EDIT: In the original publication of this article, we stated that James Davis was being accused of the same allegations against Daniel Edler. At the time, the full extent of Edler’s actions were not known and the implication of the allegations was intended to be in the sexual misconduct with minors. As it’s come to light of very different allegations against Edler, we have edited the article to reflect that the allegations are not similar. We apologize for insinuating the alleged crimes were identical as that was not our original intention.
Yesterday we broke that former IPW:UK owner and promoter Daniel Edler was accused of sexual misconduct with a minor, which rocked the UK indie scene. Edler, who sold IPW:UK last year, had recently opened a new wrestling promotion/school named Spotlight Wrestling, but once news broke yesterday, the talent on the card was quick to leave the promotion and wash their hands of any alliance. One of the wrestlers who denounced the promotion and withdrew was former London Riot James Davis (aka Strangler Davis), who also competes for PROGRESS Wrestling among other UK promotions.
https://twitter.com/StranglerDavis/status/951034260076613632
But it didn’t take long for Davis’ name to get brought into the public debate on the former IPW:UK owner’s scandal, when a 23-year old woman went public that Davis himself was allegedly guilty of sexual misconduct himself. The victim, who goes by Hanni on Twitter, had the following to say this afternoon.
I’ve been thinking all afternoon about whether I should speak up about the current JD/edler investigations, and I decided that if I didn’t, it would make their lives even easier, So no, I’m NOT keeping quiet.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
I trained at IPW wrestling school for a good two years, and got to know everybody there very quickly. Some good, some bad. Including JD strangler Davis (which is a very appropriate nickname.) and Daniel edler. (Who I didn’t have much to do with, but always knew was slimy.)
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
Following this, at 15 years old, I began an almost 2 year relationship with JD, (even though we couldn’t be seen together in public, nobody could know we were dating, we couldn’t walk together, talk to eachother or been seen in pictures together. )
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
Over that two years, the amount of emotional, sexual and physical abuse I went through is something that I have, and will always have to deal with, for the rest of my life.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
At 16 (when it began) I was absolutely terrified to speak up, because I honestly believed, that was what love was. I thought love, was doing what the other person said, and getting in trouble if you didn’t. I thought love was shouting, violence, cheating, and abuse.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
I honestly believed, that if I did as I was told, it would be okay. I didn’t wear my hair up because “my face was too fat” I tried to lose weight, dress “sexier” I tried to change myself.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
Honestly, I could spend hours listing the ways in which you broke me, but that wouldn’t change anything. What will change things, is speaking up. Being brave, and being honest. Because I have absolutely no reason to lie about any of this.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
It isn’t untill I saw that you had broken other girls, in the way you broke me, JD, that I felt the need to share my story. Because true colours, are meant to be seen. Being popular, being liked, being famous, things that are all so much more important than morals.. it seems.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
my question is this: if we were in a relationship, why would you risk life and limb to hide it from everybody in the wrestling business? Because you’re afraid it’ll “be ruined” by wrestling, or….you’re afraid people will cotton on to what you’re doing behind closed doors.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
People often ask abuse victims “why is it you’re just coming out now?” Do you know why? Because I was 16 years old. And regardless of what he did to me, I was in love. I was terrified that if I said something not only would he hurt me, our relationship would end, I couldn’t deal
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
I am so aware that it may appear I am “jumping on the bandwagon” but you need to understand that sometimes, when you’ve kept the door shut for so long, there comes a time when it’s asking to be opened. I feel compelled to share my story. Not just for me but for the other girls.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
I want to make it crystal clear that I have countless people who have either witnessed snippets of what happened, or were aware you were hiding the relationship. I’m pretty sure there are several people who were aware of what was happening, but… no.. wrestling comes first. 🙄
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
Moral of the story is, that just because somebody had personality and is well liked, it doesn’t mean that they’re not capable of abuse. Especially in a wrestling environment where ego’s constantly run wild.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
And whilst you moved on with your life, I picked up the pieces of mine. And continue to do so every day as a battle my anxiety because of the way you treated me.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
And what makes me so sad, is I was crying out for help and there are so many people in British wrestling who turned their heads because they didn’t want to upset you.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
But now? I am the strongest I could possibly be, because of you. I respect myself more than I ever could have, and I will never ever put up with anything like that again.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
As the afternoon went on, Hanni was offered much love and support from the wrestling community. So far, none of Davis’ regular promotions have commented. Hanni returned to post more later in the afternoon.
I am so emotionally drained and proud at the same time. I’m so happy the other girls came forward, and I know there are others too. If you’re out there, and you’re too scared to speak up, just know that’s okay. Give it time, be brave. And Just remember it is NEVER your fault.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
I knew JD was nasty from my stories alone. Like that time he got angry that he couldn’t finish and pushed me away, untill I went downstairs so he could watch porn. Or the time he left me stranded in London at 15 YEARS OLD, with no money and no way of getting home 50 miles away..
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
Or the time he secretly filmed us being Intimate, and threatened to show everyone if I didn’t do what he said. This is not, and will never be acceptable. And every single day I am so happy I finally picked myself up and said enough is enough.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
I would never be nasty enough to deliberately ruin somebody’s life, but JD stole mine. For a very long time. And for once in my life, I have nothing to lose. I am so ready for you to talk your way out of this, like you always do. But we will always know the truth.
— H 🌸 (@HannSandwichx) January 10, 2018
