Various News: Morgan and Gladiators, Reason for Wellness Change, More on Henry/Hayes Situation
Posted by Larry Csonka on 05.07.2008
Some news to kick off the day!
- NBC and TNA lawyers have come to an agreement that will allow Matt Morgan to participate on American Gladiators this season, and that TNA will remain a priority.
- The reason for the WWE Wellness policy testing change was because when Afa Anoa'I Jr was suspended, it was because he was caught cheating the test. Many backstage at TV last week were upset by the change in testing.
- Regarding the Michael Hayes suspension, Mark Henry reportedly told Vince McMahon, "Either Hayes goes or I go." This is what led McMahon to suspend Hayes. Many in the company don't see how Hayes can be brought back after this recent situation, but also know that he will be.
Posted By: Sivapc (Registered) on May 07, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Awesome! Now I can watch Matt Morgan and Wolf FUCK DUDE UP on Gladiators!
Posted By: natedoggcata (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Mark Henry may not be the world's greatest wrestler by a longshot, but he has performed his assigned roles very well and is a true professional.
He did not deserve the treatment he received from Hayes.
Posted By: Rick D. (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 12:48 AM
I think firing a booker to keep Mark Henry is pretty much cutting off your nose to save your face.
Posted By: Jared (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Vince made the best choice. If he let henry go, WWE would have a racism scandal on their hands. Hayes would bring the company into more unwanted publicity, because Henry would have gone to the media and talked about how racist backstage is. Vince does not need that!
Posted By: Davy (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 12:59 AM
", WWE would have a racism scandal
on their hands"
Doubtful. Vince loves any publicity, and it is easy to back their way out of that one. Make Henry out to be the liar. Claim it gossip, claim it facts without foundation, claim it whatever you want, you can aim the coverage into a direction that says 'false'. The media does it constantly. Not that I condone racism, but for the sake of the company...yeah letting go a very minor asset in Henry in favor of keeping your head writer for one of your major shows then you'd be better off letting the racism slide.
Posted By: dan (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 01:15 AM
"Vince made the best choice. If he let henry go, WWE would have a racism scandal
on their hands. Hayes would bring the company into more unwanted publicity,
because Henry would have gone to the media and talked about how racist
backstage is. Vince does not need that"
that is just about the perfect reasoning.
it is just sad that Mark Henry is such a sensitive pussy, but as long as he remains far away from the real world by staying in wrestling then i guess it will work out.
it is just really sad that a man with talent is being forced out by a man with none.
dan, i agree with almost everything you said, but america has turned into a Dr. Phil nation, and you simply cannot let racist acts slide unless the victim is a white man.
sucks, but it is true. so instead of seeing Al Sharpton and a multimillion dollar lawsuit land on his desk, Vince has to decide if there is a way to bring Hayes back.
If i were Vince, i would keep Hayes on contract, let things die down a little and work on trying to get Henry to stop acting like a spoiled little brat.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Registered) on May 07, 2008 at 01:30 AM
"letting go a very minor asset in
Henry in favor of keeping your head writer for one of your major shows then
you'd be better off letting the racism slide."
----------
Wow, what an incredibly idiotic comment. I mean, WOW.
Posted By: Captain_Snackpipe (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 01:32 AM
Bring Henry over to Raw. I don't even watch SD, but I wouldn't mind.
Posted By: Jimmy (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 01:38 AM
All right, this means we dont have to watch that n**ger Mark Henry anymore.
Posted By: JG (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 02:15 AM
If Chris Benoit were still alive, he would piss that Haye hate nicca just like some of you who support Haye more than Mark. Prefer white than nicca okay, let me get some good point for my fans. Look where Benoit now? Aand now look where Haye now? Yes, you all right to say "Vince make best choice" choice is send Haye's home and keep Mark in wwe
Posted By: Triple X (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 02:17 AM
Ok Mark, let's see...you suck and Hayes doesn't, but he was wrong so...oh fuck. God damnit.
