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Update 10:05 PM - It is interesting to note the following March 2020 tweet from the official EVOLVE Twitter, account which shows Samantha Tavel as Candy Cartwright working for EVOLVE as their "social media ambassador," interviewing Anthony Greene backstage at what turned out to be the final EVOLVE event. This clearly would have taken place after the date Tavel alleged in her lawsuit filed today she was fired by the company -
Social media ambassador @CandyCartwright catches up with @retroag after his match. pic.twitter.com/adoTDndexL
— EVOLVE Wrestling (@WWNEVOLVE) March 2, 2020
A quick search of the EVOLVE Twitter reveals additional tweets featuring Cartwright's work between January 2020 and the final EVOLVE event in March of this year, which would obviously run opposite of the allegations made earlier today. So, there is a problem with that aspect of the timeline laid out today. Whether that is amended remains to be seen.
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Update 9:10 PM EST - WWE issued the following statement to PWInsider.com:
“WWE has not been served with a lawsuit by Ms. Tavel. However, if served, we will vigorously defend ourselves and contest it.”
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ORIGINAL STORY - 9:11 PM EST
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Samantha Tavel (who wrestles as Candy Cartwright) announced during a Chicago press conference today that she was filing a lawsuit against WWE Smackdown star Matt Riddle, World Wrestling Entertainment, the now-defunct EVOLVE promotion and an unnamed "co-founder of EVOLVE." The founder is believed to be Gabe Sapolsky.
The lawsuit, which is seeking $10 million against each of the defendants, stems from Cartwright's allegations *which became public during the Speaking Out movement online) that Riddle allegedly choked and forced her to perform oral sex on her in May 2018. While the initial allegation referenced that the incident took place inside a van, Cartwright stated in her press conference today that the incident took place on a bus that was leaving EVOLVE 104 in Summit, Illinois, hence the lawsuit was being filed before Cook County Court.
According to The Chicago Sun-Times' article, Tavel was allegedly approached for sex by Riddle (who she was in a relationship with) but said she was not comfortable having sex on the bus because of the other wrestlers being present. The article cites:
Once she said no, Riddle put his hands on her neck and said, “What if I just made you?” Tavel recalled at a news conference Thursday at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd.
“I never thought he would do anything to hurt me and, in that moment, I was terrified,” she added.
John Chwarzynski, Tavel’s attorney, stated during the press conference that the alleged incident was among a “multitude of sexual assaults committed by Matt Riddle against my client, Candi Cartwright.” The lawsuit alleges Tavel was assaulted multiple times between 2017 and January 2020 by Riddle.
The lawsuit also takes aim at WWE, who signed Riddle in July 2018.
“The WWE has painted a picture over the course of the years that female performers are to comply with certain rules,” Chwarzynski said. “The WWE, since its inception, has hyper-sexualized female performers and they’ve profited from male aggression against these female performers.”
Chwarzynski also stated that he is hoping that once they are presented with a copy of the lawsuit, the Summit, IL Police Department and Cook County state’s attorney’s office will investigate and press charges against Riddle.
EVOLVE is being sued because Tavel alleges that once she refused to continue "performing forced sexual acts” with Riddle, she was fired by EVOLVE in January 2020 with the promotion claiming at the time that she was let go due to "issues with talent."
The Chicago Sun-Times stated that WWE did not return a request for comment. EVOLVE no longer exists, having shut down in the wake of financial losses from the COVID-19 pandemic with WWE buying the promotion's assets, most notably its tape library.
Tavel's lawsuit has been picked up by other Chicago news outlets, including FOX 32. PWInsider.com is working to acquire a copy of the lawsuit.
Riddle has previously denied all allegations against him. Riddle's attorney has previously stated the WWE star would be filing a civil lawsuit against Tavel, although that has yet to happen.
PREVIOUS RIDDLE-CARTWRIGHT COVERAGE
WWE STAR MATT RIDDLE FILING CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST CANDY CARTWRIGHT IN WAKE OF ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM
by Mike Johnson
9/17/2020 4:14 PM
MATT RIDDLE RELEASES VIDEO RESPONDING TO SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS
by Mike Johnson
7/8/2020 12:12 PM
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If you or someone you know needs assistance, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-4673
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