'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Darren Young recently spoke to ESPN, where he talked about his time in WWE.
Darren Young worked in WWE from 2005 to 2017. Young was released from the company in October of 2017 after 12 years with the company.
In the interview, Young discussed the reactions he got when he came out in 2013. He also talked about being shocked about getting released in 2017.
In case you didn't know...
Darren Young was the first wrestler to publicly come out of the proverbial 'closet' while still being signed to a major promotion. In his career, he was successful and was part of the invading Nexus, a group with whom he wreaked havoc on main roster stars.
Among others, Vince McMahon and Triple H tweeted about their support of his choices.
Later on, he partnered with Titus O'Neil as the Prime Time Players and went on to win Tag Team Gold. His final run in WWE was as the protege of Bob Backlund who had come up with the phrase, 'Make Darren Young Great Again', as a parody of Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' campaign.
The heart of the matter
In the interview, Young spoke about meeting CM Punk backstage after coming out. He said that Punk had approached him, asking him to stand up, praising him for his courage for coming out, and assuring him that he would not be troubled about it backstage.
'Hey, man, I heard your story and I'm very proud of you for being so courageous to make that move to come out. If anyone has a problem with it in the locker room, you let me know, and I'll take care of it.'
He also talked about Randy Orton and Big Show, showing them respect, love and support. He stated that he would always owe them.
When talking about being released from the company, he said that he was surprised by the decision. He had appeared at an NBA game the previous day on behalf of the company, and it was a 'tough pill to swallow' for him. He also mentioned that the release came just days before his 2nd November birthday.
What's next?
Young stated that he wished to continue his relationship with WWE and work in PR as an LGBTQ ambassador. He mentioned that he knew that he would not be able to wrestle 'forever'.
Author's take
Darren Young coming out while being part of a company like WWE is an inspirational story, to say the least. The fact that he was supported backstage, goes to show how far the company and society have come.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
