Is Darren Young the gay-face of the WWE?

[CM Steel]

It's been 9 months since WWE superstar Darren Young dropped a bomb on the wrestling world when he came out the closet on TMZ during Summerslam weekend in L.A. And the Monday night on RAW the Prime Time Players heel tag team are now all of a sudden faces in the tag team division?...Now as of last month the Prime Time players have split up after Titus O'Neal turned on Darren Young on Smackdown. So Titus is now the heel again while Darren is still a face. Now after this feud with the former tag team what will be of Darren Young's single career? The WWE loves media attention. And after D-Young came out as gay he made some TV interview's and talk show's like "Ellen".

And the NBA media has put a big spotlight on the Brooklyn Nets new center (of attention) Jason Collins as "being the first openly gay man to play basketball in the NBA". And now gay football player Michael Sam has entered the NFL draft. So with sports opening up to gays, will WWE chairman Vince McMahon open up to signing more gay wrestler's to the WWE? Male or Female. I mean we all heard about that lawsuit filed against Vince McMahon & the WWE by the late Chris Kanyon over 10 years ago. With Kanyon stating that he got fired from the WWE because he was gay.

Sure the WWE had their fun with gay characters from over the years:

-Goldust
-Rico
-Billy & Chuck
-Fandango
-The Hearthrob's
-The Dicks
-HLA

But in your own opinion. Is Darren Young the gay-face of the WWE? Is he that one??

 

[enviousdominous]

Darren Young may be an out and proud homosexual, which thankfully we've learned as a society to not regard as a depraved choice of lifestyle, but he's also a mediocre performer.

Maybe during training he's five star all the way, he was looking sloppy as hell in his match against Titus at Elimination Chamber. It was neat to see them both get their own entrances, but nothing was creatively invested in the feud except that Titus is an egomaniac.

I don't think that Darren is going to be held back for being gay, I think that the only way his lifestyle will help his career is if he helps his own career by training harder and showing a more sharp performance in the ring. If they really want him to go places, have him show heart in a battle royal or make him vie for a mid-card title. Above all else, make him look better in the ring.

 

[berlinbrawler]

I'm actually very happy with how the WWE handled Darren Young's revelation. For the most part, their reaction was: "... So?"

And that's the way it should be. Not "Wow, good for you," not "Eeeew", instead it was simply "No big deal." Ideally society as a whole will one day get to that point where there is no need to congratulate a person for his or her courage of coming out. WWE is ass-backwards in so many ways, but their response (or lack thereof) to Young was picture perfect.

And the difference between Young and all the others you mentioned is he really is gay, the others were portrayals of gay stereotypes. Big difference. Is Darren Young the "gay face of the WWE?" No, he simply is another WWE performer. The end.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

I'm actually very happy with how the WWE handled Darren Young's revelation. For the most part, their reaction was: "... So?"

And that's the way it should be. Not "Wow, good for you," not "Eeeew", instead it was simply "No big deal." Ideally society as a whole will one day get to that point where there is no need to congratulate a person for his or her courage of coming out. WWE is ass-backwards in so many ways, but their response (or lack thereof) to Young was picture perfect.

And the difference between Young and all the others you mentioned is he really is gay, the others were portrayals of gay stereotypes. Big difference. Is Darren Young the "gay face of the WWE?" No, he simply is another WWE performer. The end.

The Brooklyn Brawler was an openly gay WWE wrestler. It didn't get any mentioning by the WWE, because nobody cared and he wasn't a big enough star to parade in front of the media.

I actually dislike how the WWE handled this whole thing. They put Young up to coming out on that show casually, just so they could parade him as their gay wrestler.

The way it should've all been handled is that he shouldn't have done that interview and none of us should've known what his real orientation is. It's none of our business whether he or any of the WWE guys are gay or straight.

But it's been pretty clear that Young is the Janetty of the PTPs. I'm just glad they didn't push him because he's gay, because he's really just another no-talent hack that's filling space in WWE.

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

1) Darren Young is gay. That doesn't make him the gay-face of the WWE.
2) The WWF/E and wrestling in general has a long, long history of being homophobic. Not only do they not have a leg to stand on in terms of promoting "openness", it'd be just another angle to them.
3) Darren Young is not really all that great in the ring or on the mic, so I don't see him going anywhere anyways, and it'd be a damn shame if he got a push JUST because he was gay.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

1) Darren Young is gay. That doesn't make him the gay-face of the WWE.
2) The WWF/E and wrestling in general has a long, long history of being homophobic. Not only do they not have a leg to stand on in terms of promoting "openness", it'd be just another angle to them.
3) Darren Young is not really all that great in the ring or on the mic, so I don't see him going anywhere anyways, and it'd be a damn shame if he got a push JUST because he was gay.

