EC3 has finally addressed questions surrounding his disappearance from TNA programming. His remarks end weeks of speculation after his last appearance on the May 7 episode of Thursday Night iMPACT.
While the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion hasn’t been seen on television since then, his explanation suggests there may be more strategy than mystery behind the absence.
The last time fans saw EC3, he was involved in a brutal No Disqualification match against Eric Young.
The bout marked the latest chapter in a rivalry that escalated quickly following EC3’s return to TNA at Rebellion in April.
EC3 addresses TNA absence following Eric Young feud
The feud began shortly after EC3 returned in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He confronted Eric Young and declared his intention to pursue redemption and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Their first encounter on the April 16 episode of iMPACT quickly went off the rails. It ended in chaos after a referee bump and a post-match assault.
Things only grew more intense when the rivalry culminated in a No-DQ match on May 7. Young emerged victorious after a violent sequence that saw EC3 driven through a table and spiked onto an open steel chair.
According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, EC3 responded directly when asked about his whereabouts.
“Michael, I was piledriven through both a table and spiked on an open chair. That was after Eric Young stomped on my d**k 17 times. Those are wounds that require some time and solitude to regroup and strategize.”
The remark was delivered in EC3’s trademark kayfabe style. Nevertheless, it aligns with the storyline injuries he suffered during the match. As a result, his absence is being used to sell the effects of Young’s attack rather than signal any larger issue behind the scenes.
PWInsider also reported that the current belief is EC3 will return once TNA’s Slammiversary storylines have played out. With Slammiversary set for June 28, fans may not have to wait much longer before the “Top 1%” looks to cash in on some long-awaited revenge.
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