As first reported by Fightful, then confirmed by PWInsider and multiple other sources, AEW producer BJ Whitmer has been arrested, and terminated by AEW.
The 45-year old Whitmer was arrested on June 4 by the Boone County Sheriff’s Department in Boone County, Kentucky. Whitmer has been charged with strangulation in the first degree and burglary in the second degree.
According to Fightful, the First Degree offense covers situations where one person chokes another and causes an injury in the process. Burglary in the second degree refers to non-residential burglaries. A bond amount of $25,000 was set with Whitmer bound to a Grand Jury. He was released on Monday, June 12, 2023. The release comments in the file state ‘FINAL RELEASE.’
AEW issued the following statement to Fightful and PWInsider on the matter:
“B.J. Whitmer has been terminated following his arrest on domestic violence charges. While talent and staff are ultimately responsible for their own personal actions, this behavior is intolerable within AEW. AEW has reached out to offer support to those impacted by his behavior.”
PWInsider notes in their report that once AEW learned of Whitmer’s incarceration and the charges against him, he was dismissed from the company.
Whitmer had been with AEW as a Coach and Producer since the company was launched in 2019. Most recently he had been appearing as a Judge for the ROH Pure matches. Prior to joining AEW, he had been with Ring of Honor off and on going back as far as to 2003. He retired from in-ring action in 2017 due to neck and back issues related to spinal stenosis.
After he retired from in-ring competition, he transitioned into working behind the scenes full-time during with the Sinclair Broadcast Group owned ROH. He worked on travel and production. He also worked as a trainer for the ROH Dojo and as a color commentator.
Prior to ROH, Whitmer started his pro wrestling career in 2000 in the Cincinnati area. He also wrestled for Pro Wrestling NOAH, the former WWE developmental territory HWA, and CZW, just to name a few.
Source: PWInsider