Is WWE racist?

[Scroby 0]

Edit: I decided right after the post not to get in the middle of the IB vs Nik match.

[Guest Dazed]

That was not my intention at all, Scroby. The discussion with -iB- is over, please continue the thread.

 

 

Nik

[Scroby 0]

actually I was going to, but agreeing with IB because it seem liked they were joking around, but I didn't wanna like get in the middle of it, so yeah.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

Some points as to why WWE probably aren't racist:

 

- D'Von Dudley being a part of one of the most popular tag teams in WWE history.

- The (failed) pushes of Mark Henry, D'Lo Brown and Jazz, managed by Teddy Long, with their own faction.

- Booker T often getting into the main event spot when more Superstars are in need, and him being in the Raw main event at WrestleMania XIX.

 

I'm sure that there are more, but there are some to ponder.

[Guest hunger4unger]

No, WWE is not racist. Look at The Rock. Hell, they even pushed him down our throats since the day he debuted and it took ages for him to get over and actually start drawing for the company.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

How is making fun of someones race automaticly a "OMG RACIST!" statement? Al Pacino has been in lots of movies where he's simply "not nice" but does that mean he's really racist? Or is Dave Chappelle racist because he likes doing skits using obscene language?

 

I am far from racist and can spout off any racial comments ever, because it's been decensitized. If this were the 60's, or even 70's, than yeah, thats racist. But when for example words like "N*****" are used on regular ol' TV, I think it's pretty hard to say "WOW! RACISM!".

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

It's plain and simple. Racist, no. Ignorant, yes.

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

How is making fun of someones race automaticly a "OMG RACIST!" statement? Al Pacino has been in lots of movies where he's simply "not nice" but does that mean he's really racist? Or is Dave Chappelle racist because he likes doing skits using obscene language?

 

I am far from racist and can spout off any racial comments ever, because it's been decensitized. If this were the 60's, or even 70's, than yeah, thats racist. But when for example words like "N*****" are used on regular ol' TV, I think it's pretty hard to say "WOW! RACISM!".

Yes, but an Al Pacino heel and Dave Chappelle's language has really nothing to do with race.

 

You're right - times have changed since a word such as that was considered highly racist.

 

Changed for the better?

[cawthon777 0]

Some points as to why WWE probably aren't racist:

 

- D'Von Dudley being a part of one of the most popular tag teams in WWE history.

- The (failed) pushes of Mark Henry, D'Lo Brown and Jazz, managed by Teddy Long, with their own faction.

- Booker T often getting into the main event spot when more Superstars are in need, and him being in the Raw main event at WrestleMania XIX.

 

I'm sure that there are more, but there are some to ponder.

Agreed.

 

They signed Mark Henry to a 10-year deal. They've been pushing Rey Jr. since his TV debut. They rehired Eddie, despite his past, and pushed him from the tag team to the US all the way to the world title within a year. Jonathan Coachman going over legit talent and being the most visible "interviewer" on TV.

 

If you're saying the WWE is "racist" for stereotypes - news flash: pro wrestling was built upon stereotypes. That's how they drew money. If you're going to blame the WWE for this then the same should be said of just about every other North American promotion.

 

For all Vince cares you could be technocolor. If he thinks you can draw money, you'll get pushed.

[Guest reshad974]

The way they portray the minorities wrestlers is very stereotyped.

Just look at Eddie Guerrero, any heel japanese wrestlers which when they turn face suddenly beccome an American wannabe (Hakushi taking english lessons with Horrowitz, taka michinoku taking driving lessons with Bradshaw...), Booker T.....

[Guest OctoberBlood]

By some of your definitions, every tv show in the world is racist. Stereotypes does not equal racism.

[Guest sanyo]

If you're saying the WWE is "racist" for stereotypes - news flash: pro wrestling was built upon stereotypes.  That's how they drew money.  If you're going to blame the WWE for this then the same should be said of just about every other North American promotion.

Yeah that was before- how does stereotypes sell now? People use stereotypes for a couple of minutes for their skits, not as their character.

 

Let's face it The Rock got popular because they was no stoping him. VInce knew he was a goldmined because they was nobody on that roster who could talk like him and he knew if he didn't push him pass that I.C title reign that people would be sending a few letters to the WWE.

