Interview with Mark Henry on Why The WWE Hasn't Had More Black Champions
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/17/racist-wwe-mark-henry-silverback_n_5596593.html
Full Video Here: http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/racism-wwe-wrestling-/53c01be002a760131f001011
My ? really want to keep them checks coming and get in the HOF
In the 62 years since the WWE began, there has only been one black heavyweight champion: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who is half black, half Samoan, and the disturbing fact has recently gained national media attention.
Mark Henry and Koko B. Ware, two of the most famous black wrestlers in the history of the WWE, joined HuffPost Live on Thursday to discuss the topic. Henry, who still wrestles under the WWE banner, recalled being given the nickname "Silverback" in 2007, in reference to a silverback gorilla.
"A lot of people remember the Silverback thing," Henry told host Marc Lamont Hill. "Honestly, I could not do it. I told them: 'I can't do that. I got two little black kids at home.'"
Henry mostly defended the WWE, however. He maintained the company and its scriptwriters have no racist tendencies toward its wrestlers.
"Black culture, we dance and sing. We're entertainers," Henry said. "James Brown said it best: the things we are make people want to be like us."
Full Video Here: http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/racism-wwe-wrestling-/53c01be002a760131f001011
My ? really want to keep them checks coming and get in the HOF
Comments
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So he must have forgot being called the N word by Michael Hayes. Lost all respect for this clown
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Henry, who still wrestles under the WWE banner, recalled being given the nickname "Silverback" in 2007, in reference to a silverback gorilla.
I forgot all about that ? . -
Mark got owned. He was being defensive wen some of that ? is indefensible.
The truth is that WWE needs to evolve in terms of using stereotypical characters.
All that said I think the statement from Kane was about 2/3s correct. Wrestling brings a lot of different races and ethnic groups together but to say they all have the same opportunity to make it is factually false. -
? WWE
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......didn't he win the World Heavyweight Title like 3 years ago??
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......didn't he win the World Heavyweight Title like 3 years ago??
Yeah, he did. But that was only because Micheal Hayes had called him a ? and WWE was trying to do damage control when the public found out about it and thought it would be good PR for the company to have him as WHC. So basically, Hayes's racism is the only reason Henry ever touched the title.
Similar things have happened before in WCW with claims of racism/racial discrimination law suits that resulted in Ron Simmons and Booker T winning the WCW title. -
Mark got owned. He was being defensive wen some of that ? is indefensible.
The truth is that WWE needs to evolve in terms of using stereotypical characters.
All that said I think the statement from Kane was about 2/3s correct. Wrestling brings a lot of different races and ethnic groups together but to say they all have the same opportunity to make it is factually false.
Kane was on his company man ? just like Mark. He needs to quit with that "equal opportunity" BS seeing as how his own career has gone. Kane had/has the size, the ring work, and good enough mic skills to hold the strap. Dude is almost 50 years old and hasn't had a legit run with the title yet but is still pretending to be the brother of one of the all-time GOATs.
He was right about how a lot of different races/cultures are brought together under one roof. But imo, I honestly don't believe the real racism is even coming from the wrestlers themselves, but rather from these old head, Jim Crow reminiscing, good ol' boys in the back that are the bookies, writers, agents, etc. (and not to leave out Vinnie Mac himself).
Mark said in the interview that R-Truth was upset about the article. ? please. It' ain't even about his dancing/rapping with me because that's a part of who he is. Truth has been nothing but a stereotype since he's been in WWE from his crazy black man gimmick who talks to an imaginary little white boy, to his lazy slacker gimmick that had him taking rests during matches and smoking cigarettes. Truth's over 40 and is still one of the most talent guys on the roster, but still doesn't have much to show for.
I remember reading back in early 2000's when he was K-kwik about how the Hardys and Y2J were trying to pitch ideas to the creative team so he would be used more. But he ended up getting released away. Then just a few years later we have Cena getting pushed while rapping and acting "hood". So R-Truth couldn't have done that? Really WWE?
There's a lot of BS in the WWE like backstage politics where guys like Ziggler can't get pushed properly. But, as far as racism is concerned, I think WWE needs to get younger backstage and breakaway from that old south mentality for any real change to ever take place. -
They had truth taking Newport breaks during the match, falls out of chair.....I'm done with WWE
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This won't change until Vince steps down or you know what.
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You know I thought I posted this
Dunno if its the same video.
Mark Henry talks about racism in the WWE: http://youtu.be/3e_d4fHirSw -
i crease whenever they (still) announce this guy as 'the strongest man in the world.
how can you say that with a straight face just by looking at his physical appearance is beyond me.
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lazypakman wrote: »i crease whenever they (still) announce this guy as 'the strongest man in the world.
how can you say that with a straight face just by looking at his physical appearance is beyond me.
He technically was at one point. Or almost. -
lazypakman wrote: »i crease whenever they (still) announce this guy as 'the strongest man in the world.
how can you say that with a straight face just by looking at his physical appearance is beyond me.
http://www.criticalbench.com/Mark-Henry.htm
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iKingGodGivBiz wrote: »You know I thought I posted this
Dunno if its the same video.
Mark Henry talks about racism in the WWE: http://youtu.be/3e_d4fHirSw
Here he says a lot of the black athletic guys want to play other sports and not go into wrestling, which is the same thing MLB says. I don't know whether it's true or not but it's something that should be considered.
Black boys aren't going into boxing like they used to either, perhaps this has a lot to do with the availability of gyms and/or other necessary institutions that promote professional wrestling as a v
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*viabke occupation.
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The mishandling of Ron Killings career upsets me every time I think about it.
Him and Monty brown -
i agree dat r-truth couldve been used better along wit monty brown(marcus cor von)
dam shame -
Mark got owned. He was being defensive wen some of that ? is indefensible.
The truth is that WWE needs to evolve in terms of using stereotypical characters.
All that said I think the statement from Kane was about 2/3s correct. Wrestling brings a lot of different races and ethnic groups together but to say they all have the same opportunity to make it is factually false.
wow kane said that? he gives no ? . he also kinda looks like he'd be a bit on the racist side. or am I reading this wrong?
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? neva ? a chance in wwe while tna has a brotha as world champ
not a good image huh wwe?
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Dude said... "It's stereotypes but we entertainers... Black culture, we dance and sing. We're entertainers"
Speak for yourself, Silverback. -
Another thing I noticed too. When he said during his WHC push he was told something like "this is the first time we're trying anything like this, don't mess it up for people like you" Well, if it's really equal opportunity for all, then why is it necessary for him to be a credit to is race if he's not being viewed/defined by his race?
I also noticed when he sad that one day his kids will be working side by side with the McMahon kids which to me was almost like saying " Well, one day we'll be able to sit at the front of the bus with white folk. We just gotta be patient" FOH.
I like Mark and I think he actually seems like a cool dude in real life. But that big ? did a tap dance Sammy Davis Jr. would be proud of. -
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I always saw wrestling as having a nascar kind of fanbase
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I always saw wrestling as having a nascar kind of fanbase
True, but I think most wrestling fans would have much less of a problem with a black champion(s) then the good ol' boys in the back at WWE.