FSM v. WWE?

Apparently, UK based Fighting Spirit Magazine has infuriated officials at WWE by publishing a memo sent out in regards to coverage of the upcoming Smackdown! Vs Raw 2009.

In the memo, WWE states that wrestlers must be referred to as "superstars." Any screenshots of the game published cannot contain any blood, weapons, or any gratuitous violence. The most peculiar request of all involves an order that no depiction of Triple H can show him in a negative, weak, or vulnerable position. Apparently FSM directly defied this order, posting a shot of Kane standing over a beaten Triple H.

I'm eager for the magazine shots to hit the internet so I can see for myself. It really is scary sometimes how fanatical WWE is about controlling the perception of their product- going so far as to completely censor out words like "wrestling" "wrestler" and these days, even "fan." In a way I understand the idea of giving WWE an atmosphere all it's own, but at the same time, as Jim Cornet said a few years back (in so many words): Vince McMahon made wrestling a dirty word.

And Triple H in no position of weakness? In a video game? Really? I'm personally a little bummed they didn't decide to use Colin Delany; or better yet, someone from TNA with the create-a-character. I don't really hate HHH, but I think he goes through periods of being painfully mediocre. I'm one of the people who enjoyed his Evolution run despite burying everyone... I just don't think he's done anything particularly interesting since. And honestly, if people in Memphis still think Jerry Lawler is the badness man on the planet, I don't think a few pictures of a digital version of a man who has dominated the WWE title scene for a decade is going to amount to much.

Shameless taken from Lords of Pain.net.