I accuse myself.

[Deleted]

To be honest I kind of want to punch you in the face but then hold ice over it if that makes sense.

[Magic knows Black Lives Matter]

Gonna be totally honest, reading this and knowing fully well about past friends who have spoken about sexual misconduct/pests/whatever on this very board and were basically ignored while their abuser still roamed free gives me a bit of a chill.

You know what you did was wrong so I won’t bother with telling you off or anything but I will say that if this board staff is seriously ready to start changing the culture of this board, actions speak louder than any written apology. I certainly don’t expect them to be immediate but as it stands, this place is not safe for so many people and that’s a shame.

[Square]

Jun 22, 2020 14:08:41 GMT -5 Magic knows Black Lives Matter said:

Gonna be totally honest, reading this and knowing fully well about past friends who have spoken about sexual misconduct/pests/whatever on this very board and were basically ignored while their abuser still roamed free gives me a bit of a chill.

You know what you did was wrong so I won’t bother with telling you off or anything but I will say that if this board staff is seriously ready to start changing the culture of this board, actions speak louder than any written apology. I certainly don’t expect them to be immediate but as it stands, this place is not safe for so many people and that’s a shame.

It would be nice to actually see some steps put in place to deal with these situations. I've heard a few tales in my day too and even left at one point for a number of years because of the culture at one point.

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

I’m just confused, TBH. More and more I feel myself drifting off this forum for different reasons. Which sucks, cause some posters are cool/hilarious. I dunno what to say to this. Won’t judge, won’t congratulate so..I dunno.

Hopefully the staff here holds themselves accountable and the community continues to be the best it can be.

[The Dark Order Inferno]

Honestly, I can't say I'm shocked, given how this place used to be when it was connected to the other site. There were too many gross threads about women wrestlers, actual indy womens wrestlers who posted here getting chased off by users and such. While only those who were wronged back then can forgive, I will say that the place has improved so much since then, you've worked hard to remove as much of that toxic culture as you can so you seem to have tried to change at least.

[Deleted]

Not my place to condemn, and not my place to absolve.

What I will say is this: I've been a part of these boards for a LONG time. I had an account back in the old WC days stretching back to like... 04/05ish. I forgot the username and the password, but that's another story. That literally means I've been on and off this messageboard for a little under half of my life.

While I sometimes think Madison can be a bit terse, to put it mildly, he's made great strides in making this place somewhere I feel safe to have a conversation without it turning into a case study for Godwin's Law. Sure, there may be more ways to go, but I definitely remember a time when this board wasn't nearly as nice as it is now. Hopefully with all of this out in the open, it can only get even better from here.

[Sponsored by Groose Wipes]

We all have done things we regret at one time or another. I'll admit there's things I've done that will blow people's lid that I regret everyday now. The first stage of fixing something is admitting there is a problem. I'm glad it was nipped before it became too much of a thing. No one is without sin but I'm happy you came forward in this and admitting wrongful doing. We find out what we do is wrong and we make things right, that's growing up and becoming better not just for ourselves but for everyone around us.

I use to be someone that would cancel people on a dime but I've learned to give people time and second chances because I've seen people change and better themselves. I've found some new friendships that way and that's really opened my eyes on life. I'm glad you've decided to come out with this and admit it was wrong. It takes a ton of bravery to do that, and that's something not everyone has.

I'm not going to say everyone should forgive you, that's their choice. But as for myself, I understand we make mistakes and we're all as people are just trying to smile and do our best. You and your team has done a hell of a job keeping this place afloat Madison and there's no shame in that. I've met great friends, had good laughs, and even found the love of my life here on FAN. I hold this place forever in my debt.

You all kick ass. I love you all and I love being here.

[Joe Neglia]

Jun 22, 2020 15:15:08 GMT -5 The Dark Order Inferno said:

Honestly, I can't say I'm shocked, given how this place used to be when it was connected to the other site.

I want to preface this: I am *not* implying they were involved in or even aware of what this thread is about, or anything similar - they were certainly NOT - but one of the main reasons we split off a couple of years after what took place in the OP was because we wanted to clean things up and get more stringent moderation going to improve the boards. They had different ideas on how the boards should be run, more hands-off, and we parted ways. Again, this is not to imply or state they approved of such things, at all.

