Following his removal from the company’s active roster page over the weekend, Dave Meltzer said that Marty Scurll currently doesn’t have a role in Ring of Honor.
Meltzer discussed Scurll’s status on Sunday’s Wrestling Observer Radio and said that he is not involved in creative and has been taken off the active roster with no plans to use him. He said Scurll hasn’t been fired but simply isn’t being used.
During this summer’s #SpeakingOut movement, Scurll was accused of sexually abusing an inebriated 16-year-old girl in 2015. He released two statements in two days, denying any wrongdoing while admitting to a “brief consensual sexual encounter” where he had no reason to question her age.
In late-June, ROH said they were launching an investigation into #SpeakingOut accusations against their talent but four months later, they have yet to announce any findings of that investigation. He hasn’t wrestled since February and wasn’t part of the recent TV tapings.
Scurll re-upped with the company in January in what was believed to be a multi-year deal.
Following his exodus from the pro wrestling world following an litany of sexual harassment and assault allegations against him, Joey Ryan has filed a lawsuit against three of his accusers, asking for an excess of $15 million in damages.
First reported by Heel By Nature, Ryan is claiming lost revenues of $8000-$10,000 in monthly wrestling bookings; $1000+ in monthly Twitch revenue; $500 in monthly Cameo revenue; $3000 in monthly Patreon revenue; $1000 in monthly merchandise revenue; and $3500 in monthly revenue from Bar Wrestling. Additionally, Ryan is claiming he has lost social media followers and has seen a substantial decrease in his various social media followings.
Ryan (Joe Meehan) filed the suit in the U.S. District and Central Court of California on Thursday, September 24th. He is claiming the three women named in the suit made false allegations which resulted in his reputation being damaged, leading to his financial loss.
His Instagram is still active but hasn’t been updated since June while his Patreon has continued to remain active.
From the three women, he is asking for $200,000 each for “economic damages” multiplied by the amount of months since June 21st; $5 million from each in non-economic damages, and punitive damages of $10 million due to “malice, hatred, ill will, and despicable and intentional acts.” He is also asking for a permanent injunction on the three from making any defamatory statements in the future; to retract past statements made against him; and for them to delete any defamatory statements from anywhere they posted them.
As part of the #SpeakingOut movement this summer, Ryan (Joe Meehan) was accused by a variety of women of various forms of sexual assault and harassment. After attempts to apologize and rationalize his behavior were rebuffed, he deactivated his Twitter account and shut down Bar Wrestling. He was subsquently fired from Impact Wrestling as well. He released a one hour video on YouTube further attempting to tell his side of the story, but he later deleted it.
WWE SmackDown roster member Matt Riddle released a video Wednesday strongly denying any sexual abuse and assault on Candy Cartwright, saying the female wrestler is using the #SpeakingOut movement to get back at him for ending their affair.
In the video seen below, Riddle admitted to cheating on his wife and having an affair with Cartwright (who he called her real name of Samantha Tavel), but that the allegations are “a complete lie, fabricated story.”
He said he was getting sad and depressed during the affair because he was lying to both his wife and his friends and that he eventually told his wife about it. He then blocked Cartwright on social media and changed his phone only for her to allegedly keep finding ways to contact him through other social media accounts and finding his new number.
He also claimed she would show up to hotels and harass his friends as to his whereabouts and that when she didn’t get her way when he wanted to end their relationship, she used the #SpeakingOut movement to ruin his career.
“I never sexually abused or assaulted anyone,” he said.
Nearly a month ago, Cartwright accused Riddle of propositioning her for sex on a van ride with other wrestlers, saying he grabbed her throat and questioned why he shouldn’t make her do it. She admitted to eventually giving him oral sex to alleviate the situation. Riddle denied the claims in a statement through his lawyer on the same day, claiming that in 2019, they were drafting “a pleading against this performer to seek an injunction for cyberstalking in the Circuit Court for Orange County, Florida.”
As of this writing, Cartwright hasn’t responded to the video.
The Pro Wrestling industry in Europe and North America, an industry that has had a male-dominated culture since its inception, was rocked to the core by women this past week with story after story of abuse with names from every significant promotion.
The U.K. scene was hit the hardest, but there were allegations against significant names in every promotion.
