The Godfather (wrestler)

{{short description|American professional wrestler (born 1961)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox professional wrestler |name = The Godfather |birthname = Charles Thomas Wright<ref name="Vermillion">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/wherearetheynow/wrightpart1 |title=Where Are They Now? The Godfather |author=Vermillion, James |publisher=WWE |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> |image = Charles Wright AKA The Godfather WrestleMania 32 Axxess.jpg |caption = Wright in 2016 |names = Baron Samedi<ref name="BRInterview">{{cite web |last1=Snowden |first1=Andrew |title=Exclusive: The Godfather Struts All the Way into the WWE Hall of Fame |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2618666-exclusive-the-godfather-struts-all-the-way-into-the-wwe-hall-of-fame |website=Bleacher Report |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref><br/>'''The Godfather'''<ref name="Vermillion" /><br/>The Goodfather<ref name="Vermillion" /><br/>Kama<ref name="Vermillion" /><br/>Kama Mustafa<ref name="Vermillion"/><br/>Smoke Train<ref name="Vermillion" /><br/>Papa Shango<ref name="Vermillion" /><br/>Pimp Fatha<ref name="MuseumBio">{{cite web |title=The Godfather |url=https://www.theofficialwrestlingmuseum.com/the-godfather.html |website=The Official Wrestling Museum |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref><br/>Rocky Las Vegas<ref name="MuseumBio" /><br/>Sir Charles<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://www.audible.com/pd/THE-GODFATHER-WWE-HALL-OF-FAMER-CHARLES-WRIGHT-JOFO-in-the-RING-Podcast-44-Podcast/B092DVLK6Y |title=THE GODFATHER WWE HALL OF FAMER - CHARLES WRIGHT |publisher=Amazon/Audible |date=April 14, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><br/>The Soultaker<ref name="GuzzoFightful">{{cite web |last1=Guzzo |first1=Gisberto |title=The Godfather Says Vince McMahon Told Him He Couldn't Have His Motorcycle Club Tattoo On TV |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/godfather-says-vince-mcmahon-told-him-he-couldn-t-have-his-motorcycle-club-tattoo-tv |website=Fightful |date=June 5, 2021 |publisher=Shazzu, Inc. |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> |height = 6 ft 6 in<ref name="WWEBio">{{cite web |title=The Godfather |url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/godfather |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> |weight = 330 lb<ref name="WWEBio"/> |children = 4 |spouse = {{marriage|Denise Wright|September 2000}} |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|5|16}} |birth_place = Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.<ref name=Cage>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=901&name=Godfather|title=Godfather " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=December 7, 2019}}</ref> |billed = "Parts Unknown"<br/>(as Papa Shango)<ref name="PartsUnknown">{{cite web |last1=Linder |first1=Zach |title=Wrestling's Strangest Hometowns: Parts Unknown |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/wrestlings-strangest-hometowns/parts-unknown |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref><br /> Las Vegas, Nevada<br/>(as Kama/Kama Mustafa) "The Red Light District"<br/>(as The Godfather)<ref name="MuseumBio" /> |trainer = Larry Sharpe<ref name="Inquirer">{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Vaughn |title=The Monster Factory has its fingerprints all over the wrestling industry |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/The-Monster-Factor-has-its-fingerprints-all-over-the-wrestling-industry.html |access-date=February 6, 2022 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=September 2, 2014}}</ref> |debut = 1989 |retired = 2024 |alma_mater = University of Nevada, Reno }} '''Charles Wright''' (born May 16, 1961), better known under his ring name '''The Godfather''', is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and underwent several gimmick changes; the most notable were '''Papa Shango''', '''Kama''', '''Kama Mustafa''', '''The Godfather''' and '''The Goodfather'''.

Among other accolades, Wright is a two-time USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion, a one-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, and a one-time WWF World Tag Team Champion (with Bull Buchanan). He headlined ''Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI'' against Bret Hart for the WWF Championship. Wright was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 2, 2016, under the Godfather gimmick.

== Professional wrestling career == === Early career (1989–1991) === Wright first entered professional wrestling after being noticed tending to a bar by wrestlers during the filming of the movie ''Over the Top''. The wrestlers involved gave him the advice that, with his large body type and unique (tattooed) look, he should try seeking out Larry Sharpe and his Monster Factory to get into the business.<ref name="RFShoot">{{cite video|people=Charles Wright|date=2007|title=Shoot Interview with Charles Wright|medium=DVD|publisher=RF Video}}</ref> Eventually Wright parlayed his training into a job with Jerry Lawler in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA) with the gimmick the wrestlers from the bar had given him and took the name "The Soultaker", taken from one of the tattoos on his arm. Even with his admitted limited skill set, he was given the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship on October 23, 1989, and held it for about two weeks.<ref name="WT-USWAU">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/uswa/uswa-uh.html|title=USWA Unified World Heavyweight Title|access-date=August 25, 2007|publisher=Wrestling-Titles}}</ref>

In February and March 1990, Wright wrestled for the South Carolina-based promotion South Atlantic Pro Wrestling as "Baron Samedi".

