6 Words That Are Banned in WWE

The WWE is the biggest, most successful brand in all of professional wrestling. With hundreds of employees, and countless pieces of merchandise sold, it's evident that the McMahon run promotion has grown, from one of several small promotions in the U.S, to be the biggest show in the country, then the continent, and now the world.

Part of what makes the WWE to media juggernaut it is today is knowing what to say and what not to say.

For example, look at Jim Ross. Arguably the greatest commentator in history, JR's voice, and word-choice have added to so many classic moments, such as "as God as my witness, he is broken in half", to "the boyhood dream has come true, for Shawn Michaels, to simple repetition like "AUSTIN! AUSTIN! AUSTIN!"

But it's just as important knowing what not to say on WWE TV, and here are 6 words that are banned in WWE.

#6 Performance

Pro-Wrestling is a complicated art-form, as whilst many know the truth about the industry, the show aims to promote itself as a genuine battle between people who cannot stand each other.

This is why the word performance (and when describing a superstar, the word performer) are banned from being uttered on TV. The word connotes that the show is scripted and that the men and women on the show are just performing.

Now whilst this may be true, for those audience members who are able to suspend their disbelief, it can be a real disheartening thing to hear.

#5 Belt

Acaption — AJ Styles with the WWE Championship, not the WWE Title or WWE Belt.

With the recent announcement of the WWE NXT UK division, the WWE is soon to gain a lot more championship belts.

Also, WWE is rumoured to be debuting WWE Women's Tag Team Championships, with the inaugural champions rumoured to be determined at Evolution.

But on screen, they are always championships, never belts.

According to a list of banned words, the belt is meant to represent something greater.

"We don’t have belts or straps. We have championships, titles. The belt represents something. Talk about what it represents (hard work, dedication) or it means (accomplishments of goals, bullseye for others)."

Mick Foley has revealed the word title has also been outlawed, as he once saw Braun Strowman ask for a "title shot" which drew the ire of Vince McMahon.

#4 Passive phrases

John Cena and CM Punk are staring each other down, instead of just looking at each other.

The WWE is a competitive industry, where every day, wrestlers vie for an opportunity to be a champion, and possibly one day, main event WrestleMania.

That is why WWE commentators are instructed to avoid passive phrases, and instead, use active words that give a sense of emotion and drive to a storyline.

For example, instead of a wrestler being upset after losing, they are furious! Similarly, a wrestler may demand a championship match instead of merely asking for one.

It may not seem much, but these little word choices can make a huge difference for fans listening at home.

#3 Hospital

James Ellsworth is taken to a local medical

You may have noticed that when a superstar is brutally assaulted, either in front of fans or backstage, they'll be whisked away in an Ambulance.

A few minutes later, the commentary team will say how the superstar has been taken to a "local medical centre/facility."

According to old interviews, this was because back in the day, fans would try and find the hospital where the superstar had been taken, regardless of whether the injury was real or as a part of a story.

Using 'medical centre' implies a specific building inaccessible to fans, where superstars will be given the best treatment, and peace to recover.

#2 Heel/Face

Hulk Hogan forming the nWo in 1996 is one of the most iconic 'heel turns of all time.

Similar to not using the word performance, the use of insider terms is banned, in an effort to hide the fact that the show is a production with fictional characters.

In case you didn't know, a heel is the insider term for a bad guy, who uses villainous tactics to win.

Similarly, a face, also known as a babyface is a term for a good guy, who honours the rules and is cheered by the fans.

Instead, characters are described via adjectives, such as "the cowardly Miz" or "the beloved Daniel Bryan."

#1 Wrestler

An annual 'superstar' shake-up allows for rosters to change.

It seems backwards, that the biggest professional wrestling in the world, would ban the use of the word wrestler.

However, it makes sense when you think of the WWE as the marketing powerhouse that it is.

When you hear that someone is a wrestler, they could be in any company. Are they an Impact wrestler? A wrestler for Ring of Honor? Or New Japan? Or perhaps they're a wrestler for Lucha Underground?

But when you hear of a superstar, you know instantly what company they work for.

The same principle used to be given to the Divas division, as the name was synonymous with the WWE, until the term was retired in 2016.

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