Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and all you jabronis in between, gather ’round for the latest uproar from the world of professional wrestling. This past Friday, June 28, “WWE SmackDown” was broadcast on FOX, and it was a night of more bleeps and blackouts than a sailor on shore leave.
Wrestling’s Woes with FOX: A Tale of Censorship Gone Wild
Fans were left scratching their heads and clutching their remote controls as the broadcast was constantly interrupted by muted audio and abrupt cutaways. It seemed like every other word was deemed too hot for TV. From the wrestlers’ colorful language to some enthusiastic fans in the audience, nothing was safe from FOX’s iron grip on the censor button.
Inside Sources Spill the Beans
Our trusty pals over at Fightful Select broke the news that the WWE locker room wasn’t too thrilled either. One longtime performer, clearly counting down the days until the big move to USA Network, reportedly vented, “It’s a chore to watch sometimes. I understand censoring ‘f**k the Pacers,’ but it feels like every segment is edited and it makes us look like it’s our production.” Ouch!
The Match That Sparked a Censorship Frenzy
The main event of the evening featured Logan Paul, LA Knight, and Santos Escobar battling it out for a coveted spot in the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Drama ensued when Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton jumped into the fray to help Paul secure his infamous brass knuckles. However, New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson wasn’t having any of it and leaped over the guardrail to even the odds. Amidst the chaos, the crowd erupted with a chant that would make a sailor blush: “F**k the Pacers!” Naturally, FOX’s sensors had a field day with that one.
The Great Bird Flap of 2024
And if that wasn’t enough, the broadcast momentarily cut to black during Nia Jax’s entrance. Why, you ask? To shield viewers from the sight of a rebellious youngster flipping the bird in the audience. Ah, kids these days, always finding new ways to express themselves!
The Big Move: USA Network to the Rescue
Fear not, wrestling fans! Relief is on the horizon. “SmackDown” is set to move to USA Network on September 13, just as WWE’s broadcasting deal with FOX comes to an end. Here’s hoping the new home will be a little less trigger-happy with the censorship.