Bad joke on RAW causes WWE to do damage control

Manager A.W. made a crude joke last night on RAW that made reference to LA Laker Kobe Bryant and his trouble in 2003 when Bryant was accused of rape.
A.W. said of wrestler Titus O’Niel ” he’s like Kobe Bryant at a hotel room in Colorado … he’s unstoppable.”
The WWE immediately had announcer Michael Cole apologize on-air for the comment and later the WWE would formally apologize along with A.W. would would say “I would like to apologize to all the WWE Universe for my inappropriate and insensitive remark,” he wrote. “I went to far with that joke. #NotFunny!!”
The WWE has been offering edgier programming and toeing the line of the PG-13 rating but can ill afford any negative press while Linda McMahon, the wife of CEO Vince McMahon, continues her bid for Senate.