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What’s the Story?
Former Impact Wrestling Knockout Champion Laurel Van Ness departed Impact Wrestling during the latest tapings.
Laurel commented on her release on Instagram.
In case you didn’t know...
Laurel had won the Knockout's Championship on the set of tapings in November. Laurel had actually requested her release from Impact back in November shortly before those set of tapings.
Laurel, under her real name Chelsea Green, competed on the 2015 return edition of WWE Tough Enough, where she joined the cast as a late entry after the Season begun. She was not among the several runner-ups who was offered a contract by WWE.
The heart of the matter
Chelsea had developed an interesting and fun psychotic character at the beginning of the year. Although she had become a very entertaining performer and was solid in the ring, she still decided that she wanted out of Impact some months ago and it looks like Impact finally granted her wish, possibly as a cost-cutting measure.
On her Instagram post, Green wrote.
"I will always be grateful for the opportunities I received, and the people who had faith in me. Thanks to everyone both in front of, and behind the camera, the production team, and most importantly my fellow Knockouts.
I have grown as a wrestler, and a performer because of the amazing locker room at Impact. I have been granted my release, am excited for the future, and I can't wait to see what 2018 holds."
What’s next?
Chelsea is a very good performer. Perhaps we may see her in WWE as she has improved so much since Tough Enough and had been a favourite of the judge and current WWE star Daniel Bryan.
Chelsea is also currently romantically linked to WWE star Zack Ryder, which may or may not improve her chances of opening the door.
Author’s take
Yet another Impact Wrestling release but one that needed to go as Chelsea had wanted out of her contract for a couple months now. A shame such a good performer and character has left but her future is bright.
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