[repomark]

Firstly, I am always uncomfortable with people making unsolicited public apologies/confessions of this nature. To be honest my view is there is no motivation for making a confession like this other than to try and relieve guilt that the confessor is carrying around. So I will not pat you on the back for “coming clean” and want to make it clear that this should not absolve you of any guilt you feel. That remains your cross to bear.

More importantly though, the apology you are making should not be made in public to the faceless members of your website but instead to those directly impacted by your actions. From what you say you have also been in touch with them privately - and it is for them to decide whether they wish to forgive you for this and no one else.

I would also highlight that it was not appropriate to tell everyone on the board that some of those impacted sent you personal pictures. The abuse of power in asking people to do so was the basis of your statement, there was no need to let it be known some of those impacted did so. They could already be feeling scarred by the whole thing, so letting that aspect be known more widely is not helpful to them in any way.

I have been a member of this website since 2005, so I have been here since before the split with the other website. The reason I like this board is it is (from my experience) a much less confrontational environment than other wrestling boards out there. It has always been a welcome escape away from the ills of the world. I am however deeply unsettled to learn that maybe it was not the safe environment I thought it was all along.

I am not in a position to hold you to account for your actions - nor should I be, it is your website after all - but I do think you and your staff need to ask some serious questions about what has gone before and what this board needs to be moving forward. I miss what I thought this place was, and hope you can find a way to restore that.

[Joe Neglia]

Jun 23, 2020 7:29:19 GMT -5 repomark said:

Firstly, I am always uncomfortable with people making unsolicited public apologies/confessions of this nature. To be honest my view is there is no motivation for making a confession like this other than to try and relieve guilt that the confessor is carrying around. So I will not pat you on the back for “coming clean” and want to make it clear that this should not absolve you of any guilt you feel. That remains your cross to bear.

More importantly though, the apology you are making should not be made in public to the faceless members of your website but instead to those directly impacted by your actions. From what you say you have also been in touch with them privately - and it is for them to decide whether they wish to forgive you for this and no one else.

I would also highlight that it was not appropriate to tell everyone on the board that some of those impacted sent you personal pictures. The abuse of power in asking people to do so was the basis of your statement, there was no need to let it be known some of those impacted did so. They could already be feeling scarred by the whole thing, so letting that aspect be known more widely is not helpful to them in any way.

I have been a member of this website since 2005, so I have been here since before the split with the other website. The reason I like this board is it is (from my experience) a much less confrontational environment than other wrestling boards out there. It has always been a welcome escape away from the ills of the world. I am however deeply unsettled to learn that maybe it was not the safe environment I thought it was all along.

I am not in a position to hold you to account for your actions - nor should I be, it is your website after all - but I do think you and your staff need to ask some serious questions about what has gone before and what this board needs to be moving forward. I miss what I thought this place was, and hope you can find a way to restore that.

Thank you for posting this. I want to say a few things in regards to it. I'm not doing this to solicit pats on the back or congratulations for coming clean. That's not the point. I knew going in this would not paint me in a great light. This isn't to cleanse myself of guilt - that doesn't and won't go away. Even if those involved are okay with what happened, it was a situation that I cannot go forward with and not be hypocritical on without being honest about it.

Was this the best route to go? Maybe not. Maybe so. I can only do what I feel is the right thing to do. We at the board have long sought to be a place welcoming and comfortable to everyone, especially after we went off on our own, but while we've made what I feel are tremendous strides in that direction, there's always more work to be done on that front.

I understand there's a lot of hurt being felt in this thread, and I accept it and take responsibility for it. I can't be the guy saying "we need to clean wrestling up" if I don't confront my own transgressions, no matter how minor or deviant others see them.

What this place was like 15 years ago, 12 years ago and 10 years isn't what it is now. We've taken a lot of steps in the right direction, I feel, but I'm not the one to make that judgement ultimately. At the end of the day, that has to be all of you.

[Gravedigger's Biscuits]

So are you planning to step down as an admin then?

