Was Ahmed Johnson a shot at Luger?

[wildojinx]

I was just thinking about this. When Ahmed debuted in 1995, he slammed Yokozuna shortly after his debut. Prior to that, the only person to slam Yoko was Luger. Considering that he debuted shortly after Luger went to WCW, was this a thinly veiled shot at Luger (by having Johnson also be able to slam Yoko).

[Cranjis McBasketball]

No.

[The 1Watcher Experience]

Not at all.

[Mozenrath]

It's significantly more likely that they were just trying to put him over in the same way, by having him slam the biggest guy around, same as how Braun and Big Show doing the ring breaking spot was not done to lessen Brock Lesnar, but just to reuse a good idea.

[Deleted]

they wanted a black heavyweight star

[DASH 243✅]

Beef wonton!

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

Nah, they just wanted to put Vince's new muscleman over strong as they could, and Yoko's stock had dropped a LOT by late 95, so it didn't really matter that he would suffer for it. Different day of the week, it could just as easily have been Bundy or Mabel.

[wildojinx]

Speaking of Yoko, were Luger and Ahmed the only people to slam him (in his WWF run at least)?

[Thunderbolt]

They wanted to show that Ahmed could stamp up to punchy

[Dean-o]

Jun 27, 2019 22:58:08 GMT -5 wildojinx said:

Speaking of Yoko, were Luger and Ahmed the only people to slam him (in his WWF run at least)?

My memory could be wrong, but I think Mabel bodyslammed him as well.

[Deleted]

He was just there to make sure Morty didn't try to take his medications.

[hassanchop]

I think he was there just to fill a gap that Luger left as a face muscle guy, he just kinda inherited folks that Luger feuded with, Yoko, Bulldog, Owen, Crush and according to Tatanka, he was to feud with him but Tatanka stated he didn't trust Ahmed as he looked reckless in his match against Double J.

Jim Ross said this about Ahmed:

Ahmed was unique with which to manage. Could be challenging. Most of the talents have a great deal to say about their ring attire.
wrestlingrumors.net/ramon/jim-ross-comments-david-benoit-great-khali-ahmed-johnson/

And interestingly enough on JR's podcast:

Jim Ross said on his 'Grilling JR' podcast that Ahmed Johnson was Vince McMahon's attempt to create a black superstar who'd rise up to World Title status. To then-creative team member Bill Watts (a good pal of JR's), that meant comparing him to The Junkyard Dog and finding a name that'd get people talking.

His suggestion? Buff Johnson.

McMahon was appalled, and stared a hole through Ross in the meeting. Afterwards, he asked JR to take care of Bill's pitch and make sure he didn't do anything like that again. Jim, who hadn't hired Watts and agreed the name sucked, said it was Vince's responsibility. He was just another creative mind who had nothing to do with his friend's proposition.

whatculture.com/wwe/10-wrestling-facts-we-didnt-know-last-week-may-17?page=2

Buff Johnson?

Jun 27, 2019 22:58:08 GMT -5 wildojinx said:

Speaking of Yoko, were Luger and Ahmed the only people to slam him (in his WWF run at least)?

And Mabel. Not sure if these count, but Undertaker chokeslammed him on several occasions:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTAkQqJq7VE

I think Diesel kinda did a chokeslam/rock bottom type move on him on a house show when he teamed with HBK against Owen/Yoko. Not sure someone help me out if you find a house show match with these four and clarify if it was so or I could be wrong. And about HBK, not sure if this counts but he eliminates both Yoko and Vader:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gxpvf1CmtM

[Mozenrath]

Ah, makes sense that Bill Watts suggested it. Bill was very formulaic in his ideas, and with the massive success he had with Junkyard Dog, he kept trying to recreate it, with Ron Simmons, etc.

[cjh]

JR said the name Watts suggested was Buck Johnson, not Buff.

[Mozenrath]

Jun 28, 2019 6:01:36 GMT -5 cjh said:

JR said the name Watts suggested was Buck Johnson, not Buff.

That makes the reaction make a lot more sense. "Buck" in reference to a black man, especially a strong one, is a racial slur.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Jun 28, 2019 0:32:39 GMT -5 @wvguitar said:

He was just there to make sure Morty didn't try to take his medications.

And Vince got fed up with Rick Sanchez protesting to Ahmed about it in the locker room.

[YAKMAN is ICHIBAN]

Read as Liger. Was thoroughly confused for a moment.

[auph10imitated]

It was Luger, Mabel then Ahmed.

Ahmed was signed way before Luger left, he was signed in the spring of '95 so I wouldnt say so, although he was a big jacked dude they wanted to get over so this was a good way of doing it.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

He was definitely a shot at the English language.

[hassanchop]

Jun 28, 2019 6:14:32 GMT -5 Mozenrath said:

Jun 28, 2019 6:01:36 GMT -5 cjh said:

JR said the name Watts suggested was Buck Johnson, not Buff.

That makes the reaction make a lot more sense. "Buck" in reference to a black man, especially a strong one, is a racial slur.

Funny thing is while Mark Henry called him out for what he said, Ahmed seems to have a good view of Michael Hayes: