Did WWE Cross A Line On Raw Last Night?

Paige Charlotte Controversy
WWE

Almost three years ago to the day, WWE caused considerable consternation when they had Paige come out and mock the death of Charlotte Flair's brother, Reid. During her promo, Paige pushed the perimeter into the personal, commenting that Reid - who died of an accidental overdose in 2013 - "didn't have much fight in him."

The comments sparked justifiable outrage, but the promotion insisted it was Charlotte's idea. A company spokesman noted that “Subject matter this personal is only approved as a result of the strong advocacy of the talent themselves" - setting the precedent for Dean's tacky cancer comments. He failed to explain why WWE hadn't bothered to contact Reid's father Ric about the segment, which was said to have left The Nature Boy in tears. The answer should be clear; it'd never have aired if they had.

During the Attitude Era, no subject matter was impeded by the barrier of common decency. WWE eased into their ribaldry in late 1997 when they subjected Brian Pillman's widow, Melanie, to an intense live interview just a day removed from her husband's sudden death. Vince McMahon, under only the thinnest veneer of sincerity, skewered Melanie with all the sympathy of Martin Bashir confronting Michael Jackson. He needed to make one thing abundantly clear: that WWE carried no responsibility whatsoever in Pillman's death. That the segment spiked the quarter-hour rating was a happy coincidence, of course.

[CONT'D. P3/4]

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Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.