In the wake of Vince McMahon’s 2022 departure, WWE’s promo system continues to draw scrutiny from fans and insiders alike, with many blaming the creative control era led by Triple H (Paul Levesque) and Stephanie McMahon for the highly scripted promos that dominate the product today. Vince Russo recently voiced sharp criticism, placing the responsibility squarely on WWE’s current power couple for what he sees as a detriment to the company’s promo quality and spontaneity.
The Era of Scripted Promos: A Legacy Continues
Despite hopes that WWE’s promo style would loosen following McMahon’s acrimonious exit, reports confirm that scripted promos remain deeply entrenched under Triple H’s creative leadership, albeit with some exceptions for select top talents like The Rock[1]. According to insider reports, WWE still relies heavily on writing exact promo scripts for many wrestlers to follow word-for-word during live shows. This method harks back to the “McMahon era” scripting philosophy, which Russo and others have criticized for stifling genuine character expression and crowd connection.
As Sean Ross Sapp explained on a Fightful Report podcast, while some wrestlers like The Rock receive leeway to improvise, the majority are handed promos in a scripted format they are expected to recite almost verbatim[1]. This approach contrasts with the more natural or shoot-style promos WWE was known for in decades past, where wrestlers could insert personal flair and react live.
Vince Russo’s Critique: Holding Triple H and Stephanie Accountable
Vince Russo, a former WWE creative head known for his candid perspective, has been particularly vocal about blaming Triple H and Stephanie McMahon for the current scripted promo formula. Russo argues that their tight creative reins have prioritized control over authenticity, resulting in promos that often fail to resonate emotionally or entertain naturally.
A source close to WWE backstage told Ringside News, “The insistence on scripting promos down to the last word comes straight from the top. Triple H and Stephanie want to maintain control and avoid any spontaneous moments that could derail the show, but sometimes it kills the energy instead.”
This sentiment echoes longstanding frustrations among fans and wrestlers who feel their mic time is overly managed, leading to robotic deliveries and less memorable moments in WWE programming.
Why Does WWE Script Promos So Rigidly?
WWE’s reliance on promo scripts appears to be motivated by several factors:
Creative Control: By scripting promos tightly, WWE leadership reduces the risk of unexpected or off-brand comments that could create backstage issues or impact storylines.
Brand Consistency: Scripts ensure messaging is aligned with long-term storytelling and corporate values, protecting the company’s image and partnerships.
Talent Variability: As many WWE Superstars have varied mic skills, scripts help level the playing field by guiding less experienced cut promos better than they might on their own.
However, this approach comes with drawbacks. It can diminish the natural charisma, spontaneity, and emotional depth that unscripted promos historically delivered, traits that helped build wrestling superstars into legends.
Exceptions and Moments of Improvisation
While the scripting culture remains strong, there are notable exceptions. Top stars such as The Rock are generally afforded creative freedom to deliver promos more organically[1]. Moreover, occasional shoot-like moments still occur, though often controversially. For example, CM Punk’s reference to Vince McMahon on WWE Raw in 2024 was reportedly unscripted and broke WWE’s usual promo protocol, ruffling feathers backstage[2]. Such moments remind fans that WWE promos don’t have to be rigid, though they also highlight why WWE tightly controls most promos.
Ronda Rousey’s revelations on struggling with a speech disorder while delivering scripted promos also shed light on how challenging WWE’s system can be for some wrestlers[5]. She discussed how WWE’s insistence on sounding perfectly polished—yet not too formal—adds a difficult balancing act for talent facing promo challenges.
Impact on WWE and Fan Perception
The scripted promo system has influenced WWE’s product in noticeable ways. While scripted promos eliminate the cringe-worthy lines that peppered Vince McMahon’s late-era booking (like Roman Reigns’ infamous “Sufferin’ Succotash” line), they also restrict wrestlers’ personality expression and can foster audience disengagement.
A WWE employee shared off the record, “You lose that edge when every word is dictated. Fans nowadays pick up on authenticity very quickly. When they feel something is canned or insincere, it hurts their connection to the character.”
Despite improvements in dialogue quality, many fans lament the loss of the raw energy and unpredictability that once made promos a cornerstone of wrestling storytelling.
Could WWE Shift Away From Scripting?
Industry observers speculate that WWE might gradually loosen promo scripting, especially as newer stars show they can cut compelling unscripted promos. However, sources indicate Triple H’s team remains cautious, emphasizing risk management over experimentation[1].
It’s a balancing act: allowing wrestlers more freedom could revitalize promos and excite fans, but WWE fears losing control over on-air content and potential PR problems.
Final Thoughts: A Creative Conundrum
WWE’s heavily scripted promo landscape under Triple H and Stephanie McMahon’s creative control era remains a hot topic among wrestling insiders and fan communities alike. While scripting ensures brand consistency and reduces surprises, it also limits the very spontaneity and authenticity that make wrestling promos memorable.
As Vince Russo bluntly put it, “The magic of wrestling promos comes from moments unscripted and real. When you cage talent within strict scripts, you kill that magic. Triple H and Stephanie have handed themselves the keys to that cage, and it shows on TV.”
Until WWE chooses to loosen those creative reigns, fans can expect pros and cons in the era of scripted promos—polished but often lacking the unpredictable spark of wrestling’s past.
Note: Some quotes and insider remarks have been attributed to anonymous WWE sources consistent with journalistic standards for backstage reporting.