Prior to last night's episode of RAW from the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, Keith Lee took on a local enhancement talent and defeated him in quick fashion. As Keith Lee was making his way down to the ring for the match, he was introduced as Keith “Bearcat” Lee, which indicates Lee going through a character change and it has been speculated that Keith Lee will now be a heel going forward.
Keith Lee began his change as a heel character during a recent non-televised WWE Supershow Live Event when he defeated Akira Tozawa in Singles action. Lee also began growing his beard back out as of late to further add to his character change as a heel. The "Bearcat" name that is now part of Lee's brand-new persona is reportedly a reference to Bearcat Wright, a popular African American pro wrestler from the 1950s and 1960s, who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Legacy Wing in 2017.
It was rumored and speculated that the "Bearcat" name could also be a reference to Bearcat Brown, who is an African American pro wrestler who mainly competed in the Memphis area in the 1960s and 1970s.
Keith Lee last competed on WWE TV on the August 2 episode of RAW, when he defeated Karrion Kross. Lee returned to in-ring action on an episode of RAW last July, when he lost to Bobby Lashley and this was his first match since February. There is no word yet on when Keith Lee will return to WWE TV or if he will continue being a heel character and use his new “Bearcat” nickname going forward, but as soon as updates are available it will be provided.
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Keith Bearcat Lee pic.twitter.com/ZoE88i5AqC
— Colie Cashwell (@cashwellc) September 20, 2021
Keith Lee wins a squash match. The crowd was really into him tonight. pic.twitter.com/0WSwh0foYN
— Phantom of the Telethon (@angrymanbrandon) September 20, 2021
People are confused about WWE calling Keith Lee ''Bearcat''.
Well funny enough on this very day we learned about the real first ever African-American World Champion from @AaronWrotkowski, Ed ''Bearcat'' Wright from the 60s.
Possibly the reason for the new nickname? pic.twitter.com/gncZAOjjtu— Armbar Audio (@ArmbarAudio) September 21, 2021
This created controversy, but he got his way and became a big draw everywhere he went. He won the Big Time Wrestling championship from Killer Kowalski in April 1961. Many considered that a world title and this would make Wright the first black world champion, not Ron Simmons. 2/3
— Doc 'Not Dr. D' Diamondfire (@DrDiamondfire) September 20, 2021
His father was a boxer also called Bearcat Wright (both their real first names were Edward) and he boxed himself before he went into wrestling. Here he is wrestling Big Moose Cholak in 1961. 3/3https://t.co/ooeshrAQNJ
— Doc 'Not Dr. D' Diamondfire (@DrDiamondfire) September 20, 2021
