchard started with Impact in April this year. She first appeared on the Redemption pay-per-view at the commentary booth while Kiera Hogan wrestled Taya Valkyrie. Over the next few days of tapings, she would defeat Hogan twice.
Blanchard looked as though she would skyrocket to the top of the Knockouts division upon her debut but she dropped two matches to Madison Rayne, knocking her out of title contention. Rayne used pinning combinations to score victories over the stronger Blanchard in each match. Now it will be Madison Rayne, and not Blanchard, who will challenge for the Knockouts Championship at the pay-per-view.
Blanchard attempted to get revenge on Rayne for the two losses last week on Impact. She interfered during Rayne’s tag-team match against Su Yung and one of her undead brides. Rayne’s tag-team partner last week, Allie, fought off Blanchard, however, allowing Rayne to pick up the win for their team over Yung’s undead bride.
Although not confirmed, Blancard and Allie could be on a collision course. Considering they are likely two of the top-ranked Knockouts in the division, a match between them could be scheduled for Slammiversary. Neither has a match booked for the pay-per-view as of yet.
Blanchard also regularly competes for organizations such as RISE, Shimmer, Bar Wrestling, and WOW. Impact is currently touting flexible contracts for their talent, which likely means Blanchard will be free to compete for other promotions while signed to Impact provided they don’t interfere with Impact taping and pay-per-view dates.
Tessa Blanchard recently did an interview with WrestleZone to talk about several professional wrestling topics. Blanchard first discussed her upcoming appearance at “All In” in September and what it’s like to be a part of the card:
“I don’t think anyone quite understands how huge this is going to be – huge for the history of professional wrestling, and independent wrestling. It’s the largest indie show in the history of pro wrestling I believe, and especially for women’s wrestling, it’s going to be huge.
“Cody, Matt and Nick are giving us the platform to ensure that the evolution of women’s wrestling is in good hands. When Cody asked me to be the face of the women on All In, I was a little bit taken back because it was super humbling. I don’t have the words to describe it. I was very grateful and thankful that he believed in me that much.”
Blanchard also discussed her upcoming match at PCW Ultra tomorrow night in California:
“I’ve had nothing but good experiences with them, they’ve been awesome to work with. I wrestled Chelsea Green last time for their first ever Women’s Championship, and it was an honour to do that. They’re the premier wrestling company on the West Coast, they’ve got a huge following, and everyone’s talking about PCW. It’s really cool to just be a part of it.”
She also discussed what she learned during her experience working the Mae Young Classic, where she was knocked out in the first round by eventual Tournament winner Kairi Sane:
“When I wasn’t in the ring wrestling during the Mae Young Classic, I was in the back either doing pre-tapes or watching the other matches. They picked some of the best female wrestlers in the world, some who I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the ring with, and some of them who I hope to share the ring with some day. No matter whether someone has been in the business longer than you or for less time, you can learn something from any of them.”
You can ready Blanchard’s full interview with WrestleZone by clicking this link here.
IMPACT Wrestling’s Executive Vice President Don Callis appeared on Busted Open Radio where he shared his thoughts on Tessa Blanchard, Eli Drake while also revealing who he is emotionally invested into as a fan. Here are some highlights they sent in:
Don Callis on Tessa Blanchard:
“Love her. I just think she’s… I’m not even going to say she’s a great Knockout but she’s a great wrestler. It’s always those gender issues with respect to wrestling. It’s the man’s match, the woman’s match. Sometimes when you start talking about matches in the context of just ‘No, that was my favourite match’ and I had that back in the day when Gail Kim and Awesome Kong were working together. That was my favourite match, not just my favourite Knockouts match, that was just my favourite match of the night. And I think Tessa has the potential to be one of those transformational performers where it’s not about Knockouts match, non-Knockouts match, it’s just about her being a great wrestler. I like everything about her. She’s just so polished, she’s got a great mean streak and she’s got something that’s rare in the business, she’s got a fifth gear that she could kick into.”
