diff --git a/app/jobs/process_tag_alias_job.rb b/app/jobs/process_tag_alias_job.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index 120171928..000000000
--- a/app/jobs/process_tag_alias_job.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-class ProcessTagAliasJob < ApplicationJob
-  queue_as :bulk_update
-
-  def perform(tag_alias, approver)
-    tag_alias.process!(approver)
-  end
-end
diff --git a/app/jobs/process_tag_implication_job.rb b/app/jobs/process_tag_implication_job.rb
deleted file mode 100644
index 457f12386..000000000
--- a/app/jobs/process_tag_implication_job.rb
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-class ProcessTagImplicationJob < ApplicationJob
-  queue_as :bulk_update
-
-  def perform(tag_implication, approver)
-    tag_implication.process!(approver)
-  end
-end
diff --git a/app/jobs/process_tag_relationship_job.rb b/app/jobs/process_tag_relationship_job.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..01b22a233
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/jobs/process_tag_relationship_job.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+class ProcessTagRelationshipJob < ApplicationJob
+  queue_as :bulk_update
+
+  def perform(class_name:, approver:, antecedent_name:, consequent_name:, forum_topic: nil)
+    relation_class = Kernel.const_get(class_name)
+    tag_relationship = relation_class.create!(creator: approver, approver: approver, antecedent_name: antecedent_name, consequent_name: consequent_name, forum_topic: forum_topic)
+    tag_relationship.process!
+  end
+end
diff --git a/app/logical/bulk_update_request_processor.rb b/app/logical/bulk_update_request_processor.rb
index f9604f1f0..0b6d96b18 100644
--- a/app/logical/bulk_update_request_processor.rb
+++ b/app/logical/bulk_update_request_processor.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ class BulkUpdateRequestProcessor
   class Error < StandardError; end
 
   attr_reader :bulk_update_request
-  delegate :script, :forum_topic_id, to: :bulk_update_request
+  delegate :script, :forum_topic, to: :bulk_update_request
   validate :validate_script
 
   def initialize(bulk_update_request)
@@ -105,12 +105,10 @@ class BulkUpdateRequestProcessor
       commands.map do |command, *args|
         case command
         when :create_alias
-          tag_alias = TagAlias.create!(creator: approver, forum_topic_id: forum_topic_id, status: "pending", antecedent_name: args[0], consequent_name: args[1])
-          tag_alias.approve!(approver)
+          TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: args[0], consequent_name: args[1], approver: approver, forum_topic: forum_topic)
 
         when :create_implication
-          tag_implication = TagImplication.create!(creator: approver, forum_topic_id: forum_topic_id, status: "pending", antecedent_name: args[0], consequent_name: args[1])
-          tag_implication.approve!(approver)
+          TagImplication.approve!(antecedent_name: args[0], consequent_name: args[1], approver: approver, forum_topic: forum_topic)
 
         when :remove_alias
           tag_alias = TagAlias.active.find_by!(antecedent_name: args[0], consequent_name: args[1])
diff --git a/app/models/artist.rb b/app/models/artist.rb
index d059a8367..ab533b37b 100644
--- a/app/models/artist.rb
+++ b/app/models/artist.rb
@@ -192,8 +192,7 @@ class Artist < ApplicationRecord
 
         # potential race condition but unlikely
         unless TagImplication.where(:antecedent_name => name, :consequent_name => "banned_artist").exists?
-          tag_implication = TagImplication.create!(antecedent_name: name, consequent_name: "banned_artist", creator: banner)
-          tag_implication.approve!(banner)
+          TagImplication.approve!(antecedent_name: name, consequent_name: "banned_artist", approver: banner)
         end
 
         update!(is_banned: true)
diff --git a/app/models/tag_alias.rb b/app/models/tag_alias.rb
index 9b3b0f42d..72fee2ccb 100644
--- a/app/models/tag_alias.rb
+++ b/app/models/tag_alias.rb
@@ -3,10 +3,6 @@ class TagAlias < TagRelationship
   validates_uniqueness_of :antecedent_name, scope: :status, conditions: -> { active }
   validate :absence_of_transitive_relation
 