 

As far as prejudice goes who cares about D-Von, Mark Henry, etc. D-von was made by ECW...and D-Von usually jobs 90% of the time for the Dudley's. Henry was signed for a 10-year deal because of his Olympics attachment. And they pushed them the wrong way because they kept using the race card which got tired, which is why Mack and Henry never got over (Henry more so just because he's just too big to be a wrestler).

 

I'm talking about minorities in the world title picture. On Raw there is no one. On Smackdown Eddie is champ just because of the crowd- you think WWE would have given him a chance if he wasn't getting huge pops? I also say WWE is blaming Eddie for the ratings on Smackdown. Booker is down the drain and he's going to job to Taker in a minute and after that nobody will think of him as championship material. OK so Booker went with the racist angle with HHH, fine....but the fact that he lost reinforenced HHH stereotypes...that's the beef I had. And they never followed up on it. That's racist!

 

HHH is racist. Thought I would add that in again.

[Dangerous A 0]

Nice to see that sanyo has no real proof that HHH is racist except that the man sounded "convincing" in a promo during the Booker T program. Real indicator of racism there, buddy. Man, next you'll be telling me wrestling is real.

 

WWE isn't racist, but they are clueless as all hell.

[Fro 0]

I'm pretty sure Vince is a little racist:

 

- Booker T feuds with HHH and Austin

 

- DX trashes the Nation's Locker Room

 

- Mark Henry as a sad Barry White parody

 

- Virgil and Saba Simba (nuff said).

 

- Teddy Long's racist shtick.

 

- The Nation of Domination

 

- Farooq gets fired but Bradshaw gets a megapush.

 

- Austin wearing a Confederate Flag on his back and hating the Coach for no reason. Austin's character really hinted at being racist at the end.

 

- Eddie being "stupid" and having to study for his GED and stealing stuff, not to mention his ridiclous accent (although it's better now).

 

- Kaientai choppy-choppying Val Venis's pee-pee and not being able to speak English.

 

- Samoans having "hard heads".

 

- French or French-Canadians being EVIL

 

- The FBI being Italian and in the mob

 

Not in the same genre, but Billy and Chuck and Rico are pretty bad as well (i.e., hate these guys because they're GAY).

 

Vince will push someone if he feels they'll make him money, though.

[Guest MikeSC]

Let's face it The Rock got popular because they was no stoping him. VInce knew he was a goldmined because they was nobody on that roster who could talk like him and he knew if he didn't push him pass that I.C title reign that people would be sending a few letters to the WWE.

Hardly. Fans were BEYOND sick of him before his heel turn. If Vince cut him at that point, quite a few smarks would have applauded the move.

As far as prejudice goes who cares about D-Von, Mark Henry, etc. D-von was made by ECW...and D-Von usually jobs 90% of the time for the Dudley's. Henry was signed for a 10-year deal because of his Olympics attachment. And they pushed them the wrong way because they kept using the race card which got tired, which is why Mack and Henry never got over (Henry more so just because he's just too big to be a wrestler).

Henry had a racial gimmick ONCE --- and that was last year. Before that, they were stupid gimmicks --- but his race wasn't an issue in any way.

 

And Mack didn't go over due to an amazing lack of in-ring talent combined with a total lack of charisma.

I'm talking about minorities in the world title picture. On Raw there is no one. On Smackdown Eddie is champ just because of the crowd- you think WWE would have given him a chance if he wasn't getting huge pops?

Umm, that's how MOST guys get their World Title runs.

I also say WWE is blaming Eddie for the ratings on Smackdown.

And you base this on?

Booker is down the drain and he's going to job to Taker in a minute and after that nobody will think of him as championship material. OK so Booker went with the racist angle with HHH, fine....but the fact that he lost reinforenced HHH stereotypes...that's the beef I had. And they never followed up on it. That's racist!

1) Booker ISN'T World Title material. Period.

 

2) HHH was building heat for a match by playing --- A JERK. Hey, look at that --- a guy pretending to be a racist was *gasp* A HEEL!

 

Now, if Vince pushed him as a face, you might have a point.

HHH is racist. Thought I would add that in again.

Can you, you know, point to an ACTUAL example? I don't remember Rock ever mentioning that --- and God knows they worked together plenty.

-=Mike

[Guest JMA]

It's plain and simple. Racist, no. Ignorant, yes.

I'd have to agree with this statement.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Henry had a racial gimmick ONCE --- and that was last year. Before that, they were stupid gimmicks --- but his race wasn't an issue in any way.

