At Slammiversary Alberto El Patron defeated Bobby Lashley to unify the Impact Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship and the Global Force Wrestling Championship. It was a big moment for Alberto, but shortly after he was involved in an altercation with Paige at the Orlando International Airport, and GFW announced that he was suspended.
Alberto’s suspension has yet to be lifted, and earlier this week GFW announced that Alberto had been stripped of his title. The former champion later took to Instagram to claim that he had suggested he be stripped of the title when he posted the following:
“My company, Impact, and I have come to an agreement that it’s best for both parties if I be stripped from the championships. I came up with the suggestion just to show that Impact doesn’t have favorites and everybody gets treated the same. Apologies to fans and my brothers and sisters in the company, even though I came out all clear and there was no wrongdoing, it was still a scandal. So thanks for your support and let’s move forward more positively. One day I hope to be your champ again.”
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that GFW officials went back and forth over the weekend in regards to what to do with the title, and it was Ed Nordholm who ultimately made the decision.
Alberto’s lawyers reportedly pushed for his suspension to be lifted due to the fact that the charges that he was suspended for have been dropped. However, company officials were concerned with his track record, and there are said to be other situations which haven’t gotten publicity that company officials are concerned with.
GFW will be taping enough footage over the next few days to hold them over through Bound For Glory, and at this point it’s not known when Alberto will be reinstated, which means they will have to change plans. The company is expected to make an announcement regarding the World Title tonight.
Former WWE star John Morrison is set to appear at the Impact tapings, likely under his name John Hennigan. There has reportedly been talk backstage of putting the GFW Title on John, but that plan has not been confirmed.
It’s also interesting to note that in theory John shouldn’t be able to work on television due to his deal with Lucha Underground where he wrestles as Johnny Mundo. In the past LU officials have been dead set against letting their talent appear on TV for another US company, but it appears they’ve changed their stance on the issue.
