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TESSA BLANCHARD EXPLAINS WHY SHE CHOSE MEXICO'S CMLL OVER TNA

Tessa Blanchard released the following video on YouTube, explaining her decision to ask for a TNA release.

Blanchard explained:

"I just wanted to sit down and talk to you guys directly because I know there's been a lot of questions about my future and why I made the decision that I did. When I signed with TNA, the understanding was that I'd be able to continue wrestling here in Mexico with CMLL while also being a part of TNA.

For a while, that worked exactly as planned, and it felt like a dream come true, like an absolute blessing. But as time went on and business evolved, leadership changed, partnerships changed, network deals changed, and the direction of the company just shifted. And eventually, I was asked to make a decision: either continue with TNA or continue with CMLL.

And I wanna be very clear that I completely understand TNA's position. This is business, and companies have to make decisions that they believe are best for their future. I have absolutely no resentment or ill feelings toward anyone there. In fact, Carlos, Riley, Nicole, like the entire team, they're nothing but great.

They were nothing but great to me. In fact, they wanted me to stay, and they made me an offer to continue with the company, and I'm unbelievably blessed for that. TNA, it's been such an important part of my career. It's been such a vital chapter of my career. It's where I became Knockouts Champion.

It's where I became the first woman to hold a World Heavyweight Championship. It's where I made history. It's where I had some of my favorite matches and created memories that I'll carry with me forever. But beyond the championships and beyond the moments on television, it's the people there that really did make the whole company very special.

From the makeup artists, Sydney, Virginia, Lindsay, Shell, you guys are each so unique and insanely talented. I'm gonna miss our early-morning jam sessions with Victoria and Mila. The photographers, Nick, Jess, Tugani, thank you guys for making me look like an absolute superstar all the time. The production crew, Kismiz, Kenny, Liz Deaner, all the agents I got to work with, Candace, I love you guys.

And there's so many incredible talents in the locker room still that I'm gonna miss seeing. People like Mila, Jada, Maggie, Harley, Trey. There's so many friends that I've made there, and I'll be cheering on every single one of them from afar and celebrating all of their wins, everything that they're going to accomplish.

And after thinking long and hard about my future, I realized that my heart is in Mexico. I've built a life here. I've got a relationship here. I've got a company that I'm thriving in, and coworkers, and I'm wrestling with luchadoras that are just some of the best in the world.

CMLL really gave me an opportunity when I needed one most. It's when I debuted here for the Grand Prix. And it was that moment when I was in ROTC at UTSA, and I needed to make a decision if I was gonna contract with the United States military or if I was going to go back to wrestling.

And that week was when CMLL called me to be a part of the Grand Prix, and it just felt like all the ducks were lining up in a way that showed me that's what I needed to do. It was like God was telling me or showing me, "Tessa, you still have unfinished business in wrestling. No matter what people say about you, no matter what people think about you, the people that don't even know you who have an opinion on you, you're a wrestler, and this is what you're meant to do, and you still have more to do."

And I felt that. So CMLL really gave me an opportunity when I needed one most. And they welcomed me with open arms. They reminded me why I fell in love with wrestling in the first place. And Mexico, it's become so much more than a place where I work. It's become my home. The culture, the fans, the tradition, the passion for lucha libre.

It's become such a huge part of my life and my happiness. I still have so many goals that I want to accomplish here. I still have so many goals that I want to accomplish in the world of wrestling. I want to hold the CMLL Women's Championship. I want to become the first woman to win the Grand Prix twice.

I want to be in an Aniversario show. I want to win a mask in Arena México. I dream of winning someone's hair in Arena México. But thinking of all these things, I want to continue making history in the place that's embraced me as one of its own. Salvador and the entire CMLL staff and team, they've been incredible, just incredible to me since the day I arrived.

They believed in me. They supported me. They made me feel like family. And it's clear to me that I'm not just another foreign wrestler coming to Arena México to check something off a bucket list. I'm the gringa más mexicana. And this place has truly become home.

So while this decision, it really wasn't easy for me, guys, it felt like the right one for my life. It felt like the right one for my future. And to everyone at TNA, I'm going to be so thankful for the memories, for the opportunities, for the friendships that I'll carry forever. And to everyone at CMLL and the incredible fans here in Mexico, thank you for making me feel like I belong when I haven't felt like I belonged in a long time.

So this isn't goodbye to anyone. It's simply the beginning of a new chapter. And really, continuing a chapter. And I'm so excited to keep writing my story here. So thank you all for supporting me through every step of this journey."

 

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