Bullying On WWE TV: Hypocrisy Or Overreaction?

[Jack-Hammer]

Ever since WWE helped start up the Be A Star campaign a couple of years ago, off and on, there've been complaints in regards to how WWE portrays bullying on television. WWE has a history of provocative segments & storylines revolving around bullying. Among the more infamous examples include Vince McMahon's "Kiss My Ass Club" that we saw featured during the Attitude Era and sparingly even after the Attitude Era was officially over. Another involves a storyline with Trish Stratus in which Vince "forced" her to strip down to her underwear on live television. As WWE has gone back to a PG format and has adopted public service initiatives like Be A Star, questions pop up now and again regarding WWE sending mixed messages.

Over the past several years, there's been a massive lashing out against bullying across the board, especially when it comes to kids being bullied at school or over the internet. Most people have experienced being bullied and know that it's certainly not a pleasant experience, but it can affect some far more deeply than others. After all, the plague of school shootings in the United States since the late 90s, to a large degree, have been attributed to the effects of bullying and bullying online has led to a spike in teen suicide rates the past several years. In WWE, it's not all that uncommon to see some wrestlers play the role of a "bully", such as we've seen Ryback do, and some are calling Triple H's character a "bully" as well. So is WWE legitimately sending mixed messages to the public or is it an example of political correctness run amok?

For the most part, I have to definitely side with the latter. In our societal zeal for equal treatment to be applied for everyone, that zeal is sometimes misplaced when it pertains to entertainment. When it comes to pro wrestling, there seems to be something of a double standard at work when you compare the content of WWE to other popular programs.

One of the most acclaimed dramatic shows on television right now are Breaking Bad. In Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston plays a chemistry teacher named Walter White who is diagnosed with Stage IIIA lung cancer and turns to manufacturing meth as a means of securing his family's finances. The series follows White as his character's shady business dealings progress. The show is highly acclaimed, winning 7 Primetime Emmy Awards, including 2 wins for Cranston as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and he's nominated again for the upcoming awards. Cranston has also won 3 Satellite Awards for Best Actor in a Drama Series as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award earlier this year. It's been nominated & won a slew of other industry awards. What's the point? The point is that nobody is criticizing the show for promoting a meth dealer in something of a heroic light. Nobody is accusing the show of glorifying drug dealing or murder. Nobody is criticizing Cranston for his portrayal of a meth manufacturer and dealer who commits awful crimes in order to ultimately pad his bank accounts. Why are all these criticisms not brought to light? Because it's a television show featuring actors playing fictional characters with fictional storylines.

Professional wrestling also features television shows in which men & women portray fictional personas participating in fictional storylines, feuds and fights. For the most part, it's as scripted as any other traditional show on television. And to top it all off, EVERYONE knows that it's all staged & scripted. The fact that professional wrestling isn't 100% "real" and that the wrestlers play characters has been common knowledge for DECADES. I fail to see why WWE should be criticized for their "villainous" characters behaving in villainous ways. The fact that these storylines play out, often times, live in arenas packed with thousands of people doesn't alter that it's all staged. For instance, Ryback doesn't smack someone in the face before tossing them through a rack of potato chips at the local 7-Eleven in front of him in line while paying for $25 of unleaded on pump #3. Triple H doesn't walk about in a tailored suit at WWE headquarters calling the janitorial staff a bunch of trolls because he thinks it's "best for business". In any form of entertainment, whether it be dramatic series, movies, animated series or films or even comedies; the people playing the role of "bad guys" have to behave like they're "bad people".

 

[Thriller Ant]

As you said, the men and women in WWE are portraying characters. Saying WWE encourages bullying by having heel characters be bullies is akin to James Bond movies encourages kids to become supervillans and take over the world. Despite kayfabe being dead for years, the fact that Vince has never uttered the phrase "wrestling is scripted" keeps WWE in the crosshairs for stupid criticism like this that other forms of entertainment don't have to deal with.

 

[Slash-LN]

I think pro wrestling is unfairly held to a different standard. It seems like people outside of wrestling look for any negativity they can find to use against wrestling and try to exploit it. I think part of that stems back to when wrestling was still trying to be seen as "real" and a lot of people were trying to expose it. Then you have the young fans who aren't told it's entertainment and once they figure it out they quit watching and take every chance they can to bash it.

There are also cynical fans who like to point out every negative thing they can when it comes to stuff like this. Either they're unhappy with the current product or in WWE's case they don't like the PG rating so they complain every chance they can.

