© Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Audio By Carbonatix
Controversial comedian Tony Hinchcliffe was already wildly polarizing, and he didn’t help his cause during a recent appearance on WWE‘s Monday Night RAW. Hinchcliffe made a guest announcing appearance alongside friend Pat McAfee and co-commentator Michael Cole. At one point during the segment, the comedian mocked the real-life broken neck suffered by WWE star Big E that has kept him out of action for three years and may well have ended his career.
“The only thing stiffer than Michael Cole is Big E’s neck,” Hinchcliffe said in reference to the wrestler fracturing his vertebrae in a move gone wrong. The comment drew backlash from fans who were already opposed to Hinchcliffe’s particular brand of comedy.
What Tony Hinchcliffe said about Big E was tasteless. There’s nothing funny about a career-ending injury that could’ve easily been much worse. Plenty of other low-hanging fruit to joke about, yet he targets one of the nicest dudes ever who’s not even there.
— emiliosparks (@emiliosparks) April 8, 2025
WWE Star Big E Takes High Road In Response To Controversial Tony Hinchcliffe Joke
After the show ended, Big E (real name Ettore Ewen) was asked about the comments. He said that he did not hear the joke, but ultimately opted to take the high rode.
“At my big age of 39 years old, people will say what they want about you,” Ewen said. “…Say what you want. He was given a mic, he was given an opportunity. People will feel how they want to. There’s a lot of discourse, oftentimes as a public figure.
“People will say things about you, whether they’re jokes, whether they’re not and that is their right. It was said on the show. I’m supposed to talk, especially when things are mentioned about me, I should have an opinion about them. It’s just, it is tiring to have to weigh in on everyone’s opinion or whatever they say.
“Look, I’m not hurt, I’m good. I want the discourse to be happy without me, honestly… I didn’t sign up for this, I wasn’t aware of this. He did what he wanted to. People signed off on it. It has nothing to do with me. Truly.”
Despite the wrestler’s calm response, fans appear to have no interest in Hinchcliffe returning to the show. And if he does, he can expect to be met with a hearty round of boos.