-  def approve!(approver)
-    ProcessTagAliasJob.perform_later(self, approver)
-  end
-
   def self.to_aliased(names)
     names = Array(names).map(&:to_s)
     return [] if names.empty?
@@ -14,8 +10,7 @@ class TagAlias < TagRelationship
     names.map { |name| aliases[name] || name }
   end
 
-  def process!(approver)
-    update!(approver: approver, status: "active")
+  def process!
     TagMover.new(antecedent_name, consequent_name, user: User.system).move!
   rescue Exception => e
     update!(status: "error: #{e}")
diff --git a/app/models/tag_implication.rb b/app/models/tag_implication.rb
index c5be0ac91..052dac101 100644
--- a/app/models/tag_implication.rb
+++ b/app/models/tag_implication.rb
@@ -109,13 +109,8 @@ class TagImplication < TagRelationship
   end
 
   module ApprovalMethods
-    def process!(approver)
-      unless valid?
-        raise errors.full_messages.join("; ")
-      end
-
+    def process!
       CurrentUser.scoped(User.system) do
-        update!(approver: approver, status: "active")
         update_posts
       end
     rescue Exception => e
@@ -123,10 +118,6 @@ class TagImplication < TagRelationship
       DanbooruLogger.log(e, tag_implication_id: id, antecedent_name: antecedent_name, consequent_name: consequent_name)
     end
 
-    def approve!(approver)
-      ProcessTagImplicationJob.perform_later(self, approver)
-    end
-
     def create_mod_action
       implication = %("tag implication ##{id}":[#{Rails.application.routes.url_helpers.tag_implication_path(self)}]: [[#{antecedent_name}]] -> [[#{consequent_name}]])
 
diff --git a/app/models/tag_relationship.rb b/app/models/tag_relationship.rb
index 7eb6c020c..a1cab6891 100644
--- a/app/models/tag_relationship.rb
+++ b/app/models/tag_relationship.rb
@@ -17,11 +17,10 @@ class TagRelationship < ApplicationRecord
   scope :deleted, -> {where(status: "deleted")}
   scope :expired, -> {where("created_at < ?", EXPIRY.days.ago)}
   scope :old, -> {where("created_at >= ? and created_at < ?", EXPIRY.days.ago, EXPIRY_WARNING.days.ago)}
-  scope :pending, -> {where(status: "pending")}
   scope :retired, -> {where(status: "retired")}
 
   before_validation :normalize_names
-  validates_format_of :status, :with => /\A(active|deleted|pending|retired|error: .*)\Z/
+  validates_format_of :status, :with => /\A(active|deleted|retired|error: .*)\Z/
   validates_presence_of :antecedent_name, :consequent_name
   validates :approver, presence: { message: "must exist" }, if: -> { approver_id.present? }
   validates :forum_topic, presence: { message: "must exist" }, if: -> { forum_topic_id.present? }
@@ -44,10 +43,6 @@ class TagRelationship < ApplicationRecord
     status == "deleted"
   end
 
-  def is_pending?
-    status == "pending"
-  end
-
   def is_active?
     status == "active"
   end
@@ -74,11 +69,6 @@ class TagRelationship < ApplicationRecord
       where(field => Tag.search(params).reorder(nil).select(:name))
     end
 
-    def pending_first
-      # unknown statuses return null and are sorted first
-      order(Arel.sql("array_position(array['pending', 'active', 'deleted', 'retired'], status::text) NULLS FIRST, id DESC"))
-    end
-
     def search(params)
       q = super
       q = q.search_attributes(params, :antecedent_name, :consequent_name)
@@ -107,8 +97,6 @@ class TagRelationship < ApplicationRecord
         q = q.order("antecedent_name asc, consequent_name asc")
       when "tag_count"
         q = q.joins(:consequent_tag).order("tags.post_count desc, antecedent_name asc, consequent_name asc")
-      when "status"
-        q = q.pending_first
       else
         q = q.apply_default_order(params)
       end
@@ -144,6 +132,10 @@ class TagRelationship < ApplicationRecord
     end
   end
 
