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The W - Pro Wrestling - Tasteless in the extreme... (SD! SPOILER WARNING!)
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ekedolphin
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Since: 12.1.02
From: Indianapolis, IN; now residing in Suffolk, VA

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#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.52
Granted that there was a scrolling marquee across the bottom of the screen saying that "Due to today's tragic events in London, viewer discretion is advised while watching this episode," but I thought it was simply because of pro wrestling's violence content.

I did not expect to see five "Al-Qaeda" members in masks jump the Undertaker and start trying to "choke him to death", and then have Hassan put the finishing touch on him with the Camel Clutch.

This was actually shaping up to be an interesting angle until that happened. Daivari was let out to dry, and I know that if the situation were reversed, there's no way Daivari would do that to Hassan-- he'd try to help him. Probably get his ass kicked as well, but he wouldn't just stand there watching. So I was figuring they were building up to Daivari eventually turning babyface, which I would eat up.

And then THIS BULLSHIT.



“Hey, I'm bilingual! I speak Profanity and English!"
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Kolbasz








Since: 3.1.02
From: Toms River, NJ

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#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.43
I thought it was kinda tasteless, but what else was the WWE supposed to do? Smackdown was taped on Monday. It's not like the WWE knew that London was going to be bombed.

When does Smackdown air in England? Perhaps the beatdown will be edited off that show?



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OlFuzzyBastard
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Since: 28.4.02
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Since last post: 1819 days
Last activity: 995 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.29
It was ignorant, tasteless and offensive on Monday, too.

Hassan's whole pep talk to Daivari beforehand was clearly supposed to be reminiscent of a suicide bomber as well - telling him he's a sacrifice for the greater good and that he'd be a martyr and rewarded afterwards.

Seriously, I feel like a racist just watching that shit.

(edited by OlFuzzyBastard on 7.7.05 2205)


"That's my problem - I'm too frank. That's why my mother shoved me down the stairs. But then she is fat."
Texas Kelly
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Since: 3.1.02
From: FOREST HILLS CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE

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#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.24
One question: How is this any different from the Brood being underneath the Undertaker's druids' masks?

Seriously, just because Hassan & Daivari are portrayed as Arab-Americans, that makes your typical wrestling "out-of-nowhere beatdown by mysterious strangers in masks" different or tasteless?

I just don't see how this is so terrible. Sure, in light of the attacks in Britain today, it's not the best idea to run with (since people will obviously make this flimsy, stretched connection from it) but:

1. The show was taped on Monday, so it's not as if they're outright reacting to the attacks.

2. The attacks in London are so recent that they didn't have time to edit it out for us (which they surely would have had it been possible.

Lay off WWE on this one, man - it ain't their fault. If you wanna bitch at them for making a bunch of stupid releases, that's fine.



e-mail me at texas (dot) kelly (at) gmailread a bunch of incoherent nonsense
smark/net attack Advisory System is Elevatedsmark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated
(Holds; July 5, 2005)
It's good to see that the WWE isn't backing away from Batista or Cena. There's still some questions lingering over a few of the draft moves they either made or didn't make (Jericho being a prime example), but the stage is set for a solid run to Summerslam that may send the indicator down. The longer Triple H stays away is also a plus...
Stablewars Championship Wrestling Presents: Battle of the Warriors - Choose Your Weapon Well
Monday, July 11 2005 - Toronto, Ontario
ekedolphin
Scrapple








Since: 12.1.02
From: Indianapolis, IN; now residing in Suffolk, VA

Since last post: 490 days
Last activity: 14 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.52
My point is that this was extremely tasteless before the bombings. I understand the show's taped, and that it looks different now after the London bombings. But it was a bad idea to begin with.

I mean, it's not as if they're not aware of the fact that for the last year or two, people have been getting kidnapped in Iraq and Afghanistan and beheaded by guys wearing much the same gear as these guys were wearing. I just wish the Idiot In The Back Writing This Crap would have his "this is going way overboard" sensor adjusted.

(edited by ekedolphin on 7.7.05 2207)


“Hey, I'm bilingual! I speak Profanity and English!"
--Charles Barkley, Inside the NBA, May 8, 2005

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JustinShapiro
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Since: 12.12.01

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#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.46
You're kidding yourself if you think it's a flimsy, stretched connection. Their getup was deliberately supposed to evoke a terrorist sect and they carried Daivari off as a martyr. It's staggeringly inappropriate with or without London.
BigSteve
Pepperoni








Since: 23.7.04
From: Baltimore, MD

Since last post: 6285 days
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#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.94
    Originally posted by Texas Kelly
    One question: How is this any different from the Brood being underneath the Undertaker's druids' masks?

    Seriously, just because Hassan & Daivari are portrayed as Arab-Americans, that makes your typical wrestling "out-of-nowhere beatdown by mysterious strangers in masks" different or tasteless?

    I just don't see how this is so terrible. Sure, in light of the attacks in Britain today, it's not the best idea to run with (since people will obviously make this flimsy, stretched connection from it) but:

    1. The show was taped on Monday, so it's not as if they're outright reacting to the attacks.

    2. The attacks in London are so recent that they didn't have time to edit it out for us (which they surely would have had it been possible.

