Hassan's Henchmen (SD Spoilers)

[Face Heely]

So, Smackdown has just started, but I wanna make note of an interesting detail before I forget about it completely. I dunno if this was on all UPN channels, but UPN 9 (New York) ran a scroll along the bottom of the screen saying (roughly), "In light of today's tragic events, parental discretion is advised during parts of this program."

Now, I know as well as the rest of you guys who've already read the spoilers that they're referring to the Hassan/Daivari/"Masked Men" segment - which worries me. I know live accounts are saying it didn't necessarily portray them as terrorists per se, but this warning makes me wonder just how this segment will come across - and whether it'll be edited/chopped down a bit. (If they can even do that with such little notice.)

Yeah...dat's not cool.

[Joey Slugs]

yeah, they flashed it across the screen here on UPN Chicago

[FearedSanctity]

It is confirmed that the tape of the Smackdown show sent to the U.K. today will not include the angle with Undertaker and Muhammad Hassan, an angle that involved "terrorists" that would be in bad taste after the attacks in London. It may also be edited off of the North American version, but that has not been confirmed. So it looks like they'll show it here, because I got that little warning across the bottom also

[Face Heely]

As if the angle wasn't in "bad taste" before. :roll: But it seems the WWE is censoring itself here, which is a good thing. (This is the first example of "good judgment" we've seen out of 'em since...Batista going to Smackdown, I guess.)

[Face Heely]

As if the angle wasn't in "bad taste" before. :roll: But it seems the WWE is censoring itself here, which is a good thing. (This is the first example of "good judgment" we've seen out of 'em since...Batista going to Smackdown, I guess. Totally different kinda judgment, there, though...)

[FearedSanctity]

I don't think it was in bad taste. Wrestling, in my opinion, is going to have to be more edgy if it hopes to be as popular as it was years ago. While for now Hassan's henchmen might be a little extreme, I feel it's stuff like this that could get people interested.

[Batsu]

Another reason why SD! should go live should it move away from UPN.

Saw that disclaimer as well, on the second hour...

[Kane Knight]

Oops. Didn't realise there was a thread on it...

[Mayo]

Never showed that disclaimer here in Canada on The Score network.

[Joey Slugs]

That was fucking cool.

[Kane Knight]

That disclaimer was fucking stupid.

Like it would be better if it was yesterday or tomorrow it aired.

[FearedSanctity]

I don't see what was so wrong with that. Most of them looked white anyways :p

[Face Heely]

This whole thing is coming off a lot more...harmless than I expected. The way the whole thing was staged, it felt like your average post-match gang-up, just colored in a way that fit Hassan's character (he's always been rather militaristic in personality, which excuses the camo pants). My fears have been thoroughly assuaged.

(The pre-match pep talk, though, was a bit overdone.)

I'll tell ya what, trying to pull this early in Hassan's WWE life woulda been a disaster. Now, though, it's pretty well established that he's a just a natural villain to the core, regardless of race, etc.

[FearedSanctity]

It was funny to watch the crowd not know how to react

[Kane Knight]

I don't see what was so wrong with that. Most of them looked white anyways :p
Maybe those guys who bombed the subways were white.

[Kane Knight]

This whole thing is coming off a lot more...harmless than I expected. The way the whole thing was staged, it felt like your average post-match gang-up, just colored in a way that fit Hassan's character (he's always been rather militaristic in personality, which excuses the camo pants). My fears have been thoroughly assuaged.

(The pre-match pep talk, though, was a bit overdone.)

I'll tell ya what, trying to pull this early in Hassan's WWE life woulda been a disaster. Now, though, it's pretty well established that he's a just a natural villain to the core, regardless of race, etc.
When I saw the guys in masks come out, I was like "HOLY FUCK!"

Then I saw what they did and I was like "Holy fuck, that merits a disclaimer?"

[Batsu]

The one thing that was funny was Hassan doing his impression of the theme music with arms spread before putting on the Camel Clutch...

[Watson]

I dunno IMO there taking this whole thing a bit too far. Although I doubt it would have been booked if the bombing in London would have happened before the tapings. Alot of you think it's harmless but I beg to differ. Some say it shouldn't be taking seriously but I guarantee alot of non-wrestling fans were quite offended by the whole thing. Especially how they keep commenting that Daivari (sp?) was a "sacrifice" (almost like a suicide jobber). Then the way those guys in masks carried him away from the ring. Not to mention how those guys were dressed. I dunno, man, I just think the whole thing is in poor taste. Maybe not to wrestling fans but certainly to those affected by the terrorist's actions. But to Vince McMahon any publicity (positive or negative) is good publicity. He didn't have any problems making Sgt. Slaughter an Iraqi sympathizer and having him burn the American flag while the Gulf War was going on. He didn't even seem to mind that at Wrestlemania 7 they had to have extra security because so many people were afraid that someone might try to take a shot a Sgt. Slaughter.

[darkpower]

When I saw the guys in masks come out, I was like "HOLY FUCK!"

Then I saw what they did and I was like "Holy fuck, that merits a disclaimer?"
You know how sensitive people are anymore. The second they get a chance, some conservative talk-radio nut (besides JBL), the FCC, President Bush, or whoever it would be would try to fuck them over however they could the second they had the chance, and why? Because they CAN!!

[FearedSanctity]

But I don't see how it really offends people. It's not like it's making fun of those who've died from terrorist attacks, it's just taking what happens in real life and carries it over into the wrestling world.

[Joey Slugs]

Alot of you think it's harmless but I beg to differ. Some say it shouldn't be taking seriously but I guarantee alot of non-wrestling fans were quite offended by the whole thing.

Unless they heard about it ahead of time, or if a fan tells them, how would a non-fan know about it? I always pictured non-fans NOT watching wrestling. Maybe that's just me.

Was it offensive? Of course it was. But so was that angle in the early 90's, yet the Sarge is still a fan favorite.

[Kane Knight]

But I don't see how it really offends people. It's not like it's making fun of those who've died from terrorist attacks, it's just taking what happens in real life and carries it over into the wrestling world.
Unless we warped back to the Iran Contra era...

[Face Heely]

But I don't see how it really offends people. It's not like it's making fun of those who've died from terrorist attacks, it's just taking what happens in real life and carries it over into the wrestling world.

It's also clearly depicting those using such tactics as the "bad guys." I think that was my biggest concern - that this would be executed in either a silly way that makes light of the situation, or that Hassan would (somehow, someway) come off as a sympathetic character. Neither was the case - it was realistic enough, but also simple enough that you know that a) Hassan's the bad guy, and he's doing a bad thing; b) he will get his comeuppance, like every bad guy in wrestling does, and probably from the one he "terrorized" with these attacks.

[Marc the Smark]

I dunno IMO there taking this whole thing a bit too far. Although I doubt it would have been booked if the bombing in London would have happened before the tapings. Alot of you think it's harmless but I beg to differ. Some say it shouldn't be taking seriously but I guarantee alot of non-wrestling fans were quite offended by the whole thing. Especially how they keep commenting that Daivari (sp?) was a "sacrifice" (almost like a suicide jobber). Then the way those guys in masks carried him away from the ring. Not to mention how those guys were dressed. I dunno, man, I just think the whole thing is in poor taste. Maybe not to wrestling fans but certainly to those affected by the terrorist's actions. But to Vince McMahon any publicity (positive or negative) is good publicity. He didn't have any problems making Sgt. Slaughter an Iraqi sympathizer and having him burn the American flag while the Gulf War was going on. He didn't even seem to mind that at Wrestlemania 7 they had to have extra security because so many people were afraid that someone might try to take a shot a Sgt. Slaughter.

