Abraham Washington Released By WWE, Goes On Twitter Rant Ripping The Company
WWE announced they have come to terms on the release of A.W. (a/k/a Abraham Washington) as of August 10, 2012, weeks after the boisterous personality made a crass remark on a live program. Upon learning of the news, A.W. went on a multi-post Twitter diatribe ripping the sports-entertainment organization. He stated, "AWPromotions is no more ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for your support and hate, it's been a great run. Now I get to do me which isn't PG!
"@TitusONeilWWE & @DarrenYoungWWE thank you for allowing me to speak on your behalf. You guys are the best and I'm glad to call u my friends!
"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 it's 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. #SELLOUTS!!
"I remember a time when the WWE didn't care about breaking the mold but now everyone is so afraid of their own shadow. #RemeberTheFans
"Thanks to the fans who showed me support over the whole Kobe thing and to those I upset I apologize again. Remember It's entertainment folks."
A.W. then indicates that his termination is tied to WWE chief Vince McMahon's wife Linda's pursuit of a United States Senate seat in Connecticut, which many have speculated has led the sports-entertainment organization to steer clear of any controversial matters as to not attract negative press to the campaign.
"I really do hope Linda wins that election because If not then all of this BS has been for nothing. #GoLinda!!" he wrote.
During a live WWE Raw broadcast on July 30, 2012, A.W. made a crass joke referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case in 2003 and 2004. As client Titus O'Neil tangled with Kofi Kingston in a singles match, A.W. yelled from ringside, "Titus O'Neil is like Kobe Bryant at a hotel in Colorado hotel room. He's unstoppable!!" When Raw returned from commercial break following the bout, WWE apologized on-air via announcer Michael Cole and A.W. subsequently issued an apology via Twitter, noting that "there was no malicious intent behind the joke." After Raw, WWE issued an official apology via TMZ.com stating that they had "taken appropriate action in the matter."
Prior to joining the main roster this spring, A.W. was a fixture on the final episodes of ECW on Syfy with an in-ring interview segment called "The Abraham Washington Show." He had been under contract to WWE since 2009, where he also performed for developmental promotion Florida Championship Wrestling.
Washington noted on Twitter that he would doing stand-up comedy going forward, remarking, "If you think that Kobe joke was bad wait till you hear my Vince jokes."
Mikael Andersson and David contributed to this article.