Why Is WWE Going PG?
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WWE is going PG for a number of reasons. The most obvious one is that they want to attract a wider audience. By toning down the violence and language, they can appeal to a larger demographic, which means more viewers and more revenue. Additionally, WWE is trying to create a more family-friendly environment, which is reflected in their programming and marketing.
WWE’s History
WWE has been a prominent company in the entertainment industry for quite some time now. They have produced some of the most popular shows and movies of all time. WWE has been successful in the past because they have been able to appeal to a wide range of audiences. WWE is now trying to go PG in order to appeal to a wider audience and to become more family friendly.
WWE’s beginnings as the WWWF
WWE’s history begins in the early 1950s as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC), a regional promotion based in Washington, D.C. and New York City. In 1953, CWC was bought by New York tobacco magnate Vince McMahon Sr., who renamed it the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). Under McMahon Sr.’s business acumen, the WWWF grew into a national promotion, attracting talent from across the United States and Canada. McMahon Sr.’s son, Vince McMahon Jr., took over the WWWF in 1982 after his father retire
The “Golden Era” of the 1980s
Most of the Wrestling fans today were not even alive to see the “Golden Era” of Wrestling in the 1980s. This was before the Monday Night Wars and the using of full-time athletes, so the action in and out of the ring was pure entertainment. The stars of this era were Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, André the Giant, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Bret “Hitman” Hart, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Ted DiBiase Sr., and many more. The matches were longer and had more substance to them than what you see today. In addition, the storylines were more consistent and made more sense.
The “Attitude Era” of the late 1990s
In the late 1990s, WWE revamped its programming due to the over-the-top antics of the new World order (nWo) in rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The nWo’s rise in popularity with adults coincided with WWE’s transition from the “World Bodybuilding Federation” brand it had been using since 1992—which catered more toward younger audiences—toward a more mature “Attitude Era”, named after the company’s flagship TV show Raw. This new edgier product saw the rise of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and The Rock as top fan favorites, as well as the ascension of Vince McMahon from commentator/host to on-screen performer.
The “Attitude Era” was marked by sexually explicit and violent content, and while this approach helped increase WWE’s viewership among young adults, it also caused the company to receive increased criticism from family groups and politicians. In response to this criticism, WWE began toning down its product in 2008, which led to a decrease in ratings. In an effort to appeal to a wider audience—and generate higher TV ratings—WWE decided to move away from its adult-oriented programming and return to a more family-friendly product in 2019.
The Transition to PG
WWE is making the transition to PG in an effort to appeal to a wider audience and to be taken more seriously as a form of entertainment. This transition has been met with mixed reactions from fans and wrestlers alike. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of WWE’s transition to PG.
The ” PG Era” of the early 2000s
In the early 2000s, WWE made the shift to a more “family friendly” product, which came to be known as the “PG era.” This coincided with WWE’s move from network television to cable television, as well as the rise of the Internet as a major platform for professional wrestling.
While there has been some criticism of the PG era, it has also been praised for making WWE more accessible to a wider audience, including children and families. In recent years, WWE has begun to move away from the PG rating and towards a more “mature” product, but it remains to be seen if this will be a permanent change or simply a return to the company’s roots.
The “New PG Era” of the 2010s
The “New PG Era” of the 2010s has been a bit more subdued than the previous two eras, but WWE has still found ways to shock and surprise its fans.
One of the biggest surprises came in 2016 when WWE Superstar AJ Styles made his debut at the Royal Rumble. Styles had been one of the top stars in independent wrestling for years, but many fans doubted that he would ever join WWE.
However, Styles quickly became one of the most popular Superstars on the WWE roster, and he has since held the WWE Championship and United States Championship.
WWE has also changed its approach to storylines and characters in recent years. In particular, there has been a focus on creating more relatable and sympathetic characters.
One example of this is Daniel Bryan, who overcame various obstacles on his way to becoming WWE Champion in 2013-14. Bryan’s story was one of determination and perseverance, and it helped him connect with WWE’s audience in a way that few other Superstars have been able to do.
In addition, women’s wrestling has seen a major renaissance in WWE over the past few years. This began with the “Divas Revolution” in 2015, which led to a more competitive and athletic style of women’s wrestling.
The revolution culminated in the first-ever women’s match in main event of a WrestleMania pay-per-view event in 2018, when Ronda Rousey faced Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch in a Triple Threat match for the Raw Women’s Championship.
While WWE’s product may not be as edgy as it was during the Attitude Era, it has still managed to evolve and grow with the times.
The Reasons for the Transition
In order to keep up with the times, WWE has decided to transition from its usual TV-14 rating to a more family-friendly PG rating. This decision has been made in order to ensure that WWE remains accessible to as many viewers as possible. There are a number of reasons for this transition, which we will explore in this article.
