The Godfather Suggests Vince McMahon’s Owen Hart Move Aimed To Provoke Anger Among White Fans

News">

The Godfather Unveils Secrets of the Nation of Domination‘s Controversial Lineup

Published: September 7,2025

WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather has recently shed light on the complex history of the iconic stable,the Nation of Domination. In a candid discussion on his “Poddin’ Ain’t Easy” podcast, The Godfather discussed the group’s initial intent, its evolving roster, and the enduring mystery surrounding the inclusion of Owen Hart.

The Original Vision: A Carefully Calibrated Roster

According to The Godfather, the initial concept for the Nation of Domination, spearheaded by Vince McMahon, was deliberately designed to avoid significant controversy. The early lineup was strategically assembled with diversity in mind,aiming to represent a broad range of backgrounds and prevent the faction from becoming overly powerful or alienating audiences. “Vince didn’t want it to be too powerful, and he didn’t want to offend too many people,” explained The Godfather.

The original iteration of the Nation featured a mix of talent including Savio Vega, representing Puerto Rican heritage, Crush, of Hawaiian descent, Faarooq, a prominent African American performer, and PG-13, a rap duo.This blend, according to The Godfather, was a calculated move to temper any potential backlash. The group’s origins reflect a moment in wrestling history where promotional strategies were carefully considered to navigate evolving social sensitivities.

The Enigmatic Addition of Owen Hart

As the nation of Domination’s storyline progressed,the group underwent a change,becoming more intense and focused. Though, the addition of Owen Hart, a white Canadian wrestler, to the predominantly African American faction remains a source of speculation amongst those involved. The Godfather admitted that the reasoning behind this decision remained unexplained, even to members of the group.

“Even back then, I still don’t understand why Owen Hart was in the Nation,” he confessed. Despite numerous conversations with fellow members like D’Lo Brown, no one could definitively explain the rationale.The prevailing theory, as suggested by Brown, was that McMahon’s intent was to deliberately provoke a reaction from white audiences.

Did you know? The Nation of Domination was initially formed in 1998 and quickly became one of the most talked-about stables in WWE history.

A Locker Room United by Respect

Despite the confusion surrounding his inclusion,Owen Hart was universally well-liked and respected within the locker room. The Godfather emphasized that the members of the Nation readily accepted Hart, and his presence didn’t create any internal friction. “We all liked Owen so much… that nobody gave a damn because it was Owen,” he stated. “The great thing about it is none of us gave a damn. We all loved Owen… We were happy to have him.”

Member	Nationality/Origin	Notable Role
Savio Vega	Puerto Rican	Early Founding Member
Crush	Hawaiian	Early Founding Member
Faarooq	African American	Early Founding Member, Leader
PG-13	American (Rap Duo)	Early Founding Members
Owen Hart	Canadian	Later Addition, Controversial Inclusion

The Enduring Legacy of the nation of Domination

The Nation of Domination remains a significant chapter in WWE history, remembered for its powerful presence, compelling storylines, and the careers it helped launch. The group’s influence can still be seen in modern wrestling factions, which often employ similar tactics of intimidation and dominance.The story highlights the delicate balance between creative vision and potential public perception, particularly in an era where diverse representation is increasingly valued.

The group’s story serves as a case study in how wrestling narratives can evolve, sometimes in unexpected ways, depending on the personalities involved and the prevailing creative direction. The enduring mystery surrounding Owen Hart’s inclusion onyl adds to the Nation of Domination’s legendary status.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What was the original intent behind forming the Nation of Domination? The original intent was to create a powerful faction without causing significant controversy.
• why was Owen Hart added to the Nation of Domination? The reason for Owen Hart’s inclusion remains a mystery, with one theory suggesting it was to provoke a reaction.
• How did the members of the Nation of Domination feel about Owen Hart being in the group? They all liked and respected Owen Hart, which meant his inclusion didn’t cause any issues.
• What made the initial lineup of the Nation of Domination unique? It was deliberately diverse, representing various nationalities and backgrounds.
• Did Vince McMahon ever explain the rationale behind Owen Hart’s inclusion? No, the reason was never officially explained to the members of the Nation.

What are your thoughts on the Nation of Domination’s legacy? Do you think Owen Hart’s inclusion was a stroke of genius, or a creative misstep?

Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation!

To what extent did Vince McMahon prioritize generating controversy over maintaining the integrity of Owen Hart’s character?

