The WWE said Tuesday that it was working to bar the virtual fan whose Ku Klux Klan video aired during Monday’s WWE Raw program.
The fan, whose screen was visible, aired a video of a man in KKK garb, complete with a white hood. The offensive video could be seen clearly during the Raw main event on USA Network.
“This abhorrent behavior does not reflect WWE’s values and we have zero tolerance for these unacceptable acts,” WWE said in a statement Tuesday. “We are working to ban those involved from future events and per our policies, any inappropriate actions result in the removal from the live stream.”
WWE debuted a futuristic new setting last Friday at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, that is being dubbed “ThunderDome.” The setup is complete with rows and rows of thousands of virtual fans streaming in live from their homes watching the show. The NBA also has added virtual fans to its broadcasts during the pandemic.
Fans must register online on WWE’s website to be a part of the show virtually. The terms and conditions to be shown on-air include not streaming smoking of any kind; political statements; anything “offensive, discriminatory or distasteful”; and violence. Per the online portal, breaking those provisions could lead to “removal and additional penalties.” It’s unclear whether there is any additional vetting of fans outside of the online registration.
Along with the KKK video, there were other clear violations of the terms of conditions, including a fan who aired a video of a man getting his throat slit and another fan who broadcast a photo of disgraced WWE performer Chris Benoit, who murdered his wife and son before killing himself in 2007.
A request for comment sent to USA Network was not immediately returned Tuesday.