Back Page Editorial: F*** Michael Elgin & His Friends
By Ross W Berman IV
New Japan Pro Wrestling has a problem. Their fans keep falling in love with problematic wrestlers. A good example is Tomoaki Honma, who is a beloved New Japan legend that makes many promotional appearances for the company, and was also accused of domestic violence in 2015. Nowhere is this problematic love for abusers more apparent than in the “Michael Elgin situation.” Long story short, Elgin tried to cover up and discredit sexual assault allegations against a former student, Sean Orleans. After this story was uncovered, Elgin was publicly apologetic while privately harassing and shaming the victim via direct messages on Twitter.
It is difficult to find a publication of note that has covered the story adequately. Most have done the bare minimum and covered Elgin’s response to the allegations, without even reaching out to the victim. Some, like noted journalist Dave Meltzer, have chosen to side with Michael Elgin, clearly succumbing to the “Boy’s Club” mentality that persists in pro wrestling. Meltzer even shared an unverified tumblr page with his fan forum to discredit the allegations. As rape culture works a lot like a Russian nesting doll, by protecting Elgin, wrestling journalists are also protecting Orleans. This is simply unacceptable.
Author’s note: As this is an editorial, I have not reached out to the victim for a comment. I have seen the screenshots of conversations between her and Elgin, and also seen an unanswered email to Dave Meltzer.
Very simply, I believe the victim.
Elgin was complicit in covering up and discrediting sexual assault allegations. He harassed the victim in an attempt to silence them. He’s even appeared in a shoot interview with Kevin Steen, where he told a story that doubles as a separate, unrelated sexual assault confession.
Related: WWE Has Come To Terms On The Release Of Enzo Amore
After selling his promotion, Glory Pro, Elgin is still working, despite his duplicitous behavior. Unlike WWE, who has recently shown they draw a swift, hard line against sexual assault, New Japan still employs Elgin. He is scheduled for all of the upcoming New Beginning tour. He is still taking independent bookings. As it stands, the industry is complicit in keeping Elgin working in 2018.
As he is a member of the New Japan roster, Michael Elgin will continue to show up in live results and match cards. Unless he’s injured, or retiring, he will not be receiving any substantial coverage by this weekly column, New Japan Pro Wednesday. Wrestling journalists must do better at covering sexual assault and harassment. Wrestling journalists must do a better job of listening to victims. We are not merely fans, we are influencers, and we cannot simply sit silent while people like Michael Elgin are allowed to manipulate the truth and gaslight victims.
Ultimately, War Machine was right. “F*** him. F*** Michael Elgin.”
WARNING: GIF contains NSFW language…
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