Wrestling with Stereotypes opens eyes at Starrcast

Starrcast 3 took place over the weekend before All Elite Wrestling’s All Out.

There were over a dozen live shows and panels to choose from. From AEW producer Dean Malenko to the return of CM Punk (not in the ring folks, sorry), there was a strong representation of the wrestling world. The most controversial and eye opening show of the weekend belonged to the panel of Wrestling with Stereotypes.

Hosted by wrestling writer Andreas Hale and Kel Dansby, there were a vast array of wrestling personalities on stage during this marvelous show. There was a strong AEW contingent, led by onscreen talents Nyla Rose, Sonny Kiss and Scorpio Sky.

Nyla Rose is the first transgender performer to be featured in a high profile setting. Rose won the Casino Battle Royale last Saturday night at All Out and will have the opportunity to become the first AEW Women’s Champion in the very short history of the company on the television debut of AEW On TNT.

Rose stole the show during the Women of AEW panel earlier in the afternoon and rightfully earned her spot to run with the proverbial ball of the AEW women’s division. Some people in social media land weren’t as receptive. The words and actions displayed by those people are an example of how far professional wrestling still has to go with its ongoing battle with racism, sexism and politics in the business.

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In all walks of life, our society has a long ways to go as it pertains to diversity in the world today. Pro wrestling is just a small snapshot in the battle against transphobia and homophobia. Some  supremely talented individuals are being discriminated against for their race, gender or sexual orientation. This has been a relevant topic in the wrestling business for over seven decades.

I was in attendance for this live panel and to hear some of the stories told by these hard working, amazing people on stage were very admirable. Yet, some of the words spoken were also disheartening and brought a keen sense of awareness that we still have a long ways to go in wrestling. Not just with onscreen talent, but in the wrestling media as well.

Nyla Rose has dealt with vicious words coming up the wrestling ranks. Big Swole spoke up about her experiences as an African American woman on the independent wrestling scene. Making it feel as though there is only room for one woman of her stature on the circuit and that the glass ceiling still hasn’t been broken.

Another example of prejudice against minorities was a statement made by one of the co-hosts of the panel, Kel Dansby.  “To get to the top as a minority, you have to be a heel,” he proclaimed. An interesting take on the state of breaking through to the top of the industry. While Ron Simmons became the first WCW World Heavyweight Champion back in 1992 and Eddie Guerrero won the WWE Title in 2004 as faces, Dansby’s remarks still ring true.

Dwayne Johnson broke into the business as Rocky Maivia and was given a heavy push upon his arrival to the WWE. The fans quickly turned on him, feeling his character was bland. When Johnson turned heel and joined the all African American group “The Nation Of Domination”, he flipped the switch on his character and became The Rock. A brash, arrogant extension of who Dwayne Johnson was as a person. By essentially playing himself as a heel with the volume turned up to the highest decibel, Johnson rose to superstardom.

The Nation was seen as a “Black Panther” type group of men in the WWE. During the Attitude Era, racism, sexism and stereotypes were omnipresent. At one point, D-Generation X partook in a skit impersonating the Nation Of Domination while wearing blackface. If this promo was done today, you would surely see backlash from the FCC and social media. Material like this can be very hard to fathom and stomach. Not just in this day and age, but in the history of the professional wrestling business.

You also can look at characters portrayed onscreen as a stereotype of what promoters may see as the depiction of African American culture. Scorpio Sky told a story about how he worked for the Urban Wrestling Federation. The bookers were not a fan of Sky’s character and he said they wanted to make him “more hood.” One of his lines in a backstage promo were supposed to look like this. “Oh they jumpin him? It ain’t goin down like that.”

Sky proceeded to recite the lines in his street clothes and then seconds later, appeared in the ring with full wrestling gear. He laughed and informed the company that was his last appearance in the UWF.

One of the stereotypes I have never been a fan of are wrestler comparisons, or that a wrestler needs to act like another wrestler. Often time, you’ll see a performer compared to someone of the same race merely because they are of the same race. An example would be Private Party reminding some folks of Harlem Heat. Or Bobby Lashley being compared to Ahmed Johnson. Why is this?

It’s very distressing that these comparisons are still being made in the year 2019. When I see Private Party in the ring, I think they have a style more similar to The Young Bucks. I look at a woman like Sasha Banks in the ring and you can see the fierceness and charisma of Eddie Guerrero. A wrestler who in the past, Banks has credited for peaking her interest in the wrestling business.

This is the year 2019. If you really want to pinpoint a stereotype, the ridiculousness of “acting black” or “acting white” is still near the top of my bugaboo’s. How about “acting like a human being?” It is perfectly acceptable for a Hispanic person to enjoy metal music or a black male to be the lead singer of a rock band. Caucasian’s can enjoy rap music or jazz, even if it was heavily influenced by the black culture.

https://twitter.com/StarrcastEvents/status/1163604261491658754

Fred Rosser (formerly Darren Young in the WWE) has two of the most glaring stereotypes out there. He’s African American and gay. He came out later on during the show and had some enthralling stories. Fred was courageous for coming out when he did, becoming the first openly gay performer in WWE history.

He did so because he wanted to be able to bring his boyfriend backstage. The support for him backstage seemed to be tremendous. Rosser referenced CM Punk, telling the audience that Punk told him “If you have any problem with anyone backstage, I’ll take care of it.” Randy Orton, Titus O’ Neal among others were also very supportive of his announcement.

Rosser lasted a few more years in the WWE. He was controversially told by Triple H to stop using his “Crossface Chicken Wing” as a finishing move. Citing the move as dangerous, he was told to cease from using it. Here’s where the double standard kicks in. Rosser further elaborated on the story.

“I knew in the back of my mind that it was being saved for someone. Weeks later I walk into a live event and Miz says to me ‘I just watched NXT and I just saw Asuka doing the Crossface Chickenwing!'” Rosser in the back of his mind had known it was being saved for someone else and left the room angrily. Rightfully so in my opinion. Was it an act of discrimination against Rosser? Could be.

The percentage of white male CEO’s of major companies, I’m sure, are astronomical. What is holding women or people of color back from becoming the head of The New York Times or Starbucks? It takes panels like the one at Starrcast, on top of other literature and information, to heighten the awareness of talented individuals being held down in American society.

On top of all of these barriers, there are more topics that are alarming throughout the professional wrestling industry. One of which was brought up by one of the panel guests Alexis Littlefoot.  She referenced that society frowns upon women for enjoying pro wrestling.

Almost as if it’s foreign for anyone other than a man to enjoy the genre. Littlefoot created a platform that she described as a safe place for women to discuss the world of wrestling. Her insight on the panel and her words hit home with many in the audience. Drawing a round of applause and some emotional tears from the crowd.

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I’m touching upon topics that the folks on this panel having been speaking out loud ad-nauseam for a long time. There still needs to be more awareness brought to the forefront. Professional wrestling will always be for anyone and everyone. AEW has taken steps in this direction by having a transgender, gay and a bilateral amputee on its roster.

As a wrestling fan, we look for compelling characters and stories told. Men and women who are athletic in the ring and can illicit a response from the viewing audience. I don’t care if the performer is an alien from Mars. If a person like Nyla Rose can get me to jump out of my chair and display emotion (to boo or cheer) louder than anyone on a given card, they should be pushed to the top of the card. No matter their age, gender or sexual orientation.

Professional wrestling is for all of us. The sport and performances are for our entertainment. For anyone to be discriminated against in the industry or to be held back due to their religious beliefs, sexual orientation or color of their skin is unacceptable and needs to be addressed on a daily basis until significant change is made in the wrestling industry.