Usually in the case of bullies in wrestling they get what's coming to them in the end. Good almost always triumphs over evil. There's a lesson there that if you're a bad person eventually it's going to catch up with you.

I think if people really feel the WWE is contradicting itself by having the Be A Star campaign and then having characters that are seen as bullies on their show they probably shouldn't be watching wrestling.

 

[Headman]

The heels are the bullies and they're not being glorified. Having a heel play the bully is no different than the actor who plays a bully in anti bullying commercials. People don't look at Ryback and think "Wow I want to act like that.". He's not portrayed in a positive light whatsoever. Now Stone Cold Steve Austin, that was a bully and his antics were glorified. But there is no one in the WWE like that at present time. Anyone complaining about the WWE glorifying bullying has no idea what they're talking about.

 

[Jerichoholic8894]

It's ridiculous for people to call the WWE hypocrits. It's no different than watches a regular sitcom.

The only time I think the WWE stepped across the line, was when Vince mocked JR. But even at that I don't find to be a huge issue due to JR most likely giving them the okay to do that.

People who find the WWE and it's heel characters to be hypocrites, need a serious reality check.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Jackhammer, im gonna assume you know enough about wrestling to have an insight to what im about to say, so im not gonna carpet bomb the opening post like I was planning on doing.

The anti bullying campaign and the bully characters meld perfectly together, because they portray how scummy a true bully is, and making kids NEVER want to be that...this, along with the fact that someday, someone is going to make that bully pay for being an asshole, and that bullies never win in the end.

These are the true point and messages being conveyed by these characters and storylines. Guys like Nikolai Volkoff and Sgt.Slaughter portrayed characters of people they HATED, and did so to an extreme, for this very same concept....to show how shitty those people were, and so they could eventually get their ass kicked.

 

[MCMG]

It is fairly obvious that these superstars are entertainers so what they do isn't real. Of course the problem is that they are trying to convey an anti-bullly message. I still think that people should realise the two sides of the company but some won't and that is where the problems begin.

Using your example; Breaking Bad has a certain target audience. This demographic consists of older people who understand not only entertainment through Television but the damages of drugs. The WWE's target audience is completely different which means they are in a difficult position. Moreover, they are conveying an anti-bullying message alongside their storylines which enhances the storyline. They are playing of the fact that Ryback is a bully (which is a bad thing) so he gains more heat.

 

[The Eighties]

Wrestling is and always has been 95% morality play, good vs evil, bullies fit into the latter category as they do in any other form of entertainment, so there's no reason WWE shouldn't use bully characters as long as they do it in the right context, which they do.

 

[DarrenYoungsCleanAssFro]

As a parent I see the Be A Star campaign as nothing more than an insincere disclaimer. It's funny how many people can say that "it's just a show", "only the heels are bullys", and "you should be able to tell the difference."

Try putting yourself in my shoes. When you have an eight year old being compared to the Wendy's Girl then come talk to me.

Edit: I should point out that when I vote yes I mean that I don't think WWE should be portraying people like John Cena as someone who's against bullying. I think they should drop the Be A Star campaign but that wasn't an option.

 

[das1234]

noone can blame them for putting bullies on their tv show, without them the programming would be bad, obviously.
the problem comes from the fact that they want to cater to the parents and little kids, with their programming and BAStar-campaign, but at the same time convey different messages on their show. i think in that regard faces bullying heels is way worse then heels doing anything.
even that is not really a problem in itself, but the problem is that they just ASSUME that all the kids know wrestling is fake and know what kayfabe is.
their excuses just are pathetic: "we do a tv show", yet they know they target a demographic that is so young that they still potentially think wrestling is real, but at the same time do a campaign that is supposed to be outside of kayfabe and the kids dont know that. even though the parents likely do, the bullying is done by kids and not the parents.

in the end, is it hypocritical? i think it is.

its not a problem of the content they put on tv, because i think it is way too tame, like many others do.
but i think pretending to do something against bullying is pushing it, because i dont think they can justify that with their programming content. again, the problem is them wanting to get the $$$ of the little-kids demographic, wanting a word that sounds good (Anti-bullying) and it just doesnt fit their programming, who would have thought.

same as the previous guy, i vote yes against the campaign, not against bullies on tv

 

[robbo316]

As a parent I see the Be A Star campaign as nothing more than an insincere disclaimer. It's funny how many people can say that "it's just a show", "only the heels are bullys", and "you should be able to tell the difference."

