The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines
March 6, 2015 - An Ugly Controversy
The narrative surrounding Levesque, benevolent saviour of wrestling, is dented. PC head trainer Bill DeMott, who denies wrongdoing, announces his resignation on Twitter.
It was always a curious choice - the horror stories surrounding DeMott in Deep South Wrestling were legion, and FCW trainer Dr. Tom Prichard was very well-liked and well-regarded - and the hire blows up in Triple H’s face.
This follows a wave of bleak and distressing social media allegations. Several aspiring and established wrestlers either speak out or use coded statements - like Trent Baretta’s “about f*cking time” - to express their contempt for DeMott. Ryan Nemeth alleges that DeMott kicked him in the leg when it was broken and had been placed in a cast. Terra Calaway alleges that an unnamed middle eastern trainee was called a “terrorist” and “Aladdin”, and told to “go back to making bombs”. Derek Foore alleges that DeMott would break a yard stick over the back of a trainee, were they caught messing up in the ring.
There is more.
In addition to DeMott, Strength & Conditioning coach Matt Wichlinski is also gone. He is fired after several complaints of sexual harassment.
He leaves a disturbing digital footprint. The openness is shocking. On his Facebook page, amongst other grim posts, Wichlinski captions a picture of Paige bending over the top rope with “Everybody should have a few of these at work”.
Ultimately, Levesque emerges from the furore unscathed, because wrestling fans tend to care more about great wrestling than they do ethical business practices.
And, 169 days later…