Wrestlecon Statement On Booking Rick Steiner Again After Transphobic Comments
Wrestlecon owner Michael Bochicchio issued a statement on the decision to book Rick Steiner again following his transphobic comments made toward IMPACT star Giselle Shaw.
Back in March, Giselle Shaw took to social media to reveal that WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner had verbally bullied her and launched into a transphobic rant while the two were both guests at Wrestlecon as part of WrestleMania weekend. The allegations were confirmed by IMPACT referee Daniel Spencer. Steiner was removed from the convention, and not allowed to participate in any further events that weekend.
Fans were surprised, then, to see that Steiner has once again been booked as part of Wrestlecon in Detroit as part of the upcoming SummerSlam weekend. Convention owner Michael Bochicchio took to social media to address the controversial decision, first making it clear that Steiner’s remarks were “completely inappropriate” and not condoned.
“I’m going to address the Rick Steiner issue here instead of responding to every post. I hope everyone takes the time to read, but I also understand if you choose not to hear another side.
Rick made completely inappropriate remarks to Giselle Shaw at our event in Los Angeles.
As soon as we were made aware of what happened, we swiftly addressed the issue, but we never shared details of what happened at the event. In hindsight, it was probably a mistake not to share more details during or immediately after the event concluded. I take full responsibility- my wife died 3 weeks after the LA show at the age of 46, after a long battle with cancer, and I made a lot of mistakes during that time.
However, at no time then or after do we condone the remarks Rick made at LA. We did not fail to act after we were notified, and as a result, we removed him from the convention for the duration of that event. Rick’s poor decision forever impacted his brand , relationships within the wrestling community, and alienated many of his fans.”
Continuing, Bochicchio revealed that Steiner apologized to the IMPACT locker room. He further stated that Wrestlecon supported Giselle Shaw in her decision not to attend the apology after the harm that was done to her.
“One of the positive things Rick did, and it was not publicized, is immediately apologize. He apologized to members of the Wrestlecon staff, he apologized to many of his fellow wrestlers, and offerred apologies to the members of Impact Wrestling staff that chose to hear from him at a private mediated event.
Giselle chose not to attend Rick’s apology, which we 100% understood, supported, and still support to this day. She had no obligation to hear anything from Rick nor should she ever feel obligated to accept any apology from him then or now.”
Finally, Bochicchio made it clear that Steiner is being brought back to Wrestlecon on a zero-tolerance basis, and will be removed permanently if any further incident arises.
“Now that we are three months beyond this event, I feel that Rick learned a lot from his huge mistake. I know it’s easier to cancel people when they make mistakes than to forgive and help educate. However, sometimes I think it’s important that we give people a second chance. That being said, Rick will forever be on a zero-tolerance scale moving forward at any of our events. If we are proven wrong, that he has not learned from his mistakes, we will enforce a permanent ban. That is not to imply that everyone gets one free strike.
We continue to strive to have an environment where everyone feels safe and included. If we are faced with issues that compromise that environment, we will take all necessary action.
Michael Bochicchio
Owner of WrestleCon”
When asked about his father’s behavior, Steiner’s son Bron Breakker did not condone his actions and said they were not a reflection of Breakker or his beliefs.