Posted By: Vinny Mac (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 02:35 AM
What Michael Hayes did was wrong plain and simple. Vince handled it as he should. Both Mark and Michael are assets to the company and need to get this settled between them. nuff said
Posted By: CM Wolf (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 02:59 AM
Mark henry is awesome. He got an insane amount of money when he first signed with the company. Now 12 years later he hasnt done anything worthwhile and some would aruge the bad angles hes been involved in have hurt the product. Yet somehow the brother has had pull and can pull moves likes this. seriously, theres something great about the guy.
Posted By: Guest#3490 (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 04:17 AM
Dan and Darth clearly you two obviously are somewhat ignorant. Blindly supporting a man with absolutely no idea of his credentials and capabilties backstage. "Let racism slide for the sake of the company by getting rid of a very minor asset" First off you opinions of hayes and mark henry's "value" to the company is purely speculation based on your peronal feelings toward both men. A biased statement thats totally stupid. And darth saying the world is dr. phil and you cant let racism slide unless youre a white man is another ignorant statement. "White men" dont have to worry about racism on the same lvl as minorities. Youre being a complete hypocrit by trying to put the majority in the position of the minority. I'm not saying racism to anyone is right or should be ignored but to make the statement you made would lead me to believe you think that everyone in the world is on equal standing. which they arent.
when all people are equal then maybe youre statement would make any bit of sense. and i think its really distasteful to think like some of you do, you arent thinking clearly. its a selfish ignorant way of thinking, dont do what is "honestly right" you want them to do what you think will keep you entertained on tv. Ignore the racism ignore the bigotry just keep the guy you like and thats what will make you happy.
And really SD! doesnt need Hayes .since hayes has been head he hasnt done anything amazing. He doesnt create the wrestling and thats what is great about SD! you people actually seem to believe these bookers and creative team members actually have any kind of creative control that was on the lvl of russo mcmanagment and bishcoff - hayes is just a puppet to fill in the cracks that mcmanagment doesnt have the time to fill. And clearly having a racist, and someone who could possibly taint the talent(Bobby Lashley) b/c of his ideals removed from his position of power is clearly the best decision for "the sake of the company"
Posted By: Guest#2569 (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 04:38 AM
what exactly was the change in the wellness testing?
Posted By: zvirbulis (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 04:57 AM
A Mark Henry glorious title reign would sort this all out!
Posted By: ButchReedMark (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 06:52 AM
I got nothing to say because Guest#2569 get the point and I agree with him.
Posted By: Phlavor Phlaaaaaaaaav (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 07:31 AM
Guest2569, so you are fine with niggers and webacks calling a white man a honkey but the white man can't call them anything or be punished? If all the illegal mexicans keep coming over, white people will be a minority. Ever heard of the re-annexation of Mexico? Look it up.
Posted By: Viva La Blanca! (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I lost all respect for Mark Henry. What a pussy. Why doesnt Henry want MVP suspended? He was the one who originally said Hayes is more of a nigger then MVP is. Hayes just repeated it to Henry while drunk. Grow up Henry and stop being your typical oversensitive, the world owes me everything, black guy.
Posted By: Champ (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Hang on a sec though. Wasn't it pointed out that Hayes wasn't actually being racist? Just because a white guy says "Nigger" doesn't mean he is a card carrying clan member. He made an ill advised comment, but he wasn't persecuting Henry for being black, trying to keep him down or doing any other actual racist actions. Words themselves are not racist. He actually called *himself* a nigger. So those people going on about racism need to consider that it usually doesn't work by "persecuting" yourself.
Henry is being sensitive and in a business where your usually need as thick a skin as possible. Hayes was being undiplomatic and perhaps showing why he shouldn't spend a lot of time talking to talent. Apparently he rubs a lot of people up the wrong way. But that doesn't mean he isn't valuable as a booker. Certainly he's more valuable then Henry is as talent (not that I'm saying he has no value, but not as much as Hayes).
However, an unsettled locker room is not a good thing. In a situation like this I would say the sensible thing to do would be to bring hayes back away from Henry, maybe even demoting him to working with FCW. Then when it settles down, get rid of Henry.
Trouble is of course now they can't get rid of a lesser talent without looking racist. Maybe that was what Henry wanted all along.
Posted By: Fenris (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 09:10 AM
For the Mae Young angle alone, Mark Henry deserves to get his way.
