Skip to main content
Inside The Ropes
  • News

    WWE News

    AEW logo for their Dynamite TV show

    AEW News

    Japan News

    Wrestling News

  • Features
    Scott Steiner and his 'pet' tiger

    10 Iconic Pro Wrestling “Super Pets”

    Triple H entrance

    5 Changes We Want To See Triple H Make To WWE

    10 Former WWE Superstars We'd Like To See Return Under The Triple H Regime

    10 Former WWE Superstars We’d Like To See Return Under The Triple H Regime

    AEW Battle of the Belts

    How To Improve AEW Battle Of The Belts

  • Interviews
    20 Questions Killer Kelly

    20 Questions With Killer Kelly

    Rick Boogs

    Interview With Rick Boogs

    JONAH

    Interview With JONAH

    Rosemary Interview

    Interview With Rosemary

  • Podcasts
    Wrestling Roast #71 – Where Is MJF?

    Listen
    Power Slam Podcast #251 – Post SummerSlam RAW, Pat McAfee & More

    Listen
    What’s Going Down #85 – SummerSlam, Ric Flair & More

    Listen
    Wrestling Roast #70 – Tractors, Returns & Retirements

    Listen
  • Quizzes
    Play Word Rumble

    Play Word Rumble

    WWE logo

    Can You Name Every WWE Pay-per-view?

    WWE Survivor Series sole survivors quiz

    Can You Name All The WWE Survivor Series Sole Survivors?

    WWE Smackdown logo

    Can You Name Every Wrestler That Competed On The First SmackDown?

  • Live Tours
  • Shop
    Magazine
    Clothing
    Accessories
    Collectibles
  • Trending
  • Follow us:
    • Facebook Facebook
    • Twitter Twitter
    • Instagram Instagram
  • Watch us:
    • YouTube YouTube
    • Twitch Twitch
  • Subscribe to the Magazine
  • Play Word Rumble
Wrestling News

Charles Wright On WWE Axing Papa Shango Return At The Last Minute

By James Holder. Published 1st June 2021.
Papa Shango

While Charles Wright might be most famous for being ‘The Godfather’ it was a stint as Papa Shango which first brought him into the WWE spotlight.

Wright performed as Papa Shango from January 1992 until July 1993, casting spells and practicing voodoo as he went. Under the guise, Wright cast spells which caused opponents to vomit or suffer sharp bouts of pain while also having an Undertaker-esque ability to dim the arena lights.

Despite feuding with the like of the Ultimate Warrior, the gimmick was short-lived and largely poorly received, leading to Wright departing WWE for a short time.

However, speaking on Broken Skull Sessions with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Wright revealed that the character was nearly brought back. In fact, the plans were only dropped the day that Wright was due to return to television. Earlier that day, Wright had even had phots taken as the revamped character.

“This was going to be less comical, a lot more serious — Jerry Lawler painted that face,” Godfather said while looking at photos of the newer Papa Shango presentation. “I show up to TV, ready to go. I’m in really good shape here. I worked out hard, I’m like, ‘We going to have some fun now, I’m going to be a lot more serious this time.’ I was probably 285, I was in really good shape.”

Wright explained that he was then given word that Vince McMahon wanted to see him. It was only then that he was told that the plans had been scrapped, and he would be joining the Nation of Domination instead.

“I show up to TV, took these pictures, and they say, ‘Vince wants to talk with you.’

“I was like, ‘Cool! I want to talk with Vince!’ I go in there, right, and Vince was like, ‘Charles, change of plans. We’re going to put you in the Nation of Domination. You and Faarooq are going to wrestle Undertaker, and you’re going to go over.’ I’m like, ‘What?’ And he goes, ‘We have this outfit made for you.’ [Laughs] Okay, I don’t know how most people would take it. I said, ‘You’re the boss, you’re paying me. Let’s do it.’”

During his multiple stints with WWE Charles Wright played a range of different characters, sometimes more than once. Reflecting on these characters, Wright said that he “hated” being The Goodfather, describing it as “the only time I didn’t like what I was doing.”

H/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.

  • Facebook
    Share
  • Twitter
    Tweet
  • WhatsApp
    Send
  • Share

Popular Stories

  1. Fan Hires Daniel Garcia To Break News Of Divorce To Husband
  2. Returning WWE Star Was A “Heat Magnet” Backstage
  3. Drew McIntyre Pulled From House Shows Following Injury Scare
  4. “That’s Gonna Get Heat” – Ric Flair Makes Shocking New Admission
  5. Backstage Update On Cody Rhodes’ WWE Future Following Triple H Appointment
  6. Seth Rollins Future Plans Revealed
  7. Theory Comments On Vince McMahon’s WWE Exit
  8. Bron Breakker Confirms Relationship With Fellow WWE Star
  9. Backstage Update On Kenny Omega & CM Punk Injuries
  10. “Horsesh*t” – Jim Cornette On Triple H’s WWE Claims
Inside The Ropes
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Podcasts
  • Magazine
  • Write For Us
  • Facebook Facebook
  • Twitter Twitter
  • Instagram Instagram
  • YouTube YouTube
  • Twitch Twitch
© 2022 ITR Digital Media Limited. Read about our privacy policy.