In another surprising development, TNA Wrestling has released a former world champion and fan favorite.
On Wednesday, reports indicated that TNA Wrestling released Sami Callihan from his contract. Shortly thereafter, Callihan, 38, took to X (formerly Twitter) and announced his departure:
Thought I was going to be called today offering a position in a creative field… nope.
I am separated from TNA.
Oh well…on to the next adventure.
check out my company @PWRevolver pic.twitter.com/Se0Bc66t0O– Sami Callihan (@TheSamiCallihan) 17 June 2026
Earlier in the day, ECW veteran Tommy Dreamer also announced his departure from TNA Wrestling. Dreamer, who was in his third stint with TNA, was working as a producer and creative team.
On Tuesday, former TNA World Champion Tessa Blanchard was let go after requesting her release. This came nine days after the company released another former world champion, Steve Macklin and Myla Grace.
Callihan first joined the promotion (then called Impact Wrestling) in 2017. He captured the TNA World Championship on the October 25, 2019 episode. Effect!Defeated Brian Cage.
She held the title for 79 days before losing it to Blanchard, who became the first woman to win the TNA World Championship at the 2020 Hard to Kill pay-per-view.
Sami Callihan retired from in-ring competition last summer
(Photo by Matt Pendleton/WWE via Getty Images))
Callihan retired after losing to Mike Santana at the TNA Emergence pay-per-view on August 15 last year. As a stipulation of the match, Callihan was asked to hang up his wrestling boots if he lost.
In fact, Callihan had battled several injuries and was ready to give his body some much-needed rest. After his loss to Santana he worked with TNA in a backstage role.
