Last Thursday WWE aired a promo featuring several men in black ski masks along with Arab-American wrestler Muhammad Hassan.
You may have seen some of the coverage already, but WWE was ripped on by numerous media outlets (who don’t understand wrestling at all). The problem with the promo and bit was that it aired the night of the London bombings (it was taped on Tuesday night). WWE representatives apolgized for the bad timing but stuck with their guns. The promo was edited out in the UN and UPN ran a scroller announcement to warn parents of the upcoming promo.
It would have been better if this segment did not coincide with the events in London last week. Putting timing aside, we believe the segment added an interesting dimension to our exploration of the Mohammed Hassan character and the plight of Arab-Americans in this country.
Essentially, Hassan called in some additional muscle in last week’s SmackDown! to beat on the Undertaker to give him an advantage in their #1 Contender match at the Great American Bash, a tactic used by other Superstars to gain a competitive advantage before a crucial match.
Because these henchmen wore masks and camouflage pants, and because Hassan is of Arab descent, some viewers may have leapt to the conclusion that these henchmen are terrorists. They are not, as our viewers will learn in future episodes.
Anyone who has followed the story of Mohammed Hassan knows that he is an American, born in Detroit, of Arab descent. He believes that since 9/11, he is being treated differently by his fellow Americans because of his Arab background. This has driven him to embrace his Arab roots, further estranging him from his fellow Americans. Many of the points Hassan raises have relevance to the prejudice of our society today. However, the way he goes about expressing these arguments is what turns people against him.
While it may seem tacktful and distasteful, it’s interesting to see that the media and others immediatly jumped to conclusions that henchmen wearing camoflauge and ski masks were terrorists.
The New York Post actually called Muhammad a terrorist in their headline: ‘Terrorist’ wrestles after bombing By Don Kaplan
Whether or not this was planned from the beginning or not, WWE and Hassan have used this incident to more adequatly tell the story of Hassan’s struggles in America as an Arab-American.
If you have a chance to watch Smackdown tonight – do so. Apparently Hassan cut a great promo Tuesday night on the media and people who generalize.
Muhammad enters admist signs that read: “Get the hell out of America Hassan†“U Suck†and USA chants
I stand here tonight, probably the last true patriot in America
I stand here tonight perhaps even a martyr against tyranny and injustice
Because the fact is – I am an American professional wrestler
But because of my heritage, because of my background, because of who my ancestors were – I’m labeled, we’re labeled terrorists, terrorists. I’m a terrorists
Well it must be true
Its gotta be true because its right here in black and white
In a reputable source like The New York Post
You don’t believe me?
Here it is: Terrorist wrestles after bombing
I’m a terrorist, we’re terrorists, we wrestled after a bombing
Well mister Don Kaplan.
Have you ever met Don Kaplan? Have you ever spoke to Don Kaplan? Have you ever spoke to Don Kaplan on the phone?
Well I never have either, so if Don Kaplan of the New York Post has never met us or talked to us, how does he know we’re terrorists
Also, read WWE’s response to the incident.
It will be interesting to see how the media covers this story after tonight.
