Several independent wrestling matches featuring AEW stars have reportedly been canceled after a decision by TNA leadership. The move has sparked strong reactions from wrestlers and AEW officials as TNA prepares for its Rebellion pay-per-view event in Cleveland.
The cancellations involve high-profile matches that had been scheduled for upcoming independent shows.
Matches That Were Canceled
TNA President Carlos Silva reportedly stopped two independent matches that included well-known AEW talent.
One of the matches planned for next weekend was Ricochet facing TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater. Another match scheduled for May 1 featured AEW World Champion MJF taking on Nic Nemeth.
The MJF vs Nic Nemeth match had already been scheduled once before and was previously canceled. The latest decision marks the second time that match has been blocked.
Reason Behind the Decision
According to reports, Silva informed promoters that the cancellations were due to partner conflicts.
There has been speculation that outside influence may have played a role in the decision, with some discussion pointing toward possible WWE involvement. However, that claim has not been confirmed and remains speculation.
TNA entered a multi-year partnership with WWE in January. In the past, the promotion also worked with AEW during a short partnership that lasted from December 2020 to October 2021.
These relationships are part of the larger business landscape that may affect how talent appearances are approved across promotions.
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AEW Leadership and Wrestlers Respond
AEW President Tony Khan reportedly approved both the Ricochet and MJF matches before they were booked for independent events.
Khan said he was surprised when the matches were pulled, as he believed the bookings were acceptable as long as AEW wrestlers were not scheduled on the same day as AEW television shows or pay-per-view events.
MJF also reacted strongly to the situation. The AEW World Champion publicly criticized the decision and called the move “disgusting.”
Inside TNA, some wrestlers are reportedly unhappy with the cancellations but have not publicly criticized the company as a group. Many of them are currently focused on preparing for the Rebellion pay-per-view event in Cleveland.
Previous Incidents Involving Talent Restrictions
This is not the first time TNA has stopped talent from appearing in other promotions.
Former two-time TNA World Champion Moose was previously blocked from working for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. That promotion is run by former TNA president Scott D’Amore.
Incidents like this, along with the recent cancellations, have added tension between wrestlers, independent promoters, and partner companies.
Status of Wrestlers Affected by the Cancellations
| Wrestler | Recent Situation |
|---|---|
| Ricochet | Scheduled match with Leon Slater for next weekend canceled |
| Leon Slater | X-Division title match vs Ricochet pulled |
| MJF | Match against Nic Nemeth on May 1 canceled and publicly criticized the decision |
| Nic Nemeth | May 1 match with MJF canceled |
| Moose | Previously blocked from appearing for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling |
With TNA moving ahead with its Rebellion pay-per-view event in Cleveland, the focus inside the company remains on the upcoming show.
At the same time, the cancellations have raised questions about how future independent bookings involving major wrestling promotions will be handled.
Promoters, wrestlers, and fans will be watching closely to see whether similar situations occur again in the future.
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