{"id":140034,"date":"2025-08-13T07:00:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T11:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=140034"},"modified":"2025-08-13T04:40:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T08:40:03","slug":"wrestling-with-outrage-can-disgraced-wrestlers-find-redemption","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/08\/13\/wrestling-with-outrage-can-disgraced-wrestlers-find-redemption\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrestling with Outrage: Can Disgraced Wrestlers Find Redemption?"},"content":{"rendered":"

While some fans still debate whether Hulk Hogan\u2019s \u201cmistakes\u201d should see the wrestling icon forgiven in death, two wrestlers blackballed in the aftermath of the Speaking Out Movement, Joey Ryan and Jimmy Havoc, tried to return to the ring. Neither event nor discord are new.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before Hogan, some argued over how Chris Benoit should be remembered, often without considering Nancy and Daniel. Likewise, other Speaking Out \u201ccancelled\u201d wrestlers, like Marty Scurll, have been actively wrestling under the radar since 2021.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll use the C word to emphasise how supposedly ostracised individuals, despite claims, are not always permanently excluded or have their livelihood destroyed.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, I discussed the historic roots and changes in how wrestlers have been blackballed before \u201ccancelling\u201d existed<\/a>. Likewise, the limits of fan outrage<\/a>, which cannot stop some wrestlers, like Tessa Blanchard, from returning despite backlash. Finally, social media has created a new type of kayfabe: performative outrage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This sequel article builds on that groundwork to question how\/if redemption is possible for disgraced, ostracised wrestlers to return to wrestling. Historically, the wrestling community has been a forgiving space. Social media complicates matters, beyond amplifying and stirring discord. The landscape sees more public scrutiny and exposure and, unfortunately, performative politics. The means of real change remain familiar.<\/p>\n

Comparison and Retribution <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tribalism (but not exclusively) sometimes sees fans comparing wrestlers and allegations against them, like it’s a game of Top Trumps. Comparing WWE\u2019s Brock Lesnar, whose name appears 44 times in the Janel Grant lawsuit, with AEW wrestlers who have received explicit (sometimes unsubstantiated rumoured) allegations against them is more than whataboutism. It\u2019s more than false equivalency. It\u2019s rarely about potential victims, their experience or justice.<\/p>\n

Rather, it\u2019s about justification and supporting an idea\/cause\/belief. Not the victims or their experiences. The gamification\/commodification of women and their experiences in wrestling isn\u2019t new.<\/a> Individuals’ alleged actions should be judged separately, not compared alongside others.<\/p>\n

Many fans want justice. For someone to be redeemed, there perhaps needs to be punishment. Wrestling is a cooperative enterprise requiring trust.<\/p>\n

Retributive justice requires that wrongdoers be punished to prevent or stop them from repeating their actions. It\u2019s satisfying in the short term when someone appears to \u201cget what they deserve\u201d.<\/p>\n

However, look at the re-offending rates of former prisoners or the bank accounts of those with existing capital. Hogan took little responsibility publicly for his actions, yet Hogan and his brand continue to feature on the mat at each Raw while becoming symbolic of some of America\u2019s lost glory days.<\/a> Outrage and controversy serve as a social-political currency.<\/p>\n

Alone, it doesn\u2019t see meaningful change.<\/p>\n

Restorative Justice, Support and Limitations <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Contrastingly, restorative justice emphasizes that responsibility is taken through dialogue between the harmed and the harmer. A meaningful way of moving forward and healing wounds. In theory, rehabilitation that sees the victim given power to help decide the consequence and sees both parties find resolution and change.<\/p>\n

Unlike retributive punishment is personal, not detached from the harmed. Less eye for an eye; more focused on healing than wounding. Although it\u2019s complicated and not straightforward. It requires nuance, is time-consuming, and involves years of attempts and failures.<\/p>\n

It also sometimes needs scaffolding to support it, in the form of rehabilitation, counselling, etc, to address underlying issues. Mental health issues, addiction, and trauma do not excuse behaviour, but often contribute towards it. Without addressing them, change is impossible.<\/p>\n

Rehabilitation allowed Jake \u201cThe Snake\u201d Roberts to Dustin Rhodes, who couldn\u2019t have gained sobriety and contribute to wrestling again. Some find support in religion, like Shawn Michaels and Lex Luger, who found new purpose through religion.<\/p>\n

Cynicism and criticism can remain. In 2010, Shane Helms called Michaels a hypocrite who used his religious conversion as a gimmick. However, years later, Helms said his claims came because they had \u201cdifferent ways of looking at things.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all model. Accountability is key, but it doesn\u2019t guarantee acceptance or change history.<\/p>\n

