Do they use real barbed wire in pro wrestling and WWE?

Well, the short answer is yes and no, it really depends on the promotion.

Do they use real barbed wire in WWE?

WWE has stopped using real barbed wire since it entered the PG era in 2008. The barbed wire used right now is made out of rubber or leather.

Now that the programming of WWE has received a TV-PG rating from the TV Parental Guidelines, all blood-causing instruments are avoided in order to appeal to kids and be advertiser-friendly.

In the Attitude Era, during the 1990s and early 2000s, WWE was more aggressive and less apologetic, the barbed wire used in this era was 100% real.

Examples of fake barb wire used in WWE

These fake barb wires are easily available to anybody, you can easily find them on Amazon.

Silver leather fake barbed wire

Copper leather fake barbed wire

Fake barbed wire bat made out of foam

Now, what about indy circles?

Do they use real barbed wire in indy circles?

In my own experience as a professional wrestler, 90% of indy promotions use real barbed wire.

The crowds in indy promotions are hardcore fans, they came to see real action, so most pro wrestling ptomotions give the crowds what they want.

Also, since indy events are not televised, promotions are not obliged to adhere to any restrictions, they basically do whatever they want.

Example of a real barbed wire match

Do they use real barbed wire in hardcore wrestling?

Yes, no doubt about that!

All the barbed wire used in hardcore wrestling is real, this is the point of hardcore wrestling, fake items are irrelevant.

Hardcore wrestling promotions known for using real barbed wire:

• Extreme Championship Wrestling
• Combat Zone Wrestling
• Big Japan Pro Wrestling
• International Wrestling Syndicate
• IWA-MS, Game Changer Wrestling