WWE To Now Exclusively Call Their Talent "Entertainers"

[muzz 0]

From PWInsider, via Lords of Pain:

 

WWE announcers were informed to refer to talent as "entertainers" instead of wrestlers or Superstars. The change was made to re-establish WWE as an entertainment-touring event instead of a sporting event. By doing so would take the power away from the Athletic Commissions in certain states and keep the company from having to pay taxes on their events.

 

 

 

Boy, that sure looks familiar to the original post.

 

You're the last person who should point that out.

[alfdogg 0]

Just a fair warning, if you guys continue to have a different opinion than bob, I'll be forced to close this thread.

[MillenniumMan831 0]

I can just imagine two people from whatever state athletic commission sitting on the couch, eating popcorn, watching Raw when one turns to the other and asks, "Think it's real?"

[King Cucaracha 0]

"John Cena might be one of the greatest...entertainers of all-time, but when I step into that ring with him, I'm going to out-...uh...I'm going to kick his BUTT. No one can wr...uh...no one can...shit...uh...do what I do, as well as I can. I entertain very well...fuck it. This is ridiculous. I'll just wrestle in Japan."

 

I'm pretty sure they'll still use the word 'wrestle', or variations there-of, as and when, don't panic. It's supposedly against the rules to use the word 'fan' anymore and Grisham used it about 6 times in one match on ECW last week that I noticed. I'm pretty sure he still has a job, right?

 

When they change it to "World Entertainment Entertainment", we can all take the suicide pills. Until then, just keep telling yourself it's going to be okay.

[garfieldsnose 0]

Eh, I'll wait to take the pills until TNA becomes TNE.

[alfdogg 0]

Yeah, all joking aside, this is going to have little or no impact on the main percentage of the WWE's fanbase, meaning those who don't follow wrestling over the internet.

[bob_barron 0]

Yeah, all joking aside, this is going to have little or no impact on the main percentage of the WWE's fanbase, meaning those who don't follow wrestling over the internet.

 

That's why I think it's funny to hear people talk about how they don't want to watch WWE because of this.

[Tawren 0]

Watching wrestling should be renamed to The World Wrestling Entertainment Entertainers present: An Entertainment Internment Camp, based off of some of the responses in this thread

[Celtic Guardian 0]

"John Cena might be one of the greatest...entertainers of all-time, but when I step into that ring with him, I'm going to out-...uh...I'm going to kick his BUTT. No one can wr...uh...no one can...shit...uh...do what I do, as well as I can. I entertain very well...fuck it. This is ridiculous. I'll just wrestle in Japan."

 

I'm pretty sure they'll still use the word 'wrestle', or variations there-of, as and when, don't panic. It's supposedly against the rules to use the word 'fan' anymore and Grisham used it about 6 times in one match on ECW last week that I noticed. I'm pretty sure he still has a job, right?

 

When they change it to "World Entertainment Entertainment", we can all take the suicide pills. Until then, just keep telling yourself it's going to be okay.

 

More like World Entertaining Entertainment to keep the tenses consistent.

 

I'll just stick to World Wrestling Entertainment. It's simpler.

[King Cucaracha 0]

bob's right. It's just a loophole.

 

Sure it's kinda dumb, but that's all it is.

[RepoMan 0]

I thought WWE solved the athletic commession and tax probleme years ago when they started running WWF presented by Titan Entertainment.

[Enigma 0]

They've never been known as "Titan Entertainment". I think in 1999 when they went public, they went from "Titan Sports" to "World Wrestling Federation Entertainment". Their corporate website was www.wwfe.com

 

Anyways, I remember the Maryland State Athletic Commission fined the WWE $2,500 for having a male vs. female match (Vince vs. Stephanie at No Mercy '03 in Baltimore).

[Scroby 0]

I thought WWE solved the athletic commession and tax probleme years ago when they started running WWF presented by Titan Entertainment.

Athletic Commissions are assholes and will find the smallest little detail to give a company a fine or stop the event happening all together. The Athletic Commission in WA is a giant pain in the ass.

[Dandy 0]

King Cuch, my imaginary quote from an entertainer up there was tongue in cheek. I doubt they will take all forms of the word wrestler away. However, my point still stands that this is retarded.

[Noah Fentz 0]

This move is not new for the WWE. Back in the 80's they did precisely the same thing, which brought us "Sports Entertainment" in the first place and made them tax-exempt from State Athletic Commissions (SACs).

