Muhammad Hussan

[Myxamatosis 0]

I think so.

 

The WWE's angles have never been portrayed or seen as proactive to me. They've always been reactive (US goes to war in Desert Storm - Slaughter is Iraqi turncoat). Whenever a politicially or socially charged angle or storyline came to develop (IE: Nation of Domination, Bret vs USA), I always watched it and thought:

 

"This is so lame and irrelevant. They're talking about things that have existed and been thrown around the public water cooler for decades."

 

But with Hussan's angle, I feel as though the WWE is giving voice to something that hasn't been given much media overexposure. The hardships Arab Americans have faced post 9-11 is a very relevant issue in our society. I'm not much of a news buff, but I haven't seen any in-depth features or stories speaking about these hardships.

 

This is one of the only angles the WWE has ever had that is proactive. There is so much potential with this angle, it frightens me.

 

Just watching tonight, with Hussan citing Cornell news reports, it's the ultimate "Heel completely believes he's right and no one is going to stop him" situation.

 

While watching, I also thought of something Raven once said. He talked about some of the best wrestlers were the ones that could always "talk" you into the arena.

 

The ability to cut intense, compelling promos that either garner the fans attention ot admiration is ten times more valuable than technical or high-flying wrestling ability. I see that in Hussan.

 

I love it. I just hope WWE doesn't have King squash him.

[Guest Trivia247]

Its a great angle because its actually a smart one.

 

Almost a reverse psychology.

 

An Arab-American character that was born and raised in America and basically doesn't really preach any hate without explainations to it. and of course the fans boo and their pro usa chants and such.

 

Taking the point of view Not as an Iraqi Sympathizer, not as a Bin Laden follower or a Al Qaeda Enemy Combantant...Muhammad's character is one that people overlook when they steortype. the Angry Pissed off Arab American. Who before people messed with him about his race wouldn't have gave two shits over Bin Laden and his causes. Only after the character was pushed and pushed and suspected and hated just for what he is, did he turn.

 

Its actually compelling..

 

At the start of Sgt. Slaughter's Heel turn before the Iraqi sympathizer gimmick, he still was a heel who hated Pinko Comme sympathizers, basically hated Hacksaw and Nikolai Volkoff, who then turned face due to the fall of the Soviet union around that time frame.. Then Sgt went pro Hussen

[Precious Roy 0]

No. It's no different than any other shitty racial or political angle the WWE has ran over the years. It has a very slight potential to be relevant, which will never be realized because of what the WWE is, which at it's core is trashy entertainment. The only thing to come of this angle will be re-enforced stereotypes, on both sides.

[Styles 0]

Um, they're heels folks, and boring ones at that since WWE wants to be just offensive enough to be "edgy" but not far enough to lose sponsors. If they went all out and made them terrorist sympathisers it'd be interesting at least. They're out there to get USA chants and probably feed Sgt. Slaughter's bi-annual return match on RAW.

[Guest DeathBecomesYou]

I don't really mind Hussan, although I don't have high hopes for this debate between Hussan/Daivari and Lawler/JR. I see JR saying boring shit about Oklahoma and football, Lawler acting like a moron then somehow the arabs end up bumping for JR because god damn he's one tough bastard isn't he?

[Myxamatosis 0]

Um, they're heels folks, and boring ones at that since WWE wants to be just offensive enough to be "edgy" but not far enough to lose sponsors. If they went all out and made them terrorist sympathisers it'd be interesting at least. They're out there to get USA chants and probably feed Sgt. Slaughter's bi-annual return match on RAW.

Now, to say that WWE is a forward thinking and creatively-intellgent company is sometimes seen as a far fetched, but I think they realize Hussan works better in the long run (if he has one) not as a terrorist sympathizer, but something fans would more likely encounter in society.

 

It would seem too bush league to have him out there glorifying the actions of 9/11. Too be edgy is one thing and WWE has often been seen as trash entertainment. But this angle has much more potential than that.

[Precious Roy 0]

It has potential, sure, but will it be realized? No. Calling JR and King "infidels" should tell you where this is going.....

[Precious Roy 0]

*double post*

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Simon Dean insult segments > Hussan's blah blah blah whaaaaaaa!!!!!!! promos

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Sigh. I really hoped that everyone would share my sentiments when I say that political angles are dumb.

 

It's timelyness isn't the problem. The problem is that people usually don't like to be preached to about world events, social climate, or politics while watching a pro wrestling show.

[Precious Roy 0]

Sigh. I really hoped that everyone would share my sentiments when I say that political angles are dumb.

 

It's timelyness isn't the problem. The problem is that people usually don't like to be preached to about world events, social climate, or politics while watching a pro wrestling show.

