Black Wrestlers: Racism Worse Now Than Before?

Hello, everyone. I would like to, once again, thank you for checking out my latest read.

Folks, today I would like to discuss an issue I see rarely talked about. It is an issue that maybe sensitive to some people. I feel as though it must be discussed, so I'm going to write about it. The issue at hand is racism in pro wrestling.

It was strange how the issue even came up in my head in the first place.

Me and my buddy at work were talking about guys that should be champion. I mentioned Shelton Benjamin because he happens to be one of my favorites.

After our discussion, though, it got me thinking. I said to myself "Why isn't Benjamin the champ? He has the looks, and skills second to none." At this point in is his career he is considered a ring leader in my opinion.

I said to myself, "Well, maybe it's his promo work." If I recall, though, Bret wasn't the best on the stick.

So I thought, well maybe they just don't feel he is ready yet. Why would they think that, though?

That is when the ugly "R word" popped in my head, folks.

Now folks, before you go crazy thinking I'm nuts, I had to do some research because I was curious on the matter.

Throwing all personal feelings aside, let's look at some of the facts. Due to a lot of misinformed people, there are many people who believe that Ron Simmons was the first black Heavyweight Champion.

This, my friends, is very far from the truth. The fact is there were many black heavyweight champs. You had guys like Bobo Brazil, who beat Buddy Rogers for the NWA title in 1962.

The fun doesn't stop there, kiddies. You also had JYD, who won gold when the Mid South was big. We also had the likes of Abdullah the Butcher, Bearcat Brown, and Ernie Ladd.

I could go on, but I think the point is made. Now before you say those titles didn't mean as much, let me stop you there and tell you that you are wrong.

Before the territories died away, those were very prominent belts to hold.

Not only were there more black champions, but there were more black superstars in the squared circle. This, my friends, is a fact. Look it up if you doubt me.

Once the territories did die away though, don't you find it a little odd, that you can count on one hand how many different black heavyweight champs we have had?

I find it hard to believe, that all of a sudden the skill levels in black wrestling just died away.

Are you trying to tell me that guys like Butch Reed, Tony Atlas, Rocky Johnson, and Ahmed Johnson—just to name a few—weren't good enough to be in the title picture?

It gets worse folks, trust me. Since the end of the territories. It seems to me every wrestler that wasn't white was made to look like a buffoon, thug, or moron for the most part.

I'm going to run a few names by you. There are more, but I don't have enough time to list them all.

In the WWF we had Koko B. Ware, Flash Funk, Kamala, Viscera, Mo, and Papa Shango just to name a few.

Take a look at are current rosters. Between the WWE, ROH, and TNA. There are maybe a dozen black wrestlers. Feel free to look if you doubt me.

While they're not all clowns, the racism and stereotypes are still there. Cryme Tyme and Awesome Kong are perfect examples of that.

This my friends is unacceptable, and it won't be stopped until more light is put on the issue.

The path-makers for black wrestlers, they had to deal with much more deadly race issues outside the ring. Inside the ring, though, they were treated with much more respect.

Indeed, in this wrestling fan's mind, racism has gotten worse in wrestling.

You may disagree, but before you do look up the facts yourself. You just might get enlightened like I was.

As always thanks for spending some time with me.

Good night and God bless.