That was the only reason this should have been made public in my view, to explain you no longer being an administrator here.

Because other than a bunch of people in here giving you the "well that's okay, everyone makes mistakes, you're still a great guy!" speech, it seems you've faced no consequences for the gross breach of power and trust you've demonstrated.

[jason1980s]

Jun 23, 2020 11:36:59 GMT -5 Gravedigger's Biscuits said:

So are you planning to step down as an admin then?

I personally would like to see this moreso for the constant closing of threads when he feels it's going in a direction he may not agree with or it's getting off topic of the original post. Maybe it's because he's home due to the covid closures but it's seems like it's gotten progressively worse during the past few months.
Though the issue in this thread surely doesn't compare to what was done by names I'm about to mention the nature of the actions (thread closures for reasons mentioned) do seem to go hand in hand with some names mentioned in threads such as Bill Cosby, Jim Cornette, Austin Aries as the best examples who have the holier than though attitude, look down on the masses and are quick point out flaws in everyone else. I love this site and hope this doesn't result in a banishment or restriction of posting.
Madison's knowledge of wrestling is amazing but the censorship is beyond what I've seen on any other board combined whether it was wrestling, tv, movies, politics especially when he has the rest of his fingers pointing at himself while he points one finger at board members in disgust at their postings. It's really not fair to the board members for one person to have that power. I only have ever noticed him as the sole mod on here. Is there anyone else? We are all adults and I think have showed how well we can get alone, agree to disagree at worst and bring up topics that really garner each other's interest. This is by far the best wrestling board I've been on in years, maybe ever but again, the constant thread closures are getting out of hand and of course, now are there are much deeper issues that are coming to light.

[Joe Neglia]

Jun 23, 2020 11:36:59 GMT -5 Gravedigger's Biscuits said:

So are you planning to step down as an admin then?

No, not at this time. I do assure you, though, that day is coming, for reasons unrelated to this.

Jun 23, 2020 11:54:20 GMT -5 jason1980s said:

I personally would like to see this moreso for the constant closing of threads when he feels it's going in a direction he may not agree with or it's getting off topic of the original post. Maybe it's because he's home due to the covid closures but it's seems like it's gotten progressively worse during the past few months.
Though the issue in this thread surely doesn't compare to what was done by names I'm about to mention the nature of the actions (thread closures for reasons mentioned) do seem to go hand in hand with some names mentioned in threads such as Bill Cosby, Jim Cornette, Austin Aries as the best examples who have the holier than though attitude, look down on the masses and are quick point out flaws in everyone else. I love this site and hope this doesn't result in a banishment or restriction of posting.
Madison's knowledge of wrestling is amazing but the censorship is beyond what I've seen on any other board combined whether it was wrestling, tv, movies, politics especially when he has the rest of his fingers pointing at himself while he points one finger at board members in disgust at their postings. It's really not fair to the board members for one person to have that power. I only have ever noticed him as the sole mod on here. Is there anyone else? We are all adults and I think have showed how well we can get alone, agree to disagree at worst and bring up topics that really garner each other's interest. This is by far the best wrestling board I've been on in years, maybe ever but again, the constant thread closures are getting out of hand and of course, now are there are much deeper issues that are coming to light.

This is not the thread for this.

[jason1980s]

So we should make another thread requesting the stoppage or slowing down of thread closures?

This thread is exactly the thread for it as it is relative to my statements and I hope that board members would understand, especially after reading many of the recent wrest of wrestling threads, how my post is correlated.

[DrBackflipsHoffman]

I agree with the suggestion that there should be a thread for issues stemming from this

[Fade is a CodyCryBaby]

Jun 23, 2020 7:29:19 GMT -5 repomark said:

Firstly, I am always uncomfortable with people making unsolicited public apologies/confessions of this nature. To be honest my view is there is no motivation for making a confession like this other than to try and relieve guilt that the confessor is carrying around. So I will not pat you on the back for “coming clean” and want to make it clear that this should not absolve you of any guilt you feel. That remains your cross to bear.

More importantly though, the apology you are making should not be made in public to the faceless members of your website but instead to those directly impacted by your actions. From what you say you have also been in touch with them privately - and it is for them to decide whether they wish to forgive you for this and no one else.

