Post by Vernon Vanderbilt on Apr 12, 2007 22:15:52 GMT -6
Romance in the ring? Pro wrestlers announce engagement
BATON ROUGE (AP) – Professional wrestling is known for blood and brutality…and love?
Professional grapplers Leon Taylor and Vernon Vanderbilt announced their engagement on Friday. The wrestling superstars, both employed by GroundZero Wrestling, a subsidiary of international sports entertainment conglomerate GroundZero Global, have been an item for the last three months, though their relationship has six years of history.
Both men have held numerous titles throughout their careers, and are well-known all over the world for their controversial antics. In a sport where homophobia seems to be the rule, both have managed to make their mark without compromising.
They insist that this is not a publicity stunt, like other “gay weddings” that have taken place in the medium. “We’ve gone to great pains to keep our personal and professional lives separate,” said Vanderbilt. “This has nothing to do with work, and everything to do with (us.)”
Some speculate that the corporate office may not be entirely behind the union, but it’s clear the happy couple doesn’t care about that. When asked how he thought it would affect his career, Taylor responded “I don’t.” Vanderbilt echoed the sentiment. “We’re two of the top stars in the company, and if the automatons in the office don’t want to [expletive] us off, they’ll keep their filthy fingers out of it.”
Vanderbilt founded the wrestlers’ advocacy organization PLOW, Protecting the Lives of Wrestlers, last year. With its public goals of reforming controversial business practices in the sport, it’s a given that he’s drawn the ire of the company on more than one occasion. “All (PLOW) is trying to do is make the sport safer for the ones who put their necks on the line every time they get in the ring,” Vanderbilt said in an interview last September. Phone calls for comment to GZW’s corporate office were not returned at press time.
Taylor was previously linked to Ryan Briggs, lead guitarist and co-lyricist for Electro-metal band Art Without Detail. Vanderbilt has not had any high-profile romances, but was briefly linked with Lorna Grey, a semi-professional model, and Devon Hamilton, an entrepreneur, in 2005.
Both men say they are looking forward to making this commitment. “He’s the love of my life,” said Vanderbilt. “I want to spend the rest of it with him.” Taylor shared the sentiment.
No date has been set for the wedding as of press time, but the bloggers are already weighing in on the topic. “This is a tremendous boost to the gay rights movement,” wrote Kyle Horn of FightforEquality.com. “It will show the nation that, legally recognized or not, (the homosexual community) is ready and willing to commit to stable, loving, valid relationships.”
Not all the press has been congratulatory though. “It’s a disgrace to the sport of wrestling,” said Rev. Randy Perle of Life in Christ Church, based in Dallas, on his blog. “It sickens me to think that people look up to these two men as role models.”
But the controversy seems to be lost on most fans. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” said Janice Cole, of New Orleans. “They obviously love each other, and they’re the best-looking couple in wrestling.” Travis Smith of Atlanta agrees. “Their sexual preference doesn’t change the fact that they’re talented men. I don’t plan to stop (watching wrestling) because of it.”
Taylor and Vanderbilt will be seen in action on April 15 at GZW’s Crimson program. Taylor will face returning superstar Quake, while Vanderbilt will compete against Raze in the main event, to be refereed by World Champion Zachary Sharp.
BATON ROUGE (AP) – Professional wrestling is known for blood and brutality…and love?
Professional grapplers Leon Taylor and Vernon Vanderbilt announced their engagement on Friday. The wrestling superstars, both employed by GroundZero Wrestling, a subsidiary of international sports entertainment conglomerate GroundZero Global, have been an item for the last three months, though their relationship has six years of history.
Both men have held numerous titles throughout their careers, and are well-known all over the world for their controversial antics. In a sport where homophobia seems to be the rule, both have managed to make their mark without compromising.
They insist that this is not a publicity stunt, like other “gay weddings” that have taken place in the medium. “We’ve gone to great pains to keep our personal and professional lives separate,” said Vanderbilt. “This has nothing to do with work, and everything to do with (us.)”
Some speculate that the corporate office may not be entirely behind the union, but it’s clear the happy couple doesn’t care about that. When asked how he thought it would affect his career, Taylor responded “I don’t.” Vanderbilt echoed the sentiment. “We’re two of the top stars in the company, and if the automatons in the office don’t want to [expletive] us off, they’ll keep their filthy fingers out of it.”
Vanderbilt founded the wrestlers’ advocacy organization PLOW, Protecting the Lives of Wrestlers, last year. With its public goals of reforming controversial business practices in the sport, it’s a given that he’s drawn the ire of the company on more than one occasion. “All (PLOW) is trying to do is make the sport safer for the ones who put their necks on the line every time they get in the ring,” Vanderbilt said in an interview last September. Phone calls for comment to GZW’s corporate office were not returned at press time.
Taylor was previously linked to Ryan Briggs, lead guitarist and co-lyricist for Electro-metal band Art Without Detail. Vanderbilt has not had any high-profile romances, but was briefly linked with Lorna Grey, a semi-professional model, and Devon Hamilton, an entrepreneur, in 2005.
Both men say they are looking forward to making this commitment. “He’s the love of my life,” said Vanderbilt. “I want to spend the rest of it with him.” Taylor shared the sentiment.
Leon Taylor and Vernon Vanderbilt
No date has been set for the wedding as of press time, but the bloggers are already weighing in on the topic. “This is a tremendous boost to the gay rights movement,” wrote Kyle Horn of FightforEquality.com. “It will show the nation that, legally recognized or not, (the homosexual community) is ready and willing to commit to stable, loving, valid relationships.”
Not all the press has been congratulatory though. “It’s a disgrace to the sport of wrestling,” said Rev. Randy Perle of Life in Christ Church, based in Dallas, on his blog. “It sickens me to think that people look up to these two men as role models.”
But the controversy seems to be lost on most fans. “I don’t see anything wrong with it,” said Janice Cole, of New Orleans. “They obviously love each other, and they’re the best-looking couple in wrestling.” Travis Smith of Atlanta agrees. “Their sexual preference doesn’t change the fact that they’re talented men. I don’t plan to stop (watching wrestling) because of it.”
Taylor and Vanderbilt will be seen in action on April 15 at GZW’s Crimson program. Taylor will face returning superstar Quake, while Vanderbilt will compete against Raze in the main event, to be refereed by World Champion Zachary Sharp.
