WWF vs. WWE — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on February 1, 2024
WWF (World Wrestling Federation) was a popular wrestling promotion, renamed WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) in 2002 due to a legal dispute.
Difference Between WWF and WWE
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The World Wrestling Federation (WWF) was the original name of the professional wrestling promotion founded in 1952. It gained immense popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming a cultural icon. The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), on the other hand, is the same organization rebranded in 2002 following a legal battle with the World Wildlife Fund over the WWF trademark.
WWF was known for its Golden Age and Attitude Era, introducing stars like Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. These personalities helped skyrocket professional wrestling into mainstream entertainment. WWE continues this legacy, expanding its reach globally and modernizing the brand to appeal to diverse audiences, introducing stars like John Cena and Roman Reigns.
In terms of programming, WWF was famous for shows like "WWF Raw" and "WWF SmackDown." After the rebranding, WWE continued these shows, now known as "WWE Raw" and "WWE SmackDown," evolving their content to adapt to changing audience preferences and media landscapes.
Merchandising under WWF saw a wide range of products, from action figures to video games, capturing the essence of its wrestling superstars. WWE expanded this approach, encompassing not just merchandise but also ventures into movies, reality shows, and digital platforms, thus broadening its entertainment scope beyond wrestling.
In summary, while WWF and WWE refer to the same wrestling promotion, they represent different eras in its history. WWF marks the organization's earlier years with a specific style and roster, while WWE denotes its current, more diversified and global form.
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Comparison Chart
Full Name
World Wrestling Federation
World Wrestling Entertainment
Time Period
1952-2002
2002-Present
Notable Eras
Golden Age, Attitude Era
Ruthless Aggression, PG Era, Reality Era
Key Figures
Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Stone Cold
John Cena, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar
Expansion & Merchandise
Basic merchandise, early globalization
Expanded global presence, diverse merchandise, digital media
Compare with Definitions
WWF
WWF reached its peak popularity during the Attitude Era.
“The Attitude Era of the WWF saw a surge in TV ratings thanks to its edgier content.”
WWE
WWE introduced the PG Era, focusing on family-friendly content.
“The WWE's PG Era brought a new wave of younger fans to professional wrestling.”
WWF
WWF was a major professional wrestling promotion founded in 1952.
“The WWF in the 90s was known for its intense wrestling matches and charismatic superstars.”
WWE
WWE focuses on entertainment, incorporating scripted storylines in its matches.
“The storylines in WWE matches add a dramatic flair to the wrestling entertainment.”
WWF
WWF popularized professional wrestling with its unique characters and storylines.
“WWF's Undertaker character brought a unique and theatrical element to wrestling.”
WWE
WWE is known for producing wrestling shows like Raw and SmackDown.
“WWE Raw is one of the longest-running weekly television shows in history.”
WWF
WWF was rebranded to WWE in 2002 after a legal dispute.
“The transition from WWF to WWE marked the end of an era in professional wrestling.”
WWE
WWE is the rebranded name of the former WWF, a global wrestling promotion.
“WWE has grown into a global phenomenon, with fans all around the world.”
WWF
WWF is known for iconic wrestling events like WrestleMania.
“WrestleMania III, a flagship event of the WWF, featured the famous Hogan vs. Andre the Giant match.”
WWE
WWE expanded its brand to include movies, reality TV, and online media.
“WWE Network offers a streaming service for fans to watch matches and original content.”
Common Curiosities
What does WWE stand for?
WWE stands for World Wrestling Entertainment, the current name of the organization formerly known as WWF.
Why did WWF change its name to WWE?
The name change from WWF to WWE occurred in 2002 due to a legal dispute with the World Wildlife Fund over the WWF trademark.
When was the WWF founded?
The WWF was founded in 1963, originally known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) before becoming WWF.
What type of entertainment does WWE offer?
WWE offers professional wrestling entertainment, including live events, television shows, and pay-per-view specials.
Who founded the WWF?
The WWF was founded by Vincent J. McMahon and later led by his son, Vince McMahon.
What does WWF stand for?
WWF stood for World Wrestling Federation, a previous name for a professional wrestling organization.
When did WWF become WWE?
The WWF officially became WWE in May 2002 following the resolution of the trademark dispute.
Can I find WWF merchandise today?
Original WWF-branded merchandise is considered vintage and can be found through collectors and specialty stores.
Was WWF ever involved in wildlife conservation?
No, the WWF related to wrestling was not involved in wildlife conservation; that's the World Wildlife Fund, a separate entity.
Are WWF and the World Wildlife Fund related in any way?
No, other than the trademark dispute that led to the wrestling organization changing its name, there is no relation between the two entities.
Are WWF and WWE the same organization?
Yes, they are the same organization; only the name and branding changed from WWF to WWE.
What are some flagship shows of WWE?
WWE's flagship shows include "Monday Night Raw" and "Friday Night SmackDown."
What is the significance of WrestleMania in WWE?
WrestleMania is WWE's biggest annual event, akin to the Super Bowl in professional wrestling, started during the WWF era.
How has WWE evolved since the WWF days?
Since the WWF days, WWE has expanded globally, increased its digital presence, and diversified its programming and talent roster.
Has WWE always been involved in professional wrestling?
Yes, WWE (and formerly WWF) has always been centered around professional wrestling entertainment.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
