WWE accused of promoting “racist trash” after Mr McMahon Netflix doc

As a long-time wrestling enthusiast who grew up watching the WWE’s heyday unfold, I have to say that Mr. McMahon, the recent Netflix documentary, has left me with a mix of emotions. On one hand, it’s fascinating to delve into the behind-the-scenes storytelling and the impact these characters had on us fans. However, on the other hand, I can’t help but feel disheartened by the revelations of problematic moments, such as the racist slurs and discriminatory practices that have tarnished the legacy of some of my beloved wrestlers.


In a more straightforward rephrase: The WWE is facing criticism over controversial plotlines featuring wrestlers like Iron Sheik and Hulk Hogan, as well as instances of blackface depicted in the Netflix documentary titled “Mr. McMahon,” which has been labeled as “racist rubbish.

Instead of delving deeply into the recent controversies surrounding Vince McMahon and the sexual misconduct allegations against him, the main focus of the newly released documentary series primarily revolves around chronicling the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

These episodes offer a chance for both fans and those not familiar with wrestling to reflect upon the controversial plots that surfaced during wrestling’s peak period.

Among them was Hossein Vaziri, also known as The Iron Sheik. Notable figures in the WWE, whose conversations were held prior to the surfacing of accusations, share insights on how real-world politics shaped their scripted narratives.

The Iron Sheik vs nationalism

According to McMahon, “The Iron Sheik was one of the most detested characters we’ve ever had playing a villain in our company.” He further explained, “At that time, there was a strong wave of nationalism. A lot of ‘USA! USA!’ sentiments were common. For many years, we faced difficulties due to the tensions between America and Iran.

WWE accused of promoting “racist trash” after Mr McMahon Netflix doc

Transition between scenes showcasing the crowd’s antagonistic responses towards The Iron Sheik. Meanwhile, veteran WWE figure Bruce Prichard shares insights on how personalities like The Iron Sheik served as objects for American viewers to channel their disdain.

According to Prichard, “You observe events, then craft a narrative based on those observations, allowing people to respond in ways they might not be able to in real-life situations.

It’s unlikely you’ll encounter an Iranian sheikh on the street who you can jeer at and witness being physically harmed, but if you attend wrestling events, such incidents might occur.

In episode 2, McMahon explains that he used the escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iraq as inspiration to transform Robert Remus, who was previously known as a hero (babyface), into a villain (heel).

In my gaming world, my former persona was that of an honorable American veteran. But now, I’ve stepped into a new character – one draped in a keffiyeh, standing firm with the Iraqi administration. I find myself speaking out against them, labeling their actions as brutal.

After the 1990 invasion of Kuwait and the resulting political turmoil that culminated in the Gulf War, McMahon and the WWF leadership chose to retire the character of Remus due to the escalating death threats he was receiving in reality.

WWE faces backlash from Mr. McMahon viewers

Additionally, the documentary on Netflix features several questionable instances, such as depictions where white wrestlers appear wearing blackface. In this production, McMahon defends these scenes as reflections of the era.

Back then, things were entirely distinct – the era, lifestyle, moral compass. If such actions were taken now, they’d create issues, he remarks.

Nevertheless, following Mr. McMahon’s release, the WWE has encountered criticism from many viewers. On Twitter, one individual voiced their disapproval by saying, “Engaging in a dispute while a real-life conflict is ongoing is unbelievable.

One individual responded, “Bigotry and hate. Being of Iranian-American descent, the portrayal of the Iron Sheik and Vince McMahon’s prejudiced attitudes have left me with no desire to support or appreciate him.

As a gamer, I shifted my attention towards Hulk Hogan, who goes by Terry Bollea in real life. In the year 2015, the National Enquirer released a recording where he used a derogatory racial term while discussing his daughter’s relationship and admitted to having racist views, up to a certain point.

In Episode 2, it’s disclosed that Bollea shared with McMahon the WWE wrestlers who intended to form a union as a means of safeguarding themselves within their profession.

WWE accused of promoting “racist trash” after Mr McMahon Netflix doc

In another phrase: “On the second installment of Vince McMahon’s documentary on Netflix… One individual claimed that Bro Hulk Hogan wasn’t merely a racist, but also an informant. He had reported fellow wrestlers to McMahon for wanting to form a union.

Another said, “Yo that #MrMcMahon documentary is all kinds of informative of the evil s**t Vince McMahon has done. Also f**k @HulkHogan for ruining so many possible careers just so his racist ass could stay on top of WWE.”

Former WWE writer’s lawsuit

In the past, there have been challenging instances associated with WWE, one of which occurred last year when Britney Abrahams, a former WWE writer, filed a lawsuit against the WWE itself, Vince McMahon, his daughter Stephanie, and other high-ranking officials within the organization. The reason for this legal action was claims of racial discrimination.

WWE accused of promoting “racist trash” after Mr McMahon Netflix doc

The complaint alleges that Abrahams claims she experienced “unfair treatment, harassment in a toxic work environment, unjust dismissal, and illegal reprisals… based on her racial background, skin color, and sex.

As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but address some concerns that have surfaced. Reports suggest the presence of racially insensitive storylines within our beloved world, such as an idea pitched by employee Ryan Callahan about a Caucasian male wrestler who would ‘hunt’ another male wrestler, specifically a Black one, for amusement. It’s crucial that we, as fans and supporters, advocate for diversity, inclusion, and respect in all aspects of our favorite universe.

The filing also claims the “WWE forced wrestler Apollo Crews to speak with a Nigerian accent,” and Callahan suggested a secret for wrestler Mansoor could be that “he’s behind the 9/11 attacks.” 

It goes on to describe how Black writers allegedly faced pushback when questioning the problematic storylines. 

In the year 2021, a Black female assistant working for a writer at the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) was let go following her complaint about the lead writer, Callahan, for fostering a work environment that was racially hostile towards African American staff members.

In October 2023, Abrahams chose to withdraw the court case, as reported by Bloomberg Law without specifying a reason for the withdrawal. This is just one of several occurrences highlighting the nature of McMahon’s domain.

Currently, Mr. McMahon is available for streaming on Netflix. To stay updated on true crime news, explore Casey White’s current whereabouts in Jailbreak, speculate about potential true crime stories that the creators of Monster might tackle next, and find out if smartschoolboy9 was ever taken into custody.

Read More

2024-09-26 13:27