We definitely have to acknowledge the effort to push Black talent in the WWE right now

[daemonova]

The marks will never give em props for this.

But they’ll praise Punk for having 1 throwaway match with Hobbs on rampage with a clean pin. Hobbs looks like he’d knock Punk the fukk out into a coma with 1 back handed bytch slap, I’m supposed to believe the short order cook can kick his ass smh.

Bet he make a mean patty melt

 

[daemonova]

Like I said in the Extreme Rules thread, I wouldn't be surprised if Comcast buys WWE in the next 10 years.

They already got a universal champion.

 

[InstantKlassik]

They playing catch up..as usual. Too late to fully appreciate it. I’m glad Lashley is having his run though.

 

[Saysumthinfunnymike]

When a black talent becomes the face of the company like the Rock was back in 2000, I'll believe you.

When a black talent is considered and treated as if he is "The Guy" in the WWE like Roman currently is -- or have Lashely wreck Roman's shyt for the Universal title --, I'll believe you.

Until then, I'll take current affairs for what they are and enjoy it while it lasts.

in some ways it's her own doing because she's out there making connections w/o the help of WWE but Sasha is pretty close to being a "face of the company" person. She got on The Mandalorian, she is typically the one advertisers and media people want.. etc

 

[Neuromancer]

The Hurt Business is back.

 

[AMcV'88]

felt like they began to focus on it during the Thunder Dome when there was no hick fans in shythole towns they visit in America to get any sort of negative reaction.

Aew pushes black wrestlers too!

On youtube

lmao... they get a two for one special with this kid. "theres your diversity for the night"

 

[Pull Up the Roots]

Serious question: after years and years of the WWE and Vince obviously being racist and co-signing racist shyt what is more likely: a. They had a legitimate change of heart. B. They saw some demographic numbers, the political/cultural climate, and decided it would be a good look?



Semi-related: Outside of Sasha who is actually a star?

I don't believe it's demographics numbers - Black engagement has remained in the ~26% range for decades - even going back to when Black wrestlers weren't at the top of the card. I don't see responding to the times simply as pandering, either, especially given the nature of pro-wrestling. We're not talking about an industry based on merit. It's just like everything else Black people had to fight for wrt representation (as far as entertainment is concerned). We had to do it in Hollywood. In the games industry. And in wrestling. I just look at this all as the fruits of that.

On the Sasha question, can you just plainly state your point?

 

[El Poyo Loco]

Whenever companies turn "black" overnight, I can't really ignore the capitalistic value in it. shyt has less to do with trying to fix social constructs, and more to do with chasing the black dollar.



but nikkas are still shining, so I'm happy with it.

Of course money has to do with it from what I've read and heard Bill Watts was 100% Team

But JYD did make him a lot of money JYD was that over

 

[Damnshow]

Vince is scared of so many stories from the past surfacing the public again so he playing with the equality card. Plus the show has been horrible for years so Vince is like fukk it, might as well let everyone have fun and look like a good guy.

It's better than nothing, but this ain't making me a big WWE fan again

 

[KFBF]

I don't believe it's demographics numbers - Black engagement has remained in the ~26% range for decades - even going back to when Black wrestlers weren't at the top of the card. I don't see responding to the times simply as pandering, either, especially given the nature of pro-wrestling. We're not talking about an industry based on merit. It's just like everything else Black people had to fight for wrt representation (as far as entertainment is concerned). We had to do it in Hollywood. In the games industry. And in wrestling. I just look at this all as the fruits of that.

On the Sasha question, can you just plainly state your point?

Agree to disagree on the first point.


It's strange talking about this since wrestling is not merit based. But all these people are succeeding but despite that none of them are stars. They're not being booked the way Cena or Reigns are booked. So back to my original question: besides Sasha are any of these people stars?

 

[Ill-Yaz]

Sasha Banks is back in a pivotal centerpiece role

Becky Lynch returns after giving birth to turn heel to showcase Bianca as the top face

Lashley has been a MVP candidate in the entire industry

Street Profits got a title shot

Big E is on top as WWE Champion years after they should of done it but it was done

I never thought we would see this on such a high level in the WWE.

Yeah I think alot of it has to do with Triple H pushing for this behind the scenes.

 

[drifter]

This topic is always funny because people will say "I'm still not watching just bc Vince's pandering, it ain't genuine!! "

So your solution to the decades long problem that you supposedly cared about the whole time is to double down and continue watching all white cards while not calling them out with the same ferociousness that you call out WWE's supposed pandering

Wrestling fans

 

[Max.]

 

[SmarkMero]

 

[Versa]

AEW is doing their thing, but their sheer amount of whiteness is annoying.

I'd be lying if I said Bianca, Sasha, Hit Row, Carmelo Hayes, Oddysey Jones, Big E, Lashly, Priest, New Day, Hurt Business and Ember Moon being prominently featured isn't a big reason why I've been more into WWE than usual.