WWE: #KofiMania Is A Movement That Won’t Be Extinguished

The big change of Kofi Kingston being removed from the WWE Fastlane title match has some people discouraged, but there should still be hope to experience KofiMania in six weeks.

The only constant in life is change. It often comes swiftly and when people do not want to experience it. Such a moment occurred on Tuesday when WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon replaced Kofi Kingston in the main event of Fastlane with former Universal Champion Kevin Owens. Even though the fans in attendance and social media outcry responded in disdain, this is an opportunity to build to the special moment for Kingston on the grandest stage of them all: WrestleMania; where KofiMania must run wild at the end.

In introducing Owens, McMahon claimed that he was making a decision to insert someone who is “more deserving” than Kingston. Anyone who has followed the careers of both men could argue the point for either guy; but the fact remains that Kingston has done more than enough to earn the response that he’s received these last few weeks.

This is one of those moments that viewers and fans of Kingston must remember that professional wrestling is scripted, and this is nothing more than an opportunity to build to something even more special for Kingston – and we are all aware of how much WWE Creative has struggled with the methodical build as of late.

After Elimination Chamber, rumors were floating around that WWE Creative was planning on bringing back a returning competitor to face Bryan at Mania. Even though Kingston was booked as the opponent for WWE Fastlane, it was clear that plans were for Bryan to come out as champion. This shift that happened on SmackDown Live now puts some questions around what will happen in the six weeks leading into the biggest annual event in professional wrestling. Should Kofi fans and those hoping for something different be concerned? There’s a space for that, but at the same time, there’s still a space for an opportunity to see Kingston win the title as many are pushing for today.

This storyline could involve a member of The New Day costing Owens the match at Fastlane to keep the title on Bryan for Kofi to win. Or; set up a three-way bout between Kingston, Owens and Bryan in a way that keeps him in the title picture heading into the Barclay’s Center. Regardless of how they get there, the point remains is that this is still an opportunity for Kingston to finally get the title belt that would cement him into the group of Grand Slam champions.

There are some detractors that are looking at this as a “good” moment, but push back at the idea of putting the title on Kingston. Yes, he has played a comedic type of character for the last few years within the WWE. While this is another conversation about the continued use of Black men as comedy fodder in the WWE, that doesn’t mean that creative can’t book him as a credible champion. Jinder Mahal was booked as a credible champion. Bray Wyatt is a former champion. They are just two of the questionable names that adorn the list of former champions; it’s hard to paint a picture where Kingston couldn’t be a serviceable champion for a stint. Those that try to are sadly incorrect when looking at the totality of Kingston’s 11-year run with the WWE.

One other piece is important to this conversation. It’s time for the WWE to elevate a Black performer to the position of prominence. It’s 2019 and the organization has yet to have an African-American main champion. While Kingston is Ghanaian in birth, he would be the first Black competitor to hold a main-event level singles title since Mark Henry held the World Heavyweight title back in 2011. In fact, it’s been a very rough go for Black men in the singles title picture. Before Bobby Lashley won the WWE Intercontinental title this year, the last Black man to hold that belt was Big E back in 2013. As for the US Title, the last Black man to win that championship was Kingston – also back in 2013. We know that the WWE has the talent to feature minorities both at the mid-card and main-event level, it unfortunately doesn’t happen.

The wrestling industry is seeing a push for diversity across multiple organizations. There’s major praise for what All Elite Wrestling is doing with their signings and plans to pay women and men equally. Plus, there are other movements of intergender wrestling being placed in the forefront. But diversity is just a small part as inclusion – meaning the opportunity for minorities to succeed – is also part of the equation. WWE may not have an outright diversity problem, but it does have one for being an inclusive entertainment platform. Putting the WWE Championship on Kingston doesn’t immediately solve that, but it does help push toward the solution.

There’s something to be said about predictability in professional wrestling booking. There’s a time when it works and keeps people engaged; wanting to be present for that big moment. Then there’s a time when unpredictability also plays a special part. When it comes to Kofi Kingston’s current run, the unpredictable outcome would be to see him hold that WWE Championship over his head. Will it happen? Everyone is hard pressed to find out. But here’s to hoping WWE Creative makes the right call and gives him the title reign that he deserves as a career accomplishment. One that is as well deserved as many others etched in the annals of history.