Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR) accepted the mass resignation of 11 individuals who accused the promotion of cultivating a toxic company culture of bullying.

PWR sent a statement to Rappler on Monday, August 3, saying that it respects the opinions of the wrestlers and staff who resigned.

“It is unfortunate that prior to this resignation, the 11 individuals did not vocalize these concerns. All PWR talent and staff have, since current management took over, been invited to utilize internal channels to constructively tackle concerns relating to talent relations and order,” read the statement.

PWR revamped its management in June 2019 and has continued to be the country’s biggest professional wrestling promotion. The group last organized the 2019 PWR Homecoming and endorsed the WWE tryouts of 3 wrestlers – Jake de Leon, Ken Warren and Crystal.

Jake de Leon and Ken Warren were among the 11 individuals who participated in the mass exodus from the company.

As female wrestlers Nina and Crystal voiced out their sexual harassment stories within the industry, the promotion has focused on internally cracking down other cases related to harassment and misconduct. (READ: The scar of sexual harassment)

“PWR has handled these sexual misconduct cases internally, with certain roster members being sanctioned accordingly by management. We understand that these sexual harassment incidents have given rise to a number of PWR talents voicing their discontent with the harassers, as well as other members of the PWR roster and community at large, that they feel have condoned the actions of the accused,” added the statement.

“Their individual views and opinions however do not reflect the views of the company at large, or the culture of the company as a whole.”

PWR also mentioned the coronavirus pandemic has also factored in the current changes the management has implemented which may have affected the locker room conduct.

Here is a copy of the full statement sent to Rappler:

“The PWR management respects the views of our former talents and production staff who departed due to the “amount of bullying and toxicity that has manifested within our company’s culture over the years.”

It is unfortunate that prior to this resignation, the eleven individuals did not vocalize these concerns. All PWR talent and staff have, since current management took over, been invited to utilize internal channels to constructively tackle concerns relating to talent relations and order. 

The eleven individuals have held positions of influence within the company, both formally and informally. As shareholders, physical trainers, media personnel, production personnel, designers, and bookers, they have helped cultivate PWR into the best professional wrestling outfit in the country. They have also played a large part in establishing the present PWR culture, for better or for worse.

However, PWR accepts that there has been a shift in how management and locker room conduct may have transgressed as brought about by the onset of ongoing business concerns, along with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent #SpeakingOut movement. This comes at a time when PWR has prioritized handling sexual harassment and misconduct investigations, as several other victims have come forward since the public statements of our female talent. 

PWR has handled these sexual misconduct cases internally, with certain roster members being sanctioned accordingly by management. We understand that these sexual harassment incidents have given rise to a number of PWR talents voicing their discontent with the harassers, as well as other members of the PWR roster and community at large, that they feel have condoned the actions of the accused. Their individual views and opinions however do not reflect the views of the company at large, or the culture of the company as a whole. 

We wish the 11 individuals well on the next phase of their wrestling journey.” – Rappler.com