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Post by "Trickster Dogg" James Jesse on Nov 26, 2013 18:21:37 GMT -5
Shelton Benjamin and MVP didn't fit in that. Because, at least in Shelton's case he was the victim of the "Fourth" Black WWE Superstar Stereotype: Natural Athelete And MVP was brought in as an athletic gimmick, like he was a big time basketball or football star that was a major signing coup. So it's not that far from the 'natural athlete' trope. |
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Post by CATCH_US IS the Conversation on Nov 26, 2013 18:23:29 GMT -5
I kind of agree. Whatever happened to not bringing someone up until they have something good for them? Because hanging out with R-Truth isn't really going to accomplish much. I think R-Truth is better for him. I'd rather see Xavier Woods teaming with Truth than trying to make him a big deal fairly quick by pigeon hoping him into feuds with main eventers like they did with The Shield and the Wyatts. |
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Post by rnrk supports BLM on Nov 26, 2013 18:25:13 GMT -5
I swear I should do something about the "Three Faces of the Black Wrestler." The Dancin' Fool. The High Flyer. The Brute. Dancin' Fool and High Flyer usually overlap. Combine them, and you've got room for the other most common one of all, the Bling-Loving Gangsta. And of course, there's always the Boring Nonentity Athlete, aka Shelton Benjamin. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 18:28:02 GMT -5
plenty of white guys who qualify that way too Yes, but the point is more that these are the only character types that black wrestlers in today's WWE can be. For example: Dancer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Brodus Clay, Naomi, Cameron, Darren Young*, Titus O'Neil*, Booker T*. High Flyer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, JTG. Brute: Mark Henry, Big E. Langston, Ezekial Jackson. Darren Young and Titus O'Neil aren't properly 'dancing gimmicks', but they do dance, the "Millions of Dollars" move, which is probably the most identifiable thing about their gimmick. Same thing, sadly, with Booker T: he's more likely to be known for his catchphrase and the spinaroonie rather than his in-ring talent. David Otunga is a complete afterthought given how WWE's treated him, but he at least doesn't fit these molds. Neither does the Rock, but he's no longer on the roster, so that point's moot. Alicia Fox also doesn't fit these categories, but she's barely on TV to even develop a thumbnail sketch of a character. Heck, even Kharma would fit the 'brute' category when she used to be around. I'm saying. I swear in the instance of Otunga, sure he's average at best in the ring but he doesn't fall into those categories so...he ain't getting booked. You can't even say Alicia Fox because she made her official in-ring debut with a dancing gimmick. Layla did too which is interesting. People talk about Samoans being booked, but it slays me with how they can't even escape it. The Usos are cool but they stand out more because they're a hybrid of Dancing and a bit of High-Flying. Tamina falls into The Brute. Roman Reigns falls into The Brute. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 18:28:46 GMT -5
I think the dude is great, and I don't mind what they've done with him so far at all. If he just takes Brodus's gimmick I'd find that pretty funny, plus he does it way better anyways. Brodus's deal was "lol he's fat and sucks at dancing but at least he's making funny faces!" Xavier gets into it and shows a TON of energy and charisma.
On the other hand, I definitely get the complaint that WWE shoves black wrestlers into a few specific roles. They do the same with anyone who isn't a white man. Even Jinder Mahal in 3MB is "he's Indian but he's in a 'rock band', how zany is that!?" My hope is that Woods can transcend the role and actually get somewhere instead of just being "lol dancing guy".