Try putting yourself in my shoes. When you have an eight year old being compared to the Wendy's Girl then come talk to me.

Edit: I should point out that when I vote yes I mean that I don't think WWE should be portraying people like John Cena as someone who's against bullying. I think they should drop the Be A Star campaign but that wasn't an option.

Soooo, we can take from this that you don't agree with Tom & Jerry, Popeye, He-Man, and lord knows how many others? I despair for children who have parents who are incapable of understanding the difference between real-life and fiction.

Oh, and before you decide to tell me that I'll feel differently when I have children, I do, and also grandchildren. Ergo, I know about the feelings that children go through, I also used to be one as well and I got bullied from the age of 4/5 right up until I was 14 and threw the bully out of a second floor window in a fit of rage. Suddenly all the school bullies backed off then.

 

[Mustang Sally]

....or is it an example of political correctness run amok?

Yeah, it's that.

The anti-bullying campaign by WWE was a preemptive strike at those who would characterize their product as celebrating bullying. Although it's a smart move, people are going to criticize them anyway, as if other forms of entertainment on screen don't depict the same thing.

Today, we're just so damn sensitive that anything said to anyone is going to draw outrage from somewhere. Often, it's good to have things brought to light.......other times, the PC is nauseating.

If pro wrestling is forced to have their characters abandon bullying, you might as well abolish the product altogether. If we have to watch Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton battle it out in a sensitivity encounter group instead of a wrestling ring.......count me out.

 

[enviousdominous]

You know the old saying "When good people do nothing, evil prevails". Well, the flipside of that is "When evil people do nothing, good serves little purpose". In the pro-wrestling world, there would be no Hulk Hogan if there wasn't an Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper and Andre the Giant to validate his heroism.

I see the supposed efforts of the WWE to make bullying less of a problem as a way to lure families into their seats, and nothing more. Maybe a few of the wrestlers are completely genuine in their testimonials, if getting shoved into lockers in the sixth grade inspired them to hit the weights then I fail to see why they would have rather not had to endure the bullying. They were desperate to get Bruno in the HOF and then they suddenly embarked on this campaign to stop bullying.

I also want to say that these efforts to end bullying started well before the WWE jumped on that bandwagon. Every single one of them, including the WWE's, at best have conflicting priorities and at worst are just jock witch hunts.

Speaking on my own experiences; we've all been there, we all had to start fresh as newbies for every tier of our scholastic progression. You start elementary school, and you ain't shit until you climb the ranks to being one of the idolized fifth graders. You start middle school, and you have to make your reputation from scratch all over again. Then you hit high school and the social hazing really starts because now all the lost causes are aware of their imminent failure and have a scapegoat to focus their misery onto.

We might not all describe what we dealt with as "bullying", but we've all been picked on and we'll always be picked on. I'm 31 fucking years old and I've been at my current career for the last 13 years, people still tell me that their 18 or 20 years of experience trumps any argument I have and that I should just shut up and color because I haven't existed perpetually like they have. Basically, you're never too old or too young to be harrassed by assholes and you're delusional if you think that you can permanently end the instinct that causes human beings to behave like assholes.

People of all ages who buy a ticket don't want to see a bunch of faces fighting a bunch of faces. They want to single someone out and mandate through mocking jeers toward that person that they be destroyed.

The fact of the matter is, some people are fucking stupid and feel bullied for having had that aspect of their self recognized. When you turn 18 and have to start a real career, you'll have to develop a thick skin for criticism toward your potential and own whatever unkind words your superiors have for you. If you lack the confidence to stand on your own and have a toddler's grasp of reality when it comes to toeing the line for the greater good, you're going to get your feelings hurt until you can grow the fuck up. You won't develop a concept of bravery and self-worth without standing up to people who try to coerce you with threats, and you sure as shit won't develop anything if you hide behind the pack mentality of some fucking stupid anti-bullying campaign.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

The problem is by going PG WWE created this rod for their own back. When it was TV-14 they could safely and rightly assume that their target audience were sophisticated enough to know that it wasn't real, that "Don't Try This At Home" was a serious message and that bullies often not only get beaten but humiliated... Take Austin and Vince in the hospital or pissing his pants in the ring cos Austin has a gun... Austin is the bully there, he's picking on someone weaker, using fear, intimidation and humiliating Vince - sure Vince "deserved it" but as the show was for teenagers it wasn't as big an issue.

