By Ryan Gaydos

WrestleCon reversed its decision to invite WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner
to its showcase next month as the pro wrestling world focuses its
attention on SummerSlam in Detroit.

The wrestling convention initially decided to reinvite Steiner to its
show months after Steiner was accused of using "hateful phrases" toward transgender female pro wrestler Gisele Shaw.

WrestleCon owner Michael Bochicchio made the reversal Sunday and
explained that Steiner apologized after the incident and that he felt
like the former wrestler "learned a lot from his huge mistake."

WrestleCon backtracked on its invitation.

"When we allowed Rick Steiner to return to our Convention as a vendor
guest of Tony Hunter Promotions, we did not adequately take into account
the impact his past words from our last event still held in the LGBTQIA+ community," Bochicchio wrote on Twitter.

"We initially allowed him to return because 1) We still feel that people deserve a second chance. 2) Rick did make an apology to all parties that
chose to be present. 3) We lacked any type of code of conduct/harassment
policy that clearly defined our expectations as a convention participant."

Bochicchio wrote on Twitter that he had a discussion with SB Nation’s OutSports blog and Brian Bell, host of the "LGBT In The Ring" podcast, on Monday and agreed with them that they wanted some kind of public apology
from Steiner "at an absolute minimum."

"Because we understand this issue required great urgency, we gave Rick
Steiner 24 hours to make such a statement. Unfortunately, there is not currently and we do not expect to receive such a statement, and we have therefore made a decision to revoke our permission for him to attend," Bochicchio added.

read more at: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/wwe-hall-of-famer-rick-steiner-removed- wrestling-convention-again-alleged-transphobic-remarks

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