Well, WWE celebrates and honours both Black and Hispanic heritage months.

Do we now, promote purely on the basis of skin colour? Because that defeats the purpose of equality.

However,

Of the 87 workers on the main roster, 45 are either African American, Pacific Islanders, Asian or Indian, Middle Eastern or Latino / or of heritage.

5 / 8 of the main roster championships are held by people of colour. One is also held by an Irish immigrant..

On the NXT side, every title is represented by a person of colour, except the Million Dollar Championship. As are the shared titles (Cruiserweight, Women's Tag, 24/7) while, you would think the UK brand would be very British, the women's title is held by a Japanese worker and the NXTUK Championship is held by a Russian/German immigrant, and was previously held by an Austrian.

So, people can complain about diversity all they want. WWE is well represented considering they play in all markets, not just the United States.

Yeah the fact half the roster in WWE are minorities while AEW is mostly white makes Brandi look like an idiot. Where are the black stars Brandi? Never before have there been this many black stars in wrestling but AEW does not seem to be trying to bring in any of the guys in regional territories and while they have a couple of black girls, there are a dozen more black girls that could debut and tear shit up.


Also bring in Blaster McMassive!!!

Aug 29, 2021 23:04:41 GMT Ed said:

If black wrestlers aren't loved enough, Kofimania wouldn't have been a thing. Enough is the complicated word here. What's enough for some people may not be enough for others.

New Day, Banks, Belair, Lashley, ect would not be stars.  All of them were top of the card at the some of the biggest WWE shows.  All are either loved by WWE fans, or in Lashley's case, at least respected.

Not a matter of people not loving them, it is a matter of people not getting into people just because they are black, and too many times a booker simply gives black people, no gimmick or worse, their gimmick is they are black.

Hopefully this isn't a '2 steps forward 1 step back' type thing after the last few weeks of AEW hitting it out of the park.

I know The Bucks are great at opening their obnoxious faces and putting off potential fans, so Cody, get your house in order before Brandi becomes a Reby.

Aug 30, 2021 2:54:58 GMT c said:

Aug 29, 2021 23:04:41 GMT Ed said:

If black wrestlers aren't loved enough, Kofimania wouldn't have been a thing. Enough is the complicated word here. What's enough for some people may not be enough for others.

New Day, Banks, Belair, Lashley, ect would not be stars.  All of them were top of the card at the some of the biggest WWE shows.  All are either loved by WWE fans, or in Lashley's case, at least respected.

Not a matter of people not loving them, it is a matter of people not getting into people just because they are black, and too many times a booker simply gives black people, no gimmick or worse, their gimmick is they are black.

What exactly is a 'black' gimmick?

Basically just that the wrestler is black, like that is there gimmick.  They do not really get any promo time and promoters just put them over as being a black women or black male, generally from the hood.

Related is the lazy black gimmicks where they are a stereotype like a hustler, rapper, Nation copycat, African royalty, gangster ect, and the gimmick never gains any depth.

Aug 30, 2021 2:54:58 GMT c said:

Aug 29, 2021 23:04:41 GMT Ed said:

If black wrestlers aren't loved enough, Kofimania wouldn't have been a thing. Enough is the complicated word here. What's enough for some people may not be enough for others.

New Day, Banks, Belair, Lashley, it would not be stars.  All of them were top of the card at some of the biggest WWE shows.  All are either loved by WWE fans, or in Lashley's case, at least respected.

Not a matter of people not loving them, it is a matter of people not getting into people just because they are black, and too many times a booker simply gives black people, no gimmick or worse, their gimmick is they are black.[/quote




That may be a conversation worth having but, I don't think that's what Brandi meant.

Book black stars like crap and they do not get over, and do not get the love Brandi wants them to have. I mean this is part of the whole being black as a gimmick. A black guy winning the title does not have extra meaning just because they are black. Kofi, Bank and Belair all had amazing title wins because they were booked in a way that hooked fans emotionally. Meanwhile Lashley's wins were just like meh, because there is no real strong emotional hook to him. Can't expect people to get all hyped about a Lashley winning black or not, because he does not have that story linked to him.

Give Punk a random black worker to have control over and you will get a star in 90 days I bet.

Also really has AEW tried to book a black star as a star yet?

Aug 30, 2021 5:08:04 GMT NATH45 said:

Aug 30, 2021 2:54:58 GMT c said:

New Day, Banks, Belair, Lashley, ect would not be stars.  All of them were top of the card at the some of the biggest WWE shows.  All are either loved by WWE fans, or in Lashley's case, at least respected.

Not a matter of people not loving them, it is a matter of people not getting into people just because they are black, and too many times a booker simply gives black people, no gimmick or worse, their gimmick is they are black.

