Tessa Blanchard has taken to social media to address and deny the longstanding allegations of racism against her, expressing frustration over the ongoing attention to her past actions. The former world champion, now part of TNA Wrestling, spoke out this week to confront the controversy directly.
Back in early 2020, Blanchard was accused by several female wrestlers of bullying and racist behavior. The most notable claim involved an incident in Japan where she was accused of using a racial slur and spitting on another wrestler. While she had denied using the slur specifically, the accusations significantly impacted her career at that time.
Recently, Blanchard admitted she was not entirely blameless in the situation but strongly rejected being labeled a racist. She argued that the incident from a decade ago is being misrepresented due to today’s social climate.
“I’m not perfect and I’ve made many mistakes in my life. Racism is not one of them and it has never been in my heart,” Blanchard wrote. “An incident from 10 years ago continues to be twisted into something that has nothing to do with race due to social climate. I’m tired of being used as click bait. Let’s move on.”
When an X user questioned her about being racist, she gave a direct response: “No, I haven’t been. Let’s move on.”
Fan Take: This news is important for TNA Wrestling fans as it reflects the challenges athletes face in managing their public image amid social issues. How TNA supports or distances itself from Blanchard could have lasting effects on the sport’s reputation and its approach to addressing controversy within its ranks.
