WWE issues statement on Jinder Mahal promo from SmackDown
Posted: Sep 21st, '17, 12:07
Source: f4wonline.com
In response to criticism that Jinder Mahal's promo from SmackDown -- where he was scripted to mock Shinsuke Nakamura's looks and race -- has received, WWE issued a statement on the segment to the Washington Post last night.
“Just like many other TV shows or movies, WWE creates programming with fictional personalities that incorporates real world issues and sensitive subjects," the company said. “As a producer of such TV shows, WWE Corporate is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.”
The promo was the follow-up to a similar segment from the week prior where Mahal tried to prove that the fans will treat Nakamura the same way that they treat him because he also looks and talks differently.
Mahal's comments this week included telling Nakamura that he always "rooks the same" and saying that the fans call him Mr. Miyagi (from the movie "The Karate Kid") behind his back, which drew a "That's too far" chant from the audience. WWE never uploaded a clip of the promo to their YouTube channel.
The statement was a response to some mainstream criticism the segment got, including the story that was being worked on by the Washington Post. The Washington Post article also included quotes from Dave Meltzer, who called the segment embarrassing for WWE and discussed the history of the foreign heel character in pro wrestling.
“Wrestling was always in its own little world,” Meltzer said. “Now everyone watches it, and you can’t get away with those kind of old tricks. The fan base will blame it on the company and not on the heel.”
In response to criticism that Jinder Mahal's promo from SmackDown -- where he was scripted to mock Shinsuke Nakamura's looks and race -- has received, WWE issued a statement on the segment to the Washington Post last night.
“Just like many other TV shows or movies, WWE creates programming with fictional personalities that incorporates real world issues and sensitive subjects," the company said. “As a producer of such TV shows, WWE Corporate is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.”
The promo was the follow-up to a similar segment from the week prior where Mahal tried to prove that the fans will treat Nakamura the same way that they treat him because he also looks and talks differently.
Mahal's comments this week included telling Nakamura that he always "rooks the same" and saying that the fans call him Mr. Miyagi (from the movie "The Karate Kid") behind his back, which drew a "That's too far" chant from the audience. WWE never uploaded a clip of the promo to their YouTube channel.
The statement was a response to some mainstream criticism the segment got, including the story that was being worked on by the Washington Post. The Washington Post article also included quotes from Dave Meltzer, who called the segment embarrassing for WWE and discussed the history of the foreign heel character in pro wrestling.
“Wrestling was always in its own little world,” Meltzer said. “Now everyone watches it, and you can’t get away with those kind of old tricks. The fan base will blame it on the company and not on the heel.”