Um, can we say "Nation of Domination"?

[Guest JMA]

1) Booker ISN'T World Title material. Period.

I disagree. Booker has a good build, charisma, better than average wrestling ability, and most importantly, he was over. That's all a wrestler really needs to be a good World champion.

 

Hell, they even gave the belt to Warrior and Sgt. Slaughter.

[Guest MikeSC]

I'm pretty sure Vince is a little racist:

 

- Booker T feuds with HHH and Austin

Where was the racial aspect of the Austin program?

- DX trashes the Nation's Locker Room

 

- Mark Henry as a sad Barry White parody

Ah, anybody thinking they're a lady's man when they're not is racist? Got it.

- Virgil and Saba Simba (nuff said).

Virgil was a rib on Dusty --- and just in case you missed it, he also got sick of DiBiase and beat him up for a while.

 

As Saba --- Atlas sucks.

- Teddy Long's racist shtick.

Because black militants don't exist.

- The Nation of Domination

Again, black militants don't exist

- Farooq gets fired but Bradshaw gets a megapush.

Of course, Faarooq also had a drinking problem he refused to get help for...

- Austin wearing a Confederate Flag on his back and hating the Coach for no reason.  Austin's character really hinted at being racist at the end.

Austin is a "redneck" --- and Coach was a heel. That's why people hate him.

- Eddie being "stupid" and having to study for his GED and stealing stuff, not to mention his ridiclous accent (although it's better now).

True, that was idiotic.

- Kaientai choppy-choppying Val Venis's pee-pee and not being able to speak English.

The castration angle was sub-moronic --- but racist?

 

And, well, have any of them ever shown a great ability to speak fluent English? Funaki has one hell of an accent.

- Samoans having "hard heads".

And Vince started that.

- French or French-Canadians being EVIL

Again, racism?

- The FBI being Italian and in the mob

Seeing as how FBI stands for "Full Blooded Italians" --- them being Italian makes a bit of sense.

 

And it's a rip-off of Heyman's angle in ECW.

Not in the same genre, but Billy and Chuck and Rico are pretty bad as well (i.e., hate these guys because they're GAY).

Afain, Vince started this. Gorgeous George? Probably Vince's idea.

Vince will push someone if he feels they'll make him money, though.

Which single-handedly kills the "racist" charge.

-=Mike

[Guest Trivia247]

It was said earlier.... All the WWE/F does is Stereotype they don't do out n out racism. Mr. Fuji wearing clothes better suited for a Chinese Comic Book Villian in the 80's early 90's(Even though he's Japanese)

They may have made Tatanka look goofy, but he had a Winning streak for 2 Damn Years? Samoans have hard heads.. Well gee in the Wrestling business thats a PLUS. With Kaientai its different, they didn't get much success as a tag team or singles (Even though Taka did win the L H title and held onto it for a while) its simply that Vince doesn't know what to do with Cruiserweights. Still don't.

[Guest Astro]

Anyone want to give me odds on how long it takes til Sanyo gets banned?

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Trivia...off topic, but what's the story behind all those heels being in the ring at the same time?

 

Cellebrating Savage becoming King or something else?

[Guest MikeSC]

Trivia...off topic, but what's the story behind all those heels being in the ring at the same time?

 

Cellebrating Savage becoming King or something else?

Yup.

-=Mike

[Guest Trivia247]

Trivia...off topic, but what's the story behind all those heels being in the ring at the same time?

 

Cellebrating Savage becoming King or something else?

I believe so, the corination.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

OK, thought so.

 

If I were a face wrestler at the time...I'd turn heel and join them, because Duggan was no longer King.

[cawthon777 0]

Anyone want to give me odds on how long it takes til Sanyo gets banned?

His poor use of grammar should be reason enough.

[Guest BillyTheStud]

Life's too short to go out of your way to find things offensive.

[haVoc 0]

- French or French-Canadians being EVIL

Again, racism?

Discrimination

 

Don't forget though, a French-Canadian is the Raw champion.

[notJames 0]

Benoit is from Alberta, which is not really considered "French-Canadian". That term is usually reserved for people from Quebec, although I don't consider those separatist bastards as being Canadian.

 

(Apologies to anyone from Quebec. Don't want to come off as racist... or stereotypifying... )

[haVoc 0]

I meant it more as Benoit is French and from Canada