Impact Wrestling has signed the first openly gay wrestler in the company’s history when Jai Vidal signed a multiyear contract.
This is a first in the company’s 20 year history, and it came after he caught Impact Wrestling’s attention with his work in the Indies and it’s Vidal’s first contract with a major wrestling company and has appeared with Gisele Shaw as her stylist and content creator.
It marks another great moment in 2022 for him as he’s been making a name for himself in the Indies. He previously appeared in Impact in 2021 against Eric Young and Jonah, and now he’s got an exclusive contract.
Congratulations @TheJaiVidal! He is the first out gay male wrestler to ever sign with @IMPACTWRESTLING https://t.co/qk4LVzCMaT
— Outsports (@outsports) November 28, 2022
Out of nowhere
Vidal appeared on Outsports LGBT In The Ring podcast and he talked about how the deal came out of nowhere and he called back as soon as he heard the deal after an exhausting road trip.
Special thanks to Outsports.com for the following transcripts.
“I’ve been in the business going on seven years. In February, it’ll be seven years,” Vidal said. “All the times that it’s been hard to pay the bills, it’s all finally worth it.
“When I got the call to sign with IMPACT, I had actually just come back to Florida from the [IMPACT] show in Vegas. I was running on zero sleep. I got back and saw the voicemail and called them right back.”
.@JordynneGrace isn't playing @GiseleShaw08's games!#IMPACTonAXSTV pic.twitter.com/OVjkJz1jCF
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 4, 2022
Impact Wrestling Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore shared his and the company’s excitement at the signing.
“We’re excited to sign Jai Vidal, a talented and charismatic wrestler who brings a diverse skill-set to the ring. We’re proud to welcome another member of the LGBTQ community to the IMPACT roster and further our outreach into that community, which has a deep fanbase for pro wrestling.”
Vidal also talked about his dreams and goals, and how he hopes to be an inspiration to others.
“That’s groundbreaking. That’s knocking down barriers. It’s everything that I’ve always wanted to do for my community and professional wrestling because — I talk about this a lot — growing up, I had nobody to look up to really when it came to representation.
“Maybe one day down the line, somebody will see me on TV and will be inspired by me being openly gay to chase whatever goals and dreams they have as an open person in the LGBTQ community.
“I do think it would be pretty cool to be the first openly gay X-Division champion. Gisele Shaw, Knockouts World champion. Jai Vidal, X-Division champion. Holding the titles side-by-side and just dominating the roster because we can—like a community takeover.”
We send our congratulations to him and wish Vidal the best of luck in his goals. We can’t wait to see what he brings to the X-Division and Impact Wrestling as a whole.
What do you think about his signing? Let us know in the comments below.
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