WWE releases statement in response to "Kobe Bryant" joke on WWE RAW

Representing the always-entertaining Prime Time Players, Titus O’Neil took on Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston with R-Truth and Little Jimmy in tow. Kingston is talking to Little Jimmy too now.

At the end of the match, AW distracted Kingston by throwing his shoe at him and yelling “Your mama!” and hey, if you’re gonna throw a shoe at someone that’s a perfectly respectable thing to yell at them. I’m not sure whether Kofi was confused by the shoe or if he thought his mama was right there, but either way, O’Neil hit his finisher for the win.

If you managed to see the first half of that match, then enjoy the memory, ’cause I’m betting it’s going to be shut into WWE’s Chris Benoit Vault for a while. During the match AW did his usual routine of antagonizing the crowd on the mic during the matches, and made a reference to a famous case of alleged sexual assault: ”Titus O’Neil is like Kobe Bryant at a hotel in Colorado. He’s unstoppable.” AW may be a heel but “possible rapist” isn’t so much the image WWE wants even its villains to carry, especially after the likes of Daniel Tosh and Adam Carolla have taken heat in recent months for misogynist jokes of their own.

WWE responded briefly when Michael Cole issued an apology on AW’s behalf immediately after the following commercial. With former CEO Linda McMahon, who is running for US Senate in Connecticut, taking heavy criticism from the media and political opponents over WWE’s content, AW’s bad (and, should be noted, way dated) joke was unlikely to be received warmly. Now that they’ve demonstrated that much basic good taste, I wonder if Cole will solemnly apologize for having on a known abuser of women after Charlie Sheen does his next cameo.

A WWE rep did release a statement to TMZ.com: “AW made an inappropriate comment and WWE immediately apologized. WWE has taken appropriate action in the matter.” No word yet on what that appropriate action might be. According to TMZ AW was apologetic for his remarks and “felt horrible” about the comment.

Here’s video of the bout:

PHOTO CREDIT – WWE

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Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/01/wwe-releases-statement-in-response-to-kobe-bryant-joke-on-wwe-raw

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