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WWE News: Konnan Says Racism In The WWE Has Lessened Compared To How It Used To Be

By Shawn Lealos
Published on: 12:40 PST, Nov 16, 2016

There has been a criticism in the world of professional wrestling lately when it comes to perceived racism in the WWE. When Alberto Del Rio was fired after striking a WWE executive who made a racial slur towards him, many people started to talk about the racism in the WWE. However, Latino wrestling legend Konnan appeared on Main Event Radio and said that there is now less racism in professional wrestling compared to years ago.

“I would say compared to when I was in the business yes it has diminished. We are a reflection of society. In society it’s still there but it’s not as bad as it used to be.”

In the WWE, there have always been aspects of racism prevalent in storylines. The idea was that professional wrestling took a mirror and created storylines surrounding the issues of the world at the time, including racism. However, there are some wrestlers who feel that racism in the WWE was also there behind the scenes.

Former wrestler Kamala spent his entire career playing an African savage. Originally born in Mississippi, James Harris relocated to Florida and met Bobo Brazil, who helped him get into wrestling. It was when he started wrestling in Tennessee that Jerry Lawler and Jerry Jarrett turned him into Kamala, the Ugandan Giant.

The character was a Ugandan cannibal that had to be controlled by his handler Kim-Chee and managed by General Skandar Akbar, a Texas-born wrestler who portrayed an Arabian who wanted to lead his wrestlers to defeat American wrestlers.

While Kamala was developed outside the WWE, he moved on to the WWE in the ’80s and kept the gimmick. Kamala told the VOC Nation Radio Network that there was a lot of racism in the WWE at that time.

“There was a lot of racism in the WWE. I remember so many times when I was there, I would get there early and find me a nice dressing room; the agents would (kick me out and) let (the white stars) have the dressing room. When I went out to the ring, I was a superstar; backstage I was a nothing.”

According to Konnan, there was a lot of racism in the WWE during the days when he wrestled but things are so much better now. He especially pointed out how the WWE is pushing minorities to the top of the business now.

“Look at all the African Americans that are in the business today as compared to before. The New Day, Apollo Crews, the Latinos, which they haven’t done a good job since they lost Mysterio and Del Rio they haven’t been able to make a Latino superstar. However they’re finally opening their eyes. It has gotten better but it still has a way to go.”

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While there are still complaints about racism in the WWE, such as with Alberto Del Rio’s situation or the recent complaints surrounding the treatment of Sin Cara, Konnan has a point. The New Day started out as what appeared to be a racial stereotype but worked hard to get over as both a comedy act as well as great in-ring wrestlers.

The New Day are about to become the longest reigning tag team champions in WWE history, breaking the record of Demolition. Roman Reigns, an American-Samoan, is the U.S. champion. NXT has two Japanese stars as champions in Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka. There are also some strong Latino wrestlers coming up through the cruiserweight division.

According to Konnan it is a big improvement when it comes to racism in the WWE compared to the past when he was a wrestler. However, he still has one area that he wants to see improved and that is minorities in positions of power.

“They’re doing a good job, going global and they’re finally smartening in that sense. Now we need to see us in positions of power.”

[Featured Image by WWE]

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