5 big reasons why Vince McMahon doesn't allow WWE superstars to go off-script

On the RAW Reunion episode, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin had a very rare moment in WWE today as he went off-script, particularly during the end. We've seen the legends go off-script and if you were to ask Steve Austin how he feels about being handed a script, he's more than likely to tell you that he would throw it away.

Multiple superstars of the past have stated that they simply don't work well reciting words verbatim from the script and improvisation and bullet points have often played a much bigger role in terms of helping them cut better promos. And it's reflected in the fact that the older generation had much better promos than they do today.

There is a lot of criticism about WWE wanting to have control and constantly tell superstars to follow the script. However, there are a few reasons, some of which are genuinely valid. Not that we necessarily agree with some, but here are a few reasons why Vince McMahon never lates current WWE superstars go off-script.

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#5. Publicly traded company

The Boss & The Monster Among Men at New York Stock Exchange

Between 1999 to 2002, WWE began making their efforts to become a publicly traded company. They succeeded in doing so and have been since, with their stock taking all sorts of twists and turns.

With that being said, being a publicly traded company has made a big difference for WWE and they constantly have to appease investors. As a result of this, they need to keep their programming in a certain style and manner and they probably as though having a fully on-script program works well because it is similar to other TV shows and that probably pleases investors. Pro wrestling, however, is all about improvisation.

#4. PG rating and targetted audience

The target audience

WWE, since 2008, decided to change their rating to PG. There was an instant difference in the programming and instant criticism as well, with fans feeling that WWE hampered their product and made far too many restrictions.

However, WWE turned out to be right about going PG and fans later realized that having PG-14 doesn't guarantee a good product. More than anything, the PG Era has seen WWE's sponsorship revenue shoot up and they have all sorts of tie-ups with big companies for various causes.

The fact of the matter is that the PG Era was the right direction to go with, but that may have resulted in WWE limiting their promos and the level in which they can improvise. Because they're so keen on targetting the children and family audience, they probably feel it's best to be restrictive on the promos that they cut.

#3. The superstars aren't allowed to be bigger than the brand

Steve Austin was a larger than life superstar

One of the biggest things about these megastars of the past is that they genuinely felt like larger-than-life characters. Today, no modern star feels like that and that is by design from WWE themselves.

They've had major stars of the past such as Hulk Hogan, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, The Rock, John Cena, etc. and one of the major things is that they eventually became bigger names than the company themselves. The Rock is obviously the biggest example of this, but WWE knows that if they are to allow superstars to improvise, there will be the select few who will succeed in doing so and become much bigger.

WWE wants the brand to be the draw, not the stars themselves. That's why "WrestleMania" in itself sells tickets and not any particular match or superstar.

#2. Not all superstars are cut out for off-script promos

Promos aren't the strongest in WWE these days

As mentioned, one of the weakest aspects about the WWE product today is that with a renewed focus on the in-ring style and flashiness, the art of promos seem to have gone away. Sure, the top crop of superstars generally are good promos, but if you look at the roster as a whole, not many can cut intense promos and connect with the audience via the mic.

Perhaps that is more on WWE and how they train superstars at the Performance Center, but if they do feel that superstars aren't capable of cutting promos on-the-fly and improvise like they did back in the day, then it does make sense that they would want them to follow the script verbatim.

Unfortunately, that hampers a superstars' ability to cut promos more, but ultimately, only a few can cut them at an elite level.

#1. To maintain a sense of uniformity

WWE commentators have to follow the script very strictly

If you've noticed something about WWE programming today, it's that everything must be presented with a sense of uniformity. From the presentation of WWE superstars to the commentary to the promos, the programming itself is quite formulaic and they probably use that because in their eyes, it's a tried and tested method.

This uniformity is something that Vince McMahon seemingly takes to heart and it's known especially by the commentators that he is always in their ears during live shows and is constantly giving instructions.

Since they want to apply that uniformity to the entire product as a whole, it leaves no space for cutting off-script promos and improvisation. While it is somewhat understandable from WWE's perspective, it has often led to rather monotonous programming on many weeks. Hopefully, they do give leeway of some sort to superstars to go off-script time and again.