| Mohammad Hassan - WWE superstar or 'terrorist' (Killed off) | |
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CuZzA - Student  |
NO FLAME WARS! JUST A DISCUSSION! ALSO, PLEASE DON'T TURN THIS INTO A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW 'GAY' WRESTLING IS ETC. STAY ON TOPIC I thought i'd make a thread about this because in my honest opinion i feel sick towards the media and the press. In short, Mohammad Hassan's character on 'Smackdown!', a WWE televised program, is an anti-american arab american. 'Smackdown!' is taped/filmed on a Tuesday and aired on a Thursday on the american network channel 'UPN'. On Thursday July 7th 2005, a surprise terrorist attack hit London. Later that evening, 'Smackdown!' was aired on UPN in America. During this episode, Khosrow Daivari (Hassan's Associate) was in a match with The Undertaker. Coming to the close of the match, with Daivari unconcious, Mohammad Hassan came to the ring with 5 people wearing ski masks The Undertaker. They took a cable and tried to choke him out On Tuesday 12th July 2005, Don Kaplan had this to say to 'New York Post Online': ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 12, 2005 -- UPN's "Smackdown" aired what appeared to be terror-themed hijinks last Thursday — the same day as terrorist bombings in London killed more than 50 people. The sketch was edited out of a U.K. edition of "Smackdown," which aired that same night. The sketch included images of Arabs in ski masks carrying a fallen Arab wrestler over their heads after he had "sacrificed" himself, evoking imagery similar to a suicide bomber's funeral. "We're very proud of our product," says "Smackdown" executive producer Kevin Dunn. "We try and be sensitive with everything we portray, but there's got to be protagonists and antagonists on our TV shows. "We just happen to reflect the politics of the world sometimes — especially with these Arab-American characters." A WWE spokesman added that it was "unfortunate" that the sketch aired the same day as the attacks. "If we had any idea that something like [the London attacks] might happen, obviously you wouldn't try to do that segment on that day," he said. But the show was taped July 5 — two days before the telecast. After the bombings took place last Thursday, WWE execs gave broadcasters carrying the show a heads-up about the sketch. It was edited out in Europe, but aired on UPN here with a discretionary crawl along the bottom of the screen that said: "In light of today's tragic events in London, parental discretion is advised in viewing tonight's episode." WWE's Dunn says, "We are firmly in the entertainment business," and that the plot, as edgy as it might have been, should be taken tongue-in-cheek. On last Thursday's show, an Arab-American wrestler who fights under the stage name Daivari was beaten by The Undertaker. After the bout, a second Arab wrestler, Hassan, knelt near the ring and prayed while five masked men attacked The Undertaker and choked him into unconsciousness. All five then knelt into praying positions and Hassan lifted The Undertaker's head up for the camera in a scene that looked eerily like a beheading. The group then left the ring carrying the unconscious Daivari over their heads. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And this is what Mohammad Hassan had to say: 'I stand here tonight, probably the last true patriot in America. I stand here tonight, perhaps even a martyr against tyranny and injustice. Because the fact is, I am an American professional wrestler. But because of my heritage, because of my background, because of whom my ancestors where, I'm labelled, we're labelled (pointing at Khosrow Daivari) terrorists...terrorists...I'm a terrorist...Well it must be true, it's gotta be true because it's right here in black and white in a source like the New York Post. Well you don't belive me? Here it is. 'Terrorist wrestles after bombing'. I'm a terrorist, we're terrorists, we wrestled after a bombing. Well Mr. Don Kaplan...Have you ever met this Don Kaplan? (Talking to Daivari) Have you ever spoke with this Don Kaplan? (Daivari says no,never) Have you ever called Don Kaplan on the phone? Well i never have either. So if Don Kaplan of the New York Post has never met us, how does Don Kaplan know that we're terrorists? Don Kaplan also writes that 'Arabs in ski-masks carried Daivari out as a sacrafice last week'...Arabs! in ski masks! in ski masks! How does he know that they were Arabs? The point is, because of articles like this, because of the fear the media has put in all of you people I have been denied my god-given right to persue the perfection of my choice. To persue the American dream. I have been denied my basic rights as an American citizen. You know, as i look around this crowd, and i look at all these faces, looking back at me in disgust, i think alot of you people have forgotten what this country was founded on. I think all of you people have forgotten that your ancestors fought for their freedom. They gave their lives for their freedom. Whether they be black, whether they be Irish-American, Italian-American, Jewish-American, Asian American, they gave their lives for your freedom. What's next people? What's next? Because any time anything goes wrong in this country, it's the Arabs. When a plane crashes, it's the Arabs. When a bomb goes off, it's the Arabs. The blackout, two summers ago, it was the Arabs. Hurricane Dennis must be the Arabs! You people say what you want because i have a right to be in here, i have a right to say what i want and this is what i'm gonna say...My name is Mohammad Hassan. I am an Arab-American and I am very proud of my heritage. But as an American, my first ammendment rights have been trampled and i stand here before all of you ashamed of my country. