News

Bobby Roode & Eric Young Have Left TNA; Are Now Officially Free Agents

By Mark McAllen • Published 20th March 2016
TJR Wrestling

Former TNA World Heavyweight Champions Bobby Roode and Eric Young asked TNA for their releases this weekend and they were granted them. They finished up with the company at yesterdays Impact Wrestling tapings and are now officially free agents.

TNA issued the following statement regarding Roode and Young’s departure.

“Impact Wrestling has come to terms on the release of veteran wrestlers Bobby Roode and Eric Young (Jeremy Fritz). Bobby and Eric have been valuable members of The Impact Roster since 2004 and we wish them nothing but the best in their careers going forward.

Bobby had this to say earlier today, “To the guys and girls I got to work with for the past 12 years, Impact Wrestling, the office and everyone associated with me getting to live this dream, I say thank you. It is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life. This has been amazing.”

Eric Young had this to say. “Thank you. Thank you to everyone who watched me for the past 12 years. Thank you to Impact Wrestling. I wish everyone here nothing but the best going forward.”

Executive Vice President of Creative and Television, John Gaburick added, “Bobby and Eric are true professionals. We salute them for the 12 years they gave TNA.

With a Superstar roster including EC3, James Storm, Drew Galloway, Jeff and Matt Hardy, “The Destroyer” Bobby Lashley, Gail Kim, The Wolves, Maria Kanellis-Bennett and “The Miracle” Mike Bennett we couldn’t be more excited about showcasing the finest wrestling in the world for the Impact fans.”

In the coming weeks be sure to see the final matches of both Bobby Roode and Eric Young on Impact Wrestling at 9PM EST on Pop TV.”

Roode and Young also tweeted the following after last night’s Impact Wrestling tapings.

https://twitter.com/TheEricYoung/status/711384103602528256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/TheEricYoung/status/711550836418056192

Mark’s reaction: I admittedly haven’t watched TNA on a weekly basis in a long time. I got turned off and there’s so much other wrestling out there that I enjoy, so it’s tough to keep up with everything. With that being said, there was a time where I was really into TNA and watched all the time. My favorite years of TNA was between 2004 – 2006/07.

I’ve always been a big fan of Bobby Roode, ever since his Team Canada days. Eric Young I’m so-so on. I always thought he did a great job in his comedic role early on in his career, but I just had a tough time taking him seriously as a competitor in his later years when his persona kind of changed. I haven’t seen much of Young in the last few years so he could be killing it for all I know. I like him, I was just never the biggest fan.

The big question that comes from this news is of course, where will Roode and Young go? Is NXT in the cards? I think so. Roode is 39 and Young is 36. After WWE signed a 36-year-old Samoa Joe and Austin Aries who will be turning 38 in a few weeks, anything is possible. Nothing is out of the question anymore. James Storm, who’s also in his late 30’s, even appeared on NXT briefly and was considering NXT until TNA (in the words of The Godfather) made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. An offer in the form of $250,000. However, even Storm apparently left on very good terms with WWE, with the door being left open for a future return if he pleases.

I’d like to see both of these men in WWE, would you? If not, what company do you see Roode and Young winding up? Leave any of your thoughts in the comment section below.