Posted on 6/29/125 by DMV Wrestling News
WWE is once again partnering with comedian Tony Hinchcliffe
for a late-night comedy event during SummerSlam weekend,
despite widespread backlash to the Roast of WrestleMania
earlier this year, which was heavily criticized for
offensive material, awkward pacing, and a tone many fans
found mean-spirited and off-brand.
The new show, WWE Late Night Featuring Tony Hinchcliffe, is
scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Bergen Performing Arts
Center in Englewood, New Jersey. Like the previous roast, it
will be a closed-door, non-televised event. WWE has not yet
announced the lineup of performers.
The Roast of WrestleMania, held during WrestleMania 41
weekend at the BleauLive Theater in Las Vegas, featured
appearances by The Miz, Sami Zayn, and WWE Hall of Famer
Paul Heyman. Despite the star power, the show drew criticism
for long stretches of silence, underwhelming writing, and
jokes that veered into uncomfortable territory.
One of the most widely condemned moments came from Heyman
himself, who made a joke referencing immigrants “waiting for
their Green Cards.” The line drew groans from the audience
and was widely described as xenophobic and out of step with
WWE’s increasingly diverse talent base.
Other material targeted absent performers, particularly
Charlotte Flair. Nia Jax delivered a series of biting jokes
about Flair’s appearance, age, and personal life. One
punchline described her as “held together by Botox and daddy
issues,” while another compared her to “Ric Flair in drag.”
Additional jokes referenced Flair’s relationship with
Andrade El Idolo, suggesting her personal life was fair game
despite her absence. The segment was criticized for singling
out a top female performer who was not present to respond,
reinforcing concerns that the event crossed from edgy into
unnecessarily cruel.
The backlash online was swift, with many describing the show
as “embarrassing,” “tone-deaf,” and “a total misfire.”
Reports of audience walkouts and prolonged silences only
added to the perception that the roast had failed to land
with its intended audience.