WrestleQueerdom Promotion Appears To Be Done After Not Paying Talent Following First Show

By Brady Alexander Last updated Aug 7, 2022

Things aren’t looking to good for WrestleQueerdom right now.

On Saturday, August 6th, 2022, WrestleQueerdom ran their first event from Milford, New Hampshire. The event was billed as the first ever all transgender, non-binary, gender-nonconforming wrestling event in North America. In theory, this seems like a very cool idea and something to be very proud of. Many popular names involved with the show such as IMPACT’s Giselle Shaw, AEW’s Sonny Kiss and even international star VENY who has been on DDT in Japan and even featured on AEW in the past. The show did happen and drew about 150 people, not bad for your first event. Sadly, the backlash following the event is what brought the chaos out surrounding WrestleQueerdom. It all started when WrestleQueerdom made a tweet, which has now since been deleted, excitingly hyping up how well their show did. But, independent wrestler Max The Impaler quote tweeted their tweet, saying “Maybe save the flexing until after ALL talent is paid.”

Maybe save the flexing until after ALL the talent is paid. https://t.co/QNkQZDcaa0
— Non-binary Nightmare (@_theyaremax_) August 7, 2022

Then, everything started to come out. Max, who was previously scheduled for the show and pulled out, wasn’t the only one with issues. Mandy tweets from independent wrestlers involved with the show and companies partnered with the event, all started to come out with statements about the negative side of the event. Commentator Eddy McQueen ended up leaving the commentary booth during the show. They explained that they were supposed to host “The Roast Of Candy Lee” but instead got thrown onto commentary with no prior material and no time to talk to the talent, they said in a statement in which you can see below.

Morning 💕 pic.twitter.com/ZR5FzYMPRJ
— Eddy Joanne-Elizabeth McQueen (@Thefabulouslif3) August 7, 2022

The outbreak of tweets didn’t stop here, though. Independent wrestler Cameron Saturn claimed that they, and other talent on the show, Don’t Die Miles, we’re tasked with giving talent who needed transportation to and from busses and airports with the promises of being compensated, but that didn’t happen, causing Cameron and Miles to be stranded with no gas money theirselves, Cameron explained in a series of tweets.

https://twitter.com/saturncameron/status/1556357249811058690?s=21&t=OssPeTY6gaHDQkS5e-v4PA

I do not like talking about business but for us to try our best to help and to be told we can’t get paid because of, money needing to clear, banks having holds, and some hotel issues is a stunning amount of excuses. We’ve even asked for much less just to get home and can’t get it
— Cameron Saturn バイセクシャル (@SaturnCameron) August 7, 2022

In a follow up, Cameron had to go out of their way to debunk a fake account that was trying to scam money out of fans who were looking to donate. But, Cameron explained not to, because the account and cash-app link were fake. Do not donate.

There is a fake account impersonating me trying to collect from your alls generosity, please don’t send out anymore money as we have enough to get us home!

Please be careful if you see anything else from an account that looks like mine trying to take in any more help!
— Cameron Saturn バイセクシャル (@SaturnCameron) August 7, 2022

It all continued when Aiden Ve put out a big statement regarding feedback from talent involved with the event, while giving props to the promoter for trying something out, which was a good idea in theory, and touting fans and bystanders alike to not attack the promoter and make matters worse, but explained that despite the show happening and fans getting a show, there was issues with talent pulling out of the show and behind the scenes issues after the promoter used their social media to “potentially damage our reputation by association”, as said by some talent. You can ready the six page long statement below.

I was planning on hearing back from a few more talent before sharing this but things are already getting out so here is things from my perspective
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/OINAXAGaF6
— (he/him) AIDEN VE, PhD 🏳️‍⚧️🇬🇧 (@aiden_v_e) August 7, 2022

2/2 Please centre the talent here that expended energy and money to be at a show that meant the world to them

@SaturnCameron / @DontDieMiles are in need of funds to get back pic.twitter.com/0sbUYtJluc
— (he/him) AIDEN VE, PhD 🏳️‍⚧️🇬🇧 (@aiden_v_e) August 7, 2022

Speaking of associating with the event, another promotion by the name of Pro Wrestling VIBE put out a statement following all of the issues saying effective immediately, they’re terminating their working relationship with WrestleQueerdom.

Effective immediately, we terminating our working relationship with @TransGraps/@W_Queerdom after receiving numerous complaints and concerns from talent.

Despite our shared vision to make this scene a better place, professionalism and doing good business must come first always.
— Pro Wrestling VIBE (@PWVibe) August 7, 2022

In a follow up from Max The Impaler, they went on to explain exactly why they pulled theirselves from the show in which they were previously booked for, citing being uncomfortable with the way the promotor conducted theirselves.

I didn't say anything more prior because I didn't want to ruin anything for my friends on the show. But I pulled from WrestleQueerdom ultimately because I did not feel comfortable with the way they conducted themselves. On top of asking to wait to be paid.
— Non-binary Nightmare (@_theyaremax_) August 7, 2022

Initially a bad tooth I neglected from an injury months ago was bothering me. Virtual Basement was flying me out early. I tried to make it all work but did not feel comfortable with the combination of those two things.
— Non-binary Nightmare (@_theyaremax_) August 7, 2022

I spoke with many people privately about my concerns. I just didn't want to take momentum out of the show. I know there were great matches, and even some dream matches for people. I'm proud of my friends for being amazing. UNSURPRISINGLY.
— Non-binary Nightmare (@_theyaremax_) August 7, 2022

As of this moment, WrestleQueerdom has yet to make a statement on any of the issues at hand and has not been active on social media since the event last night. Independent professional wrestling standout, Dark Sheik, who wasn’t involved with the show, put out a tweet saying that if any of the talent who were on the show need help getting home following the event, to send a direct message, despite if they’ve never met before. Despite all the negative from this event, it’s good to see people like Dark Sheik lend a helping hand. We love to see that.

If any of my peoples needs assistance getting home/living after NH this weekend please dm me,
I don't care if we've never met
— sheikah (@darksheikftf) August 7, 2022

The artist who did the match graphics and logos for the event also put out a thread of tweets claiming they were also not compensated for their graphic design work for the show.

not nearly as big a name as others involved but I might as well throw my story in as well and mention that I also wasn't paid for my graphic design work on @W_Queerdom. I was paid for the main logo but the match graphics, talent announcements and basically everything else (cont)
— ً (@chixiechicks) August 7, 2022

We hope that in the end, all the talent involved are compensated for their work and also hope that all the talent got home safely. We also do not condone anyone to attack the promoter and we hope everything gets sorted out. In theory, WrestleQueerdom was a fantastic idea with a poor execution and hopefully one day there could be a large event held to support and promote transgender pro-wrestling.

Be sure to check back with Bodyslam.net for all your wrestling news.

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