Report: Tessa Blanchard's Impact Contract Featured "Speak-No-Ill" Clause

Don't expect Blanchard to shoot on her Impact release anytime soon.

Tessa Blanchard
ImpactWrestling.com

An interesting new note on Tessa Blanchard's Impact Wrestling release has emerged, with Fightful Select reporting that the former world Champion is bound to a non-disparagement clause following her departure from the company.

Such things are often referred to internally as "speak-no-ill' policies. They effectively present former employees from shooting on the other bound party in the wake of a split, meaning fans shouldn't expect Tessa to hop on a podcast and throw barbs at Impact anytime soon.

The Fightful report notes that such agreements are becoming the standard in many pro-wrestling organisations these days, with the National Wrestling Alliance's talented deals featuring them as well, perhaps explaining why Ricky Starks and Zicky Dice have said little since their respect departures from Billy Corgan's group.

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Blanchard was sensationally released as Impact's World Champion last week. This came ahead of her contract expiry on 30 June, with speculation suggesting that the company let her go early in order to send a message.

Tessa was supposed to defend the World Title in a five-way match at the Slammiversary pay-per-view on 18 July, with the promotion's fear that she might no-show the event a reported factor in her departure.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.