Don Callis on who he is emotionally invested into as a fan:
“I’m pretty emotionally invested as a fan in Brian Cage and what’s gonna happen with Brian Cage. I think we’ve just really scratched the surface of establishing him as a monster and people always say Goldberg and at the start of this, my reference in booking meetings was always 911. I was like, ‘This is how we need to bring this guy out. It needs to be a slow build etc.’ So I think what’s really interesting to me as a wrestling fan is I want to get to know more about Brian Cage. We’ve seen him destroy people, we’ve seen he’s not just a big muscle guy, now we’ve seen him flying around with the best of them. I want to get to know Brian Cage the personality, ’cause he hasn’t talked yet. And I think that makes him for me as a fan, those are the guys that I was always like, ‘I wanna know more about what’s going on behind the curtain here’.”
“That would be a guy I would be invested in and on the Knockout’s side, how can you not as a fan be fascinated by Su Yung. The look that she has, the presence, the stuff that she does, very Muta-esque, and I was a big Muta mark back in the day. So those would be the two if I were watching the product that I’d go, ‘I need to see more of this’.”
On Eli Drake:
“I remember talking to Paul Heyman one night at a Denny’s, and Bully may have even been there for this one. And I remember I didn’t get a lot of time with Paul because I was always flying in for a couple of days and flying out, and I just had the sense, ‘I need to pick this guy’s brain, he’s such a resource’ and I remember saying to him, ‘Who’s the greatest… you know we’re talking about managers, I think Bobby Heenan and Jim Cornette are the two greatest managers of all time’ and he looked at me and he went, ‘Yeah?’, I go, ‘You don’t think so?’ and he goes, ‘Well the problem with those two is they’re too entertaining. So how are they heels?’. And Bobby Heenan was arguably one of the most talented people ever in the business, and I thought about that and I thought, ‘Yeah’. And I think that with Eli.”
“To use a baseball analogy, he’s a five tool player. But one of the things about Eli and I’ve said this to him, ‘You’re so damn entertaining on the mic that it’s easy for guys like that to slide into becoming a babyface. So it’s almost like you’re so good that maybe you need to be not quite that good and not quite that entertaining.'”
Tonight on Impact Wrestling’s “Under Pressure” Tessa Blanchard will take on Madison Rayne. Blanchard made her debut with the company at the Redemption PPV on April 22nd, 2018 and let the rest of the division know she plans on cutting in line to the top of the card.
Blanchard defeated up-and-comer Kiera Hogan on a recent episode of Impact. She then opted to continue the beating on her opponent after the match. Rayne then ran in to make the save.
Blanchard is someone the company appears to be high on. The Knockouts division has added several new talents recently but none with as much potential as the 22-year-old Blanchard.
She recently took part in an Impact Wrestling media teleconference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zlhgATPs2E
Tessa Blanchard Interview Highlights
“Things are about to get very, very, interesting” Tessa Blanchard on what is next for her in Impact Wrestling.
During the call, Blanchard was asked about her father’s history with the 4 Horseman and what influence he has had on her career.
“I have huge respect for the 4 Horsemen, all bias aside,” Blanchard said of her father’s old faction. “I think my Dad and Arn were one of the greatest tag-teams of all time.”
Blanchard would say that her father’s era of professional wrestling is one she studies often. The gritty and more realistic approach to wrestling from Tully Blanchard’s era in the 4 Horseman is something which appeals to the younger Blanchard.
“I watch that era of professional wrestling for inspiration and to study tape,” Blanchard continued to say. “I want to portray that style through my work.”
Blanchard was also asked about recent media reports that she was broken-hearted when she wasn’t signed to WWE after her tryout in 2014. She clarified that she believes everything happens for a reason and she does not believe she would be the wrestler she is today if she had signed with WWE 4 years ago.
“These life experiences, these personal experiences through wrestling, if I was signed on (with WWE), my entire path would be different,” she said. “I’m very blessed for things to have played out the way they have.”
Blanchard also revealed she broke her collarbone while wrestling in Lucha Underground. She otherwise praised the company, talent, and how they treated her, however.
In the short time since she has been with Impact Wrestling, Tessa Blanchard is undefeated and could move into the Knockouts title picture shortly. The 22-year-old has competed in WWE and Stardom and is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable faces on Impact’s roster.
Blanchard recently took part in an interview on Busted Open Radio. She talked about the mood backstage in Impact Wrestling as well as details surrounding her 2014 WWE tryout.
