How Michael Elgin Lost His TNA Deal Over Accusations No One Investigated

Michael Elgin isn’t letting internet narratives define him—and he never has. The former Ring of Honor World Champion spoke on Duke Loves Rasslin to fully dissect the #SpeakingOut-era allegations that derailed his TNA/Impact Wrestling run, cost him years of work, and left his name dragged through social media hell.

During the interview, Elgin went claim by claim, breaking down the three accusations that surfaced in 2020 and how he responded in real time. He also revealed that Impact Wrestling originally promised to back him—then quietly paid out his contract and moved on to avoid social media backlash. The first allegation came from a 2016 incident where Elgin admits he sent a woman an unsolicited explicit photo. According to him, it was the result of a drunken dare while out with fellow wrestlers.

“We were drunk and they’re like, ‘You can’t be messaging girls, I dare you to send her a dick picture.’ So I literally Googled a dick picture and sent it to her. Not saying that’s justified. It’s stupid.”

Despite apologizing immediately after and again years later, the incident resurfaced online in 2020.

“I 100% agree that I was wrong in that. But unless I was just spamming people with pictures, that’s not a cancelable offense. I apologized then and again in 2020. That was 2016, not a pattern.”

The second claim accused Elgin of “attempted assault” in 2011. The woman claimed he initiated contact while she was asleep in a shared bed during a Ring of Honor taping. Elgin says that’s not how it happened—and that there were multiple witnesses in the room to prove it.

“We all came in from a night out, she was getting into the bed, and I said, ‘Hey, do you want to have sex?’ She said no. I said, ‘Okay, I should’ve picked up someone from the bar anyway,’ and went to bed.”

He acknowledged the comment was immature and classless, but rejected the serious label others tried to attach to it.

“To try and portray that as anything more vile—like attempted sexual assault—that’s incredibly ignorant and misplaced… There were real victims in that movement. Bloodied lips. Emergency room visits. But you’re gonna say this is in the same category? It’s disgusting.”

The third accusation involved a woman Elgin briefly dated. She accused him of emotional manipulation, claiming he led her on, called her fat, and cheated. Elgin said the two were never officially in a relationship and that he was upfront the entire time about his emotional availability after separating from his wife.

“So how did I cheat on you if we weren’t in a relationship? I told her I wasn’t ready for anything serious. She didn’t like that and spun it into a sob story. I shared all the texts where she apologized. But once something’s online, nobody cares about proof.”

After the stories surfaced, Elgin said TNA initially told him they would investigate and clear his name. That never happened.

“Don Callis told me, ‘We’re going to fight for you. The company’s going to investigate and clear your name.’ I said, ‘What were the accusations?’ and he goes, ‘I don’t know.’ They just said they didn’t want to risk social media hating on them for clearing me. So instead, they paid me the remainder of my three-year deal and sent me home. No investigation. Nothing.”

Elgin said he had opportunities lined up, including a return to NOAH in Japan, but TNA blocked those moves behind the scenes—without telling him.

“I was supposed to go to NOAH in 2021. I gave them everything for the work visa. When I didn’t hear back, I contacted them—and they told me TNA canceled me without telling me.”

And as for the ongoing rumors that he was accused of things like physical abuse or assault? He says that’s internet fiction that spiraled far beyond the original accusations.

“People tweet at me, ‘Don’t you physically abuse women? Don’t you sexually assault women?’ But I was never accused of that. Not once. People just saw the word ‘accused’ and ran with it.”

Elgin stressed that he has never hidden from any accusation, and actively pursued legal and public defenses.

“I didn’t lay low. I sued people. I posted the evidence. I’ve said from day one—if anyone has something real, take me to court. But they never do. They just post online and disappear.”

In the end, Elgin admitted his own past mistakes but refuses to accept the monster label some have forced on him.

“Look, I’m not perfect. I’ve said things I regret. I’ve done dumb stuff. But I’m not the villain they made me out to be. And I’ve always stood up for myself with proof. That’s something I’ll never apologize for.”

After years of career fallout, Elgin said he’s focused now on his family and healing. He still hopes to return to wrestling—but on his own terms, and with his full story finally in the open. This conversation wasn’t about making excuses—it was about finally hearing what Elgin has been saying all along.

What do you think about Michael Elgin’s side of the story? Do you believe him, or do you think the online reaction was justified? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear what you think.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.