Exactly. I automatically turn out when that shit comes up, because I'm watching for escapism and fantasy in general (the athletic aspect of the work first, but when it comes to the WWE it's more the general absurdist escapism), and when they run this shit it ruins it for me, and I tune out. I take genuine pity on the people who are stupid enough to hate this character and chant "USA" at the live shows, I'd probably go get a beer when he walked to the ring, or chant "IRAQ! IRAQ!" just to piss everyone off....

[Guest Jack Potts]

The fact that he showed up this week with an Arab headdress a la the Iron Sheik should indicate that WWE is going to handle this in their usual hamfisted manner. They're also employing the tired heel-attacks-Good-Ol'-J.R.-and-Lawler-comes-to-the-rescue gimmick that just speaks to the laziness of the booking. We all remember the wonders that did for Taz's in-ring career. As soon as the crowd started chanting "USA, USA," I was hoping Hassan would let out an exasperated, condescending sigh and say, " I AM an American, you imbeciles! That's exactly the simple-minded knee jerk response I'm talking about."

 

If Hussan and Lawler end up in a match, Hussan should get the upper hand and really look strong. After controlling much of the match, Hussan could slap some legit, painful looking submission hold on Lawler. The King tries to break the hold by raking Hassan's eyes. Hussan releases the hold and turns his back to check his eyes. Lawler tries to mount an attack, but cries out and crumbles to the mat. The ref checks on the King and calls off the match, indicating that Jerry's got a separated shoulder. Hussan ignores it/doesn't see it, CLOBBERS the staggered King with a high clothesline and goes for a pin, JUST as the timekeeper rings the bell. Lawler has to be carried out of the ring in a stretcher. Put him out for a couple weeks "convalescing" from a separated shoulder AND concussion with Jonathan Coachman taking his spot at the announcer's table.

 

To further confuse the misunderstanding vs. intentional act issue, J.R. could claim that as much as he detests Hussan's views, he thinks it could have been an accident, but heel announcer Coachman vigorously argues that Hussan attacked Lawler after the bell on purpose. Have another wrestler, like Rhyno, make a similar comment in the back to Hussan. Hussan would take offense, claiming that his comment was anti-Arabic and anti-Muslim. Rhyno could claim, "You know, it may not seem like it sometimes, but there are rules around here. We're competitive, but we watch out for one another in the ring. I think you went over the line. I'm not anti-Arabic or anti-Muslim. I'm just anti-asshole!"

 

That way, you can start Hussan on a strong feud with an active wrestler that plays into his righteously aggrieved character without overplaying the anti-American card.

[jester 0]

Hassan should be a face.

 

Have him go in as a guy who wants to compete in the wrestling ring, and accomplish as much as he can.

 

Then, get a heel to ask if he's an Arab.

 

"Arab-American, yes," he answers. So it's the HEEL that starts making an issue of his background. This angle would actually work better for JBL.

 

Hassan cuts promos saying that he is not ashamed of his heritage, is a patriotic American (and encourages USA chants), but he's not here to make some political statement, he just wants to wrestle. It's the heel that's making it political.

 

This has the potential to create an interesting face, and present an Arab-American as an interesting character who just happens to have Arabian background, it's not his sole reason for being.

 

All WWE is doing right now is presenting an evil foreigner who can't even remember to mention that he's not a foreigner. It's going over people's heads, and probably pissing off some ethnic groups as well.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Sigh. I really hoped that everyone would share my sentiments when I say that political angles are dumb.

 

It's timelyness isn't the problem. The problem is that people usually don't like to be preached to about world events, social climate, or politics while watching a pro wrestling show.

I completely agree with you.

[Guest Jason]

I was sitting at home watching as the fans chanted USA at them and I was wondering why are they chanting USA at an American? A few of the things that Muhsadd said tonight were basic bad guy stuff but he also threw in some facts but here is where I am really left scratching my head and that is that RAW next week and the debate will be on Long Island, New York at the Nassau Coliseum, a very liberal part of the country that is very anti-war. The WWF needs to be careful here and hope that all four people in the debate say the right things so JR and the King get cheered and Muhammed and Kosorov get booed. So was it strategy by the WWF to have these guys debut in very patriotic areas where it was easy to get heat or was it coincidence?

[Guest Jack Potts]

Hassan should be a face.

 

Have him go in as a guy who wants to compete in the wrestling ring, and accomplish as much as he can. 

 

Then, get a heel to ask if he's an Arab.

 

"Arab-American, yes," he answers.  So it's the HEEL that starts making an issue of his background.  This angle would actually work better for JBL.

