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Wrestling stars Nina, Crystal reveal being sexually harassed; PWR speaks out
Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR) stars Nina and Crystal have revealed instances of being sexually harassed by their colleagues.
The two pro wrestlers opened up about their experiences within the sport, including stories of harassment done by a visiting colleague.
After they spoke out on social media, PWR released a statement of solidarity with these women.
“Our company has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and abuse and we strive to make PWR a safe environment for everyone,” the statement shared on Instagram said.
“We have not been perfect in addressing these issues in the past, but we have been taking this as an opportunity to grow, learn, and most importantly, listen more ... Please continue #SpeakingOut. We’re listening and we promise to be better,” it added.
In a tweet on Friday, Nina said she didn’t speak up about her experience before because she was told “there wasn’t enough evidence for it to merit the attention of the public” and that it might affect how she would be treated as a wrestler.
However, after hearing so many other women in the wrestling world speak up courageously about their experiences, Nina shared that she found the strength to do the same.
She revealed that former Singapore Pro Wrestling athlete Alex Cuevas acted inappropriately toward her during his stay in the Philippines.
#SpeakingOut pic.twitter.com/Zmq4reDnQe
— Nina (@Nina_PWR) June 19, 2020
Aside from saying inappropriate jokes, following her around and making rude comments, he also gave lewd comments to Nina.
Nina shared that one time, he would follow her around, bite his lip and wink at her.
“He then asks me about my tattoos, in which I told him I had 4 at that time, and being in a crowded and noisy place, he misunderstood what I said at some point and reacted: ‘WAIT. YOU HAVE A TATTOO ON YOUR BUTT??!’” she said.
Meanwhile, Crystal opened up that she was raped when she was just 8 years old, but the harassment she experienced didn’t stop there.
She said wrestler Peter Versoza tried to kiss her one time but she was fortunately able to move away. When she told her batchmates what happened, they just laughed it off.
The Queen of Philippine Wrestling added it wasn’t easy to tell the former PWR leadership about her experience because Versoza was on the main roast while she was just training, and when she finally found the courage, she was just brushed off.
She also said she heard rumors that the former PWR president, who had since been kicked out of the company, had been saying she was a whore.
I never really felt safe. All the whispers. All the dms. All the ass grabs. The "accidental" brush against the boobs. The threats of being blackballed. The rumors. Being backstabbed so no one will ever believe you. NO AMOUNT OF APOLOGIES. WILL EVER UNDO THE DAMAGE. #SpeakingOut pic.twitter.com/xpPFQCqqfP
— Crystal ???????? ????? (@CrystalMNL) June 20, 2020
Apart from that, Crystal shared the inappropriate comments and sexual advances some men in the local and international wrestling industry would tell her.
“One roster member found out I liked anime. He would message me about anime, even made jokes about hentai. Even suggested my character should say things like ‘yamate’ ‘itai,’” Crystal said.
One time, she shared, she was even groped when she was demonstrating a move.
Crystal also shared an experience she had with Cuevas, saying he spread a rumor that they had sex.
Months after the incident he tried to apologize even more. But i was done. Here's a screen shot of his apology.
— Crystal ???????? ????? (@CrystalMNL) June 20, 2020
Also a screenshot of a friend of mine warning me about his actions. pic.twitter.com/ZPtn3D0g6A
“I believe all these harassers should be held accountable somehow and I hope that this teaches everyone a lesson on how to treat women,” said Nina. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News
