Is WWE racist?

[cawthon777 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... )

He was born in Montreal.

[notJames 0]

D'oh!

 

Now who do I side with?!? My nation of birth, or the now-tainted lineage of my Lord and Saviour?

 

What's an expatriate smark to do?

 

(sigh)

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

D'oh!

 

Now who do I side with?!? My nation of birth, or the now-tainted lineage of my Lord and Saviour?

 

What's an expatriate smark to do?

 

(sigh)

Watch puro. That is all.

[notJames 0]

I hate subtitles.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

I hate subtitles.

Learn Japanese then.....lazy bastard

[Guest cobainwasmurdered]

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.

That was then this is now. Booker's worthless since the end of the invasion in the ring, he doesn't put any effort into his matches, his movesets are not only vanilla but completely predictable. He messes up even his trademark moves sometimes and he's just been completely unentertaining.

 

Oh but it's the WWE's fault for not pushing him. Because you should only give your all when you're being pushed!

[Ripper 0]

Does anyone know what the word racist means?

[Guest MissMattitude]

If the WWE are racist then they are also sexist and homophobic.

[Guest sanyo]

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

For what? Giving my opinion? I think what the WWE did in the 80's was then, but doing the same stupid stereotypical gimmicks today is absurd.

 

What do you guys work for the WWE? You guys defend them like Vince is giving you a nice big fat paycheck. What do you fans get in return- nothing! Vince hates marks and so does HHH. For the last two years they ignore the smartmarks and continue to do what they wanted and you guys continue to defend them? I don't get it. Anyways banning me for giving me my opinion is absurd. I gave some valid facts. The gimmicks given to minorities are insulting to them and to me who has to watch it. I even forgot about stuff like the Nation. They continue to push the race card over and over and over and there is no point. Its dumb. I mean if one of the major newspapers actually covered it closely they would report not just the racist stuff but the homophobic stuff (remember Chuck and Billy? The media pissed on any credibility that the WWE had), making fun of mental handicaped people with Eugene, and not to mentioned all the countless # of times they have degraded women. Oh yeah I forgot the WWE has no credibility with any media outlets so WWE gets away with all this crap. I watch wrestling for wrestling, not insulting storylines. Anyone who thinks the WWE isn't racist needs to go to senitivity school or maybe start hanging out with some minorities for a change. MY OPINION.

[Vyce 0]

I'm not sure that the WWE is racist or homophobic.

 

(Notice I leave off sexist - I don't think any of us can defend the WWE there with a straight face.)

 

I do believe, however, that they are WOEFULLY insensitive towards issues about race and homosexuality. If it's one thing the WWE loves to do (besides insult our intelligence) is portray the same ridiculous stereotypes over and over again.

[Kizzo 0]

Once Rock is freed from the WWE "contract wise"....I hope he wriites a book about his years in WWE and did he feel any racism or see racism towards others in the locker room....In my opinion I think the book will mention racism alot if he were to release a book in the furture...and could damage the WWE's image even more...

 

On the topic, I think to some degree the company is racist....

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Racist:

 

1. The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a particular race is superior to others.

 

2. Discrimination or prejudice based on race.

 

The WWE hires different races and pays them equally with other wrestlers at their level, therefore they are not racist in that regard. They allow advancement for different races depending on their success.

 

The WWE portrays the different races they hire (or a significant % of) in stereotypical fashion *based on their race*. In that regard they are racist. And yes, that has been common throughout wrestling - wrestling has been a racist industry - as well as hollywood (which is also a racist industry but are more progressive than the WWE), so the WWE isn't off the hook because it is common. It is still not right because it is common.

 

And MikeSC, HHH said "people like Booker" (and then went on to list stereotypical 'black man' traits) can't beat people like him. That they can't win the gold. Yes, he was a heel. HOWEVER, *He* *Won* the match at WM, thus proving his statement correct - heel or not.

 

And while the WWE hires different races and "allows" for advancement, their treatment of Asians in particular has been very, very poor. Look at their road agents, the people in higher positions, they're mostly "white". I wonder if the amount of minorities in the WWE properly reflects that of American Society.

[Guest sanyo]

Rock has mentioned even publicly how its hard for a black man in this business and that it was even worse for his father Rocky Johnson who wreslted in a different era where racism was not hidden.