Throughout 1990, Wright made appearances in Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) as "The Soultaker". During his appearances with NJPW, he often teamed with Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow. His opponents during his time in NJPW included Masahiro Chono, Masa Saito, and Riki Choshu.

In November 1990, Wright wrestled for the Catch Wrestling Association in Germany as "Rocky Las Vegas". In August 1991, he appeared with the Dallas, Texas-based Global Wrestling Federation as "The Soultaker".

=== World Wrestling Federation (1991–1993) ===

==== Sir Charles (1991) ==== In 1991, Wright was brought in to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) at the suggestion of his friend The Undertaker. He made his first appearance on May 28, 1991, at a ''WWF Superstars of Wrestling'' taping in Tucson, Arizona.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/91.htm|title=91|website=History of WWE|access-date=January 6, 2020}}</ref> Wright competed there and briefly at house shows as "Sir Charles", a play on both his real name and the nickname of National Basketball Association player Charles Barkley. The character was hardly used and never developed, and even when talking about it later Wright only remembers wearing robes he purchased from another wrestler to the ring.<ref name="RFShoot" /> He made a dark match appearance for the pay-per-view This Tuesday in Texas defeating Dale Wolfe.<ref name=TTITinfo>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/miscppvs1990s.html#tuesday|title=WWF This Tuesday in Texas results/info|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=October 18, 2009}}</ref>

==== Papa Shango (1992–1993) ==== In January 1992, Wright was repackaged as a heel by the name of "Papa Shango", a horror-themed voodoo practitioner with an appearance reminiscent of the loa, Baron Samedi, as depicted in the 1973 film ''Live and Let Die''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/89124-the-godfather-james-bond-inspiro-papa-shango|title=The Godfather revela que el personaje de Papa Shango se inspiró en una película de James Bond|language=es|work=solowrestling.com|date=April 23, 2020 |author1=Solowrestling }}</ref> Full of cryptic rituals and an occult, culturally exotic presence, the supernatural character carried a skull to the ring billowing smoke and could control arena lights (supernatural arena lighting control heavily associated with The Undertaker gimmick, according to Wright had its origins with the Papa Shango gimmick), allowing for strange goings-on in the ring, and later could "cast spells" to cause opponents pain and to make them vomit from afar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/102505louierankings |title=Rank-a-mania is running wild! |last=Dee |first=Louie |date=October 25, 2005 |access-date=February 5, 2022 |publisher=WWE}}</ref>

The Shango character debuted on the February 8, 1992, edition of ''Superstars'', defeating enhancement talent Dale Wolfe.<ref name="histwwe92">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/92.htm|title=92|website=History of WWE|access-date=January 6, 2020}}</ref> Shango was then thrust into the spotlight almost immediately, running in on the Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Justice main event at WrestleMania VIII.<ref name="Mania8Results">{{cite web |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/8/results |title=Full WrestleMania VIII Results |access-date=February 5, 2022 |publisher=WWE}}</ref> Shango actually missed his cue to run in, hitting the ring late. The finish was supposed to be Sid getting disqualified because of Shango breaking up the pinfall attempt by Hogan after he hit the big leg drop. Because Shango was late, Sid kicked out of the legdrop to save the angle. Sid's manager, Harvey Wippleman then jumped on the apron, and the referee signaled for the disqualification at that point as Shango was just getting to the ring. Ultimate Warrior then returned to the WWF by running to the ring and helping Hogan against Sid and Shango.

After WrestleMania, Sid and the Warrior were scheduled to begin a feud. Sid had previously failed a drug test and was let go by the WWF. The feud was then re-written with Shango instead of Sid, where he would cast voodoo spells on his opponent. The angle went nowhere, as Warrior challenged Randy Savage for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, with the rivalry never culminating. Meanwhile, Shango defeated Tito Santana in a dark match at the event. When Shango was finally set to have a match with Warrior in November 1992, Warrior was released from WWF. Shango received a WWF World Heavyweight Championship shot against Bret Hart (with whom he had been feuding immediately prior to Hart's World title win)<ref name="histwwe92" /> on ''Saturday Night's Main Event XXXI'', but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/1985to1992/nov081992 |title=Saturday Night Main Event – Nov. 8, 1992 |access-date=February 25, 2012 |publisher=WWE}}</ref> Wright's final PPV appearance as the Papa Shango character was at the 1993 Royal Rumble (where he was eliminated in under 30 seconds). He would appear in another pay-per-view dark match against Tito Santana at WrestleMania IX, with Santana getting the victory.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWF WrestleMania IX|work=Hoffco, Inc.|url=http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/wm09.html|access-date=September 8, 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071029184819/http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/ppv/ppv/wm09.html|archive-date=October 29, 2007}}</ref> Shango was seen infrequently on WWF television afterwards, and following a loss to Jim Duggan in a 1993 King of the Ring qualifying match, he made two final televised appearances against enhancement talent in June and July 1993.

