WWE Wrestler Announces He's Gay

[Are_grits_groceries]

Not a gimmick, not an angle (yet!), and done in the least showy way imaginable.

TMZ's cameras found Darren Young (real name: Fred Rosser) waiting for his bags at an airport, and asked him if he thought a gay wrestler could be successful. Young laughed, realizing this was how the first publicly gay wrestler was going to come out.

“Absolutely. Look at me. I’m a WWE Superstar and to be honest with you, I’ll tell you right now I’m gay and I’m happy. Very happy.”
"Does it matter to you?" Young asked the photographer, and everyone. "Does it change what you think about me?"

<snip>
ESPN's Jonathan Coachman worked for WWE for a decade. On a radio show earlier this year, he was asked if a gay wrestler would present any problems. He said absolutely not.
"There were several openly gay wrestlers and some of our old school guys as well. Never an issue and not only were we getting naked in front of each other, but we were wrestling each other in the ring and it wasn't an issue."
Update: WWE has released a statement in support of Young:

On TMZ this morning, WWE Superstar Darren Young revealed to the WWE Universe that he is gay. WWE is proud of Darren Young for being open about his sexuality, and we will continue to support him as a WWE Superstar. Today, in fact, Darren will be participating in one of our Be A STAR anti-bullying rallies in Los Angeles to teach children how to create positive environments for everyone regardless of age, race, religion or sexual orientation.

http://deadspin.com/wwe-wrestler-announces-hes-gay-1147816394

Caveat:If this is no stunt...

Good for him! He also made this clear without fanfare and whatever.
This matters. In such a macho sport, his attitude and that of WWE & other wrestlers makes a real statement to a different demographic.

[LuvNewcastle]

1. Cool! He's a good-looking guy.

That's what I need in my life -- a nice big hunky wrestler!

[BeeBee]

2. Good for him! Congratulations! n/t

[Prophet 451]

3. I really doubt it's a stunt

WWE pulled this stunt a few years back with a tag team called Billy & Chuck and then had them announce that they were straight and it was a publicity stunt. They got loads of bad publicity over it so I'm thinking this is probably for real.

WWE had a supportive statement up within an hour or so and there's been supportive Tweets coming in from around the wrestling world. So far, he's had supportive Tweets from Triple H (WWE COO & head of talent), Stephanie MacMahon (head booker/writer), Jim Ross, Chavo Guerrero, Rosa Mendes Greg "Hurricane" Helms, Joey Ryan, Kenny King, Matt Morgan, Steve Corino and John Cena (currently the biggest star in the western wrestling world).

It's going to be really tough to keep Young and the Prime-Time Players heels (bad guys) for the next few weeks.

[graywarrior]

4. Your cat gif is hilarious

[KamaAina]

5. Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake could not be reached for comment.

Neither could the Fabulous Rougeau Brothers, who used to enter the ring to the strains of 'All American Boys".

[joeybee12]

6. Teh support from other wrestlers has been overwhelmingly positive...

I'm actually kind of surprised, but happy to see that.