WWE Bringing Back The Word "Wrestling."

[Mustang Sally]

They wished to put more emphasis on the entertainment aspect and demanded that references to 'wrestling' and 'wrestlers' be dropped, which has resulted in much mirth in media circles. Given the amount that these words are being said now, I can only assume they've come to their senses and realised the stupidity and futility of removing these terms from a WRESTLING programme.

It's as simple as that. I believe there was, in fact, a ban......and that it has now been lifted.

Many entrepreneurs grow a successful business and start to believe anything they touch will turn to gold. They think general business practices they used with their initial venture can be applied to just about any field they choose to enter. Often, they are advised to stick with what they know, but many elect to ignore that advice and sometimes wind up not only failing with their new venture, but also draining the resources of their successful business.

Vince McMahon is a great wrestling promoter, perhaps the greatest since P.T. Barnum, but he hasn't had the same success with outside ventures (re: World Bodybuilding Federation and XFL). Still, he yearns to expand beyond his wrestling business. I don't know what kind of success he's had with WWE Films and his other efforts to expand beyond the mat, but he'd do well to remember what forged his empire in the first place.

Taking the world "wrestling" out of World Wrestling Entertainment was like taking the word "baseball" out of Major League Baseball. It's ridiculous and McMahon should have realized it......just the same as he should have foreseen TNA taking him to task for removing the word as a way to make fun of him.

Okay, we know Vince wants more, but won't it be interesting to see what happens when his daughter and son-in-law take over for real someday? I wonder if they have the same desire to expand into a multimedia company with far-reaching impact, as Vince does.......or will they feel like sticking with what has always worked best........wrestling.

If WWE someday changes it's name to something like Pedigree Industries, then we'll know.

 

[D-Man]

I think you're being naive. The suits at WWE aren't "trying to be honest with [their] audience". They're like a nerd that distances himself from his nerd friends in public but is up their asses behind closed doors. Come on, dude, you seem to be a true wrestling fan; haven't you taken insults about being a fan? Of course you have and WWE knows that. That's why they're trying to potray an image that's BIGGER than wrestling, and that's what pisses me off. I'm a true fan; cater to me. Fuck those judgemental, pompus assholes that diss "wrestling" and it's fans.

This is because the WWE is looking at the bigger picture. Sure, they're proud of their product. Wouldn't you be proud of a billion dollar conglomerate? However, they're not stupid, either. They know that it doesn't matter is they call the product wrestling or entertainment or drama... either way, it's making money. So why should we be up in arms about the term they use to describe their product?

 

[itssoeasy123]

I really don't think the word "wrestling" was ever going to be "banned," in the long run. I think after the rebranding, I think they wanted to fully try and go through with the rebranding by taking out the word "wrestling" and "wrestler." But, seemingly after like 2 weeks they were like "Fuck it." There's really no reason to ban the word, but if they did it would've been that bad either.

If you turn of RAW or Smackdown, what do you see in the ring? Wrestling. It seems that alot of people, including another wrestling company, took the rebranding way out of proportation and they thought that WWE were going to take wrestling away from their programming, which in fact they never were. They were just going to try and branch out to other market's, becuase lets face it WWE is more than a "wrestling company" now.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

Sorry Sal, thanks for the rep and I will be returning in kind for your beautifully put post but certain things have been posted that have lead me to make a more prolonged response than my previous succinct effort...

I don't think WWE ever banned the word to begin with and I don't know where that story came from. They still say it on RAW,Smackdown,and the PPVs alot so to me its just the Internet geeks making it a non-story as usual.

“The Language Of WWE” – List Of Banned & Allowed Terms
POSTED ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2011 AT 4:31 PM
TAGGED WITH WWE
As part of WWE’s recent “rebranding” effort (dropping “World Wrestling Entertainment” as the official company name, banning the word “wrestling”) – a document that was distributed internally has leaked out titled “The Language of WWE.” According to the Figure 4 Wrestling Newsletter, he document was sent to employees who do international voice-overs for WWE programming outside of the United States.
The sheet includes a list of words and phrases that have now been deemed “Incorrect Terminology” – along with what they consider the “Correct Terminology” to be used on their televised shows. From “The Language of WWE” -
“World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is a publicly traded entertainment company (NYSE: WWE) that creates and delivers a weekly action soap opera to its passionate fans.
WWE has been a recognized leader in entertainment for more than 25 years and has developed into one of the most popular and sophisticated forms of global entertainment today.
As a global entertainment brand, the language that we use when communicating on WWE is critical.
Please ensure that you are familiar and employing the below, effective immediately. “
Here are some of the terms that are banned and the alternatives that WWE wants used:
* “Wrestling” or “catch” is banned. Some European countries still use the term “catch” to describe pro wrestling and “catchers” to describe wrestlers.
* The following phrases are incorrect: “Wrestling is broadcast in 145 countries,” or “Catch is broadcast in 145 countries.” The correct terminology is: “WWE is broadcast in 145 countries.”
* Even the word “Sports” is no longer allowed. Instead, WWE is to be referred to as “Entertainment” or an “Action Soap Opera.” Seriously.
WWE gives these examples: “WWE is exciting entertainment” or “WWE is an exciting action soap opera”
* “Athletes” or “Sportsmen” are not allowed either. WWE gives the following example to use: “WWE Superstars are entertainers with tremendous athletic prowess.”
* The terms “fight” and “fighting” are not allowed. Matches must be referred to as “matches,” “bouts,” and “action.”
“The Language of WWE” concludes with the following “Key Soundbytes” to be used:
* “WWE is pure entertainment”
* “WWE is an action soap opera”
* “WWE Superstars are entertainers with tremendous athletic prowess”