When the week was over, Joey Ryan was accused by so many women of inappropriate sexual actions that people lost count (there were at least 16 stories that had come out), and was not only fired by Impact, closed down his Southern California promotion, Bar Wrestling, and it’s hard to believe that his career in pro wrestling isn’t over. His closest friends were shocked, saying they had no idea and many people who knew him as these revelations came out went into some deep depression and soul-searching trying to process the information. One person close to everyone on the Southern California scene said that Ryan’s entire life was wrestling and that nobody had any contact with him since 6/21, and also noted that probably very few tried to get in contact with him either.
The current story that has been released by Violet O’Hara/Claire-Michelle Oldfield is neither accurate nor true. This is a completely false allegation and whilst I’ve done other things in my life that I deeply regret, this isn’t an accurate or truthful portrayal of events. This is something I strongly deny and is something I’ve been in the process of speaking to a legal team about.
Regarding the other statements from people like Laura, Natalie who have spoken out about the way they were made to feel, and others that have come forward about unwanted messages, I have no excuse. It’s inappropriate, it’s an embarrassment and it’s an absolute shameful way to act from someone in a position of trust. I sincerely apologise for my actions and any hurt I’ve caused. I have no justification of my actions in the slightest. In these situations, I have failed people as a friend, as a fiancée and as a decent human being.
After Millie McKenzie accused Banks — who is 13 years older than her — of being in a mentally and emotionally abusive relationship with her when she was a 17-year-old trainee, Banks issued a statement last weekend:
I’d like to issue a statement regarding Millie McKenzie’s comments:
Millie was a trainee of mine at Fight Club: Pro. She was also a close personal friend. We would be at shows together, attend the same social events, travel together and hang out at the wrestlers house where I was living. It was through this friendship a consensual relationship was formed.
The relationship broke down between both parties and it ended. After it ended we agreed to talk it out. We apologized to eachother for any individual actions behind the relationship breakdown. After seeing these comments, I can only repeat my apology. I am truly sorry for any pain caused by the relationship.
How dare you Travis. I never had anything to apologise for. You manipulated your position of power over me. At 17 years of age, I had no idea what a relationship actually entailed. The mental and emotional hurt you put me through is INEXCUSABLE and I am not the only one of your trainees that you’ve done this to. You are a liar, a manipulative person with no conscious and you always believe your in the right. You are NOT RIGHT. I am not scared of you anymore, you hold no power over me…to all the people that messaged saying they wish they could have done more at the time. PLEASE help me now to create a safe working environment for me again and others. Don’t protect him this time just becuase he’s your friend.
Ligero and Banks are the second and third wrestlers to be released by WWE due to accusations made against them during the #SpeakingOut movement. Jack Gallagher was also released by WWE last week.
Following accusations including both inappropriate language and misconduct with students that emerged due to the #SpeakingOut movement, Chikara founder Mike Quackenbush announced on Wednesday he is shutting down the company and resigning as head trainer of Philadelphia’s Wrestle Factory.
“I have been made aware of recent allegations about myself, and people in my employ. I take all allegations seriously – whether they are about me, or members of my team. Addressing these with openness and transparency is of the utmost importance to me. So these matters can be given the proper time and attention, I am discontinuing CHIKARA and resigning as head trainer at the Wrestle Factory. I’ll make a full statement on these matters in the near future.”
Quackenbush (Mike Spillane) has also been a regular guest trainer at the WWE Performance Center.
The news follows several wrestlers announcing they were leaving the company including Hallowicked, Kimber Lee, and Dasher Hatfield. Chikara had been in operation since 2002 following Quackenbush and Reckless Youth (Thomas Carter) opening the Wrestle Factory school.
Last Friday, Chikara announced that wrestler Kobald (Anthony Wilson) was done with the company after claims from several women that he was both physically and verbally abusive.
This post was updated at 7:30 PM Eastern Wednesday.
A day after being accused of taking advantage of an inebriated 16-year-old girl in 2015, Ring of Honor’s Marty Scurll released a statement showing concern for those who feel unsafe at wrestling events while not admitting to any wrongdoing.
Then on Wednesday, he released yet another statement.
