Former WWE Ref Cut From ROH For Sexual Harassment

– The WON reports that Kevin Keenan, a former WWE referee who worked for Ring of Honor as a referee and ring crew member, was sent home and cut from the company after sexually harassing a female member of the roster.

The site reports that Keenan, who was released by WWE in 2009, was part of a group of wrestlers, crew and staff who went out for food and drinks in Nashville the night before the TV tapings. Keenan made the alleged sexual advances then, which included spanking the unnamed woman. It was said to be clear that she was uncomfortable with the situation and people told Keenan off; he left the establishment with a few other people.

ROH officials were told later that night about the incident and Delirious, who is ROH’s booker, reprimanded Keenan the next day in front of the crew and roster. He told Keenan that his actions weren’t acceptable in ROH, nor would they be anywhere else, and was told to get his things and go. The site was told that ROH will no longer use him.

Keenan has moved on and will serve as the senior official for WrestlePro (the former Pro Wrestling Syndicate), as confirmed by the promotion:

Happy to have @KeenanReferee on board as our Senior Official. Best referee on the independent scene.

— WrestlePro (@WeAreWrestlePro) February 7, 2016

In addition, WZ received the following letter yesterday from a fellow ROH member who wished to remain anonymous recounting the story:

To Whom It May Concern,

I am a member of the ROH crew and was in attendance for both Friday’s load in, and Saturday’s event. I was troubled by what happened, and while I am satisfied with the action that was taken by ROH officials as a result of the incident, I am writing in hopes you will report on this, and help to ensure that something like this can be prevented from happening again.

On Friday night after the load in, several of the ROH wrestlers, staff and crew went out to an establishment in Nashville to eat and have a few drinks. Referee Kevin Keenan, who is new to ROH was present along with several big name talent who were already in town. At one point during the evening, Keenan began making unwanted advances toward a female member of the roster. This female member of the roster made it clear to Kevin that she was not pleased, and felt uncomfortable with his actions. As the night progressed, Keenan continued with the behavior, culminating at one point when he reached out and “spanked” the female talent on her butt. This occurred in full view of others, and was no accident. It was further made clear to Keenan that his behavior was inappropriate, and at that point he left the bar with a few others and moved on to another location.

Later that evening, several ROH higher ups, including Hunter Johnston (Delirious) were made aware of what had happened. They attempted to get in contact with Keenan immediately, but were unable to do so for whatever reason. The following day however, Keenan was approached by Johnston as soon as he arrived at the building. In full view of the ring crew, and several other members of the roster and management, Hunter addressed Keenan in a very forceful manner, and made it clear that his actions were not acceptable not only in Ring of Honor, but in any locker room or wrestling related function. I believe Hunter did this publically in an attempt to send a message to all those in attendance that those kinds of actions would not be tolerated. Keenan was told to gather his things and leave, and not to return to any future ROH events.

While I am thankful that ROH took the action they did to deal with the situation, I feel this needs to be reported on so that others can be aware of what happened, and prevent the same from happening in their locker rooms, both with Kevin Keenan and with others who may share the same behaviors. As a female, I was very offended, and in speaking to others that weekend, I gather that they were as well. I was also told that this wasn’t the first incident with Keenan, and that he had already been on “thin ice” as a result of past incidents in his short tenure with ROH.