Guess whose back? Back again. Yes I’m back, tell a friend.

Yep, so first time back in what feels like ages and I decide to kick things off with an Eminem line. Felt appropriate here and if I’m being hones I could stand to loosen up from time to time. But on a more serious note, it’s been far too long since I’ve written anything, much less on this lovely site of ours. And whether it be stressful circumstances, lack of confidence, a severe case of writer’s block, or dare I say outright laziness, things in our lives don’t tend to change until we do, so here’s me taking that first step. Here goes nothing.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2019 is officially in the books, and what’s the talk of the town post one of the company’s surprisingly shorter(thank the Gods) PPV? Kofi ‘freaking’ Kingston! The wrestling community, or more specifically the ‘WWE Universe’ is a buzz with admiration, praise and full on support for the veteran.

 

The problem, no one was talking about this man a few weeks ago. That’s because he was in his ‘spot’ with his talented brothers, Xavier Woods and Big E of The New Day doing their usual festive dancing and pancake throwing. But you take one very good rising talent by the name of Mustafa Ali, add an injury leading up to WWE Championship match at a major pay-per-view, and you now have a recipe for an open spot and a rare opportunity. Input a talent the level of a Kingston complete with a sympathetic story and boom here we are.

Now we could get on the merry-go-round of “Kingston was clearly moved into a spot meant for someone else” or how about the “this was Kingston’s time and had nothing to do with Ali” all day, but let’s save that for the endless amount of wrestling podcasts that now permeate the community.

How about this, it’s amazing to see all the love Kingston has rightfully gotten, continues to get and should keep getting. But make no mistake about it, he didn’t prove himself a star by his ironman performance before Elimination Chamber or his show out performance at the chamber, he REMINDED everyone of the star he’s always been.

 

What am I getting at you ask? Well one might call it a possible paradox(wink). First and foremost I’ve been a fan of Kingston dating all the way back to when he originally debuted on WWE’s brand of ECW in 2008. That brand in general is a rabbit hole to do down a different day, but I digress. With this mini run that Kofi’s had people are once again calling for him to be crowned WWE Champion like they did in 2009 in one of the most memorable feuds in his career against Randy Orton. However, like all good things WWE let that possibility fly into the wind.

I don’t need to run down the man’s accomplishments. Saying he’s decorated in the company is like saying Vince McMahon has a bit of an ego. In Kingston’s case however, he’s never held the big title, or never won the big one. And knowing this company as well as many of us logical fans do, there’s a good chance it may not happen.

Seeing all the comments on social media calling for him to have won the title Sunday, if only for the night and then drop it this upcoming Tuesday was depressing from a certain standpoint. Has he more than earned and deserves it, not even remotely debatable. This can be said for numerous talents. But is that really what we want when we say he deserves it? A thanks for all your years of hardwork, sacrifice and dedication, here’s a promotion, but only for a couple days. Only to then have the carpet yanked right from under him and the fans, and as a result putting said victory in a very debatable conversation around the word fluke. Are you serious? That’s not good enough for this fan.

We all know WWE’s history when it’s come to showcasing African American talent and the opportunities or severe lack of  given to them over the years. Yes there’s exceptions but they feel few and far in between. Before Kingston joined the New Day, I dubbed him  ‘The Mid-Card Maven”. For years he was either the Intercontinental, United States, and or Tag Team champion with various partners. It almost felt like he was allergic to the main event scene. And is this his fault? Of course not. WWE notoriously and constantly cuts off their nose to spite their face in more ways than one, but primarily when it comes to their talent. Kingston is a prime example and one of many as like them, he’s a mere spoke on the ever turning wheel of WWE. Some, after exhausting trials get their time to truly shine like fellow African American talent and Hall of Famer, Mark Henry did in 2011 with his memorable ‘Hall of Pain’ world title run. While others, like the never aging R-Truth, finds himself in successful scenarios that can best be described for lack of better phrasing as off the cuff.

 

More times than not examples like Henry are the exception and not the rule. Some call these instances long overdue acknowledgements and rewards, and while true for Henry, names like Bobby Lashley and Truth recently getting the IC and US titles respectively can easily be attributed to WWE’s inherent need to pander to social or political agendas, in other words, let’s give our black talent championships for Black History month. And to be fair this mindset felt like it ended up being a convenient check in the pro column for WWE in Kingston’s case.

Look I don’t want to get too long winded here, but my whole thing is with everything that we know about this company, its history with black talent and the history of African American’s in general, the last thing I want for a man with the talent, resume, integrity, ect….of a Kofi Kingston is a hollow victory that lacks the intent, build and respect the run fans are so desperately calling for him to get really deserves.

But maybe I’m overthinking it. Making I’m overcooking my grits(that one’s for you Chad). Maybe I need to take my over analyzing hat off and just sit back and appreciate what we got and what we have. A man who has been in this company since 2008, has been in all manner of match, won numerous championships, sacrificed his body entertaining us fans in ways we didn’t even know we could be entertained with moves and feats that at times left us speechless. And even better has done it all with a level of consistency and class that is nothing but admirable.

So from this fan, here’s to you Mr. Kingston, as we are more than half way through this Black History Month, thank you good sir over your entire career for doing what African American’s have always done. Making the most out of the least, staying ready so you don’t have to get ready, not following trends but setting them, showing that your best is yet to come, and finally to take a quote from Triple H, in case they forgot, REMINDING everyone of just in the who the hell you are……….BAAAAABY!