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPN have asked the WWE to somehow write Mohammad Hassan out of future 'Smackdown!' shows, starting Thursday 28th July 2005. Now, tonight at the 'Smackdown!' Pay Per view, the Great American Bash, There have been rumours that Mohammad Hassan will get killed off...Do you know what that means? It means he will NEVER be able to appear on WWE programming again! This is just disguting to be honest and, even though Hassan is a heel (Bad Guy) towards the fans, i really do hope he is not killed off has he has done absolutly nothing wrong. What are your thought on this, and remember, no flame wars please...just a discussion. Thanks -CuZ Here is what happened at last night's match...with Hassan being killed off ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Various media outlets speculated as to whether this would be Muhammad Hassan’s last match. It now appears that it may very well be. Before the match, a brash and confident Hassan spoke of his sacrifices as an Arab-American, ensured that he’d be the next No. 1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship and then proclaimed that if he lost, it would be the final time he’d show his face. Then, the lights went out on Hassan’s SmackDown! career. Late in the match, Undertaker caught Hassan with a punishing chokeslam to earn the win. Hassan’s sympathizers rushed the ring, but Undertaker fought them all off – finally hitting the Tombstone on the hooded man who had twice choked him out with piano wire. Hassan bought some time by pushing Daivari toward the Phenom, and Undertaker promptly put Hassan’s manager through an announce table. The Deadman then caught Hassan crawling up the entrance ramp and hit yet another chokeslam – this time onto the metal ramp. Undertaker then did the unthinkable: He removed portions of the steel stage to create a cavernous opening. Undertaker then lifted Hassan and gave him a Last Ride to the concrete far below. Hassan’s body lay contorted with blood gushing from the back of his head. EMTs tried feverishly to stabilize Hassan and quickly ushered him to a nearby medical facility. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want to see the match here it is: The Match There are a few contraversial bits in this. Uncomfortable Entrance by Mohammad Hassan - Watch from the beginning to 3:42 5on1 ('Supervisors' vs Undertaker) attack - 13:30 to 15:40 Hassan 'Killed off' or 'too injured' to return to TV - 16:00 to 17:55 _______________ - Even if Carlsberg made "w*nkers", Christiano Ronaldo would still be the biggest "w*nker" in the world This post was edited by CuZzA on Jul 25 2005 11:30am. |
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3th - Retired 
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ahh. yeah, i can agree with that  playing to stereotypes gets even more tricky when there's a serious ongoing "war". rather than a cold war or tensions between countries. _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
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CuZzA - Student 
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Hassan, himself, didn't do a thing wrong. it was the writers who made the choice to bring out people in ski masks representing terrorists...and Hassan gets punished for it... _______________ - Even if Carlsberg made "w*nkers", Christiano Ronaldo would still be the biggest "w*nker" in the world |
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3th - Retired
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Quote: 3th, that 'speech' wasn't written. he actually said that to the crowd AFTER Smackdown had been taped a week after the bombing. That wasn't part of a storyline. i assumed it went down exactly how you just confirmed. are you saying what hassan did was good or bad?  i'm totally missing whatever point you're trying to make about all this  _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
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CuZzA - Student
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People are saying 'WELL WHY ARN'T YOU EDITING IT OUT!' that's because it's impossible to edit something out in under a day, give it to UPN then air it. So what they done instead was use a scrollbar at the bottom of the television screen saying 'blah blah blah' (dunno exactly what they wrote) so that the audience would know what they're in for... _______________ - Even if Carlsberg made "w*nkers", Christiano Ronaldo would still be the biggest "w*nker" in the world |
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Phantom - Student 
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Man that was stuiped but whats the problem here? It was taped 2 days before the attacks, theres no way that UPN/Smackdown could have known that this was gonna happen. They had to play something. _______________ -Phantom Ex-Master to Threat. Proud owner of Sazabi's 1500th comment! And Threats 50th comment "Insanity: a perfect rational adjustment to an insane world" |
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Thomasooo - Student 
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Thanks, Cuzza! Works now. I didn't see that timer the last time I tried. :s Weird. _______________ In the navy and LOVING it! 
Recipient of comment no. 1000 and heart-warming words from Ataris!
