Why I walked away from Wrestling in 2020: Andy Baker's Story

From September 2005 until June 2020, I, Andy Baker, ran a pro wrestling school called RWA (Runcorn Wrestling Academy). For 15 years, RWA was a place where aspiring wrestlers could learn the fundamentals of the sport, train with the best, and be part of a community that I took great pride in building. We all joked with each other, had banter, and even the trainees made fun of me from time to time. Despite this playful atmosphere, my dedication to coaching and providing opportunities for growth was unwavering. We all tried to have fun while working hard and helping each other achieve our dreams. Everyone was free to leave at any time; no one was tied down by contracts, and my primary goal was always to foster a positive, supportive environment.

Over the years, I gave more than just my time—I gave my heart to that place. People were comfortable enough to ask me for lifts to training, to open up the building early for extra ring time, or to squeeze in one-on-one personal sessions to help them improve. I was asked to set specific matches so families who had travelled down could watch their loved ones perform, and some trainees even introduced me to their family members with pride. Others would tell me, genuinely, that they hoped to be the first person I coached to make it to WWE from RWA. That trust and connection meant everything to me—it’s why I did what I did.

However, in June 2020, my life was turned upside down. People I once considered friends—many of whom still came to visit the school despite training elsewhere—made allegations of bullying and harassment against me. Some of these trainees, who made accusations prior to leaving, had even taken advantage of free training sessions due to helping coach our youth class. This contradiction—where they claimed to feel harassed, yet continued to attend and benefit from training—only added to the confusion and pain. These accusations shattered my career and reputation. They surfaced on social media, with no substantial evidence, mostly hearsay, and spread like wildfire. What hurt even more was knowing these same individuals had once spoken regularly to my young daughter at training, making the betrayal even harder to comprehend.

Many of the issues that were later brought up had nothing to do with me directly—they were related to people’s private relationships and conflicts outside of the training facility. I wasn’t involved in those matters, but somehow they were twisted to reflect poorly on me or the school. Any serious concerns that did arise within the training environment, whether between individuals or groups, were handled properly and through the correct channels. Suggestions that I turned a blind eye are simply not true—I never ignored legitimate concerns, and I did my best to resolve issues fairly and appropriately.

The damage was amplified by the Speak Out movement—an important campaign for real victims—that was unfortunately exploited in my case. The Liverpool Echo published clickbait headlines that turned an already distressing situation into a public nightmare. A reporter from the Echo even contacted one of my training venues in an attempt to obtain my personal contact information—an action that still raises serious questions about legality and journalistic ethics.

Since the article’s release, my life has changed in ways I never could have anticipated. My ability to form new relationships has been severely impacted by the nature of the publication, and I’ve lost confidence in pursuing new employment opportunities. I find myself second-guessing people’s intentions, and the trust I once had in others is hard to rebuild.

I was also accused of things that had nothing to do with me—trainees dredged up old personal dramas from years before and twisted them into narratives that made it seem like the school was chaotic or toxic. One claim even described RWA as "like Sodom and Gomorrah"—a ridiculous and deeply offensive exaggeration to anyone who actually knew the environment we built.

Looking back, I’ll admit there were times I could’ve worded things better. I understand now that not everyone wanted to chase the WWE dream—some came to RWA just for the love of wrestling or to enjoy a hobby. I also know that I tend to let my guard down and become too open when I’m comfortable around people I think I can trust. I’ve always tried to apologise or step back if someone ever felt uncomfortable, and I’ve done so in the past. If people were being truly honest, they would admit that I did take a step back when needed, and that I apologised when things were misread or if someone felt I crossed a line. My intent was never to cause harm. I just wanted to help people grow.

I’ve never claimed to be a victim—but I did suffer immensely. The hate I received was overwhelming: nasty emails, DMs, and social media comments bombarded me constantly. This was one of the main reasons I removed all personal and business social media accounts, and ultimately decided to close the school for good. Despite what some papers claimed—that the school closed due to harassment allegations—the reality is that RWA initially shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was only after the above situation unfolded that I decided not to reopen. That was the final straw. The accusations—despite being baseless—destroyed everything I’d built. My mental health spiraled. If it wasn’t for my daughter and the time we spent together, especially during the isolating months of the COVID lockdowns, I honestly don’t know how I would’ve coped. I still have a folder of emails, pictures, and documents that counter the claims made against me—including an old interview from the person who started it all, where they said, “Andy teaches in a fun environment and everybody can have a laugh.”- Link -->interview

To those few who stood by me through it all, I’ll never forget your loyalty. You helped me survive a time in my life when everything felt like it was crumbling. You are true friends, and I am forever grateful.

I didn’t deserve this. I gave everything I had to RWA and the people who trained there. And to see it all torn down by those I’d supported for years—it was devastating. The bitterest pill to swallow was knowing I had helped these individuals, gone out of my way for them, and still became the target of such hate.

It’s taken me four long years to mentally recover. Walking away from RWA in June 2020 was the hardest decision of my life—but it allowed me to find peace. I now get to spend every weekend with my daughter or focus on the things I genuinely enjoy. The scars remain, but I’ve learned to value what truly matters.

RWA was a huge chapter in my life—but it’s my well-being, my daughter, and my future that come first now.

Andy

 

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