10 Times WWE Blatantly Used Racist Stereotypes

5. Akeem, The African Dream

Jinder Mahal Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE.com

Not content to have ethnic wrestlers fulfill every available racial stereotype imaginable, WWE went a step further up the insult ladder by having the white One Man Gang 'reborn' as an African American parody.

Formerly a bruising biker type, Akeem was suddenly transformed into the 'African Dream' with the help of 'Doctor of Style' Slick - himself a derivative newsboy take-off. Supposedly the gimmick satirised 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes, known for his unique accent which many equated with 'jive'. That didn't readily explain Akeem's change of hometown to 'Deepest, Darkest Africa', nor his sudden penchant for the kufi and dashiki. Like Virgil, it was a plainly racist gimmick, with a bit of added ribbing thrown Dusty's way as varnish.

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Editorial Team
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Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.