The Controversial Shift & The Godfather’s Allegations

The 1997 Montreal Screwjob remains one of the most talked-about incidents in professional wrestling history. Though, a lesser-discussed, yet equally controversial, move by Vince McMahon shortly after involved Owen Hart. The Godfather (Mark Henry) has publicly suggested this move wasn’t about storyline logic, but a calculated attempt to generate heat – specifically, anger – from a particular demographic: white fans. This article delves into the details of the Owen Hart situation, The Godfather’s claims, the context of the era, and the potential motivations behind McMahon’s actions. We’ll explore the impact on WWE, professional wrestling, and the broader cultural landscape of the late 90s.

The Owen Hart Incident: A Timeline

Following the fallout from the Montreal Screwjob, were Bret Hart lost the WWF Championship under disputed circumstances, tensions were incredibly high. Owen Hart, Bret’s brother-in-law, was a popular and respected performer.

Here’s a breakdown of the key events:

1. Post-Screwjob Atmosphere: The wrestling world was in turmoil. Fans were deeply divided, and trust in McMahon was shaken.
2. Owen Hart’s Position: Owen, while not directly involved in the Screwjob, was sympathetic to Bret and publicly expressed his displeasure.
3. The Shift in Booking: Owen Hart was abruptly moved into a comedic, often humiliating, role. This included segments where he was portrayed as clumsy and inept, a stark contrast to his previous serious and skilled character.
4. The “Anti-It” Gimmick: Owen was paired with The Nation of Domination, a stable of African-American wrestlers led by The Rock. He was positioned as a reluctant,awkward member,often the butt of their jokes.This pairing was notably jarring for many fans.

The Godfather’s Claims: Provoking a Reaction

Mark Henry, known as The Godfather, has repeatedly stated that McMahon intentionally booked Owen Hart in this manner to elicit a negative reaction from white fans.His argument centers around the idea that McMahon wanted to create a situation where white fans would be outraged by Owen being associated with, and seemingly disrespected by, a group of Black wrestlers.

The core of The Godfather’s assertion is that McMahon saw an possibility to capitalize on racial tensions and generate heat for The Nation of Domination by making Owen the focal point of that tension. He believed McMahon understood the potential for backlash and actively sought it out. This is a meaningful claim,alleging a deliberate manipulation of racial dynamics for entertainment value. The term heel turn is often used in wrestling, but this was different – it wasn’t about owen becoming a villain, but about positioning him as a victim of racial dynamics.

The Context: Wrestling in the Late 90s & the Attitude Era

To understand the potential validity of The Godfather’s claims, it’s crucial to consider the context of the late 1990s, frequently enough referred to as the Attitude Era in WWE.

Edgy content: The Attitude Era was characterized by increasingly provocative and controversial storylines. Sex, violence, and pushing boundaries were commonplace.

Racial Dynamics: While WWE featured diverse performers, racial dynamics were often portrayed in stereotypical or problematic ways.

The Nation of Domination: This stable was groundbreaking for its time,showcasing Black talent and challenging traditional wrestling tropes. However, it also faced criticism for its portrayal of Black masculinity.

Competition with WCW: WWE was locked in a fierce ratings battle with World Championship Wrestling (WCW). McMahon was willing to take risks to gain an edge.WCW Monday Nitro was a constant threat.

This era was a breeding ground for controversy, and McMahon was known for his willingness to exploit any angle that would generate attention and boost ratings. The Monday night Wars demanded constant innovation, and sometimes, that innovation crossed ethical lines.

Analyzing McMahon’s Potential Motivations

Several potential motivations could have driven McMahon’s decision to book Owen Hart in this way:

Generating Heat for The Nation: As The godfather suggests, creating outrage among white fans could have elevated The Nation’s profile and made them more compelling villains.

Exploiting Existing Tensions: The Screwjob had already created a volatile atmosphere. McMahon may have seen an opportunity to exploit existing tensions and generate further controversy.

Shock Value: The Attitude Era thrived on shock value. The pairing of Owen Hart with the Nation was undeniably shocking and likely to generate buzz.

Testing Boundaries: McMahon was constantly testing the boundaries of what was acceptable in wrestling.This move could have been an attempt to see how far he could push the envelope.

Owen Hart’s contract Situation: While less emphasized, Owen Hart was also negotiating a new contract at the time. Some speculate this played a role in the booking decisions.

the impact and Legacy

The booking of Owen Hart had a significant impact:

**Damage to Owen