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[Deleted member 47027]

Christy Hemme appeared to be legitimately upset at Austin Aries after she messed up the introductions for Aries and Bobby Roode last night. Aries came to the ring and proceeded to put his crotch in the face of Hemme. When asked about it via Twitter, Christy replied with the following:

Fan: “@TheRealGaryS: Did @AustinAries Put His Nuts In @hemmepowered Face? #Impactlive”

Christy Hemme: Yes. Unacceptable.

Here's a gif of the incident:

Then, update:

As previously reported, Christy Hemme tweeted that Austin Aries was "unacceptable" when he backed her into a corner, climbed to the second rope and putt his groin in front of her face during iMPACT! after Hemme incorrectly introduced Bad Influence for their match. Aries had made reference to the tweet on his own account, noting:

"Pretty nuts, some of the junk people get the balls to say over the net, knowing they couldn't to your face...Eh, anyway, time to sack out."

When asked whether Hemme was legitimately bothered by the incident, someone within TNA said, "Of course, she was. How would you react? It's one thing if that was set up as a work earlier in the day, and even then our girls would have to reassure our agents over and over again that they would be okay with that spot before it got approved for television." The source added the opinion that Hemme was "technically sexually harassed."

So here's the crux of the whole issue - some people say he was just playing a heel (villain) and that a bad guy would do that - however, if it's unrehearsed,(sources say it was not planned) and Hemme had no idea it would go to this length, is it harassment? I'm saying it's absolutely unprofessional and harassment. Shame on him for doing this, and making his apology be complete bullshit - but what do you think? Women have had to deal with a LOT of shit in the wrestling world, but a lot of it was "part of the show" - what do you make of this?

 

[Sn4ke_911]

 

[Rafa=FedKilla]

It's a work, Meltzer...

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Breaking the kayfabe, yo!

 

[BFIB]

 

[GoddyofAus]

lol, TNA.

 

[GotEmRunnin]

I guess to stay in character if it's rehearsed or not is the true definition of total nonstop action.

 

[Entropia]

So here's the crux of the whole issue - some people say he was just playing a heel (villain) and that a bad guy would do that - however, if it's unrehearsed,(sources say it was not planned) and Hemme had no idea it would go to this length, is it harassment? I'm saying it's absolutely unprofessional and harassment. Shame on him for doing this, and making his apology be complete bullshit - but what do you think? Women have had to deal with a LOT of shit in the wrestling world, but a lot of it was "part of the show" - what do you make of this?

It's unprofessional to not announce the right wrestlers coming to the ring. :X

Spoiler

Comment made with extreme sarcasm

 

[Messi]

It's unprofessional to not announce the right wrestlers coming to the ring. :X

So she should be harassed?

It's totally messed up.

 

[BIONIC-ARRRMMM!!]

It's unprofessional to not announce the right wrestlers coming to the ring. :X

So the next time you get someone's name wrong it would be ok for them to rub their dick over your face? Good to know.

 

[Giard]

Should be renamed CNB wrestling, amirite?

 

[Ithil]

Austin Aries is relatively crazy, trying to discipline him and whatnot won't change much.

 

[Messi]

Austin Aries is relatively crazy, trying to discipline him and whatnot won't change much.

Could just fire him

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Could just fire him

This carny sport unfortunately is still extremely male dominated when it comes to backstage issues. Nothing's gonna happen to this guy, even though a female runs the company, she's pretty complacent.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

It's harassment without a second thought. You shouldn't even have to ask or think about that. Hopefully he gets in some serious trouble with management there for it.

 

[Karkador]

Eh, the controversy about this will probably ultimately promote the wrestler more than give the sexual harassment issue any real attention.

 

[Messi]

This carny sport unfortunately is still extremely male dominated when it comes to backstage issues. Nothing's gonna happen to this guy, even though a female runs the company, she's pretty complacent.

Why am I not surprised.

 

[mrklaw]

was he actually gyrating/rubbing it in her face? Couldn't tell from the gif. Just looked like the usual 'naughty wrestler climbs ropes and taunts the booing crowd' - only with a woman in the way

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Don't be surprised if she finds a turd in her gym bag in the next few days. RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!

 

[Entropia]

So the next time you get someone's name wrong it would be ok for them to rub their dick over your face? Good to know.

Damn right BIOTIC_LEEEEGGG!!

 

[Ponn]

Eh, the controversy about this will probably ultimately promote the wrestler more than give the sexual harassment issue any real attention.

In wrestling this will be turned into a storyline they will play up for months.

 

[Entropia]

Truly the problem is that wrestling is still in this odd spot where you don't know if it's part of the show or not (and they want you to believe it is). Even with Twitter and the like the lines are still a bit blurred. As Sunflower stated, Aries plays a Heel(Villain) and it plays up to his character that he would do something like that. Was it scripted? Probably not. Was it part of the show/act? Yes.

I think that there has to be a certain level of expectations that if you mess up and you have the villain in the ring there might be some repercussions. Did Aries cross the line by wagging his junk in Hemme's face? Yes. There was probably a million different ways he could've handled it differently and still shown off his Heel persona.

 

[BFIB]

If that's harassment, then what about when Bubba Ray Dudley used to set up for the powerbomb and basically be muff munching before hitting the spot?

 

[poppabk]

It's a theatrical performance with oiled up guys in speedos jumping on top of each other. Rehearsed or not, it's gotta be considered part of the territory I would think.

