Update: PWInsider.com is reporting several sources have told them that the talks between IMPACT Wrestling and AXS are “still active” as of this week.
It was also noted that the initial talks between the two sides go back at least three months, and if the deal went through, IMPACT wanted to announce they were moving to AXS the Monday after Slammiversary (July 8). AXS is one of several potential homes Anthem is looking at for content. Anthem’s potential purchase of the network would not have changed New Japan or WOW’s status with AXS, but Anthem-owned content, including Impact, would have been added to the network.
IMPACT Wrestling was looking for a new television home, but it doesn’t appear to be AXS TV.
According to comments from @FightOracle (aka Front Row Brian), IMPACT and AXS won’t be coming to terms on a broadcast deal because AXS ultimately declined IMPACT’s interest in a buyout. The new comments would suggest it was actually Anthem that wanted to buy AXS from the ownership group (the group includes AEG, Mark Cuban, and Ryan Seacrest Media, CBS +CAA) and not AXS trying to buy IMPACT.
Voices Of Wrestling, the source of the initial report about IMPACT’s potential new home, confirmed FightOracle’s comments and said it always speculated that AXS was the one attempting the buyout when it was the opposite. Voices Of Wrestling originally reported this month that IMPACT was looking for a new home following their run on Pursuit Channel, and while it was not a done deal, the move was potentially set for July.
Read More: IMPACT Wrestling Reportedly Closing In On New TV Deal
Wrestlezone has asked IMPACT Wrestling and AXS for comment and will update if one is provided. IMPACT Wrestling announced a new deal for Twitch yesterday; the renewal also includes more exclusive content including original weekly programming, pre and post-shows, live monthly specials, weekly airings of Xplosion and much more.
Related: IMPACT Wrestling Announces Twitch Agreement Renewal, Expanding Weekly Content Production
https://twitter.com/fightoracle/status/1154012850882584576
https://twitter.com/fightoracle/status/1154020393360986115
