Update On Peacock Editing & Removing Controversial WWE Network Content
Controversial moments featuring Vince McMahon and Roddy Piper have already been removed.
Peacock’s quest to work through the WWE Network’s colossal video library and edit or remove controversial old footage continues.
Per a new report from The Hollywood Reporter’s James Hibberd, Peacock officials are going through the process of eliminating anything that doesn’t align with the streaming platform’s standards and practices, with WWE being informed of any edits made along the way.
The Network began its transition to Peacock on 18 March, following January’s billion-dollar deal to bring WWE video content to the NBCUniversal-owned platform.
That Peacock officials were making these edits became apparent earlier this week, with word that Roddy Piper’s WrestleMania VI promo and match with Bad News Brown, in which ‘Rowdy’ painted one side of his face black, had been cut. In addition, Peacock has trimmed the Survivor Series 2005 segment in which Vince McMahon drops an N-bomb in front of Booker T.
With over 17,000 hours of content to work through, Peacock staff have their work cut out for them. WWE has promised that its entire library will be available on the platform by SummerSlam 2021 (August). This will likely depend on how fast the editing process goes, as shows continue to be uploaded in dribs and drabs.
WWE Network fully transitions to Peacock on 5 April, from which point existing Network customers will need to sign-up for a new account.