In what can only be seen as a massive blow to TNA Wrestling, former TNA World Champion Bully Ray has quit the company. According to EWN , Bully Ray had a meeting with the roster at the August 17th house show in Hagerstown, Maryland. Sources claim that Ray met with the TNA roster to tell them goodbye as he said he would not be working with the company anymore.
This story is supported by the fact that Bully Ray’s TNA contract was coming up and due to TNA budget cuts, everyone who re-signed with TNA would have to settle for less. Bully met with TNA management to discuss his future with TNA, and the two sides could not come to a deal. Bully was at the house show because it was his last contractually obligated appearance.
This is a big deal mainly because Team 3D came back together for the time being so they could go into Bound for Glory in October and be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame. There is no word on the status of the two for the Hall, but it is confirmed that Bully is gone. He will appear in Impact shows the next few weeks as they were taped in advance.
The other issue is that both Devon and Bully were involved in a tag team series that had both teams win and the rubber match had not taken place yet but was planned. Bully could always come back for that one match and then get paid cash for it and say his real goodbye then for the live TNA audience. However, if that were to occur, it wouldn’t be for a bit since as we mentioned, Impact Wrestling tapes in advance. They could always finish the series without him in some way, but who knows?
The story has been picked up by multiple outlets now, which pretty much means since TNA and Bully Ray don’t deny the story, it is most likely true. However, for TNA fans let us hope this is only rumor.
There is no real indication that there is bad blood between Bully Ray and TNA over the issue, so most expect him to appear with his long-time tag partner Devon at Bound for Glory to get inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame without much problem. This news does kill the build to that though. Devon being back now also holds no merit as he was signed on for a bit just so he could tag with Bully leading to BFG.
The former TNA World Champion is not the only person to leave TNA this year. Several TNA Originals have departed in the last year, and it has been sad to see. Others like Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy have hinted at leaving as well. The lack of major stars really hurts TNA now more than ever as they have yet to sign a Spike TV contract for television. Spike seemingly has pulled the plug, and it doubtful TNA will be renewed.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few months as major TNA contracts are up, so don’t think Bully Ray’s departure will be the last. It is only the start of major potential departures.
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