:y:

[Kane Knight]

It's also clearly depicting those using such tactics as the "bad guys." I think that was my biggest concern - that this would be executed in either a silly way that makes light of the situation, or that Hassan would (somehow, someway) come off as a sympathetic character. Neither was the case - it was realistic enough, but also simple enough that you know that a) Hassan's the bad guy, and he's doing a bad thing; b) he will get his comeuppance, like every bad guy in wrestling does, and probably from the one he "terrorized" with these attacks.
Yeah, terrorists aren't syjmpathetic characters. If they were, they'd be "freedom fighters."

[Watson]

Was it offensive? Of course it was. But so was that angle in the early 90's, yet the Sarge is still a fan favorite.
Yeah but that was before 9/11. THere's still millions of people who haven't gotten over 9/11 and the news said the group who was responsible for the attacks this morning is the same group responsible for the bombing in Madrid as well as 9/11. Whether you or anybody else thinks so or not Muhammad Hassan was created because of the terrorists that caused 9/11 and other disasters. How hard would it be to get a guy over as heel who pretty much portrays the "evil doers" who caused 9/11. That's some serious heel heat. But 9/11 is something that should be handled more seriously than that considering one of the biggest tragedies in American history. That's what makes it so bad, because Hassan is pretty much the wrestling equivalent of Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi. Do you think Nick Berg would find the Hassan character harmless?

Also, Sgt. Slaughter was a fan favorite for years before that storyline in the early 90s. Even the general public (those who don't watch wrestling regularly) have heard of Sgt. Slaughter and therefore they were more aware that it was a storyline. Nobody, other than OVW fans, knew who the Hell Mark Magnus was before Vince brought him up to the big leagues and give him this controversial gimmick. The Sgt. Slaughter storyline was pretty edgy yes but I don't think it's anywhere near being as edgy as this storyline.

[Kane Knight]

Yeah but that was before 9/11. THere's still millions of people who haven't gotten over 9/11 and the news said the group who was responsible for the attacks this morning is the same group responsible for the bombing in Madrid as well as 9/11.
And Osama wore a ski mask and choked out the Undertaker too?

BAH GAWD THE FIEND!

(I'm not making light of 911 or London...But this is asinine...Believe it or not, there were bad terrorist things going on before 11 Sept, you shallow fuck).

[Face Heely]

Yeah, terrorists aren't syjmpathetic characters. If they were, they'd be "freedom fighters."

True, but the context here is entertainment and, particularly, pro-wrestling, which has always thrived on carnivalesque, larger-than-life stereotypes. Characters can be complex, but the plot of any pro-wrestling feud has to be good guy vs. bad guy; shades of gray can make a feud interesting, but ultimately, the crowd wants to know who to cheer for.

Look at, say, William Regal. At its simplest, his gimmick is that he's British. If he's a heel, he's a stodgy and arrogant cur; if he's a good guy, he's still got the same gimmick, but it's sold to the audience differently - his aloofness and dry wit are depicted as good things, because he's a good guy. (Who was it, again, that defined morality by the person performing the action, rather than the action itself? The ancient Greeks, perhaps?)

Getting back to the subject, Hassan is already a bad guy, so anything he's gonna do is gonna be bad. If we were supposed to see the other side, he'd be booked as a face, and would, perhaps, be dubbed a "freedom fighter." In order to have the good-vs-evil storyline that drives virtually evey wrestling feud (and just about any non-love-story out there), both we and the WWE have to acknowledge that it's just a simple form of entertainment (which it seems they did, by not attempting to blur the line for the sake of realism).

[M. Banana]

Yeah but that was before 9/11. THere's still millions of people who haven't gotten over 9/11 and the news said the group who was responsible for the attacks this morning is the same group responsible for the bombing in Madrid as well as 9/11.

The news also said (believe it or not) that I was wanted for 6 counts of murder.

[Savio]

But I don't see how it really offends people. It's not like it's making fun of those who've died from terrorist attacks.Michael cole said LOL terrorism

But seriously I was shocked at what happened. Next week Hassan should say "I do not support what happened in london but..."

[loopydate]

BUT NOT IN AMERICA, YA PINKO COMMIE!

...I'll go now.

[Gouda]

The one thing that was funny was Hassan doing his impression of the theme music with arms spread before putting on the Camel Clutch...
I thought he yelled something about Allah.

[FearedSanctity]

Michael cole said LOL terrorism
Ah, well I didn't hear that, I guess.

He obviously shouldn't have said it and should've continued to sell how "horrible" what was happening was. But other than a stupid remark by a commentator, it really wasn't that bad.

WWE set out to get a reaction, and they did. This will either hurt their reputation in the media or help Hassan's character

[Watson]

And Osama wore a ski mask and choked out the Undertaker too?

BAH GAWD THE FIEND!

(I'm not making light of 911 or London...But this is asinine...Believe it or not, there were bad terrorist things going on before 11 Sept, you shallow fuck).
No shit. There was alot terrorist activity across the World before 9/11 but none anywhere near as severe as 9/11. 9/11 had a huge impact on alot of people's lives all across the World not just those affected. It will take years to heal the wounds caused by the actions of those terrorist. Some people were traumatized for life and will never get over it. The fact is, to Vince it's just another way to cash in on a real life tragedy. Does the WWE have to bring in a tag team called the Twin Towers and have Hassan squash them both and use some kind of finisher with the word "bomb" or "airplane" on them before anybody finds this shit offensive? I'm not saying it's depicting real life events exactly. All I'm saying is the WWE is taking Hassan's character and actions a bit too far. But that's my opinion and I'm quite sure I'm not the only person who sees it that way. So do you call those American soldiers who might be offended by this storyline "shallow fucks"?


By the way, Why is that 75% of these forums have to resort to insulting people just because they don't see things eye to eye? Can't you debate a point in mature fashion without resorting to childish name calling? Grow up, dude.

[Shadow]

The news also said (believe it or not) that I was wanted for 6 counts of murder.

Aren't you still?

[Amaroqwolf]

By the way, Why is that 75% of these forums have to resort to insulting people just because they don't see things eye to eye? Can't you debate a point in mature fashion without resorting to childish name calling? Grow up, dude.


No, no they can't.

[FearedSanctity]

By the way, Why is that 75% of these forums have to resort to insulting people just because they don't see things eye to eye? Can't you debate a point in mature fashion without resorting to childish name calling? Grow up, dude.
This is the internet dude. The place where people will give their opinion and don't give a shit about yours. Don't let that stop you though, someone might care. I don't, though

[Kane Knight]

True, but the context here is entertainment and, particularly, pro-wrestling, which has always thrived on carnivalesque, larger-than-life stereotypes. Characters can be complex, but the plot of any pro-wrestling feud has to be good guy vs. bad guy; shades of gray can make a feud interesting, but ultimately, the crowd wants to know who to cheer for.

Look at, say, William Regal. At its simplest, his gimmick is that he's British. If he's a heel, he's a stodgy and arrogant cur; if he's a good guy, he's still got the same gimmick, but it's sold to the audience differently - his aloofness and dry wit are depicted as good things, because he's a good guy. (Who was it, again, that defined morality by the person performing the action, rather than the action itself? The ancient Greeks, perhaps?)

