IMPACT Releases Eli Drake

Eli Drake, a former IMPACT Wrestling World Heavyweight and World Tag Team champion, has been released from the promotion as of Sunday,

per a statement

from the company.

The statement reads, in its entirety, "Impact Wrestling announced today that it has terminated its relationship with Shaun Ricker, known as ‘Eli Drake’"

Drake's contract was set to to expire on May 31.

In a recent interview with

The Wrestling Perspective podcast

, Drake admitting to considering his options, should the contract lapse. He said, in part, "Truth be told, I run up on May 31 here at IMPACT. If that's the case, it's time to start thinking about what options I have. Should I stay or should I go? We will find out. There's so many options out there." (Credit to

Fightful

for transcription).

Drake made headlines recently for bowing out of an intergender match with Tessa Blanchard, scheduled for several days ago at IMPACT's United We Stand event.

Drake made his debut for IMPACT in March 2015, joining Drew (McIntyre) Galloway and Micah (Tanga Loa) to form The Rising.