Wright's Papa Shango character was pilloried by fans, being voted the Worst Gimmick and the Most Embarrassing Wrestler in the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'' awards for 1992. Fin Martin of professional wrestling magazine ''Power Slam'', in a 2013 article, wrote: "Shango and his curses were a total embarrassment. Fans exhaled loudly each time he appeared on screen. Shango bombed, and deservedly so."<ref>Martin, Fin. "Q&A". ''Power Slam''. Issue 230/November 2013. p.12.</ref> Bret Hart liked the character and Wright's in-ring work, but found Shango's storyline with the Ultimate Warrior – in which a voodoo curse was placed on the latter – to be perhaps the second-worst creative concept in WWF history (after the introduction of The Gobbledy Gooker). Hart reported that WWF executive Pat Patterson did not like the gimmick and was responsible for its termination.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Oliver, Sean (director)|year=2014|title=Timeline: History of WWE - 1992 - Bret Hart|medium=DVD|publisher=Kayfabe Commentaries}}</ref>

At the same time as he was wrestling as Papa Shango in the WWF, the WWF had a working agreement with USWA. As part of the agreement, Papa Shango was sent to wrestle in USWA, where he won the Unified World Heavyweight Championship for a second time.<ref name="WT-USWAU" /> Winning the title actually upset him, as he felt it was only done to sell to the predominantly black crowd, and after complaining to management he dropped the belt to Owen Hart. He left the company soon after and returned to bartending.<ref name="RFShoot" />

During the autumn of 1994, there were rumors that the Papa Shango character would be brought back to participate in a storyline involving Bob Backlund, wherein Shango's voodoo spells would explain the traditionally good-natured Backlund's erratic and villainous behavior. This didn't come to fruition.

=== Catch Wrestling Association (1993–1994, 1995) === Wright as Shango defeated Ulf Herman for Otto Wanz' Catch Wrestling Association in Germany in December 1993. As Papa Shango, he wrestled a summer tour in 1994. In July, he had a shot at the CWA World Heavyweight Championship against Rambo, but lost.

A year later on December 16, 1995, he returned as Kama and defeated Viktor Kruuger.

=== Return to World Wrestling Federation (1995–1996) === ==== Million Dollar Corporation (1995–1996) ==== {{main|Million Dollar Corporation}} thumb|In 1995, Wright returned to the WWF under the new character of "Kama". Wright returned to the WWF in January 1995 under the antagonistic heel gimmick of Kama (nicknamed "The Supreme Fighting Machine"), a scrappy and competitive shoot wrestler inspired by Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Kimo Leopoldo. Shortly after his debut, he joined Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation stable.<ref name="WWEStables">{{cite web |title=The 15 Most Underrated Stables of All Time |url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/the-15-most-underrated-stables-of-all-time |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> He became an immediate part of the stable's feud with The Undertaker, stealing the Undertaker's signature urn at April's WrestleMania XI then having it melted down and formed into bling,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/dibiase.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128225957/http://www.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/dibiase.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |title=Ted DiBiase bio |access-date=August 25, 2007 |publisher=SLAM! sports}}</ref> but remained in possession of the bling urn remnants until November 1995 when King Mabel seized it amid a feud with The Undertaker. He was taken off of television in the fall of 1995, and after an appearance in the 1996 Royal Rumble match, Wright left the company again.

=== National Wrestling Conference (1996) === Kama made a few appearances for National Wrestling Conference in Las Vegas where he feuded with Sabu.