Getting back to the subject, Hassan is already a bad guy, so anything he's gonna do is gonna be bad. If we were supposed to see the other side, he'd be booked as a face, and would, perhaps, be dubbed a "freedom fighter." In order to have the good-vs-evil storyline that drives virtually evey wrestling feud (and just about any non-love-story out there), both we and the WWE have to acknowledge that it's just a simple form of entertainment (which it seems they did, by not attempting to blur the line for the sake of realism).
Actually, I was just pointing out the concept of how horrible it would be that people sympathise with terrorism...Especially in the US, where we just celebrated a country being formed out of many acts, several terrorist.

No shit. There was alot terrorist activity across the World before 9/11 but none anywhere near as severe as 9/11. 9/11 had a huge impact on alot of people's lives all across the World not just those affected. It will take years to heal the wounds caused by the actions of those terrorist. Some people were traumatized for life and will never get over it. The fact is, to Vince it's just another way to cash in on a real life tragedy. Does the WWE have to bring in a tag team called the Twin Towers and have Hassan squash them both and use some kind of finisher with the word "bomb" or "airplane" on them before anybody finds this shit offensive? I'm not saying it's depicting real life events exactly. All I'm saying is the WWE is taking Hassan's character and actions a bit too far. But that's my opinion and I'm quite sure I'm not the only person who sees it that way. So do you call those American soldiers who might be offended by this storyline "shallow fucks"?


By the way, Why is that 75% of these forums have to resort to insulting people just because they don't see things eye to eye? Can't you debate a point in mature fashion without resorting to childish name calling? Grow up, dude.
Wow. There's a pretty big difference between Hassan toppling the "Twin Towers" and a bunch of guys jumping the Undertaker. If you have to reach that desperately, then your argument is not worthy of the respect you seem to think you deserve.

Incidentally, "Might be offended?"

What about the soldiers who MIGHT be offended by Cena's Bad Bad man video. BAH GAWD THOSE WOUNDS TOOK YEARS TO HEAL AND SOME PEOPLE NEVER RECOVERED AND IT'S SO INSENSITIVE TO PEOPLE IN THE ARMY WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN OFFENDED!

I will not deal with your imaginary people who may be offended. Because that argument works for every instance of anything anywhere. If you worry about what might offend, you can never show anything ever again. And until I see the post where you chastised Vince for the Cena video, I'll call you a hypocrite and ignore your tearjerking theatrics.

You want respect, try being less like Fox news, and be more like real journalism.

[Kane Knight]

No, no they can't.
FUCK YOU!

:shifty:

[Joey Slugs]

You want respect, try being less like Fox news, and be more like real journalism.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

a fucking men

[Watson]

Actually, I was just pointing out the concept of how horrible it would be that people sympathise with terrorism...Especially in the US, where we just celebrated a country being formed out of many acts, several terrorist.


Wow. There's a pretty big difference between Hassan toppling the "Twin Towers" and a bunch of guys jumping the Undertaker. If you have to reach that desperately, then your argument is not worthy of the respect you seem to think you deserve.

Incidentally, "Might be offended?"

What about the soldiers who MIGHT be offended by Cena's Bad Bad man video. BAH GAWD THOSE WOUNDS TOOK YEARS TO HEAL AND SOME PEOPLE NEVER RECOVERED AND IT'S SO INSENSITIVE TO PEOPLE IN THE ARMY WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN OFFENDED!

I will not deal with your imaginary people who may be offended. Because that argument works for every instance of anything anywhere. If you worry about what might offend, you can never show anything ever again. And until I see the post where you chastised Vince for the Cena video, I'll call you a hypocrite and ignore your tearjerking theatrics.

You want respect, try being less like Fox news, and be more like real journalism.
I can see your point about what may or may not offend the soldiers. Regardless of what the situation is, some might find one thing offensive while others don't. That makes sense. But what I don't get is how you pointed out twice that I'm asking for respect. I could care less if I'm respected or not. I was just making a point which was that many people may find that the WWE is portaying the Hassan gimmick and the storyline he's involved in in a very tasteless manner. That's it. That's all I was saying. We're all talking aboot wrestling and you're being critical of my argument because it's not "like real journalism"? Ha, I never claimed to be a damn jourrnalist and I never asked for anybody's respect. Especially not yours.

[Corkscrewed]

Hmm... that still came off pretty controversially. Anyway, LA got the warning three times. But having them bow down and the cry of Allah and the whole talk of "sacrifice" can very easily offend.

Now, in terms of it it hurts Hassan's character, I relinquish those worries. It came off pretty well... he's pretty damn evil. The way it came off, he did "what had to be done."


However, did anyone else notice how ridiculously plastic that "metal pipe" was? That was pretty sad. :lol:

[Corkscrewed]

Also, while Taker was getting choked, I was thinking "HE'S ALREADY DEAD!!! IT WON'T DO ANYTHING!!!!" :shifty:

[PullMyFinger]

I can see your point about what may or may not offend the soldiers. Regardless of what the situation is, some might find one thing offensive while others don't. That makes sense. But what I don't get is how you pointed out twice that I'm asking for respect. I could care less if I'm respected or not. I was just making a point which was that many people may find that the WWE is portaying the Hassan gimmick and the storyline he's involved in in a very tasteless manner. That's it. That's all I was saying. We're all talking aboot wrestling and you're being critical of my argument because it's not "like real journalism"? Ha, I never claimed to be a damn jourrnalist and I never asked for anybody's respect. Especially not yours.
the spookiest part about all this is that...with all your posts on here...

your post count says 911..as in 9/11...

BAHGAWD IM OFFENDED!!!

[PullMyFinger]

fuck you posted again and now its 912.

[Watson]

Damn I didn't notice that until you mentioned it. That is pretty wicked.

[Savio]

I think Davari may be released now.

[Amaroqwolf]

Bye bye Davari..(Cries) I like him more then Hassan. (sighs) He's the better wrestler.

[Hired Hitman]

... there was a segment with Hassan and a masked man, I didn't see that :|

[Fenix122]

Also, while Taker was getting choked, I was thinking "HE'S ALREADY DEAD!!! IT WON'T DO ANYTHING!!!!" :shifty:

haha...that's exactly what i said to my mom when it was happening. :lol: :y:

[Londoner]

Also, while Taker was getting choked, I was thinking "HE'S ALREADY DEAD!!! IT WON'T DO ANYTHING!!!!" :shifty:


That's the thing about Taker, i can't get over thinking how much they've fucked up his character, it's just funny to watch him now while thinking that he's supposed to be dead.

[Xero]

He's not supposed to be dead anymore. Now Tazz and Michael Cole claim that it's a 'state of mind' and that he's not actually dead.

[Kane Knight]

I can see your point about what may or may not offend the soldiers. Regardless of what the situation is, some might find one thing offensive while others don't. That makes sense. But what I don't get is how you pointed out twice that I'm asking for respect. I could care less if I'm respected or not. I was just making a point which was that many people may find that the WWE is portaying the Hassan gimmick and the storyline he's involved in in a very tasteless manner. That's it. That's all I was saying. We're all talking aboot wrestling and you're being critical of my argument because it's not "like real journalism"? Ha, I never claimed to be a damn jourrnalist and I never asked for anybody's respect. Especially not yours.
the spookiest part about all this is that...with all your posts on here...

your post count says 911..as in 9/11...

BAHGAWD IM OFFENDED!!!
I think PMF just covered that.

It might be offensive. So might many angles in wrestling. Tasteless? A lot of wrestling is tasteless. This isn't the first or last tasteless gimmick, and the fact that you show sympathy to soldiers who might be offended over this but not soldiers who might have been offended by the turncoat Slaughter is hopocritical and asinine.