What exactly is a 'black' gimmick?

Whether true or kayfabe if your background if you had a rough upbringing, single parent household, poor, and had to grow up fast then you had too. If you talk in a way how others think black people would talk. Like "Snatch you bald" line Naomi use to force into her promos.

I mean I suppose you could argue they only started giving them serious pushes when there was no audience and ratings are at an all time low <_<

Their big signees are all white with the exception of Andrade who is Hispanic. Punk, Danielson, Black, Wyatt/Rotunda, maybe Adam Cole. These are the people fans clamor for.

Mark Henry is their biggest addition and AEW is hoping he finds his way as a Rampage commentator. They should have added Goldenboy for commentary when he was doing some AEW work, I think a real black play by play commentator would be a massive boon here from an outside perspective. WWE has Byron Saxton doing RAW for this reason. It isn't just wrestling, if people would be willing to be an interviewer or commentator, more doors begin to open.

Aug 30, 2021 10:06:46 GMT c said:

Basically just that the wrestler is black, like that is there gimmick.  They do not really get any promo time and promoters just put them over as being a black women or black male, generally from the hood.

Related is the lazy black gimmicks where they are a stereotype like a hustler, rapper, Nation copycat, African royalty, gangster ect, and the gimmick never gains any depth.

Well there's 5 gimmicks right there. Not necessary 'just black'

We've also had Celtic Kings, Scottish Highlanders, Full Blooded Italians, Japanese gimmicks, luchadores, vanilla midgets..

My point being, potentially you need to play to who you are or a gimmicked version of that first before developing a complex character.

You get over, an arch sees character development and thus the gimmicky nature of the character becomes an after thought.

Rocky Miavia begins life as a smiling Islander, it morphs into a militant African American. These are both extension of his real life personality and/or experiences. As time moves on a complex character emerges. The Rock we saw in 1999, Dwanye Johnson wasn't capable of being in 1996/97. So we need a simple gimmick until his skill level is as high as his confidence.

There was a black President. Black billionaires. Black millionaires. Black lawyer. Black cops. Black champions.

What blows my mind is there is so many black men in this world that are successful yet she married a white dude from the South.

Aug 30, 2021 20:44:15 GMT KING KID said:

There was a black President. Black billionaires. Black millionaires. Black lawyer. Black cops. Black champions.

What blows my mind is there is so many black men in this world that are successful yet she married a white dude from the South.

She would have gotten nowhere near as much power as she has if she didn't marry a Rhodes/Runnels family member. She was Eden Stiles, backstage interviewer for WWE. Of course she didn't marry Cody for that alone but she has benefitted greatly from it too. Much like HHH being Stephanie's husband and the son in law of Vince.

She is now a vocal part of the AEW women's division backstage and her and Cody are going to rip off Miz and Mrs with their own reality TV show. She doesn't get by being an ex backstage interviewer alone.

Aug 30, 2021 20:46:22 GMT Blindy said:

Aug 30, 2021 20:44:15 GMT KING KID said:

There was a black President. Black billionaires. Black millionaires. Black lawyer. Black cops. Black champions.

What blows my mind is there is so many black men in this world that are successful yet she married a white dude from the South.

She would have gotten nowhere near as much power as she has if she didn't marry a Rhodes/Runnels family member. She was Eden Stiles, backstage interviewer for WWE. Of course she didn't marry Cody for that alone but she has benefitted greatly from it too. Much like HHH being Stephanie's husband and the son in law of Vince.

She is now a vocal part of the AEW women's division backstage and her and Cody are going to rip off Miz and Mrs with their own reality TV show. She doesn't get by being an ex backstage interviewer alone.

If she thinks preaching about inequalities is going to work on TV then she needs to take a look at Real Housewives and how their ratings dropped when they decided to bring in a race baiter. 

Race baiting IS racist. 

Aug 30, 2021 20:28:27 GMT NATH45 said:

Aug 30, 2021 10:06:46 GMT c said:

Basically just that the wrestler is black, like that is there gimmick.  They do not really get any promo time and promoters just put them over as being a black women or black male, generally from the hood.

Related is the lazy black gimmicks where they are a stereotype like a hustler, rapper, Nation copycat, African royalty, gangster ect, and the gimmick never gains any depth.

Well there's 5 gimmicks right there. Not necessary 'just black'

We've also had Celtic Kings, Scottish Highlanders, Full Blooded Italians, Japanese gimmicks, luchadores, vanilla midgets..

My point being, potentially you need to play to who you are or a gimmicked version of that first before developing a complex character.

