The world of pro wrestling often blurs the line between on-screen villainy and real-world respect, and a recent Becky Lynch promo in Birmingham, England, became a flashpoint for that debate.
Lynch’s promo, which referenced the recent passing of music legend and local icon Ozzy Osbourne, drew a sharp rebuke from his daughter, Kelly Osbourne, who publicly called the WWE Superstar a “disrespectful dirtbag.”
Former WWE star Shotzi Blackheart defended Lynch, suggesting the backlash came more from unfortunate timing than from genuine malice. According to Shotzi, Lynch, as a top heel, was following a classic two-pronged approach: paying tribute to a beloved figure with strong WWE ties while using that same moment to generate heat from the hometown crowd.
During an appearance on the TMZ Inside The Ring podcast, Shotzi expressed empathy for the Osbourne family’s grief while explaining the likely intent behind the promo:
“I feel for Kelly because I was so close to my father, and when he passed, everything was really sensitive for me. So I don’t think Kelly really meant what she said; I think she’s just very vulnerable right now. I believe Becky was putting Ozzy over, because she’s a huge fan of his, and I don’t think she intended disrespect. She’s also a heel, and Ozzy was a big part of WWE—Hunter loved Ozzy so much. I think they just wanted to pay a little tribute to him and also s—t on Birmingham. The timing was just so off. Obviously, Kelly and her family are going through a lot, and everything is really sensitive right now. It just wasn’t the right time. I disagree with the timing, but I do think everyone at WWE loves Ozzy, as the world does. It’s hard to say.” (h/t Wrestling News)
Shotzi ultimately framed the incident as a clash between the demands of portraying a heel and a family’s very real, recent grief.