Johnston, who identifies as a Christian, expressed his reservations about the physical nature of wrestling against female competitors. In an interview with KDVR, he stated, “It’s so physical, physically close. I don’t think that’s really appropriate with a young lady. It’s also very aggressive, and I’m not really, I guess, comfortable with that.”

He clarified that his decision stemmed from a complex interplay of his faith, upbringing, and personal experiences. Brendan emphasized that he didn’t perceive female wrestlers as unequal but rather recognized that men and women are inherently different and should be treated as such. He maintained that acknowledging these differences does not contradict the idea of equality between the sexes.

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