Offensive is offensive, kiddies. "But that's different" doesn't cut it here. La Res DIRECTLY DEMEANED the American military, where were you, O selective one? There are several gimmicks that demean ENTIRE RACES, and you're not defending them.

By the way, for the slow in the audience, it's a comparison. Be more like this, less like this. Only an idiot would think I felt posting on a message board counted as journalism. Though you're only one step below Hannitty...

[Kane Knight]

Also, while Taker was getting choked, I was thinking "HE'S ALREADY DEAD!!! IT WON'T DO ANYTHING!!!!" :shifty:
Yeah, I was thinking about that.

How stupid did it look for this undead badass to be blacking out?

[Kane Knight]

Hmm... that still came off pretty controversially. Anyway, LA got the warning three times. But having them bow down and the cry of Allah and the whole talk of "sacrifice" can very easily offend.
It'd be worse if the London bombings were suicide bombings.

Divari's "Sacrifice" wasn't exactly something that compares to the usual " sacrifices" for Islamic fanatics. No more than those "My Sacrifice" videos, and far less than the Undertaker's previous "sacrifice."

[Londoner]

He's not supposed to be dead anymore. Now Tazz and Michael Cole claim that it's a 'state of mind' and that he's not actually dead.


They actually said that? I never heard them say anything like that.But that's funny if it's true.

[Kane Knight]

That's the thing about Taker, i can't get over thinking how much they've fucked up his character, it's just funny to watch him now while thinking that he's supposed to be dead.
He's supposed to be unbeatable by the Smackdown roster, and therein lies the problem. HE's been booked so strong (And since Mark has a hand in the booking, you can bet this is part of it...) that there's no logical way to take him down. So they have to rely on the illogical, or nothing at all. He's a badass that can take on large amounts of punishment, gets back up from even the most severe punishment--But Randy KOs him. He's come back from being buried and has supernatural powers, but chloroform knocks him out and he can be choked out by terrorists.

[Kane Knight]

He's not supposed to be dead anymore. Now Tazz and Michael Cole claim that it's a 'state of mind' and that he's not actually dead.
So the lightning is part of his Telepsychic abilities? State of mind?

[Xero]

So the lightning is part of his Telepsychic abilities? State of mind?
Kane could use lightning, and he was never dead. Same thing with his fire abilities.

[Xero]

They actually said that? I never heard them say anything like that.But that's funny if it's true.
I've heard it a few times.

[Kane Knight]

Kane could use lightning, and he was never dead. Same thing with his fire abilities.
Back when he was a supernatural monster.

[Savio]

He does it every night

[Corkscrewed]

and far less than the Undertaker's previous "sacrifice."Pffft... you of all people should know: If an Arab does it, it's terrorism. If a Christian does it, it's justice. DUUUUHHHHHH


I think Davari may be released now.
:'( I hope not. I think he could be a great Cruiserweight.

But if he was... you think they'd sell it as Taker actually killed him? And if that's the case, they should have buried him alive. He'd be the first person ever buried alive to actually "die"!!!!


Speaking of wrestlers released... isn't is sad that Matt Morgan got released before the final showing of him on TV actually occurred? It's like... WWE.COM reports Matt Morgan is gone! Oh wait, two days later, it's on TV!

You think they would have waited. Or maybe I'm the only one who finds it humorous.

[Kane Knight]

Pffft... you of all people should know: If an Arab does it, it's terrorism. If a Christian does it, it's justice. DUUUUHHHHHH
Yeah. If they're our guys, they're freedom fighters. If they're their guys, it's terrorism.

Like I said previously in on e of these threads, it's amazing the US viewers reaction to terrorists when this nation was founded by terrorist acts. When the US created Osama and Saddam.

[Kane Knight]

On the whole offense thing...

My ncestors were lynched by guys who look like Undertaker, with his redneck gimmick. I am offended, and how dare you all be insensitive to the still-wounded NAtive American population...

[tucsonspeed6]

Wouldn't it be something if Hassan comes out next week and cuts a promo saying that through the entire week, everyone thought that his masked bandits were Arab terrorists. Then he calls the guys up to the ring and shows everyone that they were just ordinary American caucasians and reiterates to the crowd that they're all racist. It'd boost his heat and reinforce his character.

[Corkscrewed]

:y: :y:

[Xero]

Wouldn't it be something if Hassan comes out next week and cuts a promo saying that through the entire week, everyone thought that his masked bandits were Arab terrorists. Then he calls the guys up to the ring and shows everyone that they were just ordinary American caucasians and reiterates to the crowd that they're all racist. It'd boost his heat and reinforce his character.
That would save his original gimmick. That would be an excellent follow up.

[LK]

On the headlines page:

Mike and Todd Shane, Val Venis, Mike Knox (OVW wrestler) and one other unidentified wrestler were the guys who attacked Undertaker as a part of Hassan's 'group'.

[LK]

Wouldn't it be something if Hassan comes out next week and cuts a promo saying that through the entire week, everyone thought that his masked bandits were Arab terrorists. Then he calls the guys up to the ring and shows everyone that they were just ordinary American caucasians and reiterates to the crowd that they're all racist. It'd boost his heat and reinforce his character.
:y: :y: Good plan

[Kane Knight]

Wouldn't it be something if Hassan comes out next week and cuts a promo saying that through the entire week, everyone thought that his masked bandits were Arab terrorists. Then he calls the guys up to the ring and shows everyone that they were just ordinary American caucasians and reiterates to the crowd that they're all racist. It'd boost his heat and reinforce his character.
*stereotypial white boy voice*

My name is Arthur Miller. And I am not an Arab.

[shawn112233]

*stereotypial white boy voice*

My name is Arthur Miller. And I am not an Arab.

Arab <> Terrorist....

[Xero]

Did anyone else notice that Tazz kept referring to Hassan as Hussan?

[Watson]

I noticed that. Did you notice in Big Show's promo on his last appearance on Smackdown when he was talking about Hassan he refered to him as "Muhammad Hussein"?

[Xero]

No, I didn't. Did it sound intentional, like sarcastically?

[Watson]

Also, Did you notice on RAW 2 weeks ago when JR and King kept refering to Carlito as "Caribbean Cool Carlito"?

[Watson]

No, I didn't. Did it sound intentional, like sarcastically?

Nah you could tell it wasn't intentional. Big Show just got mixed up.

[Kane Knight]

Arab <> Terrorist....
:wtf::|

[El Santo]

Smackdown didn't air this Thursday in Seattle because it was pre-empted by a Mariners game. They're airing it Saturday. It will be interesting to see if UPN decides to cut out the segment. Hopefully it stays: I for one would like to see what all the fuss is about.

[Amaroqwolf]

Its not that big of a thing, just a bunch of guys in masks..(Done before I can point out 2 or 3 instences) Came out and beat on the undertaker. (Those instences werent all on the Undertaker) And I bet will never see the mask men again (Cause were supposed to forget they ever exsisted. (Cause, I still remember)

[Kane Knight]

Its not that big of a thing, just a bunch of guys in masks..(Done before I can point out 2 or 3 instences) Came out and beat on the undertaker. (Those instences werent all on the Undertaker) And I bet will never see the mask men again (Cause were supposed to forget they ever exsisted. (Cause, I still remember)
Well, it wasn't JUST masks. These guys were Hollywood terrorists.

[Amaroqwolf]

Oh, right sorry KK, I got that wrong...lol

[PureHatred]

Hey, its not just the 9/11 victims they offended...what about the Muslims who aren't terrorists who wre seen in a negative light? And what about the Mexicans they offended with the Mexi-cools? And what about the Smurfs they offended by having the bWo on the show? What about those people?

