10 WWE Storylines That Were Probably Racist

By Scott Carlson /

2. Virgil As DiBiase€™s Manservant

No matter how you slice it, rich, white Ted DiBiase talking about how he can buy a person, such as €œmy man Virgil,€ a black bodyguard whose primary job is to hold DiBiase€™s money, is racist. Virgil also chauffeured DiBiase around and seconded him to the ring, often serving as a distraction and a punching bag for the Million Dollar Man€™s opponents. Sure, you could make the case the Virgil was meant to represent Dusty Rhodes €“ real name Virgil Runnels €“ but having a rich white man barking orders at a subservient black man just screams degrading. How they got away with this on television for several years is beyond comprehension.Interestingly, many fans fondly remember the Million Dollar Man character and overlook this very racist element of his character in favor of that maniacal laugh. He€™s now an almost-beloved Legend who shows up in the occasional backstage segment. People don€™t seem to care about the manservant aspect of the character. But at least Virgil finally got his comeuppance and captured the Million Dollar Championship. That€™s more than can be said for the next guy.