Posted By: simplicity itself (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Although I don't agree with all of Mortis' statements, because racism should never be allowed to slide, I do agree with him saying that reverse racism against a white dude is easily more acceptable, and easier for society to let slide. You want an example? Look at African American comedians.. Every one of them has some kind of racist ass comments to say about supposed nerdy ass white boys.. But this is considered funny, and all so true... It is stero typing just the same as it would be if some white comic stood up and cracked a joke about some watermelon eating African American. The only difference is the white dude would be hung out to dry for his joke.
Now, having said that, I will again solidify the point that racism in any form is wrong. But it is also true that the way something is said and the way it is recieved are not always the same sentiment. Hayes could have meant his comments as light hearted as he possibly could. The statement he used was, after all, used towards him from MVP the earlier in the evening.
I'm really not feeling that this is a case of racism so much as a misunderstanding. Hayes dropped a comment that he viewed as funny, MVP viewed as funny, but obviously the Silver Back didn't find it funny. I think VInce handled the situation as best he could without having to lose either talent.
To guest #2569 :
hyp-o-crite - noun 1. a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
I don't see anthing hypocritical about Darth's statement...some was flawed, but not hypocritical. It would be hypocritical if he came out blasting black folks for being racist, all while referring to them with racial slurs. That would be hypocritical. Also I think you took his statement as white people were the only ones willing to let racism slide, but I think he meant racism seems acceptable when it is towards a white guy.
Posted By: Toddo (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Because we're in a "Dr. Phil Society," the WWE had no other choice but to take action on the incident. While Vince himself tends to welcome such publicity, the WWE is now a publically traded "Wall Street" company and there are shareholders to answer to.
And this is the age where racism is a hot button issue, and there ZERO tolerance for this kind of behavior from an employee of any company.
If it was just Vince running the show like the good old days, Hayes probably would've gotten away with this... but now now under WWE LLC.
Posted By: Brother Love (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Mark Henry > "Freebird" Michael Hayes? That's UNPOSSIBLE!
Posted By: McLovin (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 09:48 AM
Was TNA able to get NBC to promote Impact since NBC wanted Matt Morgan so bad
Posted By: Colin (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 09:51 AM
"Doubtful. Vince loves any publicity ..."
Yeah, that whole Benoit thing made him hard in the teets, if I recall
Posted By: nate (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Guest#2569, that was quite easily the largest load of bullshit that i have ever seen in my life.
i am quite impressed that you were able to use so many words to say absolutely nothing whatsoever.
fact: Michael Hayes has 31 years experience in the business, and has one of the best minds for the business today.
fact: Mark Henry has 12 years experience, no mind for the business and apparently is a thin skinned pussy.
99% of the black culture uses the word 'nigger/nigga' on a daily basis. Michael Hayes came from the deep south, and guess what?
lots of blacks down in the deep south, there.
and guess what else?
just cause you are a white man from the deep south doesn't mean you are automatically racist.
guess what even more else?
Michael PS Hayes really is more of a nigger than Mark Henry will ever be, and i think THAT is Henry's problem.
it is sad that things went down the way they did, Vince really couldn't just fire Henry without exposing himself to a lawsuit, but Hayes shouldn't lose his job permanently simply because he told the truth in a blunt and honest manner.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Registered) on May 07, 2008 at 10:05 AM
None of you who say that Mark Henry is a "pussy" would be able to get away with what Hayes did in your own jobs so why should WWE be different? It's a publicly traded company now and so you have to have some semblence of respect and professionalism in the WWE.
Posted By: Jay (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 10:16 AM
There are some real rocket scientists here if they think that keeping Hayes on in light of the charges of racism would be the most pragmatic thing to do. WWE has seemingly hit the bounderies of their white demographic and they have been trying to build a larger fanbase with people of color. Or maybe you guys are just racists yourselves, nah, that wouldn't happen with wrestling fans.
Posted By: Hocho (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 10:59 AM
what an ultimatum!
