ROH's Marty Scurll Issues Second Statement On Abuse Allegations Against Him

On June 22, Twitter user @mystickttn shared a story through #SpeakingOut involving Ring Of Honor Joint Head Booker Marty Scurll. She said Scurll "sexually assaulted" her in January 2015 after an IPW: UK after-show party. At the time of the alleged incident, she was 16, Marty Scurll was 26. 

She wrote: "I worked for IPW at the time, so I was at both shows that weekend, as well as the after party. By this time, it had become almost routine for Daniel Edler to constantly purchase me drinks at these events, so I was incredibly drunk. Especially for a 16 year old. Later on in the night, I bumped into Marty outside of the party venue. He spent a while saying to me that "we should go back together, let's go back to the hotel, let's f**k." I told him, "I don't have a key for my hotel room, my friend has the only one." I remember that I did actually go inside and tell that friend that I was about to head off with Marty, but she wouldn't give me the keys because she thought it was a bad idea. Despite knowing I couldn't get into my hotel room, he walked me back to my hotel. For context, it was kind of an independent, small hotel. Once we got outside my room, in this empty, quiet hallway, he sat on a chair and got his penis out and told me to suck it. So I did. After a little while he found a cupboard opposite my room full of sheets. He took me in there and got me to stand up, with my underwear pulled down. Remember I'm 16 at this time. The whole time that he was getting me into position to stick his unprotected penis inside me, I was repeatedly saying "I'm so sorry I'm a virgin." (Disclaimer: I had actually been raped by Dan Edler before this point, which I've detailed over and over in the past to the public and the police. But… I personally still considered myself to have my virginity up until April that year.) Before he had even had the chance to penetrate me, the aforementioned friend turned up and told him to leave. The next day he didn't turn up for his match. Everyone there knew that we had kissed, so it was quickly circulating that I was a slut. But not the part where he sexually assaulted a drunk child. After this, Dan Edler said he'd never book him again. Because he considered me his girlfriend and he was jealous that something happened between me and another man. But that's a separate thing."

Marty Scurll issued a second statement on the allegations yesterday and asked for forgiveness.

Scurll wrote: "In 2015 after a wrestling event in the UK, I had a brief consensual sexual encounter with a woman. In that moment, at a bar, in those circumstances, I had no cause to question her age. I don't say any of this lightly or to seek absolution for my ignorance. Although I did not become aware of her age until after the encounter, the reality of the age disparity is not lost on me. I understand that although our encounter was technically legal in the UK, my lack of good judgement that evening has disappointed many fans.

This week, the woman I'm referencing bravely shared her stories of abuse she experienced while attending wrestling events during that time period. My name has been included in one of the recollections she has shared. I can only speak to what I know to be true and my own actions.

It is my understanding that this woman continuously supported our sport through her attendance at events, seminars, and training sessions, and as an industry, we failed her. I cannot begin the difficulties she must be experiencing, and in that spirit I ask that you please continue to respect her privacy.

My immediate priority is to seek forgiveness for unknowingly contributing to a culture that for too long has promulgated ego over humanity and hurt many along the way. For those of us with a voice that can reach beyond our own doorsteps, it is our shared responsibility to be better and do more. 

The system must change to protect the most vulnerable and provide an ecosystem where female fans and athletes can engage and participate safely. The time is now. As a person who has been identified as part of the problem, I am unreservedly committing to be part of the solution. In the very short term, I am looking to work within the industry to create better security protocols at events to provide a safer environment for all fans.

Words are no longer enough, action is needed."

@mystickttn disputes that Scurll did not know how old she was, however, as she said they had known each other since 2013. 

She wrote: "The argument of them not knowing I was underage doesn't stand. All of these people knew me. At one point Marty even trained me, whilst I was training at rev pro in 2013, age 15." 

She later added: "He knew me for a couple years before this. He knew my age. I have said this and given proof multiple times. Stop spreading stupid uninformed opinions."

Ring Of Honor is yet to comment on the allegations against Marty Scurll.