After being removed from the main event of Hard to Kill, Alex Shelley has given an update on the situation.
Impact Wrestling announced on Friday that Moose is replacing Shelley in the main event of Hard to Kill. Impact announced that Shelley informed the company late Thursday night that he’s unable to travel to Nashville for the pay-per-view due to unavoidable circumstances. AEW World Champion Kenny Omega & Impact Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) will now face Impact World Champion Rich Swann, Moose & Chris Sabin in a six-man tag match at tonight’s PPV.
Impact Wrestling posted a message from Shelley today where he provided an update on why he isn’t able to appear at Hard to Kill. “I assure everyone out there, I do not have COVID,” Shelley said. “I am not orthopedically injured. But in the interest of safety, my situation is a very complex one. I put that first — as does Impact management. And they are doing the utmost in terms of precautions to make sure that nobody is at risk at Hard to Kill or going forward.”
Shelley promised that he’ll be back in Impact Wrestling. He apologized to Sabin, Swann, and the fans and said he owes a receipt to Omega and The Good Brothers.
Countdown to Hard to Kill is airing live on AXS TV and Impact’s digital platforms at 7 p.m. Eastern time tonight. The main card will then begin on PPV at 8 p.m. Eastern. Here’s what’s been announced for the show:
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega & Impact Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) vs. Impact World Champion Rich Swann, Moose & Chris Sabin
Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo defends against Taya Valkyrie
X-Division Champion Manik defends against Rohit Raju and Chris Bey in a triple threat match
Knockouts Tag Team title tournament finals: Havok & Nevaeh vs. Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz
Barbed Wire Massacre match: Eddie Edwards vs. Sami Callihan
No DQ match: Eric Young, Joe Doering & Cody Deaner vs. Tommy Dreamer, Rhino & Cousin Jake
Ethan Page vs. The Karate Man
Rosemary & Crazzy Steve vs. Tenille Dashwood & Kaleb (Caleb Konley)
Josh Alexander vs. Brian Myers (Countdown to Hard to Kill)