=== Proposed WCW Run (1996) === Shortly after his departure, Wright had verbally agreed to join World Championship Wrestling to serve as the enforcer for the New World Order (nWo), but chose not to go to WCW after speaking to Ron Simmons. Wright then learned that WCW signed Virgil to be the nWo's enforcer by watching ''WCW Monday Nitro'' at home with his wife, and that they had signed him for less than what they offered Wright.<ref name="TheBump">{{Cite episode |title=The Undertaker and The Godfather share amazing stories |series=The Bump |first1=Matt (host) |last1=Camp |first2=Kayla (host) |last2=Becker |network=WWE Network |date=November 24, 2021 |season=3 |number=131 |quote='All of a sudden I turn on the show and I see Virgil in my spot that they were talking about me doing.'}}</ref>

=== Second Return to World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1997–2002) === ==== Nation of Domination (1997–1998) ==== {{main|Nation of Domination}}

Wright was asked to return in 1997, with the original plans being for him to revive the Papa Shango character.<ref name="Haunt">{{cite web|url=http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul28_godfather.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000122025502/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/jul28_godfather.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2000|title=Papa Shango haunts The Godfather|access-date=August 25, 2007|publisher=SLAM! Sports|first=John|last=Powell}}</ref> Instead he returned as Kama, now billed under his full name, "Kama Mustafa", joining Faarooq's faction the Nation of Domination. On the June 16 episode of ''Raw'', Mustafa and Faarooq defeated Ahmed Johnson and The Undertaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://insidepulse.com/2008/03/15/the-smark-247-rant-for-monday-night-raw-june-16-1997/|title=The SmarK 24/7 Rant for Monday Night RAW – June 16 1997|work=InsidePulse|first=Scott|last=Keith|date=March 15, 2008|access-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref> Mustafa became increasingly known as "The Godfather" of the Nation, a moniker which was the brainchild of Wright's wife<ref>{{cite interview |last=Wright |first=Charles |interviewer=Chris Van Vliet |title=The Godfather on Papa Shango, Right to Censor, Nation of Domination, RVD, Hall of Fame |work=Insight. |date=February 2, 2022 |publication-place=Las Vegas, NV |quote='You know who came up with it? My wife.' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCxwDCCXanQ |at=1 minutes, 30 seconds|format=MP4 |access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> and would become his official ring name in mid-1998. He stood with the Nation when Rocky Maivia became the leader shortly after Wrestlemania XIV, standing with Maivia, Mark Henry, D'Lo Brown, and later Owen Hart after he joined the stable in early May 1998.

In 1998, The Godfather (known to wrestlers as a genuine tough guy) competed in the WWF Brawl for All; which was a strictly voluntary boxing / shoot fighting competition, eventually won by Bart Gunn. On a July 27 episode of ''Raw is War'', Wright debuted his "Ho’s", during a tag-match, with Nation member Mark Henry against the Legion of Doom. The Nation lasted until around September 1998 and officially disbanded in October 1998 when Henry attacked the Nation's leader The Rock.

==== The Godfather (1998–2000) ==== [[File:1999 The Godfather WWF Smackdown (WWE) (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|The Godfather alongside his "hoes" at a SmackDown! live show in 1999]] After The Nation split up, Wright had his most successful run with the company under the hugely popular persona of "The Godfather". The Godfather character would be constantly surrounded by "hos" – in reality girls from local strip clubs, actresses,<ref>{{cite interview |last=Wright |first=Charles |interviewer=Chris Van Vliet |title=The Godfather on Papa Shango, Right to Censor, Nation of Domination, RVD, Hall of Fame |work=Insight. |date=February 2, 2022 |publication-place=Las Vegas, NV |quote='...so we started bringing in actresses' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCxwDCCXanQ |at=10 minutes, 30 seconds|format=MP4 |access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> or up-and-coming female wrestlers (Victoria<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/wwe-superstar-lisa-marie-veron-aka-victoria/id1529899231?i=1000520185787 |title='WWE Superstar Lisa Marie Varon AKA Victoria' |website=Apple Podcasts |publisher=Apple, Inc. |author-link=Chavo Guererro |date=May 5, 2021 |access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> and Lita<ref>{{Cite episode |first1=Brian |last1=Gewirtz |author-link2=Vince Russo |network=USA |date=January 11, 1993 |season=7 |series=WWE Raw |number=27 |publisher=WWE |publication-place=Manhattan Center, New York, NY}}</ref> were the best-known wrestlers to play the role, while Ivory was offered the role but was discouraged from accepting by Luna Vachon<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://www.podcastone.com/episode/More-with-Lisa-Moretti-aka-Ivory |title='More with Lisa Moretti AKA Ivory' |website=PodcastOne |author-link=Stone Cold Steve Austin |date=February 22, 2018 |access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>). He would offer his opponents the right to use these girls for "any purpose" if they would forfeit the match to him. The Godfather first walked out with his "hos" on the July 27, 1998 episode of ''Raw Is War''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stroud |first=Brandon |date=May 3, 2019 |title=The Best And Worst Of WWF Raw Is War 7/27/98: Loaded For Bare |url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/wwf-raw-is-war-best-and-worst-july-27-1998/ |website=UPROXX |access-date=August 12, 2025}}</ref>

