World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has fallen under intense scrutiny after one of its Russian characters made an inappropriate comment alluding to the doomed flight MH17.

Lana, real name Catherine Joy Perry from Florida, is the ‘manager’ for wrestler Rusev.

She accompanied Rusev into the ring and took their American-hating characters too far by saying: ‘You blame Russia for these recent current events!?’


Lana went on to say: ‘Tonight we dedicate this match to the most powerful man in the world. Tonight we dedicate this match to the man that makes fools out of all of you Americans.

Lana made reference to ‘recent events’ (Picture: YouTube)

‘He is my role model. He is my idol. The president of Russia.’



While Lana did not make any specific reference to the Malaysia Airlines tragedy, viewers drew links to the current debate about Russia’s involvement with the crash.

It sparked an immediate backlash on social media.

@StephMcMahon whoever decided it would be a good idea for Lana to use #MH17 to get heat needs to be fired. Hugely negative press for WWE. — Steve Actual (@actualsteve) July 21, 2014

https://twitter.com/JCDemonReaper86/status/491220695947288576

I was very surprised @WWE allowed MH17 to be entered in the Rusev storyline, that doesn't bode well for him. @WNSource — Dee A Em (@ThisIsDAM) July 21, 2014

Can't believe WWE used Flight MH17 – 'current events' – as cheap heat in the Rusev v Swagger match. That's not cool. #WWEBattleground — kavinnashz (@thekavinnashz) July 21, 2014

Cheap by #WWE still praising Vladimir Putin for a story, I imagine if there were Americans onboard #MH17 it wouldnt happen! #Controversial — Daz Chadderton (@dazchad) July 21, 2014