+  def self.approve!(antecedent_name:, consequent_name:, approver:, forum_topic: nil)
+    ProcessTagRelationshipJob.perform_later(class_name: self.name, approver: approver, antecedent_name: antecedent_name, consequent_name: consequent_name, forum_topic: forum_topic)
+  end
+
   def self.model_restriction(table)
     super.where(table[:status].eq("active"))
   end
diff --git a/app/views/tag_relationships/_search.html.erb b/app/views/tag_relationships/_search.html.erb
index 719c921e3..21f2bb4cc 100644
--- a/app/views/tag_relationships/_search.html.erb
+++ b/app/views/tag_relationships/_search.html.erb
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
   <%= f.simple_fields_for :consequent_tag do |fa| %>
     <%= fa.input :category, label: "To Category", collection: TagCategory.canonical_mapping.to_a, include_blank: true, selected: params.dig(:search, :consequent_tag, :category) %>
   <% end %>
-  <%= f.input :status, label: "Status", collection: %w[Active Pending Deleted Retired], include_blank: true, selected: params[:search][:status] %>
-  <%= f.input :order, label: "Order", collection: [%w[Created created_at], %w[Updated updated_at], %w[Name name], %w[Tag\ count tag_count], %w[Status status]], include_blank: true, selected: params[:search][:order] %>
+  <%= f.input :status, label: "Status", collection: %w[Active Deleted Retired], include_blank: true, selected: params[:search][:status] %>
+  <%= f.input :order, label: "Order", collection: [%w[Created created_at], %w[Updated updated_at], %w[Name name], %w[Tag\ count tag_count]], include_blank: true, selected: params[:search][:order] %>
   <%= f.submit "Search" %>
 <% end %>
diff --git a/db/migrate/20201201211748_change_default_status_on_tag_relationships.rb b/db/migrate/20201201211748_change_default_status_on_tag_relationships.rb
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..549f4ea87
--- /dev/null
+++ b/db/migrate/20201201211748_change_default_status_on_tag_relationships.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+class ChangeDefaultStatusOnTagRelationships < ActiveRecord::Migration[6.0]
+  def change
+    change_column_default(:tag_aliases, :status, from: "pending", to: "active")
+    change_column_default(:tag_implications, :status, from: "pending", to: "active")
+  end
+end
diff --git a/db/structure.sql b/db/structure.sql
index c5813449e..dd4227258 100644
--- a/db/structure.sql
+++ b/db/structure.sql
@@ -2857,7 +2857,7 @@ CREATE TABLE public.tag_aliases (
     consequent_name character varying NOT NULL,
     creator_id integer NOT NULL,
     forum_topic_id integer,
-    status text DEFAULT 'pending'::text NOT NULL,
+    status text DEFAULT 'active'::text NOT NULL,
     created_at timestamp without time zone NOT NULL,
     updated_at timestamp without time zone NOT NULL,
     approver_id integer,
@@ -2894,7 +2894,7 @@ CREATE TABLE public.tag_implications (
     consequent_name character varying NOT NULL,
     creator_id integer NOT NULL,
     forum_topic_id integer,
-    status text DEFAULT 'pending'::text NOT NULL,
+    status text DEFAULT 'active'::text NOT NULL,
     created_at timestamp without time zone NOT NULL,
     updated_at timestamp without time zone NOT NULL,
     approver_id integer,
@@ -7419,6 +7419,7 @@ INSERT INTO "schema_migrations" (version) VALUES
 ('20200427190519'),
 ('20200520060951'),
 ('20200803022359'),
-('20200816175151');
+('20200816175151'),
+('20201201211748');
 
 
diff --git a/test/functional/artists_controller_test.rb b/test/functional/artists_controller_test.rb
index 11ebae670..352d34a78 100644
--- a/test/functional/artists_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/functional/artists_controller_test.rb
@@ -107,10 +107,13 @@ class ArtistsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
 
