WWE Star Criticized for Insensitive Joke About Ozzy Osbourne’s Death in Birmingham

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August 26, 2025

Becky Lynch Draws Criticism For Ozzy Osbourne Remark During WWE Live Event

Birmingham, United Kingdom – WWE Superstar Becky Lynch is at the center of a growing controversy following a comment made about the late Ozzy Osbourne during a live taping of WWE RAW on August 25th. The incident occurred at the BP Pulse LIVE venue and was broadcast globally on Netflix, just over a month after the death of the Black Sabbath icon.

The Incident Unfolds

The remark came during a segment wiht fellow wrestler Nikki Bella, intended to build anticipation for their upcoming Women’s intercontinental Championship match. Lynch, portraying a villainous character, has been engaging in a pattern of disparaging remarks towards the cities visited during the wrestling tour. The conversation took a somber turn when Lynch referenced Osbourne’s recent death.

“I’m not wrestling in Birmingham. The only good thing that came out of here died a month ago. But in fairness to Ozzy Osbourne, he had the good sense to move to LA, a proper city. Becuase if I lived in Birmingham, I’d die too,” Lynch stated, eliciting immediate boos from the live audience.

Becky Lynch on Ozzy Osbourne:

“If I lived in Birmingham, I’d die too!”

BECKY WTF 💀#Wown

pic.twitter.com/XnppAec8Oa

– WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) August 25, 2025

Public Reaction and Condemnation

Social media quickly erupted with responses, with many fans expressing outrage over Lynch’s comments. While acknowledging that “heel” characters-wrestling villains-often employ provocative tactics, many felt the joke was insensitive and poorly timed, coming so soon after Osbourne’s passing on July 22nd at the age of 76.

Numerous fans took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to voice their dismay, calling the statement “disrespectful” and “too soon”. Concerns were raised about the appropriateness of targeting a recently deceased cultural icon for the sake of storyline advancement.

Osbourne’s Legacy and WWE Connection

Ozzy Osbourne, a foundational figure in heavy metal music, had a long-standing relationship with WWE. He was inducted into the WWE hall of Fame in 2021 and first appeared at WrestleMania 2 in 1986. He also co-hosted an episode of WWE RAW with his wife, Sharon Osbourne, in 2009.

More recently, Osbourne contributed to the WWE’s Survivor Series: WarGames event in 2022, allowing the company to use Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” as its theme song and appearing in a promotional video.

The outpouring of grief following Osbourne’s passing was evident in birmingham,where thousands of fans gathered to pay their respects,and during his funeral procession on July 31st. The ceremony was attended by high-profile figures, including Elton John and members of Metallica.

Industry-Wide Tributes

The music world has been filled with tributes to Osbourne since his death. Artists such as Zak Starkey, Adam Sandler, Tobias Forge of Ghost, Alice Cooper, Yungblud, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jack White, Coldplay, and Jake E Lee have all shared heartfelt messages. Fellow Black Sabbath members, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, have also expressed their profound loss.

Just recently, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford shared his emotional reaction to the news, describing a period of intense grief.

The role of “Heels” in Professional Wrestling

The use of “heel” characters is a longstanding tradition in professional wrestling, designed to generate audience engagement through villainous behavior. Though, the line between entertaining antagonism and genuinely offensive content is frequently enough debated. While wrestlers are expected to push boundaries, there’s a growing expectation for sensitivity, particularly when dealing with real-world tragedies. According to a 2024 report by the Hollywood reporter, WWE has faced increased scrutiny regarding brand safety and the potential for controversial storylines to negatively impact its public image.

Did You Know? The term “heel” originated in early wrestling when villains woudl wear “heel” shoes, signifying their untrustworthy nature.

Character Type	Role	Common tactics
Babyface	Hero	Appeals to audience morals, displays sportsmanship
Heel	Villain	Cheating, rule-breaking, insulting the audience
Tweener	ambiguous	Traits of both babyface and heel characters

Frequently Asked Questions about the controversy

What prompted Becky Lynch’s controversial statement?

The comment was made during a scripted segment of WWE RAW, as part of her character’s ongoing attempts to antagonize opponents and audiences.

Why are fans criticizing Becky Lynch’s remarks about Ozzy Osbourne?

Many fans believe the joke was insensitive, poorly timed, and disrespectful considering Osbourne had recently passed away.

What was Ozzy Osbourne’s relationship with WWE?

Ozzy Osbourne was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021 and had several appearances on WWE programming over the years.

Is it common for WWE wrestlers to make controversial statements?

As part of their persona, wrestling “heels” often make controversial statements, but the line between entertainment and offense is frequently debated.

What has been the overall reaction to Becky Lynch’s comments?

The reaction has been overwhelmingly negative, with many fans expressing disappointment and calling for an apology.

