Cultural respect and differential treatment in wrestling

[MoS]

This is not so much a post for listing out the stereotypes in wrestling, since stereotypes exist in all forms of entertainment, but a post to felicitate discussion on how it is treated. I have a lot to say, but I am finding it difficult to articulate my thoughts.

 

Principally, I am reminded of the story when Tiger Ali Singh asked Vince to reconsider the angle where his Turban was removed - for laughs, IIRC - because of its importance in his local culture. Vince, apparently, listened to him, and then just said "Go and fucking do it."

 

I am not saying he should not have booked that angle, but I do want to talk about how it was booked and treated. To put it mildly, for a man of Singh's character's background, his turban being tossed like that is literally ten times worse than Hogan getting his cross ripped from him. Of course, Singh is no Hogan, but remember how it was treated like an enormous deal when Andre did that? It was tantamount to blasphemy, almost. The reaction and treatment of the Turban angle did not come close to being treated with suitable gravity.

 

Has wrestling improved in that matter now? It has always had a fruitful relationship with the Samoan community, but now, when the Usos do their entrance dance, not only is it not made fun of, it is also treated with respect, or at least that is what I feel. Is it a sign of an overall improvement, or just an exception? Would the Maori Haka also be treated with the same level of respect, considering the Maoris, to the best of my knowledge, have not been a consistent target demographic in wrestling history?

 

It is something I am intrigued about.

[Gutenberger]

I don't think it has improved, nor do I think it ever will. As long as there is something you can exploit ot further storylines, it will be done.

[Floaker]

I think it hasn't really improved, but it could do it if wrestlers could feel they had the ability to refuse an angle for being racist/misogynistic/abelist/homophobic and would get the support of the locker room in doing so. It would also help if audiences called out and rejected any bs and supported wrestlers who where caught in a bind by them.

While not about cultural respect but able to draw a parallel, think of the sexual assault angle from this year's Royal Rumble. The whole setup of WWE made me have to stop watching because even in the unlikely scenario that Lynch had came up with that angle, she did so I can a structural framework that encourages and supports the promotion of sexual assault. Her continuation within the company relied on playing to those misogynistic expectations. If the angle was suggested by someone else, what choices did she have? I'd suggest go with it or leave the company - no real choice at all.