While speaking with the media to promote NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool II this past weekend, Triple commented on the rumors surrounding the status of Edge and Paige’s in-ring future with the company. Unfortunately, The Game’s comment about Paige was not only inappropriate, but a clear jab at her privacy being violated and way that Paige chooses to express her sexuality.
Triple H made the following “joke” when commenting on Edge and Paige:
“More importantly than that [returning to the ring], though, I would like to see them live long healthy lives. You know, Edge has kids. Paige – maybe. She probably has some she doesn’t know of, but um…”
You can see a video of the exchange below:
Even my boss jokes about me.. no wonder you guys still do it too. https://t.co/dOmZAiwvyX
— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) January 13, 2020
To Paige’s credit, she appeared to take the comment in stride and laugh it off. A number of her colleagues, including Renee Young and Nikki Bella were quick to come to her defense. Nikki went as far as to call out Triple H for his poor leadership.
The joke Triple H made is fairly common among men, where it’s often used in the context that you’re receiving praise because of how sexually active you are. The problem here is that jokes made in this context towards women are typically used to slut-shame, which is the act of criticizing women who are perceived to violate expectations of behavior and appearance regarding issues related to their sexuality.
So while it’s hard to imagine that Triple H meant to hurt Paige, his joke is very much not okay. Especially when you consider all of the online harassment she’s had to endure due to the violation of her privacy. Paige was open about how the harassment she endured caused her to hit rock bottom and she considered self harm because of it.
Outside of this incident, Triple H has always been incredibly complimentary of Paige and her abilities in and out of the ring. But that in no way excuses what he did. I hope to see an apology out of The Game sooner rather than later.
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