TNA Wrestling appears to have had a change of heart when it comes to allowing its talent to work with wrestlers from opposing promotions.
TNA wrestlers facing talent from other promotions is nothing new. Reigning X-Division Champion Leon Slater was recently announced to face All Elite Wrestling star Ricochet at WrestleCon’s annual Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow.
However, reports have since emerged that TNA Wrestling is pulling talent from scheduled events featuring wrestlers from other promotions, particularly AEW. PWInsider reports a similar situation involving Moose.
“PWInsider.com has heard from multiple sources that former TNA Champion Moose was set to perform at the Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Multiverse show on Friday 4/18 but after TNA approved the appearance, there was a change made and Moose has been pulled from the event before MLP could officially announce him. The belief is Moose would have been in the ring with talents from another promotion, likely AEW.”
As for the status of Slater vs. Ricochet, PWInsider noted that attempts to reach WrestleCon’s Michael Bocicchio for confirmation have so far been unsuccessful.
More on TNA blocking talent from appearing in other promotions
Rumors circulating online suggest that TNA is restricting talent from appearing at events that may be streamed live or taped for future release.
“The concern, based on what we are hearing, seems to be centered around the idea that someone could conceivably show TNA talents in a bad light or losing on rival programming. Whether that is a concern that AMC brought up now that they are carrying TNA Thursday Night Impact or even something TNA partner WWE voiced concern over, PWInsider.com cannot confirm at this time.”
According to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, TNA President Carlos Silva stated that talent being pulled from certain shows is due to “partner conflicts.”
Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer, via F4Wonline.com, also confirmed reports that TNA is blocking talent from facing wrestlers from other promotions, specifically mentioning AEW as central to the situation.
It is worth noting that the reigning AEW World Champion, MJF, is scheduled to face TNA’s Nic Nemeth at a Create-A-Pro Wrestling show on May 1. According to Meltzer, the match is still expected to take place, although there has reportedly been an attempt to block it.
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