It's fucking wrestling. The WWE has done tasteless entertainment for the better part of 30 years. If you're sensitive, stop watching.

[Loose Cannon]

Hey, its not just the 9/11 victims they offended...what about the Muslims who aren't terrorists who wre seen in a negative light? And what about the Mexicans they offended with the Mexi-cools? And what about the Smurfs they offended by having the bWo on the show? What about those people?

It's fucking wrestling. The WWE has done tasteless entertainment for the better part of 30 years. If you're sensitive, stop watching.

THANK YOU!

[vampiro03]

I agree, it wasn't the best timing. it was a little extreme, but weren't the people that are offended by this the same people who were bitching about wrestling being too soft. ie no piledrivers, vertabreakers, screwdrivers ect. not enough HARDCORE wrestling. hassan will get his by ut. it is just wrestling though. If you don't like it, don't watch it.

[Kane Knight]

Hey, its not just the 9/11 victims they offended...what about the Muslims who aren't terrorists who wre seen in a negative light? And what about the Mexicans they offended with the Mexi-cools? And what about the Smurfs they offended by having the bWo on the show? What about those people?

It's fucking wrestling. The WWE has done tasteless entertainment for the better part of 30 years. If you're sensitive, stop watching. Won't someone please think of the children? Ban the bWo! It's offensive to smurf Americans!

[Kane Knight]

I agree, it wasn't the best timing. it was a little extreme, but weren't the people that are offended by this the same people who were bitching about wrestling being too soft. ie no piledrivers, vertabreakers, screwdrivers ect. not enough HARDCORE wrestling. hassan will get his by ut. it is just wrestling though. If you don't like it, don't watch it.
Okay, there's a difference between soft wrestling and soft storylines.

The answer to the lack of piledrivers isn't bloodshed (For example) on TV.

However, if the WWE want to succeed, they have to push the edge. The downside to this is that they're going to step over sometimes.

I don't know if this was over the edge or not, but it's NOT as bad as people have made it out to be. It's not even that "edgy."

[PureHatred]

Didn't we all do this dance when Eugene debuted and some idiot on here claimed to have a retarded brother?

[Kane Knight]

Didn't we all do this dance when Eugene debuted and some idiot on here claimed to have a retarded brother?
Ahhhh...How I miss sledge.

We'll do this dance MANY times.

[Chavo Classic]

I don't think it was in bad taste. Wrestling, in my opinion, is going to have to be more edgy if it hopes to be as popular as it was years ago. While for now Hassan's henchmen might be a little extreme, I feel it's stuff like this that could get people interested.

You sir, are an ass.

If you've read the spoilers, then there's no way then you could actually approve of them showing that scene.

You tell that to my friend who's in hospital down in London who requires surgery on the huge hole in her left calf.

you fucking ass!

[Loose Cannon]

cause that was a terrorist act on Smackdown?

I didn't know men in black ski masks were terrorists.

They put that warning on the TV for the people who immediately associate that act as a terrorist act just because those guys had black ski masks on and for the whole Hassan is Arab so he must be a terrorist thing.

[Kane Knight]

You sir, are an ass.

If you've read the spoilers, then there's no way then you could actually approve of them showing that scene.

You tell that to my friend who's in hospital down in London who requires surgery on the huge hole in her left calf.

you fucking ass!
1) So cliched 80s terrorists blew a hole in your friend's calf?

2) I spent hours trying to track down two friends in London. I've got friends and family serving in Iraq where al Qaeda's currently beheading people, and I lost of a friend when al Qaeda dropped a building on him and @ 3,000 other people.

3) That being said, I don't think that this segment was as bad as it was made out to be. Or as horrible as you make it out to be.

Call me an ass if you want. I've been called worse.

[Lamuella]

personally I thought it was the most disgusting thing they'd ever done.

Considering what had happened the day it was broadcast, they should have edited the show, removed Hassan and 'Taker's parts, and either had the show run half an hour short or put in some Velocity matches.

It was a stupid segment at the best of times. Considering what happened on the day it was aired, it was a huge mistake to broadcast it.

I'd like it if next week, Hassan came out, broke character, and said something about it.

[Kane Knight]

Considering what had happened the day it was broadcast, they should have edited the show, removed Hassan and 'Taker's parts, and either had the show run half an hour short or put in some Velocity matches.
Did they even HAVE Velocity matches this week? They haven't for the last couple...

[PureHatred]

Did they even HAVE Velocity matches this week? They haven't for the last couple...

No. But for the good of the company and to avoid offending the sensitive, the WWE should've pulled Trips out of a closet and let him cut a 30 minute promo.

[Morgan]

I haven't see any of this, but did Val Venis have a towel around his waist?

[Kane Knight]

No. But for the good of the company and to avoid offending the sensitive, the WWE should've pulled Trips out of a closet and let him cut a 30 minute promo.
LMFAO.

Haven't they suffered enough?

They probably could have truncated this. IT would have been more like 15 minutes of time eaten. IT would have made more sense.

But they didn't, and UPN decided to run with it too.

[Morgan]

"you know ladies, the world of international terrorism and the big valbowski, have a lot in common"

[PureHatred]

Nevermind. :rofl:

[SuperSlim]

It's a storyline.

It's wreslting.

It's fake.

Goodness, they've aired much worse than this. Sure the timing may have been bad but what is done is done.

[Morgan]

[QUOTE][[PHP]QUOTE=Lamuella]personally I thought it was the most disgusting thing they'd ever done.

Considering what had happened the day it was broadcast, they should have edited the show, removed Hassan and 'Taker's parts, and either had the show run half an hour short or put in some Velocity matches.

It was a stupid segment at the best of times. Considering what happened on the day it was aired, it was a huge mistake to broadcast it.

I'd like it if next week, Hassan came out, broke character, and said something about it.

-That's what they did in the U.K. Smackdown just ended earlier though. I think when you do necrophilia and rape, it's hard to top on the bad taste scale. But you should never doubt WWE, and they did with "Osama Bin Hassan"

[Morgan]

Now this all some tense serious discussion and allow me to break the mood with some smooth jazz stylings.

"crazy daaaays...and lazy nights. You make me high in so many waaays. Doobie doobie doo, da da doobie da.

"Baba do"

[Morgan]

four posts in and already sensing neg rep coming my way.

Morgan's debut= shockmaster's debut

[Loose Cannon]

friend of Shadow's?

[Joey Slugs]

Yeah. If they're our guys, they're freedom fighters. If they're their guys, it's terrorism.

Like I said previously in on e of these threads, it's amazing the US viewers reaction to terrorists when this nation was founded by terrorist acts. When the US created Osama and Saddam.

Since they don't talk about it on Fox News, people don't pay attention to these facts.

Remember...we have a president that said he doesn't even care about Osama anymore... you know, they guy who REALLY bombed us.

[Kane Knight]

It's a storyline.

It's wreslting.

It's fake.

Goodness, they've aired much worse than this. Sure the timing may have been bad but what is done is done.
Wait...

It's WRESTLING? Shit man, I thought I was watching a re-enactment of the Lodon catastophe. I mean they both have so much in common...;)

[Kane Knight]

Since they don't talk about it on Fox News, people don't pay attention to these facts.

Remember...we have a president that said he doesn't even care about Osama anymore... you know, they guy who REALLY bombed us.
I think it's funny that we always think it's so great that we catch the #3 guy in al Qaeda. We've done it like ten times..There will always be another one.

BEsides...Osama didn't bomb America...It was Saddam. Haven't you read the papers?

[SuperSlim]

Wait...

