WWE Apologizes for “Incident” with Russian Flag on “Monday Night Raw”

The Sept. 29 edition of “Monday Night Raw” from Chicago, Illinois, featured the prolonging of a mini-feud between Rusev and Big Show. Rusev, the dominating Russian who has taken down patriots like Jack Swagger and Mark Henry, was now tangling with Show.

It began on the Sept. 23 showing of “Main Event,” live on the WWE Network. Show promised to deliver a “KO Punch” to Rusev on the week’s “Smackdown,” following Rusev besting Mark Henry twice in two nights.

Big Show would deliver on his promise, avenging his friend’s beat downs. The Sept. 29 showing of “Raw” served as the aftermath of the knockout, with Rusev and Lana trying to spin the punch into a cheap action. Big Show would interrupt, shooting down the “propaganda.”

“The Giant” would even attempt to get his hands on Rusev, but each time, he and Lana would run away from the behemoth. Big Show found himself alone in the ring, with the Russian flag still hanging from the rafters from Rusev’s entrance. Show would pull the Russian flag down, standing tall at the end of the segment.

Following the “incident,” WWE issued an apology on its website, reading as follows:

“We at WWE would like to apologize to the Russian people for the incident on Monday Night Raw that could have been construed as disrespect for their nation’s flag.”

Editor’s Note

Come on. WWE didn’t apologize for Rusev and Lana turning the events in Crimea into heat, but apologizes for this? Chris Jericho feels your pain, Big Show.