WWE's Pushed to Punished Edition Three: Muhammad Hassan

For the past two weeks, I have presented articles regarding past and present WWE Superstars, Kenny Dyktra and William Regal, and their sudden downfall from being pushed to punished. The past two editions can be reached here:

-Edition One: Kenny Dykstra

-Edition Two: William Regal

In this week's Pushed to Punished, I discuss a foreign Superstar whose future looked bright before hitting controversy beyond his control. If you blinked, you missed him. I'm talking about none other than Muhammad Hassan.

Hassan's career in WWE was quick yet effective, setting a whole new standard of racism in professional wrestling. Yet another example of how WWE Management dropped the ball on a rising wrestler.

Starting in late 2004, Muhmmad Hassan made his debut on RAW alongside Daivari, where he made a name for himself by interrupting other Superstars. Ironically enough, the term "Hassan" is now used as a slang term "to interrupt."

His technique of "cutting a promo" at various times is what succeeded in getting him over with the crowd, gaining more and more heat with each promo. Not to mention his Middle Eastern race was due to the reason of his heat, as his debut followed the devastating 9/11 attacks.

Hassan made his in-ring debut at New Years Revolution 2005 successfully defeating Jerry Lawler. In nearly a month, Muhammad Hassan became the most hated heel on RAW, even being ganged up on in the 2005 Royal Rumble Match by nearly every present participant.

Muhammad Hassan experienced his first (and only) WrestleMania moment atWrestleMania 21 attacking former trainer Eugene before Hulk Hogan made his triumphant return to make the save. This would soon lead to Hassan tagging with Daivari to lose against Hogan and his partner Shawn Michaels the following month at Backlash.

His exposure only began to grow, picking up the biggest win of his career against then-World Heavyweight Champion Batista by disqualification on RAW in May. In addition, Hassan even received a WWE Championship match against John Cena, even if it was a two-minute squash.

Both Hassan and Daivari would soon be drafted to the SmackDown brand in June, however, marking the beginning of the end of Muhammad Hassan.

Upon his arrival, Muhammad Hassan would challenge the Undertaker to a match at The Great American Bash upon General Manager Teddy Long's consent. On the July 4th tapings ofSmackDown, Muhammad Hassan would summon five men with ski masks and camouflage pants to attack Taker following his match with Daivari.

Ironically enough, the London bombings took place hours before SmackDown aired, gaining much media coverage and criticism world-wide. The incident made the New York Post, a fact that was reiterated during Hassan's promo the following week that would air on WWE.com.

Due to this, the network SmackDown aired on at the time, UPN, decided to remove Muhammad Hassan from television immediately. He made his last appearance in his match against Undertaker at the Great American Bash, where he took a Last Ride through the stage, effectively costing him his career.

Creatively, Muhammad Hassan was booked to become WWE's next breakout star by defeating the Undertaker at the Great American Bashbefore challenging and defeating Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. Due to the network's racial discrimination, these plans went up in flames.

Let me get this straight: a second class television network that isn't even in commission anymore ended a Superstar's career for their own abuse of power over his race? Yeah, that's not racist at all.

I blame this fault more on the network than WWE Management, but WWE rubbed it off like nothing happened, barely without an explanation. Not only did it cost Hassan his career, it cost WWE an huge money-maker main eventer who could have been the equivalent to today's Sheamus.

Well folks, you know the drill; make sure to leave comments to voice your opinions on the outrageous issue of dropping the ball on a Superstar with much potential. Thanks for reading, and be sure to reply on how I did on the article, it's much appreciated. GSM out.