 

Hassan cuts promos saying that he is not ashamed of his heritage, is a patriotic American (and encourages USA chants), but he's not here to make some political statement, he just wants to wrestle.  It's the heel that's making it political.

 

This has the potential to create an interesting face, and present an Arab-American as an interesting character who just happens to have Arabian background, it's not his sole reason for being.

This would have been a GREAT way to debut him, Jester!!

[Guest Fook]

As soon as the crowd started chanting "USA, USA," I was hoping Hassan would let out an exasperated, condescending sigh and say, " I AM an American, you imbeciles! That's exactly the simple-minded knee jerk response I'm talking about."

That's exactly what I was waiting for last night. His character is supposed to be American, so chanting USA should only help him. Hell, he should act like he's being cheered when it happens. He, along with everyone else, seems to have forgotten that and now he's a stereotypical foreign heel.

 

And next week's debate will suck balls.

[Guest Jason]

Can anyone say RIP OFF!! His character is a totaly rip-off of Iron Shek. Soon as he walked out with that music and that thing on his head he looked like a more built Iron Shriek end of story. It's practically the same angle Iron was a wrestler and was forcing Iraq/Iran, I'm not sure if it was during the Gulf war when Bush Sr. first invanded Iran/Iraq (was either Iran/Iraq I'm not sure). I just see him as a total rip off and if he does good in ring we will probably see him win the title just like Shek did. The WWE are not only recycling old storylines, but now gimmicks. YAY bring back The Goon!!

 

The angle was relivant, but I wasn't impressed at all when the other guy talks they should have a translator or something maybe subtitles. I've been seeing the promos for the last few weeks and I'm just not impressed the angle is relevant to the events in US and WWE planned it right because America is not as emotional on the topic as they were when it first happend. In my eyes even though the angle/gimmick is relivant Simon Dean is better in my eyes as his promos are just better this Hussan has talked about the same thing every week. I know he's trying to make a point, but he should use something different, his promos are becoming boring quickly and in the debate he will probably use the same thing again then him and King will end up fighting.

[what 0]

Can anyone say RIP OFF!! His character is a totaly rip-off of Iron Shek. Soon as he walked out with that music and that thing on his head he looked like a more built Iron Shriek end of story. It's practically the same angle Iron was a wrestler and was forcing Iraq/Iran, I'm not sure if it was during the Gulf war when Bush Sr. first invanded Iran/Iraq (was either Iran/Iraq I'm not sure). I just see him as a total rip off and if he does good in ring we will probably see him win the title just like Shek did. The WWE are not only recycling old storylines, but now gimmicks. YAY bring back The Goon!!

How is it a ripoff? They're not much alike other than the fact that they're arabic.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

How can you see him as a ripoff when you don't even know the timeline of the Iron Shiek?

[Guest Trivia247]

How can you see him as a ripoff when you don't even know the timeline of the Iron Shiek?

excellent question...

 

maybe its a ripoff because he perhaps RIPPED OFF poor old Iron Shiek, Robbed him blind of his best Persian Style Turbans.

 

No one said that Hassan wasn't going to turn out like just another Heel with an attitude problem. But the premise of his introduction is interesting. An Arab American pissed off at the way he percieves himself to be treated and then goes all anti american.

[Dangerous A 0]

I do not feel good about Hassan being put in with Lawler to do anything physical. If you've watched Lawler do matches the last 6 years or so, you'll know he sells for no one and works the match to where if he does job, he doesn't put the other guy over strong and will do something like pop right up after being counted down or insists on a fluke rollup with pulling the tights for the win so it looks more like a fluke than the other guys ability that beat him. As soon as I heard that Hassan was possibly being paired with King, I immediately thought to myself that Hassan is already going to have his legs cut from underneath him.

[Guest OSIcon]

Since I am home, I watched RAW last night for the first time in a while and since Hassan debut. My exact thoughts were that it could be a really good angle if it wasn't so offensive.

 

It's not necesarily the character or the issues they are exploring with him that make the whole thing offensive. It is that I didn't really see why he was a heel. He feels discriminated against and has very valid reasons for feeling that way. How does that make him heel? I don't think it is "wrong" to explore those issues or have a character like Hassan, but to say he is a "bad guy" because he feels discriminated against given the climate in the US is pretty offensive.

 

Everything else about the angle last night I really liked. I thought the anger displayed on the part of Diavari and Hassan was good and convincing. The showdown with Lawler/Ross was done in much more realistic way than a lot of those angles are done. Again, the tension was pretty convincing. The showing of Ross and the staredown with Lawler were well done.

 

I just have a tough time getting past the fact that the WWE is clearly portraying these guys as heels whenever the basis of their characters (feeling discriminated against) isn't really a heelish action at all.

