Wrestling stars back anti-bullying campaign

*Orginally published on JFnews.co.uk

They are known for their brute force and for inflicting pain on their opponents in the ring, but when it comes to life outside the ring a group of wrestlers are making a stand against bullying by backing the Rocky Marciano/BULLYING...We're Kickin' It National Campaign.

The New York based wrestling organisation Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE) held an event called No Limits at St Paul Hall, New York City at the weekend in support of the anti-bullying campaign. Among the wrestling stars supporting the event were ex ECW star Tommy Dreamer and Malta the Damager.

Commenting on the campaign, Tommy Dreamer said:

"Wrestling is about being assertive and confident not necessarily aggressive, win or lose its about having a strong sense of self worth and respecting yourself and your opponent."

"Kickin It promotes respect, compassion and unity. We all need to work together to strengthen and reinforce the message that bullying is not acceptable."

Ahead of the event, people were invited to leave messages on the BULLYING...We're Kickin' It Facebook page. The first 100 people to leave a positive message against bullying were given a free ticket for the event and the five quotes considered the most exceptional were also given a poster signed by some of the stars of FWE.

If news reports are anything to go by bullying in all walks of life seems to be on the increase. Social media and the Internet have also made it easier for some people to target their victims. Anyone being bullied should remember that they are not alone and many people in the public eye state that were once bullied, it's what gives some celebrities the strength and the determination to do what they do.

At nearly 7 foot tall, Malta the Damager doesn't seem like the most likely victim of bullying but as he explains, he was once too targeted by bullies:

"Bullies targeted me because I appeared different, not only was I big and lanky, my ethnicity in the Astoria neighborhood made me different. After getting knocked down so much I realized I had nowhere to go but up. I believed in myself, I turned to wrestling and now I perform for thousands of fans."

The BULLYING...We're Kickin' It National Campaign offers what it describes as a "unique, powerful course of action" aimed at helping to reduce bullying behaviour, improving the school climate and keeping the anti-bullying campaign present during the school year. More information about their work is available by visiting the group's website.