Rick Steiner Returns to WrestleCon After Controversial Remarks
Former WWE star Rick Steiner is set to make an appearance at WrestleCon in Detroit in August, months after being accused of making “hateful phrases” toward transgender wrestler Gisele Shaw. WrestleCon announced that both Rick Steiner and his brother Scott will be attending the event, coinciding with WWE’s SummerSlam. Rick Steiner had previously been banned from the convention following the allegations made against him in April.
In a statement on Twitter, WrestleCon owner Michael Bochicchio acknowledged the inappropriate remarks made by Rick Steiner and expressed regret for not sharing more details about the incident earlier. Bochicchio admitted to making mistakes during that time, as he was dealing with personal challenges. He clarified that while they swiftly addressed the issue and removed Steiner from the convention, they do not condone his remarks.
Bochicchio emphasized that Rick Steiner had immediately apologized privately to WrestleCon staff, fellow wrestlers, and members of the Impact Wrestling staff. However, Gisele Shaw chose not to attend the apology, a decision that WrestleCon fully supported. Bochicchio acknowledged Steiner’s mistake and stated that he believed Steiner had learned from it.
While allowing Steiner back into the event, Bochicchio made it clear that Steiner will be on a zero-tolerance scale moving forward, and any future mistakes would result in a permanent ban. WrestleCon aims to provide a safe and inclusive environment for everyone and is committed to taking necessary action if issues arise that compromise that environment.
As of now, Gisele Shaw and Impact Wrestling have not responded to requests for comment regarding WrestleCon’s decision. Shaw, who came out as transgender in 2022, has been an active figure on the independent wrestling circuit.
Rick Steiner, 62, gained prominence during his career in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the late 1980s and mid-1990s. He and his brother Scott Steiner achieved tag-team championship success and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year