You get over, an arch sees character development and thus the gimmicky nature of the character becomes an after thought.

Rocky Miavia begins life as a smiling Islander, it morphs into a militant African American. These are both extension of his real life personality and/or experiences. As time moves on a complex character emerges. The Rock we saw in 1999, Dwanye Johnson wasn't capable of being in 1996/97. So we need a simple gimmick until his skill level is as high as his confidence.

This is the problem really though, for most black stars, they do not get to evolve.  It would be like bringing in Rock as a smiling Islander and decide that the is gimmick enough.  

And no black gimmicks are not just they are black, but they are one of a handful of black stereotypes that are never fleshed out beyond the base value if they are a heel.  If they are a face they are just that black guy working face or that black guy overcoming adversity working face.  They put like no thought in most black workers and then claim that wrestling fans do not want black stars.  And somehow double down on this as if New Day was not the best stable since basically the attitude era and it is all from their character work.  They are solid in the ring, but the characters make them unforgettable.  

If she's complaining overall, she might need to look in AEW's back yard first. Based on their roster, I am not seeing an overly diverse roster, except maybe the Women's Division. I also think companies like WWE have gotten MUCH better in diversifying over the past years. I personally don't care what color/race you are. As a wrestler/sports entertainer, do you entertain me? That's what matters to me, unfortunately not everyone feels that way.

Aug 30, 2021 21:20:17 GMT c said:

Aug 30, 2021 20:28:27 GMT NATH45 said:

Well there's 5 gimmicks right there. Not necessary 'just black'

We've also had Celtic Kings, Scottish Highlanders, Full Blooded Italians, Japanese gimmicks, luchadores, vanilla midgets..

My point being, potentially you need to play to who you are or a gimmicked version of that first before developing a complex character.

You get over, an arch sees character development and thus the gimmicky nature of the character becomes an after thought.

Rocky Miavia begins life as a smiling Islander, it morphs into a militant African American. These are both extension of his real life personality and/or experiences. As time moves on a complex character emerges. The Rock we saw in 1999, Dwanye Johnson wasn't capable of being in 1996/97. So we need a simple gimmick until his skill level is as high as his confidence.

This is the problem really though, for most black stars, they do not get to evolve.  It would be like bringing in Rock as a smiling Islander and decide that the is gimmick enough.  

And no black gimmicks are not just they are black, but they are one of a handful of black stereotypes that are never fleshed out beyond the base value if they are a heel.  If they are a face they are just that black guy working face or that black guy overcoming adversity working face.  They put like no thought in most black workers and then claim that wrestling fans do not want black stars.  And somehow double down on this as if New Day was not the best stable since basically the attitude era and it is all from their character work.  They are solid in the ring, but the characters make them unforgettable.  

Bobby Lashley - Prize Fighter, Legitimate Athlete. 
MVP - Businessman, Sports Agent. 
The New Day - Nerds, Dweebs. 
Reginald - French Sommelier, Acrobat.
Ricochet - Highlight Reel. 
Bianca Belair - Super Athlete. 
Titus O'Neil - Father Figure, Community Hero.
Shelton Benjamin - Amateur Wrestler, Legitimate Athlete.
R-Truth - Comedy Character. 
Mark Henry - Super Athlete, World's Strongest Man. 
Omos - Giant, Monster. 

I don't look at any of these workers, and think " black stereotype " 

I would suggest the only character's close to being " black stereotypes " are The Street Profits. But if this is their personalities turned up to 11, then it's not really an issue, is it? They're not exactly Cryme Tyme - a gimmick, most people would associate with black stereotypes, playing up to the image of gangbangers and street thugs. 

Aug 30, 2021 20:46:22 GMT Blindy said:

Aug 30, 2021 20:44:15 GMT KING KID said:

There was a black President. Black billionaires. Black millionaires. Black lawyer. Black cops. Black champions.

What blows my mind is there is so many black men in this world that are successful yet she married a white dude from the South.

She would have gotten nowhere near as much power as she has if she didn't marry a Rhodes/Runnels family member. She was Eden Stiles, backstage interviewer for WWE. Of course she didn't marry Cody for that alone but she has benefitted greatly from it too. 

Bill Burr has a great joke about the First Wives of the US Presidents getting all chatty once their husbands are elected. You basically hire the plumber, then the wife walks in, who isn't a plumber and starts telling you where the leak is coming from. 

Aug 31, 2021 12:14:00 GMT NATH45 said:

Aug 30, 2021 21:20:17 GMT c said:

This is the problem really though, for most black stars, they do not get to evolve.  It would be like bringing in Rock as a smiling Islander and decide that the is gimmick enough.  

