TNA Wrestling is under fire for allegedly manipulating the media when it comes to interviews with Tessa Blanchard. Allegations have surfaced that say that the firm is barring media from asking about her past controversies while using access to other talent as leverage to force her comeback without addressing the reaction.
On the newest edition of the Mike & JD Show, Mike explained how TNA is purportedly playing hardball with media outlets by giving exclusive interviews with other prominent stars—but only if they agree to ignore enquiries about Blanchard’s earlier charges.
“TNA, they’re doing a really bad thing with this Tessa. And what I mean is they’re pushing [her] around in the media and all these different places, and they’re encouraging people to interview her—but they can’t talk about the allegations.”
The charges Mike refers to go back to 2020, when Blanchard was accused of using racist insults and bullying fellow wrestlers, with La Rosa Negra publicly saying that Blanchard called her the N-word and spit on her. The charges led to Blanchard being exiled from the wrestling industry for years, despite previously being positioned as one of the brightest rising stars in the business.
Now, Blanchard is back with TNA, and the organisation is reportedly trying behind the scenes to control the narrative. Mike alleged that TNA is practically blacklisting media members that fail to obey their demands.
“They’re playing this game with the media, and a lot of people—two people I know specifically—have said ‘fck you.’ Like, I’m not gonna be told [on] what questions I can and cannot ask Tessa. So if I can’t ask her harsh questions, I’m not interviewing her at all. And I don’t wanna interview anybody else because TNA is not in the place they’re striving to be.” *
This revelation comes amid claims that Blanchard has yet to apologize or make peace with individuals she allegedly hurt. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select earlier remarked, “I hope that she goes and makes amends with the people who were affected by the things that she said and did because I know some of those people, and those efforts have not been made.”
Adding to the controversy, Chris Featherstone said that Blanchard also had backstage troubles during her time in CMLL, when she reportedly yelled at many ladies in the locker room, producing so much stress that it led to company-wide meetings to address the concerns.
“I was informed that Tessa Blanchard had many problems in CMLL and yelled at a few girls in the locker room, which led to meetings with the whole women’s roster and the boss because of all the drama.”
Despite all this, TNA has put her back in a top spot, with Blanchard defeating Jordynne Grace at TNA Genesis in her return match. While some fans believe she deserves a second opportunity, others feel she hasn’t done enough to earn it, especially if TNA is trying to push media outlets to steer clear of mentioning her history.
This entire issue puts TNA’s credibility on the line. If the corporation is genuinely limiting what reporters may ask, it raises major issues about how they are handling Blanchard’s return and whether they are choosing public relations above accountability.
#TNA Refuses to Let the Media ask Tessa Hard Questions, Dangles Access to Other Wrestlers if They Play Ball. pic.twitter.com/JbvvC3BWTC
— Mike Gilbert (@MikeGilbert311) February 22, 2025