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CuZzA - Student 
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Thomas: You have requested the file Great_American_Bash_004.wmv (47129588 Bytes). This file has been downloaded 1308 times already. IMPORTANT: Download-accelerators are only supported with a PREMIUM-Account! Download-Ticket reserved. Please wait 20 seconds. Avoid the need for download-tickets by using a PREMIUM-Account. Instant access! You have collected 0 RapidShare-$$$ so far. Your Premium-Account is valid until [No premium-account detected]. that's what it should say _______________ - Even if Carlsberg made "w*nkers", Christiano Ronaldo would still be the biggest "w*nker" in the world |
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Ataris - Milwaukees Finest 
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Buzz said:
Quote: It occured also when they had a Soviet style bad guy as well. One of those was a guy named Tony Halme (WWE name: Ludvig Borga) and he's finnish and I'm so goddamn proud! Buzz also said: Quote: And its occured several times with other countries too, Japan, Canada, France, Great Brittain: They've all had the "foreign wrestler vs. the U.S. wrestler" gimic. The thing is, all theese were against some U.S. wrestler, like you said, books movies and other stuff go this way aswell, and it somehow always is some yank vs. someone else.. Why do you have to be involved ?! j/kI would love some sort of Asian country vs. the Soviet Union, as some wrestling show. It would be just purely awesome..! But then again, that wouldn't work, since for example former China and former Soviet Union would be too busy still fighting the yanks since they want a piece of everything.. So maybe it wouldn't work.. anyway Vince McMahon! Think about it mate  Peace.. _______________ [ Honorable mentions: aph3x | Milamber | Bail Hope Belouve | Jaiko D'Kana | Rosered | JediEthic | Mike/JJ/TheKing | Kensei | Dane | Gradius | Thomas Skywalker | Pink Floyd | Setementor | Steinin | Odan-Wei ] [ Owner of: MetaDust's 500th comment! | Eica's 700th comment! | Pink Floyd's 666th, 999th, 1200th and 1337th comment! | DarkRyu's 400th comment! | Redeye's 1st comment! | Cow's 1111st comment! | Rufusan's 75th comment! | Wicek's 3300th and 3400th comment! | Dash Starlight's 2000th comment! | Piccolo's 3400th comment! | Takaru's 300th comment! | Senor Hat's 900th comment! | Rytandus' 4160th comment! | The first ever awarded, the original, the one and only, Catphin Award!!1 ] "Music expresses that which can not be put in to words but can not remain silent." |
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Thomasooo - Student 
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This is just hilarious...what has the world come to? I'm so sick and tired of all the prejudice.  BTW, Cuzza: I'm having problems downloading the video. :s There's no countdown on the page that comes up after I hit "free." _______________ In the navy and LOVING it!
Recipient of comment no. 1000 and heart-warming words from Ataris!
This comment was edited by Thomasooo on Jul 25 2005 12:50pm. |
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CuZzA - Student
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Mohammad Hassan was killed off last night at the PPV...what a stupid ending for a promising 'heel' character _______________ - Even if Carlsberg made "w*nkers", Christiano Ronaldo would still be the biggest "w*nker" in the world |
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CuZzA - Student
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3th, that 'speech' wasn't written. he actually said that to the crowd AFTER Smackdown had been taped a week after the bombing. That wasn't part of a storyline. Buzz, do you remember when Sgt. Slaughter turned 'heel' and went onto the 'Iran/Iraq' side of the storyline? _______________ - Even if Carlsberg made "w*nkers", Christiano Ronaldo would still be the biggest "w*nker" in the world |
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3th - Retired 
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sounds like Mohammad Hassan made a nice little speach though. pretty deep and intense for wrestling IMO. but then again, i don't really follow wrestling so i myself am guilty of stereotyping it _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
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Buzz - Student 
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People are simply too uptight today and trying to be politically correct about EVERYTHING. Wrestling has been doing this forever, in fact every section of entertainment does this. It goes back to the Iron Sheik in the early 80's. He was essentially portraying Iran since they were the U.S. big enemy at the time. It occured also when they had a Soviet style bad guy as well. And its occured several times with other countries too, Japan, Canada, France, Great Brittain: They've all had the "foreign wrestler vs. the U.S. wrestler" gimic. Its an easy storyline to go to and to get people behind the good guy wrestler. And it happens in other entertainment too. Just look at books and movies of varying times. You have Americans against the chinese, against the soviets, against arabic terrorists. If you keep trying to make entertainment that won't offend someone you're going to end up with all shows being Leave it to Beaver, and you couldn't even call him Beaver today because that's just offensive. _______________ When you are going through Hell, keep going. -Sir Winston Churchill. Those who seek power and control of others, no matter the level, no matter the intentions, should never be given it. |
