The last couple days have been busy for Paige as Triple H apologizes amid backlash for his tasteless joke at NXT UK TakeOver in Blackpool.
“I’ve reached out to @RealPaigeWWE to apologize. I made a terrible joke and I’m sorry if it offended her or anyone else.”
What was the joke, you ask? Well, let’s take a look, shall we?
Old school meets new school
While in the UK to oversee NXT UK TakeOver in Blackpool, Triple H met with the British media for what was thought to be a regular interview/press conference. While discussing various WWE functions and personnel, the topic shifted to Edge and Paige’s rumored return to the ring. In DeGeneration X fashion, he made an edgy joke. Unlike with DX, Triple H’s joke backfired.
Triple H said, “I’d like to see them live healthy lives — Edge has kids… Paige… you know, she probably has a few she doesn’t know of…”
Ouch.
Okay, first off, the joke is just dumb. It was meant for a quick, pointless laugh, and that’s what it got out of the gathered press. It’s a seemingly harmless joke since obviously Paige would know if she had any children since women have a trick called giving birth.
The crux of it is, this referenced a very painful time in Paige’s life.
Triple H referenced a leaked video
Between 2017 and 2018, Paige had a homemade sex tape leaked that had former WWE superstar Brad Maddox, current superstar Xavier Woods, and another unidentified man in various scenes with her. To add to that, fans were outraged over a leaked photo that showed a sex act being done over the NXT women’s championship.
It was during this time that Paige later admitted to having suicidal thoughts over the turn her life had taken.
It’s safe to say that while extremely crude, the joke wasn’t meant to hurt or injure her in any way, but those events can be difficult for some to move on from, and this time she wasn’t alone.
Paige and Nikki Bella respond
Paige wasted little time in commenting on Tripe H’s joke, by saying on Twitter,
https://twitter.com/RealPaigeWWE/status/1216792394877685761
Her boyfriend, Ronnie Radke, also took to social media and claimed she was so upset that she’d been crying over it.
Two of the most critical responses in defense of her came from Renee Young and Nikki Bella, respectively.
Big love to Paige. She’s been to hell and back but still some people wanna make jokes. We need (and she deserves) real change. https://t.co/vqdkWNyLMa
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) January 13, 2020
We will never see the true change in equality if we just see them as storylines. Change in a company starts from the top. Our leaders help set the example. For us women we need all the help we can get. Help with respect from our co workers and fans. We are all one. One love. ❤️N
— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) January 13, 2020
After Triple H apologizes
While there will be those that disagree, Triple H apologizing was the right move for obvious reasons, and hopefully it’s a step in the right direction for everyone involved, including the WWE as a whole.
In the end, it’s important to remember our words and actions carry weight and can harm others, and we have to own up to them when the time comes.
