More Options:  Print This Post  Email This Post   -- Submit News Share:

My open letter to the pro wrestling industry.
By Phillip Thies. AKA Damian Demento

I’m left dumbfounded as I read comments left on the numerous blogs related to my Petition to Vince McMahon to stop blading in pro wresting. Especially with the supposed “hard way” cut on Batista’s temple during a recent televised Monday Night Raw. Let me explain.

First, why I think the Batista blood was achieved by blading. Outside the fact that just after the supposed contact between Batista and Edge, Batista’s head was smeared with blood. Outside the fact that the replay was from a convenient camera angle in which Batista’s right side’s temple, where the cut was, could not be seen before the head butt, nor the contact itself could be seen to determine if their heads actually hit. Lastly, let’s say they did accidentally head butt each other. Getting hit in the temple is extremely dangerous, and sometimes life threatening. How is it that the referee didn’t get a doctor to make sure Batista wasn’t severely injured? He may have asked Batista if he was okay, but if somebody has just been hit in his temple that person cannot be trusted to give a coherent response. This is why I believe it was a blade job.

I can only come away thinking that this sick practice is being continued. How does this relate to people’s comments on blogs referring to my petition? I’m reading comments such as: This is a safe way for wrestler’s to achieve blood. Wrestler’s are taught how to do this properly to minimize danger. The forehead doesn’t contain any major arteries or veins, and heals relatively quickly. Wrestler’s are tested for HIV and other dangerous transmitted diseases, so gigging is actually safe. Doctor’s are on standby to administer medical help if complications arise. The point here is that fans think that there is some responsible oversight when it comes to blading. All the years I wrestled I never saw what fans imagine what takes place behind closed doors.

So I have this simple question to the wrestling industry. If blading is safe, and done in a responsible manner, why don’t pro wrestling schools advertise teaching this practice? I did some research of wrestling schools online, and not to my surprise, not one advertised teaching blading. I have a question for Mike Foley. You talked about blading in one of your books. Who taught you how to do this, or did you teach yourself how to cut your forehead? And more importantly, did you ever sit down in a locker room and teach kids how to gig? And if you did, are you proud of maintaining this “longtime tradition?”

I think these are fare questions to ask. People want to defend this “tradition” to the point they accuse me of just being jealous, and bitter, that I never had a push in the business. Even if this is true, does if change what I say about blading? People say that there is no connection between pro wrestling’s tradition of blading and with the epidemic of today’s kids cutting themselves. I say if you glamorize blood, you do influence cutting, because you make it seem acceptable in society. Search YouTube videos for “backyard wrestling” and “extreme blood matches.” You will come across hundreds of videos. Coincidence? Don’t be naive.

Will my letter to Senator Charles Schumer regarding blading done on public grounds, and schools, be addressed? This being an election year, perhaps not. Why am I going after Vince McMahon regarding this? I feel if he comes out and makes a public statement acknowledging blading as a onetime tradition, but at the same time condemn this practice, saying this is unacceptable on any level, this will not only improve the image of pro wrestling, but will insure that the wellbeing of every individual wrestler is priority, and from now on, wrestler’s health, and safety, will be the new tradition in pro wrestling.