WWE Raw: The Lack of Perspective on Abraham Washington's Firing

By now most WWE fans have likely heard all they want to hear about the Abraham Washington controversy.  Having said that, yes, this is one more column, one more opinion, on the situation.

As if you needed another one, right?  I got you.

Here’s the thing.  I really had no interest in writing about this.  AW was not on my radar, either before, or after, his recent firing by WWE.  And it’s not that I am losing a lot of sleep over it now.  Not at all.

I have to say, though, that I am just a little surprised by all of the hate coming from fans over AW’s termination, so much so that it is beginning to get under my skin a little.

OK, a lot.

For those of you who perhaps may not be aware of what exactly is going on, let’s backtrack for a minute.

On the July 30 edition of Monday Night Raw, Washington made a joke during a tag team match involving Titus O’Neil and Darren Young.  As was the case for the past several weeks, AW was wearing a live mic, and in addition to his usual array of comments, he said the following (from TMZ):

“Titus O’Neil is like Kobe Bryant at a hotel room in Colorado.  He’s unstoppable!"

Needless to say, his joke, in addition to being not funny, or even clever, was not received all that well. WWE apologized for AW’s words, which seemed to perhaps be the end of it, until the news broke on Aug. 10 that he had indeed been released from the company.

Two things immediately happened upon news of AW being “future endeavored.”

One, many fans claimed it was a work.  A ruse, by Vince McMahon, and WWE corporate, to alleviate any bad publicity the spot received, to smooth things over with advertisers and fans alike, until such time that Washington could be quietly rehired by the company.

Think Daniel Bryan’s termination following the choking incident back in 2010.

It’s not a bad theory, to be honest.  After all, this is pro wrestling we’re talking about here.  And pro wrestling is a work.  You simply cannot believe anything you see or hear, because the truth is there is no truth.  There is only the illusion of truth.

Man, that one gave me a headache.

The point is that fans are totally justified in their belief that, once again, WWE is taking all of us for a ride. We’re getting worked again, and when AW returns, we will be treated to top-notch entertainment, as only he can provide.

That last bit was a joke.  Which brings me to the second thing that happened when AW was released.

Fans lost their minds.  

The AW bandwagon was so full, guys were falling off the sides of it.  Washington, who by now was all over Twitter, airing his grievances for everyone to see, was joined in his chorus by supporters from all over the world.

These supporters stuck up for AW, they defended him, and in the process, they attacked WWE.

"WWE is straight up idiotic for firing Abraham Washington."  

"It just shows the sad state of WWE."

"So utterly stupid!"

"I really hate that company."

"Best manager the company's had in years."

Actual tweets, from fans who had suddenly fallen in love with AW.  Wow, is all I can say to that.

My question is, where was all this support before?  When the Prime Time Players came out to work their match, where were all these fans who supposedly loved AW and thought he was a "great talent"?

You show your appreciation by popping for your favorite.  I think we can all agree on that.  AW may be a heel, but how often do you remember an arena full of fans booing him out of the building? How many times can you actually say that he got as much heat, or more, than anyone on the card?

Be honest, was the guy even over in the first place?

Don’t misunderstand me here, I am not suggesting that AW was not doing his job.  He was put in the middle of a division that WWE cares very little about, and basically told to stand out.  His tag team is green and unproven and has accomplished nothing.

For that matter, their win/loss record is not exactly something to brag about.  Getting AW as a new manager, in the manner they did, after having done nothing before him, should have been good for them as a team, and for him as a talent.  

It would have been a statement had O’Neil and Young won the WWE Tag Team Titles right after their run with AW began.  Again, it would have been good for both sides.

But that did not happen, and for me, AW has not been presented as a relevant manager in any real sense of the word since day one.  His time at ringside has been a big disappointment.

However, is this his fault?  Of course not.  The guy was doing what he was told.  We assume he was playing his role as best as he could and that he did want to be there.  Assuming we’re right on that, and assuming that he went along with everything WWE told him to do, then I believe that there was little else he could do.

Perhaps the support that AW has received was not as much about his own situation, as much as it was about just flat-out blasting WWE.  At this point, it has become the national pastime for a lot of fans out there, and the rallying cry this time is the same as usual.

WWE is too PG.  Yeah.  They’re still hung up on that.

News flash, folks.  It’s been PG for a while now.  Didn’t just happen yesterday.  The much-debated rating has been in effect since 2008.

2008.  Four years ago.  And we’re still shocked?  We’re still talking about how it’s a total waste, and that WWE is dumb because of it?  

What’s more surprising to me is that AW himself seems to have had no knowledge of the company’s PG rating. From WrestlingInc.com:

"

I’ve offended the wrong people that taught me how to have ATTITUDE.  It was the WWE that made me bold, and now it has turned its back on me.  Let this be a lesson to up and coming talent in the WWE don’t try and be great like the Rock or Stone Cold.  WWE isn’t the same. Just be normal shut up and be a yes man so you can collect your check and feel like your special.  I remember a time when the WWE didn’t care about breaking the mold but now everyone is so afraid of their own shadow.

"

The bottom line is that the joke was lousy.  It was the wrong thing to say, especially considering the environment that WWE now operates in, and for AW to not know that is either wholly unbelievable, or sad, or both.

Should he have lost his job over the comment?  It’s not for me to say.  My honest opinion is that one lame joke on one night should not mean the end for anyone.  And unlike other fans, even writers, I have never written of any desire to see any talent lose his job in WWE, TNA, ROH or any other promotion out there.  

The fact is this will all blow over eventually.  If it’s not a work, then AW will hopefully land on his feet somewhere, in a good spot, and maybe work his way back to WWE at some point.

If it is a work, then we’ll see him back in a month or less.

Either way, I, for one, plan on keeping this whole thing in perspective.  Maybe eventually everyone else will, too.