Black History Month Roundtable: Celebrating Black excellence in wrestling

What are your favorite Black moments to happen in wrestling that you watched firsthand during the past 10 years?

Anthony: Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Title, being able to watch Apollo Crews’ debut at Takeover: Brooklyn live and Sasha Banks winning the NXT Women’s Title.

Chris: In terms of the last decade, the obvious moment that stands out is Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Title at WrestleMania.

The story itself was the usual uneven fare from WWE, the finale was not only the culmination of a well-respected veteran getting hot at the right time, but also vindication for every Black WWE fan who waited decades to see someone who looked like them win the most prestigious prize in WWE and one of the most storied belts in wrestling. No matter what happened after that, nothing will erase how sweet that moment was.

For me, the only other moment that came close was seeing Jay Lethal pin Jay Briscoe at ROH Best in the World 2015 to win the ROH World Championship and become the first person to hold that title and the ROH World Television Title at the same time.

Sure, he was a heel at the time, but seeing a man who was likely best known for doing a really good Randy Savage impression in TNA start on a trek that would ultimately make him the ace of that company was a cool moment that brought a smile to my face.

David: It’s most recent and it was so powerful: Kofi winning the WWE Championship. From the build up to the match, it was a masterpiece.

Bobby Lashley (during his first run) vs. John Cena. Despite losing, I believe this match made Lashley a real top threat. He pushed prime Cena to the limit.

Naomi winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship in Florida at Wrestlemania 33. These definitely are special (and best overall) moments for me.

Kyla: The best black moment in wrestling during the past 10 years has to be Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Universal Championship for the first time after working at it for 10 years. While this moment is pretty recent, it’s one of the greatest moments because it’s so symbolic of the struggle black people face on a daily basis.

It shows how as a black wrestler you have to put in 110% at all times to maybe one day get an opportunity at winning the gold, just as black people around the world generally have to put in 110% in all that they do in the hopes of earning the opportunity and/or recognition that they are trying to achieve.

Kofi’s win also shows the world that grit and determination will always preserve in the end, even when the odds are stacked against you.

Phil: KofiMania by far for me. Kofi has been one of my favorite wrestlers for years and I’ve debated for a long time that he should be WWE Champion or that he at least deserved a title shot. I honestly never believed it would happen so seeing him do it on such a big stage like WrestleMania was just incredible.

I still get emotional about it today because I always believed he could do it. I’m glad he finally got to prove it and accomplish his dream. Even more, watching his son raise the title over his head just meant so much to me as a fan that has watched since grade school.

It was so inspiring and I’m glad that there are kids all over the world that won’t have to wait as long as I did to see it.

Raphael: Kofi winning the title. I purchased my Mania tickets in October, but once KofiMania started, there was nothing that was going to stop me from being there live.

I would say Sasha Banks and her first run at the WWE Raw Women’s Title, but seeing how they did her later and since, I’d rather that have not happened to avoid all the heartbreak we’ve experienced since then.

Plus, the slow turn of the New Day from stereotypical characters to the best faction in the last few generations.