 

Also someone said HHH and Rock have fought countless times. True HHH and Rock fought millions of times. But if you ever listen to Rock's answer to who his close friends backstage are he says Austin and Foley. Never heard an HHH in his answer, ever. But hey that's just the 10-15 interviews I've read/heard of him in countless mags and on TV. Also when HHH mentions his fav from the past he never mentions a minority. I mean how could you not like Snuka? Pedro Moracles? Even suck up to the Rock and mention Rocky Johnson who was a hell of an athlete. But again will not offically imply he's racist anymore but read between the lines. It would be too obvious if HHH never fought a black man...that its too easy to call him a racist. Also since being world champ back in '99 I've never seen HHH lose to a black man cleanly except maybe Rock. By clean I mean no interference of any kind. Pinned one two three or tap out. He always loses with some interference. Shelton's win were flukes...until I see Shelton win with his finisher on HHH I'm not convinced people...I'm not convinced. A cheap Stinger splash for a roll-up and a count-out to me doesn't count as putting someone over. But maybe The Game will do the right thing who knows?

[Guest sanyo]

Also to comment on RRR he is right. EVery other industry has progress on the issue of minorities. Even Hollywood is churning out good minority actors. But with the WWE they have to stamp some stupid stereotype on a wrestler to get them over...which alot of these guys don't need. Eddie for sure doesn't need the stupid Hispanic jokes, he's more over then anyone on Smackdown...actually the most over in the WWE. I think the WWE needs to realize this isn't the 60's anymore and you don't need to stamp some stereotypical gimmick on a wrestler to get over...just let the wrestler get over. If he's good enough people will like him regardless of race. The Hirohito's, etc. are not needed.

 

Also again someone mentioned can Kaientai speak fluent english? Well remember Yokozuna? Though not Japanese he spoke fluent english and for the longest time many people didn't know that. How do you know if Funaki's accent is not just put there for TV. It would not be hard for him. Funaki has been in the US for 5 years now, I think he's english would be much more improved than it is led to believe on Smackdown.

[jester 0]

I do believe, however, that they are WOEFULLY insensitive towards issues about race and homosexuality. If it's one thing the WWE loves to do (besides insult our intelligence) is portray the same ridiculous stereotypes over and over again.

My feeling is that Vyce is right here.

 

I don't think that Vince, Stephanie JR, etc. sit around a boardroom table saying things like "Let's not push Booker T, because he's black."

 

It's a more subtle form of ignorance and idiocy that they suffer from. They might go so far as to say "We try to push black people and visible minorities, but they just don't seem to get over." And as evidence they cite the "FANTASTIC" gimmicks given to Saba Simba and Los Boriquas.

 

They should rent a copy of Def Jam Vendetta. A D-Mob like wrestler would be SO over.

[AndrewTS 0]

Funaki has been in the US for 5 years now, I think he's english would be much more improved than it is led to believe on Smackdown.

I doubt it, because Japanese speakers simply cannot speak English fluently unless they have been doing since they were children regularly.

 

And while the WWE hires different races and "allows" for advancement, their treatment of Asians in particular has been very, very poor. Look at their road agents, the people in higher positions, they're mostly "white". I wonder if the amount of minorities in the WWE properly reflects that of American Society.

 

If blacks account for approprimately 15% of the population, WWE is somewhat underrepresenting them, but there are still several there, and maybe there just aren't many black athletes trying to get into wrestling. Although that makes it vastly different from many "real" sports, such as basketball and football, which have far greater proportions of black athletes than the WWE or the general population.

 

Asians make up, last I checked, what, one or two percent? If so, that's about on par with the general population.

 

I don't know if I'd even consider "Latino" a race, though. Isn't it more descriptive of their region/culture of original than skin color?

[TheBigSwigg 0]

Also someone said HHH and Rock have fought countless times. True HHH and Rock fought millions of times. But if you ever listen to Rock's answer to who his close friends backstage are he says Austin and Foley. Never heard an HHH in his answer, ever.  But hey that's just the 10-15 interviews I've read/heard of him in countless mags and on TV. Also when HHH mentions his fav from the past he never mentions a minority. I mean how could you not like Snuka? Pedro Moracles? Even suck up to the Rock and mention Rocky Johnson who was a hell of an athlete. But again will not offically imply he's racist anymore but read between the lines. It would be too obvious if HHH never fought a black man...that its too easy to call him a racist. Also since being world champ back in '99 I've never seen HHH lose to a black man cleanly except maybe Rock. By clean I mean no interference of any kind. Pinned one two three or tap out. He always loses with some interference. Shelton's win were flukes...until I see Shelton win with his finisher on HHH I'm not convinced people...I'm not convinced. A cheap Stinger splash for a roll-up and a count-out to me doesn't count as putting someone over. But maybe The Game will do the right thing who knows?

Rock not mentioning HHH as a friend could have absolutely NOTHING to do with whether or not HHH is racist. It could be that he's an all around prick that only HBK could be friends with.

 

As for the fact that HHH doesn't mention a colored wrestler as one of his favorites, maybe he didn't get to see many as he was growing up. Wrestling was regional then. Maybe he didn't like the style of Snuka and Morales. It doesn't mean he's racist.

