AEW Wrestling star Sammy Guevara was suspended after a clip resurfaced of him stating he wanted to “rape” WWE Superstar Sasha Banks.
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According to the New York Post, the comment was made during Guevara’s interview on Raw’s 4th Hour podcast in 2016 amid several sexual misconduct and assault allegations within the industry. Guevara stated that he saw Sasha Banks at a WWE event where he was needed for extra help during that week. He says “Bro, Sasha Banks, oh my God. When I was at the WWE the other week, I wanted to go f***king rape that woman.”
The AEW caught wind of the clip and temporarily suspended Guevara amid the backlash along with releasing a statement saying the company will be undergoing “sensitivity training.” Before news of his suspension was released to the public, the wrestling star issued an apology to Banks and the community for his comment.
“I’ve made stupid, inappropriate, and extremely offensive comments in my past. In my idiotic mind, I thought I was being funny in using words and terms that represent nothing but horror and pain. I am truly sorry for my hurtful words and actions, and I will never forgive myself.”
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Banks expressed to fans on Twitter that she had a conversation with Guevara and said he apologized to her for his insensitive comment.
“Words like the comments he made, jokingly or not, have absolutely no place in our society! I don’t condone or tolerate this kind of behavior. What one thinks is just a side comment can have a massive impact on someone else’s life and can send the wrong message.”
“We have to hold ourselves accountable for our actions and the words we say, and I hope this situation shows him that. I hope from this point on, in order for growth and change within our community to take place, we all can continue to have these conversations. No person, man, woman or child, should ever be subjected to a feeling of fear, or any unsafe environment. We all have to do better not just for ourselves, but for generations to come.”
Recently, the WWE fired Jack Gallagher after he was accused of sexual assault and multiple victims of sexual assault within the wrestling industry shared their stories through the hashtag #SpeakingOut.