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Post by Cesaro Smirk on Nov 26, 2013 18:29:07 GMT -5
plenty of white guys who qualify that way too Yes, but the point is more that these are the only character types that black wrestlers in today's WWE can be. For example: Dancer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Brodus Clay, Naomi, Cameron, Darren Young*, Titus O'Neil*, Booker T*. High Flyer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, JTG. Brute: Mark Henry, Big E. Langston, Ezekial Jackson. Darren Young and Titus O'Neil aren't properly 'dancing gimmicks', but they do dance, the "Millions of Dollars" move, which is probably the most identifiable thing about their gimmick. Same thing, sadly, with Booker T: he's more likely to be known for his catchphrase and the spinaroonie rather than his in-ring talent. David Otunga is a complete afterthought given how WWE's treated him, but he at least doesn't fit these molds. Neither does the Rock, but he's no longer on the roster, so that point's moot. Alicia Fox also doesn't fit these categories, but she's barely on TV to even develop a thumbnail sketch of a character. Heck, even Kharma would fit the 'brute' category when she used to be around. The only problem I have with that is that when he was in TNA he did the same thing so it's not exactly something WWE saddled him with. It's just him being himself (I couldn't tell you since I've never met him) or the character he's always done. I like him regardless. Also of note I didn't care for Too Cool and wondered what the hell other people saw in them that I just didn't see. |
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Post by Magic knows Black Lives Matter on Nov 26, 2013 18:32:08 GMT -5
I swear I should do something about the "Three Faces of the Black Wrestler." The Dancin' Fool. The High Flyer. The Brute. and you've got room for the other most common one of all, the Bling-Loving Gangsta. BETTA HAVE MAH MONEY!!! |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 18:33:40 GMT -5
I almost wish they'd admit they're racists and just go all-out with the stereotypes. Jinder and Ranjin Singh are computer programmers who work backstage. People constantly annoy Brodus Clay and Layla by asking "what" they are when they're backstage. Sheamus can't do aerial moves because he's too white. Rey Mysterio randomly gets dragged out of the arena mid-match by La Migra. Everyone shuns Cena for being an "Uh-Oh Oreo." The Wyatts turn out to be Klansmen. The Nation of Domination gets reformed and attacks Bryan, Orton, the Bellas, Triple H and the McMahons for being emblematic of WASP privilege.
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mrjl
Fry's dog Seymour
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Post by mrjl on Nov 26, 2013 18:36:14 GMT -5
damn, you all are working hard to box people in.
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Post by "Trickster Dogg" James Jesse on Nov 26, 2013 18:37:47 GMT -5
damn, you all are working hard to box people in. We don't book the shows and give talent gimmicks to work? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 18:38:22 GMT -5
I kind of agree. Whatever happened to not bringing someone up until they have something good for them? Because hanging out with R-Truth isn't really going to accomplish much. I think R-Truth is better for him. I'd rather see Xavier Woods teaming with Truth than trying to make him a big deal fairly quick by pigeon hoping him into feuds with main eventers like they did with The Shield and the Wyatts. I agree that coming in in the mid card is good for him but unless they make Truth and Woods a threat in the tag division the dude is probably going to end up as Kofi 2.0. |
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mrjl
Fry's dog Seymour
Posts: 20,319
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Post by mrjl on Nov 26, 2013 18:40:46 GMT -5
damn, you all are working hard to box people in. We don't book the shows and give talent gimmicks to work? no, but you do look at the booked shows and pick out the individual traits so you can decide what you'll call them |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 18:54:18 GMT -5
The thing with Xavier is I think he definitely has the talent to make the gimmick work for him.
Problem is the moment he makes that gimmick more than what it is, WWE will probably lose interest and he'll fall between the cracks too.
