10 Genius Wrestling Characters That Happened At The Wrong Time

10. Muhammad Hassan

Right off the bat, what better way to start this list than with one of the most controversial characters in WWE's recent history? Muhammad Hassan was portrayed as as Arab American who despised his adopted country for the the way they treated people in Muslim countries following the events of 9/11. In reality, 'Hassan' was played by Mark Copani, an Italian American who was born in New York, rather ironically given the context of his character's argument. The wheels fell firmly off the Muhammad Hassan wagon after controversial segments which included The Undertaker being attacked by 5 hooded thugs with piano wire and clubs on an episode of Smackdown. This was aired just days before the events of the London bombings in July, 2005, during which terrorists committed suicide bomb murders on London buses and the underground metro system. Sure, WWE were a little insensitive and behind the times with their portrayal of Hassan, and the controversy didn't help, but that's exactly it, they were only really guilty of being a little off the pace. Had Muhammad Hassan made his debut during the 1960's, 70's, 80's or perhaps even the early-90's, few would have batted an eyelid, because racial stereotypes and Anti-American heels were commonplace.