10 Most INFURIATING WWE Quirks

6. Pronouns, Pal!

McMahon Photoshop
WWE.com

Bruce Prichard provides fascinating insights into the brain of Vince McMahon (in addition to countless untruths and tiresome Dave Meltzer baiting - did you know wrestling is somehow above journalism?) on his Something To Wrestle podcast. He's even spun a catchphrase from one in particular:

"Pronouns, pal!"

WWE commentators and other on-air personnel are forbidden from using pronouns - he, she, they - you know, the most natural means imaginable of referring to a subject after you have already established that subject. For those employees, this is a punishing exercise in programmed speech patterns - as if they are learning how to be robots. For the viewer, it only underscores the notion that the WWE onscreen product is deeply contrived, and serves as a punishing reminder that the man in charge of it all is a godd*mn lunatic. Whenever a wrestler (sorry, sports entertainer) holds an advantage over their opponent (sorry, builds momentum), any given commentator is required to refer to that sports entertainer by name relentlessly.

In retrospect, perhaps the on-air squabbling between Corey Graves and Booker T was a welcome distraction.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!