According to Dave Meltzer on a recent edition of The Wrestling Observer Radio Program, WWE has reportedly decided to drop the ban on the word “belt.” It is unknown if the ban was lifted due to RAW & SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch referring to herself as “Becky 2 Belts”, but WWE is now using the term in advertising for products involving championship belts.
“Belt” is one of many terms that has been banned from the company for years now. A leaked document from 2008 revealed that there were nearly two dozen banned terms including belt, strap, title changing hands, the title is on the line, backstage, feud, fans, pro wrestling, pro wrestler and war.
During an episode of Talk Is Jericho earlier this year, Pro Wrestling Legend & AEW Star Chris Jericho discussed WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon banning certain terms.
Jericho said, “‘Hey Vince, I don’t know if I should lose the belt.’ [Imitating McMahon] ‘The what?’ ‘Sorry, the title.'” “You couldn’t say ‘belt’ because a belt is what you use to hold up your pants.”
Jericho added, “You couldn’t say ‘fans’ because it’s the ‘WWE Universe’.” “And never say ‘marks’ because [imitating McMahon] ‘they’re not marks – they’re our fans!'”
