Prior to signing with WWE in 2017, Candice LeRae’s career was inextricably linked to Joey Ryan’s. The duo were probably the most famous practitioners of intergender wrestling in the business. They held tag titles together in three different companies, and produced more than 100 episodes of a YouTube show together from 2013 - 2016. Ryan was present for her wedding to Johnny Gargano, and featured in one of the more widely circulated pictures from the event.
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Over the past several days, multiple women have come forward to share their stories of being sexually abused by Ryan (real name Joseph Ryan Meehan).
A short time ago, LeRae broke her silence about her former tag partner & friend. She doesn’t mention Meehan by name, but it’s clear who’s she’s writing about.
— Candice LeRae (@CandiceLeRae) June 22, 2020
“I am mortified. I absolutely DO NOT and never have condoned such horrible actions. I have zero tolerance for it. To the women he did this to- my heart breaks for you. I trusted this person. Reading the stories and learning how he acted sickens me. Especially because you all trusted him too. I can’t imagine how YOU felt. For every woman and man who has been brave enough to speak out, I have nothing but love and respect for you.”
Meehan’s promotion Bar Wrestling has been shut down as a result of the allegations against him. As of this writing, Impact Wrestling has only said they are “reviewing” the situation.