TNA TV Title Vacant; New Champion to Be Crowned Thursday on IMPACT!

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) announced Wednesday that contract negotiations with Television Champion Devon Hughes had come to an impasse and that the title would be vacated. 

A new champion will be crowned on Thursday's episode of TNA iMPACT!, which is the company's new "Championship Thursday" monthly event.

Garrett Bischoff, Mr. Anderson, Magnus and Samoa Joe will be the four wrestlers and two will be chosen to wrestle for the title.  The format of "Championship Thursday" features the four wrestlers each pleading his case to TNA authority figure Hulk Hogan, with Hogan eliminating wrestlers from consideration as the night progresses.

Hughes' contract with the company expired on August 28, but negotiations continued afterward.  Hughes' longtime former partner, Bully Ray, re-signed with the company.

Although Hughes is no longer with the company, the window is not closed on his possible return.  The article that announced the title vacancy also said that the company hopes Hughes "returns to the active roster in the future."

Hogan, on his Facebook page, also expressed interest in Hughes returning to the company.

"

I want Devon back more than anybody and on top of everything else he's a quality person and a gift from the man above.

 

"

Time will tell if Hughes returns or if it is all talk.

In the meantime, a new champion will be crowned on Thursday.  With former tag-team champion partners Samoa Joe and Magnus beginning to start a feud, one would have to consider them favorites, with a possible rematch at Bound for Glory.