James Ellsworth went from being WWEs lovable underdog to the center of a serious scandal that rocked the wrestling world in November 2018. A 16-year-old fan came forward with disturbing claims that Ellsworth sent her explicit images through Snapchat. What followed was a flood of receipts, denials, and professional consequences. Heres the complete timeline with all events, quotes, and context formatted exactly by date.
November 16, 2018
Kenzie (@Kliqkid), a 16-year-old wrestling fan, publicly accused James Ellsworth of sending her nude photos via Snapchat. She first teased she had dirt on him, before stating, he had been sending me nudes of himself.
She also shared a DM from someone claiming to be a female wrestler, saying Ellsworth had, been a problem in locker rooms over the world. Kenzie claimed Ellsworth used his children to gain sympathy and that another wrestler also messaged her with a similar story.
November 16, 2018
Ellsworth responded in a statement sent to Wrestling News:
I categorically deny all allegations, please direct all further communication to my attorney 410-841-4600.
November 16, 2018
Kenzie posted a video detailing her experience. She said she met Ellsworth, and after learning she was 16, he replied, nevermind, but still followed her on Twitter when she asked.
She DMed him the next day to wish him good luck before a match. He asked for her Snapchat, she gave it to him, and he added her. Kenzie said, I have screenshots of all of the selfies, conversations, and his Snapchat ID.
She also noted that, multiple female wrestlers reached out to her afterward with similar stories of backstage behavior.
November 16, 2018
More screenshots surfaced, showing Ellsworths Snapchat contact and messages. Kenzie said she wished him luck, and then he asked for her Snapchat, which she didnt initially see as a red flag. She later submitted evidence of their interactions, including an image of him following her on Snapchat.
November 16, 2018
Ringside News obtained a censored version of the explicit video Ellsworth allegedly sent to Kenzie. It confirmed what she described.
Later that night, Ellsworth showed up at Big Time Pro Wrestling in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was scheduled to work. Sources confirmed to Ringside News and BodySlam.net that Ellsworth was told to leave upon arrival. His legal team released a follow-up denial on social media.
November 17, 2018
Other women came forward. A fan named Paris publicly claimed Ellsworths behavior wasnt limited to just the minor.
Lindsey Bartlett also confirmed Ellsworth sent her nude photos and videos. She stated she was an adult at the time, but still found it inappropriate. Another individual alleged that Ellsworth approached their then-17-year-old girlfriend.
Fallout escalated. Ellsworth was removed from his podcast, a YouTube series, and denied entry to a show. He made his social media private and deleted his Facebook.
November 17, 2018
Grims Toy Show officially fired Ellsworth. Wrestling Perspective Podcast also dropped him and announced they were canceling his DuhCast show:
November 17, 2018
The police had not been contacted. Ringside News reported that Kenzie questioned whether anything would even come of it, saying, WTF are police gonna do?
November 18, 2018
The censored video was posted on RSN. Fans and indie wrestlers began commenting publicly. One tweet read, Im at an indy show now with people who have known him for years we are all rejoicing because hes finally been outed. Surprised it took so long.
A separate message from 2013 resurfaced where Ellsworth allegedly tried to console someone with sexually suggestive language. His lawyers continued to call the allegations baseless, but his public image continued to deteriorate.
November 19, 2018
Ellsworth was pulled from WrestleCade Weekend on November 2325 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. That appearance would have included three days of work, photo ops, and merch money. He lost it all.
November 26, 2018
Saltine from Under The Mat Radio reported that Ellsworths promotion, Adrenaline Championship Wrestling, had canceled its December 29 event in Perry Hall, Maryland. Big names like Joey Ryan, Gillberg, Sandman, and Sunny were scheduled, but some talent reportedly didnt want to work with Ellsworth amid the controversy.
James Ellsworth has denied all wrongdoing and was never arrested or charged. But the fallout was instant and massive. Bookings disappeared, shows dropped him, his own promotion collapsed, and his career has never recovered.
Do you think James Ellsworth deserved everything that followed? Or should people have waited for legal action before reacting? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
