Merchandise is big business for professional wrestling companies and a big portion of that revenue comes from the sale of t-shirts. In the past two decades in particular there have been a number of globally successful shirts released, including the multi-million selling ‘Austin 3:16’ and NWO logo t-shirts.
But one shirt recently released by AEW has encountered some social media backlash online that has forced the star the t-shirt features to hit back in defence of the release.
New AEW Britt Baker T-Shirt Causes Controversy
Dr. Britt Baker recently suffered a black eye at the hands of The Outcasts, the trio of Saraya, Toni Storm and Ruby Soho. The former AEW Women’s World Champion was attempting to defend boyfriend Adam Cole from an attack by Chris Jericho and the Jericho Appreciation Society.
A shirt featuring Baker sporting the black eye was soon released for sale by AEW, with the company suggesting in storyline that The Outcasts had been behind the creation of of the merchandise. But whilst some feel it echoes famous t-shirts of wrestling past, including one of a bloodied Steve Austin, some have hit out at the choice of image and one fan has even suggested it promotes domestic violence.
Twitter user @johndl1987 took to the platform to raise his concerns about the newest piece of AEW merchandise:
“Can’t believe AEW is trying to make money. On a t-shirt that supports domestic violence. This shirt in eyes of the public is going cause more harm then good. Alot of people that don’t even know what AEW stands for. An some dude wearing it in a bar proudly smh. A lot of black eyes”
Baker was quick to respond via her Twitter account however, suggesting that it was merely part of the storyline and in no way promoted domestic violence.
Supports domestic violence how?I got a black eye in a RING? My enemies put a pic on a shirt to troll me and I outsmarted them.🤑
Does that mean all the (top selling) bloody T-shirts are supporting murder?
If a male wrestler had a shirt with a black eye would you be this pissed? https://t.co/QD9ghSdgQcpic.twitter.com/I05DP2T8SS— Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (@RealBrittBaker) April 29, 2023
“Supports domestic violence how?I got a black eye in a RING? My enemies put a pic on a shirt to troll me and I outsmarted them. Does that mean all the (top selling) bloody T-shirts are supporting murder? If a male wrestler had a shirt with a black eye would you be this pissed?”
If you are effected by domestic violence then help is available. More information is available on the NHS UK Website