Tessa Blanchard posted an Instagram photo of herself and La Rosa Negra with the caption “time, growth, and healing” on April 3rd, 2023. As you may have heard in early 2020, Blanchard allegedly spat on La Rosa Negra and called her a racial slur during a Japan event in 2017. Other female wrestlers piled on, referring to Blanchard as a “bully” backstage. Blanchard’s Impact Wrestling contract expired in the Spring/Summer of 2020, and no major promotions, including Impact, have used her services since.
According to several independent sources, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has shown no interest in Blanchard, as several female wrestlers employed there have reportedly recanted stories about their backstage and in-ring issues with Blanchard to the EVPs and Tony Khan. The WWE has shown some interest in her, but their offers have always been inadequate and they’ve wanted her to return to NXT. Blanchard appeared briefly in NXT in 2016, but appeared to leave early after losing three consecutive matches (Alexa Bliss, Nia Jax, and Carmella) from April to June of that year.
According to independent sources, no matter what fences she may have mended, both AEW and WWE will maintain their stances. Given the apparent La Rosa incident, the perception of Blanchard as a “bully” by other talent, and the reported “falling out” with Women of Wrestling, the industry as a whole believes Blanchard is difficult to work with. Blanchard’s hopes have reportedly been with AEW, given her father Tully Blanchard’s work there and her desire to be pushed on television immediately. AEW, on the other hand, is likely listening to their talent who have worked with her and continues to show no interest. Things may change if Blanchard’s reputation among talent improves or if WWE/AEW is in desperate need of talent.
Blanchard appears to have saved the money she earned in previous years, works on independent shows or trains others as needed, and appears to be focused on getting her personal life in order. Having said that, she maintains peak physical condition all year, as evidenced by her numerous Instagram workout photos and videos.
You can check out her post with Rosa Negra below:
