Kiwi pro wrestler Travis Banks has denied serious allegations made against him, after a female competitor accused the 33-year-old of manipulation and creating an unsafe working environment.
The hashtag #SpeakingOut has been trending on Twitter, as female competitors shared their experiences of sexual assault and harassment.
Independent wrestler Millie McKenzie was one of them, claiming she was in an abusive, sexual relationship with Banks three years ago, when she was 17.
The Coventry-based star, now 20, claimed Banks insisted that the relationship be kept a secret, adding things got so bad it had a "massive effect" on her "mental health and self-confidence" while she "hated wrestling and the person I became when I was with him".
"Regardless if the relationship was good or bad, which it was honestly vile. He was my trainer and abused his position of power," she continued in a series of tweets.
"This man destroyed the last years of my childhood."
The allegations saw Progress Wrestling, a British professional wrestling promotion cut all ties with Banks, where he was the company's former world champion in 2017.
Banks moved to the UK in 2015, where he is currently based in Wolverhampton.
Banks, who also is signed to the WWE's NXT UK brand, released a carefully worded statement where he apologised to McKenzie.
"Millie was a trainee of mine at Fight Club: Pro. She was also a close personal friend," he said on Twitter.
"We would be at shows together, attend the same social events, travel together and hang out at the wrestlers' house where I was living.
"It was through this friendship a consensual relationship was formed."
"The relationship broke down between both parties and it ended. After it ended we agreed to talk it out. We apologised to each other for any individual actions behind the relationship breakdown.
"After seeing these comments, I can only repeat my apology. I am truly sorry for any pain caused by the relationship."
But McKenzie took offence to Banks' statement and went on to release a series of screenshots of text messages between the pair when the Kiwi was "drunk".
"Finding a hotel I'm staying in, finding my room number and knocking on my door for hours, continuously messing me when I ask you to leave is NOT OKAY," she said before posting the screenshots.
In a statement to Forbes, the WWE said they are taking the allegations against all accused wrestlers seriously.
"Individuals are responsible for their own personal actions. WWE has zero-tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Upon arrest for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately suspended. Upon conviction for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately terminated."
"WWE's ability to fine, suspend or terminate a WWE talent will not be, however, limited or compromised in any manner in the event incontrovertible evidence of such illegal misconduct is presented to WWE."
After McKenzie's story, retired pro-wrestler Sierra Loxton posted a message from an anonymous woman who said Banks would harass her.
"Travis used to text me about her, constantly saying how upset he was and what could he do to get her back," the message read.
"All these conversations would usually end up with him telling me he was lonely and horny and I would go over to "help".
"I know I wasn't the only girl he was messaging in a similar way as a friend of mine would be sent the same half-naked pictures of himself as well as pleas to come over to his house.
"I haven't spoken to Travis since he messages me 'help, I'm horny' while I was off work with depression, grieving for the loss of a friend."
American National Wrestling Alliance vice president Dave Lagana resigned from his position after allegations were made against him while WWE NXT stars Jordan Devlin, Joe Coffey and Tyler Bate have also been accused of harassment.
Newshub has contacted Banks for comment on the allegations.
Several WWE-contracted wrestlers have been previously accused of previous sexual assault incidents, including British superstar Jack Gallagher, who was released from the company on Sunday.
"We take any allegation of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter," the WWE states.
