WWE Raw segment reshot due to use of word ‘wrestling’

  • Ian Carey
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Previously banned terms that had been reinstated after Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over WWE creative might be prohibited once again. 

A pre-tape segment for WWE Raw on Monday had to be reshot after a performer used the word “wrestling.” Under Vince McMahon, the term had been banned from use on WWE programming in favor of “Sports Entertainment” and “Sports Entertainer.” 

It is not clear what pre-taped segment had to be reshot. 

Our own Dave Meltzer addressed the situation in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting that it is the latest evidence of Vince McMahon’s influence on the product.   

Meltzer wrote:

If you haven’t seen the fingerprints of Vince McMahon on camera, and there are little things here and there, there was a pre-tape interview on the 3/20 Raw where somebody used the term “wrestling” and they had to redo. Granted since Reigns and Rhodes used the term pro wrestlers in their promo on the same show.

In September 2021, Meltzer addressed the list of terms that were prohibited in WWE. 

“Blood, choke, belt, strap, diva, head shot, trauma, kayfabe, Mofos, house show, DQ, The Anti-Diva, spinal injuries, victim, violence, violent, wrestling, wrestlers, WWF, wifebeater, curb stomp, phrases including the word “push” and “being over,” babyface, heel, job, jobber, card, strangle, kill and murder,” were listed as prohibited terms. 

Last August, shortly after Levesque was named WWE Chief Content Officer, the terms “wrestler” and “wrestling” were said to be no longer considered “dirty words.”

Meltzer wrote: 

“It was noted it was more relaxed and calmer, that the women felt there is going to be more focus on them and that the words wrestler and wrestling were no longer dirty words talent was instructed to never use without authorization, and almost everyone considers that a good thing” 

Vince McMahon returned to WWE as the company’s Executive Chairman on January 6, 2023. His official role is to help prepare the company for a potential sale but some believe he has been influencing the creative direction as well.