WWE Magazine

WWE Magazine

Frequency	Monthly
First issue	1984
Company	WWE
Country	United States
Language	English
Website	[1]
ISSN	1540-2827

WWE Magazine is the official professional wrestling magazine of WWE. This incarnation of the magazine contains lifestyle sections, a monthly calendar, entertainment, work out tips, and other information.

History

WWE Magazine has gone through many incarnations throughout the years. It was originally known as WWF Victory Magazine from its debut issue through the third issue of publication.

Starting with the third issue (April/May 1984) it became known as World Wrestling Federation Magazine (or WWF Magazine for short), with newly crowned WWF Champion Hulk Hogan on the cover. WWF Magazine would continue to be bi-monthly until June 1987, in which it would become a monthly operation and a staple of the WWF for the next decade. For several years, WWF Magazine operated as a kayfabe magazine; stories included biographies of wrestlers and feuds, as well as previews of upcoming events, editorials, and other features targeted at younger audiences; excerpts from letters to the editor, mainly from fans commenting on the wrestlers and angles, were also published.

In April 1996, the WWF decided to create a second magazine called Raw Magazine, which became a focus on behind the scenes activity, focusing on wrestlers real life profiles. It debuted with the May/June 1996 issue, and was bi-monthly until the January 1998 issue.

In May 2002, the World Wrestling Federation became known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and therefore the magazine was changed accordingly to WWE Magazine starting with the June 2002 issue.

Shortly before that, the WWF/E had split up into two brands, Raw and SmackDown!. WWE Magazine and Raw Magazine were unaffected, however, until the January 2004 issues, in which WWE decided to have separate magazines for their respective brands. Raw Magazine retained its name but followed the style of WWE Magazine however, it focused solely on the Raw brand. WWE Magazine became SmackDown! Magazine, and would focus solely on the SmackDown! brand. That lasted until the summer of 2006, in which Raw Magazine and SmackDown Magazine would be discontinued and a new WWE Magazine would debut with the August 2006 issue (Dave Batista cover).

The new WWE Magazine was designed to move away from being solely a wrestling magazine. Instead the majority of the magazine contains lifestyle tips, product reviews and photos of WWE's superstars and divas outside the ring. The new style is similar to current men's magazines, such as Maxim and Stuff.

In the May 2012 issue, a new "Jerk of the Month" belt debuted with Daniel Bryan wearing the belt in the issue. It replaced the police mugshots which had been featured since the May 2008 issue. It was later replaced with a trophy.

Breaking Kayfabe

On very rare occasions, kayfabe would be broken; such instances would be if a wrestler had died or if the topic had such far-reaching interest to WWF fans that it could not be ignored. Notable examples of the magazine breaking kayfabe were the 1990 parasailing accident that injured Brutus "the Barber" Beefcake (at the time, one of the WWF's biggest stars), and the 1992 divorce of Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth.

In the September 1993 issue, the magazine was to introduce a semi-regular feature titled "Now It's Our Turn", which was to present the WWF's official (non-kayfabe) explanations/defenses against accusations from former wrestlers and employees. Although one lengthy column focusing on "Superstar" Billy Graham was published, the feature did not appear again.

Contents

BRAWL

• RAW FOOTAGE: Features a memorable match from WWE Raw. (Monthly)
• FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHT: Features a memorable match from WWE Friday Night SmackDown. (Monthly)
• CLASSIC MOMENT: Features a classic match from WWE/WCW. (Monthly)
• BY THE NUMBERS: A match is spotlighted using stats and well-known insight. (Monthly)
• JERK OF THE MONTH: A heel Superstar, Diva, or tag team is profiled with an accompanying photo of the featured heel holding the "Jerk of the Month" trophy which is a bronze boot (previously, the heel wore a belt). It replaced the police mugshots beginning with the May 2012 issue. (Monthly)
• THEN & NOW: A Superstar or Diva looks back at his/her WWE career. (Monthly)
• THE SHOW MUST GO ON: A behind-the-scenes worker (i.e., technician, referee, ring announcer, seamstress, etc.) discusses life in the WWE. (Monthly)
• WWE ALTERNATE REALITIES: What would happen if two Superstars switch places? (Semi-monthly)
• YOU HAD TO BE THERE: A Superstar talks about his recent trip in comic book form. (Semi-monthly)
• BRAWL Q&A: An interview with an up-and-coming Superstar. (Monthly)
• FANTASY WARFARE: Dream matches pitting Superstars against past greats are spotlighted. (Semi-monthly)
• THE SCARS OF THE SUPERSTARS: Superstars discuss their very unique scars. (Monthly)
• CELEBRITY SUPERFAN OF THE MONTH: An actor, musician, or athlete discusses his/her love for the WWE. (Semi-monthly)
• WWE MAGAZINE'S 30TH ANNIVERSITY CELEBRATION: Revisiting past issues of WWE Magazine in honor of its 30th birthday. (Monthly)
• YOU GOT THE MIC: Letters, photos, and artwork submitted from the fans are published. (Monthly)

KNOWLEDGE

• BODY SHOP: Superstars discuss their fitness regimens. (Monthly
• TWWEET US: Superstars answer fans' questions. (Monthly)
• DIVA OF THE MONTH: A different Diva is profiled (Monthly)
• THE MONTHLY QUIZ: A quiz pertaining to a particular subject is featured. (Monthly)
• SUPERSTAR SECRET SKILL: A Superstar demonstrates his hidden talent. (Semi-monthly)

INSIDER

• INSIDER: Recapping the past events in WWE. (Monthly)
• INSIDER Q&A: An interview with a veteran Superstar. (Monthly)
• BEFORE THE BELL: See what a Superstar or Diva does before his or her match. (Monthly)