Joey Ryan And Dave Crist Fired By Impact Wrestling Amid Allegations

As the fallout continues from the #SpeakingOut movement, IMPACT Wrestling has released a statement, announcing it has fired wrestlers Joey Ryan and Dave Crist. The promotion has also suspended top star Michael Elgin.

Elgin had been accused of sending unsolicited photos, while Crist has come under fire for sexual abuse in addition to sending unsolicited photos.

“IMPACT Wrestling confirms that it has terminated its contracts with Dave Crist and Joey Ryan, effective immediately,” the statement read.

“In addition, it has suspended Michael Elgin pending further review of allegations of misconduct.” 

Neither Crist or Elgin have responded to a request for comment. This article will be updated if and when they do.

Top independent wrestler Joey Ryan has deleted his Twitter account amid mounting sexual assault allegations. Ryan has also shuttered the Twitter account for his successful Bar Wrestling promotion that he runs out of Baldwin Park, Calif.

Ryan has faced serious allegations of sexual assault amid the ongoing #SpeakingOut movement, as countless women have shared stories of sexual misconduct within the pro wrestling industry. Several promotions have responded, with PROGRESS Wrestling, OTT Wrestling and British Wrestling Revolution all taking disciplinary action.

Shortly before deleting his Twitter account, Ryan released a lengthy statement, addressing allegations against him:

“After speaking with my attorney, I have been advised not to respond to any specific allegations at this time,” read the statement.

“And the truth in the matter is, I do not want to spend time dissecting which parts of the stories are true, which parts of different from what I remember and which things are outright false. It is important for me to use this platform to take responsibility and not to attempt to minimize the feelings anyone that was hurt by me in order to save face.”

Ryan went on to note that he entered counseling in 2018 and continues to attend every week to this day.

Multiple women wrestlers have accused Joey Ryan of sexual assault, including Sierra Loxton, Mae Young competitor Vanessa Kraven and Corinne Mink, who claimed Ryan groped her in a car after picking up Ryan at an airport.

WWE NXT Superstar Candice LeRae, who teamed with Joey Ryan as “The World’s Cutest Tag Team,” has also released a statement denouncing her former tag team partner.

Ryan rose to fame on the independence scene after a video of a sexually explicit wrestling move (NSFW) went viral. Quickly following the viral video, Ryan became one of the most in-demand independent wrestlers in the country, even landing a sponsorship deal with YouPorn that he says “paid him more than all previous WWE opportunities.”

Ryan was so successful while on the indies, he was able to purchase a six-figure home, north of $500,000, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Recently signed to IMPACT Wrestling, Ryan reportedly will not return. Anthem Sports & Entertainment, LLC, IMPACT’s parent company, has released the following statement on allegations of sexual assault:

“It is a core value of the Anthem organization that we conduct our business with respect and integrity, providing a safe and secure work environment for our employees and performers. We are following carefully the various allegations being made through social media, and are reviewing all incidents involving IMPACT Wrestling talent and personnel to determine an appropriate course of action.”