Brandi Rhodes Comments on #SpeakingOut Movement — “I’m A Survivor!”

The #SpeakingOut movement has exposed the predatory behavior of several big names of the pro-wrestling industry. The likes of David Starr and Joey Ryan fled Twitter after numerous victims came forward with their stories while Jack Gallagher was released by WWE and erased from their history.

Many female Superstars working in major companies like WWE and AEW have come forward to voice their support to the women who are #SpeakingOut.

Brandi Rhodes took to her Twitter handle to comment on the movement. Rhodes said that sometimes people get lost in social media and can’t see the work and emotion that goes beyond a screen.

Rhodes said that see had to speak out at the end of her skating career and earlier in her wrestling career and that it’s not at all easy. She said that she will not be reliving those moments for “someone else’s gain”.

She said that she had spoken out about her problems behind closed doors in both the situations and that they were handled appropriately, to her surprise. She also showed her support for the people who came worth with their stories.

I’m seeing so many broken hearts across this platform. Sometimes we get lost in hashtags and mentions on this app but the reality is, we have no idea what happens outside of this app. We can’t see the work that goes on beyond this screen and the emotion behind it all.

This may be a surprise to some but I have had to speak out twice. At the end of my skating career and at the beginning of my wrestling career. It is not easy. And it’s not something I am going to relive for anyone else’s gain right now. I spoke out behind closed doors in 2 Extremely intimidating settings. Both times, I was surprised at the results. Neither was what I expected, as in both accounts I was not in a position of power. But they were handled appropriately. My heart goes out to anyone that found their courage to stand this weekend.

Rhodes then went on to say that she has had a “front-row seat” for some ugly things. She said that she will do her best to protect and others and cannot imagine the same things that happened to her, happening to them.

The CBO of AEW then said that she is glad that she spoke out and turned those issues to “capable hands”. She called herself and the other victims “survivors” and that they’ve helped others survive.

I have had a front row seat to some ugly things in my lifetime…I am committed to doing everything that I personally can to protect others. That’s why I spoke out. I couldn’t imagine if what happened to me happened to someone else.

And I didn’t speak up when I should have. I am so glad that I did and turned it over to capable hands. I’m a survivor, you are survivors…and you’ve helped others survive. Allies aren’t enemies. These are MY personal views and feelings, and should be regarded as such.