First and foremost, what? "Gay-face"? Are you people really discussing that? Anyway, Darren Young is the only homosexual in the company, he's very open about it and he has been in some talk-shows thanks to his sexual orientation and that is a good thing and I'm pretty sure the guy is proud.

Now your points JoeyJoeJoe are debatable. First WWE is a public traded company NOW and the world is very different now, so believe me, WWE will be everything from now on but be homophobic. They are not promoting it, neither should they because it is a normal thing in the world. The only way they should promote it is by defending people's choices, make him go in those anti-bully campaigns and talk about his situation. As for Young's talents, he's not bad in any regard, but he's not great in anything either but a good character could always change it. I see him and I remember The Rock when he first debuted - now calm down, he's not going to be a main eventer - but he sure hell has some talent and he has a place in the WWE, even if it's only in the tag team division or as a part of WWE's 3MB. But he has a good look, he has some charisma and has some average mic skills and in the ring he works a fast paced style so he only needs a gimmick that combines with him and he could easily be a good hand in the mid card scene. Fandango needs a new opponent, I can't see him and Santino anymore.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm not sure if Young being the "gay face" of WWE is all that accurate. I mean, yes he's openly gay, he's proud of it, fans have reacted like civilized human beings and it's gotten some mainstream media coverage. However, as someone else mentioned, Young's not really all that great of a wrestler. He's solid in the ring, but he's just not someone that hasn't demonstrated the ability to just connect with fans.

I'm also pleased with how WWE reacted to the whole thing. I was worried they'd try to make it part of some storyline in which they used some sort of outdated comedy or reduced Young to some sort of stereotype. I was also worried that they'd try to go over the top by giving Young a huge push in order to show that they were firmly behind him and proud of his choice to come out, even though he's just not all that great. All in all, I think they handled it the best way possible. Young's someone that can be an inspiration to people about being tolerant, open and accepting of other's choices. That's a great thing, but I'm also glad that WWE didn't go down the road of giving him a big push just because he's gay in the hopes of cashing in somehow. Ten years or so ago, it probably would have been a completely different story.

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

Now your points JoeyJoeJoe are debatable. First WWE is a public traded company NOW and the world is very different now, so believe me, WWE will be everything from now on but be homophobic. They are not promoting it, neither should they because it is a normal thing in the world. The only way they should promote it is by defending people's choices, make him go in those anti-bully campaigns and talk about his situation.

Leopards don't change their spots. The same management that brought us Adrian Adonis, Billy and Chuck, Rico, and others didn't have a change of heart. They had a change of financial position (going public), and had to react accordingly. Let's face it: WWE is never going to be the poster child for tolerance. Stereotypes are fodder for wrestler personas. They've had a ton of homophobic skits in the past. This isn't a terribly forward thinking company. They've been led to their policies by outside pressures, not because of any internal motivation to change their positions.

 

[RicSpade]

I would like to shut down this thread just because of how stupid this is, so if Eva Marie was a lesbian she would be the lesbian face of wwe? does that mean Sheamus is the Irish face of WWE? Mark Henry is the black face of wwe? Yoshi Tatsu is the asian face of WWE? Why does someones race or sexual orientation have to make them a face? an embassador for WWE maybe when it comes to gay-pride, but calling it a gay face made this whole thing stupid

 

[Pedigree1]

To even come out as being gay is heroic especially in the line of work Darren is in.. Pro wrestling in general does have a bad stigma of a lot of people thinking very negative things about them.. Such things im sure you can all figure out. Darren coming out and the WWE handling it,I am happy about the way they did it.. Darren is not necessarily the gay-face he is just another guy on the roster IMO.

Darren is just average in the ring. He just hasn't connected in a way,we would all hoped for. Coming out now,really is not that big of a deal,it would have been years ago.

 

[Hard Hit Prince]

Leopards don't change their spots. The same management that brought us Adrian Adonis, Billy and Chuck, Rico, and others didn't have a change of heart. They had a change of financial position (going public), and had to react accordingly. Let's face it: WWE is never going to be the poster child for tolerance. Stereotypes are fodder for wrestler personas. They've had a ton of homophobic skits in the past. This isn't a terribly forward thinking company. They've been led to their policies by outside pressures, not because of any internal motivation to change their positions.

