6 Ups And Downs From Last Night's WWE Raw (Feb 9)

1. Black History Month?

Give WWE credit for trying to pay homage to some of the black wrestlers who have come through the company and left their mark on the wrestling business. It€™s a shame that many of them only get acknowledged during February each year, but it€™s better than some other long-forgotten stars. Unfortunately for WWE, there€™s a hellacious juxtaposition between this tribute and the company€™s current state of black wrestlers. Look at Monday night€™s Raw. Aside from Booker T at the announce table, Naomi and the New Day were the only black performers to appear. Naomi seconded her husband to the ring, and New Day sang and danced their way to the ring for a two-minute contest that was more angle than match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mwR9ij3FnM&index=13 New Day is especially frustrating in the context of Black History Month. WWE is trying to showcase the contributions of some of professional wrestling€™s black performers, but then trots out a trio that comes out to a gospel choir and tried to get the crowd to sing along while smiling and remaining positive. Kofi, Xavier and Big E have live microphones and literally say nothing of consequence. We just know they€™re happy to be there. It€™s 2015, and you get the feeling that Junkyard Dog had more purpose in 1980s WWF entertaining fans and dancing in the ring with kids than New Day does today. If WWE truly wants to honor the black performers who came before, then maybe they should start booking their current black wrestlers in a more colorblind way and let them excel.