The crowd at AAW‘s Showdown event in Chicago were treated to an infuriating surprise on Saturday night. Michael Elgin returned to the promotion, despite allegations of covering up sexual assault caused him to be pulled from shows in December. The show was advertised as a “mystery show” with no announced matches, and the crowd had no idea that Elgin would be on the card.
https://twitter.com/PPPpodTweets/status/965054203591888897
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Back in December, it was revealed that Michael Elgin attempted to cover up claims of sexual assault against his student Sean Orleans. This caused AAW to announce that they were “pulling Elgin from the shows until the situation can be resolved.”
The Michael Elgin Situation: pic.twitter.com/nQHp6ZQcXz
— AAW Wrestling (@AAWPro) December 9, 2017
Michael Elgin Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Woman Accusing Him Of Covering Up A Sexual Assault
While the statement is vague on AAW’s actual stance on booking Elgin, it makes very clear that they “don’t condone people making others feel awkward or unsafe at [their] shows,” and Elgin’s surprise booking is in clear violation of that sentiment.
https://twitter.com/Reverse_Dan/status/965054361805172736
I’ve had a great time at every AAW show I’ve been to over the last few years, but tonight left a bad taste in my mouth #AAWShowdown
— mega megalopolis fan (@samalcarez) February 18, 2018
The energy sure is significantly 'different' in here post-Elgin…on a mystery card, too…ugh. Total shit move. #AAWShowdown
— yoshi hashi ex-tank mechanic (@smokesmid) February 18, 2018
Some crowd members turned their backs to Elgin’s match with Myron Reed.
Big Mike is here and you could cut the tension in the air with a knife! Turning your back is certainly a way to protest. #AAWShowdown pic.twitter.com/S9FwLKJO5R
— Henry ?? (@OGHank312) February 18, 2018
At intermission, fans were encouraged to tweet about the show using the hashtag #AAWShowdown. Some used it as a platform to take the company to task for the revolting surprise.
Never bring back Elgin again #AAWShowdown
— professor cool ice, phd (@SlamPoet6911) February 18, 2018
According to John Gregory, AAW Promotor Danny Daniels used Elgin because he set up the promotion’s booking with Tetsuya Naito, who faced Sami Callihan in the main event. Gregory claims that Daniels said he won’t be using Elgin, but then later changed his answer to “If we use him, he’ll be advertised.”
https://twitter.com/johngregoryx/status/965055897444737024
https://twitter.com/johngregoryx/status/965084798212558848
AAW, usually very active on social media during shows, was surprisingly silent during Elgin’s match. A look at their twitter timeline reveals that they tweeted out the results to every match except for the Michael Elgin/Myron Reed match. No mention at all of Elgin is made by the account.
Elgin has filed a lawsuit against the victim for defamation. He recently signed a new full-time contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Elgin faced Naito on a Pro Wrestling Revolver show the night before, was advertised, and still met the same hostile reaction from the crowd.
UPDATE: Danny Daniels has posted the following response to his twitter account. He apologized to fans that were upset.
Elgin is a friend of mine & I know his family has been going through a difficult time. So I wanted to help him out as he's done numerous times for us. It was a poor decision by my part. Again this was strictly my call as I thought the fans would like the outcome, I was wrong
— Danny Daniels (@aawdannydaniels) February 18, 2018
He also told ProWrestling.com‘s Mike Killam that he based his decision off of Elgin’s response in IWA Mid South and Pro Wrestling Revolver.
I just watched 200 people in Louisville clap for him on Thursday. Plus heard that the building was rocking with heat in Dayton on Friday. That's what I based it off
— Danny Daniels (@aawdannydaniels) February 18, 2018