The need for a more family-friendly product
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has been known for its highly-physical and often violent product. In recent years, however, the company has made a concerted effort to transition to a more family-friendly product. This is largely due to the fact that WWE’s primary audience has shifted from young adults to children and families.
There are several reasons why WWE decided to make this transition. First and foremost, WWE CEO Vince McMahon believes that it is simply good business to provide a product that is suitable for a wider audience. Secondly, the company has faced increased scrutiny from lawmakers and activists who have accused WWE of contributing to the “culture of violence” in America. Finally, WWE has been working hard to shed its image as a “racy” and “offensive” programming, which has long been a barrier to entry for potential sponsors.
The transition to a more family-friendly product has not been easy for WWE. The company has faced criticism from some of its core fans who believe that the new product is too “watered down.” Nevertheless, WWE appears committed to continuing down this path in order to attract a larger and more diverse audience.
The changing landscape of professional wrestling
Since its inception, professional wrestling has been controversial. By its very nature, it blurs the lines between sport and entertainment, often resulting in criticism from both inside and outside the industry. In recent years, however, the landscape of professional wrestling has changed dramatically, leading to a new era of PG-rated programming.
There are a number of reasons for this change. Firstly, the WWE’s main competition in the early 2000s, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), was bought out by rival company Vince McMahon in 2001. This left the WWE as the dominant force in professional wrestling, and as such, they no longer had to rely on shock value to draw in viewers.
Secondly, the introduction of regulations regarding blood and profanity on television resulted in a need for wrestlers to tone down their matches. This was especially true in the case of profanity, as the WWE television show Raw is typically aired live, meaning that bleeps for swear words are not possible.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the WWE has been actively targeting a younger demographic in recent years. This is evident in both their programming and their merchandise; for example, many of their recent licensed products have been aimed at children and teenagers.
The transition to PG-rated programming has not been without its critics; some fans argue that it has made professional wrestling bland and uninteresting. However, it seems clear that this is simply the latest evolution of an ever-changing industry.
The impact of the #MeToo movement
In the past few years, the professional wrestling world has been rocked by a number of sexual assault and misconduct allegations. In addition, the #MeToo movement has shined a spotlight on the issue of sexual misconduct in all areas of society, including professional wrestling.
In response to these revelations and the increased scrutiny on the industry, WWE has made a number of changes in recent years. Most notably, WWE has transitioned from a PG-13 to a PG rating.
While some have praised WWE for its efforts to clean up its image, others have criticized the company for pandering to a more family-friendly audience. Regardless of your opinion on WWE’s transition to PG, there’s no denying that the move has had a significant impact on the company and its place in society.
The Consequences of the Transition
In 2008, WWE made the decision to transition from a TV-14 rating to a TV-PG rating. This was a huge change for the company, and it had a lot of consequences. First and foremost, it meant that WWE had to change the way it presented its product. Gone were the days of gratuitous violence and sex. In its place, WWE had to focus on storylines and character development.
The loss of some edgier fans
The PG rating has affected WWE’s content in a number of ways. Since the transition, WWE has been forced to tone down its product, which has led to the loss of some of its edgier fans. In addition, WWE has been forced to make a number of changes to its programming, including the removal of swearing, blood, and violence. While these changes have been made in an effort to attract a wider audience, they have also had a negative impact on WWE’s loyal fanbase.
The need for more storylines and character development
The need for more storylines and character development is one of the main reasons WWE decided to go PG. In the early 2000s, the company was in the Attitude Era where everything was edgy and filled with sexual content and profanity. While this was great for ratings, it limited what WWE could do with its product.
With the transition to PG, WWE has been able to tell better stories and develop its characters more. This has led to increased interest in the product, which has in turn led to better ratings and more revenue. While there are still some fans who miss the Attitude Era, WWE’s current direction is clearly working very well for the company.
The challenge of attracting a new generation of fans
Since the decision was made to go PG, WWE has been trying to find ways to appeal to a new generation of fans while still keeping its older, more diehard base happy. It’s a tough balancing act, and one that has seen the company make some controversial decisions in recent years.
One of the most noticeable changes has been the introduction of more family-friendly programming, such as “Total Divas” and “Camp WWE.” While these shows have been successful in attracting new viewers, they have also drawn criticism from some fans who feel like WWE is dumbing down its product.
In addition, WWE has been working hard to get rid of its “edgier” content in an effort to be more family-friendly. This has led to some wrestlers toning down their personas, and has resulted in a number of fan-favorite wrestlers leaving the company.
While WWE’s decision to go PG has had some negative consequences, it is also important to remember that the company is still very successful. In fact, WWE is currently enjoying one of its most profitable periods in history, and there is no doubt that the move to PG has played a role in this success.