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Gradius - Ex-Student 
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Ugh, I'm not calling an Arab-American a fake terrorist. I'm calling his character one. Why else would the WWE put someone with a Middle Eastern heritage on the show, and have him play a character who hates America. I'm not claiming that he wants to go around bombing people, nor am I claiming that all people with a Middle Easter heritage are potential terrorists. Far from it. If you noticed I added quotations around the word "terrorist" to emphasize that I meant a character who is resembling what alot of **DUMB** Americans hate in order to gain ratings. And yes, these "wrestlers" are simply actors who play a role. I am 200% sure that the latest addition to the roster is a good man, pays his taxes, etc. All I'm saying is directed towards the character that he plays. And wether or not it was the WWE's intention to do make him out like this, I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world to see it like this. Why else would you have made this thread containing facts that compare this character to terrorists? I'm sure if they gave him a better role they wouldn't have to "kill him off," but honestly what do you expect from American censorship? _______________ - Proud padawan of Kueller. - We really are at the beginning of it all. The trick, of course, is to make sure we never find the end. - Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything - <gen-e-sis-happy> Liek, you can train, liek, a n00b, but he'll just be a trained n00b... --> Wise words! - "daer SOE me likes your a company i am having your some money for letting me do stuff cos mes the best amd i do it all meself" - Slider This comment was edited by Gradius on Jul 24 2005 09:02pm. |
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CuZzA - Student
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erm sorry? a 'fake' terrorist? your as bad as that Don Kaplan grad if u go around calling an Arab-American a 'fake' terrorist. The WWE's intention was not to make him a 'fake' terrorist...what gives you that idea? _______________ - Even if Carlsberg made "w*nkers", Christiano Ronaldo would still be the biggest "w*nker" in the world |
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Gradius - Ex-Student
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I agree with Ataris. Although, this will probably cause more problems than they realize. After 9-11 occured and we found out who was behind it, just about every Middle Eastern student at my high scool was bullied and blamed for the attacks. Yeah, stupid American kids who didn't know any better went around yelling at other kids who clearly had no connection with the attacks. Some even left the school because of it. This of course stopped very quickly thanks to the strong administration and local news broadcasts. This whole Smackdown thing will only recreate that feeling for alot of people. Dumb Americans will look at Middle Eastern families who are NOT terrorists (which is basically all of them) and show nothing but hate towards them, if they don't already. Kids who grow up watching this program will develope a strong hate towards all Middle Eastern people. That is, unless their parents have raised them better than that, which alot don't. In conclusion, this whole Smackdown idea of putting a fake "terrorist" on TV and having people watch him getting his ass kicked is pretty dumb, and won't do anything but decrease the peace. _______________ - Proud padawan of Kueller. - We really are at the beginning of it all. The trick, of course, is to make sure we never find the end. - Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything - <gen-e-sis-happy> Liek, you can train, liek, a n00b, but he'll just be a trained n00b... --> Wise words! - "daer SOE me likes your a company i am having your some money for letting me do stuff cos mes the best amd i do it all meself" - Slider |
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IoNiFy - Student 
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I agree, they needed someone to bring in the crowds for boos and stuff, I bet its really offensive to some of the arabs there. I would be, people don't understand extremism and religion, it sucks. _______________ Rawr.
This comment was edited by IoNiFy on Jul 24 2005 08:28pm. |
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Ataris - Milwaukees Finest
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The Smackdown organization obviously wanted to create a character for every stupid-ass american to hate.. And what better way than an Arab who 'hates' America.. And now denying someone to work in his area of expertise, he has done nothing wrong.. Can't understand stuff like this, it's only entertainment for gods sake.. Peace.. _______________ [ Honorable mentions: aph3x | Milamber | Bail Hope Belouve | Jaiko D'Kana | Rosered | JediEthic | Mike/JJ/TheKing | Kensei | Dane | Gradius | Thomas Skywalker | Pink Floyd | Setementor | Steinin | Odan-Wei ] [ Owner of: MetaDust's 500th comment! | Eica's 700th comment! | Pink Floyd's 666th, 999th, 1200th and 1337th comment! | DarkRyu's 400th comment! | Redeye's 1st comment! | Cow's 1111st comment! | Rufusan's 75th comment! | Wicek's 3300th and 3400th comment! | Dash Starlight's 2000th comment! | Piccolo's 3400th comment! | Takaru's 300th comment! | Senor Hat's 900th comment! | Rytandus' 4160th comment! | The first ever awarded, the original, the one and only, Catphin Award!!1 ] "Music expresses that which can not be put in to words but can not remain silent." |
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