African Americans on WWE

There has been a directive to up the involvement of African Americans on WWE TV. The marketing department has noted a downturn in African American viewing since 2006, and over the last year the company has lost the Boogey Man (injury) Monty Brown, Booker T, Sharmell, Krystal Marshall and Bobby Lashley. Shelton Benjamin, Elijah Burke, Mark Henry, Teddy Long, Kofi Kingston and Big Daddy V remain, although BDV is out and has been directed to lose 50lbs for health reasons. Many feel this is why Cryme Tyme was brought back. There was actually a big fight to get Kofi Kingston on ECW, as the higher ups in creative were negative on him, but due to the directive, he got the spot. Shelton Benjamin was moved to ECW initially because Dusty Rhodes really liked him and he was slotted to win the ECW Title. His push was halted, and Chavo Guerrero got the title. Benjamin was to be part of a trade, with Elijah Burke moving to Raw. Brian Gewirtz never had any ideas for him and Stephanie McMahon eventually just vetoed the trade, and only moved Benjamin.

source: 411mania.com