8 Backstage Stories Fans Should Know About Ahmed Johnson

The WWE career of Ahmed Johnson is a story of what could have been. Vince McMahon loved the look and potential of Johnson when discovering him during the New Generation Era. WWE badly needed new stars at the time and McMahon viewed Ahmed as a future WWE Champion in the making. The push saw him as aligned with massive stars like Shawn Michaels, Diesel and Sycho Sid.

RELATED: 10 Great WWE New Generation Era Storylines That Failed: What Went Wrong?

Johnson unfortunately had a lot of bad luck and negative criticisms about him behind the scenes. There were many big plans and high hopes for Ahmed to become part of the long-term future. His career eventually ended after a couple of years due to things falling apart. The following stories provide a deeper look at Johnson’s time in the wrestling industry.

8 Spoke Out To Vince About Disliking Montreal Screwjob

WWE witnessed the wrestlers on the roster having a mixed reaction to the Montreal Screwjob. Most were unhappy with Bret Hart getting the short end of the stick since he was significantly more liked than Shawn Michaels in the locker room.

RELATED: 10 Times Wrestling Tried To Copy The Montreal Screwjob

Ahmed Johnson revealed that he was among the wrestlers to express his displeasure towards Vince McMahon and how he did business that night. Interviews from Johnson claimed that he felt that he received heat and less support from McMahon afterwards.

7 Other Wrestlers Requested To Not Work With Him

The in-ring skills of Ahmed Johnson never caught up to what WWE expected from him. Johnson received a monster push before he had much experience, so WWE anticipated him picking it up and learning on the spot like many top names before him.

The disappointing matches of Johnson extended more beyond not living up to his potential. Johnson developed a reputation for injuring opponents due to sloppy moves. Bruce Prichard shared that multiple wrestlers spoke against working a program with him due to safety concerns.

6 The Godfather Defended Jim Ross In Tense Meeting With Him

Jim Ross had his own story about the negative side of working with Ahmed Johnson. The claim of Ross was that Ross was implying threats towards Ross before a meeting about disagreements on the business side of things.

Johnson clearly was physically stronger so it wouldn’t be a fair scenario to even imply violence. Ross revealed that The Godfather heard about the comments from Johnson and intentionally stuck around to have JR’s back during the conversation. Godfather was one of the toughest wrestlers in WWE and no one wanted issues with him, not even Johnson.

5 Was Considered To End The Undertaker's Title Reign

Vince McMahon viewed Ahmed Johnson as the right person to become the first-ever black WWE Champion. Various pundits confirmed that Johnson was the apple of McMahon’s eye in the New Generation Era as someone meant to take the next step.

Despite many negatives coming up during his push, Johnson turning heel still saw him in a top spot. The shocking turn of Ahmed joining the Nation of Domination led to him getting a WWE Championship shot against The Undertaker. Johnson stated that multiple people said he was considered to win the title there, but he suffered an injury and was replaced by Ron Simmons.

4 Goldust Wasn't Supposed To Legitimately Kiss Him

One of the wildest segments involving Ahmed Johnson featured him getting kissed by Goldust. The backstage moment showed an unconscious Johnson kissed by Johnson leading to him getting livid when regaining his sense.

RELATED: 10 Backstage Stories About Goldust We Can't Believe

Johnson had a meltdown brutally attacking anyone in his way when realizing he was kissed by Goldust. The post-WWE career of Ahmed saw him revealing that Goldust played a rib on him by actually kissing him after the practice segments had him putting his hand over his mouth.

3 Owen Hart Tricked Him Into Thinking He Was Appearing On Tonight Show

The reputation of Owen Hart in wrestling is almost as strong for epic pranks as it is for his great matches. Owen was known for pulling incredible ribs on other wrestlers and Ahmed Johnson found himself on the wrong side of one.

Johnson received a call from Owen disguised as a producer of The Tonight Show claiming they wanted the rising star as a guest. The call convinced Ahmed to get an expensive suit and wait outside of his hotel for a limo to pick him. Johnson was waiting until realizing he was caught in a classic wrestling rib.

2 Refused To Put Over Kurrgan Before Release

The end of Ahmed Johnson’s WWE run was quite shocking since everyone expected him to get another push when coming back from the latest injury. Johnson apparently reached the end of the line when he refused to lose a match to the new big man Kurrgan.

WWE witnessed Johnson leaving that night and it led to his release. Johnson shared later that his sister was dying, and she didn’t want his final visual to be him being dragged by a chain as the post-match segment called for. WWE had no idea what Ahmed felt as it came off as him not wanting to do the job.

1 The Rock Challenged Him To A Fight

Multiple WWE wrestlers had issues with Ahmed Johnson backstage due to his in-ring limitations and attitude backstage. Bruce Prichard shared a story about Johnson and The Rock having an issue backstage when involved in the Nation of Domination faction.

The Rock apparently grew frustrated enough to challenge Johnson to a fight to settle their issues. Ahmed never got physical with Rock, and they worked together like professionals afterwards. However, it was a huge knock against Johnson that Rock wanted to fight him since Rock had such a great reputation backstage.