Three British wrestlers are addressing claims made against them on social media.
Indie wrestler Millie McKenzie had accused NXT UK’s Travis Banks of having a turbulent relationship with her when she was just 17 years-old.
In England and Wales the age of consent is 16-years-old but those under the age of 18 are deemed unable to have given consent if the sexual activity is with family member or an adult in a “position of trust”. If that person in a position of trust is over 18 it is an offence for them to have any sexual activity with a person under the age of 18. The “position of trust” definition is currently limited to certain regulated settings and positions such as a school teacher, social worker or doctor. If that person is no longer in a “position of trust”, the laws no longer apply.
Banks responded today by saying:
I’d like to issue a statement regarding Millie McKenzie’s comments:
Millie was a trainee of mine at Fight Club: Pro. She was also a close personal friend. We would be at shows together, attend the same social events, travel together and hang out at the wrestlers house where I was living. It was through this friendship a consensual relationship was formed.
The relationship broke down between both parties and it ended. After it ended we agreed to talk it out. We apologized to each other for any individual actions behind the relationship breakdown. After seeing these comments, I can only repeat my apology. I am truly sorry for any pain caused by the relationship.
McKenzie responded by saying he manipulated her at 17, he has done this to others and that he has no conscience.
She also posted private texts from a time when Banks followed her to a hotel and wouldn’t go home after she asked him to do so.
Finding a hotel I’m staying in, finding my room number and knocking on my door for hours, continuously messing me when I ask you to leave is NOT OKAY. pic.twitter.com/SKGnQjFhYj
— Millie Mckenzie (@MMckenzieWWE) June 20, 2020
NXT UK’s Trent Seven is accused of trying to manipulate a group of teenage girls during WrestleMania in 2017. A woman named Megan says she stepped in to halt what was going on but slept with him that night.
Seven has responded threatening what can only be considered legal action.
“The assumptions in the claim against me are untrue and a defamation of character. I will be taking this matter further”.
An indie wrestler named Pollyanna has alleged that NJPW star Will Ospreay helped blacklist her from professional wrestling. She has also stated she has issues with Ospreay’s fiancee Bea Priestley. Pollyanna retired in 2016. In 2017 she alleged that she was sexually assault by another wrestler.
At the time, Ospreay Tweeted: “Think it’s disgusting that people can use social media to accuse people of sexual assault. More than a handful of people know the real you. Trying to use your position to isolate and assault someone is pathetic.”
Ospreay deleted the Tweet even though it is not clear who Ospreay is referring to.
The next day he Tweeted: “I cannot express how sorry I am that I may have turned people into thinking I’m so careless about this subject. I care way too much about my fans and the victims. I really hope you guys can forgive me & will happily listen too any suggestions to make this right again.”
Ospreay responded to the blacklisting allegations today with this Tweet:
https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1274291345855852544?s=20
Pollyanna has responded repeating her accusations about being blacklisted and then said to Ospreay: “You have not apologised to me, and you and I did get on well before you started dating that fool you call a fiancée.”
The conversation then broke down into a back and forth about whether Pollyanna was harassed or had an on-going feud with Bea Priestley.
https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1274316133605277698?s=20
