Former WWE Writer Sues Company Over Alleged Racist Storylines And Unfair Firing
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| Photo: Instagram/Vince McMahon |
Britney Abrahams, a former writer for WWE, has filed a lawsuit against the professional wrestling company and several of its employees, claiming that she was fired after objecting to racist ideas suggested in the writer's room.
Abrahams, who is Black, alleged that she objected to "offensively racist and stereotypical jargon" on multiple occasions.
The lawsuit names WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, his daughter Stephanie McMahon, and five others who work for the wrestling show's writing staff.
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| Photo: Instagram/Vince McMahon is a prominent American businessman and professional wrestling promoter. |
Abrahams claims that one storyline proposed by WWE lead writer Ryan Callahan suggested that a Saudi Arabian-born wrestler was "behind the 9/11 attacks."
The lawsuit alleges that Abrahams also objected to WWE's writing staff forcing Apollo Crews, a wrestler of Nigerian descent, to use a fake Nigerian accent in his performances.
In addition, Abrahams raised concerns about a line written for longtime women's champion Bianca Belair, in which Belair was asked to say, "Uh-Uh! Don't make me take off my earrings and beat your ass!" The filing says that Belair repeatedly raised concern about the line, as well.
Abrahams found Callahan's idea of an Australian wrestler's new gimmick, where he would be a "hunter" who "hunts people," including repeatedly capturing a Black wrestler and keeping him captive in a cage, highly offensive and objectionable.
The ex-writer "objected to her superior's racially motivated misconduct, specifically stating that a gimmick where a white man hunting a black African American man for sport is racist," the lawsuit reads. "Callahan laughed and sarcastically responded, 'OH, WHAT? IS THAT A BAD THING?' "
Abrahams worked as a writer for "WWE SmackDown!" and "WWE Monday Night RAW" from November 2020 until April 2022.
She alleges that WWE fired her for taking home a commemorative chair from the promotion's WrestleMania 38 event, despite other white employees doing the same thing and the company having a "policy of allowing employees to take WrestleMania branded" chairs home with them after the annual event. WWE has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
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Source: People
In addition, Abrahams raised concerns about a line written for longtime women's champion Bianca Belair, in which Belair was asked to say, "Uh-Uh! Don't make me take off my earrings and beat your ass!" The filing says that Belair repeatedly raised concern about the line, as well.
Abrahams found Callahan's idea of an Australian wrestler's new gimmick, where he would be a "hunter" who "hunts people," including repeatedly capturing a Black wrestler and keeping him captive in a cage, highly offensive and objectionable.
The ex-writer "objected to her superior's racially motivated misconduct, specifically stating that a gimmick where a white man hunting a black African American man for sport is racist," the lawsuit reads. "Callahan laughed and sarcastically responded, 'OH, WHAT? IS THAT A BAD THING?' "
Abrahams worked as a writer for "WWE SmackDown!" and "WWE Monday Night RAW" from November 2020 until April 2022.
She alleges that WWE fired her for taking home a commemorative chair from the promotion's WrestleMania 38 event, despite other white employees doing the same thing and the company having a "policy of allowing employees to take WrestleMania branded" chairs home with them after the annual event. WWE has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
Read Next: Serena Williams Announces Second Pregnancy at 2023 Met Gala With Husband Alexis Ohanian
Source: People
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