     context "ban action" do
       should "ban an artist" do
-        put_auth ban_artist_path(@artist.id), @admin
+        perform_enqueued_jobs do
+          put_auth ban_artist_path(@artist.id), @admin
+        end
+
         assert_redirected_to(@artist)
         assert_equal(true, @artist.reload.is_banned?)
-        assert_equal(true, TagImplication.exists?(antecedent_name: @artist.name, consequent_name: "banned_artist"))
+        assert_equal(true, TagImplication.exists?(antecedent_name: @artist.name, consequent_name: "banned_artist", status: "active"))
       end
 
       should "not allow non-admins to ban artists" do
diff --git a/test/functional/bulk_update_requests_controller_test.rb b/test/functional/bulk_update_requests_controller_test.rb
index f4c47f79d..b72db21bc 100644
--- a/test/functional/bulk_update_requests_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/functional/bulk_update_requests_controller_test.rb
@@ -156,12 +156,14 @@ class BulkUpdateRequestsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
           create(:tag, name: "artist2a", category: Tag.categories.artist, post_count: 20)
           @bulk_update_request = create(:bulk_update_request, script: "mass update artist1a -> artist1b\ncreate alias artist2a -> artist2b")
 
-          post_auth approve_bulk_update_request_path(@bulk_update_request), @builder
+          perform_enqueued_jobs do
+            post_auth approve_bulk_update_request_path(@bulk_update_request), @builder
+          end
 
           assert_redirected_to(bulk_update_requests_path)
           assert_equal("approved", @bulk_update_request.reload.status)
           assert_equal(@builder, @bulk_update_request.approver)
-          assert_equal(true, TagAlias.where(antecedent_name: "artist2a", consequent_name: "artist2b").exists?)
+          assert_equal(true, TagAlias.exists?(antecedent_name: "artist2a", consequent_name: "artist2b", status: "active"))
         end
       end
 
diff --git a/test/functional/posts_controller_test.rb b/test/functional/posts_controller_test.rb
index d0f36c3f3..18ad1ba37 100644
--- a/test/functional/posts_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/functional/posts_controller_test.rb
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ class PostsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
         end
 
         should "show a notice for a single tag search with a pending BUR" do
+          create(:tag, name: "foo")
           create(:bulk_update_request, script: "create alias foo -> bar")
           get_auth posts_path(tags: "foo"), @user
           assert_select ".tag-change-notice"
diff --git a/test/functional/tag_aliases_controller_test.rb b/test/functional/tag_aliases_controller_test.rb
index 4e6111d83..2db17a743 100644
--- a/test/functional/tag_aliases_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/functional/tag_aliases_controller_test.rb
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class TagAliasesControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
         @antecedent_wiki = create(:wiki_page, title: "touhou", body: "zun project")
         @consequent_wiki = create(:wiki_page, title: "touhou_project")
 
-        @other_alias = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "touhou", consequent_name: "touhou_project", creator: @user, status: "pending", forum_topic: @forum_topic, forum_post: @forum_post)
+        @other_alias = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "touhou", consequent_name: "touhou_project", creator: @user, status: "deleted", forum_topic: @forum_topic, forum_post: @forum_post)
         @unrelated_alias = create(:tag_alias)
       end
 
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class TagAliasesControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
       should respond_to_search({}).with { [@unrelated_alias, @other_alias, @tag_alias] }
       should respond_to_search(antecedent_name: "aaa").with { @tag_alias }
       should respond_to_search(consequent_name: "bbb").with { @tag_alias }
-      should respond_to_search(status: "pending").with { @other_alias }
+      should respond_to_search(status: "deleted").with { @other_alias }
 
       context "using includes" do
         should respond_to_search(antecedent_tag: {post_count: 1000}).with { @other_alias }
diff --git a/test/functional/tag_implications_controller_test.rb b/test/functional/tag_implications_controller_test.rb
index f7f9b4187..e7355b422 100644
--- a/test/functional/tag_implications_controller_test.rb
+++ b/test/functional/tag_implications_controller_test.rb
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class TagImplicationsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
         @antecedent_wiki = create(:wiki_page, title: "cannon", body: "made of fun")
         @consequent_wiki = create(:wiki_page, title: "weapon")
 
