To say things haven't improved between IMPACT Wrestling and Killer Kross would be an understatement.
Kross was in the headlines earlier this year when he and girlfriend Scarlett Bordeaux both asked for their releases from the company. While Bordeaux's was granted, Kross' was not, and he's sat in limbo through most of the Summer.
In noticing that Kross hasn't been booked to wrestle for IMPACT since Slammiversary, Fightful sent an inquiry to the company for clarity on his status Sunday. Tuesday, Bill Pritchard of Wrestlezone issued a report that Fightful was able to confirm, noting that Kross refused to blade during his Slammiversary match with Eddie Edwards in July. The concerns raised were the lack of blood testing, and the absence of an on-site doctor that made talent feel unsafe about the request. Word is, that Kross had no problem losing, but preferred to use fake blood given the circumstances.
The story ended up tying together with another, when Fightful reached out to several employees and wrestlers about the news that IMPACT would be paying for hotels. In asking around, many wrestlers claimed that they've not been paid in full for their merchandise. We should clarify this wasn't across the board, but were told is was a point of contention between IMPACT and Kross in the past, as well.
We were told that many IMPACT contracts are structured to include non-disparagement clauses, and provisions to prevent talent from speaking on what the deals entail. When speaking with an employee of IMPACT Wrestling, they noted that Kross has been speaking with the company via an attorney for several weeks, and believes that IMPACT has been in breach of his contract. IMPACT still reportedly has several months on the deal, and the option to roll it over, though the amount of time was indeterminate.
This could also end up affecting Kross' AAA bookings. AAA has a show coming up on September 15, and is actually gaining the help of IMPACT to promote the event, an IMPACT worker revealed. IMPACT and Ed Nordholm specifically are said to be allowing AAA to use their promoter's license and several other amenities, and implied to the company that they'd prefer Killer Kross to not be on those shows. Kross has worked dozens of dates for AAA over the last several years, most recently at August's TripleMania show.
Fightful has reached out to IMPACT Wrestling in an official capacity on Killer Kross' status, the story about him refusing to blade, among other aspects, and have not heard back.
