It’s been a crazy week of news out of Impact Wrestling with the news of the departure from the company of The Hardy Boyz, Drew Galloway, “The Miracle” Mike Bennett, Maria Kanellis, and Jade. But as the company gets set to tape the next several weeks of episodes down in Orlando tonight, more news is emerging – some from PWInsider, some from indie promotions losing talent and some from Anthem Executive Vice President Ed Nordholm. Along with the early reports of some of the new faces showing up for this weekend’s tapings, the new logo for Impact going forth from these sets of shows – the first officially round of episodes under the new Anthem ownership with assistance from TNA founder Jeff Jarrett – will also be the first episodes to air under simply Impact Wrestling (new logo is the photo above). Yes, TNA as a brand name is now officially over after tonight’s Final Final Deletion. So who are the new faces? Let’s have a look.
Alberto El Patron (Del Rio)
The former WWE and AAA World Champion is a bit of a shock, considering that many insiders thought his chances of heading to Impact had dropped to zero following the reassignment of former creative John Gaburick, who was Del Rio’s biggest supporter. But Anthem’s Ed Nordholm posted this on Twitter tonight from the set of the tapings.
Exciting night … pic.twitter.com/zZsW8SOn2F
— Ed Nordholm (@EdNordholm) March 2, 2017
It was later confirmed by Jacob Cohen on Twitter.
Scoop #33: Bruce says he doesn't know if anyone on the Impact roster can beat Lashley, out comes Alberto De Patron pic.twitter.com/8MRngnE2YY
— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) March 3, 2017
Matt Morgan
The only name on this list not revealed by any source, this one is purely speculation from the author. But that is based entirely on a recent WrestlingInc. podcast interview the former TNA star recently gave where he said “I’m making my return to weekly broadcast television wrestling for a specific company – I’m not going to name names now”. When pressed when, he replied “in the next four weeks”. That timeframe fits in well with the release schedule of this week’s tapings.
Magnus
UK wrestler Nick Aldis had his greatest success as Magnus in the former TNA and it appears that the reports the past week or so have proven true, as Magnus has reportedly signed a new deal, revealed in the list from PWInsider.
Konnan
No real surprise, but Konnan is backstage tonight as well, most likely in a return of hospitality after hosting Jeff Jarrett and Ed Nordholm this past weekend to finalize a partnership between Impact and Konnan’s indie promotion in Mexico, The Crash Lucha Libre. There’s rumours he may be an onscreen character, similar to his role with Prince Puma in Lucha Underground, and that he may introduce a new incarnation of LAX.
Garza Jr.
One of the three guys – along with Pentagon Jr. and Daga – who quit AAA in January and jumped to Konnan’s The Crash LL, Garza Jr. comes from a huge family of wrestlers from Mexico. His father, Mario Segura, was also known as El Ninja (Garza Jr was formerly known as El Hijo del Ninja), and his uncle is legendary Luchador Hector Garza. Garza Jr. and fellow countryman Laredo Kid were both shown at the tapings today.
FOTO EXCLUSIVA: OFICIALMENTE, @GarzaaJr y @laredokidpro llegan a @IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/IrJ9ceOHpF
— Roberto Figueroa (@RJ_Figueroa) March 2, 2017
Laredo Kid
Another former AAA talent, Laredo Kid is only 30 years old but is already a 14 year veteran of the ring. He joined the new “cast” alongside Garza Jr.
Kongo Kong
This Michigan big man has been an indie staple for nearly 15 years, with recent runs in Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling (GFW), Chicago’s AAW, Kentucky’s IWA: Mid South, Windsor’s Border City Wrestling and Toronto’s Destiny Wrestling to name a few. A menacing presence, Kong was one of the names reported by PWInsider.
ODB
ODB was a fan favourite in the Knockout Division before her release a year ago, where she went to Ring of Honor to work alongside the Briscoe Brothers. She returned tonight, as first shared by Ed Nordholm.
Bring it on @TheODBBAM @IMPACTWRESTLING @UniversalORL pic.twitter.com/fJS5U7McoZ
— Ed Nordholm (@EdNordholm) March 2, 2017
Rachael Ellering
The daughter of WWE Hall of Fame manager Paul Ellering (The Road Warriors, NXT Tag Team Champions Authors of Pain) and occasional NXT talent Rachael Ellering was announced by Nordholm as joining the Knockouts Division.
Lots of new faces today … @RachaelEllering looking to impress our world … world class power lifter, talented wrestler
— Ed Nordholm (@EdNordholm) March 2, 2017
Idris Abraham
This Canadian indie wrestler has been working the 401 corridor, from Toronto’s Smash Wrestling to Windsor’s Border City Wrestling to indies in Michigan and beyond. His involvement with Impact was announced when Smash had to rebook his spot in this weekend’s F8Ful Eight Tournament.
#BREAKING please read! #F8fulEight #wwe #Raw pic.twitter.com/6NaiifHNjR
— Smash Wrestling (@smashwrestling) February 28, 2017
Mario Bokara
Another member of GFW who seems to be getting a shot on Impact, as reported by PWInsider.
Reno Scum (Adam Thornstowe & Luster The Legend)
Indie tag team wrestlers who worked events for GFW as well as Ring of Honor last year, they debuted tonight at the tapings.
Scoop #17: DCC out now, they are facing Reno Scum pic.twitter.com/FLXvWWnrEe
— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) March 2, 2017
With tapings set all weekend, expect more names to emerge, both returning and independent stars.
Main Photo: Impact Wrestling