Apologies are Not Always Enough<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Taking responsibility is step one. Subsequent follow-up and actions speak louder. When Jay Briscoe made homophobic comments about gay marriage in 2013 on X. Afterwards, Jay apologised, donated money to charity, and continued to declare he was wrong and stupid, even years after the incident.<\/p>\n

“I put out a stupid tweet nine years ago, the most dumbest, immature, obnoxious s**t I’ve ever done. I don’t want anybody, from any walk of life, to feel like they can’t care for the Briscoes because I promise we love everybody.” <\/em>Jay Briscoe, Battleground Podcast, transcript from Fightful<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, the Briscoes, as heels during a tour of the UK, grabbed a pride flag from a fan and used it as a weapon<\/a>. Such actions undermine any regained trust. Elsewhere, Briscoe took photos with LGBT+ wrestlers, and colleagues, like Ian Riccaboni, vouched for Briscoe\u2019s support of the LGBT+ community. Two sets of conflicting facts hold true.<\/p>\n

Tony Khan\u2019s biggest regret was never having Jay Briscoe on AEW programming. Sometimes, it’s as simple as one powerful person can determine someone\u2019s future. This can breed frustration and comparison, especially if some feel another wrestler \u201cgot away with it\u201d.<\/p>\n

Will Ospreay apologised on X and offered his support to UK indy wrestler, Pollyanna. During Speaking Out, Ospreay was accused of having Pollyanna blacklisting from various UK promotions. Pollyanna rejected his apology. Whereas Ospreay on social media and TV appears to have grown up, winning new fans like myself,<\/a> others have the right to be sceptical.<\/p>\n

Redemption Should Be Hard, But When Appropriate, Possible<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Skepticism is a valid response from some fans. Especially given how apologizing and public accountability in and beyond wrestling, can see figures take no\/little responsibility, blame others, or appear to say the right things, only to repeat the same behaviors. Whether it is Ospreay, Sammy Guevara, or other wrestlers who have, now and in the future, they have to keep proving he has changed. Like sobriety, it\u2019s a continual process.<\/p>\n

Being a reliable and honest person isn\u2019t an outrageous demand for a dream job in a trust-based business. Having to prove that their change is real is a small price to pay.<\/p>\n

Avoiding accountability or failing to address accusations results in continual rejection. Although Tessa Blanchard apologized to Rosa Negra, what about the other women who accused Blanchard of bullying?\u00a0 For some, redemption is possible through acceptance, responsibility and action.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve seen this in the world outside of wrestling with Community and Rick and Morty creator, Dan Harmon, that those who abuse power can take ownership and meaningful support and make things right with those they hurt<\/p>\n

However, the actions of some may be irredeemable. Trust perhaps maybe impossible to rebuild. Some wrestlers with a history of accusations and allegations, particularly patterns of abusive behavior, may never return to wrestling because of the damage caused. Those who want to prove they\u2019ve changed could start by supporting those they harmed, if those harmed consent. There\u2019s no guarantee or entitlement to forgiveness or redemption.<\/p>\n

The business has always protected itself. Ideally, not at the cost of making wrestlers and fans, particularly women and those of minority groups, feel unsafe, unsupported or susceptible to harm.<\/p>\n

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n

Header photo \u2013 WikiMedia Commons \u2013 Stay tuned to the <\/i><\/em>Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a>\u00a0for more on the\u00a0WWE Raw<\/a>\u00a0results and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While some fans still debate whether Hulk Hogan\u2019s \u201cmistakes\u201d should see the wrestling icon forgiven in death, two wrestlers blackballed in the aftermath of the Speaking Out Movement, Joey Ryan and Jimmy Havoc, tried to return to the ring. Neither event nor discord are new. Before Hogan, some argued over how Chris Benoit should be […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4960,"featured_media":138860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4677,6,2192,8959,3],"tags":[57,587,560,521,338,327,303,101],"class_list":["post-140034","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-north-america","category-wrestling","category-tna-wrestling","category-wwe-universe","tag-brock-lesnar","tag-hulk-hogan","tag-jay-briscoe","tag-jimmy-havoc","tag-joey-ryan","tag-marty-scurll","tag-tessa-blanchard","tag-will-ospreay"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140034","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4960"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=140034"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140034\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":140085,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140034\/revisions\/140085"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138860"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=140034"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=140034"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=140034"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}