Muhammad Hassan, one of WWE’s most controversial characters in the mid-2000s, has recently addressed the longstanding rumors about intense backstage heat from veterans during his rapid rise in WWE. Speaking on the A2theK Wrestling Show and in a featured interview coinciding with the “Dark Side of the Ring” season finale, Hassan candidly reflected on the backstage dynamics and the controversy surrounding his character’s portrayal, stating that while he made mistakes, much of the reported heat was “overblown.”

Hassan, born Marc Copani, is best remembered for his character that embodied sensitive and controversial sociopolitical issues post-9/11. The gimmick, originally intended to challenge stereotypes about Arab-Americans, eventually morphed into a much more problematic portrayal which WWE turned into a terrorist-like villain—a creative decision that drew sharp backlash both inside and outside the company[1][2][4].

According to Hassan, the character’s initial intention was “not to be annoying or provoking for the sake of it, but to hold a mirror up to the audience about their own biases.” He explained that the heat he received was not simply from being a disliked character, but because “everything he was saying made fans realize the uncomfortable truths they wanted to deny”[3]. This emotional intensity made his character deeply polarizing and provoked strong reactions on TV and behind the scenes.

Backstage Heat and the Wrestlers’ Court Incident
One of the most infamous stories in wrestling lore involves the “Wrestlers’ Court” incident with the late Eddie Guerrero. Reports have long circulated that veterans clashed with Copani, leading to a trial-like backstage meeting where Hassan was put on the hot seat for perceived missteps. Hassan acknowledged that while he “stumbled with certain locker room dynamics,” the scale of the heat was exaggerated by fans and media. “I made mistakes; I’m not denying that. But the stories about how much heat there was—that was overblown,” he said during his recent comments[reference article summary].

Creative Control and Executive Pressure
Hassan’s contentious character evolution was also marked by friction with WWE management. Notably, Stephanie McMahon and other executives exerted pressure to pursue a direction they believed would maximize heat, choosing to lean heavily into the terrorist stereotype after fans and media had already labeled him as such. Hassan himself reportedly disliked this shift and felt frustrated with the limited control he had over the creative process[1]. According to insiders, Stephanie McMahon bluntly told Hassan to quiet his creative concerns, asserting, “We know what we are doing,” a statement which ultimately proved misguided given how WWE was forced to shelve the storyline after public outrage intensified[1].

A Promising Push Cut Short
Behind the controversy, WWE had significant plans for Muhammad Hassan. The company intended to heavily push him in 2005, with a storyline that would see him win the number one contender’s match against The Undertaker at The Great American Bash and ultimately capture the World Heavyweight Championship from Batista at SummerSlam, a major career milestone[1][2]. However, these plans were abruptly abandoned following a highly controversial segment involving masked henchmen attacking The Undertaker, coincidentally airing close to the July 7 London bombings in 2005. UPN, the network airing SmackDown, pressured WWE to remove Hassan from television, and the character was effectively killed off following a brutal squash loss to The Undertaker and a storyline “Last Ride” through the stage ramp[2][4].

Legacy and Reflection
In his recent “Dark Side of the Ring” interview and podcasts, Hassan reflected on how his character, while controversial, touched on real social issues and that some fans’ legitimate discomfort with the character was rooted in acknowledging discrimination and prejudice they faced in real life[3]. He expressed pride in the role as a performer but also recognized where WWE mishandled the angle for shock value rather than meaningful storytelling.

Sources close to the WWE locker room have confirmed that while Hassan’s time was brief and turbulent, many wrestlers respected his commitment to the role and his work ethic, despite the drama surrounding creative choices and public backlash. According to a WWE insider, “He was outspoken and passionate, which sometimes rubbed veterans the wrong way, but the exaggerated stories of locker room heat don’t reflect the full picture.”

Muhammad Hassan’s story remains one of WWE’s most contentious chapters, a cautionary tale of creative boundaries and the complexities of portraying real-world issues in sports entertainment. As WWE continues to evolve, the behind-the-scenes lessons from Hassan’s tenure are often revisited by writers and talent alike.

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This article incorporates insights from Wrestling News, WWE.com archival reports, Fightful coverage, the “Dark Side of the Ring” documentary series, and recent podcasts featuring Muhammad Hassan’s own words[1][2][3][4].