On Twitter, AEW star Big Swole, aka Aerial Hull, posted a letter denouncing discrimination in pro wrestling. The former member of the United States Air Force says that she has been putting her thoughts down on paper as a release.
“Holding in so much at one time is exhausting, but now is not the time to give up either. Please take your time and allow healing to flow. Much love," she wrote.
The letter, titled "We Just Want To Be Heard," addresses those in the industry who “actively try to deter the careers of black wrestlers." It also mentions the shame that those who try to speak out are subjected to. Swole says that the issue isn’t new but that it has never been properly addressed.
She also claims that she’s been told by promotions that they already had enough black people on their roster, adding that opportunities for success have existed but have been few and far between. Swole wonders why black people excel in most sports except wrestling.
“One of the main issues is there are people in this business who actively try to deter the careers of Black wrestlers," she says. "Whether it is intentional or unintentional it is happening and when someone speaks up about the ongoing racism, crickets and shaming follows.”
Swole contends that black wrestlers often have to bend over backwards just to fit in. She encourages her fellow black wrestlers to "be the change." Swole has recently had a intense rivalry with Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. on AEW television. She was even suspended in a storyline for abducting Britt Baker two weeks ago on Dynamite.
Swole, who also performs on the independent circuit, where she is the current Phoenix of Rise Champion and Shine Tag Team Champion, began her professional wrestling training in South Carolina under George South. She made her debut in 2015 and appeared on Raw in August 2016 as Aerial Monroe in a competition against Nia Jax, which she lost.
Afterward, she competed in the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament, where she was defeated by Zeuxis in the first round. Last August, she defeated Zoe Lucas to become the Phoenix of Rise Champion. She then appeared in AEW under the ring name Big Swole, competing in a 21-woman Casino Battle Royale on the All-Out pre-show. Last December, she signed with the promotion.
She made her AEW debut in Dynamite on December 11 and scored a victory over Emi Sakura in singles competition. In June, she started a rivalry with Britt Baker, which led to her kidnapping her and throwing her into a trash can. In July, she was suspended.
Source: Wrestling Inc.