The woman, then 16, said she was drunk after working a 2015 IPW:UK show when Scurll propositioned her to go back to her hotel room. She couldn’t get in her room and gave Scurll oral sex before he took her in a closet with the intent of having sex despite her saying she was a virgin. She said her friend showed up and told him to leave and he did.
She said unflattering rumors about her circulated the day after, but not about Scurll who no-showed the next day. She also said company founder Dan Edler had previously raped her and told her he wouldn’t book Scurll again as he was jealous of what had happened.
The 31-year-old Scurll first released a statement on Twitter Tuesday night where he didn’t deny the encounter happened but believed it was consensual, adding it was also legal, a nod toward the age of consent in England:
“I am aware that a young woman has bravely come forward with her account of sexual abuse by some members of the wrestling community in the UK 5 years ago, a community I was a part of.
Although I truly believe that our encounter that evening was consensual, and the fact that the encounter was legal; is almost not the point. I understand now that she now views our encounter as a part of a bigger problem within the wrestling community.
What concerns me at this moment is that from what I have been reading, she is a fan of wrestling and was made to feel unsafe within that community. That is not acceptable. I also understand that some people have been attacking her on social media, and I implore you to please stop. She has a right to her voice and, and it our responsibility to listen.”
“In 2015 after a wrestling event in the UK, I had a brief consensual sexual encounter with a woman. In that moment, at at bar, in those circumstances, I had no cause to question her age. I don’t say any of this lightly or to seek absolution for my ignorance. Although I did not become aware of her age until after the encounter, the reality of the age disparity is not lost on me. I understand that although our encounter was technically legal in the UK, my lack of good judgment that evening has disappointed many fans.
This week, the woman I’m referencing bravely shared her stories of abuse she experienced while attending wrestling events during that time period. My name has been included in one of the recollections she has shared. I can only speak to what I know to be true and my own actions.
It is my understand that this woman continuously supported our sport through her attendance at events, seminars, and training sessions and as an industry, we failed her. I cannot begin to understand the difficulties she must be experiencing and in that spirit, I ask that you please continue to respect her privacy.
My immediate priority is to seek forgiveness for unknowingly contributing to a culture that for too long has promulgated ego over humanity and hurt many along the way. For those of us with a voice that can reach beyond our own doorsteps, it is our shared responsibility to be better and do more.
The system must change to protect the most vulnerable and provide an ecosystem where female fans and athletes can engaged and participate safely. The time is now. As a person who has been identified as part of the problem, I am unreservedly committing to be part of the solution. In the very short term, I am looking to work within the industry to create better security protocols at events to provide a safe environment for all fans. Words are no longer enough, action is needed.”
As of this writing, ROH, where Scurll is part of the booking team as well as an in-ring wrestler, has released a statement regarding Scurrl or the #SpeakingOut movement in general.
After stepping down from his post as VP of the NWA and Lightning One Friday due to sexual assault allegations, David Lagana released a statement Tuesday in which he adamantly denied any incident took place and gave a timeline of the circumstances in which his accuser (pro wrestler Liz Savage) stayed with him, the nature of their relationship, and what resulted in her exit.
In a series of tweets as part of the #SpeakingOut movement, Savage said that in 2010, she awoke one night in their shared bed and that Lagana was touching her inappopriately while also touching himself. She said she moved abruptly to get him to stop and he kicked her out of the apartment less than a week later.
The following is Lagana’s statement:
“The #speakingout movement has brought to light a number of new allegations of sexual assault against people in the wrestling industry, including me. These allegations of sexual assault should be taken seriously and be investigated. Every accuser has a right to be heard, but every person accused of such serious wrongdoing deserves the right to defend themselves.
Last week, Liz Savage accused me via Twitter posts of sexually assaulting her a decade ago. Liz and I were friends for a total of about five to seven years before and after the alleged assault. We first met at a wrestling show sometime between 2006 and 2008 when she was introduced to me as an independent wrestler.
I take Liz’s allegations seriously. The first time I became aware of her allegations was last week when she made them public. I take them so seriously that I voluntarily stepped down from my position as Vice President of Lightning One Inc. and its company, the National Wrestling Alliance, after learning of her allegations. I did so because they pre-date this position and I didn’t want to involve the men and women of the National Wrestling Alliance during this time.