-        @other_implication = create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "cannon", consequent_name: "weapon", creator: @user, status: "pending", forum_topic: @forum_topic, forum_post: @forum_post)
+        @other_implication = create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "cannon", consequent_name: "weapon", creator: @user, status: "deleted", forum_topic: @forum_topic, forum_post: @forum_post)
         @unrelated_implication = create(:tag_implication)
       end
 
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class TagImplicationsControllerTest < ActionDispatch::IntegrationTest
       should respond_to_search({}).with { [@unrelated_implication, @other_implication, @tag_implication] }
       should respond_to_search(antecedent_name: "aaa").with { @tag_implication }
       should respond_to_search(consequent_name: "bbb").with { @tag_implication }
-      should respond_to_search(status: "pending").with { @other_implication }
+      should respond_to_search(status: "deleted").with { @other_implication }
 
       context "using includes" do
         should respond_to_search(antecedent_tag: {post_count: 10}).with { @other_implication }
diff --git a/test/unit/artist_test.rb b/test/unit/artist_test.rb
index f63613241..7fcc08e9d 100644
--- a/test/unit/artist_test.rb
+++ b/test/unit/artist_test.rb
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ class ArtistTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       end
 
       should "create a new tag implication" do
-        perform_enqueued_jobs
         assert_equal(1, TagImplication.where(:antecedent_name => "aaa", :consequent_name => "banned_artist").count)
         assert_equal("aaa banned_artist", @post.reload.tag_string)
       end
diff --git a/test/unit/tag_alias_test.rb b/test/unit/tag_alias_test.rb
index 604ce57fa..87dfe6228 100644
--- a/test/unit/tag_alias_test.rb
+++ b/test/unit/tag_alias_test.rb
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
       should allow_value('active').for(:status)
       should allow_value('deleted').for(:status)
-      should allow_value('pending').for(:status)
       should allow_value('error: derp').for(:status)
 
       should_not allow_value('ACTIVE').for(:status)
@@ -47,18 +46,17 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
         ta2 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "retired")
         ta3 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "deleted")
         ta4 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "deleted")
-        ta5 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
-        [ta1, ta2, ta3, ta4, ta5].each { |ta| assert(ta.valid?) }
+        [ta1, ta2, ta3, ta4].each { |ta| assert(ta.valid?) }
 
-        ta5.update(status: "active")
-        assert_includes(ta5.errors[:antecedent_name], "has already been taken")
+        ta4.update(status: "active")
+        assert_includes(ta4.errors[:antecedent_name], "has already been taken")
       end
     end
 
     context "#reject!" do
       should "not be blocked by validations" do
         ta1 = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "kitty", consequent_name: "kitten", status: "active")
-        ta2 = build(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "cat", consequent_name: "kitty", status: "pending")
+        ta2 = build(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "cat", consequent_name: "kitty", status: "active")
 
         ta2.reject!
         assert_equal("deleted", ta2.reload.status)
@@ -89,9 +87,8 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
         @ss3 = create(:saved_search, query: "123 ~... 456", user: CurrentUser.user)
         @ss4 = create(:saved_search, query: "... 456", user: CurrentUser.user)
         @ss5 = create(:saved_search, query: "123 ...", user: CurrentUser.user)
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "...", consequent_name: "bbb")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "...", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
 
         assert_equal("123 bbb 456", @ss1.reload.query)
@@ -111,9 +108,8 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
         @u5 = create(:user, blacklisted_tags: "111 ...")
         @u6 = create(:user, blacklisted_tags: "111 222\n\n... 333\n")
         @u7 = create(:user, blacklisted_tags: "111 ...\r\n222 333\n")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "...", consequent_name: "aaa")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "...", consequent_name: "aaa", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
 
         assert_equal("111 aaa 222", @u1.reload.blacklisted_tags)
@@ -130,8 +126,7 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       post1 = FactoryBot.create(:post, :tag_string => "aaa bbb")
       post2 = FactoryBot.create(:post, :tag_string => "ccc ddd")
 
