WWE Mulls Legal Action over Teen Study

STAMFORD, August 7: World Wrestling Entertainment has said
that it is contemplating legal action over a study that claims a direct link
between watching professional wrestling on TV and teen violence.

The study was conducted by researchers at Wake Forest
University in 1999 and is being published this week in the medical journal Pediatrics. It alleges that boys and girls who watch wrestling
were more prone to violence, particularly “date fighting.” “This study has
tremendous implications,” said Robert H. DuRant, Ph.D., lead author of the
study and professor of pediatrics and social science and health policy at
Brenner Children’s Hospital, part of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical
Center. “It shows that exposure to this type of violence on television during
this crucial period of time when a teen’s cognitive, social and physical
development is still being cemented can affect adolescents in a negative way.”

He continued, “The level of vulgar language, verbal abuse
and physical abuse modeled, with unrealistic outcomes, is astonishing. The
bottom line is that adolescents are affected by what they are exposed to. This
study shows that the incidence of date fighting and other violence increases
when the exposure to violence increases. Wrestling doesn’t in itself cause
violence, but when combined with overall socialization, violence on television
can affect what is perceived as socially acceptable behavior.”

WWE refutes the study’s claims, issuing a statement today
noting: "We find the study flawed and ridiculous and we are contemplating
legal action."

In a statement issued Friday, the company said, "The
researchers could not find a direct causal relationship between watching
wrestling and health risk behaviors. The study ignored other factors that might
lead to the types of behaviors discussed in the study. Its findings, therefore,
are less than conclusive. In contrast to the findings of this flawed study,
many of our fans attest that watching World Wrestling Entertainment programming
has been a positive experience for them and their children. Many teens viewing
our programs credit them with furthering their self-esteem and
confidence."