There was a lot of buzz generated from the Jan. 13 edition of Impact Wrestling tapings, but one of the bigger developments was the departure of longtime TNA/GFW/Impact Wrestling star Ethan Carter III.
During the tapings, Carter – or as fans know him as EC3 – he wrestled in the Feast or Fired match and captured one of the briefcases.
Below, Jacob Cohen and TheRogueFan, who both attended the tapings, broke down the events leading to Carter’s firing.
Carter and Moose, who also captured a briefcase during the match, opened their cases at the same time. While Moose received a shot at the Impact Global Championship, Carter, knowing his fate was sealed, wouldn’t open his. Jeremy Borrash opened it instead, revealing Carter had indeed received the pink slip.
Scoop #43: Moose and EC3 open their cases simultaneously
Moose receives a World Title Shot
EC3 is Fired pic.twitter.com/WgPt3aoqJi
— Jacob Cohen (@MrJacobCohen) January 14, 2018
Update 39: EC3 says it isn’t his case. It’s Ishimori’s case. (😂😂😂)
EC3 says no one can make him open his case. JB opens it. EC3 is fired.
— The Rogue Fan (@TheRogueFan) January 14, 2018
After the reveal, Carter said there’s no way he should lose his job because of a stipulation in a silly, outdated match. He said he has been the backbone of the company who needs him – and he is Dixie Carter’s nephew. It was a good promo from Carter that came full circle.
Carter then said he is a professional and this recent development will light a spark leading to greatness – that is before he attacked Jeremy Borash. Brian Cage, who made his debut for Impact a day earlier, beat up EC3.
After the beatdown from Cage, Carter said goodbye to the Impact Zone and took a bow – officially signaling his farewell.
EC3 isn’t the only the wrestler who left from Impact this week – Chris Adonis announced his departure from the company in a Jan. 13 tweet. However, Ethan Carter III has been a staple in the company for the last four years.
When Matthew Hutter signed with TNA in 2013 he was fresh off a run in WWE where he was known as Derrick Bateman in the company’s developmental territories.
Fast forward almost five years later and Hutter, now known as Ethan Carter III, has became one of Impact Wrestling’s top names.
Carter debuted in 2013 as Dixie Carter’s spoiled nephew. In 2015, he defeated Kurt Angle to win his first of two TNA World Championships.
Carter made a name for himself during his run in Impact, winning its world championship on two occasions and most recently, the Impact Grand Championship.
The Feast or Fired concept has been a way for the company to write off talent, but it appears Carter is actually done with the promotion. According to a December report from Wrestling Inc via Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Carter was speculated to leave the company once his concept expired.
Carter wasn’t just a WWE guy who went to TNA to earn a paycheck. He took advantage of the opportunities given to him and he grew his own brand – and it appears he will be able to use the name outside of Impact. In December, PWInsider reported Carter applied to trademark “EC3.”
There is speculation Carter will go back to WWE or work in NXT. Although NXT is the WWE’s developmental brand, it has also been a good proving ground for several Impact alumni – Eric Young, Samoa Joe and Bobby Roode to name a few.
He may skip NXT and debut on the main roster. Some believe he will make his debut at the Royal Rumble, on Jan. 28.
There is also the potential Carter could sign with Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Carter will leave Impact with an impressive resume, wherever he goes, he’ll have multiple opportunities to add to it.
