Current Raw Superstar reveals being forced by WWE to issue an apology on live TV after controversial Undertaker segment
Former NXT champion Tommaso Ciampa recalls the experience of being a part of the controversial storyline between The Undertaker and Muhammad Hassan.
Follow Us
The Undertaker and Tommaso Ciampa (via X)
WWE superstar Tommaso Ciampa is currently one of the top stars on Monday Night Raw. However, before becoming a household name due to his work in NXT and on Raw, Ciampa was a side character in the company in 2005. During this time, the 38-year-old had to issue an apology to fans and the network, who were furious at WWE.
A group of masked men, portrayed on screen as terrorists, attacked The Undertaker on an episode of SmackDown in July 2005. This was also the same day when a series of bomb blasts killed over 50 people in London. Therefore, fans and the network blasted WWE for airing the segment on live television.
Tommaso Ciampa, who played a lawyer by the name of Thomas Whitney, Esq., was given the responsibility of issuing the apology as Muhammad Hassan was immediately taken off-air. It gave rise to a pandemonium because the entire angle was quite controversial.
While talking with Chris Van Vliet, Tommaso Ciampa recalled, “Yeah, he disappeared after this, but they were like you have to do an apology for his actions last week. And it has to come off as sincere and real because we’re actually apologizing to the network on live TV, because that’s what they requested. And it was just bizarre because in my head at this point, I’m like, with Jamie the promoter. I’m like, why didn’t they just hire an actor?”
Ciampa went on to recall that he was given a script to read the apology from. Additionally, he had also rehearsed the apology before going live with Vince McMahon, The Undertaker, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon. It was indeed a memorable moment and was no less than a controversy.
What was The Undertaker-Muhammad Hassan storyline?
On the July 7th episode of SmackDown, Ariya Daivari, the manager of Muhammad Hassan, was to face The Undertaker. Before the match could start, six masked men came down to the ring. They attacked The Phenom with weapons and carried him away. This was a part of the storyline that would lead to The Undertaker’s match with Muhammad Hassan at The Great American Bash.
Unfortunately, on the same day, there was a series of bomb blasts in London, which killed over 50 people. Therefore, the segment airing on the same day as the blast caught the eye of the media and fans. Therefore, WWE was lambasted for the segment.
Following his match against The Undertaker at The Great American Bash, WWE wrote Hassan off television permanently due to backlash. This led to Hassan’s release from WWE in September 2005. He never returned to the company and ultimately retired from professional wrestling altogether following the controversial incident.
In case you missed it:
- 10 most controversial moments in WWE history
- WWE’s top star reflects when he presumed WWE would portray him in a “terrorist persona” on television
Stay Updated!
Jaydeep Kulkarni
(488 Articles Published)