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Charles Wright is best known for making his mark during WWE's Attitude Era during the late 1990s and early 2000s, striking gold with The Godfather character. Evolving many times throughout his WWE career, including a run as Papa Shango during the early 1990s, being dubbed The Godfather helped him find his calling, as he established himself among the most beloved characters of 1990s wrestling. With that said, regarding the controversial nature that surrounds The Godfather persona, some may be wondering how the birth of such an usual character in WWE came about.
Before He Was The Godfather, Charles Wright Was Papa Shango
Many years before The Godfather character was born, Charles Wright worked in different personas through early to mid-1990s WWE. Perhaps his most known gimmick besides The Godfather is that of Papa Shango, which was memorable although generally considered a failure.
Papa Shango was a sight to see, as there were moments where fans could derive some entertainment, though not always in a good way. However, it's obvious a gimmick like that wasn't going to succeed in the long run. It says a lot about the Papa Shango gimmick itself, considering WWE emphasized pushing larger-than-life characters like Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior during that time.
Even during a time when over-the-top cartoon characters could sell to a specific generation of fans, Papa Shango wasn't going to work. Even as the 1990s progressed, the fans' interest changed to wanting edgier content on their television, let alone professional wrestling. WWE had no choice but to drop the Papa Shango character and find something else for Charles Wright regarding his creative direction.
Charles Wright Became The Godfather While Still In The Nation Of Domination
In early 1995, when Charles Wright returned to WWE, it would still be awhile before he'd take up The Godfather gimmick that led him to success. It wasn't until becoming a member of the Nation of Domination in 1997 that The Godfather name would be formed towards the end of Charles Wright's association with the faction, as he was initially dubbed as Kama Mustafa upon joining.
As the wrestling industry was hitting mainstream popularity in the late 1990s, WWE adopted massive changes to its TV product, including its talent showing more of an edge. With WWE producing more of an adult-oriented product, WWE's Attitude Era allowed its performers to exhibit more grimy personalities. One of those performers was Charles Wright. In mid-1998, while still with the Nation, Charles Wright changed his ring name from Kama Mustafa to The Godfather.
After splitting from the Nation in late 1998, he fully embraced The Godfather gimmick as a stereotypical pimp, coming out to the ring while surrounded by many of his "friends." Until he joined Right To Censor in mid-2000, as much as how over-the-top and controversial the gimmick was, The Godfather was highly-popular, becoming one of the most remembered characters of the Attitude Era. When WWE fans wanted edgier content on their television, there's a reason why an unusual character like The Godfather became a featured performer on WWE TV.
Who Came Up With "The Godfather" Name?
You may be surprised to find out where The Godfather name came from, as one might not expect it to come from Charles Wright's wife. According to an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Charles Wright stated that his wife pitched an idea to him to take The Godfather moniker.
However, The Godfather name wasn't intended as a pimp gimmick, as Charles Wright admitted he hated pimps. Rather, it was for Charles Wright to be himself rather than the past gimmicks he'd endured over the years. Whether it was Papa Shango or Kama Mustafa, it wouldn't have worked for him unless he'd taken a natural approach to find a character that would click.
In the end, upon becoming The Godfather, Charles Wright's success with the gimmick earned him becoming an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016. No matter how much WWE has changed from the adult-oriented product it once was, The Godfather won't be forgotten.