Jai Vidal Becomes IMPACT Wrestling's First Openly Out Signing

IMPACT Wrestling has made waves with the signing of Jai Vidal, the first openly out male wrestler signed to the Anthem-helmed promotion in its twenty-year history.

Vidal made the announcement during an appearance on Outsports' LGBT In The Ring podcast. He explained how ecstatic he was to be joining the organisation officially, having already been featured across IMPACT programming on a handful of occasions. Most recently, he has been promoted to Gisele Shaw's executive stylist and content creator. Shaw, too, is a trailblazer for LGBTQIA+ performers, coming out publicly as transgender this past June.

Jai Vidal debuted with IMPACT during its post-Bound For Glory 2020 television tapings, handily being felled by Eric Young and JONAH in quick fashion. Both bouts took place from Jai's residence of Las Vegas, Nevada.

IMPACT Wrestling has proudly supported the LGBTQIA+ community for many years and has forged working relationships with a handful of international LGBTQIA+ sports organisations. The company publicly supported Gisele Shaw during her aforementioned coming out and IMPACT-turned-AEW star Kiera Hogan when she announced she was in a same-sex relationship, promoting a multi-day Coming Out Tour for the former Baddies member in Chicago.

Several other LGBTQIA+ performers have also stepped into an IMPACT ring over the last few years, including Mercedes Martinez, Jamie Senegal, and Sandra Moone.