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Professional wrestling has long been rife with narratives about antagonists. During the #SpeakingOut movement, numerous individuals stepped forward to confront those who misused their influence in the wrestling world to commit acts of abuse and harassment. The allegations were extensive, and sadly, another story has emerged from someone who has had a comparable experience.
On February 10, a Facebook user named Chris Evans shared a post that recounted a distressing incident he claims occurred at an independent wrestling event in Mansfield, Ohio, almost ten years ago. This story had been kept secret for a significant time, but he felt compelled to reveal it.
According to Evans, the incident unfolded in 2015 while he attended a wrestling show with friends. He alleges that he was sexually assaulted in a bathroom by a wrestler whose ring name is Papa Dingo. He described how the interaction began with comments he initially dismissed as part of the wrestler’s persona but quickly escalated into inappropriate physical contact.
“I hadn’t accessed this page in over a decade because I went through some things. When I finally logged in and found my old password, I decided to share my story.
In 2015, when I was 15, my friends and I attended a wrestling event in Mansfield, Ohio. While in the restroom, a wrestler sexually assaulted me. The only name I recall from that night is Papa Dingo. As I washed my hands, he entered and remarked that I was cute. It felt odd, but I thought he was just playing a character. Then he inappropriately touched me. My friend laughed and pointed out my age, and the wrestler responded, ‘You’re never too young to learn.’
We laughed it off after leaving the bathroom since we didn’t know how else to react. Since that day, I’ve never attended another wrestling show and can’t even bear to watch it on TV anymore.
Recently, a friend invited me to a Mega Championship Wrestling event, and though I used to love wrestling, I decided to go. I initially failed to recognize him, but his voice was unmistakable.
Now that I’ve shared my story, I may go quiet on Facebook for another decade.”
Papa Dingo is an independent wrestler known for portraying a jungle-themed character and has competed in chaotic, hardcore matches across various regional promotions. He is currently wrestling under a gimmick called Super Oprah and has also adopted several other personas throughout his career, including Jabari Hakeem Mustafa.
Chris Evans’ allegations have not been verified independently, and there’s no indication of legal actions being taken, so it appears he has not reported the incident to law enforcement. As of now, there has been no public comment from those named in his account or from Mega Championship Wrestling.
It’s worth keeping an eye on this situation. Although it occurred a decade ago, the trauma remains significant. We can only hope that Chris Evans finds the closure he seeks by speaking up about his experience.
What are your thoughts on this claim made by a former fan? Do you believe actions should be taken? Share your views in the comments below.
Fan Take: This news underscores a crucial issue within wrestling, as it highlights the need for accountability and support systems for victims. Addressing such claims is vital not only for the victims but also for restoring trust in the wrestling community.
