The WWE Big Question #42 - The 'F' is out

[The Penguin]

Welcome World Wrestling Entertainment fans to yet another action-packed edition of The WWE Big Question! :cool:

I kind of missed the boat on this question, but it still should prompt a decent discussion so we're gonna go with it. ;)

As you all know in 2002, the World Wrestling Federation "got the F out" and became World Wrestling Entertainment as a result of constant pressure from that "other" WWF—The World Wildlife Fund for Nature. The court battles and pressure from the international version of the group coupled with a judicial decision in Britain basically left the McMahons with not much other choice. The WWF "scratch logo" quite literally "got the F out" out, basically making the WWE logo look like a double W. The generic ring apron now reads "(WWE logo) Entertainment."

Judgment Day 2002 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=33934) was the first event to carry this change so it has been over a year since World Wrestling Entertainment encouraged us to get "Get the F Out."

So feel free to throw out any general thoughts on the name change as we ask...

After a year (plus) How well have you adjusted to the WWF becoming the WWE?


The (Not WWF) History of The WWE Big Question
(The History has become too big. Check out Question #36 for The History of The WWE Big Question # 1-35.)
#36 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=73992) http://ursstuff.wwe.com/RF-Repository/navbar_wwf_logo.gif #41 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=78896)
#37 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=75197)
#38 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=75925)
#39 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=76873)
#40 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?threadid=78081)

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[Mattashell]

Not at all. I may type "WWE" in the talkbacks, but I'm still thinking "WWF", and when I talk about wrestling outloud, I still say "WWF". The pandas may think they've one, but the spirit of the F lives on in our hearts. I was particularly angered, because I strongly dislike the "scratch" logo, and hoped they would someday go back to the classic. Now that is impossible.

I noticed on older material in flashbacks, the logo is blurred out on the mics.

Can some one tell me when the World Wildlife Fund, and World Wrestling Federation were started? It seems so stupid to me to claim ownership of initials. I'm sure "WWF" has the potential to stand for many things.

[czyznyck99]

The World Wildlife Fund was charted on September 11, 1961. World Wrestling Entertainment (rather, Federation) was established in early 1963. The only reason the Wildlife people won was because they claimed to have copyrighted "WWF" first, and the judges believed them. Now that WWE dropped the F, the Wildlife fools are milking it dry. Their website (www.panda.org) says to call them WWF and not the World Wildlife Fund. It can't be for any other real reasons than jealousy. Ironically, what sparked the lawsuit was when the WWE started going on more global tours. True, it was the semi-annual PPVs in England that broke the last straw, but the wildlife people were preparing this case ever since the beginning of the Attitude era.

WWF to me will always be World Wrestling Federation. The WWFakes can sue me if they want to, but too bad.

Later.

[Memphis Bleek]

I haven't adjusted at all. WWE doesn't sound as good as WWF. The campaign for changing the logo was funny but that it. I don't understand why the World Wrestling Federation and the World Wildlife Fund couldn't co-exist.

A majority of people in world know the difference between the two companies. World Wrestling Entertainment is bland, and the logo is less marketable.

[Condiment King]

I hate to say this. Believe me, last year, I'd be right with you, saying that the 'WWF will always be the WWF' to me, but considering the following factors:

1.) During much of WWF's tenure, there was always well-known competition that I watched: WCW and ECW. With them gone, the WWF is the only game in town. There's really no thought to distinguishing it from anything else. (I know of NWA-TNA but I don't have much exposure to it).

2.) It was really in essence the 'WWFE' the entire time, so taking out the F to make it 'WWE', really isn't that big of a change in the acroynm..still smooth sounding.

3.) They say it so darn much. :o

So yeah, if you ask me about the WWE, I'll immediately snap to the World Wrestling Entertainment. If you ask me about WWF, I'll probably say 'What?' or if I'm really sharp that day, I'll distinguish it as the World Widelife Fund. :eek:

[Boy Wonder]

I haven't adjusted at all. WWE doesn't sound as good as WWF. The campaign for changing the logo was funny but that it. I don't understand why the World Wrestling Federation and the World Wildlife Fund couldn't co-exist.

A majority of people in world know the difference between the two companies. World Wrestling Entertainment is bland, and the logo is less marketable.

Thank you for saying that. The company sucked more and more since and probably will never recover.

[Spike Mcdougal]

Well I could go on a blind rant but I'll try to sum this up.

Just the WWF alone i've been a fan of since 89. That's 14 of 17 years saying WWF for everything. In 97 untill early 2001 I was watching both Nitro and Raw. Both shows often had great matches and endings. Then Nitro dies and then WCW/ECW Invasion thing happens which I thought was good despite some crappy gimmicks.

Then both factions are squashed at the Survivor Series and next night on Raw(Which is still one of my favorites) Ric Flair appears as the co-owner.

Then comes the draft where the entire roster would be split. One half to Raw and one half to Smackdown. This would end up becoming a bad thing Two months later It becomes the WWE.


It was really in essence the 'WWFE' the entire time, so taking out the F to make it 'WWE', really isn't that big of a change in the acroynm..still smooth sounding.

True so why didnt they just ADD the E instead of dropping the F.

With the "Brand extention" and name change it's not the same old WWF as I knew for 14 years Raw is losing it's spark, Smackdown is miraculously better and this "new age" if you will brings about endless title reigns, stupid gimmicks(The Mattitude) and in my opinion the guys on Raw getting the short end because would be matches go down the porcelain because the other half of the roster is on Smackdown(Kevin Nash or Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar?)