I valued my friendship with Liz. I’m sorry that she feels that I somehow wronged her. However, the incident she described did not happen.
Liz is correct that she lived with me and my female roommate from mid-August 2010 until October 1, 2010. Liz is also correct that she shared a bed with me while she lived with me. She is again correct that nothing about our relationship was romantic or sexual. Often, as we went to bed, we would cuddle and spoon in a nonsexual way. (We also did so the few times we shared a bed prior to her living me with in 2010.)
As Liz correctly said, I never made a nonconsensual move on her during waking hours. However, her claim that I made a nonconsensual move on her while we shared a bed is false. I did not touch her in the way she claimed. I never touched her like that, and I never would have.
But Liz’s allegation of sexual assault is not the only portion of her Twitter posts where I feel compelled to correct the record.
In early August of 2010, Liz informed me that a friend of hers invited her out to Los Angeles to attend a show that I was not affiliated with. Ultimately, she stayed with me and my roommate starting in mid-August. Liz suggests that I did nothing to help her upon her arrival. But, as a friend, I offered her all the help I could. This includes taking her to an NWA Hollywood event on August 25th where I introduced her to those in charge. I was an unpaid producer at the time with the NWA, so I had no hiring or firing authority.
Liz also left out the fact of her relationship with my female roommate. While the roommate did not initially know Liz was coming, once Liz arrived, she treated Liz like a sister. She gave Liz food and clothing, and drove her to job interviews. They remained friends for years after Liz moved out. But, despite their relationship, the first time my then-roommate found out about these allegations was last week.
Liz claims that I kicked her out of my apartment because of the alleged incident. Actually, in an email I sent to her on September 24th, 2010, I informed her that my landlord stated that, per my lease, any guest staying longer than two weeks consecutively would need to be added to the lease. The landlord said they were willing to look the other way for the seven weeks Liz was with me and my roommate, but would not do so after October 1st. I offered her some of my frequent flyer miles if she wanted a flight home.
After Liz moved out of my apartment, she and I remained in contact over social media and email for a few years, even endorsing me on LinkedIn in 2013. During that time, she would occasionally email me about opportunities in the wrestling industry that I did what I could to help with.
The #speakingout movement is creating change in our industry. I wish Liz all the best in her career inside the ring and out. But I adamantly deny her allegations against me and could not let them go without providing these details about our friendship.”
AEW’s Sammy Guevara apologized Monday for an inappropriate remark he made in 2016 toward WWE’s Sasha Banks.
While doing a January 2016 podcast appearance, Guevara was asked about Banks and said that while he was doing a tryout at the WWE Performance Center, “I wanted to go f**kin’ rape that woman.”
The 26-year-old apologized on Twitter over two tweets:
“I’ve made stupid, inappropriate and extremely offensive comments in my past. In my idiotic mind, I thought I was being funny in using words and terms that represent nothing but horror and pain. I am truly sorry for my hurtful words and actions, and I will never forgive myself.”
“I also want to apologize to @sashabankswwe for my unacceptable comments. She’s an amazing person who didn’t deserve to be the brunt of my offensive remarks. I spoke with her earlier & she helped me learn a gigantic lesson & I thank her for that. Once again, I’m sincerely sorry.”
Banks posted a statement on Twitter shortly thereafter, saying the two spoke and he apologized, followed by an open discussion:
The #SpeakingOut movement has bringing past comments and sexually abusive actions and intent to light over the past week, exposing those in nearly every corner of the wrestling industry, resulting in suspensions, job loss, and denials from those accused.
Bar Wrestling has reportedly shut down as a number of women have accused owner Joey Ryan of sexual assault and harassment.
SoCal Uncensored reported this evening that Bootleg Theater, which was the home base of Bar Wrestling, have ended their relationship with the company due to the allegations. Several people have also told the website that the promotion has ceased operations.
Additionally, the promotion’s video library is no longer available on the Highspots Network.
After initial accusations surfaced, Ryan posted a lengthy message on his Twitter account, apologizing for invading people’s personal space. After that message was posted, a number of womenposted on Twitter allegations of sexual assault and harassment. Ryan has since deactivated his Twitter account, as well as the Bar Wrestling account.
