One of the more interesting behind the scenes WWE tidbits that had nothing to do with storylines or contracts was revealed by Fightful Select this weekend: WWE has a list of which male Superstars are permitted to get haircuts at WWE TV.
According to the site, which confirmed its report with internal sources, both Raw and SmackDown have lists of a dozen male performers who can get their hair cut at the broadcast locations, while others must “do their grooming before coming to TV.” One notable example of someone who may have received his haircut at the TV location is Edge, who showed off a shorter haircut last Monday and is on the approved list.
The big question (other than what the guidelines are for females Superstars) is why WWE cares who is getting their hair cut when. Mike Chiari of Bleacher Report has a great potential explanation:
Since WWE is constantly releasing action figures, video games, shirts and other merchandise bearing the likenesses of its Superstars, there has to be some level of communication between all parties.
That makes a lot of sense, especially considering how much control WWE likes to keep over things like the ring names of performers, their entrance themes, etc. Why wouldn’t it want to avoid any surprises when it came to their appearances as well?
And while there is a certain unavoidable amount of lead time when it comes to production of licensed products — video games, in particular, often have likenesses of wrestlers that are a few months out of date, or include talent that have moved on from the company — it’s completely logical for WWE to have them as aligned as possible with the way the Superstars look right now when people tune in for Raw or SmackDown.
In other words, the approved haircut list might seem like a weird bit of micromanagement, but it’s simply “what’s best for business,” to use a phrase often heard in various connotations on WWE programming. You’ll never look at your favorite male Superstar’s fresh do quite the same way again.