WWE’s Ongoing Struggle with Black Representation
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Triple H once said he doesn’t see color. But during this past Saturday’s Royal Rumble, it was hard for the WWE Universe to ignore the glaring lack of diversity. Only one Black wrestler, Carmelo Hayes, participated in the Men’s Royal Rumble match.
This is surprising, considering WWE’s roster depth. Talented Black wrestlers like Trick Williams, Oba Femi, Wes Lee, The New Day, and the Street Profits are key figures across WWE programming. Notably, the Street Profits appeared on the show, interfering in the tag team title match. Meanwhile, Carmelo Hayes, one of NXT’s most decorated stars, has struggled to secure wins since moving to SmackDown.
In contrast, the Women’s Royal Rumble featured prominent Black talent. We saw Bianca Belair, Lash Legend, Naomi, and Jaida Parker, further highlighting a disparity in representation between the men’s and women’s divisions.
The Diversity Disconnect
Pro wrestling has always had a complicated relationship with race, often shaped by stereotypical storylines and character portrayals. Despite WWE’s global reach and influence, fans continue to express frustration over the lack of consistent representation on major cards. Talented Black wrestlers like Bobby Lashley, MVP, Shelton Benjamin, AJ Francis, Ricochet, and Swerve Strickland (the first Black AEW Champion) have been released or left WWE in recent years, only to thrive in other promotions.
Bobby Lashley was the last Black male wrestler to win a singles match on a WWE main roster PLE in 2023. He was also the most recent Black wrestler to hold a major title on Raw or SmackDown.
What makes this even more troubling is WWE’s strong crossover appeal within the hip-hop community. Stars like Travis Scott, Wale, 2 Chainz, Snoop Dogg, and Quavo have appeared at WWE events. Even content creators like Kai Cenat and iShowSpeed have received prominent screen time. Yet, this cultural integration hasn’t translated into increased visibility for Black wrestlers on Raw and SmackDown.
Interestingly, NXT tells a different story. Black talent like Oba Femi, Wes Lee, and Trick Williams are regularly featured as top stars. Rising prospect Je’Von Evans even main-evented against Randy Orton, showcasing NXT’s commitment to diversity under the WWE umbrella. This raises the question: If NXT can consistently spotlight Black talent, why can’t the main roster?
The Fight for Equal Opportunity
Racial bias has undoubtedly played a role in WWE’s history, especially concerning world title opportunities. To date, only six Black men have held the WWE World Championship, though many have found success with tag team and mid-card titles. Wrestling blends entertainment and sport, with creative teams crafting characters and storylines. So why are complex narratives built for factions like Judgment Day but not for the Street Profits?
Historically dominated by white performers, professional wrestling in 2025 boasts one of the most diverse rosters in its history. The future for Black wrestlers in WWE is bright—if they’re given the chance to shine. Today’s roster includes some of the most talented Black performers the company has ever seen. Their potential will only grow with proper opportunities.
Black male wrestlers are not just ready for more opportunities; they’re more than capable of seizing them. Simply put, WWE is underutilizing its Black talent, and it’s time for that to change.
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