Last night, UK wrestling star Jimmy Havoc – the longest reigning PROGRESS World Champion in history – denounced a set of fans at a show for chanting derogatory comments at the women wrestlers on the show. It happened last night at a Fight Club PRO event in England, where a fan heckled UK women’s wrestler Millie McKenzie.
https://twitter.com/JimmyHavoc/status/911705839836246017
While in today’s day and age, this should be a no brainer, apparently some people felt they still had the right to chant whatever insulting things they wanted at women’s wrestlers, including Billi Bhatti, noted wrestling writer for Sportskeeda and podcaster for the Dirty Sheets Podcast.
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911880698038046720
When Bhatti was called out on his condoning of the sexist remarks by another journalist, he responded by calling him a homophobic slur.
Of course, Jimmy Havoc wasn’t done yet.
https://twitter.com/JimmyHavoc/status/911922105507368960
Which prompted Bhatti to get into a Twitter spat with arguably one of the United Kingdom’s top stars of the past decade, who’s held the PROGRESS and IPW:UK top titles, as well as winning CZW’s Tournament of Death earlier this year and appearing for PROGRESS at their showcase at this year’s WrestleMania AXXESS.
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911925310647619586
https://twitter.com/JimmyHavoc/status/911930784348590081
NXT Superstar Aleister Black even chimed in with his disgust at the behaviour, only for Bhatti to reply even more lecherous
https://twitter.com/WWEAleister/status/911924941209178117
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911926526031089664
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911928911864455169
https://twitter.com/WWEAleister/status/911929906614894592
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911930348057120769
https://twitter.com/WWEAleister/status/911930334241083392
https://twitter.com/JimmyHavoc/status/911943531815727105
https://twitter.com/JimmyHavoc/status/911944771710701570
When a fan responded that they did it because “they like boobs”, Havoc responded admirably.
https://twitter.com/JimmyHavoc/status/911949554542682113
Indie wrestling star Deonna Purrazzo joined in, but Bhatti continued his tirade at her as well.
https://twitter.com/DeonnaPurrazzo/status/911934861996326912
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911937045941112835
https://twitter.com/DeonnaPurrazzo/status/911938280710709252
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911938868227792896
Deonna, you spelled Go F–k Yourself, wrong. https://t.co/zIVWazqVfI
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) September 24, 2017
But perhaps Ricochet summed it up best when he joined in.
https://twitter.com/KingRicochet/status/911926398180356097
Of course, Bhatti couldn’t even let that slide.
https://twitter.com/BilliBhatti/status/911927028043190272
With the advancement women’s wrestling has taken in the past five years away from the sexist diatribe that so many promotions tried to instill in the female wrestling narrative, that someone who continues to champion himself as the best wrestling reporter on the internet (is that even a real thing?) would continue to push for an ideal that is not only outdated and not wanted, but simply disrespectful and shallow.
After an amazing weekend it is disappointing to hear that one idiot has upset so many. Not tolerated and not welcome.
— Fight Club: PRO (@Fightclubpro) September 24, 2017
Kudos to Jimmy Havoc for starting the debate and the others who stepped in to defend the honour of women’s wrestling, from fans and wrestlers alike – of BOTH sexes. While sexism continues to exist in the world in every aspect, not just wrestling, it doesn’t mean that we should chose to condone and promote it, especially when one is in a position of influence such as being a reporter or podcaster with many readers and listeners.
If you want to help take a stand against sexism in wrestling – especially with female fans – check out PWGrrrlGang, at their website or on Twitter, a great organization dedicated to helping female wrestling fans feel more welcome at shows and help stamp out sexism in the industry.
