One of the cornerstones of Impact Wrestling for the entire history of the promotion has moved on to WWE.
Jeremy Borash is leaving, effective immediately, for WWE according to various reports. PW Insider was the first outlet to have the news.
PW Insider reported that Borash was backstage throughout the events during Royal Rumble weekend, but only told others he was there to visit friends. In another report, PWinsider said that the move was a Triple H call and will likely be working in the NXT system moving forward.
This is a huge blow to Impact Wrestling, who had Borash in their plans moving forward. The plan was for Borash to continue doing commentary with Don Callis as Josh Matthews was to be moved to a new role, managing Matt Sydal as his new spiritual advisor. How that issue will be settled is currenty unknown.
Impact itself has publicized Borash's importance to the company. The description of one video on Borash during last spring's #MakeImpactgreat campaign read, "JB has been with IMPACT Wrestling since day 1. Many people associate the brand with JB due to his longevity and dedication to IMPACT Wrestling."
In addition to currently serving as the lead broadcaster for Impact, Borash has filled a variety of pivotal roles both in front of the camera and behind the scenes for Impact, including duties as a ring announcer, helping produce shows, and providing booking input. Borash also was pivotal in the Final Deletion series of videos from the Hardy compound in 2016 and, when the Hardys joined WWE last spring, they reportedly lobbied Borash to join them in WWE. One PW Insider report says it does not appear he was brought in for that role.
PW Insider described the departure of Borash as a huge blow for Impact, which recently went through yet another management change and now have Callis and Scott D'Amore serving as Executive Vice Presidents.
Fightful.com will have more on this story as it develops.