WWE misleads GLAAD with their "punishment" of CM Punk
by Keith Harris on Jul 7, 2011 10:24 AM EDT
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Ever since GLAAD forced WWE to knock off John Cena's scripted homophobic jokes and WWE assured them that such incidents will not happen again, WWE management have been crossing their fingers that their talent doesn't screw up by using homophobic slurs in public in a manner that would ensure being picked up on by mainstream gossip sites like TMZ. It only took a handful of days before WWE's worst fears became true when the surprisingly dumb close friend of John Cena, Michael Cole, used the most offensive gay slur on Twitter in an ill thought out joke aimed at fellow announcer Josh Matthews. With such horrible timing Cole was extremely lucky to get away with his moment of madness with just the minor punishment of being made to attend a GLAAD training seminar. But WWE wasn't going to suspend or fire Cole while he was in a major WrestleMania program with Jerry "The King" Lawler. However, this incident did serve to make WWE even more paranoid about something similar happening in the future.
So when a burnt out CM Punk slipped up by being goaded into responding to homophobic hecklers in kind, WWE hoped against hope that this wouldn't be publicised by TMZ. When their hopes were dashed, WWE made sure to emphasise to TMZ that they can't be held accountable for the unscripted actions of their "independent contractors":
WWE does not condone this type of language or bias and we reinforce that with our talent who are independent contractors.
Unsurprisingly GLAAD was not amused by Punk's remarks. They probably would be even less amused if they realised that WWE intentionally misled them with their "punishment" of CM Punk, giving GLAAD the impression that they took the incident so seriously that they weren't going to renew Punk's soon to be expiring contract over the incident:
WWE officials also told GLAAD this morning that CM Punk's contract will expire in a few weeks, he will not be immediately renewed, and he will no longer be with WWE as of July 18. A spokesperson told us "this departure is not part of a storyline. He is contractually leaving the organization."
A spokesperson for the WWE told us "We are taking this very seriously."
Misleading because it has been known for quite some time that Punk wanted to voluntarily leave the company for a sabbatical when his current deal expired. It's now clear that Punk's remarkable "shoot promo" was mainly done to create some false doubt amongst smart fans over whether he would indeed leave the company. As WWE proved with their reaction to Cole's more serious error of judgement, they aren't willing to change their big picture storyline direction to keep GLAAD happy, so Punk's leaving date was always going to be July 18th, the first Raw after the Money In The Bank PPV he headlines in a loser leaves the company type situation.
In another concession to placate GLAAD, WWE's on-air talent may now be forced to attend a training session ran by the gay rights group, thanks to this latest incident, which will surely make Punk popular in the locker room, especially as he'll likely be on vacation when it occurs:
As for how this fits in with our ongoing work with WWE, GLAAD provided training to members of WWE's editorial staff and writing team in May, but because this event was not intended to be televised, and it took place during an unscripted interaction with the audience, none of the people we had already trained were involved. As a result, we are now in discussions with WWE to provide trainings to its on-camera talent, including the wrestlers themselves.
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It's crossed over into silly nonsense.
Do these assbags really get this pissy when someone calls someone else a homo? Especially after they were already dishing it to him? GLAAD is “training” WWE? What the fuck does that even mean.
The whole thing is ghey.
Forget it Donny, you're out of your element.
What is so funny about this is how the IWC and wrestling writers are rallying to defend Punk
CM Punk spewed bigoted drivel to a fan because he’s “burned out.” He’s like a child who gets antsy and upset when he’s tired apparently. Someone get him his binky and a blanket so his wits can return to him! What a asinine excuse that is! You think a white man tired from a 12 hour shift should get a pass for calling a black person nigger? STUPID FUCKING IDIOTS! YOU"LL SUCK THE COCK OF ANY WRESTLER YOU’RE A FAN OF JUST LIKE MELTZER DID FOR BRET HART AND CHRIS BENOIT.
I have no respect for anyone that makes excuses for someone instead of calling them out on their bullshit. Much love to CM PUNK for calling his actions bullshit instead of blaming his company or his profession. I have NO respect for any writer thats going to excuse Punk. Nigger, homo, fag etc have no place in wrestling and should not ever be defended.
What is shocking to me is how many “inside/internet” fans are defending these words by saying wrestlers need these terms to get “heat.” However, what it really shows is a level of debased classlessness that resides within wrestling fans that is abhorrent. Internet hero CM Punk must be TIRED to say something like that huh? Go youtube some of his pre-ROH promos and you’ll see CM PUNK. I love him but lets not act like he hasn’t called a female in the audience a “stupid bitch” to her face. Punk was in his zone he was not sleepy and in need of his binky and blanket.
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
FULL OF FIRE!!!
And pretty solid. I have nothing to say really, beyond, look, guys, quite being scared of GLAAD and realize this is just more manipulation by the WWE, it’s really transparent.
by bigstupidsmile on Jul 7, 2011 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions
There is no doubt WWE is toying with GLAAD
They are following the GLAAD agenda because WWE is in bed with company’s in NY and LA that won’t stand with WWE if they are promoting racist, sexist or homophobic terms. Its just the idea that CM Punk, an over 10 year pro, was “goaded” into calling some fan a homo or was so “burned out” that he lost his mind. That is BS. WWE went full blown work on GLAAD by saying Punk’s contract would not be “immediately” renewed. Clearly WWE doesn’t want to lose the steam of the shoot promo which is why they put his contract situation in the statement. WWE knows people are watching to see what kind of punishment Punk gets because that is a clue if CM Punk has re-signed already.