 

I suspect that SACs have legislated over the years to continually include the WWE back into their jurisdiction, and Vince is, once again, trying to get out. SACs do more than tax, too. They can and will set Rules & Regulations on any event referred to as Professional Wrestling.

 

For example, here's Nebraska's SAC Rules & Regulations regarding Professional Wrestling:

 

CHAPTER 9

009 PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING RULES

 

009.01 All bouts, unless expressly approved by the commissioner, will be limited to one fall or a specific time limit. If, at the end of the time limit of a single fall bout, and neither contestant has been awarded a fall, the bout will be declared a draw.

 

009.02 Bouts preliminary to the main event may be governed by a specific time limit as declared by the matchmaker, or to a maximum of three falls.

 

009.03 Both shoulders touching the mat at the same time and held for a count of three (three seconds) will constitute a fall.

 

009.04 If a contestant crawls through the ropes or leaves the ring and refuses to return, at the count of ten by the referee, the contestant will be disqualified.

 

009.05 If a contestant does not break a hold and take two steps backward before continuing when ordered to do so by the referee, the referee will then count to four. If the hold is not broken, he will then award the fall or bout to the offending contestants opponent.

 

009.06 Striking, pushing or in any way abusing the referee will not be allowed. After being warned by the referee, the offender will forfeit the fall or bout to his

opponent.

 

009.07 All bouts that consist of contestants using foreign objects which could cause serious injury, or any other items thrown into the ring, either by contestants, or anyone associated with the promotion, must be specifically approved by the commissioner. Including but not limited to chairs, tables, clubs, ladders, trash cans, ball

bats, etc.

 

009.08 Wrestling in the audience or outside of the immediate ring area is strictly prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the commissioner. Wrestling outside of the main arena in any portion of the facility not accessible to the general public is prohibited unless prior approval is obtained from the commissioner. The highest level of safety must be maintained for the contestants and spectators at all times during the show.

 

009.09 All contestants must be on the premises where the bouts are being conducted at least one hour before the scheduled start of the show. A contestant who

falls victim to an unforeseen emergency situation, must call the promoter and advise him of the problem and the anticipated arrival time at the arena.

 

009.10 The ring shall be not less than 17 feet square within the ropes. The ring floor shall extend beyond the ropes not less than 18 inches. The ring floor shall be

padded in a manner as approved by the commission. Padding must extend beyond the ring ropes and over the edge of the platform. The ring platform shall not be more than four feet above the floor of the building, and shall be provided with suitable steps for use of the contestants. Ring post shall be of metal material, not more than 4 inches in diameter, extending from the floor of the building to a minimum height of 58 inches above the ring floor. Ring ropes shall be three in number, not less than one inch in diameter, the lower rope 18 inches above the ring floor, the second rope 36 inches above the ring floor, the third rope 54 inches above the ring floor. The ropes and corners shall be padded with material approved by the commission for maximum safety for the contestants. Any exceptions to the ring specifications must be approved in writing from the commission office.

 

009.11 A minimum of one commission approved physician shall be present at all times during the scheduled matches, and shall not leave until the last match is

concluded. The physician shall be prepared to assist if any serious emergency shall arise, and shall render temporary or emergency treatments for cuts and minor injuries sustained by the contestants. An ambulance with emergency medical personnel and necessary equipment must be continuously on site during the matches in addition to the physician.

 

009.12 Disciplinary action for infractions of any rules and regulations by any licensee shall mean suspension or revocation of the license of the offender, forfeiture of the offenders purse, fine, or any combination thereof.

 

009.13 Any exceptions or changes to these rules must be specifically approved, in writing, by the Athletic Commissioner.

 

Source

[Black Lushus 0]

Why are YOU mentioning NEBRASKA'S rules specifically?

 

 

 

[Jingus 0]

I get the joke you're making, but he couldn't have run his promotion as he described it with countless hardcore matches under these rules. Probably just picked it out because it was one of the strictest ones out there.

 

Lots of people don't know about all the crazy rules that some athletic commissions still have. Hell, I think the piledriver is still banned in Louisiana. Seriously, literally banned, the promotion gets fined if anyone uses that move. For a while Pennsylvania had a rule that if anyone in a match got busted open, they automatically stopped the match, period, instantly, no debate possible. Georgia tried last year to institute a laundry list of absolutely fucking ridiculous rules even more excessive than the ones mentioned here, right down to a uniform dress code for the workers, which was narrowly avoided. Don't kid yourself, athletic commissions are still a major thorn in the side of wrestling companies everywhere. The WWE doesn't care since the fines are just a drop in the bucket for them, but independent companies can easily be put right out of business by some of these restrictions.

