15 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Muhammad Hassan
3. Great American Bash 2005 Was “Full Circle”
This match vs. The Undertaker was one that Muhammad Hassan was originally slated to win, but criticism of that aforementioned angle on SmackDown in early-July changed everything. Suddenly, WWE decided they'd rather wash their hands of the character they crafted, and the only one who'd lose out would be the guy playing it.
Hassan lost to ‘Taker in a number one contenders match at the Great American Bash 2005 pay-per-view. Internally, Copani knew this would be it for his run in WWE, but something else was playing in his mind that night: Marc’s family were in attendance for the show, because it was in Buffalo, New York. That’s where Copani had grown up and started dreaming of one day becoming a wrestler, so this was a weird full circle moment for him whilst also processing the death of that dream.
On 'Dark Side', Copani said he was honoured to stare at the lights for The Undertaker in spite of the crappy circumstances for him personally. He drove home after the show, and he “couldn’t even begin to tell you the thoughts [he] was feeling”. Marc was heartbroken by how things had turned out for his career, and he knew he wouldn't get another chance.
WWE chiefs had told him there was no way to repackage him into another character. That's plainly utter drivel. Wrestling can repackage anything, and it isn't often concerned with being clever or cute about that either. Copani could've denounced the Hassan gimmick and moved forward as an updated take on his old vain heel guise.
Vince McMahon wasn't interested.