The gimmick was highly popular with audiences, and he defeated Goldust for the WWF Intercontinental Championship on the April 12, 1999, episode of ''Raw Is War''.<ref name="WT-IC">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/ic.html|title=WWF/WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Title |access-date=August 25, 2007 |publisher=Wrestling-Titles}}</ref> He was Owen Hart's scheduled opponent for the title at Over the Edge; Hart was fatally injured during a live stunt prior to the match's time. The Godfather was scheduled to lose the title to Hart's character, "The Blue Blazer," that night. The Godfather would instead lose the title to Hart's tag team partner Jeff Jarrett a week later. On the March 16, 2000, episode of ''SmackDown!'', he picked up the biggest win of his career, when he defeated the WWF Champion Triple H in a non-title match, due to interference from Shane McMahon and Big Show.<ref>{{Cite episode |first1=Brian |last1=Gewirtz |author-link2=Vince McMahon |network=UPN |date=March 16, 2000 |season=1 |series=WWE SmackDown |number=31 |publisher=WWE |publication-place=Uniondale, NY}}</ref>

==== Right to Censor (2000–2001) ==== {{Main|Right to Censor}}

On the July 24 episode of ''Raw is War'', The Godfather faced Bull Buchanan, member of Steven Richards' ultra-conservative stable Right To Censor, in which he agreed to give up pimping if he lost. Buchanan defeated The Godfather, who promptly joined the stable and renounced his former ways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/tv/raw/000724.htm|title=Raw – July 24, 2000|publisher=pWw|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> He began to dress in a formal white shirt and tie, and became known as "The Goodfather".<ref name="BlackGuide">{{cite book |last1=Black |first1=Jake |title=WWE Ultimate Superstar Guide |date=2018 |publisher=DK |location=New York, New York |isbn=9781465484895 |page=81 |edition=2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HZ5jDwAAQBAJ |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> At SummerSlam on August 27, Right to Censor defeated Too Cool in a six-man tag team match.<ref name="SS2000Results">{{cite web |title=Full Event Results Summerslam 2000 |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2000/results |website=WWE.com |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> On the September 11 episode of ''Raw is War'', The Goodfather and Buchanan defeated the Acolytes. After the match, Val Venis attacked the Acolytes, joining the group in the process.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/00.htm | title=WWF / WWE RAW (1993-Present): 2000 |website=The History of WWE |last=Cawthon |first=Graham |access-date=February 5, 2022|quote='The Goodfather & Bull Buchanon defeated the Acolytes at 2:36 when Buchanon pinned Farooq with the axe kick; after the match, Val Venis attacked the Acolytes with a chair and joined the RTC.'}}</ref> At Unforgiven on September 24, Right to Censor defeated the Acolytes and the Dudley Boyz.<ref name="Unforgiven00Results">{{cite web |title=Full Event Results Unforgiven 2000 |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/2000/results |website=WWE.com |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> At No Mercy on October 22, The Goodfather and Buchanan entered into an elimination tag team tables match, which was won by the Dudley Boyz.<ref name="NoMercy00Results">{{cite web |title=Full Event Results No Mercy 2000 |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/2000/results |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw is War'', Ivory was announced as the newest member of the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/tv/raw/001023.htm|title=Raw – October 23, 2000|publisher=pWw.net|access-date=November 30, 2018|archive-date=November 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127170758/http://pwwew.net/tv/raw/001023.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Goodfather and Buchanan won the WWF Tag Team Championship from the Hardy Boyz on the November 6 episode of ''Raw is War''.<ref name="WT-TT">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/wwf/wwf-t.html |title=WWWF/WWF/WWE World Tag Team Title|access-date=August 25, 2007 |publisher=Wrestling-Titles}}</ref> At Survivor Series on November 19, The Goodfather and Buchanan teamed up with Edge and Christian, to face the Hardys and the Dudleys in a losing effort.<ref>{{cite web|title=Weak stunt ruins Survivor Series|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingPPV/nov20_wwf-can.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519184414/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingPPV/nov20_wwf-can.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2015|access-date=April 3, 2011|first=John|last=Powell|date=November 20, 2000}}</ref> At Rebellion on December 2, the duo retained the titles against the Hardys.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rebel.html#2000|title=Rebellion results – 2000|work=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> They lost the titles to Edge and Christian at Armageddon on December 10 in a fatal-four-way tag team match also involving K-Kwik and Road Dogg and the Dudley Boyz.<ref name="HistArmageddon">{{cite web |last1=Cawthon |first1=Graham |title=Armageddon |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/00.htm |website=The History of WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref>

