Jokes centered around rape and sexual assault have recently become a surefire way for celebrities and athletes to land in hot water, and WWE personality Abraham Washington became the latest to take his comedy in that direction.
Offering mic’d, at least partially-improvised commentary during a match between Titus O’Neil and Kofi Kingston, Washington cracked that O’Neil is “like Kobe Bryant in a Colorado hotel room…he’s unstoppable.”
The line, a reference to Bryant’s 2003 sexual assault case, prompted an immediate public apology from WWE and Washington. Washington also reportedly apologized to WWE officials, including members of the McMahon family, immediately after returning to the backstage area.
Speaking to TMZ, WWE said, “A.W. made an inappropriate comment and WWE immediately apologized.
“WWE has taken appropriate action in the matter.”
WWE did not specify the nature of its “appropriate action.”