Shelton Benjamin’s shocking win over Triple H in 2004 was part of WWE’s efforts to push a black athlete up the card, the ex-Superstar has revealed.
After being drafted to RAW that year, ending his tag team with Charlie Haas in the process, Benjamin defeated “The Game” on the March 29, episode of RAW.
On a recent edition of “The Kurt Angle Show” podcast, Benjamin recalled his surprise victory over Triple H and WWE’s plans for him at the time. He said,
“Basically to fast-track me. I don’t think, I don’t know because I didn’t ask questions, I just did what was asked of me. I do know the term ‘fast track’ was used when they were saying I was going to have the match with Hunter. I think, at the time, they wanted to create a Black star.
“Today, there is tons of every color of the rainbow in WWE. At the time, there was not. There was me, Mark Henry, Ron Simmons, Truth was still in TNA. There weren’t a lot, and I was the new guy, and they wanted to create a Black superstar. That much, I do know. As far as where the program was going to go, I never knew because it went for a couple of weeks and then I got moved to (working with Ric).
“I thought my first pay-per-view match was going to be with Hunter, but it ended up being with Ric.”
Benjamin would defeat Ric Flair at the Backlash 2004 pay-per-view event. He would end the year as the Intercontinental Champion after dethroning Chris Jericho.
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
In 2004, Shelton Benjamin achieved a shocking victory over Triple H in the WWE, and it turns out that this win was part of the company’s efforts to push a black athlete up the card. Benjamin recently revealed this information on “The Kurt Angle Show” podcast, shedding light on WWE’s plans for him at the time.
After being drafted to RAW and ending his tag team partnership with Charlie Haas, Benjamin faced off against “The Game” on the March 29 episode of RAW. This unexpected victory was intended to fast-track Benjamin’s career and establish him as a prominent black superstar in the company.
During that era, WWE had a limited representation of wrestlers from diverse backgrounds. Benjamin mentioned that besides himself, there were only a few black wrestlers in the company, including Mark Henry, Ron Simmons, and R-Truth (who was still in TNA at the time). Therefore, WWE saw an opportunity to create a black star and elevate Benjamin’s status within the organization.
Although Benjamin was unsure about the direction of the program after his win against Triple H, he eventually faced Ric Flair at the Backlash 2004 pay-per-view event, where he emerged victorious. Later in the year, Benjamin became the Intercontinental Champion by defeating Chris Jericho.
This significant win over Triple H showcased WWE’s commitment to diversifying its roster and providing opportunities for wrestlers from different backgrounds. Benjamin’s success paved the way for more representation and inclusion in the wrestling industry.
Today, WWE boasts a roster that includes wrestlers from various ethnicities and backgrounds. The company has made significant strides in promoting diversity and creating opportunities for athletes of all colors and nationalities.
If you’re interested in staying updated on all things wrestling, you can visit eWrestlingNews.com for the latest news and updates. Additionally, you can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to stay connected with the wrestling community.