WWE bosses were forced to hurriedly edit out an unscripted and controversial line from a live television broadcast.
Multi-time former world champion Carlito is said to have left company figures in ‘disbelief’ with his actions on Monday’s episode of Raw.
WWEPaul ‘Triple H’ Levesque is unlikely to have been impressed with the off script move[/caption]
WWE’s television output overseen by former legend Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque who serves as Chief Content Officer and Head of Creative.
During a backstage segment, Carlito entered a room to confront on-screen authority figure Adam Pearce while clutching his trademark apple.
Just exiting the scene at that time were two stars of the Damage CTRL faction in Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane, prompting Carlito to throw out the line: ‘I gotta learn Chinese,’ as if to suggest he wanted to impress the pair. Both wrestlers are from Japan.
Even given Carlito’s standing as an on-screen villain, the line itself seemed out of place for WWE’s current product, and caught a number of fans off guard, who attacked it on social media.
“It’s not funny,” one blasted on X. “WWE should respect other people’s culture and language!”
Another pointed out: “It’s 2024. What is this?”
Others argued that, within the context of Carlito’s character, the language wasn’t out of place, one adding: “Just a reminder that WWE is a TV show like any other and the people you see are playing characters.
“Carlito is playing a dumb, goofy character which is why he said that line. People want the Attitude Era back but cry over stupid stuff like this. Stop ruining the fun for others.”
While social media seemed divided in parts to the controversial segment, WWE themselves appeared to take no chances, hurriedly removing the words from clips that later appeared on their social media channels.
A new backstage report has suggested some within the company took a decidedly dim view of the veteran’s decision to go off script.
Carlito has featured regularly as one of The Judgement Day for much of the last yearWWE
Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane are former women’s tag team championsWWE
Fightful in the US noted: “[Those] we spoke to claim that it wasn’t planned.
“The line was edited out of all digital clips, with the segment starting after his line. The claim internally from at least one staff member was that the line was not scripted, and that they had spoken to were in disbelief that it was said.
“Internally, there were a number in the company that weren’t happy it happened.”
What action, if any, the wrestler may face for the phrasing isn’t yet clear, with the outlet adding: “We’ve not heard of any action or heat on anyone for the situation as of yet.”
Carlito is one of WWE’s most experienced performers, first joining the company in 2003 and going on to win their United States and Intercontinental Championships, beating John Cena in his first match on the ‘main’ roster to clinch the former.
The 45-year-old was axed in 2010 for what WWE cited as the performer’s ‘first violation of the WWE Wellness Program and his subsequent refusal to attend a rehabilitation facility.’
After a spell on the independent scene, he would go on to make a permanent return in 2023, notably joining The Judgement Day, where he continues to star alongside fellow villains Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan and JD McDonagh.
