10 Wrestlers Who Left Promotions With Nuclear Heat
5. Tessa Blanchard
As 2020 began, Tessa Blanchard was the envy of women wrestlers worldwide. At Impact Wrestling’s Hard to Kill pay-per-view, Blanchard became the company’s first female World Champion, defeating Sami Callihan.
Her moment in the sun didn't last long.
On the eve of her Hard to Kill match, allegations of racism, bullying, and harassment surfaced after Blanchard posted a seemingly innocuous women-supporting-women tweet. Chelsea Green accused her of bullying and belittling countless females, herself included. Allysin Kay added an even more damning accusation, that Tessa “spat in a black woman’s face and called her the N-word in Japan”. This was backed up by Green, Tanea Brooks, Shanna, and Renee Michelle. Priscilla Kelly made further accusations.
When Blanchard was self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Impact Wrestling asked their World Champion to film some promos from her residence in Mexico. Blanchard didn’t come through, meaning the proceeding TV show had to undergo major editing.
Impact attempted to come to a deal with Blanchard for her to return to drop the title. After talks failed, Impact terminated her and vacated the World Championship.