Professional wrestler Tommy Dreamer has been suspended by Impact Wrestling after controversial comments he made in an interview for the Vice TV Dark Side of the Ring.
The show which focuses on some of the more interesting and untold stories in pro wrestling lore focused on the “The Plane Ride from Hell.” The notorious plane ride was discussed online in May 2002 when it occurred. Notably, Curt Hennig and Scott Hall were fired due to actions that occurred on the flight.
The episode featured an interview with one of the flight attendants on the plane during the flight from Europe back to the United States. Unfortunately, the episode talks about incidents in which Brock Lesnar, Scott Hall and Ric Flair accost the flight attendant.
In this day and age, something described by the flight attendant, Heidi Doyle, would not be tolerated. Doyle retold the story of Ric Flair revealed himself to Doyle and would not let him leave and put her hand on his penis. In another account, Doyle stated that as she attempted to wake up Scott Hall, he licked her face. The wrestlers Doyle spoke about refused to be interviewed for the piece.
Dreamer took up for Flair in his interview. “If that’s how she felt [in reference to Doyle], maybe she shouldn’t have taken a payout and went to the fullest extent of the law to then put this person in jail. My opinion.”
A lawsuit was filed by Doyle and another flight attendant. The legal action was settled by the WWE to avoid publicity.
Although the actions occurred in 2002 and Dreamer’s interview happened sometime in the past year, Dreamer was suspended by Impact Wrestling according to John Pollock a day after the episode debut on September 16th. Dreamer also has a show on SiriusXM and according to reports his show is in jeopardy.
Payout Perspective:
The account was disturbing and Impact, wanting to avoid PR backlash, acted swiftly. It is interesting to note that it’s been at least several months to a year since this interview was done by Dreamer. Yet, it was not until it became public that actions were taken. While Dreamer is entitled to his opinion, it was clear that the comments go beyond sticking up for a friend. It also shows a misunderstanding as to how the legal system works which is again, unfortunate. Women wrestlers have become more vocal about sexual harassment in the workplace. Gone are the times as described in the episode where others sat by while misconduct occurred.
In the same week were US Olympic Gymnasts testified before Congress about the sexual harassment they endured and the reasons why nothing was done to help protect him, the insensitive comments of Dreamer had to be addressed.
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