Arts·Commotion

Does the WWE value its Black fans?

Culture critic David Dennis Jr. explains the recent fan backlash to the WWE's lack of Black wrestlers at their latest iteration of Bad Blood.

Culture critic David Dennis Jr. discusses the recent fan backlash to this month's Bad Blood event

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 06: R-Truth and The Miz react after winning a six-pack tag team ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
R-Truth and The Miz react after winning a six-pack tag team ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship during Night One of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field on April 06, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Earlier this month, the WWE brought back an event that was a big deal back in the day: Bad Blood.

It featured undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, going up against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. It was also the first WWE pay-per-view event to happen in Atlanta in decades.

Many considered Bad Blood a success, but some Black wrestling fans and critics say the event didn't sit well with them.

Today on Commotion, culture critic David Dennis Jr. joins host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to discuss the recent fan backlash to the WWE's lack of Black wrestlers at their latest iteration of Bad Blood.

LISTEN | Today's episode on CBC Listen: 

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with David Dennis Jr. produced by Ty Callender.