    Lay off WWE on this one, man - it ain't their fault. If you wanna bitch at them for making a bunch of stupid releases, that's fine.


I'm not one to get easily offended by WWE (or any pop culture act). In the end the content of an angle won't make me stop watching (though the quality may). But this most certainly is their fault. If you can't see how this is any different than other angles, you're not looking very hard. Everything about this angle screamed "TERRORISM!" just short of coming out and saying it. Come on -- guys in masks, Arab Americans, a "sacrifice", Daivari being a "martyr". If you aren't offended by this, that's fine, but surely you see what their intent was with this angle.

Even without today's events, this was crass, even by WWE's already low standards. After what happened in London, they really should have edited this out.




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BigDaddyLoco
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Since: 2.1.02

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#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.82
I'm all for cheap heat, but there are plenty of more effective ways to get it and still be offensive.



Mayhem
Scrapple








Since: 25.4.03
From: Nashville, TN

Since last post: 2439 days
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#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.44
I could see where a line may have been crossed, but I kept telling myself that it's no different than a television drama on network TV. WWE has crossed the lines of good taste so many times, that I feel I'm almost immune to it.

And if you wanna throw the "offensive" tag around, what about the Mexicools making the "slant eyes" in reference to the Japanese?

But all in all, I thought this was a very good episode of Smackdown. Christian was made to look strong against Batista, so that was a plus.

Great match between Booker & Benoit. Did anyone else catch Michael Cole stating "the U.S. champion is Orlando Jordan", implying that not many people even know who holds the belt.

And I hope that the bWo are kept around for a while, at least to give MNM some challengers.

(edited by Mayhem on 7.7.05 2122)


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Summer 2005
Texas Kelly
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Since: 3.1.02
From: FOREST HILLS CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE

Since last post: 2368 days
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#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.21
My only points were this:

1. This isn't any worse than Sandman being crucified in front of a live audience, or Pillman pulling a clearly loaded gun on Austin, or Undertaker forming a satanic cult and doing graphic sacrifices. They've run along the line so much that it's completely scuffed up and impossible to make out, and completely desensitised me to almost anything they could do. (Katie Vick was more funny in a sick, stupid way than tasteless to me, for instance.)

2. Even if they realized that this isn't something they should air, especially in light of the events in London this morning, they may not have had any choice but to air it just because it was so close to showtime. They had a deadline to meet, and I'm sure the tape was already in UPN's hands before they even had a clue of what was going on. (The UK is a different story, since they had more time between the events and when Smackdown airs there.)

And personally, no, it didn't offend me.

(I'm white, before anyone asks.)



e-mail me at texas (dot) kelly (at) gmailread a bunch of incoherent nonsense
smark/net attack Advisory System is Elevatedsmark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated
(Holds; July 5, 2005)
It's good to see that the WWE isn't backing away from Batista or Cena. There's still some questions lingering over a few of the draft moves they either made or didn't make (Jericho being a prime example), but the stage is set for a solid run to Summerslam that may send the indicator down. The longer Triple H stays away is also a plus...
Stablewars Championship Wrestling Presents: Battle of the Warriors - Choose Your Weapon Well
Monday, July 11 2005 - Toronto, Ontario
CubsWoo
Bauerwurst








Since: 25.4.02
From: Chi-town burbs

Since last post: 6761 days
Last activity: 1646 days
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.31
From all the talk about this from the spoilers, it didn't come off as ~that~ bad. Even given the relevence of today's attack I don't see it as any better or worse than when 'Taker was crucifying Austin on Raw.

Now if next week sees either Hassan or Daivari starting a feud with Paul London, THEN we have a problem.
Spaceman Spiff
Knackwurst








Since: 2.1.02
From: Philly Suburbs

Since last post: 1336 days
Last activity: 1 day
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
Because they (and other promotions) have done tasteless stuff in the past, that gives them carte-blanche to do tasteless stuff now and/or in the future?



BigSteve
Pepperoni








Since: 23.7.04
From: Baltimore, MD

Since last post: 6285 days
Last activity: 6013 days
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.96

    Because they (and other promotions) have done tasteless stuff in the past, that gives them carte-blanche to do tasteless stuff now and/or in the future?


Pretty much. If you're watching wrestling (especially WWE) for tasteful entertainment, then you're watching the wrong show.

(edited by BigSteve on 7.7.05 2234)


SportsBlog (baltimorenine.blogspot.com)
Bob C
Chorizo








Since: 5.9.04
From: Downtown

Since last post: 3709 days
Last activity: 3576 days
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.09
I wasn't offended by this. And, in the grand scheme of things, I think it was much less worse than Hassan's throat slashing gesture he used a couple of times on his opponents.

Of course, with the London attacks, there could have been better timing.