Tessa Blanchard on Busted Open Radio
“After my WWE tryout in 2014, I was like ‘alright, I’m getting signed, I’m going to be there, I’m ready, let’s do this’, Blanchard said in regards to her relationship with WWE. “Then when it didn’t happen, I was heartbroken. I honestly think it’s cause God had a plan for me. If I would have gone and they would have signed me, I don’t think I would have had the life experiences or the experiences in wrestling.”
“I wouldn’t be the wrestler I am today,” she continued.
The daughter of Tully Blanchard and step-daughter of Magnum TA also had this to say regarding the Impact Wrestling roster and mood backstage:
“At first I was a little nervous,” Blanchard said. “I didn’t really know what to expect. TV style is very new to me still. But the locker room and everyone has been so welcoming there and it’s just a very good environment there. Everyone wants the best for each other. I haven’t run into any problems where it’s like people talking about other people or saying one thing and turning around and saying a different thing. It feels just like good vibes there, like good energy. Everyone really, really wants the best for each other.”
Blanchard also credited Gail Kim, Petey Williams, and Jimmy Jacobs as creative minds backstage in Impact. She will take on Madison Rayne this Thursday on Impact’s branded episode “Under Pressure”.
Tessa Blanchard made a surprise appearance at the Impact Wrestling “Redemption” PPV on April 22nd, 2018. She did guest commentary alongside Josh Matthews and Don Callis for the Taya Valkyrie vs Kiera Hogan match.
Recently, ImpactWrestling.com conducted an interview with Blanchard, who believes she is the hottest free agent available right now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mh7wy_ITbw
Tessa Blanchard in Impact Wrestling
“I came to the Knockouts Division because it’s no secret that the past six months or so IMPACT’s been making strides. The hottest free agents out there – Pentagon, Fenix, Brian Cage – IMPACT has locked them down,” Blanchard explained. “When it comes to the Knockouts Division, I’m the hottest free agent out there right now!”
The Knockouts division in Impact is pretty crowded at the moment but Blanchard believes she’s earned the right to skip the line.
“I’m not looking to work my way up. I feel like I deserve a shot at the Knockouts Championship. On the independent circuit, I’ve traveled the world, I’ve won championships, I’ve won tournaments – I’ve defeated some of the best out there so I feel like I am one of the best.”
It seems as though Blanchard is gunning straight for the Knockouts champion, Allie.
“I’m coming here and I want to be the top dog, I’m going to go after whoever has the Knockouts Championship – and right now that’s Allie. I’ve got my sights set on Allie and if any of the Knockouts get in my way I’ll run right through them.”
Blanchard also spoke on what it is like to carry on the Blanchard name.
“Carrying on the Blanchard name is a huge honor for me because my grandfather, my father and my step-father – they’ve all put a lot into their legacy and for me to carry that on, it’s a lot of weight on my shoulders. I put pressure on myself to be the best and to carry on the Blanchard name with dignity and with pride.”
WWE continues to scout the globe for the absolute best talent in the professional wrestling world, and put their world-class Performance Center in Florida to good use.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE was scouting at a Shimmer event during WrestleMania weekend, and Tessa Blanchard was said to be a stand-out performer. Blanchard is the daughter of Four Horsemen alum Tully Blanchard and the step-daughter of Magnum TA.
Recently there have been rumors floating around that Blanchard’s attitude backstage is an issue, however, she cut a promo at an indy show a few months back and addressed this. The 22-year-old has some experience working with WWE in the past.
She lost an opening round match to eventual tournament winner Kairi Sane in the Mae Young Classic. Sane and Blanchard put on a great bout that was very well received from the tournament’s audience.
We’ll keep you updated as we learn more on the situation…
– It was rumored for a while that WWE is looking to sign Indie Wrestler and Mae Young Classic competitor Tessa Blanchard, though it appears that these speculations are false.
Tessa noted on Twitter recently that she is now taking bookings for 2018, meaning that not only the Indie Star has not reached an agreement with WWE but she is also not expecting to be signed anytime soon:
Blanchard had wrestled several matches for NXT last year. She also took part in the Mae Young Classic earlier this year where she was defeated by Kairi Sane in the first round of the tournament.
– As noted before, Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss made history during the recent WWE Live Event in UAE by becoming the first female WWE Superstars to compete in the Middle East.
After the match, MVP commented on Banks’ outfit for the event, which was similar to the ring gear of the former WWE Star via the following Instagram post: