WWE has issued a ton of rules and mandates over the years, but some of them are now defunct. It appears that one rule about wearing white on camera is now a thing of the past, but that doesn’t change the fact that Jim Ross remembers a day when that rule was enforced.

Jim Ross has seen a lot in the pro wrestling industry. He wore many hats in WWE aside from the cowboy hat that he rocked on commentary. He was also head of talent relations for a time, so he knows the rules very well.

During Grilling JR, the WWE Hall of Fame announcer revealed that WWE used to have a rule against wearing white on camera. He said that the commentary team especially wasn’t supposed to wear white, because it “does something with the cameras.” In 2023, that isn’t as much of an issue with modern technology.

“You’re not supposed to wear white on camera. Back in the day it was an issue because it did something with the cameras. With all the digit stuff these days, it doesn’t seem like an issue.”

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Someone wearing white can cause havoc for lighting, especially when spotlights are in play. White is reflective, so some older cameras would have shot Superstars all washed out as a white blob in certain instances. This is likely why Vince McMahon had that rule in place. Now, CM Punk is free to wear a plain white t-shirt on WWE television, like during his Survivor Series return.

CM Punk may have been signifying that he is starting WWE with a clean slate this time around. The white could be explained in this way, but it still went against a longtime rule that WWE had in place. Apparently, with HD cameras that’s not an issue anymore.

WWE has a lot of rules, unwritten or formally noted, about what you can and can’t do on camera. Thankfully, HD cameras have evidently inadvertently given talent a lot more freedom with what they’re allowed to wear on camera.

What’s your take on WWE changing up this rule about wearing all white on television? Does the rule make sense to you? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

Transcription by Ringside News

Felix Upton

Felix Upton is a seasoned writer with over 30 years of experience. He began his career writing advertisements for local newspapers in New York before transitioning to publishing news for Ringside News. His expertise includes writing, editing, research, photo editing, and video editing. In his free time, he enjoys bungee jumping and learning extinct languages.

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