The professional wrestling world has been rocked by allegations that Hulk Hogan, one of its biggest stars, repeatedly used the N-word while expressing displeasure at his daughter's relationship with a black man. The news has shocked many fans who grew up idolising Hogan as a superhero in the ring.
Hogan's employer, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has terminated its contract with the star, whose real name is Terry Bollea. However, the incident has cast a spotlight on a long history of racial prejudice within the sport, which has often used racist caricatures and stereotypes to sell tickets and attract viewers.
In the 1960s and 70s, the character of The Sheik, portrayed by Lebanese-American Ed Farhat, played on Middle Eastern stereotypes, including praying on a mat and speaking gibberish. Later, the Iron Sheik, an Iranian character, helped cement Hogan's heroic status when Hogan defeated him in 1984, choking and spitting on his opponent to applause.
The WWE also featured a cannibalistic Ugandan head-hunter, a submissive black manservant, and a feud where Canadian wrestler Roddy Piper appeared in half-blackface against African-American opponent Bad News Brown. Charles Wright portrayed a voodoo priest, a militant resembling the Nation of Islam, and a pimp whose female companions were called 'hoes'.
More recently, the WWE introduced the Mexicools, who rode lawnmowers in a reference to undocumented labourers, and Cryme Tyme, black wrestlers who stole from opponents as a parody of racial stereotypes. Muhammad Hassan, an Arab character played by an Italian-American, orchestrated an attack by masked terrorists.
These portrayals highlight a deep-seated problem with prejudice in wrestling, raising questions about the industry's willingness to exploit racial tensions for entertainment.