And what really pisses me off is that they're trying to erase the existence of the old WWF. Blurring out the old logo and i've heard about redubbing some commetaries. I wouldnt mind hearing JR on Raw talk about something and say "The old WWF." or "Former WWF."

In conclusion.

It is always WWF to me and I refuse to say otherwise.

[Mattashell]

Well I could go on a blind rant but I'll try to sum this up.

Just the WWF alone i've been I fan of sine 89. That's 14 of 17 years saying WWF for everything. In 97 untill early 2001 I was watching both Nitro and Raw. Both shows often had great matches and endings. Then Nitro dies and then WCW/ECW Invasion thing happens which I thought was good despite some crappy gimmicks.

Then both factions are squashed at the Survivor Series and next night on Raw(Which is still one of my favorites) Ric Flair appears as the co-owner.

Then comes the draft where the entire roster would be split. One half to Raw and one half to Smackdown. This would end up becoming a bad thing Two months later It becomes the WWE.



True so why didnt they just ADD the E instead of dropping the F.

With the "Brand extention" and name change it's not the same old WWF as I knew for 14 years Raw is losing it's spark, Smackdown is miraculously better and this "new age" if you will brings about endless title reigns, stupid gimmicks(The Mattitude) and in my opinion the guys on Raw getting the short end because would be matches go down the porcelain because the other half of the roster is on Smackdown(Kevin Nash or Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar?)

And what really pisses me off is that they're trying to erase the existence of the old WWF. Blurring out the old logo and i've heard abou redubbing some commetaries. I wouldnt mind hear JR on Raw talk about something and say "The old WWF." or "Former WWF."

In conclusion.

It is always WWF to me and I refuse to say otherwise.


You make some good points, but I may point out a few things. HHH's reign may seem endless, but Hogan's first title reign went from 1/23/84 to 2/5/88. (I'm getting this from a book, I wouldn't claim to be an expert, but I was a fan in those days.) And if we're to go back before my time, Bruno Sammartino reigned fro 5/17/63 to 1/18/71. :eek: And as for stupid gimmicks, Mattitude has nothing on Honkey Tonk Man, Big Boss Man, Doink the Clown, or Kamala. Not that I'd complain, I, personally, love that sort of thing. Even Undertaker's original gimmick probably wouldn't fly in today's WWE. Don't take this the wrong way though, since I'm with you on the central point of this discussion. The absence of the 'F' does suck, indeed.

[Condiment King]

True so why didnt they just ADD the E instead of dropping the F.
That would be alright, though I'd argue that WWE is a bit better sounding, and the World Wildlife Fund might complain that it is 'too close' or something. Who knows? Maybe Vince already tried that and couldn't for one reason or another.


With the "Brand extention" and name change it's not the same old WWF as I knew for 14 years Raw is losing it's spark, Smackdown is miraculously better and this "new age" if you will brings about endless title reigns, stupid gimmicks(The Mattitude) and in my opinion the guys on Raw getting the short end because would be matches go down the porcelain because the other half of the roster is on Smackdown(Kevin Nash or Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar?)
I'd argue that endless title reigns are a good thing now. For me, it makes a title change mean so much more. It wouldn't have been a big deal if on the 100th Nitro, Luger won the WCW title from Hogan and Hogan had only been the champion for a month, or if Hogan lost his belt in such a controversial fashion to Andre the Giant and it was only a week or so anyway. When Triple H loses the belt, it will mean all that much more since it was half a year to a year title reign.

Plus, from March 2002 to August 2002, there were 6 different Undisputed WWE Champions. :eek:

[Spike Mcdougal]

I'd argue that endless title reigns are a good thing now. For me, it makes a title change mean so much more. It wouldn't have been a big deal if on the 100th Nitro, Luger won the WCW title from Hogan and Hogan had only been the champion for a month, or if Hogan lost his belt in such a controversial fashion to Andre the Giant and it was only a week or so anyway. When Triple H loses the belt, it will mean all that much more since it was half a year to a year title reign.

Plus, from March 2002 to August 2002, there were 6 different Undisputed WWE Champions. :eek:

Then maybe it's because I hate Triple H

Oh and in stupid gimmicks I forgot to mention the one involving Al Wilson and the whole Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo "Gay" thing

[The Penguin]

I didn't plan to, but since I posted this question I've watched WWF Royal Rumble 2001 and WWF WrestleMania X-8 and you know what? Every time JR said "WWF" or "World Wrestling Federation" it felt weird. I never thought I would say this, but when I heard "WWF" my response was, "That doesn't sound right."

Needless to say I am adjusted to the move from WWF to WWE and I quite honestly have gotten the 'F' out. I usually just say "wrestling instead of "WWE" anyway, but I only use WWF when I am clearly referring to the past.

Looking at the WWF Scratch Logo on those tapes the "WWE version" is really a lot cleaner and it a little bit bigger on the screen, it makes it stand out more.

I admit it still sounds awkward hearing some guys (especially the legends) saying "WWE" but that's the name of the company now and left with the little choice I think they made the best letter choice to replace the F.

I guess I don't have too much else to say really. WWE, just like anything else, will sound more normal as time passes. The name recognition is still there, it's just a different name.