The WWE needs to look at the full picture when deciding who to honor from the past.
A very intriguing situation occurred in the last few days within the WWE Universe. An organization that tends to refuse to bend to calls for change from external pressures; the WWE has removed Fabulous Moolah’s name from the inaugural Women’s Battle Royale set for WrestleMania 34. It was quite the story that the company even added her name to the match in the first place. This is yet another example of the organization’s practice to rewrite the checked past of some of its biggest names.
The storyline around Moolah received a lot of attention in recent days. The WWE Hall of Famer was said to have done such things as pimp out women to men while on smaller circuits; forcing them to commit certain acts under pressure. This story was covered by major organizations such as Forbes and other mainstream outlets; drawing attention to the decision to honor her in such a way. The backlash led to a major WWE sponsor, Snickers, releasing a statement condemning the decision. The WWE followed by releasing their own statement and removing her name from the event.
But the story doesn’t end there as this is a trend for the organization. Look at the Warrior Award. It’s an honor created by the WWE in 2015 to honor those that have “exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance.” What is a great award in that sense, many in the WWE community struggle with its name based on the checked past of its namesake; The Ultimate Warrior, Jim Hellwig.
Hellwig, while a force and fan favorite in the ring, didn’t have the greatest history outside of it. Warrior was lauded when he suddenly died in 2014, but that sentiment wasn’t shared by many. For example, Rob Rosseau of Vice wrote about Warrior’s comments that he wished Bobby Heenan would die of cancer. He said disturbing things against those that were suffering from ailments such as cancer and once stated, “queering don’t make the world work”.
These moments were uncomfortable to say the least but they should be mentioned anytime the former heavyweight champion is considered a model character in professional wrestling. Instead, the WWE has taken to the idea of whitewashing these situations; ignoring them when praising such competitors. It’s almost as if the promotion hopes that fans and historians forget about the past of some of its top competitors. All to keep them around for the cheap pops that come when their name is mentioned or their face is shown on the big screen.
Take the “Immortal” Hulk Hogan for example. Hogan’s recent pass includes the use of racial slurs and other precarious moments that the WWE should shy away from. While they immediately cut ties with the Hall of Famer in 2015 it seems as if the conversation is turning toward the idea that they are open to bringing him back. Take recent comments by Mark Henry to TMZ:
“I think after an apology to all the existing African American talent,” Henry said. “Ya know we are a forgiving world.”
While Henry doesn’t speak for all the minorities on the roster, one might wonder whether they all would feel that way. What about the paying customers who pay their hard earned dollars to the WWE? What would their response be to seeing Hogan on the screen knowing that he described himself as “racist, to a point?” Those are questions that no organization would want to answer, but the WWE continually puts itself in that position with actions such as these.
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In order to enjoy professional wrestling, there’s a need to suspend belief in what occurs on the screen and arenas. But there is a time in which real life interjects itself in a way that can’t be ignored. Leadership within the WWE needs to look at the full picture of some of its top athletes and think twice about who they decide to recognize and honor.