Xenophobia is perhaps the easiest way to garner what is known as 'cheap heat'. A prime example of this would be Muhammad Hassan, who bounded onto WWE television in 2004, only to leap right back off it in 2005, following a number of complaints logged against the company for the distasteful nature of the character. WWE can say what they like about their shows existing in the fantasy world of entertainment, there's an element of truth to that, but the brass tacks of the situation dictate that they irritated and offended an awful lot of people with the Arab American gimmick. Along with his manager, Daivari, the pair claimed that they were not being treated with respect by Americans following the events of September 11, 2001. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmQA6jsC3h4 This is one of the most basic ways to get heat, by utilising religion and race. However, the easiest routes aren't always the best to take, as this example proves. Hassan was forced from TV following a barrage of complaints, forcing WWE to release him. We're not yet done with racism on this list, but we'll get to that!
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.