Ryan primarily works for Impact Wrestling, who have not commented on these specific allegations.
Bar Wrestling has not run any shows since March 11 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It had been running shows in the Los Angeles area since 2017.
MLW ring announcer Mark Adam Haggerty is gone from the promotion following texts showing inappropriate exchanges between himself and an underage minor.
A wrestler by the name of Sully Banger shared text messages allegedly between Haggerty and an underage person.
“Here are inappropriate exchanges between Mark Haggerty and a 15 year old child,” Banger wrote. “The kid and their parents have consented to this being shared, but will remain anonymous. The kid has said they TOLD mark they were 15, and mentioned being a freshman in high school more than once.”
“When confronted initially Mark stated that he blocked the individual the second he found out their age, but the kid was the one to block him after (so that was a lie),” Banger continued. “This is inappropriate, Mark is in a position of power and holds a very high status in this business.”
The texts show Haggerty using explicit language in the exchanges.
Over the last week, Twitter users have been using the hashtag #SpeakingOut to tell stories of verbal abuse, harassment and sexual assault in professional wrestling.
Recorded live from our mighty Twitch channel, future PFL strongman and former Mongolian Stomper of the UFC, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor joined me for our EXTRA PROFESSIONAL UFC on ESPN 11 post show party…which Josh Roshkopf is not invited to.
“Filthy” fills us in on a few more details about the New Japan Lions Break Collision shows. Plus, we get into the unfortunate wrestling news that seems to breaking by the minute with Tom not shying away from sharing a very personal experience of his own.
Here’s all the details on how you can watch Wrestling Observer Live and other shows every day free on our Twitch stream.
Timestamps:
UFC on ESPN 11 review, as well as conjectal tactical barbell certifications (00:00-56:20)
New Japan Young Lion’s Break Collision talk!(28:03-29:05) (56:20-1:04:00)
Talk about the really real world sh*t taking place in pro wrestling and a personal story from Tom (1:04:00-1:21:41)
The beach at the ocean vs. the beach at the lake, Calvin Tankman, spiders, and abrupt goodbyes. (1:21:41-1:26:09)
PROGRESS updated their list of talent that will no longer be working for them, announcing Saturday that both Ligero and Travis Banks will no longer appear for the promotion.
Previously, they had been suspended indefinitely.
The news comes following more information coming to light regarding both men. Wrestler Millie Mckenzie opened up about her relationship with Banks on Twitter, accusing him of manipulation and creating an unsafe working environment. She also posted text messages detailing him harassing her while outside her hotel room door. Multiple women have also come forwardaccusing Ligero of manipulation, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.
Both David Starr and referee Marc “Paz” Perry were announced as no longer working for the promotion while tag team champions Jordan Devlin and Scotty Davis were suspended indefinitely and the titles vacated.
“We take all these allegations extremely seriously,” the company’s statement said. “Those under suspension will have their situation reviewed periodically between now and events starting again. We continue to monitor and listen to the Speaking Out movement so that we can take appropriate action where necessary.”
On the Saturday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, Jim Valley recaps the latest ramifications from the #SpeakingOut movement, Matt Riddle’s Friday debut on WWE SmackDown, IWA Mid-South’s controversial Friday return in a very confined environment with no social distancing and few masks, the home for many Portland, OR, wrestlers is closing down, and much more.
AEW has released a statement saying they will evaluate Jimmy Havoc’s status with the company as he undergoes treatment following allegations of rape and assault.
We wish Jimmy Havoc all the best as he receives treatment and counseling in an effort to overcome the mental health and substance abuse challenges in his life. We are aware of various reports related to Jimmy. We are evaluating his status with our company and will address it when he has successfully completed his rehabilitation.
A woman who had a previous relationship with Havoc wrote regarding her experiences with Havoc, detailing a verbally abusive relationship from an unstable Havoc. She followed with another story detailing a rape allegation from another woman, who wrote that Havoc raped her after repeatedly saying no while both shared a bed.
An assault allegation came from a man who said that Havoc punched him in the face after a PROGRESS Wrestling event.
In recent days, people who have experienced assault and abuse from those in professional wrestling have used the hashtag #SpeakingOut to tell their stories on Twitter. Promotions have either cut ties or launched investigations in the wake of these allegations.
