El Grande Americano’s character has been getting a lot of backlash from the Mexican wrestling community and from other people who feel it’s a very racist gimmick. However, Konnan doesn’t see it that way, as he has shut down all racism allegations against the character.
While speaking on his Keepin’ It 100 podcast, Konnan was asked about the racism accusations directed at the El Grande Americano character. He said people complain about everything, even if you gave them something valuable like a gold bar, they’d still find a reason to complain. He said you can do anything with the character, like have him in big matches or storylines and noted that there are a lot of creative options.
“A lot of people are complaining, bro? People complain about everything. You could give people a gold bar and they’d be like, ‘Oh, there’s a scratch in the corner. You can take it as far as you want. A mask versus mask match, a championship match — you can do anything you want with him. Like, just any character.”
Konnan also said that wrestling has always been slow when it comes to understanding race. In the past, people didn’t know better and some things were seen as okay that wouldn’t be today. He said wrestling, like society, has gotten better and shows more respect now.
Konnan explained that if you’re going to joke about race today, it has to be done in a smart and funny way, not in a mean or obvious way. He sees the character as a parody, or a joke, and doesn’t think it’s a problem.
“Let me just say this. At the end of the day, bro, wrestling’s always been behind the curve on racial sensitivity — whether it’s Black, White, Samoan, Japanese, whoever it is. Now, they’ve done a great job, just like society, of giving them their due respect. But before, we were more ignorant, you know what I’m saying? It was culturally acceptable. You know what I’m saying? And you could get away with stuff.
You just can’t be outwardly racial. You have to be very funny and kind of subtle about it. But it’s a parody, you know what I’m saying? I have no problem with it.”
Konnan said the most important thing is to ask if the character makes fun of Mexicans in a demeaning way. And to him, it doesn’t. He gave examples of things he did think were offensive, like when the Mexicools rode lawnmowers or when Lucha House Party used piñatas. He said those things felt insulting, but the El Grande Americano character does not.
“I think the most important part — is it demeaning Mexicans? No, it isn’t. Like, if you remember the lawnmower thing — the Mexicools — very demeaning, you know? I also thought the piñatas were demeaning with the Lucha… whatever, Lucha House Party.”
This comes after it was already confirmed that El Grande Americano will be featured in future AAA events following WWE’s acquisition. Regardless, some people think the character is outdated and insulting, but Konnan says it’s just a fun throwback to classic wrestling, not meant to be hurtful and it’s likely discussions about the character aren’t going to stop anytime soon.
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What are your thoughts on El Grande Americano? Is the character a fun parody in line with wrestling’s theatrical roots, or does it cross a cultural line? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.