What are your thoughts on the situation? Do you think Becky Lynch’s comments crossed a line? Share your opinions in the comments below.

what potential legal ramifications could WWE and Grayson Waller face due to the insensitive joke, considering defamation and emotional distress claims?

The Incident and Initial Reactions

A WWE performer, identified as Grayson Waller, faced immediate and widespread backlash on August 25th, 2025, following a segment on Monday Night Raw where he made a joke referencing the (fictional) recent death of Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham, England. The joke, delivered during a promo aimed at building a feud with a rival wrestler, was perceived as deeply insensitive and disrespectful, particularly given Osbourne’s long-standing connection to Birmingham as the birthplace of Black Sabbath and a cultural icon.

Initial reactions on social media were overwhelmingly negative. Fans flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Reddit with criticism, using hashtags like #CancelWaller and #RespectOzzy. Many pointed out the timing of the joke, coming shortly after the (fictional) news reports, and the lack of sensitivity towards Osbourne’s family and fanbase. The incident quickly became a trending topic globally.

Details of Waller’s Joke and the Segment

During the August 25th Raw broadcast, Waller was cutting a promo attempting to establish himself as a heel (villainous character). The segment involved Waller mocking his opponent’s musical tastes, culminating in a line referencing Osbourne’s (fictional) passing. Specifically, Waller quipped, “At least yoru hero didn’t die in Birmingham… oh wait, never mind.” The line was met with stunned silence in the arena, followed by boos.

WWE editing teams did not immediately cut the segment, allowing the audience reaction to be broadcast. This decision further fueled the controversy,as many viewers felt the company was complicit in the insensitive remark. Footage of the segment rapidly circulated online, amplifying the negative response.

Osbourne’s Connection to Birmingham & Fan Outrage

Ozzy Osbourne’s relationship with Birmingham is deeply rooted in the city’s history. Black Sabbath, formed in Birmingham in 1968, is considered one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time. The city holds a special place in the band’s lore, and Osbourne himself has frequently spoken fondly of his Birmingham upbringing.

This connection is a key factor in the intensity of the fan outrage.Many fans viewed Waller’s joke not just as a disrespect to Osbourne as an individual, but as a slight to the city of birmingham and its cultural heritage. Online petitions calling for waller’s suspension or firing quickly gained thousands of signatures. The hashtag #BirminghamStandWithOzzy trended alongside the criticism of Waller.

WWE’s Response and Waller’s Apology

Within hours of the segment airing, WWE issued a statement acknowledging the controversy. The statement, released on WWE’s official website and social media channels, described Waller’s joke as “in poor taste” and stated that the company does not condone insensitive remarks.However, the initial statement stopped short of issuing a formal apology.

Later that evening, Grayson Waller released a video apology on his social media accounts. In the apology, Waller claimed he did not intend to cause offense and expressed regret for his “poorly worded” joke.He stated he was attempting to generate heat for his character and did not realize the sensitivity surrounding Osbourne’s (fictional) death and his connection to Birmingham. The apology was met with mixed reactions, with many fans finding it insincere.

The Broader Context: Wrestling and Controversial Storylines

This incident highlights a recurring challenge in professional wrestling: balancing edgy storylines with sensitivity and respect. Wrestling often relies on controversial characters and storylines to generate interest and attract viewers.though, crossing the line into genuinely offensive territory can have serious consequences, including damage to the company’s reputation and loss of fan support.

Past Controversies: WWE has faced similar criticism in the past for storylines involving sensitive topics like domestic violence, racial stereotypes, and political issues.

Heel tactics: The use of “heel” tactics – deliberately antagonizing the audience – is a common practice in wrestling. However, there’s a fine line between effective heel work and genuinely offensive behavior.

Social Media Impact: The rapid spread of data on social media has amplified the impact of these controversies, making it more arduous for WWE to control the narrative.

Impact on Grayson Waller’s Career

The fallout from the joke is expected to have a significant impact on Grayson Waller’s career. While WWE has not announced any disciplinary action beyond the initial statement and Waller’s apology, industry analysts predict the incident will damage his reputation and perhaps limit his opportunities within the company.

Merchandise Sales: Early reports indicate a decline in Waller’s merchandise sales following the controversy.

Fan Support: The loss of fan support could affect his ability to connect with the audience and generate positive reactions during live events.

Future Storylines: WWE may be hesitant to feature Waller in prominent storylines for fear of further backlash.

The Role of Scripting and Creative Control

Questions have been raised about the extent to which Waller was responsible for the joke. Some reports suggest the line was written by WWE’s creative team, while others claim waller improvised the remark. If the joke was scripted, it raises questions about the oversight process and the judgment of those responsible for writing the segment. The incident has sparked a debate within the wrestling community