Gail Kim riled up members of the internet wrestling community on Wednesday by criticizing a common aspect of modern wrestling, and she continued to stoke the flames by engaging in back-and-forth messages with irate fans.
The online war started with a simple post on X (Twitter). Kim shared a clip of Nick Wayne and Bandido competing for the Ring of Honor (ROH) World Championship at the promotion’s Death Before Dishonor event in August. In the video, the wrestlers go through a long sequence of no-selling
move after move.
“I hate that this is what wrestling has become,” she wrote of the clip.
The comment did not sit well with many fans of the current wrestling product.
“You don’t know what you’ve brought upon yourself from the nerds,” read one comment on X that accurately forecasted what was to come.
“You’re not happy with anything but wwe it’s time to accept that there are different types of wrestling,” said one of the less-insulting replies to her post.
“You hate professional wrestlers that have so much athleticism and put it on full display,” said another person. “You are too used of roided up 300 pounders who do a lot of holds and take breathers mid match…Oh wait that’s WWE…”
Interestingly, several people referenced WWE. Though she did have two runs in the promotion — and even won the WWE Women’s Championship in her first televised match — she had a much longer and more accomplished career in TNA. In face, she becomes the first female inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2016.
Eventually, Kim began responding to some of the comments.
“Well apparently there is a crowd for this but I’ll say just in response, you’re in a very small minority,” she wrote to one person.
Kim’s interactions included some civil debating with people who noted that the moment she shared was only one part of the match and that the wrestlers had sold moves in other parts. She did agree that she should watch the entire Bandido/Wayne match.
However, she also wrote: “Someone said that was only a clip and they actually did sell. But I still hate that particular part lol.”
But one fan contended that Kim was sharing content from an AEW “hate” account that misrepresents work from the promotion. (ROH is owned by AEW boss Tony Khan.)
“I was commenting on the post. I didn’t look at what it was meaning you saying it’s a hate account. And yes today’s wrestling there is a very high probability of no selling. I continued the thoughts after with people having a normal open conversation,” Kim replied.
A X user wrote at one point: “Well, say it again while quoting a WWE video when the exact same thing happens in WWE. You wouldn’t, though.”
Kim took exception to the comment, responding: “lol sure make assumptions. I don’t care what wrestling company anyone works for. I would look at it as wrestling. Just bc YOU have that mindset, doesn’t mean everyone else does. I have friends and acquaintances in every company. And people end up working everywhere sometimes so no, who they work for doesn’t matter to me.”
Another X user argued that not everyone wants slower-paced matches and many prefer faster action.
“I agree that wrestling has and can change with time. But I also believe the fundamentals still work. This is a longer convo to be had….” Kim said.
“I hate that my favorite wrestling legends get themselves worked up with out of context clips that come from accounts that exist PURELY to crap on non-WWE style pro wrestling,” said the Dirt Sheet Radio X account about Kim’s original post.
Gail wrote to that message: “Keep on reading. The conversation didn’t end there and AGAIN, I love the assumptions bc you’re obviously tribal so you assume I am. I am not.”
One person made some nasty digs about Kim’s career, claiming she hadn’t done much for the business and was never a draw. Those responses led to another fan defending Kim, noting how her long feud with Awesome Kong was a major attraction for TNA.
“These ones who get so worked up over a woman with an opinion. They have to insult instead of just saying their own thoughts. Was he also a wrestler and in the business for over 20 plus years? He just thinks he knows better apparently,” Kim wrote to the defender about the critic’s insults.
An X user went so far as to share a Kenny Omega quote from 2025 that read: “Another day and another ‘legend’ doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket.”
That user added “Kenny Omega was not wrong.” (The original Omega message was in response to Kim criticizing AEW star Riho.)
“Did I hurt your little feelings with my opinion? Good…….” Kim replied.
When one person asked her who “is known more in pop culture” between Jake “The Snake” Roberts or (frequent no-seller) Will Ospreay, Kim wrote: “Any wrestler from Jake’s era is more known mainstream. They were global superstars on a different level when legit, EVERYONE watched wrestling! What a time.”
When another X user praised Gail for “spitting facts” in her original post, she responded: “Haha don’t say this out loud! You may get attacked.”
In her last post on the subject as of press time, she replied to a fan writing that she still knows how to get heat.
“I always thought I was a good heel too,” she wrote with laughing emojis.
It’s worth noting that in the past, Kim has turned online feuds into actual angles in wrestling. Could we see her turn up in ROH soon?
What are your thoughts on Gail’s stance? Do you agree with her about no-selling? Let us know in the comments.