-      ta = FactoryBot.create(:tag_alias, :antecedent_name => "aaa", :consequent_name => "ccc")
-      ta.approve!(@admin)
+      TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "ccc", approver: @admin)
       perform_enqueued_jobs
 
       assert_equal("bbb ccc", post1.reload.tag_string)
@@ -151,11 +146,9 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     context "when the tags have wikis" do
       should "rename the old wiki if there is no conflict" do
         @wiki = create(:wiki_page, title: "aaa")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
-        assert_equal("active", @ta.reload.status)
 
         assert_equal("bbb", @wiki.reload.title)
       end
@@ -163,11 +156,9 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       should "merge existing wikis if there is a conflict" do
         @wiki1 = create(:wiki_page, title: "aaa", other_names: "111 222", body: "first")
         @wiki2 = create(:wiki_page, title: "bbb", other_names: "111 333", body: "second")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
-        assert_equal("active", @ta.reload.status)
 
         assert_equal(true, @wiki1.reload.is_deleted)
         assert_equal([], @wiki1.other_names)
@@ -181,11 +172,9 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       should "ignore the old wiki if it has been deleted" do
         @wiki1 = create(:wiki_page, title: "aaa", other_names: "111 222", body: "first", is_deleted: true)
         @wiki2 = create(:wiki_page, title: "bbb", other_names: "111 333", body: "second")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
-        assert_equal("active", @ta.reload.status)
 
         assert_equal(true, @wiki1.reload.is_deleted)
         assert_equal(%w[111 222], @wiki1.other_names)
@@ -198,11 +187,9 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
       should "rewrite links in other wikis to use the new tag" do
         @wiki = create(:wiki_page, body: "foo [[aaa]] bar")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
-        assert_equal("active", @ta.reload.status)
 
         assert_equal("foo [[bbb]] bar", @wiki.reload.body)
       end
@@ -211,11 +198,9 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     context "when the tags have artist entries" do
       should "rename the old artist entry if there is no conflict" do
         @artist = create(:artist, name: "aaa")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
-        assert_equal("active", @ta.reload.status)
 
         assert_equal("bbb", @artist.reload.name)
       end
@@ -224,11 +209,9 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
         @tag = create(:tag, name: "aaa", category: Tag.categories.artist)
         @artist1 = create(:artist, name: "aaa", group_name: "g_aaa", other_names: "111 222", url_string: "https://twitter.com/111\n-https://twitter.com/222")
         @artist2 = create(:artist, name: "bbb", other_names: "111 333", url_string: "https://twitter.com/111\n-https://twitter.com/333\nhttps://twitter.com/444")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
-        assert_equal("active", @ta.reload.status)
 
         assert_equal(true, @artist1.reload.is_deleted)
         assert_equal([@artist2.name], @artist1.other_names)
@@ -244,11 +227,9 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       should "ignore the old artist if it has been deleted" do
         @artist1 = create(:artist, name: "aaa", group_name: "g_aaa", other_names: "111 222", url_string: "https://twitter.com/111\n-https://twitter.com/222", is_deleted: true)
         @artist2 = create(:artist, name: "bbb", other_names: "111 333", url_string: "https://twitter.com/111\n-https://twitter.com/333\nhttps://twitter.com/444")
-        @ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
 
-        @ta.approve!(@admin)
+        TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", approver: @admin)
         perform_enqueued_jobs
-        assert_equal("active", @ta.reload.status)
 
         assert_equal(true, @artist1.reload.is_deleted)
         assert_equal(%w[111 222], @artist1.other_names)
@@ -265,9 +246,8 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     should "push the consequent's category to the antecedent if the antecedent is general" do
       tag1 = create(:tag, name: "general", category: 0)
       tag2 = create(:tag, name: "artist", category: 1)
-      ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "general", consequent_name: "artist")
 
