Quote:
Originally Posted by Supreme Olajuwon
Next Big Thing, you are way off. This isn't about racial equality. It's about giving talented guys direction and exposure. And your D'Lo Brown comparison conveniently mentions the only Nation member who didn't use his spot in the stable to launch himself to a very good career.
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No I'm right on target. How will putting all the black guys together give them direction or exposure? If the WWE doesn't give a shit about giving these talented guys individuals characters that will get them over with the masses and pushes that will give them a shot at establishing themselves as upper mid card or main event, why the hell would they care about pushing them as a group? If MVP can't get over Jack Swagger alone, why would he win in a group? If Mark Henry isn't doing jack shit now and was never upper midcard or main event, why would a group change that? Even if they win, it will likely be due to interference from the "Brotherhood." They'd never go over clean and they'd never beat a guy high on the card. All it will lead to is them collectively doing nothing but opening the show on Smackdown with a rambling promo about how they're "brothers" here to make a stand... then they'll go beat up Chavo and other lower card guys. My point was that these guys don't need to be in a group to get over, especially in a group that, no matter how much you say it's about brotherhood, will be viewed as something based on race by most of the fans and since it's the fans that boo or cheer, the fans that buy merchandise, and the fans that watch the segments, I'd say that's important.
You say D'Lo was the only nation member who didn't use his spot in the stable to launch himself into a very good career, your words not mine. The Nation broke up in 1999 and D'Lo went on to win a European title and I.C. title. He didn't do much, and based on your words you agree. So let's look at what happened to those who were left.
Kama Mustafa: Repackaged as "The Godfather" and wrestled in lime green pants.... He pretty much was a glorified pimp most known for bringing out his "hos" (not gonna lie, that was good shit) but still... WWE took a guy capable enough of pulling off three different gimmicks (Shango, Mustafa, and The Godfather) and made him a goofy pimp. He had one run as the I.C. champ before joining Right to Censor (yes... that group wasn't lower midcard or anything
) where he won the tag belt with Stevie Richards I think.... and that's it. I'm not sure I'd call that a "very good career."
Mark Henry: I can't really knock Mark Henry, but I wouldn't say he's done anything other than be midcard his whole career. You have a young, ripped black dude so what do you do? Give him the moniker "Sexual Chocolate" and do an angle where he knocks up some old bitch .... good start to your career post Nation. He won the European belt then lost it to... D-Lo. He was so out of shape in 2000 he got sent down to OVW... that's how you capitalize.... He did have his program with Taker.... I guess jobbing to him three times on pay per view is a "very good career." He did have the world title run on the WWE's C-List show, but we all know that that was to placate him after the dumb shit Michael Hayes said and not because WWE really wanted to push him. What has he done since then? Get jumped by Nexus and form a interesting relationship with Evan Bourne where they save everyone watching at home some time by jobbing together instead of in separate matches. He definitely has gotten more exposure these past two or three years. Too bad it took him ten years to get to that point though.