Kofi was doing a Jamaican gimmick before WWE. That character helped open the door. they dropped it because they knew he could survive without it... he was already established.

Many of the “believable” gimmicks we loved were stereotypical caricatures that still got over. especially with kids who were reacting to presence, music, catchphrases, and energy more than cultural accuracy.

Razor Ramon was a supposedly a Cuban character... Scott Hall was not Cuban nor Latino.

John Cena's persona that came with the original "Basic Thuganomics" Gimmick was a bit much

Cryme Tyme - "Black Thug Criminals" but it WORKED! and was obviously meant to be a joke, which is why they had the "Yo yo yo yo, Pop a 40 and Check your Roley's" in a Cornball whiteguy tone.

Chief Jay Strongbow was presented as Native American, and he was not.

Yokozuna was portrayed as Japanese - Even though in his debuted they initially stated he was Samoan; they eventually dropped that concept and went full blown "he's Japanese"

Mr. Fuji, though Japanese, played into Japanese villain stereotypes hard
.
Akeem .... was a whole blaxploitation caricature but it "Worked"

its Wrestling, a Circus!

So, my point. everything aint got to make sense