10 Production Secrets WWE Unreal Left Out of the Docuseries

10 Production Secrets WWE Unreal Left Out of the Docuseries

Welcome to MsMojo, and today were looking at elements of the WWE product that Unreal skipped over, probably because they didnt exactly scream good PR.

#10: Inflated Audience Numbers

It was hard to believe when WWE claimed that WrestleMania 32 drew a record-breaking 101,763 fans. Thats because there werent actually that many people in attendance. In reality, a significant portion was made up of staff, crew, and non-paying attendees that WWE conveniently lumped together. The company has a history of inflating attendance figures to amplify its success. But dont assume theyre lying; theyll gladly tell the truthin their financial reports. During an earnings conference, Vince McMahon admitted that WrestleMania 32s attendance wasn't 101,000 paid, explaining the tally included ushers and ticket takers and all of that. Independent outlets disputing WWEs figures after every WrestleMania has become its own tradition, releasing verified numbers that contradict WWEs more lofty claims.

#9: Planted Crowd Members

If you watched Unreal, you might have noticed Triple H sounding relieved when a fan caught in a brawl turned out to be a plant. This goes back to a long-standing tactic of planting people in the crowd, and having wrestlers engage with them to make the story feel real. Its easy to see why Unreal avoided this detail, since it makes some of the most compelling feuds appear extremely manufactured. While certain interactions are genuine, wilder and dramatic cases are usually an inside job. So, the next time you feel bad seeing a fan getting roughed up or humiliated, just remember if they were planted theres a good chance they went home with some money in their pocket.

#8: Blading

The most high-profile WWE feuds once ended with both competitors drenched in the wounds of war. And while thats rare today, crimson masks are still seen when rivalries turn into blood feuds. Unreal likely avoided this age-old industry practice to steer clear of the bad press that surrounds it. To WWEs credit, theyve tried working around this in several ways. One of the safer alternatives is capsules made with non-toxic powder, which simulate the impression of internal injuries when bitten. Of course, admitting that wrestlers simply chew on capsules seeps away the theatricality of it all. Other attempts like red paint have produced laughable results, so you can bet WWE likely wont ever openly address them.

#7: Production Blunders

While Unreal might make WWE appear like a well-oiled machine, there have been plenty of production mishaps over the years. You might not notice most botches thanks to creative camera angles and the magic of editing. But the biggest blunders are simply too big to hide. Beyond the tragic passing of Owen Hart, other near-disasters include Finn Bálor requiring multiple staples mid-match at WrestleMania 39, and Undertaker nearly being set ablaze due to a pyro misfire at Elimination Chamber. The chinks in the WWEs armor are more than a little significant, but the company quickly sweeps most of them under the rug, or in this case, the ring. After all, theres a pretty comfy space down there.

#6: Wrestlers Feeding Each Other Lines

Pro wrestling isnt about hurting the opponent. Its about protecting them. That includes preserving each others characters when things dont go according to plan. Although Unreal highlights WWEs streamlined process from the writers room to the producers and the ring, it glosses over moments when the system fails. One promo between Sheamus and Randy Orton made this glaringly clear. Orton, visibly forgetting his line, asks Sheamus off-mic for help, who cues him in. While its a solid display of professionalism, WWE doesnt want fans to know just how close talent can come to derailing a promo, and with it, possibly the whole show. It also gives away the secret that off-mic moments are when wrestlers coordinate promos in real-time.

#5: Fan Invasions

Unreal consistently highlights the connection between WWE superstars and the fans. But not all of it is positive, and some cross the line entirely. The show ignores rowdier examples like a fan invading the ring in Shield gear or a man charging Seth Rollins at the ramp. It isnt restricted to fans either. Former talent have launched their own interruptions, such as Enzo Amore, who was escorted out of the arena after drawing attention to himself in the crowd. WWEs go-to response has always been to steer focus away, with commentators instantly changing the topic while cameras cut elsewhere. This strategy discourages attention-seeking fans from disrupting the show, although that hasnt stopped such incidents from happening time and again.

#4: Controlling the Narrative

WWE often touts pivoting storylines due to fan reactions, but they also work the narrative to make them seem intentional. Unreal goes at length about how writers adapt, such as booking Jey Uso to win the Royal Rumble instead of CM Punk. However, it overlooks moments where WWE scrambled to cover their mistakes. R-Truths legitimate release is a recent example that shook the entire industry and forced WWE to rehire him. Triple H claimed that it was all part of the show, but contradicting reports suggest that WWE President Nick Khan personally reached out to negotiate Truths return. More than a few times, last-minute fixes have been reframed as carefully planned twists to try to make it seem like the WWE was always in control.

#3: Taped Shows

Unreal spotlights WWEs live events without looking into the not-so-distant era of taped shows. With days to decide what they wanted to broadcast, WWE occasionally filmed multiple endings for the same match. This was seen with the February 20, 2019, episode of NXT, taped three weeks earlier. Here, two results were filmed: one with Johnny Gargano retaining the North American Championship, and another with Velveteen Dream winning; the latter was ultimately aired. During the early days of the COVID era, matches and segments were shot weeks in advance, with title changes only acknowledged once they aired. This sleight-of-hand technique can feel deceptive to the audience, which is likely why WWE keeps it quiet.

#2: Wrestlers Pay Their Own Travel Expenses

Perhaps the biggest elephant in the room is how WWE classifies its talent. Officially, wrestlers arent employees; theyre independent contractors. This is why they can be fired sorry, released and future endeavored at a moments notice. The Mickie James trash bag fiasco made this fact impossible to ignore. Apart from airfare, performers are responsible for their own travel arrangements, including arranging cars and hotel stays. While elite talent can afford their own private buses, lower-card wrestlers need to hustle while on the road. Unreal may provide a peek into the companys general outline, but WWE might prefer to keep its cultural flaws carefully hidden.

#1: Piped-In Crowd Noises

Remember when John Cena accused Austin Theory of benefitting from piped-in crowd noises? That wasnt just smack talk its actually a long-suspected WWE tactic. The company has a history of confiscating fan signs that reject their chosen babyfaces. During Roman Reigns ill-fated Big Dog push, broadcasts replaced boos with cheers, creating the impression of crowd approval. Former WWE superstar Maven confirmed the practice to be 1000% true, claiming piped-in reactions can even work on live TV. The ThunderDome Era employed this technique to create a sense of immersion, although that was more out of necessity. Still, this form of manipulation isnt something WWE can spin into a positive, so its no surprise that Unreal stayed as far away from it as it could.

Can you think of any other tricks and techniques WWE has used over the years? Let us know in the comments.