The unpredictable nature of the pro wrestling world has brought Destiny Wrestling under intense scrutiny after booking Marty Scurll in a segment with JBL. The decision has ignited backlash from fans and professionals alike, pushing the indie company into damage control mode as it faces an uphill battle in public relations.
A particularly pointed reaction came from a former collaborator of Destiny Wrestling, who tweeted, “In light of the recent booking of Marty Scurll, I will no longer be working with Destiny Wrestling as a designer. It’s one thing to book the man in the first place, but to hide it from fans, workers and others to avoid the backlash is extremely shady behaviour. Do better.”
The outcry has led many to distance themselves from Destiny Wrestling, adding to the growing pressure on the company. The controversy stems from allegations that emerged during the #SpeakingOut movement, where Scurll was accused of inappropriate behavior involving a 16-year-old fan during an IPW event. In the account shared by a user named “Kitten,” she claimed that Scurll made advances while she was under the influence of alcohol, and only the intervention of a friend prevented further misconduct.
Scurll responded to the allegations at the time, stating he believed the encounter was consensual and noting that 16 is the age of consent in the UK. He expressed regret that she felt unsafe, calling it “unacceptable” and asking fans not to harass her. Despite this, Scurll faced widespread cancellation from wrestling promotions globally, a status that remains largely unchanged five years later.
Now, Destiny Wrestling is bearing the consequences of their decision, with widespread criticism highlighting their attempt to avoid backlash by not being transparent about Scurll’s booking. The company’s reputation hangs in the balance as they navigate this storm of negative publicity.
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