The “New Year, New Me” sentiment may not be as resonant this year as society left 2020 in the rearview, but one man took that idiom to heart and gave the pro wrestling world one of its first feel-good moments of the new year.
D.C.-based independent pro wrestler Mr. Grim came out publicly as pansexual in a powerful and personal tweet on New Year’s Day.
“For years, I’ve struggled with my identity. Too worried about how others would feel or think about me,” Grim wrote. “I’ve finally gained the courage to openly express that I’m pansexual.”
As of press time, the post garnered nearly 900 “favorites.”
For years, I've struggled with my identity. Too worried about how others would feel or think about me. I've finally gained the courage to openly express that im Pansexual. Thank you @NylaRoseBeast for being my inspiration, supportive and holding my hand throughout this process.
— The Hitman For Hire Mr. Grim (@MRGRIM_IS4_HIRE) January 1, 2021
Grim may have only recently found the courage to live out and proud, but he’s demonstrated plenty of courage over a veteran in-ring career for numerous promotions along the East Coast. Grim unified the Wrestler’s Laboratory and Nucleus titles in 2019, faced down Trish Adora and Darius Lockhart at F1ght Club Pro Wrestling in the inaugural Pan-Afrikan World Diaspora Wrestling championship match last February. He made his AEW Dark debut three months later.
Grim’s coming out message garnered many supporters, but none more notable than former AEW Women’s World champion and fellow D.C. wrestling figure Nyla Rose. Grim pointed to Rose as playing an essential role in his decision to come out publicly. “Thank you Nyla Rose for being my inspiration, supportive and holding my hand throughout this process,” Grim wrote.
Outsports congratulates Mr. Grim on living his truth openly and showing that courage truly is contagious.