New Details On Latest Tessa Blanchard Controversy

Women of Wrestling relationship looks to be beyond repair at this point...

by Michael Sidgwick
Tessa Blanchard
Impact Wrestling

Tessa Blanchard is making headlines again.

The ever-reliable and prolific scoopsters at Fightful Select have come through on new details pertaining to her acrimonious relationship with the Women of Wrestling group.

After rumours had swirled around a very familiar theme last month - i.e., Tessa failing to work in harmony with a wrestling promotion - Fightful report that Blanchard is no longer figured into WOW's plans for a relaunch. AJ Mendez performed commentary at the recent tapings, but Blanchard did not appear in any capacity. A COVID-related issue affected a tryout taping in January, which left Blanchard "furious". Her suggestions - to hold it via Zoom or at an "isolated school" - were shot down. The taping was cancelled at the behest of CBS, WOW's broadcast partner.

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Additionally, sources within WOW confirmed to Fightful that the promotion was able to book talent that had previously vowed to never again work alongside Blanchard, ahead of the reboot, but they experienced "more of the same".

The relationship between Blanchard (around whom WOW was said to be built under a bullish promotional strategy) and WOW chief David McClane is now said to have deteriorated, despite his being a major supporter of Blanchard over the years.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!