Why Arabs Are Getting ‘the Smackdown' in Pro Wrestling
Story by Cecilia F. Larios

Professional Wrestling has long been held as a popular entertainment for American audiences. But sometimes what makes it compelling is its reflection of the current politics being played out in the ring. Most recently, World Wrestling Entertainment, the largest wrestling “league”, has been capitalizing on the Anti-Arab sentiment rising in the US, bringing villainous “Arab-looking” characters to stage.

Two weeks ago, the day of the bombings in London, the weekly wrestling drama “Smackdown” aired a controversial sketch. The extremely popular show features some of the biggest stars competing against one another. This particular “Smackdown” included images of Arabs in ski masks, along with Hassan, (portrayed as a villainous Arab wrestler) heading to the ring to take revenge on the Undertaker, beating him unconscious after the Undertaker just defeated his counterpart, Daivari (also portrayed as a villainous Arab wrestler).   After the fight these men were shown kneeling and in prayer, later carrying the fallen Daivari over their shoulders and out the ring.  

According to an online report in Variety.com, many audience members complained to UPN , the network that airs “ Smackdown ” , because they were disgusted at how the wrestlers were represented . The show itself looked like a “terrorist attack”according to one reporter.   In attempts to clear the air, Kevin Dunn, executive producer of Smackdown was quoted in an article in the online edition of the New York Post, as saying, "We try and be sensitive with everything we portray, but there's got to be protagonists and antagonists on our TV shows.”   Continuing on he said , "We just happen to reflect the politics of the world sometimes — especially with these Arab-American characters."

Later on, the WWE issued an apology for the timing of the episode, saying that they had no time to change anything before Smackdown was to be aired on television.

But did the WWE go too far because of the timing or because of what was portrayed?   Depending on what your politics are, it could be one, both, or none.   But WWE, regardless of what images are portrayed , depend a lot on the sentiments of its viewers to create the characters on their show.  

Take these two characters, Daivari and Hassan for example.   I went to a live “Smackdown” event not to long ago and was finally introduced to these characters in person .   As their introduction music blasted throughout the arena, all that was heard were jeers and boos against these two wrestlers.   All around me I overheard many people yelling, “F- You, Go Back to Your Country, Go Back to Working 7-11, and selling me slurpees ! ”   To my further disgust, I saw several people, some of which included young boys who appeared to be about 7 or 8 , stick the middle finger at these wrestlers.   

Now , we all know wrestling is not real, but how can so many people show so much hatred for these actors who are just that, characters?   Do people really see “them” as the bad guys?   Many do, simply because it reaffirms what many people feel today, and are probably too afraid to say aloud in other, more politically correct environments .   The bottom line is that this form of entertainment gives people a way to let out all their aggressions, in a place where people are probably not going to be judged because they are overly belligerent , or have such fanatical attitudes.

WWE has always been used a forum to endorse popular interests, particularly the “good ‘ol U. S. of A.” The most perfect example is Hulk Hogan , the most famous pro wrestler of all time .   Who can ever forget the thunderous roars of all the “Hulkamaniacs” cheering for their hero, as he strutted down the aisle to his signature song, blaring, “I am a real American.   Fight for the rights of every man. I am a real American. Fight for what's right - Fight for your life!”     Looking at old videos of the “Hulkster” waving his American flag, I see how even back then , when I was just in middle school, during the era of the Cold War, pro wreslting was giving voice to the emotions of the country. The fear of the Red Scare was portrayed by a Russian Wrestler named “Nikolai Volkoff.” The crowd cheered as some American good guy wrestler would triumph over the evil Russian. Although the matches would get close, ultimately it was necessary to have the American beat down the foreign enemy.

Sure it is all entertainment, and nothing is perfect, nor is something so popular as WWE always going to take the straight, politically correct route simply because it may be viewed as the right thing to do. In the end, the success of the WWE depends on how we the public takes it. Do we really hate them because they are “those damn foreigners” or do we just feed in to this electric sport entertainment industry that allows us to live in a fantasy world, believing that there are true clear-cut heroes and bad guys in this world?

Personally , I dislike many aspects of wrestling, yet there is something very exciting about watching the drama unfold The bottom line is this, wrestling simply puts that premium on putting out what sells, which means sticking to what people want to see, -- the good guys (us) versus the bad guys (them).   This impulse is also a lot of Americans political idealogy. We have to demonize something in order to determine if it is good or if it is bad, and that's both inside and outride the ring.

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Why Are Irish Terrorists Less Newsworthy Than Muslim Ones?
Story and art by Christopher Patrick Nelson
July 21, 2005