East vs. West Armwrestling has removed Michael “The Monster” Todd from its competition lineup and rankings following renewed scrutiny of his past criminal conviction. The decision, announced by co-owner Dexter Tan in October 2026, also puts an end to Todd’s scheduled match against Dave Chaffee at EVW 27 in Budapest.
The controversy erupted after information about Todd’s criminal case involving a 13-year-old girl resurfaced online, prompting widespread discussion across the armwrestling community. The revelations raised questions about Todd’s previous account of the case and whether he should continue competing at one of the sport’s biggest promotions.
Dexter Tan Confirms Todd’s Removal
On October 11–12, EVW co-owner Dexter Tan addressed the situation publicly, confirming that Todd would no longer compete for the organization and would be removed from its rankings.
“Michael will no longer be pulling at EVW. There is also the removal of him from the rankings,” Tan said, according to a report of his livestream. He also indicated that Todd was likely to lose his light heavyweight title.
Tan acknowledged that the decision carried financial consequences. Todd is a recognizable name who has competed against some of the biggest stars in the sport, and his removal meant losing an advertised match and changing the Budapest event’s lineup.
According to the same report, Tan said some fans had threatened to stop purchasing pay-per-views if Todd was excluded. Despite that pressure, Tan and fellow co-owner Robert Baxter concluded that removing him was the decision they were prepared to stand behind.
The announcement also left Todd’s scheduled opponent, Dave Chaffee, without his original match. Oleg Petrenko subsequently emerged as the replacement opponent for Chaffee at EVW 27.
What Is the Controversy About?
The renewed scrutiny concerns Todd’s past criminal conviction involving a 13-year-old girl. Online discussion intensified after court-related material circulated that appeared to conflict with Todd’s previous description of the circumstances.
A report by The Sports Room on October 13 detailed Todd and his wife Rebecca’s response. They disputed several details in the circulated material, including claims about how long Todd had known the girl and whether he had lived with her. They also said a prosecutor had indicated that parts of the material were inaccurate and could have confused details from different cases. At the time of that report, the claimed supporting affidavit had not been produced publicly.
These disputes are important to distinguish from the underlying conviction. Todd’s objections to the circulated account do not, by themselves, establish that the conviction was overturned or that he was legally cleared.
The renewed attention therefore created a difficult situation for EVW: how should a major sports promotion respond when an athlete’s past becomes the subject of serious public scrutiny?
Justin Bishop Backs EVW’s Decision
Among the armwrestlers who publicly reacted was Justin Bishop, who expressed support for EVW’s decision.
Reporting on his response highlighted his emphasis on protecting young people and the responsibility the sport has toward the next generation. His position went beyond the immediate question of whether Todd should be allowed to compete, raising broader concerns about the example set by prominent athletes.
Bishop’s reaction reflected a wider strand of criticism within the community: that an athlete’s sporting achievements should not automatically shield them from scrutiny over serious matters outside competition.
Neil Pickup Calls for a Closer Look
Veteran armwrestling commentator Neil Pickup also addressed the controversy. In a statement shared from his YouTube channel, Pickup said he had deliberately avoided commenting immediately after learning of the newly circulated information because he realized how little he knew about the specific details.
Pickup explained that he had heard a version of the story from another armwrestler 15–20 years earlier and had subsequently heard similar accounts from other American pullers. However, he said that version differed in important respects from the information that surfaced in October, particularly concerning the girl’s age.
His response highlighted another dimension of the controversy: information about the case had circulated within parts of the armwrestling community for years, but the details people believed they knew did not necessarily match the material being discussed now.
Other Reactions Across the Community
The response has not been entirely uniform. While some athletes and fans supported EVW’s decision, others argued that Todd had already faced legal consequences for his past and questioned whether that history should prevent him from competing decades later.
Online discussions also included calls for Todd to step back from public-facing activity while the conflicting accounts were examined. Aussie Armwrestler, for example, was reported as urging caution and recommending that Todd withdraw from social media if the newly circulated documents were accurate.
These reactions demonstrate the divide in the debate. Some people focus on accountability and the responsibilities associated with being a public figure in a sport that attracts younger fans. Others focus on rehabilitation, the passage of time and whether sporting organizations should impose consequences beyond those imposed by the legal system.
Social media reactions cannot establish the accuracy of disputed claims, but they do show how significantly the controversy has affected Todd’s standing in the sport.
What Happens to Michael Todd Now?
Todd’s removal has immediate sporting consequences. His scheduled match against Chaffee was cancelled, his position in the EVW rankings ended, and his light heavyweight title status came under scrutiny.
For EVW, the decision also carries commercial consequences. Replacing a major name on an established card is not straightforward, particularly when the promotion must account for both audience expectations and its own standards.
The episode leaves a broader question for professional armwrestling: how should promotions balance an athlete’s competitive record against concerns about their past conduct?
For now, EVW has made its position clear. Michael Todd will no longer compete for the organization. The debate over the decision, the disputed details surrounding his past and the standards applied to other athletes is likely to continue.
