World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has seen a major transformation over the last two decades, and whether you love it or hate it, we’re here to talk about it. If you’ve been a long-time WWE fan, you have probably noticed how the sense of humor has changed in WWE. But why did it happen? Was there any particular reason for this?
Well, the short answer is yes – and the long answer is the mix of shifting cultural norms, the overall push towards political correctness, corporate branding, and changes in the fanbase itself.
Some of us remember how WWE humor used to be wild, edgy, and often (very) offensive. Today, you can’t do that. Today’s humor leans more towards light-hearted, safe-for-TV comedy. But does that mean it’s better or worse? That depends on whom you ask. Today, we’ll look at how humor in WWE has evolved over the last 20 years even more so than crypto-friendly casinos with no minimum deposit requirements – which also took off in the past two decades. We’ll look into what’s changed, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how fans have responded to the changes.
The Early 2000s: The ‘Old-School’ Edgy Humor
WWE was completely unhinged in the 2000s. It was characterized by the very edgy and often controversial humor. The segments often included adult themes, inappropriate jokes, and overall risque content. Many old-school fans still remember the infamous “Katie Vick” storyline in 2002 that involved the darkest humor and was widely criticized even back at the time for being in very poor taste.
Aside from the truly horrible “Katie Vick” storyline (and a few similar ones), however, many fans loved this edgy humor. But the world was shifting, and the entertainment industry was asking for more family-friendly entertainment.
Mid-2000s To Early 2010s: PG-Friendly Humor
WWE started its transition to a PG rating somewhere around 2008 in an attempt to cater to a broader and family-oriented audience. The shift led to the toning down of explicit content, which included the renaming of finishing moves to more PG-appropriate terms.
For example, John Cena’s iconic “FU” was changed to “Attitude Adjustment”. Some fans were initially complaining about these changes, but with time, they took the changes as well as the adaption of Roulette77 in Hebrew. The comedic segments during this period changed as well. They became more slapstick and less controversial and were aimed more at younger audiences.
However, some attempts at humor in this era were met with mixed reactions. One notable example is the 2007 parody match between the two impersonators of Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell, which received some negative feedback from fans who found it unfunny and out of place. Some fans loved it, though.
Mid-2010s: Embracing Sophisticated & ‘Meta’ Humor
In the 2010s, WWE started to incorporate more sophisticated and self-referential humor. It finally started following some ‘meta’ humor – and fans loved it.
This was further amplified with the formation of The New Day in 2014, which was initially introduced with a gospel-inspired gimmick but received heavy criticism for promoting stereotypes. So, the trio reinvented themselves and started using witty and fun promos, pop-culture references, and the modern comedic style that was met with praise by millennials.
During this period, WWE also experimented with some animated content through the launch of Camp WWE in 2016. It was a show that featured caricatures of WWE superstars in a summer camp setting, and the idea was to provide humor to the audience that appealed to both older fans and the younger audience. The reviews for Camp WWE were mixed, but it showed that WWE was ready to change its comedic approach.
Late 2010s & 2020s: More Serious Storytelling
In recent years, WWE has been trying to incorporate more serious storytelling and introduce a more balanced, more politically-correct humor. It introduced the 24/7 Championship in 2019, which was well-received by fans and included many funny moments, particularly involving R-Truth. However, some comedic attempts still fell flat. For example, the “Bayley, This Is Your Life” segment in 2017 was intended to be a comedic masterpiece, but it was heavily criticized for being awkward and cringy.
Industry veterans had their say in WWE’s shift towards more ‘meta’ humor. Former WWE commentator Jim Ross commented on WWE’s shift towards a more serious presentation with less tacky humor, and he said that he believes this approach was well-accepted by audiences.
How Have Fans Received WWE’s Humor Shift In The Last 20 Years?
WWE’s humor has changed dramatically over the past two decades, but the audience has changed with it. Some old-school fans claim that today’s humor ‘is nothing like the old days,’ but many appreciate the lighthearted moments that provide comedy for the entire family.
Some fans, however, have been worried that the excessive and poorly executed humor detracts from the wrestling product, with many agreeing that too much comedy can deter fans who look for more in-ring action.