Tiens mon copain!
JustinShapiro
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 12.12.01

Since last post: 1764 days
Last activity: 1416 days
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.46
There's a further distinction between other angles of questionable taste listed here versus the cake-taking of trying to draw money and get heat by exploiting 9/11, the "War on Terror," suicide bombings, and American antipathy towards Arabs. The idea that it's "just wrestling" doesn't make it any less wrong. And it's not "just wrestling" so much as it is "just those desperate and embarrassingly out of touch in wrestling." Anyhoo, you can wear your badge of honor of not getting personally offended by something yet still have the basic awareness it takes to call a reprehensible spade a spade.

p.s. Juventud~~~~~~~~

(edited by JustinShapiro on 7.7.05 2249)
Jellofiend
Weisswurst








Since: 4.5.04
From: Oxford, Ohio

Since last post: 4331 days
Last activity: 4331 days
#16 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.12
Seriously, people need to not get offended at every little thing. I admit I was pissed when Undertaker put Austin on his "symbol" but that's because a lot of people close to me have been crucified. When was the last time you heard about somebody being killed by a "terrorist"?





Wait, what?

EDIT: Alright, now that I've got my crap joke out of the way, I'll jump onto the wasn't offended bandwagon.

For me, it was a laugh out loud "I can't believe they did it" kind of thing. The advisory turned it into something comical for me. I was waiting to see what they could do that would cause them to put one up. I guess it's like the line between tragedy and comedy. There was all this expectation built up in to this offensive moment that when it finally occured it was more silly than anyting else.

Also, the "terrorist" that jumped into the ring reminded me of hostage takers more than bombers. I could see where it was related to the bombings but I was expecting Hassan to bring out his back up the "London Bombers". It wasn't until they did the martyr thing with Daivari did it really hit me. And then I fell out of my chair.

And I second what Justin says about the badge of the unoffended.
(edited by Jellofiend on 7.7.05 2253)

(edited by Jellofiend on 7.7.05 2351)
ges7184
Lap cheong








Since: 7.1.02
From: Birmingham, AL

Since last post: 2178 days
Last activity: 2166 days
#17 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.50
So if a show like "24" revolves around Arab-Americans and terrorism, that's OK. But if wrestling tries to do the same, that's offensive? I'm not sure I see the difference.



The Bored are already here. Idle hands are the devil's workshop. And no... we won't kill dolphins. But koalas are fair game.
Deputy Marshall
Liverwurst








Since: 28.6.04
From: Troy, NY

Since last post: 3451 days
Last activity: 2972 days
#18 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.29
    Originally posted by ges7184
    So if a show like "24" revolves around Arab-Americans and terrorism, that's OK. But if wrestling tries to do the same, that's offensive? I'm not sure I see the difference.


All of us fans go to great lengths to get the latest news item on the WWE and the industry as a whole, including contract negotiations, and discuss them a lot more than how much Kiefer Sutherland has gotten for another season of "24." We also tend to identify with others in our community (both online and off), go to live events (I can't remember the last time the cast of "24" did a live event at the Pepsi Arena), and debate these things far more than we would any other program. So can we PLEASE stop putting on the pretense that we view Smackdown or RAW are just another television show that we watch?

"24" at least attempts to explore the issue in an intelligent manner. I'd find just as much fault in any other show that portrays Arab-Americans in such a stereotypical light. Before, Hassan was the whiny minority who wouldn't shut up about being oppressed due to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and now he's being likened to a terrorist himself. That wouldn't be a problem if we had at least one other character on that program who was Arab-American that didn't act in such a fashion. Knowing several Arab-Americans (both in the past and presently), I'm sorry to say that I find WWE encouraging fans to boo someone because they're Arab-American and focusing in on signs that say stuff like "Hassan lost his camel" or whatever pretty offensive.



TheCaptainOfEvil
Longanisa








Since: 3.7.05

Since last post: 6827 days
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#19 Posted on | Instant Rating: 0.15
    Originally posted by El Pescado
    I thought it was kinda tasteless, but what else was the WWE supposed to do? Smackdown was taped on Monday. It's not like the WWE knew that London was going to be bombed.

    When does Smackdown air in England? Perhaps the beatdown will be edited off that show?


Or did they? Seriously I getting sick and tired of these racists charactors Kerwin,Hassan and Diavari,the Mexicools.

I actaully beginning to think WWE fans are racist:

Example 1)The first promo for Hassan wasn't hateful at all. He said he was an american of arab decent and wanted to wrestle in the WWE and then he said,"Praise Allah" and the dumb rednecks booed! Why don't they boo when Michaels
wears christian symbols and prays before matches?

Example 2) When Chavo was making racist comments about Mexicans and saying how great white people are the fans weren't booing they were cheering.

Example 3) When JBL was in Iraq and talking about how the soldiers were enslaving the Iraqis and taking over the country he was cheered.

If that's not prejudice I don't know what is.



I began this year with a rather ambitious goal, "To be the best there is at what I do and find out what exactly that is!" It aint gonna be easy....nothing worth having ever is.- Wolverine(issue #123 "Better Than Best")
Snookum
Kishke








Since: 19.6.03
From: Louisville

Since last post: 6082 days
Last activity: 6063 days
#20 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.59
Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown.
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