The Goodfather entered the 2001 Royal Rumble match on January 21, 2001, at entry number 14, but was swiftly eliminated by The Rock.<ref name="Rumble01Elim">{{cite web |title=Rumble Match |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881142/mainevent/ |publisher=WWE |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> At WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1, The Goodfather, Buchanan and Venis were defeated by the APA (formerly the Acolytes) and Tazz. Also at WrestleMania, Ivory lost the WWF Women's Championship to Chyna.<ref name="Unforgiven00Results"/> On the April 26 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Right to Censor lost to the Brothers of Destruction in a 4-on-2 handicap match, after all other members walked out on Richards mid-match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/tv/smackdown/010426.htm|title=SmackDown! – April 26, 2001|publisher=pWw.net|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> The Goodfather would continue to team with Buchanan, until the June 17 episode of ''Sunday Night Heat'', where they lost to the Dudley Boyz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/heat/010617.htm|title=Sunday Night Heat – June 17, 2001|publisher=pWw.net|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> The last time Wright would be seen on television was where he along with Buchanan and several WWF superstars attacked invading WCW wrestlers Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire on an episode of ''SmackDown!'' For the remainder of the year, The Goodfather was completely absent from WWF programming.

==== Return of The Godfather; departure (2002) ==== The Godfather, under his old gimmick and with his hos, returned at the 2002 Royal Rumble competing in the Rumble match. He was eliminated by Chuck and Christian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble2.html#2002|title=Royal Rumble 2002 match|access-date=August 19, 2019|publisher=ProWrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> During the next six months, Wright competed in several television matches, usually on ''Raw'', ''Heat'' and ''SmackDown!''{{'}}s sister show ''Velocity''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/heat/020127.htm|title=Heat – January 27, 2002|publisher=pWw.net|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwwew.net/tv/raw/020211.htm|title=Raw – February 11, 2002|publisher=pWw.net|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> The Godfather wrestled his final match on the June 8 episode of ''Velocity'', defeating Hugh Morrus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwwew.net/tv/velocity/0206.htm#June%208,%202002|title=Velocity – June 8, 2002|publisher=pWw.net|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref> On the October 7, 2002, episode of ''Raw'' he made an appearance in a match between Jerry Lawler and his former Right To Censor teammate, Steven Richards in which the winner would get a night with the Godfather's hos.<ref name="BRRaw02">{{cite web |last1=Watry |first1=Justin |title=WWE Raw Roulette 2002: TLC Match Once Again Saves the Night |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/973502-wwe-raw-roulette-2002-tlc-match-once-again-saves-the-night |website=Bleacher Report |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. |access-date=February 6, 2022}}</ref> This would be his final appearance on WWE programming for the next three years as Wright was released from the WWE in December 2002.

==== Sporadic appearances (2005–present) ==== On July 13, 2007, Wright returned to the ring for the first time in five years after his retirement, where he reunited with D'Lo Brown to defeat Jeremy and Bubba Blanchard in McMinnville, Oregon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeremy & Bubba Blanchard Vs. D'Lo Brown & The Godfather | date=July 14, 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITTIX3EiNTc |access-date=February 23, 2013 |publisher=YouTube}}</ref>

In 2007, Wright appeared for WWE at the Theodore Long and Kristal Marshall wedding ceremony on the edition of September 21, 2007, of ''SmackDown!'', where he tried to convince Long and Ron Simmons to go back to the old partying days they had. After they refused, Godfather left the ceremony with his Ho Train, and was accompanied by every male wrestler in attendance and commentator John Bradshaw Layfield, leaving only Mr. McMahon, Jonathan Coachman, Hornswoggle, Gerald Brisco, Pat Patterson, Michael Cole and several Divas behind.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mike McAvennie |title=Tragedy at the altar |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09212007/articles/tragedyatthealtar |access-date=September 21, 2007 |publisher=WWE}}</ref> Wright reappeared on WWE television during the McMahon family portrait during ''Raw''{{'}}s 15th Anniversary on December 10, 2007, where he let Hornswoggle join his Ho Train.<ref name="Raw15thAnniv">{{cite web |last1=Keller |first1=Wade |title=WWE RAW FLASHBACK (12-10-07): Raw's 15-year Anniv. three-hour show - Who did McMahon declare the greatest star?, Austin beer bash, Jannetty in TV main event, Bischoff, Evolution |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Torch_Flashbacks_19/article_67126.shtml#.Yf9WG-rMKM8 |access-date=February 6, 2022 |website=PWTorch |publisher=TDH Communications Inc.}}</ref>

In January 2013, Wright made a short appearance with WWE as The Godfather at the 2013 Royal Rumble as entrant #17. He was eliminated immediately by Dolph Ziggler.

