The One WCW Gimmick Too Offensive For Eric Bischoff

The most common version of this story is that another of Parker's managerial clients, Sid Vicious (!), concocted the whole thing.

"It is an absolutely undeniable fact that the gimmick was thought of by, of all people, Sid," wrote Madden, who worked for WCW as both a magazine writer and commentator. Not only that, but Madden claimed the pitch was approved by Ole Anderson and Dusty Rhodes, both of whom held powerful positions on the company's booking committee at the time.

When Mark contacted WCW for comment from Rhodes or Anderson, the person he spoke to fobbed him off, saying that "Ole says that was their gimmick back in Texas."

The intent should be brought up here, as it's unlikely that Sid (or whoever it was) deliberately concocted this gimmick with racial discrimination in mind. No, The Posse was probably a product of ignorance, born of a mind that should have recognised the visual connotations of a white guy dressed like a plantation owner accompanying two chained African-Americans to the ring, but didn't.

The offence this would spark should have been clear, and spark offence it did, with Ray noting the building was hot for their tryout match in Atlanta. He shares the belief that the gimmick wasn't a product of intentional racism but claims him and Booker had heat with the office afterwards, as none of them saw what was wrong with the presentation.

It can't have lasted long, though: the Huffmans debuted as Harlem Heat just two months later.

CONT'd...