10 Worst Ways WWE Butchers The English Language
5. "Performance" Or "Performer"
This is another one that boggles the mind, because it's commonly used by sports commentators in every sport all over the world. ''Michael Jordan gave a magnificent performance tonight.'' ''Rafael Nadal gave us a stunning performance this afternoon here at Wimbledon.''
The word by no means has a negative connotation, and in fact is widely accepted in sports in general - ''performance science'', ''performance-enhancing substance'', and so on. The problem is that the word has its root in the theatre and arts. In WWE's collective hive mind, that means something that is put on, staged, pre-planned. Which WWE is, and which Vince has openly admitted many times, usually under some kind of government or action group pressure.
Regardless, the word is banned because it takes away from suspension of disbelief and reminds people that despite the incredible athleticism, skill, and training of the people in the ring, WWE is indeed a highly choreographed (another banned word, by the way!) extension of classic stage combat, taken to its extreme.
It does occasionally slip into broadcasts, usually tied to a huge match or legitimately gruelling contest, where it makes sense given the context. However, you won't hear it on the regular.