10 Wrestlers Who Broke Typecasting In The Most Epic Way

6. Kofi Kingston

Trish Stratus Then And Now
WWE.com

Kofi Kingston's recent WrestleMania push hasn't been without merit. It's merit in fact that's underpinned everything about the push - fans and New Day friends Xavier Woods and Big E alike have espoused hard truths about his graft and survival instincts in the organisation since his 2008 debut. It's the pro wrestler getting the spot, not the entertainer, clown or fool that may have once upon a time.

WWE's booking of non-white performers has been historically problematic even during their attempts to earnestly improve. Stereotypes are too often dug deep into - whilst characteristics such as intellectualism, fighting spirit or technical excellence have always been reserved for the various great white hopes Vince McMahon's hitched his wagon to over the decades.

Kofi Kingston is - at long last - all business, and his business is pro wrestling. This push has emerged not just from his ability to get over as a grinning babyface singles star or pancake-chucking New Day boypopper, but his dynamism and dedication to the craft.

All of it was hiding in plain sight all along of course, but deep-rooted and dormant prejudices take a long time to overcome.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett