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Mailbag question

Hi Scott,

Quick question: do you have any insight as to why WWE always refers to a "local medical facility" rather than a hospital? It's a minor thing but always slightly jarring. Thanks!

The explanation(s) I've always heard is that:

1) They don't want people in the local area who are watching the show to be showing up at the local hospital looking for the wrestler
, so they use the more generic "medical facility" because then it could be a whole bunch of places.

b) Alternately, there's apparently some legal mumbo-jumbo involved with claiming that someone is in a real hospital with regards to liability or something, but I've never really understood that one.  I think the first one is more feasible and easier to explain anyway.   

Comments

  1. as to 1, I doubt they care so much - but the hospitals damn sure would, and it wouldn't take long for them to put a stop to it.

    I'm not a lawyer, but 2 sounds pretty reasonable.

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  2. "Because it's not a hospital, damnit! It's a local medical facility.

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  3. It's not 2, it's b. No wonder you're not a lawyer.

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  4. Because they call them local medical facilities in Parts Unknown, you bigot.

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  5. How can Parts Unknown have local anything?

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  6. Funny, in all the years I've watched, I never noticed them using that term.

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  7. Where to, Stephanie??!

    ....Local medical facility, please.

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  8. I remember it being explained years ago and the explanation was that it's less violent to say local medical facility.

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  9. True. they could have popped into a local eye doctor or a walk-in clinic for a quick cortizone shot.

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  10. Who needs to go to a medical facility when there are all those ice packs laying around?

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  11. Coulda sworn they said Sheamus went to a hospital on Monday (if not then, another time recently). I only noticed it because I'm so used to hearing medical facilia.

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  12. I just know that it's not quite one of those Wacky WWE Terminology things. They used the same term at the November '92 Clash in regard to the Sting injury/ambulance angle.

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  13. In a somewhat related question: where does the ambulance go? Do they just turn the corner and park or really sell it by driving across town with the siren blaring?

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  14. When the horsemen broke Dusty's leg they actually used a legit doctor on camera for Dusty's rehab. That's how you sell it brother

    http://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-joseph-estwanik-yx8dc

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  15. Running with the lights and siren is illegal when not transporting
    people for emergency reasons. OTOH ambulance drivers will use lights
    and siren when picking up dinner.

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  16. The medical facility thing drives me crazy

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  17. 'While we're here Dusty, I meant to give you this pamphlet on healthy eating and - '

    'Who wanth peetha, daddy?'

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  18. There are no doctors at the local medical facility. They are medical entertainers.

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  19. Dr. Zoidberg: A Medical Corporation

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  20. LOL, "less violent." Dear lord.

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  21. Is that still true in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico?

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  22. The talent are uninsured, so it's cheaper for them to see a vet.

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  23. "Not a doctor--"
    "Shh!"

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  24. Always wondered that one myself.


    I partially thought since these guys pay their own insurance that they insisted on going to urgent care.

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  25. The ACA really helps these guys. The exchanges mean they get to buy based on their age rather than their occupation. Yay rating!

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  26. What's the worst ppv ever to take place at MSG? I say the 2002 Survivor Series.

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  27. Survivor Series 2011 and WM1.

    Series 02 had at least Elim Chamber which was better than anything on those other cards

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  28. "2002 Survivor Series"


    YOU SHUT YOUR FILTHY WHORE MOUTH

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  29. As far as I know, #2 is the truth, but #1 is easier to understand.

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  30. The first Wrestlemania.

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  31. Oh yeah, that too. Wrestling is weird.

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  32. I just re-watched the footage from Jerry Lawler's heart attack, and Michael Cole did say that Jerry Lawler was taken to a local hospital. So they will say it if it actually happens.

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  33. Maybe that's where they sent Batista all the time.


    See, because he's The Animal? Eh? Ehhhh? *taps the mic* Hello? Hello, is this thing on?

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  34. Survivor Series 2002 is pretty solid. The first Elimination Chamber with poopy pants HBK. A fun table tag. Good smackdown tag match. Plus Brock picking up Big Show for the F-5 for the first time was a huge mark out moment for me.

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  35. You joke alone inside this blog of danger.

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  36. Number one sounds more plausible to me, and I'm not a lawyer, but I'm the next best thing as it relates to liability knowledge - I work in insurance!

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  37. Huh?

    I mean they go see someone like Harley Race to fix them up.

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  38. If there is no graphic of Eric Bischoff's head superimposed over a map of Georgia, with a little dot that says 'Hospital' on it... no buys.

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  39. Well he probably did get taken to an actual hospital.

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  40. Survivor Series 2002 was a really solid PPV with great matches up and down the card. Apart from the LONG Scott Steiner debut, the rest of the show was really enjoyable.

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  41. You can't compare Wrestlemania 1 with current PPVs, they are completely different beasts

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  42. I always assumed it was due to the fact that in the US medical facilities are all private companies. So if they said a wrestler was at the local hospital or named a particular clinic, it would be classed as advertised it.

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