Ring of Honor co-booker and talent Marty Scurll was accused of sexual assault by Twitter user @mystickttn, who worked for the IPW:UK promotion at the time of her encounter with Scurll. After Scurll released two statements about the allegations against him, Ring of Honor announced that they are launching an investigation into the claims made against their contracted wrestlers. They will provide an update on the situation at the conclusion of the investigation.
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) June 25, 2020
Marty Scurll’s first statement can be read at this link and below is the second statement he put out on social media:
“In 2015 after a wrestling event in the UK, I had a brief consensual sexual encounter with a woman. In that moment, at a bar, in those circumstances, I had no cause to question her age. I don’t say any of this lightly or to seek absolution for my ignorance. Although I did not become aware of her age until after the encounter, the reality of the age disparity is not lost on me. I understand that although our encounter was technically legal in the UK, my lack of good judgement that evening has disappointed many fans.
This week, the woman I’m referencing bravely shared her stories of abuse she experienced while attending wrestling events during that time period. My name has been included in one of the recollections she has shared. I can only speak to what I know to be true and my own actions.
It is my understanding that this woman continuously supported our sport through her attendance at events, seminars, and training sessions, and as an industry, we failed her. I cannot begin the difficulties she must be experiencing, and in that spirit I ask that you please continue to respect her privacy.
My immediate priority is to seek forgiveness for unknowingly contributing to a culture that for too long has promulgated ego over humanity and hurt many along the way. For those of us with a voice that can reach beyond our own doorsteps, it is our shared responsibility to be better and do more.
The system must change to protect the most vulnerable and provide an ecosystem where female fans and athletes can engage and participate safely. The time is now. As a person who has been identified as part of the problem, I am unreservedly committing to be part of the solution. In the very short term, I am looking to work within the industry to create better security protocols at events to provide a safer environment for all fans.
Words are no longer enough, action is needed.”
The woman who accused Scurll of sexual assault was 16 at the time. She ran into Marty Scurll at a post-show party. Per the story, she was drunk and Marty asked her to go back to the hotel and when they got there, he pulled out his penis and asked her to perform oral sex which she did. Before the situation escalated further, a friend of hers showed up and told Marty to leave. In Marty’s first statement, he noted that he was of the belief that their encounter was consensual and legal since the age of 16 is considered ‘of age’ in the United Kingdom.
Also, according to PWInsider, Ring of Honor has put their plans on hold to run empty arena shows in Baltimore because of the growing number of COVID-19 cases in North America.
