Shocking ECW Footage of Rick Rude and Francine Goes Viral—Here’s Why It’s Stirring Controversy

A viral video has surfaced from the 1990s showing professional wrestler Rick Rude and his valet Francine during an Extreme Championship Wrestling event; it has become the focal point of much controversy. A video posted by (@heartbreakcorb), which has received more than 18 million views on X, is titled “Rick Rude casually having a snack during an ECW event.” It has started a highly upsetting trend and is widely disapproved of.

Rick rude casually having a snack during an ECW event pic.twitter.com/q2pTcdqZHj

— Corb💔 (@HeartBreakCorb) January 22, 2025

The Incident: A Dark Chapter in ECW History

This is footage from the “Chapter 2” event of ECW, held on May 10, 1997, at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. During a tag team match featuring Bam Bam Bigelow and Shane Douglas against The Pitbulls, Rick Rude, who was commentating, made his way to ringside and carried Francine, Douglas’s valet, backstage in a very suggestive manner. An act emblematic of the type of edgy, often controversial content one could come to expect from ECW throughout the 1990s.

Public Outcry: Social Media Reacts

This video has created a flurry of comments from viewers across X. “ECW in the 90s was wild,” said a user, alluding to the sometimes haywire nature of the promotion during that period. Another user expressed strong disapproval, stating, “Now he can rest in hell.” Concerns about the nature of the interaction were evident, with comments such as, “This is the craziest caption for sexual assault I’ve ever seen,” and, “The fact this was an actual assault is crazy. The fact people are defending it after finding out it wasn’t scripted is even crazier.” Another user noted, “They would literally hang this dude on live TV if he did this today,” reflecting on the changing standards and increased awareness regarding consent and appropriate behavior in the wrestling industry and society at large.

Francine’s Revelation: A Shocking Admission

Francine made sure to admit that this was not a scripted incident and that she had not consented to Rick Rude’s actions. She went further to explain how that was a very upsetting experience, adding she felt violated and powerless at that moment. Francine explained that though those kinds of segments were commonplace in the very provocative style of ECW, this incident did cross the line and had left a mark on her.

Rick Rude: The “Ravishing” Persona

Rick Rude, born Richard Erwin Rood, was one of the most popular professional wrestlers of the 1980s and 1990s, known for his “Ravishing” persona and provocative antics. His stint in ECW in 1997 involved numerous storylines to which he was often used, playing mind games and confrontations with other wrestlers and their valets.

A Reflection of Changing Times

The reception of this viral video serves as evidence of the ever-evolving view from today’s modern audience in how segments once accepted are reassessed for their propriety. It shows above all the lack of respect regarding consent-to engage in wrestling-a common scenario, unfortunately, within and outside of the ring.

In a sport where controversy surrounds this single incident, it is necessary to stand with the affected people and further develop a safe place where consent and respect feature predominantly. It is through the recirculation of this video that necessary dialogue concerning the issues that women are facing in professional wrestling-and possibly elsewhere within the entertainment sector-was underlined and questioned for its accountability and promise of change.

Watch Francine express her true feelings about Rick Rude on her YouTube channel below: