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Joey Ryan’s comeback to wrestling was short-lived. Just hours after Portland Wrestling announced his return for the August 23rd event in Vancouver, Washington, they decided to retract their statement.
The promotion had initially hailed Ryan’s comeback as a momentous occasion, sharing it on Facebook.
“Joey Ryan, who was expelled from the sport he cherished in 2020, has been given a second chance.”
However, following swift backlash, they quickly released another statement indicating that Ryan would no longer be participating in the event.
“Joey Ryan’s flight has been canceled. He will not appear on the August 23rd show.”
No further details were provided, but the message was unmistakable: fans, and possibly other wrestlers, are not ready to accept Ryan back into the fold.
In 2020, during the #SpeakOut movement, Ryan was effectively banned from wrestling as multiple women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct against him, including inappropriate behavior and coercion. Although he denied the allegations and pursued legal action, the consequences were immediate; wrestling promotions severed ties, and he was removed from all scheduled events.
After stepping away from wrestling, Ryan briefly appeared in 2022 as a cast member in Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise, but this stint was also cut short when Disney learned of his past and dismissed him.
The now-canceled appearance at Portland Wrestling was set to be Ryan’s first match in over four years, highlighting just how tarnished his reputation remains and demonstrating the wrestling industry’s unforgiving stance towards unresolved allegations.
Fan Take: This news highlights the wrestling community’s ongoing commitment to addressing serious issues, including allegations of misconduct. For fans, it underscores the reality that the sport must maintain accountability and support for survivors, shaping its future as a safer environment for all involved.
