Drew Gulak gives his thoughts on the professional wrestling talent speaking out against inappropriate behavior.
In recent weeks, pro wrestling has been making an effort to become a safer environment for all by way of the #SpeakingOut movement. Now, WWE Superstar Drew Gulak is opening up about the movement and how he tries to help students navigate those waters when they first start out in the industry.
?It?s tough. When you talk about independent companies, there is no governing body, there is no company that can crack down corporately or enforce standards. It has to come down to people being good people,? Gulak tells Sports Illustrated. ?That?s tricky, because when you?re talking about independent wrestling, there are too many people, and you can?t police that. But I will say the fans can do an important job by speaking out and supporting what they actually like, and that should come down to how people are treated, including the fans as well as the performers. You?re going to see now, because of the ?#SpeakingOut? movement, a lot of companies changing. Fan bases are making their voices heard, that?s the most important thing.?
He continued, ?It also comes down to just being a good person, being respectful, and communicating. I always stress to my students to communicate. That can be hard when you?re being told something is right or wrong, and that it could have implications on your career. That?s very, very tricky to navigate those waters, especially for someone who is younger. My heart breaks for everybody suffering.?
Drew Gulak is slated to face AJ Styles for the Intercontinental Championship on a future episode of SmackDown. The match was supposed to take place on June 26 but did not occur because of abrupt scheduling changes.