The character of The great American has generated strong criticism, especially from sectors of the Mexican luchística community, which consider it a racist and outdated gimmick. However, for Konnanthe controversy has no foundation and ensures that he sees nothing offensive in the character.
In his podcast Keepin’ It 100Konnan went straight when addressing accusations of racism: “Many people are complaining, brother. But people complain about everything. You give them a golden beating and say he has a scratch in the corner. You can do what you want with that character: masks fight, championship, rivalries. He is a character, like so many others“,
Konnan explained that wrestling historically has gone behind in terms of racial sensitivity, but that – like society – has evolved. And although today it is more important to take care of how certain issues are addressed, he believes that if done with intelligent humor, there is no problem.
“Wrestling has always been behind racial respect, be it black, white, Samoan or Japanese. Before it was culturally accepted. Today you cannot be openly racist, but If it is funny and subtle, if it is a parody, there is no problem“He declared.
The veteran fighter and Booker made it clear that, for him, the important thing is if the character Ridiculizes Mexicans directlyand ensures that this is not the case. He compared the situation with moments that seemed offensive to him in the past, such as the Mexico arriving in pruning or the use of piñatas by Fight House Party.
“Is it a character that humiliates Mexicans? For me, no“He said.” The pruning with the Mexico did seemed very insulting. The piñatas too. But this is more a classic Wrestling parody. It is not something that bothers me. “
The great American He is a character who has begun to generate attention on the luchistic scene. Played by Chad Gable, the gimmick It is presented as an exaggerated parody of the typical Patriot American, with burlesque dyes that refer to the most obvious clichés of the invading “gringo”.
The character has been interpreted in recent events as a kind of cartoon that causes the Mexican public, in a line similar to that of characters such as Jack Swagger in his stage “We the People” or JBL when he used anti -immigrant speech in WWE. However, in this case, the execution has raised criticism by fans and fighters who consider that the concept can cross the line between satire and stereotype. Konnan, as a key figure in AAA, has come out in defense of the character, claiming that it is a tribute to the classic struggle and not an insult to Mexican identity.