It's WRESTLING? Shit man, I thought I was watching a re-enactment of the Lodon catastophe. I mean they both have so much in common...;)

I know. I see exactly where you comin from. ;)

[Savio]

psst i think morgan is ferret.

[Kane Knight]

I know. I see exactly where you comin from. ;)
I mean, garrotting a wrestler is so close to bombing a subway.

[SuperSlim]

I mean, garrotting a wrestler is so close to bombing a subway.

the similarities are uncanny. It's like they planned this or something.

[Morgan]

psst i think morgan is ferret.

I'm not. My actual name is Kyle, I live in Milton Keynes, England. I've been reading these forums for over a year and today is the day I've started posting. So far I've notched up 30 posts in a few hours. On that subject though, I quite liked ferret, wouldn't mind seeing him unbanned.

[Kane Knight]

the similarities are uncanny. It's like they planned this or something.
Oh Shit...

VINCE MCMAHON IS BEHIND AL QAEDA!

And he probably shot tupac. I mean, there were five terrorists in the ring, plus HAssan and Davari...A stable of 7 men...

[Morgan]

Oh Shit...

VINCE MCMAHON IS BEHIND AL QAEDA!

And he probably shot tupac. I mean, there were five terrorists in the ring, plus HAssan and Davari...A stable of 7 men...

Vince is the guy doing the "Ayayayaliaaa" sound at the start of Hassan's music. It's his prostate acting up.

[SuperSlim]

Oh Shit...

VINCE MCMAHON IS BEHIND AL QAEDA!

And he probably shot tupac. I mean, there were five terrorists in the ring, plus HAssan and Davari...A stable of 7 men...

noooooooooooooo

not Tupac :'(

[Joey Slugs]

BEsides...Osama didn't bomb America...It was Saddam. Haven't you read the papers?

Well, if that's the case... G.W. BUSH IS THE GREATEST DICTATOR IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!!!!!


:shifty:

[loopydate]

Honestly, what's the difference between Muhammad Hassan orchestrating a scripted attack on The Undertaker and any episode of "24?"

Was it stupid to have the Arab-American who rails against racist Americans who assume he's a terrorist come out with what appeared to be a terrorist cell? Absolutely.

Was it disgusting, reprehensible, etc.? Absofuckinglutely not. It's a GODDAMN TV SHOW, and nobody thinks otherwise. These are fictional characters portrayed on a fictional TV show that is (loosely) about a sport.

And if we get all bent out of shape whenever there's a terrorist act, then we're not doing so hot in that War on Terror, are we? If we have to alter our way of life (avoiding crowded areas, censoring our entertainment, etc.), they're doing their job.

[SuperSlim]

aat least Loopy gets it

[loopydate]

Well, if that's the case... G.W. BUSH IS THE GREATEST DICATOR IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!!!!!


:shifty:
I'm guessing you're not American. I've never seen anything this truthful in a U.S. paper.

[Schoenauer]

Well at first I thought it was going too far until I realized this is just going to bring him more heel heat and the writers will hopefully have Hassan getting what he wants.

[Joey Slugs]

Oh Shit...

VINCE MCMAHON IS BEHIND AL QAEDA!

And he probably shot tupac. I mean, there were five terrorists in the ring, plus HAssan and Davari...A stable of 7 men...

Don't forget his involvement in the murder of B.I.G., JFK's death, the 2000 election, the Holocaust, and countless other "Ratings Makers".


:shifty:

[Amaroqwolf]

friend of Shadow's?

I don't know him LC so "Highly" unlikely, but you never know I don't know everything about Shadow as shown last night!

[PureHatred]

So are you posting as Morgan or Amaroqwolf right now?

[Lamuella]

I mean, garrotting a wrestler is so close to bombing a subway.

I don't think anyone was suggesting that it was.

However it IS reminiscent of, for example, Americans being kidnapped and beheaded in Iraq.

I think it was deeply tasteless to use the "war on turrism" as an angle on a day when large numbers of people died in a terrorist attack. I think they could and should have cut the show short.

Part of the reason I feel this is that is stirs up anti-muslim feeling. Part of the reason is that it cheapens a tragedy.

Screening "the pope must die" on the day John Paul II snuffed would have been in bad taste.

Screening a wrestling show where an "Arab-American" gets a group of men in desert camoflage pants, black tops and black balaclavas (intended obviously to be dastardly Arabs) to beat up the crowd favorite on a day when a Muslim group is suspected of planting bombs in the London Underground was poor taste.

[Kane Knight]

Honestly, what's the difference between Muhammad Hassan orchestrating a scripted attack on The Undertaker and any episode of "24?"
Or episodes of CSI dealing with terrorist threats, or episodes of any other TV show that dealt with 9-11, hostage situations, etc.?

[Kane Knight]

I don't think anyone was suggesting that it was.

However it IS reminiscent of, for example, Americans being kidnapped and beheaded in Iraq.
Which is, of course, why the disclaimers said "Due to the tragedy in London..."

Because it was reminiscent of a completely different set of incidents? I'm confused here, Lammy. Nobody here HAD to suggest that, UPN felt it was enough of an issue to make a disclaimer which related this not to beheadings in Iraq, but the bombings in London.

Do you think there would have been four threads on this if the Bombing happened on Friday instead of Thursday? The reaction id deeply related to the bombings.

[Xero]

If you want to go after anyone in this incident, go after UPN. The WWE had released their tape to UPN before this tragedy struck. They didn't know that the bombings were going to happen. I'm positive that if this happened on a Monday, the whole thing would have been scrapped on RAW.

[Lamuella]

Which is, of course, why the disclaimers said "Due to the tragedy in London..."

Because it was reminiscent of a completely different set of incidents? I'm confused here, Lammy. Nobody here HAD to suggest that, UPN felt it was enough of an issue to make a disclaimer which related this not to beheadings in Iraq, but the bombings in London.

Do you think there would have been four threads on this if the Bombing happened on Friday instead of Thursday? The reaction id deeply related to the bombings.

I don't have the faintest clue what your point is.

Of COURSE the reaction is related to the London bombing. Nobody ever suggested it wasn't. The point I was making in the post you quotemined was that the image of "Arab" terrorists garrotting a fan favorite is REALLY FUCKING UNHELPFUL on a day when anti-muslim feeling will probably be running high amongst some people anyway. The fact that this image was reminiscent of some of the beheading videos only strengthens the blind jingoism.

Excuse me for being disgusted by the promotion of hatred.

[Lamuella]

Or episodes of CSI dealing with terrorist threats, or episodes of any other TV show that dealt with 9-11, hostage situations, etc.?

The difference is that no episode of 24 was shown on the night of the London bomb.

It's a common courtesy for TV channels to pull or reschedule possibly "objectionable" content on the day of a tragedy. It's something that happens all the time and should have happened here.

[Kane Knight]

The difference is that no episode of 24 was shown on the night of the London bomb. At least three Episodes of CSI were, any one of which may have been offensive...

Wait...At least four.

-EDIT- Anyone know where one could find a listing of what TV was on Thursday night? I'd like to see what all else might have been offensive that night that was not yanked.

[Kane Knight]

I don't have the faintest clue what your point is.

Of COURSE the reaction is related to the London bombing. Nobody ever suggested it wasn't. The point I was making in the post you quotemined was that the image of "Arab" terrorists garrotting a fan favorite is REALLY FUCKING UNHELPFUL on a day when anti-muslim feeling will probably be running high amongst some people anyway. The fact that this image was reminiscent of some of the beheading videos only strengthens the blind jingoism.

