As was written about earlier, Tessa Blanchard is poised for a return to TNA as early as next month. This news has been met with disbelief and concern from many within the wrestling community, including talent at AEW and WWE. The news about Blanchard’s TNA return was first reported by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter and corroborated by Fightful Select with added notes about reactions from people in the industry.
Blanchard’s departure from TNA in 2020 was marred by allegations of racial slurs and bullying behavior, making her a controversial figure. While she and La Rosa Negra, the alleged target of the racial slurs, have been photographed together in recent years, there has been no public apology from Blanchard.
The decision to bring Blanchard back reportedly comes from a “top person in Anthem,” the parent company of TNA, despite warnings from others within the organization. The news has been kept quiet to avoid internal backlash, as many remain uncomfortable with Blanchard’s past actions.
The current plan is for Blanchard to return as a heel and quickly win the Knockouts World Championship from Jordynne Grace, who has reportedly resisted working with Blanchard. Some speculate that TNA is bringing in Blanchard to compensate for the potential departures of top stars like Speedball Mike Bailey, Jordynne Grace, and Josh Alexander.
Blanchard’s return is a gamble for TNA. While her talent is undeniable, her past behavior has made her a divisive figure. It remains to be seen whether she can successfully navigate this new chapter in her career and whether TNA can manage the potential fallout from her return.
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