Speaking Out movement

Similar to other empowerment movements based upon breaking silence such as #MeToo, the purpose of #SpeakingOut (a hashtag that began to spread on Twitter in June 2020) is to empower wrestling-related people to tell their stories of abuse they have experienced.

[4] The following day, numerous people in and out of the pro wrestling industry accused several wrestlers, promoters, personalities, and journalists of sexual misconduct.

[6] All Elite Wrestling (AEW) wrestler Jimmy Havoc was accused of emotional and verbal abuse by former partner, Rebecca Crow.

On June 19, 2020, AEW announced in a statement that Havoc would be attending therapy for a number of issues and they would come to a decision about his employment at a later date.

[8] On June 22, audio from a podcast went viral where Sammy Guevara joked that he wanted to rape WWE women's wrestler Sasha Banks.

[9] Later that day, Banks stated that she and Guevara had been in contact with each other, that he had apologized to her, and that they had engaged in an "open discussion" to help him understand the severity of his comments.

[10] On June 23, Darby Allin was accused of emotional, mental, and sexual abuse by Hawlee Cromwell, an independent wrestler with whom he allegedly had a relationship.

Impact Wrestling's parent company, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, released a statement saying they were reviewing the allegations.

[27] On June 20, Major League Wrestling ring announcer Mark Adam Haggerty was accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a minor.

[28] On June 18, National Wrestling Alliance Vice President Dave Lagana was accused of sexual misconduct.

[51] On October 8, it was reported that Cartwright filed a countersuit against Riddle, WWE, Gabe Sapolsky, and Evolve Wrestling.

[60] He had previously been accused of sending inappropriate photos to minors several months earlier, which at that time he denied.

[61] Following Velveteen Dream's return on the August 12, 2020 episode of NXT, which was met with heavy criticism from fans, Triple H stated that WWE had investigated the allegations and they "didn't find anything".

[65] Black Label Pro released wrestler Johnathan Wolf on June 19, following allegations of sexual assault and mental abuse.

[66] Game Changer Wrestling subsequently removed Wolf from their The Wrld on GCW Part 2 show on June 20.

[72] On June 21, Bar Wrestling was shut down following multiple sexual misconduct allegations against owner Joey Ryan.

[73][74] Progress Wrestling announced that the promotion underwent structural changes after several wrestlers were either suspended or fired due to the numerous allegations made against them.

[75][76] Former NWA/WCW and WWE manager Jim Cornette and his wife faced allegations from independent wrestler Phil Earley that he forced trainees to engage in sexual intercourse with her and would watch while he was in charge of Ohio Valley Wrestling.

[78] Revolution Pro Wrestling fired trainer Andy Simmonz and one training student on June 24 following allegations against both.

[80] Jeff Duncan (aka The Natural) was removed as one of the co-owners of Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling amid sexual harassment and bullying allegations.

[84] Westside Xtreme Wrestling cut ties with wrestlers Julian Pace and Jay Skillet after allegations were made against them.

[85] Michael Brandon Stroud, professional wrestling editor for Uproxx, had his "With Spandex" vertical suspended after he was accused of sexual assault.