The Speaking Out movement opened a can of worms as several stars from WWE and other promotions were accused of sexual harassment and assault
WWE was one of the biggest promotions hit by the Speaking Out movement early in the year as several performers were called out for their sexual harassment and assault over the years.
WWE is possibly the biggest wrestling promotion in the world and took severe action against some of the perpetrators.
The promotion backed a few stars as the investigation is still going on and recently, one big name was hit with a huge $10m lawsuit.
This brought a lot of negative attention to the wrestling world but most promotions took a very serious view of this.
Many stars were fired or released while investigations are still on for others. There are some big names in WWE who have been called out and here are five of them that faces these allegations.
#5 Jack Gallagher
Gentleman Jack Gallagher was one of the British stars called out during the Speaking Out movement.
Gallagher was one of the rising stars on WWE NXT and 205 Live before the sexual assault allegations were brought to light.
The allegations were regarding his behaviour from 2014 and Gallagher owned up to his behaviour and engaged in a dialogue with WWE.
WWE didn’t spend too much time regarding the English star and released him from contract swiftly.
They also deleted his profile from the website.
#4 El Ligero
Another WWE UK star, El Ligero, was accused by Natalie Sykes during the Speaking Out movement.
Sykes claimed that Ligero would send her messages and sexual comments which she didn’t pay attention to in the past.
Ligero had featured on several WWE NXT and 205 Live shows and admitted to some of the allegations made.
WWE swiftly deleted his profile from the company and he was released by the promotion and Progress Wrestling too.
#3 Joe Coffey
Another star to be hit by the Speaking Out movement was Joe Coffey.
The WWE star made his name in the British circuit before moving to WWE in 2018. He performed on NXT UK and fought in some incredible battles on the promotion.
However, Coffey was accused of sending naked photos, unsolicited voice messages and stalking of a woman.
WWE didn’t fire him but suspended him on 30 June.
#2 Matt Riddle
One of the biggest names to be caught out in the Speaking Out movement is Matt Riddle.
Candy Cartwright, an indie star, accused Riddle of sexual assault and even had a few photos to show the pair were together.
She added that Riddle had forced her to perform oral sex during their time on Evolve, but Riddle flatly denied ever doing so.
The Original Bro did concede that he was cheating on his wife, Lisa, with Candy but it was all consensual.
While Riddle planned legal action against Cartwright, the indie start filed a lawsuit against Riddle and many others for $10m each.
#1 Brock Lesnar
This incident was brought up by Terri Runnels, a former WWE star. Runnels is a former Hardcore champion and claimed that Lesnar had shown off his penis to her.
This was back in 2004 and she was speaking to KEE (h/t Fightful) where she opened up on the incident:
“Brock did something that if it was in today’s day and time… you know. He showed his penis to me and called my name as I was walking past where he was in the dressing room and opened his towel so I could see his manly bits. I would have much rather him not be so disrespectful of a female that’s been in this business for as long as I have been.”
Lesnar remains one of the biggest names in wrestling but not much was said about this rather shocking incident.
The former WWE champion recently became a free agent and is yet to decide where his future lies.
More WWE news
- T-Bar adds another WWE Hall of Famer who won’t be attacked by Retribution due to name
- Rusev has the perfect one-word reaction to Lana going through a table on Raw
- Bayley labels Bianca Belair “disgusting” after EST of WWE shows off track and field abilities
Follow our dedicated WWE page for instant WWE news and updates
