15 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Muhammad Hassan
1. “I Don’t Waste Days Anymore”
After picking himself back up, Marc went to college and worked nights at UPS. He found the experience “very humbling”, and ended up getting a degree then becoming a teacher. Going further, he also became a school principal. Copani managed to turn his life back around and find the happiness that had eluded him since his WWE dream died. He didn’t realise just how much he was suppressing the pain and heartbreak of things.
According to the man himself, it wasn’t until a decade or so later that he “started to appreciate the journey and career [he’d] had regardless of how it ended”. Today, he doesn’t blame WWE, and says he made the decision to play the character. So, he doesn’t hold grudges about it. Jim Cornette appeared again to say Copani is probably better off in the long run for getting out of wrestling; “I’m happy for him”, Cornette closed.
It's somewhat poignant that VICE's latest 'Dark Side Of The Ring' season ended on such a happy note. Copani's story hasn't resulted in tragedy, death or suicide. There's no addiction issues to pore over or bounce back from. No, he just needed time to rationalise everything in his own mind and then move forwards.
Marc perhaps says it best when he adds: "I don't waste days anymore". He's been able to look back on some of the more positive things about his WWE run, like sharing the stage at WrestleMania 21 with childhood hero Hulk Hogan, or wrestling The Undertaker on pay-per-view in his last company match.
Roll on 'Dark Side' series seven!
What did you think of VICE's episode on controversial WWE gimmick Muhammad Hassan? For more 'Dark Side Of The Ring', check out 15 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Tony Atlas and 13 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Daffney!