Excuse me for being disgusted by the promotion of hatred.
Promotion of hatred?

Okay. Yeah. Why are you even watching wrestling?

Have you watched some of the things La Res said in the past? OR paid attention to the Hassan gimmick at all? Or the resounding way they always bring the war on terror back in, even when there's no arab wrestler?

Where have you been over the past 20 or so years? Chest thumping, bigoted Americanism has been a part of wrestling for a long long time, and THIS of all things gets your nipples twisted?

Oh wait, the timing. Right. Let's yank all programming that generically might have had something to do with the London boming.

[Kane Knight]

I don't have the faintest clue what your point is.

Of COURSE the reaction is related to the London bombing.
Then please, get off your pedantic high horse and stop trying to LECTURE me on it if you don't know what it is.

Don't rant if you don't get it. Fucking ask. You're not stupid. Don't be so God damned retarded when you're trying to argue against someone.

[Xero]

Would it have been okay if the WWE showed this angle at another time? Let's just say that it happens to fall on a day when 100 or so Iraqis die in Iraq and it's not over-publicized in the media. Should the WWE/UPN pull it then?

[Kane Knight]

YEah, it's okay to "mock a kidnapping and beheading" as long as you don't air it on the same day a bombing hits.

[SuperSlim]

nono... if it happens to America or one of their allies then it's bad to air anything cause it may be "offensive"

have it happen to the other countries and folsk would be like wow that was awesome did you see that segment that was cool how they did that. :roll:

damn I cna't stand stuff like that.

[Lamuella]

Oh wait, the timing. Right. Let's yank all programming that generically might have had something to do with the London boming.

I'm going to use your debating technique now. Bear with me because I'm new at this:

You're absolutely right. We shouldn't ever give a fuck whether something could offend people or not.

Next week Hassan should debut a finisher called the "Number 30" where he dropkicks his opponent in the face. See, it's like he's blowing their top half off! That would be edgy and exciting, and anyone who says otherwise is a whiny crybaby.

[Kane Knight]

nono... if it happens to America or one of their allies then it's bad to air anything cause it may be "offensive"

have it happen to the other countries and folsk would be like wow that was awesome did you see that segment that was cool how they did that. :roll:

damn I cna't stand stuff like that.
You mean like all those bombings in Iraq? Yeah, fuck those guys. Who cares? I mean, IT HAPPENED TO LONDON!!!!!1111!1!!!!!11!

HALT THE FUCKING TV!

[Xero]

You're absolutely right. We shouldn't ever give a fuck whether something could offend people or not.
Billy and Chuck could have offended the gays, but did the WWE give two shits? Nope.

The Triple H/Katie Vick angle could have offended anyone, but did the WWE give two shits? No.

The Undertaker crucifying Orlando Jordan could have offended anyone, especially blacks, but did the WWE care? No.

The Hassan gimmick could offend anyone. Did they care? No.

Since when does the WWE give a fuck if something will offend a part of their viewership?

[SuperSlim]

Billy and Chuck could have offended the gays, but did the WWE give two shits? Nope.

The Triple H/Katie Vick angle could have offended anyone, but did the WWE give two shits? No.

The Undertaker crucifying Orlando Jordan could have offended anyone, especially blacks, but did the WWE care? No.

The Hassan gimmick could offend anyone. Did they care? No.

Since when does the WWE give a fuck if something will offend a part of their viewership?

they don't cause they have grasped the concept of ENTERTAINMENT.

It's entertainment. Not all entertainment is going to be all nice and pretty. Some of it may be "offensive."

[Loose Cannon]

yea, nothing shocks me anymore in wrestling. I've seen it all and I really don't care.

The only time I actually felt offended and felt that what they did was real low was when they showed the Nation's dressing room and it had all those hate remarks spray painted on the wall. It was assumed to be the Hart's, but it was DX. Remember that?

I thought that was real fucked up.

[Kane Knight]

I'm going to use your debating technique now. Bear with me because I'm new at this:
:lol:

How the mighty have fallen when it hits close to home.

I haven't read your PM Lammy, and I pobably won't. You've turned into a complete asshole in this thread, and are probably bent out of shape because this DOES hit close to home. Your normally even demeanor isn't present, and you're seriously flopping here trying to tell me why I should take offense because of tangential happenings.

Hey, here's an idea. You can go join Clear Channel, and never have to worry about offense again. Join their march for a PG world. or is it PC?

I don't care.

I do think that we should mind other people's feelings. I also think that if you expected sensitivity from the company who continued after Owen got his skull split; that millked 9-11, the french and the war on terrorism; that has always run with intolerant storylines and endorsed some pretty hateful things, that you are a fucking idiot. Whether it is the great Lamuella or the lowliest n00b.

If you want sensitivity and caring, go watch Lifetime. You won't find any in the WWE, because that's not what they sell. They even fucking warned you all that it'd be offensive. SPECIFICALLY in light of recent happenings.

How many brown people do you think have died on nights where they did that? What? They don't matter to you Lammy? That's right, it's okay to do this stuff on a night where several probably died in Iraq...To run an ongoing storyline while people get limbs blown off, get tortured, or get killed by terrorists and soldiers...

...BUT NOT IF IT HITS SOME PLACE THAT ACTUALLY MATTERS BAH GAWD STUNNER 911 BBQ!

[Kane Knight]

Billy and Chuck could have offended the gays, but did the WWE give two shits? Nope.

The Triple H/Katie Vick angle could have offended anyone, but did the WWE give two shits? No.

The Undertaker crucifying Orlando Jordan could have offended anyone, especially blacks, but did the WWE care? No.

The Hassan gimmick could offend anyone. Did they care? No.

Since when does the WWE give a fuck if something will offend a part of their viewership?
And why trash only one form of intolerance?

I've benn through this once with another hypocrite in this thread. This might offend...As opposed to the other 9,000,000 examples. But no, this one is different. IT's always different.

[Lamuella]

let me ask this question:

do you accept the concept that something can be more offensive if it happens very close to something shocking?

To pick one of your examples, if Undertaker had "crucified" Orlando Jordan the day after a lynching, that would have been more offensive than at another time.

If Hurricane Francis (to pick a name out of the air) killed 2000 people in Florida, Shane Helms probably wouldn't have a big role on RAW that night.

Do you accept this concept?

If you do, then picture this particular scene.

I woke up at 7:15 on Thursday morning after a phonecall from my mother in law saying London had been bombed. I turned on the TV, but because right now I only have broadcast TV I had to watch about tornadoes because there was a tornado warning in the area. It wasn't until I got to work that I could find out whether my friends who work in the city centre were alive or not.

One of the things that set my mind at rest most during the day was that London is multicultural enough that there wasn't any anti-muslim feeling even though most suspected Al-Quaeda of the bombing.

I was feeling a little emotionally sensitive still, especially as my best friend was walking towards Russell Square when the bomb went off.

Then I watched the Hassan segments of Smackdown. It depressed me as much as anything else, because it made me think that existing anti-muslim feeling would be aggravated by stupid shit like this.

I wasn't offended because of anything to do with September 11th, I wasn't offended because garrotting someone is like blowing up a bus, I didn't somehow thing this had anything to do with the beheadings in Iraq apart from the costumes and behaviour being reminiscent of this.

I was offended because this was EXACTLY the wrong time to show something like this.

WWE or UPN must have at least suspected it was the wrong time to show something like this. Otherwise they wouldn't have given their disclaimer.

If you can't or won't understand this, then that's just fine, but don't make out I'm somehow stupid or laughable for feeling the way I do.

