One MIND-BLOWING Secret From Every Year Of WWE History

36. 1989 - A Little-Known Racism Scandal

WWE's Deepest Secrets Vince McMahon
WWE.com

When you study WWE history and stretch back to a few decades ago, you’re likely to encounter two scandals: the steroids scandal that almost saw Vince McMahon imprisoned, and the ring boys scandal in which office employee Terry Garvin and ring announcer Mel Phillips were each accused of grooming and molesting underage boys. 

Completing a rather less-than-ideal trifecta, these two national headlines have throttled, in retrospect, a racism scandal that erupted in 1989. 

On a European tour, former wrestler Koko B. Ware had a bloody scrap with an executive named Jim Troy. The argument was originally a verbal one, but when Troy used racial slurs during it, it descended into the physical. 

Bruce Prichard discussed the incident on his podcast and while he wouldn’t confirm if a racist remark escalated it, he did mention that Troy, as a former ice hockey pro in the minor leagues, bragged that he was tougher than “the boys”. Koko took exception to that and “more than held his own”. The resulting scene apparently looked like a slaughterhouse, that much blood was spilled. 

Koko was originally fired before more details emerged, Troy resigned, and Koko was brought back.

 
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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!