TNA Wrestling’s locker room stirred when Tessa Blanchard made her return to the company that released her in 2020 amid allegations of racism and bullying. Speaking with Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Blanchard tackled the reactions head-on.
Blanchard discussed how stories about her have spread, comparing it to a game of telephone where facts become distorted. She pointed to completely fabricated tales alongside ones that contain small kernels of truth.
I think a lot of people—you could tell them the sky is green, and they would believe it. There are so many stories out there that I read, and I think, ‘This came out of left field. I don’t even know where they cooked this up.’ Some stories might have about 20% truth to them, while others get completely twisted into a game of ‘telegram, telephone, telegram, Tele-wrestler.’
The conversation shifted to the current TNA locker room, where Blanchard revealed that many wrestlers received information from a former company member who, according to her, shared an inaccurate version of events. She expressed her desire to have direct conversations with those who haven’t heard her perspective.
Everyone is going to feel something, and they’re going to think something. A lot of people were fed a story by someone who is no longer with the company—something that is completely untrue and manipulated into something it wasn’t. Now, I’m having the conversations I need to have because there are so many one-sided stories out there.
Blanchard Details Three-Year Wrestling Hiatus
During her three-year break from wrestling, Blanchard stepped away completely—avoiding rings, conversations about the business, and industry contacts. The situation affected not just her but her family, leading to her deletion of social media accounts due to an influx of hostile messages that reached her 14-year-old sister.
When I left wrestling for about three years, I was in a mental state where I didn’t want to see a wrestling ring. I didn’t want to talk about wrestling. I didn’t want to be around anyone involved in the wrestling world. I completely cut it off—I deleted certain social media accounts because I was getting flooded with messages, and so was my family. No person, especially a 14-year-old little sister, should have to read things like that.
Despite facing criticism, Blanchard maintains her willingness to rebuild from scratch. She acknowledged that her determination might unsettle others but remains focused on her path forward.
Hard work doesn’t scare me. Starting over from the ground up and working my way back—that doesn’t scare me. I think that might intimidate a lot of people, and when someone is intimidated, it’s sometimes easier to villainize a person. That’s okay with me. Whatever you or anyone else thinks about me has everything to do with you and nothing to do with me.
Matt Hardy confirmed the mixed reception to Blanchard’s return among the TNA roster. Blanchard continues her work in TNA Wrestling while navigating the locker room dynamics.