Then Lionel Tate happened...and backyard wrestling happend and it became clear that SOME teenagers were indeed trying this at home and were getting hurt/killing people... Even someone like Matt Annis (Bret Hart's nephew) died because of backyard wrestling.

So WWE went PG again, and then it's a whole new ball game... Bad guys and bullies have to be seen to be beaten, not in the way Austin humilated Vince but by the "fairest" means which in WWE means in a match. They struggle at times because they often show authority figures as not to be trusted, so that sends out a bad message to kids that "if you are being picked on, the teachers/bosses etc won't help you unless it's good for business."

Be A Star is the only real standard they have - if they are part of it they acknowledge bullying and are seen to fight it - in reality the show can then be what it needs as it's not much different to the Avengers or Transformers or anything else... There is good and evil, bullies in the Marvel, Star Wars, Transformer universes... they lose and come back to try again.

I don't see it as hypocritical being in be a star but being PG could be.

 

[SkandorAkbar]

cm punk said it best.

[YOUTUBE]n94ptS2_t1k[/YOUTUBE]

 

[Slash-LN]

The problem is by going PG WWE created this rod for their own back. When it was TV-14 they could safely and rightly assume that their target audience were sophisticated enough to know that it wasn't real, that "Don't Try This At Home" was a serious message and that bullies often not only get beaten but humiliated... Take Austin and Vince in the hospital or pissing his pants in the ring cos Austin has a gun... Austin is the bully there, he's picking on someone weaker, using fear, intimidation and humiliating Vince - sure Vince "deserved it" but as the show was for teenagers it wasn't as big an issue.

Then Lionel Tate happened...and backyard wrestling happend and it became clear that SOME teenagers were indeed trying this at home and were getting hurt/killing people... Even someone like Matt Annis (Bret Hart's nephew) died because of backyard wrestling.

So WWE went PG again, and then it's a whole new ball game... Bad guys and bullies have to be seen to be beaten, not in the way Austin humilated Vince but by the "fairest" means which in WWE means in a match. They struggle at times because they often show authority figures as not to be trusted, so that sends out a bad message to kids that "if you are being picked on, the teachers/bosses etc won't help you unless it's good for business."

Be A Star is the only real standard they have - if they are part of it they acknowledge bullying and are seen to fight it - in reality the show can then be what it needs as it's not much different to the Avengers or Transformers or anything else... There is good and evil, bullies in the Marvel, Star Wars, Transformer universes... they lose and come back to try again.

I don't see it as hypocritical being in be a star but being PG could be.

No he didn't. He died from a bacterial disease.

As far as the people stating that the WWE targets young audiences that don't know or understand the difference that's where parenting comes in. I'm not a parent myself but I have a nephew that lives with me. He got in trouble at school a couple years ago for hitting a kid because he saw John Cena do it on Raw. We sat him down and explained to him that it's just a show and what they do is pretend. Just like Power Rangers and whatever else he watches. Then we decided that until he could show a little more maturity he wouldn't be allowed to watch.
I know kids can hide from their parents what they're watching or they could be watching at a friend's house or whatever but kids that are too young to know the difference between real and fake are probably going to be talking about what they see on the show and wanting the toys and stuff. Surely there will be some indication to the parents that their kids are watching wrestling somewhere and they should explain to the kid that it's a story.

That being said some kids are just jerks. But that doesn't mean the WWE shouldn't make an effort to help cut down on bullying with campaigns like this.

 

[robbo316]

Take Austin and Vince in the hospital or pissing his pants in the ring cos Austin has a gun... Austin is the bully there, he's picking on someone weaker, using fear, intimidation and humiliating Vince - sure Vince "deserved it" but as the show was for teenagers it wasn't as big an issue.

I must take issue here. As far as I recall, Vince had actually been the instigator of the bullying. It was a classic "boss taking advantage" story, and Austin was finally pushed too far. It's very similar to what I have done a few times as I've gotten older - "Bully the bullies".

 

[jameyt2003]

most pro wrestlers all have the potential to be a bully in some respect. Now Ryback as a bully, that's some TV GOLD IMO. BTW, I am a Ryback fan.

As far as bullying is concerned, results may vary. U can modify your behavior, rebel and accept yourself and take a stand, or unfortunately react in grotesque or tragic actions. Now ive had many a days where ive come home angry, crying, or scared at myself or others because someone decided to pick me out of the herd and fill their empty void with my pain. There are a few memories I still hold onto that make me think, most of those experiences I learned from, and I feel fortunate to have made it out of certain neighborhoods and schools I resided at. But as we Americans do, we must be mindful of the weak. because we all know we have had to submit to our weaknesses and struggles.

