Tessa Blanchard made her highly anticipated return to TNA at Friday’s Final Resolution event, shocking fans by attacking Jordynne Grace. Following the attack, Blanchard declared, “Tessa Blanchard is back, and I’m taking what’s mine.”
During the pandemic, Blanchard held the Impact World Heavyweight Championship, becoming the first woman to win the prestigious title. However, her reign was marred by a falling out with the promotion, which led to her being stripped of the championship and departing from Impact Wrestling.
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Blanchard’s return was kept tightly under wraps until this morning when the news broke. According to Fightful Select, the secrecy was intentional due to internal concerns over potential backlash. While some individuals within the company remain friends with Blanchard, others had warned against her return.
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One source familiar with the situation expressed hope that the influx of new talent on the roster—who may not share previous grievances—will smooth over potential tensions. Another insider suggested that Blanchard understands the importance of this opportunity and will be on her “best behavior.”
Tessa Blanchard’s Past Controversy
Blanchard faced significant controversy in January 2020 when multiple colleagues accused her of bullying and racism. The incident began when Blanchard posted a tweet encouraging women to support each other, which prompted several female wrestlers to come forward with allegations.
Most notably, Allysin Kay accused Blanchard of spitting on a Black wrestler, La Rosa Negra, and calling her a racial slur during an event in Japan in 2017.
Other wrestlers, including Chelsea Green and Isla Dawn, also shared stories of Blanchard's alleged bullying behavior.
Blanchard initially denied these accusations, but the controversy severely impacted her career, leading to her release from Impact Wrestling and difficulty finding work with major promotions.
While Blanchard and La Rosa Negra have since made amends, the incident continues to affect Blanchard's standing in the wrestling industry, with some calling for her to take accountability and offer a sincere apology.
