CM Punk's A-List Wake-Up & Chelsea Green's Playboy Past: Ten Things You May Have Missed In Wrestling This Week
Another week, another Monday night nadir...
5. Stephanie The Ally
Last week we brought you the story of Stephanie's infamous slapping abilities being used to good effect on recently released announcer Tom Phillips.
For balance - and because it seems appropriate during Pride month - we'll explore the kinder side of the Billion Dollar Princess this week.
NXT and 205 Live superstar Jake Atlas spoke about coming out to WWE's Chief Brand Office, an interaction that was filmed for Celebrity Undercover Boss (Atlas was then an unsigned indie wrestler and didn't know he was speaking to McMahon).
Appearing on WWE's The Bump, Atlas said:
"I wasn't an 'out' performer before I met Stephanie. Meeting Stephanie undercover and not knowing it was Stephanie was so much better and helpful in a way. I don't know if I would have been able to talk to her if I knew it was Stephanie.
Meeting Stephanie and coming out to her…I mean, I came out to one of the most powerful people in professional wrestling. [After filming] I was a mess, and I was crying, and she hugged me.
But I took a moment to myself and said if I was able to have this conversation and be open and authentic, to again, one of the most powerful people in pro wrestling, then I can do anything that I set my mind to. I can be honest, I can be open, and I can be successful. I’m so grateful for that opportunity".
Between Atlas coming out, Sonya Deville being openly gay and other wrestlers from different companies feeling confident enough to express their LGBQT leanings, it's heartening to see how far the industry has come within the last few years.