[Kane Knight]

yea, nothing shocks me anymore in wrestling. I've seen it all and I really don't care.

The only time I actually felt offended and felt that what they did was real low was when they showed the Nation's dressing room and it had all those hate remarks spray painted on the wall. It was assumed to be the Hart's, but it was DX. Remember that?

I thought that was real fucked up.
It was fucked up, but it was entertaining. Not because it was like "Yeah, that'll show them thurr niggers!" But because it advanced a storyline in which DX played one stable off another.

This is one in which the heel needs to advance a feud with the undertaker. It's not like there are a lot of options to build a credible feud. Is this the most tasteful thing they could have done? No, but if I was looking for non-offensive programming I wouldn't be watching wrestling (or any other show with more beeped out words than an Eminem record). I wouldn't be watching a show with rapists, murderers, terrorists, vandals, necrophilliacs, violent offenders, racists, and the glorification of VIOLENCE SOLVING EVERYTHING.

[Lamuella]

by the way, the argument that I can't take exception to this because I didn't take exception to 21 out of the 43 things on your laundry list of tragedy doesn't hold water.

Call me a hypocrite if you like. Put forward the strawman that I somehow didn't care about whatever your atrocity-of-the week is.

know this, though: I never said that YOU had to be offended by anything at all. I merely expressed the fact that I WAS offended.

[Kane Knight]

let me ask this question:

do you accept the concept that something can be more offensive if it happens very close to something shocking?
Yes. I also find it horribly hypocritical.

Weren't you the guy who always spouted "Equal rights for all, or equal rights for none?"

K, so it doesn't apply to other things, just as long as you get YOUR way.

Right.

I'm sick to my stomach now, so you can get the last word or whatever. I don't give a shit anymore.

[Kane Knight]

by the way, the argument that I can't take exception to this because I didn't take exception to 21 out of the 43 things on your laundry list of tragedy doesn't hold water.

Call me a hypocrite if you like. Put forward the strawman that I somehow didn't care about whatever your atrocity-of-the week is.

know this, though: I never said that YOU had to be offended by anything at all. I merely expressed the fact that I WAS offended.
And you're whining because it's wrong now that YOU'RE offended.

Good.

Glad you're more than happy to say I can call you a hypocrite, because that's pretty textbook right there.

[Lamuella]

Yes. I also find it horribly hypocritical.

Weren't you the guy who always spouted "Equal rights for all, or equal rights for none?"

K, so it doesn't apply to other things, just as long as you get YOUR way.

Right.

I'm sick to my stomach now, so you can get the last word or whatever. I don't give a shit anymore.

Please tell me what you're talking about. I'll stay away from the high horse for the moment, I just don't understand your post.

I don't get it. You told me to ask if I didn't get it. Would you mind explaining?

[Kane Knight]

And since I said I wouldn't respond anymore, I'll stick to that promise. You're killfiled Lammy. Be a hypocrite, "If it offends me, I'll act just like the right wingers" SOB, Lammy. The beautiful thing about TV and the internet is if you don't want to see it, you can ignore it.

Your self centered arguments disgust me. So instead of whining about how horrible it is and how it shouldn't be on my monitor, I'm going to remove it.

[Lamuella]

And you're whining because it's wrong now that YOU'RE offended.


No.

I'm expressing my opinion that they shouldn't have shown this at this time.

I really fail to see how this makes me a hypocrite. Or at least how this makes me more of a hypocrite than everybody else on the planet.

[Lamuella]

Can someone who doesn't have me killfiled somehow explain how this turned into kk assuming I was a disgusting out of control hypocritical monster? I feel like I skipped a few chapters by mistake.

[Danny Electric]

Seriously as a Muslim, I know that it's 'sport entertainment' and I know that it's fake but it pisses me off that he was portrayed in this way. I loved the whole Arab American who felt hated gimmick because he was just an 'everyday guy' but now this has changed.

I tell you what let's get some White Christians and make a KKK stable.

[Kane Knight]

Seriously as a Muslim, I know that it's 'sport entertainment' and I know that it's fake but it pisses me off that he was portrayed in this way. I loved the whole Arab American who felt hated gimmick because he was just an 'everyday guy' but now this has changed.

I tell you what let's get some White Christians and make a KKK stable.
Just bring back the Truth Commission. White Sumpremacists.

Actually, I like your idea better, because the TC came from South Africa. Whereas The KKK could come from all across America, and probably get serious face heat for lynching people and talking about how God hates Fags.

And that would make me laugh, because the "eye for an eye concept" had totally backfired.

[Danny Electric]

lol

[Kane Knight]

Well, I mean, they're primarily still marketing to rednecks. The people who think Iraq has WMDs and attacked the US. A lot of these people might very well CHEER the whitehoo---Errrr...Hats...

[Danny Electric]

Yeah, that is a good point.
I know people say 'who cares' and at least this gives Hassan even more heel heat but it's scary because of the death threats that have already been given.

[Kane Knight]

Yeah, that is a good point.
I know people say 'who cares' and at least this gives Hassan even more heel heat but it's scary because of the death threats that have already been given.
Against Magnus (HAssan), or death threats against Muslims/Arabs because of this sort of shit?

[Danny Electric]

Against Magnus, I think it was Daviari who had recieved some.

[Kane Knight]

It's horrible, but remember that other people have been threatened without being the antithesis of American society.

I won't say it's acceptable, but shit does happen. Look at all the things Eddie's been through, as an example. This is less about the gimmick, and more about stupid people being allowed to roam free.

[Kane Knight]

And also, given Heat, where they were talking about Slaughter's heel turn, I'd say death threats are unsurprising.

[Loose Cannon]

yea, they actually had to move locations on Mania 7 because of some bomb threat. And Slaughter also had to wear a bullet proof vest to the ring.

[Loose Cannon]

sniper threat, not bomb. my bad.

[Kane Knight]

yea, they actually had to move locations on Mania 7 because of some bomb threat. And Slaughter also had to wear a bullet proof vest to the ring.
Isn't it sad that people are this stupid over fucking wrestling? I bet most of the threats weren't real, but it's still fucking stupid.

[Hired Hitman]

You're absolutely right. We shouldn't ever give a fuck whether something could offend people or not..

That is Absolutely right, if people don't like what they see, change the channel, show your disapproval by changing the channel and affecting their ratings.


-edit-

If half the world got their heads chopped off by a mad man and on the next episode of a TV show somebody(or a number of people) gets their head cut off, I wouldn't be offended, I would think "I can relate to what is happening".

[McLegend]

yea, they actually had to move locations on Mania 7 because of some bomb threat. And Slaughter also had to wear a bullet proof vest to the ring.
I heard it was actually becasue they didn't sell enough tickets so they had to go to a different arena.

Doesn't matter either way

[Moonax]

I'm sorry but are you really that suprised. Afterall, after Sept 11th, Stephanie McMahon came out and tried to claim that it was the same as the steroid trial.

It's stupid, it's ignorant, its offensive and it is the WWE. Do you really expect anymore?

And they wonder why ratings are down?

[Loose Cannon]

Isn't it sad that people are this stupid over fucking wrestling? I bet most of the threats weren't real, but it's still fucking stupid.

well when you have a bunch of hick fans, who think every single thing is part of reality, then you get that kind of idiotic stuff.

[Kane Knight]

well when you have a bunch of hick fans, who think every single thing is part of reality, then you get that kind of idiotic stuff.
I know, it's a real "Reap what ye sow" sort of thing.

They market to the lowest common denominator, and this si what they get. IT's horribly sad at points, but the phrase "...And you expected different?" comes to mind.