And no black gimmicks are not just they are black, but they are one of a handful of black stereotypes that are never fleshed out beyond the base value if they are a heel.  If they are a face they are just that black guy working face or that black guy overcoming adversity working face.  They put like no thought in most black workers and then claim that wrestling fans do not want black stars.  And somehow double down on this as if New Day was not the best stable since basically the attitude era and it is all from their character work.  They are solid in the ring, but the characters make them unforgettable.  

Bobby Lashley - Prize Fighter, Legitimate Athlete. 
MVP - Businessman, Sports Agent. 
The New Day - Nerds, Dweebs. 
Reginald - French Sommelier, Acrobat.
Ricochet - Highlight Reel. 
Bianca Belair - Super Athlete. 
Titus O'Neil - Father Figure, Community Hero.
Shelton Benjamin - Amateur Wrestler, Legitimate Athlete.
R-Truth - Comedy Character. 
Mark Henry - Super Athlete, World's Strongest Man. 
Omos - Giant, Monster. 

I don't look at any of these workers, and think " black stereotype " 

I would suggest the only character's close to being " black stereotypes " are The Street Profits. But if this is their personalities turned up to 11, then it's not really an issue, is it? They're not exactly Cryme Tyme - a gimmick, most people would associate with black stereotypes, playing up to the image of gangbangers and street thugs. 

And even Cryme Tyme were booked as babyfaces with their antics being done for laughs, like Eddie cheating in his matches.

But her point is absolutely ridiculous, as everyone in this thread has pointed out WWE has heaps of black superstars that are over. People that don’t even watch wrestling at least know Booker T and The Rock.

Aug 31, 2021 12:14:00 GMT NATH45 said:

Aug 30, 2021 21:20:17 GMT c said:

This is the problem really though, for most black stars, they do not get to evolve.  It would be like bringing in Rock as a smiling Islander and decide that the is gimmick enough.  

And no black gimmicks are not just they are black, but they are one of a handful of black stereotypes that are never fleshed out beyond the base value if they are a heel.  If they are a face they are just that black guy working face or that black guy overcoming adversity working face.  They put like no thought in most black workers and then claim that wrestling fans do not want black stars.  And somehow double down on this as if New Day was not the best stable since basically the attitude era and it is all from their character work.  They are solid in the ring, but the characters make them unforgettable.  

Bobby Lashley - Prize Fighter, Legitimate Athlete. 
MVP - Businessman, Sports Agent. 
The New Day - Nerds, Dweebs. 
Reginald - French Sommelier, Acrobat.
Ricochet - Highlight Reel. 
Bianca Belair - Super Athlete. 
Titus O'Neil - Father Figure, Community Hero.
Shelton Benjamin - Amateur Wrestler, Legitimate Athlete.
R-Truth - Comedy Character. 
Mark Henry - Super Athlete, World's Strongest Man. 
Omos - Giant, Monster. 

I don't look at any of these workers, and think " black stereotype " 

I would suggest the only character's close to being " black stereotypes " are The Street Profits. But if this is their personalities turned up to 11, then it's not really an issue, is it? They're not exactly Cryme Tyme - a gimmick, most people would associate with black stereotypes, playing up to the image of gangbangers and street thugs. 

This is in WWE.  Was talking outside of WWE.  WWE actually is doing amazing work with their black stars to break the generic booking and give them depth. 

Aug 31, 2021 12:20:46 GMT NATH45 said:

Aug 30, 2021 20:46:22 GMT Blindy said:

She would have gotten nowhere near as much power as she has if she didn't marry a Rhodes/Runnels family member. She was Eden Stiles, backstage interviewer for WWE. Of course she didn't marry Cody for that alone but she has benefitted greatly from it too. 

Bill Burr has a great joke about the First Wives of the US Presidents getting all chatty once their husbands are elected. You basically hire the plumber, then the wife walks in, who isn't a plumber and starts telling you where the leak is coming from. 

I love that bit. "How's that cock taste, sweetie? Does it taste Presidential?"

Aug 31, 2021 14:14:09 GMT c said:

Aug 31, 2021 12:14:00 GMT NATH45 said:

Bobby Lashley - Prize Fighter, Legitimate Athlete. 
MVP - Businessman, Sports Agent. 
The New Day - Nerds, Dweebs. 
Reginald - French Sommelier, Acrobat.
Ricochet - Highlight Reel. 
Bianca Belair - Super Athlete. 
Titus O'Neil - Father Figure, Community Hero.
Shelton Benjamin - Amateur Wrestler, Legitimate Athlete.
R-Truth - Comedy Character. 
Mark Henry - Super Athlete, World's Strongest Man. 
Omos - Giant, Monster. 