On the January 6, 2014 "Old School" edition of ''Raw'', Wright made an appearance alongside numerous other legends and Hall of Famers.<ref>{{cite web |last=David |first=Stephens |date=January 6, 2014 |title=WWE RAW Results - 1/6/14 (Old School RAW, WWE Legends) |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/45948-wwe-raw-results-1-6-14-old-school-raw |access-date=February 23, 2016 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}</ref>

On February 22, 2016, it was announced that Wright would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016, under his Godfather persona.<ref name="HOF">{{cite web |last=Ryan |first=Pappolla |date=February 22, 2016 |title=The Godfather to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2016 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/article/godfather-inducted-wwe-hall-fame-class-2016 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=WWE.com}}</ref>

In June 2016, Wright appeared (as Papa Shango) on a season two episode of WWE ''Swerved'' on the WWE Network along with The Boogeyman, pranking people inside a shopping mall.

He appeared on January 22, 2018, at ''Raw''{{'}}s 25th anniversary show, in a backstage segment with his former teammate Mark Henry, who is his real-life wife. Later that year, Wright reprised both his Godfather and Papa Shango personas on the House Hardy Halloween special airing on the WWE Network on October 28, 2018. Wright appeared at the WWE ''Raw Reunion'' show on July 22, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Raw preview, July 22, 2019: Several WWE Hall of Famers and Legends to appear on the biggest reunion in Raw history |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2019-07-22 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |website=WWE.com |date=July 16, 2019 |publisher=WWE}}</ref>

On November 22, 2020, he made an appearance at Survivor Series during The Undertaker's retirement ceremony.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reichlin |first=Michael |date=November 22, 2020 |title=The Rock, The McMahons, HBK, Ric Flair & More Pay Tribute to The Undertaker |url=https://www.sescoops.com/the-rock-the-mcmahons-hbk-ric-flair-more-pay-tribute-to-the-undertaker/ |access-date=November 23, 2020 |newspaper=Se Scoops |language=en-US}}</ref>

On February 1, 2025, he was shown at ringside amongst other legends during the Royal Rumble.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2025 |title=GODFATHER IN THE HOUSE |url=https://x.com/wrestlelamia/status/1885848690562101606?s=46}}</ref>

=== Late career (2002–2020, 2024) === [[Image:The Godfather Hulkamania Tour 2009.jpg|thumb|The Godfather at the Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin tour in November 2009.]] In late 2009, Wright returned to wrestling to take part in Hulk Hogan's "Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin" tour of Australia. On November 21, Wright, using the new ring name "The Pimp Fatha", teamed with Nick Dinsmore to defeat Rock of Love (Billy Blade and Kadin Anthony) in a tag team match.<ref name=CageMatches>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=901&view=matches|title=Godfather " Wrestlers Database " CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.cagematch.net|access-date=December 7, 2019}}</ref> On November 24, Big Daddy Row Row defeated Pimp Fatha and Sean Morley in a three-way match.<ref name=CageMatches/> Two days later, Pimp Fatha defeated Heidenreich.<ref name=CageMatches/> After the match, he hosted a bikini contest which was won by Lacey von Erich. Two days later, Pimp Fatha wrestled his last match on the tour and was defeated by Sean Morley.<ref name=CageMatches/>

In January 2012, Wright won a battle royal at Pro Wrestling Superstars in Los Angeles.

Wright made a rare in-ring segment along with his longtime friend Val Venis and Dexter Verity in Future Stars of Wrestling, where he promised to bring his hoes if Venis and Verity would have succeeded defending their tag team titles.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}} In September 2013, Wright resumed wrestling on the independent circuit.<ref name="Caldwell2013">{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_73525.shtml#.U2ZECPldUzI |title=Vader & former WWE Developmental son taking bookings, Godfather full-time again, more |author=Caldwell, James |publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch |work=PWTorch.com |date=September 26, 2013 |access-date=May 4, 2013}}</ref>

In spring of 2014 Wright made two appearances for Preston City Wrestling in England, as Papa Shango working against local star Bubblegum on both nights. In October 2014 at Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling (ECCW) Halloween Hell, Wright teamed with his old partner, Val Venis to face the team of then-ECCW Tag Team Champions Jordie Taylor and Daniel Adonis and the team of Ladies Choice and Eric Locker in a three-way elimination tag team match, but unsuccessful. Wright would step down from wrestling in March 2020 when COVID-19 hit.

On April 26, 2024, Wright returned as Papa Shango when he defeated This Guy in Burwood East, New South Wales, Australia for Battle Championship Wrestling.

