Tony Hinchcliffe's Raw Commentary Considered 'A Dud' Within WWE

Tony Hinchcliffe generated controversy during his appearance on the April 7 episode of Monday Night Raw.

Hinchcliffe joined Michael Cole and Pat McAfee at the announce table as a guest commentator for the World Tag Team Title match between the War Raiders and New Day. Hinchcliffe's commentary was criticised by fans as many didn't think the comedian was funny during his appearance. Some also considered his joke that the only thing stiffer than Michael Cole was Big E's neck to be in poor taste.

The reaction backstage to Hinchcliffe's time at the commentary desk wasn't overly positive either, with Fightful Select reporting that people they spoke to backstage in WWE admitted the Hinchcliffe spot "came across as a dud." The host of Killy Tony was said to be very respectful while at Raw, though.

Big E addressed the joke at his expense during WWE's Raw Recap, saying:

"I guess, at my big age of 39 years old, people will say what they want about you. Their opinion of you is not - has nothing to do with me. It's not my business. Look, say what you want, he was given a mic, he was given an opportunity. People will feel how they want to. It's just, you know, there's a lot of discourse, often times as a public figure people will say things about you. Whether they're jokes, whether they're not. And that is their right. I think the one thing is - and I get like, I'm on here, it was said on the show, I'm supposed to talk. You know, especially when things are mentioned about me, I should have an opinion on 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 had without me, honestly. I really have no desire to weigh in on this. I didn't sign up for this. I wasn't aware of this. He did what he wanted to. People signed off on it. Has nothing to do with me, truly."

Big E has not wrestled since suffering a broken neck in March 2022. The injury has been career-ending so far due to his neck not forming new bone. Big E has remained a presence in WWE as a panelist and host.

Tony Hinchcliffe will host the Roast of WrestleMania at the BleauLive Theater in Las Vegas following night two of WrestleMania 41 at 10 pm PT on Sunday, April 20.

Hinchcliffe is the comedian who made racist jokes at Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally in late 2024, calling Puerto Rico a "floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean" and suggesting that Latinos "loved making babies." Hinchcliffe also drew on racist tropes around black people and watermelons and called Palestinians rock-throwers.

Despite Hinchcliffe's past comments, the majority of people within WWE "don't care" about him hosting the Roast of WrestleMania.

H/T F4WOnline

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