10 Weird (But True) Facts For WWE In 2024
7. Representation Matters
It’s previously been noted that WWE has been in the middle of a drought when it comes to Black male wrestlers appearing on PLEs, much less winning singles matches at PLEs. But the details are a bit more daunting than they first appeared.
A Black superstar has not won a WWE PLE singles match since Backlash… in Puerto Rico in 2023, when Bianca Belair defeated Iyo Sky in that much-celebrated opener. Barring a sudden change in booking plans for Survivor Series (which took place after this column was written), 2024 will be the first year in nearly a decade that a Black wrestler didn’t win a singles PLE match. The last time that happened? 2015.
When you consider the diversity and talent on the main roster (Kofi Kingston, Bianca Belair, Montez Ford, Carmelo Hayes, Naomi, and even Bobby Lashley for much of the year), it’s crazy to realize that none of them have picked up a singles win at a big show for an entire calendar year.
Triple H badly bungled a question on this topic in October when he gave a tone-deaf “don’t see color” response rather than acknowledging that representation matters and that he should be making more of an effort. But it’s never too late to take corrective action going forward. Here’s hoping this “streak” doesn’t stretch far into 2025.