-      ta.approve!(@admin)
+      TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "general", consequent_name: "artist", approver: @admin)
       perform_enqueued_jobs
 
       assert_equal(1, tag1.reload.category)
@@ -277,9 +257,8 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     should "push the antecedent's category to the consequent if the consequent is general" do
       tag1 = create(:tag, name: "artist", category: 1)
       tag2 = create(:tag, name: "general", category: 0)
-      ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "artist", consequent_name: "general")
 
-      ta.approve!(@admin)
+      TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "artist", consequent_name: "general", approver: @admin)
       perform_enqueued_jobs
 
       assert_equal(1, tag1.reload.category)
@@ -289,9 +268,8 @@ class TagAliasTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
     should "not change either tag category when neither the antecedent or consequent are general" do
       tag1 = create(:tag, name: "character", category: 4)
       tag2 = create(:tag, name: "copyright", category: 3)
-      ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "character", consequent_name: "copyright")
 
-      ta.approve!(@admin)
+      TagAlias.approve!(antecedent_name: "character", consequent_name: "copyright", approver: @admin)
       perform_enqueued_jobs
 
       assert_equal(4, tag1.reload.category)
diff --git a/test/unit/tag_implication_test.rb b/test/unit/tag_implication_test.rb
index a71852814..f284d489b 100644
--- a/test/unit/tag_implication_test.rb
+++ b/test/unit/tag_implication_test.rb
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ class TagImplicationTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
       should allow_value('active').for(:status)
       should allow_value('deleted').for(:status)
-      should allow_value('pending').for(:status)
       should allow_value('error: derp').for(:status)
 
       should_not allow_value('ACTIVE').for(:status)
@@ -43,17 +42,16 @@ class TagImplicationTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
         ti2 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "retired")
         ti3 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "deleted")
         ti4 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "deleted")
-        ti5 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "bbb", status: "pending")
-        [ti1, ti2, ti3, ti4, ti5].each { |ti| assert(ti.valid?) }
+        [ti1, ti2, ti3, ti4].each { |ti| assert(ti.valid?) }
 
-        ti5.update(status: "active")
-        assert_includes(ti5.errors[:antecedent_name], "Implication already exists")
+        ti4.update(status: "active")
+        assert_includes(ti4.errors[:antecedent_name], "Implication already exists")
       end
     end
 
     context "#reject!" do
       should "not be blocked by alias validations" do
-        ti = create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "cat", consequent_name: "animal", status: "pending")
+        ti = create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "cat", consequent_name: "animal", status: "active")
         ta = create(:tag_alias, antecedent_name: "cat", consequent_name: "kitty", status: "active")
 
         ti.reject!
@@ -120,11 +118,9 @@ class TagImplicationTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
     should "update any affected post upon save" do
       p1 = FactoryBot.create(:post, :tag_string => "aaa bbb ccc")
-      ti1 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_implication, :antecedent_name => "aaa", :consequent_name => "xxx")
-      ti2 = FactoryBot.create(:tag_implication, :antecedent_name => "aaa", :consequent_name => "yyy")
 
-      ti1.approve!(@admin)
-      ti2.approve!(@admin)
+      TagImplication.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "xxx", approver: @admin)
+      TagImplication.approve!(antecedent_name: "aaa", consequent_name: "yyy", approver: @admin)
       perform_enqueued_jobs
 
       assert_equal("aaa bbb ccc xxx yyy", p1.reload.tag_string)
@@ -149,7 +145,7 @@ class TagImplicationTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
 
       should "not include inactive implications" do
         create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "a", consequent_name: "b", status: "active")
-        create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "b", consequent_name: "c", status: "pending")
+        create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "b", consequent_name: "c", status: "deleted")
         create(:tag_implication, antecedent_name: "c", consequent_name: "d", status: "active")
 
         assert_equal(["b"], TagImplication.tags_implied_by("a").map(&:name))