Hell, JTG had a massive amount of babyface fire too.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 18:56:51 GMT -5
I don't like the preacher voice he gives his promos in.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2013 19:01:55 GMT -5
plenty of white guys who qualify that way too Yes, but the point is more that these are the only character types that black wrestlers in today's WWE can be. For example: Dancer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Brodus Clay, Naomi, Cameron, Darren Young*, Titus O'Neil*, Booker T*. High Flyer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, JTG. Brute: Mark Henry, Big E. Langston, Ezekial Jackson. Darren Young and Titus O'Neil aren't properly 'dancing gimmicks', but they do dance, the "Millions of Dollars" move, which is probably the most identifiable thing about their gimmick. Same thing, sadly, with Booker T: he's more likely to be known for his catchphrase and the spinaroonie rather than his in-ring talent. David Otunga is a complete afterthought given how WWE's treated him, but he at least doesn't fit these molds. Neither does the Rock, but he's no longer on the roster, so that point's moot. Alicia Fox also doesn't fit these categories, but she's barely on TV to even develop a thumbnail sketch of a character. Heck, even Kharma would fit the 'brute' category when she used to be around. You are trying waaaay too hard to paint WWE as racists. I could box every white wrestler on the roster into three categories as well. |
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Talent Name
Ozymandius
Got fined anyway.
Possibly a Moose
James Franco is the white Donald Glover
Posts: 63,745
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Post by Talent Name on Nov 26, 2013 19:02:53 GMT -5
He honestly reminds me of the Soul Glo salesman so I bust out laughing every time I see him
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Post by 1 Free Moon-Down with Burger on Nov 26, 2013 19:15:38 GMT -5
I only liked the part where the lights were dim and he whipped the water out of his hair.
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Juice
El Dandy
Wrong? Oh he can tell ya about being wrong.
I'm the one who raised you from perdition.
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Post by Juice on Nov 26, 2013 19:16:37 GMT -5
There are far worse black stereotypes that these people can be presented as. be happy that they aren't/
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543Y2J
Patti Mayonnaise
Seventh level .gif Master
Posts: 38,794
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Post by 543Y2J on Nov 26, 2013 19:20:42 GMT -5
I like him, but I can see why people wouldn't
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Post by "Trickster Dogg" James Jesse on Nov 26, 2013 19:26:18 GMT -5
Yes, but the point is more that these are the only character types that black wrestlers in today's WWE can be. For example: Dancer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Brodus Clay, Naomi, Cameron, Darren Young*, Titus O'Neil*, Booker T*. High Flyer: Xavier Woods, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, JTG. Brute: Mark Henry, Big E. Langston, Ezekial Jackson. Darren Young and Titus O'Neil aren't properly 'dancing gimmicks', but they do dance, the "Millions of Dollars" move, which is probably the most identifiable thing about their gimmick. Same thing, sadly, with Booker T: he's more likely to be known for his catchphrase and the spinaroonie rather than his in-ring talent. David Otunga is a complete afterthought given how WWE's treated him, but he at least doesn't fit these molds. Neither does the Rock, but he's no longer on the roster, so that point's moot. Alicia Fox also doesn't fit these categories, but she's barely on TV to even develop a thumbnail sketch of a character. Heck, even Kharma would fit the 'brute' category when she used to be around. You are trying waaaay too hard to paint WWE as racists. I could box every white wrestler on the roster into three categories as well. Yes, but would those three categories be associated with 'white' gimmicks/stereotypes/cliches? That's the point: white wrestlers very rarely have 'whiteness' as a part of their gimmick, unless it's something like the Wyatts (hillbilly characters), Heath Slater (redneck character) or Triple H (white collar management character). When has anyone ever commented upon CM Punk's whiteness as a part of his 'best in the world' gimmick, for example? To say 'yeah, but I can fit white wrestlers in those categories too!' misses the point. The point is that non-white wrestlers often (but not always) have their gimmicks dependent upon the colour of their skin. What's Yoshi Tatsu's gimmick other than "Japanese guy"? Is WWE *intentionally* racist? Sometimes, but not always. Does WWE often reinforce racial stereotypes of non-white characters? Yeah. Does WWE often reinforce racial stereotypes of explicitly 'white' characters? Yeah. Is it racist to point out racist gimmicks, intentional or otherwise? Are wrestlers always limited by these racist gimmicks? Depends on the booking. I think Yoshi Tatsu is talented, but he's never going to be booked above being 'the Japanese guy' of the roster. That's certainly not his fault. |
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