FORUM HOME > Wrestling > TNA
Former Knockout champ gone (for now)

JustinPossiblePosted on 09/04/09 at 20:37:11

Source: PWInsider.com

Former TNA Knockout Champion Angelina Love, of the Beautiful People, received her release from TNA yesterday after TNA learned her working visa expired, or is about to expire shortly.

According to several sources within the company, there is some sort of an issue with Love's work visa expiring, and not being renewed as needed.

Love, from Canada, has been working on a work visa originally granted to her when she was under a WWE Development contract. Sources indicate that the visa has either expired, or will expire shortly.

With Love's work visa expiring, TNA has their hands tied and can't use her without having the proper paperwork. There was a lot of unhappiness within TNA regarding the entire situation. There was more of a disappointment, as opposed to heat on Love for allowing it to expire.

Angelina Love and Velvet Sky have been the top heel Knockouts and were scheduled to be involved in a very important bout at the TNA No Surrender PPV in just a few weeks.

As of press time, there is no word as to how Love will be written out of TNA storylines. We'll have more information in the coming days.



IMO:
I feel she is too important to the KO division & will be back shortly.
pszPosted on 09/05/09 at 03:41:48

Not that I keep up with TNA that much in general, but I'm kinda surprised that she hadn't renewed the Visa sooner (or applied for dual citizenship, if that's applicable)
JustinPossiblePosted on 09/05/09 at 20:23:33

In a correction from yesterday's report concerning Lauren Williams' (professionally known as "Angelina Love") sudden departure from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, it was noted that she had been working under a visa she obtained during her time under contract to World Wrestling Entertainment as a developmental talent a few years ago. This is incorrect as her visa would have been deemed invalid as soon as she was let go — her release occurred in May 2007. According to a person in the know, she has actually been working without a visa for the past two years, which is illegal.

Basically, if you are not a legal citizen of the United States, you must apply for a new working visa each and every time you start with a new employer. Seeing how Williams is a Canadian citizen working in the United States, she falls under this category. The person applying must initiate the matter themselves by either having: enough money in the bank to support themselves; a U.S. sponsor; or a company confirming they will employ them in the U.S.

In September 2007, Williams was contacted by TNA officials to appear at their annual October pay-per-view, Bound for Glory. For all of the debuting Knockouts — including Williams — the 10-Knockout Gauntlet to crown the first TNA Women's Champion was in actuality a tryout match. Williams passed with flying colors as she was signed to a contract a few days following the match and instantly became a regular television character. However, this is where the problem occurred.

From a legal standpoint, her work visa issues were supposed to be taken care of before she could sign her contract with TNA, but apparently weren't. Likewise, company officials carelessly ignored the issue as well. For instance, this explains why it took so long for Gail Kim — who like Williams is a citizen of Canada — to debut in WWE this past year as her work visa issues had to be taken care off before she could legally start with the company. In Williams' case, she made a glaring mistake by starting with her new employer before first getting her visa situation taken care of. Considering Williams has been working without a visa for the past two years, both she and TNA could face serious legal ramifications should federal agents become informed of this alarming matter.

As far as possible punishment is concerned, Williams could be subject to deportation and banned from entering the United States for ten years. She may also be forced to pay back any money she garnered by working as an illegal immigrant in the U.S.

According to the source, when TNA president Dixie Carter was informed by her legal team about the amount of trouble her company could face as a result of employing an illegal immigrant, she hastily made the decision to terminate Williams' contract.
JustinPossiblePosted on 01/03/10 at 04:55:03

Former TNA Knockout champion Angelina Love has worked out her visa issues, and has re-signed with TNA.
Drunken FoolPosted on 01/03/10 at 16:47:00

On 01/03/10 at 04:55:03, JustinPossible wrote:Former TNA Knockout champion Angelina Love has worked out her visa issues, and has re-signed with TNA.
I wish Lacey Von Erich wasn't American and had VISA problems. God, she's worse in the ring than Jackie Gayda was. Watching her wrestle is like watching a Paris Hilton movie
jeff the god of biscuitsPosted on 01/03/10 at 17:01:20

On 01/03/10 at 04:55:03, JustinPossible wrote:Former TNA Knockout champion Angelina Love has worked out her visa issues, and has re-signed with TNA.
this is nothing but a good thing ... hopefully it doesn't take them long to put the belt back on her ...

PS: You have actually watched a Paris Hilton movie DF?
Drunken FoolPosted on 01/05/10 at 20:22:26

On 01/03/10 at 17:01:20, jeff the god of biscuits wrote:

this is nothing but a good thing ... hopefully it doesn't take them long to put the belt back on her ...

PS: You have actually watched a Paris Hilton movie DF?
True, but I think there are a few other girls who should get the title as well, mainly Hamada and Alissa Flash