This is one situation where they HAVE to work GLAAD to protect the PPV dollars and the storyline.
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
The only reason burnout is suggested
Is because it doesn’t gel with CM Punk as a person. We know he’s smarter than that. There’s no reason not to believe it wasn’t a slip up on his part for reasons already stated. Had it been someone else who has a reputation of being bigoted backstage (for example) there’d be no defense of him no matter how good a worker he is.
KJ
You don’t know how CM Punk is as a person and neither do I. We can’t assume he’s a good man because he’s straight edge. There are a lot of sober assholes. CM Punk does however, have a LONG history of getting in fans faces and heeling the crowd. Calling a girl a dumb bitch(the famous invisible mic promo), among other more vicious promos you can find on youtube. CM Punk was in his zone and just went too far. If he wasn’t the most famous wrestler at the moment maybe this isn’t a big story at all. But regardless of the “suggested reasons” I won’t give him a pass. What does speak volumes of CM Punk as a man is that he didn’t give himself one either. Many wrestling journalists have, knowing kids visit these websites, come to defend Punk and the context of the verbiage when they should take a stand against all bigoted verbiage. Tired, burned out, picked on, yelled at, whatever the context. The words should not ever be used.
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
Hey, CM Punk probably holds himself to a higher standard than smarks do
So it’s entirely possible for him to have been legit “burned out,” slipped up, and still verbally (or is that ‘Twitterly’?) fall on his sword over it.
Though it would have been hilariously “work-y” for him to positively contrast himself with Hogan and Cena’s non-apologies.
I realise that, and Punk realises that
Punk apologised and it was without prompt, and not because he got caught and he made a business decision. I still think a more focused Punk wouldn’t have slipped up.
Now a totally different excuse, he was unfocused. So you get a pass if we think or assume you’re a good person so we’ll all make up some reasonable explanation for your racist or bigoted comments. Not comparing what Punk said to slavery just drawing similarities with those who defend slave owners. The excuses are quite similar, “Good CHRISTIAN men and women” owned slaves. If this was John Cena, the perfect WWE star, you guys would slaughter him. No excuses, nothing about fatigue or overworked bs.
This is the kind of stuff that made me cancel my Observer and Torch subscription. You know how Meltzer and Keller would kill a guy like Test for being roided and a tall blond pretty boy while praising their favorite worker’s like Benoit when he was on the gas as well. The cherry picking has to stop if you want to be fair and balanced at reporting on any subject.
At any rate, most of the writers on this blog have come to defend Punk and understand where he was coming from. Although the problem with that is, most of society does not. Good people mess up everyday and like Punk they don’t make excuses because they know they will correct the wrong. That is what makes them good people. Good people don’t need or want anyone to explain away their mistakes for them. I’d say if CM Punk read this site he might curse those who made excuses for him because he’d want anyone writing about his life to give an honest, no frills accounting of who he was and what he did.
There is none of that here but isn’t that what being a writer or journalist about? Maybe this site is just about commentary and not journalism.
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
one thing that bugs me about GLADD
is that I can’t turn on the radio or TV without hearing a rapper utter the words “no homo” in one of their songs or interviews, and it’s always used in a non flattering way. Where is GLADD in those instances? Where is the training class for Lil Wayne? If you’re going to be that tough with one group, then you need to show the same kind of toughness with everyone.
Coach Raye crazy man. Says Yahoo in our training camp,We Didn’t know we had Wifi,cOach Sing says he likes UpGut.com. Bish! - Anthony Dixon
They have have approached Lil Wayne and others about using “no homo”. Him especially because he has made several anti-gay remarks. It’s ironic because he has been seen kissing his friend Birdman.
I wonder if the reason that GLAAD is always sniping at WWE is they are still pissed about the Chuck & Billy wedding? It’s their fault for not looking at the taped results but still. I think the main reason is that the WWE has such an influence with kids that they do not want them influencing too much.
I think CM did the right thing and offered an sincere apology immediately. GLAAD has to learn to start putting instances in perspective. CM’s and Cena’s and Lil Wayne are 3 separate occurrences and should be handled as such.
GLAAD is to gays what Jackson and Sharpton are to blacks. The media has given them power they didn’t earn and don’t deserve. If reasonable, sane people would stop kowtowing to them none of this would even be an issue.
by The so-called Beautiful on Jul 7, 2011 5:36 PM EDT reply actions
Meh, the real "this should have ended" would be with CM Punk's apology
Which, by the way, is one of the only sincere apologies I’ve seen by a (semi)-public figures in FOR-FUCKING-EVER.
Too bad that the WWE is in a position of influence, hence the “teachable moment,” as opposed to Orlando Jordan/TNA, who may have actually slipped under GLAAD’s radar. After all, had it not been for TMZ putting up this video to begin with, would WE have ever heard of the Punk-in-Australia incident?
WWE’s on-air talent may now be forced to attend a training session ran by the gay rights group, thanks to this latest incident, which will surely make Punk popular in the locker room
I suppose we should anticipate a lot of wrestlers using coded language on twitter bashing GLAAD. Actually, who am I kidding? It’ll probably end up on-air in some form.
Reading this article has me thinking though, Keith. In sports and entertainment a fine is often imposed on the offender. I’d be curious as to why the WWE doesn’t inflict a financial penalty, even if modest, on their talent for transgressing. Especially when you consider a situation like Cole or Jericho, where they were seemingly not reprimanded at all.
by StreetofCrocodiles on Jul 7, 2011 10:03 PM EDT reply actions
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