== Professional wrestling style and persona == According to Wright, the Papa Shango character uses paint because Vince McMahon said his face did not match his body.<ref name="411mania.com">{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-godfather-on-his-pimp-gimmick-being-phased-out-being-given-the-papa-shango-gimmick/|title = 411Mania}}</ref> During his last WWE appearances as The Godfather, where he would usually be accompanied by a group of girls referred to as the "Ho Train", Wright appeared sans girls. According to him, it was done because times had changed and the character was phased out.<ref name="411mania.com"/>

== Personal life == Wright attended the University of Nevada, Reno where he was an offensive tackle on the football team.<ref>{{cite web|title=Charles Wright (wrestler) Bio|url=http://www.in.com/charles-wright-wrestler/biography-52561.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090300/http://www.in.com/charles-wright-wrestler/biography-52561.html|archive-date=April 7, 2014|access-date=June 3, 2013|publisher=In.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chillin' in The Godfather's office|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/02/26/4878793.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127073422/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/02/26/4878793.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 27, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2020|website=canoe.com}}</ref> After leaving professional wrestling, Wright moved to Las Vegas where he managed the Cheetah's strip club.<ref name="Vermillion" /><ref name="Caldwell2013" /><ref name="JRBlog">{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/2007/08/22/rental-car-woes-football-bar-b-q-of-course-and-your-comments/|title=Rental Car Woes.. Football.. Bar-B-Q (of course) and Your Comments..|access-date=August 25, 2007|last=Ross|first=Jim|author-link=Jim Ross|work=JR's Blog|publisher=JRsBarBQ.com}}</ref> He married his girlfriend Denise in September 2000,<ref>{{cite web |title=Charles Wright on Instagram: "20 years ago today, I married my life soul mate. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Denise Wright your still smoking HOT!!!!!!!" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CE1zvlcpOGc/?igshid=7ibmf0y6sxzi |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/thegodfather/2393046347413774748 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=subscription|website=Instagram |access-date=September 8, 2020 |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> they have four children together. His marriage to Denise is his third marriage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/02/26/4878793.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127073422/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/02/26/4878793.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 27, 2016 |title=Chillin' in The Godfather's office Going one-on-one with Charles Wright|access-date=August 25, 2010 |publisher=SLAM! WRESTLING |date=February 26, 2008}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments == [[Image:The Godfather HOF 2016.jpg|thumb|The Godfather was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.]] *'''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''''' **Ranked No. 61 of the 500 top wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1999<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/1999.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 1999|website=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref> **Ranked No. 353 of the 500 top wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years |access-date=August 28, 2007 |publisher=Wrestling information Archive |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227054535/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }}</ref> *'''United States Wrestling Association''' **USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref name="WT-USWAU"/> * '''Vendetta Pro Wrestling''' ** Vendetty Award for Co-Special Guest star of the Year – {{small|with Chavo Guerrero Sr. and Chavo Guerrero Jr.}} (2014)<ref name="2014VendettyAward">{{cite web | url=http://www.vendettaprowrestling.com/main/results/2014-results/2014-vendetty-awards/ | title=2014 Vendetty Awards | publisher=Vendetta Pro Wrestling | access-date=April 25, 2016 | archive-date=March 13, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313211424/http://www.vendettaprowrestling.com/main/results/2014-results/2014-vendetty-awards/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> *'''World Wrestling Federation / WWE''' **WWF Intercontinental Championship (1 time)<ref name="WT-IC"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/intercontinental/|title=WWE Intercontinental Championship|website=WWE.com|access-date=August 5, 2020}}</ref> **WWF Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bull Buchanan<ref name="WT-TT"/> **WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)<ref name="HOF"/> *'''''Wrestling Observer Newsletter''''' **Worst Gimmick (1992) <small>as Papa Shango</small> **Worst Feud of the Year (1992) <small>vs. The Ultimate Warrior</small> **Most Embarrassing Wrestler (1992)

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{sister project links}} * {{Instagram|thegodfather}} * {{IMDb name|id=0942275|name=Charles Wright}} * {{professional wrestling profiles}} * Papa Shango's profile at [https://www.wwe.com/superstars/papashango WWE]

{{USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship}} {{WWE Intercontinental Championship}} {{World Tag Team Championship (WWE)}} {{WWE Hall of Fame}} {{WWE personnel}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Godfather, The}} Category:1961 births Category:21st-century African-American people Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen Category:20th-century American sportsmen Category:African-American professional wrestlers Category:American male professional wrestlers Category:Living people Category:Nevada Wolf Pack football players Category:Professional wrestlers from California Category:Sportspeople from the Las Vegas Valley Category:Million Dollar Corporation members Category:Nation of Domination members Category:USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champions Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees Category:WWF/WWE Intercontinental Champions Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers Category:World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010) Category:WWE personnel