The #SpeakOut movement is in full swing in professional wrestling circles, and it’s hitting bid and small promotions. One of the bigger names accused came this morning (June 19) as WWE star Matt Riddle was accused of sexual assault by Candy Cartwright.
Cartwright accused Riddle on Twitter on the second day of women and men speaking out about sexual abuse within the professional wrestling world.
Warning: Graphic descriptions in link below
I’m posting this because I have been so sad for so long. I didn’t realize that what he did to me was not ok. I realize now, reading these other brave women’s stories, that I can’t be afraid anymore and I have to #speakout
— Candy Cartwright (@CandyCartwright) June 19, 2020
We hope she and the other accusers receive justice for what they went through. It’s never an easy thing living with any violation, but when it’s someone that was trusted it’s even worse.
This is why movements like this are important as we need to listen to the victims and ensure their accusations are taken seriously and investigated.
The #SpeakOut is professional wrestling’s #MeToo movement and in two days it’s brought to light actions that may not have been reported otherwise.
Possible fallout
In some cases, promotions have already acted and severed ties with the accused, and while that used to mean they were considered guilty by their bosses, now it’s more of a PR stunt than not. It’s a difficult line to walk, and some often trip over it.
The WWE is on that line as as of this writing there hasn’t been news of them releasing any of the accused on their roster.
Matt Riddle was going to make his main roster debut tonight on Smackdown. It’s been promoted for weeks, and this will leave the WWE with a difficult decision to make.
Since the show can be live or pre-recorded, it’d be in their best interested to remove the match pending investigation. Given the amount of reports of Riddle having issues with superstars backstage, it’d be a bad move for the company to air the match.
If Riddle is absolved of guilt, he can appear at a later time.
Matt Riddle once said no one could bury him (take him down), but he will find out soon enough how wrong he was.
Anyone can be a victim or predator
Victims come in all shapes and sizes, as illustrated by Corey Feldman calling out Hollywood for their atrocities years before it became the “safe” thing to do. All it takes is one person to embolden others to come forward and attempt to find just and support.
While there will always be those looking to make a name for themselves or bring down someone they don’t like, they are the minority. If we know someone that’s suffered an attack, they need our support.
Even our heroes can do the unspeakable.
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