In a recent conversation with “Sports Illustrated,” the popular wrestler Saraya opened up about her experiences with cyberbullying from wrestling fans over the years and revealed some of the ways she has learned to protect herself from trolls.
As part of All Elite Wrestling (AEW)’s talented roster, Saraya is set to release her memoir, titled “Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives,” the upcoming day. The interview provided an exciting glimpse into the book as well as her personal experiences, some of which are highlighted below:
Discussing her aspirations for the book, Saraya expressed: “I want people to be inspired by me. Everyone has their version of my life, you know? And I know I’m quite a polarizing figure and [I’ve been] striving to improve over the past six years. I wanted to clearly communicate my side of the story with everything, but also provide assistance to others. Because people don’t grasp what’s actually in this book.”
In light of her history dealing with cyberbullying and intrusive fan behavior, she admitted: “My requested DM’s is the dark web. I do not want to venture there. I know there will be unsolicited explicit images… Some men just don’t care. To them, social media is like a mask that allows them to behave and speak irresponsibly without facing any consequences. The extent of the cruelty is wild. I’ve had people threaten to physically harm me and even take my life. This abuse is sadly something [women] have to endure regularly. Even when I tag my friends who aren’t as well-known, they end up being overwhelmed with unwanted messages. I’ve had fans trespass at my home on numerous occasions. In one instance, a man in tattered clothing tried to break into my home. My mail has been invaded with unsolicited items. Fans have even camped outside my home. As a result, I am forced to register everything under a pseudonym for safety. There’s no way I could use my real name for my home.”
Regarding toxic fan culture, she noted: “I am blessed with tons of amazing fans who treat me with immense respect, and I hold them in high regard. But, there happens to be the occasional fanatic who misconstrues their knowledge of me as permission to violate my privacy. Some even take it as far as stalking my hotel room. It’s startling to observe the extreme lengths some fans are willing to go.”