I don't look at any of these workers, and think " black stereotype " 

I would suggest the only character's close to being " black stereotypes " are The Street Profits. But if this is their personalities turned up to 11, then it's not really an issue, is it? They're not exactly Cryme Tyme - a gimmick, most people would associate with black stereotypes, playing up to the image of gangbangers and street thugs. 

This is in WWE.  Was talking outside of WWE.  WWE actually is doing amazing work with their black stars to break the generic booking and give them depth. 

Then of who are you, including Mrs Rhodes referring to? Because there ain't another organisation on the planet with as much television or exposure as WWE and AEW.

does this mean Brandi is winning the Casino Battle Royale and then taking the title from Britt

Aug 31, 2021 12:14:00 GMT NATH45 said:

Aug 30, 2021 21:20:17 GMT c said:

This is the problem really though, for most black stars, they do not get to evolve.  It would be like bringing in Rock as a smiling Islander and decide that the is gimmick enough.  

And no black gimmicks are not just they are black, but they are one of a handful of black stereotypes that are never fleshed out beyond the base value if they are a heel.  If they are a face they are just that black guy working face or that black guy overcoming adversity working face.  They put like no thought in most black workers and then claim that wrestling fans do not want black stars.  And somehow double down on this as if New Day was not the best stable since basically the attitude era and it is all from their character work.  They are solid in the ring, but the characters make them unforgettable.  

Bobby Lashley - Prize Fighter, Legitimate Athlete. 
MVP - Businessman, Sports Agent. 
The New Day - Nerds, Dweebs. 
Reginald - French Sommelier, Acrobat.
Ricochet - Highlight Reel. 
Bianca Belair - Super Athlete. 
Titus O'Neil - Father Figure, Community Hero.
Shelton Benjamin - Amateur Wrestler, Legitimate Athlete.
R-Truth - Comedy Character. 
Mark Henry - Super Athlete, World's Strongest Man. 
Omos - Giant, Monster. 

I don't look at any of these workers, and think " black stereotype " 

I would suggest the only character's close to being " black stereotypes " are The Street Profits. But if this is their personalities turned up to 11, then it's not really an issue, is it? They're not exactly Cryme Tyme - a gimmick, most people would associate with black stereotypes, playing up to the image of gangbangers and street thugs. 

Late to the party, but was going to say --

For a long time, it seemed like there were only really three default black wrestler gimmicks:

 - 'Urban' / grew up in the ghetto

 - Super athlete

 - Dancing and/or otherwise fun loving lighthearted act

and granted, super athlete is not a racist gimmick but even look at how many of the wrestlers you listed fit in there.

Where's the black cowboy? Where's the black redneck (not counting that time Virgil was in the West Texas Rednecks, since it was supposed to be lol a black guy is a redneck)? Black rich guy? Black cult leader? Black guy-who-rides-a-motorcycle?

Nah, you're either a super athlete or dancing fat guy. Or maybe you fought to get out of the projects and hope your drive inspires the kids.

EDIT: Of course, things are much much much better today. New Day are black anime/video game geeks, Sasha is quietly so, and as you said MVP is a businessman. But up til like ten years ago the pickings were slim.

Isn't Bianca just a generic black stereotype caricature?

Hit Row is the only real "black stereotype" in WWE if you can even say that. They're a hip hop wrestling group that put out music and got each other's backs and do it "For The Culture" or something along those lines.

Eddie Kingston's character is more black than most of the roster of either WWE or AEW. I thought he was half black/half white when I first saw him. Kingston's gimmick(If it is even a gimmick) is that he is from the hood and represents the Independent scene and is hardcore. 

Sept 1, 2021 0:45:56 GMT bodyslam said:

does this mean Brandi is winning the Casino Battle Royale and then taking the title from Britt

If you just spoke this into existence then I'm going to find you and punch you.

Actually I'm 99% sure that the Joker card in the Battle Royale will be Ruby Soho and she'll win.

Sept 1, 2021 3:34:32 GMT RT said:

Sept 1, 2021 0:45:56 GMT bodyslam said:

does this mean Brandi is winning the Casino Battle Royale and then taking the title from Britt

If you just spoke this into existence then I'm going to find you and punch you.

Actually I'm 99% sure that the Joker card in the Battle Royale will be Ruby Soho and she'll win.

She's been hinting New York though, thought she was going to be the surprise for the people going to Arthur Ashe? 

Maki Itoh going to be the joker. I'd put Sonny Kiss though but AEW doesn't care about her for whatever reason.

Blindy, whatever your desires are doesn't change the fact Sonny Kiss is on the mens roster in AEW, not on the womens roster