Impact Wrestling Rumor Roundup: AEW 'raids' company's talent, Former World Champion finally returns to WWE

Welcome to another edition of the Impact Wrestling Rumor Roundup, where we bring you the hottest stories involving Impact Wrestling and its Superstars. Last week, we talked about a current Impact Superstar's challenge to Batista and Roman Reigns, among other stories.

Without further ado, let us take a look at the latest news and rumors coming from the 'Impact Zone':

#4 AEW raids Impact's production team

There had been reports recently that Impact's VP of production, Kevin Sullivan, had jumped ship and joined AEW. However, a report from SEScoops indicated that it wasn't just the former WCW Superstar who had left Impact but his entire team - who were in charge of production - have now ended their relationship with Impact Wrestling.

Here is what the reports stated:

Impact is trying to spin the situation as if AEW only took one person, but that is not the case. Kevin Sullivan TV is composed of editors, graphic artists, sound engineers, video producers, voiceovers studios and more. They assembled all of Impact's weekly programming for domestic and international.

One source who we spoke with about this story called it a “huge strategic move” by AEW and “crippling” to Impact ahead of their move to AXS TV in late October.

(H/T: Sesoops)

Reportedly, Impact has hired a Tennessee producer to fill the role of Kevin Sullivan for the time being. It will be interesting to see how the Impact management will deal with this crisis as a new era for them is soon to begin on AXS television, and such setbacks could really hamper the morale of the locker room.

Do you think it was right on Kevin Sullivan's part to end his association with Impact? Tell us in the comments!

Also Read: Company wants 7-time World Champion to become the next Goldberg

#3 Johnny Impact returning to WWE

The man known as John Morrison, Johnny Mundo and Johnny Impact has finally returned home to WWE as per recent reports. The former Intercontinental and ECW Champion had left WWE in 2011 and went on to make a major name for himself in the world of independent wrestling, especially in Mexico.

After having held the top championships in Lucha Underground as well as becoming a World Champion in Impact, Morrison will now be returning to WWE as per a report from PWInsider:

Former Impact Wrestling Champion John Hennigan has signed a deal to return to World Wrestling Entertainment, PWInsider.com has confirmed.

Hennigan, 39 years old, had a long run with WWE after winning the third season of their Tough Enough reality series, performing for the promotion through 2011 as John Morrison. During his first run with the company, he held the WWE Intercontinental Championship, the WWE version of the ECW title and had several WWE Tag Team title reigns with Joey Mercury.

It will be interesting to see how WWE decides to use the 39-year old and which brand he finally ends up on.

#2 Impact Wrestling replaces SmackDown Live

BREAKING:@AXSTV Launches #IMPACT Wrestling Tuesday Nights At 8pE/5pP With Debut Specials Starting October 1 & ‘IMPACT!’ Premiere On October 29https://t.co/zjxMUmpAGV pic.twitter.com/PvoMokBovs
— IMPACT (@IMPACTWRESTLING) September 24, 2019

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Unless you have been living under a rock, you must be aware of the upcoming move of SmackDown to FOX. With the move, not only will SmackDown get a new home but will also start airing on Fridays instead of Tuesdays.

However, wrestling fans can rejoice as Impact Wrestling has swooped in and filled the Tuesday slot yet again as the show will start airing on Tuesdays from October on AXStv:

AXS TV, the exclusive U.S. television broadcast home for IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s pre-eminent professional wrestling organizations, today announced IMPACT Wrestling will launch on the network on Tuesday, Oct.1 at 8pE/5pP.

#1 Impact Wrestling finally issues bonuses

Impact Wrestling has made a great gesture to its roster by paying bonuses to the talent following the long tapings held in Las Vegas. The tapings revolved around the marriage ceremony of Melissa Santos and Impact World Champion, Brian Cage.

PWInsider stated: