WWE talent apparently can’t just wear anything they want in the ring anymore.
During a Fightful Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp was asked why there are not more restrictions on wrestling gear, especially when some outfits include chains, metal pieces, or other hard materials that seem like they could affect a match.
The fan brought up examples like Rhea Ripley’s old boots being wrapped in chains and Jade Cargill’s gear having metal chain-style pieces, questioning how that works when wrestlers are taking chops and other offense. Sapp explained that there are restrictions, and WWE has recently put rules in place where ring gear is approved before talent use it on television or in matches.
“There are. WWE has instituted some rules recently where gear is approved before it’s used. I don’t know to what extent, or if there are any talent that are necessarily exempt from it, but I do know there have always been some restrictions on gear.”
That means WWE does have a process for checking gear, even if fans may still see outfits that look like they could cause problems inside the ring. The is interesting because WWE presentation has become a bigger part of character work than ever. Stars often use their gear to stand out, tell stories, or create a signature look, but the company still has to make sure what they wear is safe enough to use during a match.
It is unclear how strict the current approval process is, or whether certain top stars get more flexibility. Still, the fact that WWE is approving gear ahead of time shows there is at least some oversight before talent walk through the curtain.
What do you think about WWE approving ring gear before it is used? Should the company be stricter with metal, chains, and other hard materials on wrestling gear? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below.