WWE 'forced to edit footage' as superstar goes off-script with controversial comment on live TV

WWE edited footage of a controversial segment featuring an off-script comment on Monday Night Raw.

The show took place at a sold-out Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Monday and finished with Jey Uso losing his Intercontinental championship back to Bron Breaker after interference from the Bloodline.

However, one moment which caused a huge stir online involved WWE superstar Carlito and a particular line he said.

The Puerto Rican wrestler, a member of the Judgement Day faction, came to speak to Raw general manager Adam Pearce in his office.

Damage CTRL group members Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane were about to exit when Carlito entered.

But as they were leaving and walked out of shot, he said the line, "I gotta learn chinese".

Both wrestlers are from Japan and even though Carlito is presented as a goofy, villainous character, many felt the line was offensive and unnecessary.

“I gotta learn Chinese”

— Carlito as IYO and Kairi walk out#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/5s9hc9BQM3

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) October 22, 2024

After it aired live, WWE chose to edit out the phrase on clips posted on their official social media channels.

According to a report from Fightful, via talkSPORT, the line was not scripted and there were people backstage who in "disbelief" over it being delivered.

Individuals in the company were unhappy about the incident, though there no word as to whether any punishment will be handed out.

"[Those] we spoke to claim that it wasn't planned," the report read.

“The line was edited out of all digital clips, with the segment starting after his line. The claim internally from at least one staff member was that the line was not scripted, and that they had spoken to were in disbelief that it was said.

"Internally, there were a number in the company that weren't happy it happened."

Carlito is in his second spell with WWE, having returned in 2023. The former United States champion's first stint came to an end in 2010 following Carlito's "first violation of the WWE Wellness Program and his subsequent refusal to attend a rehabilitation facility".