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Impact Wrestling issued the following to PWInsider.com:
Impact Wrestling confirms that it has terminated its contracts with Dave Crist and Joey Ryan, effective immediately.
In addition, it has suspended Michael Elgin pending further review of allegations of misconduct.
PWInsider.com can also confirm that Impact's production team was working all day to remove Ryan from tomorrow's episode of Impact on AXS. The Cancel Culture vs. Crazy Steve & mystery partners match, which was slated to be the first match on tomorrow's broadcast, will not air. Ryan has been accused in multiple cases of alleged sexual harassment and assault and has disappeared from social media. He has also closed his independent promotion, Bar Wrestling. Any Ryan-related Impact material that was taped will not see the light of day, PWInsider.com is told.
As noted earlier today, Dave Crist had been expected to be released by the company and was refused entry into the Impact locker room at the last set of TV tapings, having to change alone in another area. Sources noted there had been heat on Crist even before allegations of physical, mental and sexual abuse were made by several over the weekend as part of the #SpeakingOut movement on Twitter. Impact talents had expected his release even before the allegations came to light. Crist will not be appearing on Impact TV going forward. His brother, Jacob Crist, is not involved in this situation and remains with the company.
Elgin has also been accused of alleged improprieties in recent days. Impact has opted to suspend him while the issues are investigated. Depending on how long the investigation is and what the results are, it may mean Elgin is out of the 7/18 Slammiversary PPV, where he was slated to be among four challengers for the Impact title. Impact has yet to determine how they will handle in-ring material featuring Elgin on their AXS TV series, as he is a big part of the Slammiversary build and the majority of that was already taped. It's possible Impact will edit around Elgin or downplay him as long as the suspension is active, but that remains to be seen. Elgin was not slated to appear in the ring on tomorrow's TV episode.
PWInsider.com is also told that today's announcement came so late in the day because Impact did not wish to comment until they were sure talents had been contacted by the company.
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