WWE’s new Trick Williams T-shirt, inspired by the phrase “Lemon Pepper Steppers,” has drawn the company into fresh controversy over its official merchandise.
The design features a white boot surrounded by chicken wings. It drew a strong reaction on social media, where some fans accused WWE of putting racially insensitive imagery on a Black wrestler’s shirt.
The shirt was pulled from WWE Shop following the backlash, we were told Tuesday morning. But it has since reappeared on the site.
WWE Euroshop is also still selling the shirt. The international version is listed there for about $46, depending on the page and any promotions available at the time.
The phrase “Lemon Pepper Steppers” was not coined specifically for the shirt. Williams has long used the term to refer to his shoes. During a March appearance on RoneDotCom, he explained what the phrase means.
“It’s like Wingstop, it’s like KFC, it’s the sauce that makes it a Lemon Pepper Stepper,” Williams said.
That ties Williams’ phrase to lemon pepper wings. But it was the decision to put fried chicken on official merchandise for a Black wrestler that drew much of the criticism.
A few days earlier, WWE’s merchandise department faced another controversy over a shirt marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. That shirt initially went on sale featuring an American flag with only 11 stripes instead of the official 13.