1. WWE Wanted Daivari To Be Called 'George W. Bush'
Introduced as the manager of Muhammed Hassan, Shawn Daivari was thrilled to be signed by WWE in August, 2004. The controversial Arab gimmick played on the hatred Muslim citizens in North America had suffered since the events of 9/11 years before. By the Summer of 2005, WWE were forced to take Hassan off the air, such was the backlash against the character. This meant that Daivari also disappeared, but the promotion were eager to find a new role for him elsewhere on the card. Eventually, he'd return to manage Kurt Angle, but that wasn't the first plan the creative team had in mind for the man. It's startling to think, but Stephanie McMahon called a meeting with the wrestler to tell him what WWE felt would be best for him. Daivari must have thought it was a joke, but
WWE wanted to repackage him as 'George W. Bush'. All of a sudden, he'd be a caricature of American patriotism, dressed in garish red, white and blue. Daivari turned the character down without hesitation, likely feeling it would be the worst move he could make at the time. It's hardly surprising that he wasn't keen on the terrible idea.