WWE could have had its first black WWE Champion years before the likes of The Rock or Kofi Kingston, according to former Superstar Ahmed Johnson.
Johnson joined the WWF in 1995 and after becoming the first black Intercontinental Champion in 1996, would leave the promotion in early 1998.
Speaking on “The Ten Count” podcast, Johnson alleged that Vince McMahon had plans for a World title push before Shawn Michaels got involved. He said,
“I believe Vince had a change of mind. All the junk that Shawn Michaels and some of the other boys put in his (Vince’s) head, you know, ‘They’re not ready for a black champion’, but you’ve just seen me win the Intercontinental belt, so you know I’m ready. You know the fans are already. But Shawn Michaels man, he kind of ran the coop back then. He was like the head dog back then, so whatever he says, you know, kind of went.
“I remember him calling me to the office one day after maybe my third match, and he tells me, ‘Ahmed, I can’t let you do them high-flying moves anymore’. I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ You ain’t let me do nothing first of all. I’ll do it if I want to do it.’ He said, ‘Well, what happens is when I do it at 190 pounds and you come do it at 355 pounds, it doesn’t look as great when I do it.’”