 

[number47]

Oh PC GAF.

 

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

Quite convenient location for her to be standing in. With wrestling, WWE or other offshoots it's expected that this is part of a intentional bit.

 

[Cerebral Assassin]

I don't think the best place for allegations of harassment is on twitter, & given that if a male wrestler fails to do his job properly he will get physically attacked & she wasn't touched I doubt anything will (or should) happen to AA.

 

[J2 Cool]

Is that sexual harassment? She wasn't in danger of him doing anything sexual to her in the ring, and the crotch and face had decent separation...

 

[Kinky John]

If she can't deal with the heat she should get back into the kitchen!

 

[.GqueB.]

was he actually gyrating/rubbing it in her face? Couldn't tell from the gif. Just looked like the usual 'naughty wrestler climbs ropes and taunts the booing crowd' - only with a woman in the way

That's the feeling I got. Didn't seem like he was actively trying to put his nuts in her face. It just sort of happened that way. To me sexual harassment, along with racism, needs to imply some sort of intent to be labeled as such. Otherwise it's an unfortunate misunderstanding.

 

[Messi]

If she can't deal with the heat she should get back into the kitchen!

Uh...

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Is that sexual harassment? She wasn't in danger of him doing anything sexual to her in the ring, and the crotch and face had decent separation...

Harassment doesn't have to involve touching, though.

 

[Aiii]

I still maintain the face-crotch alignment was purely coincidental and not intended by Aries.

He was playing the heel and being a dick to her, but I doubt he legit intended to put his dick in her face.

 

[Circle Jerk]

That's the feeling I got. Didn't seem like he was actively trying to put his nuts in her face. It just sort of happened that way. To me sexual harassment, along with racism, needs to imply some sort of intent to be labeled as such. Otherwise it's an unfortunate misunderstanding.

but the only reason he did it was because she was there

 

[Count Dookkake]

Solid tweet, Aries.

 

[number47]

Harassment doesn't have to involve touching, though.

So how about you just define it instead of dictating what it isn't.

 

[BFIB]

I still maintain the face-crotch alignment was purely coincidental and not intended by Aries.

He was playing the heel and being a dick to her, but I doubt he legit intended to put his dick in her face.

Agreed. But that still was a low blow.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

I still maintain the face-crotch alignment was purely coincidental and not intended by Aries.

He was playing the heel and being a dick to her, but I doubt he legit intended to put his dick in her face.

A lot of sexual harassment guides (so people can identify what is, in our workplaces) states:

"However, the harasser's intent is irrelevant as to whether the behavior constitutes harassment."

Intended or not, I'd say that is what this is, no?

 

[GQman2121]

Just think, 15 years ago she could have been hit over the head with a cane in ECW.

Is he a decent wrestler? Because he seems like a tool. Also, do wrestlers use Twitter and break kayfabe normally or are they always on? This could easily be a work. Though, that may he giving them too much creative credit.

And since when has tna had four sided rings?

 

[Kinky John]

Uh...

Cat got your tongue boy?

*smashes Messi over the head with fold-up chair*

 

[Recon]

Agreed. But that still was a low blow.

Yup, he seems nuts.

 

[number47]

Just think, 15 years ago she could have been hit over the head with a cane in ECW.

Is he a decent wrestler? Because he seems like a tool. Also, do wrestlers use Twitter and break kayfabe normally or are they also on? This could easily be a work. Though, that may he giving them too much creative credit.

And since when has tna had four sided rings?

Hogan changed it to four sides.:-

 

[Fudgepuppy]

What if it was a woman grinding a man?

But yes, this definitely comes off as harassment if it's true that it wasn't rehearsed.

 

[.GqueB.]

but the only reason he did it was because she was there

He was playing his role and being kind of an asshole to her. All in all, I just think this was an unfortunate coincidence. I don't think he actively though about doing this and executing it in any way. Seems too "in the moment".

 

[Deleted member 47027]

Yup, he seems nuts.

Agreed. But that still was a low blow.

 

[jmdajr]

I wonder how many suites Scott Steiner has been hit with.

 

[Aiii]

A lot of sexual harassment guides (so people can identify what is, in our workplaces) states:

"However, the harasser's intent is irrelevant as to whether the behavior constitutes harassment."

Intended or not, I'd say that is what this is, no?

No. Clearly they are in a ring and acting. He was acting to be a dick and unintentionally aligned his junk with her face. There were no sexual undertones, nor was he trying to shove her face there or push his penis into her face. He's literally just climbing the turnbuckle while maintaining a distance between his body and hers and all that happens is her face and his penis happen to end up on the same height.

At best it's unfortunate, but sexual harassment? Hell no.

 

[CurlySaysX]

Crotch in the face is all I've seen when I've watched WWF.

 

[Ithil]

Could just fire him

He's one of their only "fresh" stars, I don't see them letting him go.

 

[Deleted member 47027]

No. Clearly they are in a ring and acting. He was acting to be a dick and unintentionally aligned his junk with her face. There were no sexual undertones, nor was he trying to shove her face there or push his penis into her face. He's literally just climbing the turnbuckle while maintaining a distance between his body and hers and all that happens is her face and his penis happen to end up on the same height.

At best it's unfortunate, but sexual harassment? Hell no.

How's this, pretend it's unrehearsed: