Santino Marella Announces Tessa Blanchard Suspension – TNA made a bold statement at Slammiversary 2025 when Director of Authority Santino Marella addressed the UBS Arena crowd moments before the main event to announce that Tessa Blanchard has been suspended indefinitely.
The suspension came in response to Blanchard’s chaotic actions earlier in the evening, following her loss to Indi Hartwell in a highly anticipated singles match. After the bell, Tessa’s frustration boiled over as she attacked Hartwell once again at ringside. The situation spiraled further out of control when Blanchard turned her aggression toward TNA interviewer Gia Miller, blindsiding her during a backstage segment.
Security was quickly dispatched, and the live broadcast abruptly cut away. The situation escalated backstage, prompting Santino to personally intervene. Blanchard was confronted by Marella and ultimately ejected from the building and escorted by security.
While Marella didn’t specify the length of the suspension, his on-air announcement made it clear that Blanchard’s actions would not be tolerated by TNA management.
The match itself was already under intense scrutiny. During the bout, a large section of the crowd erupted with a “she’s a racist” chant directed at Blanchard—an apparent reference to her long-standing controversy involving wrestler La Rosa Negra. The chant served as a reminder that many fans have not forgotten or forgiven past allegations, despite TNA’s decision to bring her back into the spotlight.
Santino Marella Announces Tessa Blanchard Suspension