WWE are no fools. They run elongated storylines that go on for weeks or months in order to send their message or entertain. They know how to do this. Ryback as a bully, or the Shield as a gang tormenting people is all in the end message that WWE will decide to forego or end for some other storyline.

 

[SkyCommanderWinky]

What are all these anti-bullying campaigns supposed to do? People aren't bullies because it's politically correct. In fact, it's the opposite. Instead of being a star you should stand up for your damn self and stop being such a damn pussy because I got news for you, I doesn't get better.

 

[The Champ]

If there was no "bullying" on WWE TV, there would be no WWE TV.

The essence of pro wrestling is the heroes vs. the villains. You have to have villains, and you have to do what you can to make those villains as despicable as possible. The thing that people seem to not understand is that these villains are not being positioned as role models for the kids. If they were, they would be heroes. The only time you can cry hypocrisy at Be a Star is when someone like Sheamus is bullying people and is portrayed as if he's doing nothing wrong, which was happening quite a bit before he got injured.

 

[SixMovesOfDoom]

I would say it is only truly off beat when babyfaces do the bullying. It makes sense for heels to bully. They are supposed to draw heat and a good way is to be associated with something denounced by mainstream culture.

But faces doing the bullying sends a very confusing message to younger viewers and providers cynical amusement for older viewers.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

I think bully characters actually helps reinforce the message if you ask me. Sure there is bullying but eventually the bully gets beaten down and taught a lesson for being such a bully. Logically you already know eventually someone is putting Ryback in his place for being such a bully.

Even if that wasn't the case what's shown on TV doesn't mean shit to how the company really feels. It seems like so many people get so upset about what's portrayed on television when at the end of the day IT'S TELEVISION. Television is entertainment, its not a moral compass nor should it be, it's television. WWE is in the very definition sports entertainment, wrestling doesn't work without bad guys being dicks, bullies, ect. The very foundation of wrestling is built on the heels being the most vile people on the planet and the faces are the only ones that can put them in their place. If bullying on television is such a big deal to you then wrestling is the last thing you need to be watching.

My honest opinion, people need to stop getting so upset about what they see on television and just change the damn channel, stop over analyzing things, stop trying to boycott everything that people thing is "immoral" and take some ownership for your own actions. If little Johnny piledrives a kid on the playground that's not on the WWE its on the parents for not teaching little Johnny not to do that. It's television, it's all smoke and mirrors plain and simple. Take 5 minutes (or however long it takes) to explain to the child that everything on television isn't real and just because The Rock makes fun of someone doesn't give them the right to do that. In short, raise the kid right, raise the kid to be independent, teach the kid to have some common sense and this wouldn't be a problem.

But hey what do I know? Why have personal responsibility when you can blame it on someone else? Who cares if most parents raise their kids to be a bunch of dependent dumbasses who have no common sense?

The fact that this is such a topic for discussion makes me shake my head at society in general.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

Here's the issue - Ryback isn't bullying people in the ring, he's bullying alleged non performers... and he's getting away with it! Why? Because the CEO and his family (including the face of BAStar - Steph) are bullying the entire roster and why? Because they believe Daniel Bryan is too small and weak to represent their company.

"But it's Sports Entertainment - we know it's fake!" "What about He-Man, TMNT etc?" The bully always got his comeuppance within 30 minutes in these shows (the same also applies to movies). On top of this, cartoons are blatantly false, TV program characters too (that's why we are told who plays who). Stephanie McMahon is ALWAYS Stephanie McMahon, the Undertaker is ALWAYS portrayed as the Undertaker. If WWe wanted us to regard the programming as fictional, why do they not have end credits telling us the real names behind the majority of characters?

WWe DOESN'T have to portray bullying the way it currently is. Ryback, Big Show, Mark Henry intimidating guys is part and parcel of combat sport. Picking on backstage staff is not the same thing as decimating 2 obvious no-chancers in the ring because, at the heels of the hunt, they've chosen to get in the ring with him. Authority figures always make things hard for the faces... but by methods that give them a chance - "Come out and watch... but if you do anything to help the bullied - YOU'RE FIRED!" is not a wrestling standard.

If WWe wants to maintain the blurred lines (pipe bombs, MMA realistic bouts, personal jabs) then they have to accept shouts of "Hypocrisy!!" when they're saying one thing but demonstrating another.