I would also highlight that it was not appropriate to tell everyone on the board that some of those impacted sent you personal pictures. The abuse of power in asking people to do so was the basis of your statement, there was no need to let it be known some of those impacted did so. They could already be feeling scarred by the whole thing, so letting that aspect be known more widely is not helpful to them in any way.

I have been a member of this website since 2005, so I have been here since before the split with the other website. The reason I like this board is it is (from my experience) a much less confrontational environment than other wrestling boards out there. It has always been a welcome escape away from the ills of the world. I am however deeply unsettled to learn that maybe it was not the safe environment I thought it was all along.

I am not in a position to hold you to account for your actions - nor should I be, it is your website after all - but I do think you and your staff need to ask some serious questions about what has gone before and what this board needs to be moving forward. I miss what I thought this place was, and hope you can find a way to restore that.

Jun 23, 2020 11:36:59 GMT -5 Gravedigger's Biscuits said:

So are you planning to step down as an admin then?

That was the only reason this should have been made public in my view, to explain you no longer being an administrator here.

Because other than a bunch of people in here giving you the "well that's okay, everyone makes mistakes, you're still a great guy!" speech, it seems you've faced no consequences for the gross breach of power and trust you've demonstrated.

These two posts hit upon great points and I felt helped articulate the kind of confusion I was feeling for this. What’s the point? I’m going to assume said individuals who were solicited aren’t around anymore? Or if they are, they’re unwilling/don’t care to touch upon this, though the information would have felt appropriate and powerful coming from them. Or even a moderator who hasnt done this. So, again, it’s like why? Transparency? I suppose, though it leaves nothing but confusion and a bad taste in your mouth. Nothing stems from this. You pay for this place. You’re not going to step down directly from this. And it’s no secret most mods/ex-mods are like minded here and absolutely rain fire for offenses far, far less severe than the one this thread revolves around. But ...the only thing that comes from this is transparency in a time where a lot is coming out. And the thread itself. Ok.

[Raskovnik]

I can say that I've never seen anyone cancel themselves before, so that's a first. I'm of similar mind as Fade is a CodyCryBaby and a couple others on this. Not sure what this actually means or what it amounts to. I also think Dave said it best in that it's alarming how even a modicum of power such as being moderator on a damn Internet forum leads to gross breaches of trust and abuse of said power. Maybe that'll send a message to people who don't buy it when people in much higher positions of power are accused of soliciting favors and abusing people. I still love this place and the community overall, even though I rarely PM people, don't know if anyone would consider me a friend, etc. I've spent over 10 years here lurking + posting so I don't want to stop coming here. That is to say, I feel like it's on myself and others to hold everyone to a higher standard and stamp out any and all shitty behavior by holding people accountable and ensuring that this is a safe, welcoming place for people to interact.

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

This honestly disturbs me, and cast past actions in regards to certain people differently and saddens me immensely. You were someone I thought was a friend but not any more. It also bothers me that you chose to post this in one of the least viewed sections of the board as well

[Glitch]

As pretty much everyone else has said, this very shameful and it's disgusting that you did this.

I'm not gonna tear you a new one, but I will say at least you're trying to atone for this.

This current apocalypse keeps hitting close home. Before this, a week ago we had to kick out a guy from the Cosplay Wrestling Federation because he was a dating an underage girl while performing with us. A guy most of us saw as a friend. There's just this sense of paranoia.

[dirtyoldman]

I don't mean to be flippant here but I feel people are making this a far bigger issue than it actually is.
People including Madison are talking about how 'he/I abused his power'. Power? He's not the president or a police officer or a teacher of a pupil, he was a guy who ran a forum and gave folk an option to change their font colour (oooooooh!) by sending him a dirty pic. From what I gather (and correct me if I'm wrong, Madison) the offer was put out there but not sent to individual people or persons and Im sure people weren't badgered into doing so. And folk were all adults.
I know earlier I described as possibly 'sleazey' but I think perhaps 'naff' might be a better word (it's a UK word don't know if the rest of the world has it) .
Come on guys, he's not Jimmy f**king saville.