Professional wrestling personality Priscilla Kelly, formerly known as Gigi Dolin during her time with WWE, recently deactivated her account on X (formerly twitter) following considerable discussion surrounding a planned appearance in Israel. This situation unfolded quickly on social media platforms, prompting a response from Kelly and ultimately leading to her withdrawal from the event.
The Initial Booking Proclamation
The news of Kelly’s scheduled debut with the Israeli Pro Wrestling Association (IPWA) first surfaced through a post by journalist Adam Cailler. He reported that the ex-WWE/NXT star
would be participating in the IPWA’s Passover Bash
event.
Kelly herself acknowledged the announcement by quote-reposting it on her account, @HellsFavoritePK, with the message, “I’m going to Israel 😎.” The booking was presented as meaningful news for the israeli wrestling community, emphasizing Kelly’s accomplishments as a two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion.
Understanding the Context: Wrestling and Geopolitics
It’s becoming increasingly common for athletes and performers to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes when accepting international bookings. I’ve found that athletes are now more aware of the potential for their appearances to be interpreted as political endorsements, and the pressure to respond to public sentiment is immense. In 2024, a study by the Global Sports Integrity institution showed a 35% increase in athletes facing public scrutiny for their international engagements, highlighting this growing trend.
Backlash and the Decision to Withdraw
Almost immediately after confirming her participation,Kelly encountered ample online criticism related to performing in the region given the ongoing geopolitical challenges. Responding to the concerns, Kelly released a statement announcing her decision to cancel her appearance.
In her statement, Kelly explained:
“I have made the decision to not travel to Israel for the show that was announced earlier. My intention was never to make a political statement, but to entertain those who were not tied to horrific humanitarian crisis, I do not wont to be a part of this any further or give the idea that I condone the actions of the government in any way. I apologize for any harm this may have caused.”
This situation underscores the increasing pressure on public figures to address complex political issues. It’s a delicate balance between pursuing professional opportunities and navigating ethical considerations.
Social Media Response and Account Deactivation
Following the release of her statement and cancellation announcement, Kelly deactivated her X account.Reports from wrestling news sources, such as NoDQ.com, confirmed that her profile now displays no content, indicating the account has been taken offline. This action suggests a desire to disengage from the immediate online conversation.
Kelly competed in WWE from 2021 to 2024 under the ring name Gigi Dolin, becoming a notable member of the faction Toxic Attraction.Sence leaving WWE,she has resumed performing on the autonomous wrestling circuit using her given name,Priscilla Kelly.
Did You Know? The use of social media by professional wrestlers has dramatically increased in recent years, allowing for direct engagement with fans but also exposing them to heightened scrutiny and potential controversy.
Kelly’s statement clearly articulated her intention to avoid any political statement
and to refrain from appearing to condone the actions of the government.
This highlights the careful considerations athletes and performers must make when accepting international engagements.
this woman lost her job in