[Enigma 0]

Why is Noah Fentz posting here? I thought he said he was leaving forever?

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

The government shouldn't regulate wrestling. Last time I heard it was fake.

[JPopStarKami 0]

Yeah, why can't they just ignore them? It's not an actual sport. A simple court case would decide that. But then again, Vince's legal team sucks. They couldn't keep the F in their initials, which would have been avoided easily if they'd just cooperated.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

Somehow I think this will back fire. Surely entertainers have to follow different ruled in different states. The government may make special rulers for entertainers who perform in a wrestling capacity.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I'm starting to think this speech is having more and more meaning.

 

[Scroby 0]

I know about a few rules WA had...

 

1. Wrestlers can't cut themselves.

 

We actually had to make sure no one mentioned that people were going to bleed during the show when the woman from the commission was around.

 

2. The show can't start without an ambulance and EMTs present.

 

We actually had to postponed the show for about 30 minutes because the EMTs were late.

 

3. If their is a cage match, the person from the commission must check out the cage before the match can take place.

 

At one of the shows I was at, the woman from the commission actually went around the cage inside and out, and ran her hand against it to make sure it wasn't sharp enough to cut people. It was really weird seeing it.

 

Oregon is also pretty strict. Luckily California state athletic commission doesn't go after any professional wrestling at all, so promotions down here can get away with just about anything.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Yeah, did they even think this through?

 

What about Edge's nickname?

 

Rated-R Entertainer?

 

The Edgertainer.

[jester 0]

I can understate why Vince wants to get away from the Athletic Commissions, but is this really going to help? I can't see the same assholes banning the piledriver and insisting that a match stop because someone gets cut open backing off just because they're called "Entertainers" now.

 

I think this is going to perceived, as someone mentioned, as the WWE being ashamed of being a wrestling company. No, it won't put them out of business but I watch wrestling because it's a form of entertainment with specific features, one the other forms of entertainment don't have. It's a story told through a fake sporting event. When you continually erode those features, I find it less engaging.

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

The government shouldn't regulate wrestling.

Because wrestling has done a great job of regulating itself?

 

Wrestling = WWE as far as the public at large, and government, is concerned, and WWE have, for the most part, done such a terrible job of regulating themselves in the eyes of those in power that they've felt the need to step in and 'clean things up'. Yes, it sucks for the small time Indy groups, but how about blaming WWE for this one? Maybe if they weren't busy trying to cover their own asses and trying to find ways to allow their wrest...entertainers to find dubious ways to legally use illegal drugs, commissions and the like would leave wrestling alone.

 

I watch wrestling because it's a form of entertainment with specific features, one the other forms of entertainment don't have. It's a story told through a fake sporting event. When you continually erode those features, I find it less engaging.

 

Exactly. Wrestling is unique, and trying to make it more like other forms of entertainment just makes it seem like low-rent copy of those forms of entertainment. Wrestling should be it's own creature.

 

[The Truthiness 0]

They simply don't want to be called a sport, because they don't want to deal with the athletic commissions, and pay the taxes like a sporting event has to. It makes sense, because they are NOT a sport. They know they'll always be recognized as a fake fighting company, they're just taking the steps to get treated as such.

[Noah Fentz 0]

Well, that's just it. Whether it be a sport, or not, the SACs have continually changed their policy to extend their jurisdiction over the WWE. SACs used to govern athletic competitions, but now encompass athletic exhibitions, as well. Placing the WWE under their jurisdiction, after the WWE wiggled out of it the first time around by breaking kayfabe and becoming Sports Entertainment.

[Kinetic 0]

Why would "entertainer" make WWE exempt from oversight by state athletic commissions when "superstar" would not? What about "superstar" suggests athletics? I can understand not saying "wrestler" or "wrestling," but phasing out "superstar" in favor of "entertainer" is a little puzzling.

[Scroby 0]

Why would "entertainer" make WWE exempt from oversight by state athletic commissions when "superstar" would not? What about "superstar" suggests athletics? I can understand not saying "wrestler" or "wrestling," but phasing out "superstar" in favor of "entertainer" is a little puzzling.

I think this is might be a good example of their thinking.

 

 

A lot of Strippers call themselves Dancers so their not recognized as someone taking their clothes off for money while dancing.

 

Hookers like to call themselves escorts so their legally paid to accompany someone instead of being paid illegally for sex.