Posted By: Guest#7375 (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 11:04 AM
One has to address why the WWE is suspending Michael Hayes for using the N word but not also suspending Shad Gadspard for referring to himself as the 'Head N in Charge'. Oh that's right. African Americans are allowed to use the ignorant word.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I thought Henry's ironclad contract was for 10 years. Why is he still around? He needs to go to TNA to squash X DIvision wrestlers and bury them completely. Maybe TNA will even have him bury the Knockout Division.
Posted By: EPIC FAIL! (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 12:34 PM
First of all this is an offensive word that Hayes used with a friend in a private conversation. That gives him a small pass with MVP. But as any person should know that doesn't give you a blanket pass to say it to anyone. Also Hayes is management, and this could be construed as harassment by a supervisor. I also don't buy the thin skin argument, when it comes to managerial harassment. I am sure that is exactly where Vince's head is at also, this is a public corporation.
Posted By: Bubba Army (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 12:51 PM
So basically what some people feel is that Hayes should keep is job just cause he has more experience than Henry, even though he was clearly in the wrong. Great sense of reasoning guys.
Posted By: BxBaller (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Look, how hard is it to just NOT say the N word to a black guy? Mortis spewing more opinion as fact that Hayes is a great mind and Henry has no mind for the biz. Hayes booking is on par with TNA's repeat matchups week after week. Not disputing either opinion, you just can't state your opinion as fact. Hayes needs to realize he's not one of the boys anymore and needs to maintain a certain level of professionalism.
Posted By: beezy (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Anybody who takes Michael Hayes' side over Mark Henry's in this issue needs to stop watching wrestling and re-evaluate their lives. Just because somebody is a shitty wrestler doesn't mean they can be insult and thrown slurs at by some "legend" who is trying to be too cool for the room.
Posted By: Guest#2012 (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Reports suggest that this wasn't the first incident. Some have mentioned Lashley and Great Khali's translator. Obviously these might be unfounded though, but if true, hayes' experience over henry is irrelevant. Also, couldn't an easy way out of this be for Hayes to appologise to Henry (and locker room), possibly explaining that he didn't mean it in the context it was taken? Might just be me, but that may satisfy all parties. Sad that we are discussing this and not a product I have been watching since I was 5(31 now!)
Posted By: devon (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 04:03 PM
'Michael PS Hayes really is more of a nigger than Mark Henry will ever be, and i
think THAT is Henry's problem.
'
Wait, so you're actually defining what a black should be like? Now who's the racist?
Posted By: His Bubbliness (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 04:33 PM
Crazy suggestion: Either the word is used by everybody or nobody. Any other solution would cause racism/favoritism complaints. I agree with the people who say that it is not right black comedians can call whites anything they want to and its referred to as "comedy" but if a white man did what they did, it'd be a hate crime. No, it isn't right. It isn't right for a white person to call a black person a name like that either. Hayes made an error, he got punished for it, and in my view Mark Henry will just continue ruining the workrate of Smackdown more as a result as a guy who can't talk and who can't wrestle. Frankly they should have fired him in 2006. But then since when does Vinny Mac care about wrestling? its SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT!
Posted By: Black Scorpion (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 06:30 PM
It doesn't matter what the history of the usage of the N-word is -- Hayes said something inappropriate and unprofessional. Not for a second would there be a reason to get rid of Mark Henry in this situation, so it's not like there was actually an option to do so, wake up. Hayes has a history of inappropriate actions within the company, and I think they're just handing him rope to hang himself with at this point. If anything they're showing him some measure of respect by not just getting rid of him outright (and again, not just based on this latest incident).
Posted By: RDog (Guest) on May 07, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Viva La Blanca, YOU JUST DONT GET THE POINT. This isnt a matter of youre racism to me so now i can be racist to you. I'm white, not black not hispanic asian w/e. And i feel that a white has nothing to fear in this world in regards to race. You people are creating cenarios to foward your opinions on the subject. The history, the terror, and the evil behind the n-word is no fowl and so wrong that no one should use the word ever. But like ignorant people some of you feel just b/c a black person says then you should have th right, that is a show of lack of self control. If youre an adult you should be able to come to the conclusion that regardless of what other people do and act you should act in manner that shows self control for you - not let other people drag you down with them. On paper, maybe yeah a white man perhaps may not have much power to take allegations to racism but in reality "white man" has been the distributor of racism round the world. Everyone is a monirty BUT the white man. blacks, hispanics, even white women to men.