By Keelan Balderson • April 14, 2011

- Here is a comprehensive list of banned terms when broadcasting WWE. This particular memo was sent to international markets where they do voice overs in their native language:

* “Wrestling” or “catch” is banned. Some European countries still use the term “catch” to describe pro wrestling and “catchers” to describe wrestlers. “The Language of WWE” states that the following phrases are incorrect: “Wrestling is broadcast in 145 countries,” or “Catch is broadcast in 145 countries.” The correct terminology is: “WWE is broadcast in 145 countries.”

* “Sports” is incorrect. “Entertainment or Action Soap Opera” is allowed. For example, “WWE is exciting entertainment” or “WWE is an exciting action soap opera” is allowed. In the last example, “action soap opera” is printed in bold, presumably to make sure there’s no confusion.

* “Catchers” or “wrestlers” are not allowed. Incorrect examples are “Catchers are unique characters” or “Wrestlers are unique characters.” The term “WWE Superstars” is allowed.

* “Athletes” or “Sportsmen” are now allowed either. WWE gives the following example to use: “WWE Superstars are entertainers with tremendous athletic prowess.”

* The term “fight” is not allowed. Matches must be referred to as “match” or “bout.”

* “Fighting” is also not allowed but the term “action” is.

FCW star Seth Rollins, formerly known as Tyler Black in Ring of Honor, posted the following on Twitter when asked about WWE's decision to remove "wrestling" from its name: "I think you have to understand the idea of it. I was skeptical at first too, but it's all a marketing scheme. When push comes to shove WWE will always be professional wrestling, but they are branching out and doing so much more nowadays that the word "wrestling" really pigeonholes the brand...so eliminating the word expands the brand and creates many new avenues to go down."

Your right, it's made up by the IWC

The idea of banning the use of the word wrestling really was an idiotic one at the beginning. Hell, even Vince himself used the term when he was talking with John Cena on Raw when Cena convinced Vince to "reinstate" CM Punk and give him his match at MITB. Vince said he didn't want to risk CM Punk showing up in "some other wrestling organization" with the WWE Championship. At the end of the day, WWE will always be a wrestling company first and foremost. That's just simply how it is.

At the same time though, internet smarks have blown this whole thing out of proportion. As usual, the smarks have taken something that has virtually no meaning beyond the superficial surface and tried to give it fare more relevance. Was the "ban" on the word wrestling foolish? Of course it was. At the same time, it was just as foolish for smarks to actually wonder, and even proclaim in some cases, that WWE was going to cut out wrestling altogether.

All this nitpicking and word play really is idiotic. Just because WWE doesn't have wrestlers shout the word wrestling 10 or 20 times thoughout Raw or SmackDown! means nothing. We know it's wrestling and we don't have to be informed by someone in a suit that it is or it isn't. Just look at what's on the screen and it's as plain as day.

Jack, I love ya man (platonically of course) but I actually welcomed the umbrage felt by WRESTLING fans. By basically saying "We're too good to refer to ourselves as a wrestling company anymore (we make films and do entertaining things as well, you know)!", no bones about it, at best they ignored the feelings of their 'Universe'. The implication of this business decision might not have been intended (see 'poorly conceived') but it actually insinuates that they're too good for their fans (I ain't seen anyone here claim to be an entertainment fan or maybe we should refer to ourselves as Universe members).

For people trying to compare KFC, this would only apply if they dropped all references to, you know, CHICKEN!

To finish I will hand over to a tirade by Derek X on March 22, 2011 who gives us quotes sent by WWe press relations to an Entertainment magazine. I have / had no issue with dropping World Wrestling entertainment in favour of WWe but within their wrestling programme, they should have been proud of the terms listed as opposed to ashamed! Thank goodness common sense appears to have prevailed... now, if they'd only start calling the referees by their names again.

After watching RAW this past Monday, WWE seems to be in the business of modifying their trademark icon – or ‘rewriting Miz-tory,’ if you will. That was only for entertainment value, though, as it’s another part of the business they’re really rewriting… the wrestling part.

Don’t call WWE a wrestling company anymore. Seriously, they take offense to it.

