Let's have a serious convo about Wrestling and Race

Joined
May 7, 2012
Messages
24,795
Reputation
-4,710
Daps
19,006
So you think Kofi has the green-light to just do whatever he wants in the ring? If he became a brawler or mat wrestler on his own, you don't think he'd get in trouble backstage?

Truth is, if Booker T spent his career in WWF, he would've NEVER became the champion he became.

White guys already have the advantage due to the fan demo.....using Del Rio is a poor example b/c he's Hispanic and more importantly, speaks as such as well.

I don't think Kofi needs the green light to basically switch up his style. He can cut out all the comic book shyt but he doesn't, he seems to be content with his place.
 
Joined
May 7, 2012
Messages
24,795
Reputation
-4,710
Daps
19,006
JR touched on this one a legends of wrestling...same problem Shelton had

That's honestly what it is. There was a whole batch of up and comers who didn't want it like that.

I just don't remember these dudes ever improving on their raw ability. Same with MVP who got jobbed out a bunch and couldn't handle it and wanted out. Then we remember Bryan was a job guy for a while there too and he fought through it.

Hell I don't blame them, sometimes a roster spot is good enough, especially if you got that shyt for 10-15 years, eat off that and be happy. But they're making no impact on the product whatsoever, outside of Kofi's RR spot each year
 

jadillac

Veteran
Joined
Apr 30, 2012
Messages
58,522
Reputation
9,907
Daps
180,377
I don't think Kofi needs the green light to basically switch up his style. He can cut out all the comic book shyt but he doesn't, he seems to be content with his place.

that's a lame company line excuse. :yawn:

You can go to Vince and you have two options. Either he likes your idea OR he shoots it down. And if he shoots down your idea, that could also land you int he doghouse backstage. Regardless of how you approach him

You hear the stories about dudes telling Vince they don't like their character, they make a suggestion and then go on to superstardom, but I'm positive that's NOT a viable option for every guy. If it was the product would be a lot better
 

Miracle Violence

Animal Instinct
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
790
Reputation
-189
Daps
482
Like I said hell you can look at TNA/indies/ROH etc and you still can't find a black wrestler who you could say has got that potential.

Not true. Ricochet and Uhaa Nation both have genuine star potential. They're arguably the two best prospects on the indie circuit right now.
 

I-Hate-You

Veteran
Supporter
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
30,817
Reputation
2,943
Daps
63,802
Personally, Kofi strikes me as the kind of guy who does want it.

Always in top shape. Always puts on a good to great show. Not many if any negative stories attached to him. Lowkey almost at every WWE public meet and greet event.

and shyt...the one time they tried something with him, it kinda worked.
 

TNC

Hardbody
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
4,965
Reputation
995
Daps
9,614
There are less black people in America compared to whites (and now Hispanics). So even if you had accurate and equal representation, we would at best be 1 out of 10.

That said, I've always believed their are levels to this racism shyt. EVERY person has some level of bias for or against SOMETHING and that's ok, I don't consider that racist. What's racist is when you let you biases completely control your judgment and decision making. Then there is a shaky middle grey area.


As it goes with wrestling, it started out in America white city and rural areas, by white men. Something about the industry attracts non-forward thinking people but when your industry was created by rednecks, there is gonna be a lack of diversity present. That culture has continued throughout the history of wrestling (and America) and probably not change until the overall demographic of the country changes. And for all the jokes, I really don't feel Vince or the WWE is racist, I DO think they have a tendency to err towards more white performers and cater to appeal to things in white American culture FIRST. Part of that is because Vince and ALL of upper management are white and probably don't interact with blacks often that aren't talent, the other part is that the dollar dictates decisions. Rock was clearly a black champion, but his appeal and drawing power was UNDENIABLE, Rock set the tone for what a Black WWE champion has to be or live up to which will be unrivialed, meanwhile we've had white WWE champions such as The Miz, Sheamus, Jack Swagger, JBL and Dolph Zigger. THAT is the bar for white performers in the WWE, and you can't really argue any of those guys were a draw, so what REALLY pushed them to get a shot as champion?
 

TNC

Hardbody
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
4,965
Reputation
995
Daps
9,614
Also, as with the trend in human nature, people tend to flock to areas or industries they feel they are wanted or can succeed in. Sports are one example, but they are a meritocracy, as you receive based on what you earned on your performances. With Blacks being 10% of the population but over 70% of the NFL and 90% of the NBA, people see and notice these things so most black kids see they can succeed in these industries so they flock to them. If there were more visible and successful blacks in wrestling, it would probably attract more blacks to wrestling.
 

TNC

Hardbody
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
4,965
Reputation
995
Daps
9,614
Only one I can really think of is Bobby Lashley.


And even HE left the company and cited racial practices to why he left. I mean, I don't think the WWE are completely racist, but there IS some level of racial bias towards who they pick to push.
 

Jmare007

pico pal q lee
Joined
Apr 30, 2012
Messages
48,258
Reputation
6,561
Daps
116,791
Reppin
Chile
Willie Mack about to change the landscape of the business :mjpls:

:russ:
:sadcam:
 

CM_Burns

Superstar
Joined
May 1, 2012
Messages
23,135
Reputation
40
Daps
35,588
Reppin
NULL
There are no black wrestlers now that are obvious money drawing, main event talent that they're holding down, but a lot of times those guys are developed by being pushed consistently and being given major storylines. They forced Cena on us, and it basically always worked in that he was always over and was never really met with a flopped angle until he became a main eventer. Randy Orton and Batista on the other hand, were getting pushed for a while without really getting the crowd to care that much or being draws. It took years of being forced into that spot in Orton's case for him to really get over on that star level. Sheamus has been legit over for a while now, but he was an overpushed bum for at least a year, people didn't care about Wade Barrett for years...

As of now, putting Kofi or Big E in a big main event situation would fail, but if they were given storylines to really make people care about their characters over time, and built up as a big deal, those are two guys I think could possibly make it work. Truth as a heel a few years ago was another. Getting pushed seriously in a major, interesting storyline can do wonders for a performer, just look at Husky Harris.

These can't miss, obvious guys are more rare than the ones with potential you take a chance on, and I can't say Big E or Kofi is a worse choice to bet something on than Barrett or Curtis Axel.
 

Rack4K

Banned
Joined
May 3, 2012
Messages
4,793
Reputation
1,064
Daps
19,662
Reppin
BK
Wrestling always relied on it's whiteness. With blacks dominating most other major sports, wrestling was always a valuable alternative for the average white american. It was the only 'sport' where blonde hair dudes were treated as top competitors. Minorities were just used to spice the roster up and fill niches.

The idea that there wasn't enough blacks who had main event level talent was always a lie. Blacks were just never given the opportunity to develop on that level. MVP, Elijah Burke, Monty Brown, Kenny King, Titus O' Neil, Big E, Brodus Clay, etc could work if people put the kind of effort into them that was put into Randy Orton or Batista, but when it's time for those monday morning meetings and the question is asked: "who should we put maximum effort into", they go with what they know. Caucasian facial features, big physique, maybe long hair. Not everybody in the main event fits that formula but that's their ideal.

Is there really a large gap in talent between Big E and Roman Reigns? But there's a large gap in TV time between Big E and Roman Reigns....
 
Top