Cleaning Up the Act

 

Cleaning Up the Act: Why Pro Wrestling Doesn’t Need Profanity or Obscenity to Get Over

Professional wrestling has always thrived on emotion, spectacle, and storytelling. At its best, it captures the imagination of fans young and old, drawing them into a world where heroes rise, villains fall, and drama unfolds in the squared circle. But somewhere along the way, a portion of the wrestling world lost sight of something important: you don’t have to be profane or obscene to get over.

The Misconception: Shock - In today’s wrestling landscape, some performers rely heavily on profanity, crude gestures, and vulgarity to get a reaction. It’s become almost trendy to push boundaries with excessive cursing or lewd behavior under the guise of being “real” or “edgy.” But that’s a shallow shortcut — and ultimately, a disservice to the craft.

Wrestlers are storytellers, athletes, and performers. Resorting to profanity to get a pop from the crowd might bring a temporary thrill, but it rarely builds the kind of lasting connection that true stars create.

Remember the Crowd: Families, Children, and Christians Are Watching!!!!

Wrestling is one of the few live sports-entertainment experiences that still draws families — parents, grandparents, and children — all sharing a common love for the action. Many of those fans come from faith-based households. Christians and others who value modesty and respect aren’t looking to be lectured or insulted when they spend their hard-earned money for a night out. They come to be entertained, not exposed to F-bombs and obscene hand gestures.

Wrestlers and promoters must never forget: there are kids in the front row. Do we really want the next generation to believe that disrespect and vulgarity are the keys to popularity? Is that the message wrestling wants to send?

Look back at the legends: Ricky Steamboat, Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes, Randy Savage, Bret Hart, The Von Erichs, and countless others. These men became icons without ever needing to curse on a microphone or flash obscene hand signs. They connected through charisma, storytelling, in-ring ability, and authenticity. Their legacies are still celebrated today — not because they were shocking, but because they were talented.

Even the “edgier” characters of the Attitude Era understood timing and purpose. When someone like Steve Austin used strong language, it was rare and impactful — and often still within limits. Today, many indie or even televised performers lean too far, forgetting that restraint is often more powerful than excess.

Wrestling promotions have a responsibility to protect the integrity of the product — and that means setting boundaries. It doesn’t mean sanitizing everything, but it does mean knowing when enough is enough. You can be gritty, intense, and even controversial without crossing the line into tastelessness.

Young wrestlers especially must remember: profanity doesn’t make you edgy. It doesn’t make you tough. And it definitely doesn’t make you a star. What gets you over is your ability to connect with the audience, tell a compelling story, and leave fans emotionally invested.

Wrestling doesn’t need to be vulgar to be entertaining. It doesn’t need profanity to be powerful. Let’s bring back the respect — for the craft, for the audience, and for the history of this business. The children in the crowd are watching. So are the parents. So are the Christians and families who believe in clean entertainment with heart.

The ring is sacred. Treat it — and those who watch from the stands — with the respect they deserve.