Tessa Blanchard Explains Why She Asked For Her TNA Release

Tessa Blanchard has confirmed why she asked for her TNA release, noting that the promotion asked her to choose between themselves and CMLL. Blanchard ultimately chose the Lucha Libre company.

Blanchard stated on CMLL Informa (translated by Fightful):

"The truth is, I have received a lot of messages from friends and news, and I haven't replied to any of them yet. I want to sort things out and set the record straight today. Here, I have a life, and I feel very happy. The US company asked me, 'Tessa, you need to decide whether you're a CMLL wrestler or a TNA wrestler.' I took my time to think it over with my dad, whom I trust very much. My life is here. I'm not just another foreigner - I'm the most Mexican gringa. I have many goals to achieve here, and I already reached the top of the mountain. I won everything over there, but here I have many dreams and goals to pursue. I needed to focus my career and my life here in Mexico, and from this moment on, I'm 100 per cent with CMLL."

It emerged this week that Blanchard had asked for and been granted her release after being told to choose between CMLL and TNA. Dave Meltzer has reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Blanchard was made to choose due to the pro wrestling war between WWE and AEW.

"Why this became an issue with TNA, you know why it did. It shouldn't have but it did. What happened was somebody was upset that she was working for CMLL, which is on the AEW side. Since in the United States, TNA is on the WWE side, TNA basically told her you've got to choose… They offered her a deal to stay, but it was going to be exclusive, and she made the call," Meltzer said.

CMLL have a working relationship with AEW, while the Lucha Libre promotion's main rival in AAA are co-owned by WWE with Fillip. TNA and WWE have worked together since May 2024.

Tessa Blanchard returned to TNA Wrestling in December 2024 and the former IMPACT World Champion remained a controversial figure because of allegations of racism and bullying made against her in January 2020. Her matches often received chants of, "She's a racist."

Tessa Blanchard debuted for CMLL in October 2023 and wrestled for the company until November 2024. She returned to CMLL in October 2025 and has been a regular in the promotion ever since, while she is also engaged to CMLL's Esfinge.