Update On Tessa Blanchard's TNA Status (TNA News)

Having returned to TNA Wrestling at the Final Resolution PPV back in December, there's no somewhat of an update on Tessa Blanchard's contract status with the Anthem promotion.

Tessa previously spoke to Contralona, where she stated that not only was she not under contract with TNA, but that she was not under contract with any promotion, be that TNA or CMLL - with Blanchard having competed for CMLL for the past couple of years.

As the Diamond put it, she was simply returning to TNA to face Jordynne Grace at Genesis - a PPV that takes place tonight - and there was no contract or deal in place. However, in an update on this topic, Fightful Select now reports that Tessa is contracted to TNA.

Fightful spoke to several TNA sources, all of which disputed Tessa claims. Instead, it was said that Blanchard is indeed contracted to TNA, and that the promotion would not have factored her into plans if that was not the case. The outlet is unsure how long Tessa Blanchard's TNA deal was for, nor why she publicly stated that she wasn't signed to the company.

Tessa Blanchard's Controversial TNA Return

As mentioned, Tessa Blanchard made her shocking return to TNA in December, attacking Jordynne Grace and setting up a rivalry between the two that's due to boil over at tonight's Genesis event.

While Tessa is a phenomenal talent, there has been plenty of controversy that's followed the 29-year-old throughout her career. So much so, only a select few in TNA were made aware that Blanchard would be returning at Final Resolution, with this done due to concerns over a backlash from those on the roster and beyond.

As for why Tessa Blanchard is such a controversial figure, the second-generation star has had various accusations of racism and bullying thrown her way. In fact, just this past week, WWE star Chelsea Green called Tessa a "racist bully" in a since-deleted X post. On top of that, Blanchard had issues with TNA - well, IMPACT, as it was then - management during her previous spell with the company. Those issues culminated during the pandemic at a time when Tessa was the TNA World Champion, having become the first woman to win that prize after defeating Sami Callihan at Hard to Kill 2020.

With Tessa residing in Mexico during those dark days of the pandemic, the Queen of the Carolinas was reportedly hesitant to fly out to TNA TV tapings for fear of lockdown protocols stopping her from reentering country. At the time, it was said that TNA was sympathetic to this and so instead asked their reigning World Champion to send in video promos they could use on TV, although Blanchard supposedly refused to do this. Left with no choice, the promotion stripped Tessa Blanchard of the World Title and fired her.

In subsequent years, Tessa continued to be a presence for the relaunched Women of Wrestling, though she would depart the company amidst further allegations of bullying. As alluded to, October 2023 saw the former Knockouts Champion make her debut for CMLL, and she'd continue to compete for the promotion up until as recently as November.