 

It'll be really interesting to see how they handle the debate next week. They could even make it even more offensive by acting as if they are wrong for feeling how they do or lessen the offensivenss by pointing how that their concerns are valid, but their actions (attacking Ross and painting all Americans as being racist) are not.

[Tawren 0]

"I am an American. I deserve rights!"

"BOO! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!"

"Fine! I'll just attack the announcer then! MRREAHDSGREDFARFG!"

 

Wow. Deep.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

Have they been to Canada yet? How do Canadian crowds react to them?

[Guest Prof_Plague]

As soon as the crowd started chanting "USA, USA," I was hoping Hassan would let out an exasperated, condescending sigh and say, " I AM an American, you imbeciles!  That's exactly the simple-minded knee jerk response I'm talking about."

That's exactly what I was waiting for last night. His character is supposed to be American, so chanting USA should only help him. Hell, he should act like he's being cheered when it happens. He, along with everyone else, seems to have forgotten that and now he's a stereotypical foreign heel.

 

And next week's debate will suck balls.

If anything, isn't his gimmick supposed to show how he's "more American" than other everyone else?

[Guest Tjhe CyNick]

Have they been to Canada yet? How do Canadian crowds react to them?

They are coming here to Toronto on the 15th of Jan I believe, I predict Hassan will be the biggest babyface on the show. Unless they do something weak like have him insult the Leafs before he cuts a promo.

 

I like the gimmick because it exposes the ignorance of the average American. The fact that the fans chanted "USA" was priceless to me. Hopefully they use that for future promos for the guy.

 

Face facts, most Americans, or at least a lot of them are racist towards anyone that looks like they are from the Middle East. Hell they attacked another country in the Middle East just because they are in the Middle East, instead of attacking the country that funded 9/11.

 

So if he wrestled in any other country, Hassan would be a huge baby, but he's in America, so he's gotta play heel. To me that in itself is very relevant and a commentray on American society.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Hassen is not a rip off of the Iron Shiek.

 

Hassen is a Arab American, while Iron Shiek was not American.

 

I love this gimmick, and it has alot of potenntial. I hope Hassen kills Lawler at some point.

 

They say the plan is problay for Hassen to face Foley at Wrestlemania. So it looks like they got big plans for him.

[Myxamatosis 0]

Sigh. I really hoped that everyone would share my sentiments when I say that political angles are dumb.

 

It's timelyness isn't the problem. The problem is that people usually don't like to be preached to about world events, social climate, or politics while watching a pro wrestling show.

I completely agree with you.

There's a few points I want to make about these two posts:

 

1) I've seen views on both sides of this issue - Escapism vs. Realism in wrestling. The question itself is a bit ridiculous.

 

When these issues are handled ignorantly in the ring, similar angles are blackballed by fans as stupid or dumb.

 

(What else are we led to believe when WWE has carted out The Sultan, Iron Sheik, Slaughter, General Adnan and Cor. Mustafa?)

 

But with business down and the boom period gone, I think it would be a great opportunity, not to shock the audience, but to re-educate them. Once again, it goes back to my most important point and the one in which this topic should be debated upon:

 

This is the only angle, in probably ten years, that addresses an issue in a proactive manner.

 

Look at the best of Raw last week. The first thing they showcased was the Shelton/Vince/Trish parody of MNF. It was horribly unfunny and was lame because everyone had been talked to death concerning Owens and Desperate Housewives. They talk about "Woredrobe Malfunction" and act as though they are the Saturday Night Live of pro wrestling.

 

They're not. But if they tread on unchartered waters like they could be now, it's an issue that can bring pro wrestling out of the intellectual and social rut that it has been for over thirty years.

 

WWE sits and waits for something to happen and then steals it or mocks it in order to grab people's attention. They're social leeches.

 

But for once, they could be the ones making waves......

[Twisted Intestine 0]

Have they been to Canada yet? How do Canadian crowds react to them?

They are coming here to Toronto on the 15th of Jan I believe, I predict Hassan will be the biggest babyface on the show. Unless they do something weak like have him insult the Leafs before he cuts a promo.

 

I like the gimmick because it exposes the ignorance of the average American. The fact that the fans chanted "USA" was priceless to me. Hopefully they use that for future promos for the guy.

 

Face facts, most Americans, or at least a lot of them are racist towards anyone that looks like they are from the Middle East. Hell they attacked another country in the Middle East just because they are in the Middle East, instead of attacking the country that funded 9/11.

 

So if he wrestled in any other country, Hassan would be a huge baby, but he's in America, so he's gotta play heel. To me that in itself is very relevant and a commentray on American society.

He'll probably say something like... "You lazy Canadians sit idly by, and allow the Americans to do what they're doing to my people"