Controversy in Revolution Pro Wrestling.
At RevPro Summer Sizzler on Aug. 30, Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defeated Josh Bodom & Sha Samuels in tag team action to earn a shot at the IWGP Tag Team Titles. But perhaps the bigger story coming out of the match was the post-match attack on referee Aaren Wilde.
— Alex Dellanzo (@ADellanzo1) September 8, 2019
Wilde was attacked by Bodom & Samuels, who were allegedly upset over Wilde counting the pinfall earlier than planned. According to Wilde, he suffered shoulder and neck injuries, which have forced him to retire.
Last weekend at RevPro I was attacked after the Royal Quest tag match. This was not part of the show, it was not planned.
— aarennnn (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
I was grabbed and slammed to the mat by Sha and then something happened on the outside. I honesty don’t know what, that part was a blur.
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As a result, I have sustained a much-more-serious-than-originally-thought neck and shoulder injury that means I am no longer able to referee.
— aarennnn (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
I hate the term ‘retire’, so I’ll say this; I am indefinitely unable to referee due to medical restrictions.
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The intended winners (Aussies) still won, albeit 5 minutes quicker on a show that ran over by over 45 minutes. I am still shocked, upset and in disbelief at why this happened and why it has been condoned by RevPro/Andy Quildan.
— aarennnn (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
500+ matches, 1 botched ending. That one.
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I have spent the last 7/8 days in many feelings. Anger, sadness, frustration. I truly adored performing as a referee and now, at least for the foreseeable future, I am medically unable to do so.
— aarennnn (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
I truly hope that I can recover to pursue it again.
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There are so many things that can be said about last weekend, but I would prefer to not write an essay of negativity.
— aarennnn (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
For now I am also unable to football referee (my main income) due to the injury.
If you have a few spare pennies, I won’t say no: https://t.co/tuglaZOcw1
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Thank you for a wonderful few years in professional wrestling. I am distraught that it had to end this way. Support promotions that value performer and spectator welfare: @RIPTIDEwres, @ThisIs_Progress, @FutureShockWres that I know of.
— aarennnn (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
I’ll be back here when I mentally can be
Sha Samuels posted the following after the match:
Some photos of the York Hall screwjob
— Sha Samuels (@Shasamuels) September 2, 2019
Yeah I slammed the ref and what fine me it’s ok.....i do well
Honestly @RevProUK should be ashamed of themselves to allow such a bull**** decision to stand! I’ve worked my arse off for 17 years to get an opportunity to work NJPW
We need VAR pic.twitter.com/P0dINfkjsz
And issued the following statement on the story, along with his proof that he protected the referee on the slam.
I got kicked in the face to the pleasure of the audience for my trouble and hoped the mistake was forgotten about. At the time I was only concerned about the integrity of the match. We spoke afterwards, and all seemed well.
— Sha Samuels (@Shasamuels) September 8, 2019
I can only apologise for what happened.....
the way things used to be. Things are different now.
— Sha Samuels (@Shasamuels) September 8, 2019
I have reached out to Aaren privately and understand if he wants to take his time to get back to me, or if he doesn’t want to speak to me at all.
I wish he had reached out to me privately.....
Wasn’t meant to share this, but feel I need to protect myself. Here is the slam, as you can see I’ve protected him.
— Sha Samuels (@Shasamuels) September 8, 2019
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday. pic.twitter.com/5jvmkePQfZ
Bodom has deleted his Twitter account. He wrote after the match, "Yo @RevProUK, plz get some qualified refs that aren’t shit. Also the York Hall fans are incurable, depressed slop jalops. Congrats to @DUNKZILLADavis & @kylefletcherpro on getting a free pass to Royal Quest tho. xoxox"
RevPro promoter Andy Quildan put out the following statement:
Unfortunately the first I heard of any real issues with Aaron were via his Twitter posts earlier which is why there has been no statement. I've had 2 lengthy chats with Aaron today and I will be reviewing everything in due course...
— Andy Quildan (@AQuildan) September 7, 2019
Footage from our live edit only shows the slam. Having reviewed it, I can say with confidence that there was no intent to cause any injury. Regardless I'm sure everyone will draw their own conclusions but I can assure that I will make sure this matter is dealt with swiftly
— Andy Quildan (@AQuildan) September 7, 2019
RevPro put out the following official statement:
Official statement regarding incident with referee Aaren Wilde. pic.twitter.com/fbGSQkvhIA
— Revolution Pro (@RevProUK) September 8, 2019
The statement confirms that the incident was not a work. As a result of the incident, Bodom & Samuels have been stripped of the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Samuels will "undertake internal disciplinary" and be under "zero tolerance" moving forward. Bodom has been released by the promotion.
RevPro is also instituting an "internal incident policy report" to deal with such matters in a more timely fashion.
