WWE superstars show their support for Darren Young
This morning, Darren Young dropped a bombshell on the WWE Universe when he announced to TMZ that he was a gay. After the media frenzy that ensued, many WWE Superstars have taken to Twitter to show their support for their fellow WWE Superstar.
Triple H, 13-time World Champion and current Chief Operating Officer of the WWE, was among the first to show his support.
Congratulations, @DarrenYoungWWE for living YOUR life, YOUR way. #proud
— Triple H (@TripleH) August 15, 2013
Stephanie McMahon, the current Executive Vice President of Creative for the WWE, and the daughter of WWE President Vince McMahon, shared her husband’s sentiment.
Congratulations to @DarrenYoungWWE for being the first openly gay WWE Superstar!
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) August 15, 2013
Longtime WWE announcer, and WWE fan favorite Jim Ross soon replied to Stephanie McMahon’s exclamation.
“@StephMcMahon: Congratulations to @DarrenYoungWWE for being the first openly gay WWE Superstar!
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) August 15, 2013
I second that. #NonIssue
Legendary wrestler Bret “The Hitman” Hart showed his support for his fellow wrestler and described how he felt about the progress of acceptance in professional wrestling.
Im more than proud of Darren Young for having the courage to come out. The trust is that WWE & Pro Wrestling in general have long been ahead
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) August 15, 2013
.. of the curve when it comes to accepting sexual orientations
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) August 15, 2013
Former WWE Superstar Gregory Helms, also known to WWE fans as the Hurricane, showed his support for Young, while also remembering his friend Chris Kanyon, who came out shortly after his release from the WWE.
Good job @DarrenYoungWWE Respect!! Somewhere my friend Kanyon is smiling down.
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) August 15, 2013
Former WWE wrestler Chavo Guerrero, who currently wrestles for the WWE’s main competitor TNA Wrestling, showed his support for Young, and also gave props to John Cena for so quickly coming out in support of his fellow wrestler.
Huge support for @DarrenYoungWWE !! Great guy & great wrestler! Kudos for @JohnCena supporting comments too
— Chavo Guerrero jr. (@mexwarrior) August 15, 2013
WWE Diva Rosa Mendes showed her support by showing fans how much of a non-issue sexuality is amongst the Superstars of the WWE.
@DarrenYoungWWE I'm so proud of you!! See you this week!!
— MilenaRoucka (@LaRosaMendes) August 15, 2013
Matt Morgan, who is not only a professional wrestler, but also played Beast on NBC’s American Gladiators, praised his fellow wrestler by referring to him as an example for others.
ENORMOUS courage out of @DarrenYoungWWE today! U should be very proud of urself Darren! #WhatAGreatExampleForOthers
— Matt Morgan (@BPmattmorgan) August 15, 2013
Young’s tag team partner Titus O’Neil showed his support for his good friend by posting a photo of Young with him and his two kids.
I'm VERY PROUD of @DarrenYoungWWE He's been like Family 2Me&My Kids And that won't Change!#ImInFullSupportOfDarren pic.twitter.com/zaRJJOhyO0
— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) August 15, 2013
This only goes to show the progress that has been made in the field of Sports Entertainment. In a sport that is so testosterone-fueled and stereotypically “manly”, it is good to know that people, both inside and out of the ring, can be so open-minded and supportive of a fellow friend.