41 Most Disgusting Promotional Tactics In Wrestling History RANKED
19. 2005 - WWE Refuses To Edit Out Terrorist Angle On Day Of London Bombings
WWE knew what they were doing by initially depicting Muhammad Hassan as a wrestler who had suffered prejudice stemming from the 9/11 terrorist attacks. He was “held back” as a result of his “Jordandian-Palestinian” heritage (Hassan was portrayed by the Italian-American Marc Copani).
This allowed WWE plausible deniability; they had not deliberately set about othering the Hassan character, nor framing him as a terrorist. The story was more sophisticated than that!
Why, the bold and challenging auteurs of WWE were sensitively exploring the cause of radicalisation. Really, when you think about it, it was your fault that Hassan turned to terrorism. You jeered him. You alienated him. You left him with no choice.
Shame on you.
Only, you’ll be shocked to learn, WWE could not help themselves. The chiffon-thin pretext was exposed when Steve Austin, long presented as the avatar of the audience, remarked to Hassan and his manager Daivari: “I see sand people”.
So yes, within months, Hassan was a full-blown heel. In an infamous angle, drawing heavily on baiting terrorist imagery, Hassan and a crew of extras purported to be a terrorist cell attacked the Undertaker with piano wire. This would have secured the award irrespective of the timing.
The angle was taped on July 4 - just in time to capture the fervent patriotism, fancy that - and broadcast on July 7. It was removed from UK screens, since the London Underground bombings had tragically claimed the lives of 56 people that very day. The angle nonetheless played out as planned on UPN. This was outrageous, even by Vince McMahon’s standards. His dumb stories are more important than your real life.
Never forget.