But regardless of all that, HAYES works in a professional environment where people are suppose to professional - and regardless of what this crap about him repeating what another black person said or w/e this new info on the topic is, he shouldnt have repeated. Doesnt matter, the FACT is a white man saying the n-word is frown upon on the highest degree and until that is changed he and other people in positions of influence shouldnt use it.
From what i take from this Mark Henry doesnt act in the manner that people usually sterotype black men to be, and b/c of that Hayes tells henry "hes more of a N then he is"(?).
So now you have hayes imposing how black people should act, then you have him alienating henry b/c he doesnt act like a "N-word".
Racism is racism and anyone who practices it in a preofessional scene should be punished for it, dont try to defend hayes or say he was right for doing what he did just b/c you dont see white men make racist alegations.
He was the party at fault and he was punished for it, that the facts and the truth; And if hayes is never seen working for SD! creative team again im sure you wont see a difference in the product all.
Posted By: Guest#2569 (Guest) on May 08, 2008 at 02:09 AM
"dan, i agree with almost everything you said, but america has turned into a Dr.
Phil nation, and you simply cannot let racist acts slide unless the victim is a
white man."
Sad but true. I wonder how many times Henry has called someone a "redneck" or "honky." Those terms are as insulting to whites as saying "nigger" to a black man. America: Wake the fuck up before its too late. Another 20 years of this shit and We'll be known as Zimbabwe 2.
Posted By: JJ (Guest) on May 08, 2008 at 10:55 AM
"On paper, maybe yeah a white man perhaps may not have much power to
take allegations to racism but in reality "white man" has been the
distributor of racism round the world. Everyone is a monirty BUT the white man.
blacks, hispanics, even white women to men."
Jesus, are you stupid? Is that the shit they are indoctrinating, errr...i mean "teaching" in schools these days.
The white man is NOT the majority in the world today and hasn't been for many many decades. The fact is that other races are breeding us into extinction. Over the last 75 or so years or so the white population has gone from being roughly 50 percent of the planets population to less than 15%. Do the math, smart guy.
Furthermore, whites are not the distributors of racism around the world. Thats what mainstream media and politically correct school systems would tell you. Look at the extermination of whites that has been happening in South Africa for the last 15-20 years.
Furthermore, the slavery topic is one of the most misrepresented in the history of the modern world. The slaves were captured and sold into slavery by their own people. They were sold by their fellow black tribesmen to slave traders (not all of whom were technically white) for rum, beads and a few "shiny things." Many of the poor whites who came to America did so under a contract of servitude, meaning they would owe a life long debt to a wealthy family and would have to work for them for the remainder of their natural lives. They did this so their children and grandchildren might have the chance to live, own land and prosper in the new country.
Slavery ended well over a hundred years ago. The blacks in this country have yet to establish equality, even after receiving handouts and preferential treatment for almost half a century. The descendants of slaves now live a life their African cousins can only dream of. Had their ancestors not been slaves there would be no welfare, no public housing, no cars, etc. Yet, we still "owe" them something???
Look on the map. The best places to live in the world are all in nations that are predominantly white or Asian. The worst places are in Africa and Latin America. Go figure.
I'm only stating facts that you politically correct "sheeple" surely wont get from burying your head in pop culture, watching rap videos, etc. Some of you are sooo brainwashed its pathetic.
The n-word is a joke. It's a freakin' shame that someone can have their career destroyed for saying a word. Mark Henry is proving it to be true by demanding to have a man's ability to make a living taken from him just because he made an "insensitive" comment. I wonder how many times Henry has called people such as yourself "rednecks" or crackers"????
Posted By: Guest#3306 (Guest) on May 08, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I'm not full white, I may look but I'm really indiana and I think white people should out of USA and send it back Germany, if it was Barack become president. So think before you racist about Black. Honest I have seen this lot comment, most of you are white and hate black but not me, I support and love black, just like Steve Austin good friend with The Rock... Don't get wrong idea.
Posted By: Sperm Species (Guest) on May 08, 2008 at 02:08 PM