This is fucking dumb. I'm sorry but it is. Do you actually believe that there is a backstage conspiracy to hate everyone who's gay? I've read some stuff, I've read people's opinions on how Cena killed Benoit and what not, but this is just downright stupid. Your father and grandfather probably were against being homosexual in their young days - does that mean that they aren't able to change their views if by any chance you became one? For god sake, one of Vince's most loyal employee and for years his right hand is homosexual - I am talking about Pat Patterson by the way. TV Shows make fun of everything and that does not really have to do with the way writers or the actors see it. If you watch Big Bang Theory, they are creating a stereotype for people that like comic-books and what not and nobody is going after them for it. Not all comic book lovers are in fact virgins or have problems socializing with other people. TV Shows make fun of hookers all the time for instance and those are real people yet the minds of people don't see it as anything more than funny - but most hookers would rather be doing something else for sure because they are disrespected all the time.

You are one of those guys that likes to see stupid problems in everything. WWE also created the Nation of Domination so they must be racist. Remember that time Ryback slapped someone in a locker room really hard and it was kind of uncomfortable? WWE is also in favor of bullying for that - hey if you can't beat them, get beat! Val Venis? Yes, WWE is in favor of making their female fanbase a bunch of porn actresses for sure.

Darren Young now has some stability in his job and even if he's going down the card, he'll be playing an important part in helping battle the anti-gay thoughts on sports and life in general. He's helping the company's public perception and that is more than enough to get a push. He decided to announce it and he's using it for the better of the company because he wants too. WWE isn't putting a gun in his head and make him go out there and be homosexual or else... They are not playing it on TV and if the guy is helping the company outside, he deserves to get some recognition for it. When a guy does something stupid outside of the company he gets punished doesn't he? It's the same logic.

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

This is fucking dumb. I'm sorry but it is. Do you actually believe that there is a backstage conspiracy to hate everyone who's gay? I've read some stuff, I've read people's opinions on how Cena killed Benoit and what not, but this is just downright stupid.

And now you're putting words in my mouth. Are you gonna be a fucking adult or a stupid little shit kid about this conversation?

It's not a conspiracy, it's called prejudice. And yes, it exists without being a "conspiracy". Just because this is softer, gentler, kinder WWE today doesn't mean that backstage attitudes have necessarily changed.

And given that I said none of the shit you just wrote in your whole stupid screed, I'm out.

 

[Cats Pajamas]

I've never thought of professional wrestling as having the same stigma against gay athletes as other sports, but Pat Patterson comes to mind before D-Young when I think of... well, whatever the hell this is... "Gay face" of the WWE, or what have you...

Young fell below my radar shortly after he was given the boot from the original Nexus, but I've become a really big fan of his in recent weeks, one of my favorites actually (which is admittedly peculiar). I thought he was great on commentary during O'Neal's match in the buildup to EC; perfect for the time they allotted him. Fun feud, in my humble opinion.

I'm enjoying the current path with Darren's sexual orientation not being a major part of his schtick. I think he could do some incredible PR work either way though. Great topic, thank you.

 

[the green b@stard]

I dont meen to impute motives without the facts.... it seems likely to me dy came out without wwe's knowledge. He seems to me to be a guy that was on the fast track to being released and this seems to me to be a stunt to buy him some time.
Even so did it take courage? Yes... as much as it would have say 20 years ago? Not by a long shot. The gay face of wwe? Not really, they've pretty much down played it. Plusi dont see dy on the roster much past the ptp split is played out. A year from not he will mearly be a footnote not because he's gay but because he's never gotton over.

 

[NancyBenoit]

Are you serious? First being gay isn't heroic you moron, it's gross and disgusting. Why don't we have a heroic drug addict, or a heroic porn star...I'm looking at you bagwell. This generation pretends like it's sooooo much better because they are all gay lovin weirdos, when reality is youre confused metrosexual queers. If you want to be gay be gay in the closet and stop trying to put your beliefs on the rest of us. Hey everyone I wanna marry my sister or my son, am I weird? Of course not it's beautiful and I am now a HERO!!!!!!!

Screw the armed forces, flaming pansies are the real heros

 

[Dagger Dias]

Seriously? Closed.