When Did WWE Change From WWF?

The World Wrestling Federation changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002. The change came about as the result of a lawsuit filed by the World Wildlife Fund.

The Early Days

Before looking at when WWE changed from WWF, it is important to note that it wasn’t the only name change the company has undergone. Originally founded as Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd in 1952, the name was changed to World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) in 1963. Twenty years later, in 1983, the company was renamed World Wrestling Federation (WWF). After a legal battle with the World Wildlife Fund, the company finally changed its name to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in May 2002. So, when did WWE change from WWF?

The Birth of the WWF

In 1980, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) was renamed the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). The new promotion began to actively expand outside of its Northeastern United States Territory when it promotional rights to other wrestling territories such as Georgia Championship Wrestling and Big Time Wrestling. The WWF also began running regular shows in Toronto.

The Expansion of the WWF

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded in 1961. The organization began as a small group of passionate conservationists who were concerned about the declining populations of certain wildlife species. Over the years, the WWF has grown into one of the largest and most respected conservation organizations in the world.

In 1979, the WWF expanded its scope to include protecting all life on Earth, not just wildlife. To reflect this expanded mission, the organization changed its name to the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Today, the WWF works to protect endangered species, promote sustainable development, and combat climate change. The WWF is headquartered in Switzerland and has offices in more than 100 countries around the world.

The New Generation

The World Wrestling Federation changed their name to World Wrestling Entertainment in May of 2002. The company made this change in an effort to distance themselves from the environmental organization the World Wildlife Fund. The World Wildlife Fund had been using the name “WWF” since 1986 and had been in a legal battle with the wrestling company over the rights to the name.

The Attitude Era

In the late 1990s, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) began a period of unprecedented success, marked by the rise of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and the New Generation of wrestlers. This so-called Attitude Era is often considered the most successful and popular period in WWE’s history. But when did it actually begin?

There is no definitive answer, but most fans and historians point to 1997 as the start of the Attitude Era. That was the year that Austin won his first WWE Championship, beginning his rise to superstardom. It was also the year that D-Generation X formed, ushering in a new era of edgy, irreverent programming. The following year, 1998, saw even more changes and innovation, with the introduction of hardcore wrestling and the launch of WrestleMania XIV.

The Attitude Era officially ended in 2002, when WWE owner Vince McMahon bought out his main competitors, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). This effectively ended the Monday Night Wars between WWE and WCW, marking a new era for WWE. While some fans miss the Attitude Era, there is no denying that it was a groundbreaking time for professional wrestling.

The Ruthless Aggression Era

In May 2002, after months of rumors that the World Wrestling Federation would be renamed following the resolution of its legal battle with the World Wildlife Fund, the promotion was officially renamed WWE. The new logo for WWE’s flagship show Raw, used from May 6, 2002 until September 16, 2002. This was also used as the opening logo for SD! from August 26, 2002 to October 3, 2002.

The Modern Era

The Modern Era of the WWE began on May 6, 2002 when Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation purchased its chief competitor, World Championship Wrestling, from AOL Time Warner. The purchase resulted in the creation of the McMahon-owned company, WWE.

The PG Era

The PG era is the current television programming rating system used by the American broadcast networks and most cable networks. Programming with a TV-PG rating is suitable for general audiences, but it may contain moderate violence, infrequent use of strong language and suggestiveness. The PG era began on January 1, 1984, when the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) changed its programming content to be more suitable for a family audience after the success of its syndicated Saturday morning shows.

The New Day

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., d/b/a WWE, is an American integrated media and entertainment company that is primarily known for professional wrestling. WWE has also branched out into other fields, including movies, real estate, and various other business ventures.

The company’s origins can be traced back to the 1950s when Brockton, Massachusetts-based florist Vincent J. McMahon founded Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. (CWC), which oversaw the promotion of professional wrestling matches in the Northeastern United States. McMahon, who was a successful boxing promoter prior to founding CWC, gained a controlling interest in the company in 1962. In 1963, McMahon and his business partner Ray Fabiani purchased the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) from its previous owner, Gorilla Monsoon. The WWWF was renamed World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1979 after McMahon gained control of the organization from his estranged wife and son.