In the last few hours, Revolution Pro Wrestling (Rev Pro) announced that they have “indefinitely severed ties” with one half of their British Tag Team Champions Josh Bodom.
At last weekend’s Summer Sizzler event, an incident took place after a tag team match between Aussie Open and the British Tag Team Champions, Sha Samuels and Josh Bodom.
The incident in question was the “botched” finish to the match. The referee, Aaren Wilde, counted the three count as Bodom’s shoulders were on the canvas and he didn’t kick out. Apparently this wasn’t the planned ending of the match, even though Aussie Open were going over.
After the match, Josh Bodom attacked the referee outside of the ring in a vicious and unprovoked attack. The footage can be seen below –
— Alex Dellanzo (@ADellanzo1) September 8, 2019
Nothing was said about the attack as many thought it was a planned heat spot for Samuels and Bodom. It wasn’t until Wilde himself posted on Twitter about the attack and the extent of his injuries that this story really picked up traction:
Last weekend at RevPro I was attacked after the Royal Quest tag match. This was not part of the show, it was not planned.
I was grabbed and slammed to the mat by Sha and then something happened on the outside. I honesty don’t know what, that part was a blur.
1|6
— aarennnn✨ (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
As a result, I have sustained a much-more-serious-than-originally-thought neck and shoulder injury that means I am no longer able to referee.
I hate the term ‘retire’, so I’ll say this; I am indefinitely unable to referee due to medical restrictions.
2|6
— aarennnn✨ (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
The intended winners (Aussies) still won, albeit 5 minutes quicker on a show that ran over by over 45 minutes. I am still shocked, upset and in disbelief at why this happened and why it has been condoned by RevPro/Andy Quildan.
500+ matches, 1 botched ending. That one.
3|6
— aarennnn✨ (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
I have spent the last 7/8 days in many feelings. Anger, sadness, frustration. I truly adored performing as a referee and now, at least for the foreseeable future, I am medically unable to do so.
I truly hope that I can recover to pursue it again.
4|6
— aarennnn✨ (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
There are so many things that can be said about last weekend, but I would prefer to not write an essay of negativity.
For now I am also unable to football referee (my main income) due to the injury.
If you have a few spare pennies, I won’t say no: https://t.co/tuglaZOcw1
5|6
— aarennnn✨ (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
Thank you for a wonderful few years in professional wrestling. I am distraught that it had to end this way. Support promotions that value performer and spectator welfare: @RIPTIDEwres, @ThisIs_Progress, @FutureShockWres that I know of.
I’ll be back here when I mentally can be ✨
— aarennnn✨ (@AarenWilde) September 7, 2019
Not long after Wilde went public with his tweets, Rev Pro owner Andy Quildan released a statement of his own via Twitter, stating he only saw the live edit:
Footage from our live edit only shows the slam. Having reviewed it, I can say with confidence that there was no intent to cause any injury. Regardless I'm sure everyone will draw their own conclusions but I can assure that I will make sure this matter is dealt with swiftly
— Andy Quildan (@AQuildan) September 7, 2019
Less than 24 hours later, Rev Pro tweeted an official statement about the incident:
Official statement regarding incident with referee Aaren Wilde. pic.twitter.com/fbGSQkvhIA
— Revolution Pro (@RevProUK) September 8, 2019
As you can see, Rev Pro stated that they will be instituting an “internal incident report policy” in regards to Bodom’s actions.
Both Bodom and Sha Samuels have been stripped of the British Tag Team Championships. No news as of yet in regards to what will be happening to the belts.
Sha Samuels himself has tweeted about the situation where he apologised:
I got kicked in the face to the pleasure of the audience for my trouble and hoped the mistake was forgotten about. At the time I was only concerned about the integrity of the match. We spoke afterwards, and all seemed well.
I can only apologise for what happened…..
— Sha Samuels (@Shasamuels) September 8, 2019
Josh, on the other hand, has seen to have gone into hiding by not making any statement and deleting his Twitter account and being unable to get hold of.
Blake’s Take: I had heard of some controversy from last week’s Summer Sizzler event, but it got lost in all the NJPW Royal Quest hype. Seeing the video for myself, it looks like a brutal assault from a trained professional that knows better. As for Rev Pro, who recently bought Southside Wrestling earlier in the week to expand their reach, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Can they, will they get over this? Will this blow over? I’m not sure. For the sake of British wrestling, I sure hope they do.