This news report via Wrestlechat.net, outlines what happens when TVWeek.com called WWE a wrestling company just last week:

TVWeek.com put out a headline mentioning ‘Drew Carey inducted into pro wrestling Hall of Fame’. Later, they received an email from WWE publicist, Kellie Baldyga, demanding that they change the headline, mentioning that “We are no longer a wrestling company but rather a global entertainment company with a movie studio, international licensing deals, publisher of three magazines, consumer good distributor and more.”

Baldyga added “No, we don’t do wrestling events. They’re entertainments. And we don’t call them wrestlers. They’re superstars and divas.”

She then followed up, writing “I know the perception is that we are a wrestling company but we are actually much more than that–we are a global media company which is how our Chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon, positions us.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold the freaking phone. You mean to tell me that WWE, aka World Wrestling Entertainment, is no longer a wrestling company? Well, I guess in hindsight, the wrestling has been slowly deteriorating since around 2006-07 (the years Kurt Angle left and Chris Benoit died).

I don’t know about any of you all, but I’m a wrestling fan. I am not an entertainment fan. When I shelled out 300 bucks to watch Wrestlemania 25 live in Houston, I didn’t do so for the entertainment. I did it for the wrestling. Thankfully HBK brought the wrestling (and the entertainment) that particular night, so that I went home satisfied, feeling like it was a good use of money. There’s no way I could do so with this upcoming Wrestlemania card. I wouldn’t spend $300, let alone $30, to see any entertainment event where Snooki and Micheal Cole are getting the marquee treatment.

Speaking of Wrestlemania, isn’t that WWE’s flagship show? A flagship show called Wrestlemania? Someone might be confused into thinking that might be a wrestling show. I know if I attended a show called Porn-o-Mania, I’d be pretty pissed if it ended up being a religious telethon. Are they going to change it’s name to Entertainment Mania? Or Entertainia? Of course not. The name Wrestlemania is too well known. WWE would never give up it’s popular namesake just to push it’s own agenda. However, they will certainly push their agenda under the guise of their popular namesake.

Obviously, I don’t want WWE to go full-on entertainment and give-up the wrestling portion of their programming. But at the same time, I don’t enjoy being tricked me into watching a professional wrestling show that barely has any wrestling in it. I want WWE to either do what their name claims they do or stop purporting to be something they’re not.

But the truth is – they need the wrestling. It’s the wrestling that draws in the fans. Sure, the kiddies love them some John Cena, but even they want to see Cena wrestle – or what passes as wrestling these days. All of their other ventures either heavily rely on the wrestling aspect of the programming or they fail miserably. WWE Films falls in the latter category. WWE Films’ first two feature films See No Evil and The Marine had moderate success according to Hollywood standards, but all of their efforts afterwards have been utter failures. Their licensing deals with Mattel and THQ, fall into the first category – they rely on wrestling. No one buys the Smackdown vs RAW video games to cut promos, they buy them to play wrestling. The same goes for the action figures as well. If kids wanted to play out sketch comedy, there’d be demand for Saturday Night Live action figures.

Thankfully, there are other companies that not only showcase wrestling, but they make it their prime export. Lately, I’ve been bombarded with a lot of wrestling news headlines about ROH – Ring of Honor. I’ve been seeing it everywhere. I’ve been watching a lot of their videos as well. ROH is professional wrestling. I’ve literally been in awe of the performances I’ve seen. It’s just too bad I have no readily available outlet to watch ROH regularly.

There’s also TNA, and I do have means to watch TNA. But what bothers me about TNA is that they’re trying their best to follow in WWE’s footsteps, becoming more about entertainment & storylines and less about wrestling. At least they had the good sense to name their company Total Nonstop Action… which could mean anything. Albeit, one could argue that after the Jeff Hardy debacle from last weekend their company name is in danger of being errant as well.

Like I said earlier, I am a wrestling fan – not an entertainment fan. I will continue to watch WWE for its few redeeming wrestling qualities. However, once WWE decides to go full-on entertainment and leave its wrestling history behind them is when I do the same for WWE. Vince needs to realize that we WWE fans come for the wrestling and tolerate the entertainment – not vice-versa.

 

[vthokie8]

I'm surprised this has gotten so much buzz, it's a word. We all know what WWE is and stands for, I don't see a big difference, I think everyone's just looking way too much into this.

I agree, who cares? As wrestling fans we all know what WWE stands for, if hey bring in a few more viewers because they dropped the word "wrestling" from their image so be it. HBO, KFC, MTV and other companies who have did the same sure aren't losing any business. WWE although being known for wrestling has branched out into other areas rather successfully. Vince has been trying to get investors for years to start this WWE Network we keep hearing about, and I'm sure a station that is pure wrestling 24/7 may be easy to sale to us on this forum, but many investors aren't going to throw their money into it. Plus professional wrestling has always had somehat of a stigma to it. There are still a lot of people out there that think of wrestling as a bunch of guys who abuse steroids and put on shows at high school gyms and county fairs. I think dropping "wrestling" from the title is a very smart business move.

 

[punkworshiper]

God I hope so I mean it's what they do,they shouldn't be ashamed of it they should be proud of it.