The Impact Wrestling tapings set to start tomorrow (Mar. 2) should be very interesting. Not only will they be the first shows filmed in the second Jeff Jarrett era of (don’t call us) TNA, but at this point, it’s unclear what wrestlers will be featured.
PWInsider brought news this morning of yet another high-profile talent who won’t be re-signing with Anthem-owned Impact, former Knockouts champion Jade (aka Mia Yim). She follows Drew Galloway, Matt & Jeff Hardy and Michael Bennett & Maria Kanellis out the door. There’s no word on if she’ll appear at the taping to write her character off, but Insider reports the company plans to only use talent they have locked up on the Mar. 2 - 4 shows in Orlando, so... don’t count on it.
Like the other names we’ve been learning about all week, Jade has been a major player on Impact over the last year-plus, first as part of the Dollhouse stable, then as a solo act in feuds against Gail Kim, Maria and current champion Rosemary atop TNA’s women’s division.
Fresh faces may be just what the doctor ordered, and according to Insider, that’s the company’s strategy... finding new, younger talent. Of course, that also likely means “cheaper” and “more likely to agree to giving Anthem control of bookings and/or a cut of outside earnings”
How will Impact address the absences of so many recent main eventers, if at all? Who will be pushed in their spots?
We’ll start finding out when spoiler reports begin coming in tomorrow night.