The Wrestling Roundup is here to bring you all the news and rumors you need to know in one place.
Tessa Blanchard Released, Stripped of Impact Championship
Impact has terminated the contract of Impact World Champion Tessa Blanchard (h/t WrestlingInc). According to the reports, Blanchard has been in Mexico since the pandemic hit and has missed many sets of tapings. She was supposed to send in promos while in Mexico, but apparently never did. Her release opens a wide hole at the top of Impact’s main event scene. Blanchard was scheduled to defend the Impact World Championship at Slammiversary in July against Trey, Ace Austin & Eddie Edwards.
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Travis Banks & Ligero Released By WWE
In the wake of #SpeakingOut allegations, two talents have been released from NXT UK (h/t PWInsider). Travis Banks was released following allegations from fellow wrestler Millie McKenzie of abuse and having a relationship with her while she was under 18. Ligero, real name Simon Musk, has also been released. He has been accused by multiple female wrestlers of harassment and assault. Neither of these releases have been announced by WWE, but both men have been removed from the NXT UK roster page.
WWE SmackDown Results
This week’s SmackDown was heavily affected by taping delays. Lots of planned content was scrapped, and instead the show was promoted as a thank you to the Undertaker. There was a replay of his Boneyard Match against A.J. Styles, as well as interviews with wrestlers about Undertaker. The rest of the show was an actual card, with a number one contenders match to boot. Here are the results:
- Nikki Cross def. Lacey Evans, Dana Brooke, and Alexa Bliss to become #1 Contender for the SmackDown Women’s Championship
- Lucha House Party & New Day def. Artist Collective and Miz & Morrison
- Jeff Hardy def. King Corbin
Also on the show, Braun Strowman cut a promo and challenged Bray Wyatt to a fight in a swamp. They’re going home to the swamp, and we get our next cinematic match.
WWE Postpones Tapings, More Positive COVID-19 Tests Revealed
In the wake of more positive COVID-19 tests, WWE postponed their Friday tapings (h/t POSTWrestling). The number of positives in WWE is said to be upward of two dozen. Renee Young, Kayla Braxton, and producers Jamie Noble and Adam Pearce have all come forward saying they have COVID-19. WWE is doing another round of testing, but there are still some in the company who push back at using masks. Kevin Dunn is apparently one of those people, telling those in the crowd to not wear masks during tapings.
Dunn was vocal a couple of weeks ago about COVID not being a big deal https://t.co/RxSAeNPewM
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) June 26, 2020
One for the Road:
New Day has now been together for 2167 days. It is believed to be the longest tenured stable without a breakup in WWE history. As they’re my all-time favorite stable, big ups to these three for being an amazing and versatile part of the roster together for almost six years. New Day rocks! New Day forever!
The New Day have been together for 2167 days.
I believe that’s the longest tenured stable in WWE history without a breakup. pic.twitter.com/ThtNsh7ljs
— Wrestle Features (@WrestleFeatures) June 26, 2020
