H Jenkins on August 26, 2024
The pro wrestling world is full of a variety of controversial stories, and some of them stick with those stars for the rest of their careers. Tessa Blanchard may be trying to get a new foothold in the pro wrestling business, but her story isn’t finding acceptance by everyone.
In a candid interview with Straight Talk Wrestling, former TNA World Champion Tessa Blanchard opened up about the profound personal struggles she has faced in recent years. This came after allegations came forward of her backstage bulling, including one troubling story about her using the N-word to a fellow wrestler while on a tour of Japan. Tessa released a denial statement in 2020 regarding that allegation already, but she was relegated to the indies after that.
Reflecting on a tumultuous period in her life, Blanchard shared the intense emotional and mental challenges she endured as her career in wrestling hit a significant low point.
“Honestly, so when everything happened to me, it was even a tough topic to even talk about. I remember, I was living in Tijuana at the time, and I remember some days I would wake up, I didn’t even have the strength to live that day, so I would go back to bed, and I would be in my bed all day long. There were days where I was tired about life, just because my identity was wrestling. I didn’t know who I was without it, and in a matter of less than 24 hours, from contract offers from the biggest companies, more money than I’d ever seen in my life, to nothing. From this whole storyline we had built for eight or nine months to me begging the TNA office that day, like I don’t want to win it, I don’t want to do this.”
“After I didn’t go home, I went on a 27-day media tour in Mexico, where I remember we would pull over in the Uber before every interview, and I would vomit. I was just puking and puking because I didn’t know, it was whiplash, I didn’t know. I was seeing and hearing and my family, my little brother and sister, were reading all these things about me that I knew wasn’t me, I knew wasn’t in my heart, I wasn’t this person, but it didn’t matter, perception’s reality, right, the truth doesn’t matter.”
“Even the real truth isn’t even out there still, and it doesn’t matter. But you know, sometimes those things happen because when your feet are pretty far off the ground, when you fall, you fall hard, and I didn’t know my identity without wrestling, and through all of that, through those ups and downs, those really hard days that I didn’t know if I was gonna get through, I found out who Tessa is without wrestling. I went back to college, I joined Army ROTC, and I found out, hey, I’m good at other things too. Yeah, wrestling is my dream and I love it, and this is what God’s put in my life. But without wrestling, I’m gonna be okay. There is a life after this, and one day, if I get hurt or this isn’t in my life, I’m still gonna be alright.”
Blanchard also recounted a particularly dark moment during this period, revealing the depths of her struggles with mental health. She was quite candid in this interview as she spoke about not wanting to live anymore.
“I remember, when I was going through some of those things, I remember one day at my dad’s house, I was visiting family, and I was just doing laundry, and I just fell to the ground, bawling my eyes out, like I don’t want to be here anymore, I don’t want to live this life, I don’t want to be in wrestling, I don’t want to do this anymore, and I remember just imagining ways to just end it all, and my ex-husband helped me a lot through some of those moments, but it took a lot of self-counseling, talking to other people, and just trying to get comfortable and figuring out who Tessa is outside of the wrestling world, outside of the spotlight. When all’s said and done, we came into this world alone, we’re gonna leave this world alone, who am I? What do I like? What do I not like? Where are my boundaries? Where am I gonna say no? What am I okay with? All these things and figuring out how to cope with that anxiety, being comfortable in your own skin. It takes a lot of work.”
In response to Blanchard’s interview, WWE star Chelsea Green addressed the situation via Twitter, expressing her thoughts on the matter. At the time, Gigi Dolin also tweeted out her first-hand experience with Tessa’s bullying.
Green was one of the people who tweeted out years ago about Tessa’s bullying ways. She’s not buying this new version of Tessa, as she made it clear that an apology hasn’t been issued at all, either.
“I don’t wish self-harm or thoughts of suicide on anyone, and hope she has found peace. However, a simple ‘I am sorry’ goes a long way. We haven’t heard that yet. Accountability matters, and a redemption tour of interviews won’t erase the actions of an egotistical bully.”
Blanchard’s revelations shed light on the harsh realities that can accompany a life in professional wrestling, particularly when one’s identity becomes so deeply intertwined with their career. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health, self-discovery, and the need for accountability in the wrestling world and beyond.
We will keep a close eye on this story. Tessa Blanchard is speaking out more than she ever has in the past, as she’s stayed pretty silent for the past few years. Now, she is taking a step back into the spotlight and gaining some attention, but it seems that she has yet to apologize for some of the bully allegations that she was a part of.
What’s your take on this story about Tessa Blanchard? Do you think that she needs to get another chance in the pro wrestling business? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
August 26, 2024 7:58 pm
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