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No Calling WrestleMania the “Granddaddy” and Other Weird WWE Announcing Rules Leaked

By Jim Adair

Published: Jul 8th, 2015 · 11:39 AM EDT

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We all know professional wrestling is staged, or at least what happens in the ring is staged. And barring the completely unpredictable nature of injuries, accidents, etc., the announcers have a general idea of what’s going to happen. But that doesn’t mean they don’t need guidelines. The all-time greats, like Jim Ross, were at their best when they were being themselves. But the WWE is a large, very-profitable organization that likes to make sure everything runs as smoothly as it can, so it has some rules.

Over at r/SquaredCircle, one redditor posted pictures of what he alleges is the guide for on-air talent and announcers in the WWE. The whole document is eight pages long, but here are some of the highlights:

• “Take the high road – don’t be crude, especially with the Divas.” – Should be known as the Jerry Lawler rule
• “Sit up straight … dress professionally.”
• “Please be aware of major international incidents like … the Tsunami, the Mumbai Terrorist incident, and be sensitive … don’t inadvertently insult them and others … by using a move’s name or analogy that could be hurtful.”
• “[McMahon] does not want us to use the phrase “granddaddy of them all” for Wrestlemania … he feels it makes Wrestlemania feel old.”
• “Announcers need to understand what makes a match a good match.”
• Don’t say “the referee didn’t see it” when the referee didn’t see something. “It makes the product feel cheap, like we’re in grade school,” according to Stephanie McMahon.
• “Don’t call blood.”
• “Keep comments and observations believable and plausible.”
• Words to avoid:
  • Belt
  • Strap
  • The business
  • War
  • House Show
  • Backstage
  • Pro wrestling/wrestler
  • Fans (use “you” instead)
  • Hospital (use “medical center”)
  • Sports Entertainment (just use “entertainment”)
• “Do not use pronouns.”
• Undertaker is never “Taker,” he is “The Phenom,” “The Dead Man,” etc.
• “Talk in sound bytes.”
• “DON’T SCREAM.”
• “Don’t call a move before it happens.”

2015 WWE: You can’t say “blood.” Attitude-era WWF: Big Boss Man interrupts the funeral of Big Show’s dad and drags his casket behind a car.

[h/t Deadspin]