 

 

EDIT: HOLY SHIT, I just defended HHH

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

If blacks account for approprimately 15% of the population, WWE is somewhat underrepresenting them, but there are still several there, and maybe there just aren't many black athletes trying to get into wrestling. Although that makes it vastly different from many "real" sports, such as basketball and football, which have far greater proportions of black athletes than the WWE or the general population.

 

True. There is the issue regarding how many are looking to get into the field - this is the case with a lot of industry and companies that have racial issues to deal with. That's partly why Affirmative Action programs were/are established. The issue itself is moreso a societal issue than a wrestling issue, which is why I generally feel the WWE isn't racist in their hiring. This was more of a "wondering" than a statement - it's something to think about. The real issue, in terms of race, is with their portrayal on television.

[Guest Anglesault]

That was then this is now. Booker's worthless (...)in the ring,

Orton.

 

, his movesets are not only vanilla but completely predictable

Orton

 

. He messes up even his trademark moves sometimes

Orton

 

and he's just been completely unentertaining.

Orton.

[Guest JRE]

Yeah, Orton Orton Orton- but Booker's a veteran. A GRIZZLED veteran.

[Guest Lemmycake]

That was then this is now. Booker's worthless (...)in the ring,

Orton.

 

, his movesets are not only vanilla but completely predictable

Orton

 

. He messes up even his trademark moves sometimes

Orton

 

and he's just been completely unentertaining.

Orton.

Oh My! You are quite an angry fellow!

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

Funaki has been in the US for 5 years now, I think he's english would be much more improved than it is led to believe on Smackdown.

I doubt it, because Japanese speakers simply cannot speak English fluently unless they have been doing since they were children regularly.

 

And while the WWE hires different races and "allows" for advancement, their treatment of Asians in particular has been very, very poor. Look at their road agents, the people in higher positions, they're mostly "white". I wonder if the amount of minorities in the WWE properly reflects that of American Society.

 

If blacks account for approprimately 15% of the population, WWE is somewhat underrepresenting them, but there are still several there, and maybe there just aren't many black athletes trying to get into wrestling. Although that makes it vastly different from many "real" sports, such as basketball and football, which have far greater proportions of black athletes than the WWE or the general population.

 

Asians make up, last I checked, what, one or two percent? If so, that's about on par with the general population.

 

I don't know if I'd even consider "Latino" a race, though. Isn't it more descriptive of their region/culture of original than skin color?

I've heard some Japanese people speak very good English. I do believe they study it in school, and I've heard two Japanese bands that speak very good English, the Penpals who sing exclusively in English as far as I know, and Puffy aka Puffy AmiYumi who led their first American CD with an English song and they'd just barely gotten over here. I think Funaki's Jackie Chan like accent is fake like Eddie's

[chaosrage 0]

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?

So what you're saying is WWE doesn't push any minorities unless they're talented and they're popular. And then they will push them.... But on the other hand, if they have no talent and nobody cares about them, then they won't get pushed. So WWE = RACIST. Did I get that right?

[AndrewTS 0]

MMoM: Yeah, they do offer it in Japanese schools, but unless some one can verify Funaki can speak fluent English, I have my doubts.

[AndrewTS 0]

"So what you're saying is WWE doesn't push any minorities unless they're talented and they're popular. And then they will push them.... But on the other hand, if they have no talent and nobody cares about them, then they won't get pushed. So WWE = RACIST. Did I get that right? "

 

You could argue WWE pushes plenty of white guys that aren't shown to be talented or popular either, but they don't do it with black...

 

Wait, there's Mark Henry, Orlando Jordan, and Rodney Mack.

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

MMoM: Yeah, they do offer it in Japanese schools, but unless some one can verify Funaki can speak fluent English, I have my doubts.

Oh, I understand, I'm just throwing out those points for people to chew on, along with the fact that we know Eddie's accent is gimmicked.

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

This thread needs mercy killing...someone contact Kingofthe9090.

[Guest sanyo]

Well Mack and Jordan never got fair pushes. Mack had this unbeaten streak and then he started to job every week. What kind of push is that? Henry was getting one until he got injured but even I'll admit he should not get one.

 

And yes lots of white guys get undeserving pushes :coughs: JBL :coughs:. Not to mention all the worthless talents like Lex Luger who if he was black would never get the push. Sycho Sid. If he was black would have never gotten that kind of push. Kevin Nash, yada yada yada...how many do you want me to name who nobody cared about and sucked yet got world title pushes. And someone had the nerve to say Booker T didn't deserve a World Title shot. What a bunch of crap.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Sanyo: What about Mabel's push?

[Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes]

Sanyo: What about Mabel's push?

Damn You~! I tried blocking that period out of my mind. Now, I will hve nightmares of World champion MABEL for two weeks.