Wrestling with Sin: 588

Brian Damage

This is the 588th installment of the ‘Wrestling with Sin‘ series. A group of stories that delves into the darker, underbelly of pro wrestling. Many of the stories involve such subjects as sex, drugs, greed and in some cases even murder! As with every single story in the Sin series, I do not condone or condemn the alleged participants. We simply retell their stories by researching interviews, newspapers, magazines and various other sources of media.

Mum’s the Word

When Saraya Jade aka Paige in WWE was only 14 years old, she traveled with her mother to Scotland for a show. Saraya recalled receiving all sorts of text messages from a Scottish wrestler named Jay Phoenix. Jay complimented Saraya on her looks and maturity and also sent an unsolicited photo of himself to her shirtless. 

At first, she took the messages as being simply complimentary. When she went into the gym to train, Jay began being extra playful with Saraya by tickling her and chasing her around the ring. Phoenix was able to grab Saraya and turn her upside down burying his face in her crotch area. Saraya’s mom caught this and freaked out. Saraya said she grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to hit Jay with it.

A few wrestlers broke up the situation and sent Saraya’s mom to a pub to cool off. Jay Phoenix apologized profusely saying he was only playing around. Later that night, after Saraya had her wrestling match, Jay walked up to her and said it looked as if she just had really great sex. Drew Galloway aka the future Drew McIntyre overheard his comments and grabbed Jay by the back of his neck and pulled him into another room.

Saraya said she could hear Drew screaming and cursing at Jay through the walls. From that point on, Saraya said Jay never spoke to or even made eye contact with her again. Saraya said that Drew saved her from possibly being sexually assaulted and will always be forever grateful to him.

Beat It

In the Spring of 2026, Alberto El Patron was arrested after police in Mexico received a 911 call that Alberto was assaulting his wife. When police arrived at the couple’s home, they noticed his wife’s face and arms covered in cuts and bruises. When questioned, Alberto allegedly became very verbally combative with the officers. 

He was arrested and jailed that night. Neighbors have claimed that this wasn’t the first incident between the couple and that police were called to their home a number of times, but nothing ever materialized from them. Alberto was released from jail after agreeing to go to rehab, avoid contact with his wife and agree to pay several fines.

Fighting Spirit

Antonio Inoki was a legend in Japan….as he was a professional wrestler and a TV celebrity. Inoki was the founding father of New Japan Pro Wrestling. It was that celebrity, that helped him get elected to office as a member of House of Councilors. As a politician, Inoki used his deep connections in pro wrestling to help deliver a message of peace. He once offered to hold a wrestling card in Iraq to get Japanese hostages freed.

On October 14, 1989, Inoki was appearing at a political event to deliver a speech, when an unhinged assailant cut Inoki from his ear down to his throat. The attacker was immediately contained and arrested as Inoki was set backstage to receive medical treatment. Inoki suffered a large gash and lost a large amount of blood. Despite the injury, he returned to the stage later that evening to finish his speech.

Cross Road

While wrestling for Don Owen and his Pacific Northwest territory, the future Lance Von Erich aka Ricky Vaughn was traveling from one Oregon town to the next with his buddy Steve Doll. Vaughn readily admitted to drinking beers with Doll while driving, but that was the least of their problems. Vaughn claimed that another driver started tailgating them for several miles.

After having this car following them for miles, Vaughn finally had enough and decided to pull over his vehicle and confront the other driver. After pulling off to the side of the highway, both Vaughn and Doll got out looking to rough up the driver of the other car. As they approached the other car, a man got out and pulled out a crossbow from the passenger seat and pointed it directly at the two wrestlers.

According to Vaughn, the man’s eyes were ice cold and looked soulless. Vaughn really believed that he was going to get killed that night. He said he and Steve Doll slowly backed up into their car and sped off. Vaughn was never sure if it was a disgruntled wrestling fan or just a mentally deraged individual.

You can read all previous ‘Wrestling with Sin’ pieces here.