Update on WWE Transitioning Away from PG Format – After over a decade, the PG Era of WWE has come to an end for fans.
Vince McMahon initially steered WWE towards edgier programming in 1997 amidst declining ratings and competition from WCW during the Monday Night War. However, WWE transitioned to a PG rating in July 2008 under the TV Parental Guidelines, aiming to appeal to children and secure more lucrative sponsors.
The shift away from PG programming gained momentum with the return of The Rock in January, who introduced a more adult-oriented language. This change in tone allowed other talents, such as Cody Rhodes, to express themselves more freely, exemplified by Paul Heyman’s unfiltered WWE Hall of Fame speech.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer indicated that the era’s conclusion was marked by The Rock’s interviews and Heyman’s promo. However, while the PG Era may be over, WWE’s television content is not expected to undergo immediate changes. Discussions regarding potential alterations remain ongoing, with decisions likely influenced by upcoming shifts such as Raw’s move to Netflix and NXT’s transition to CW, in line with the preferences of these partners.
“It was said to us that the Rock interviews and Heyman promo are considered the official end of the PG era. This isn’t to say that the TV shows will be changing. That is something talked about but no decision has been made.”
Meltzer further noted a shift away from strict adherence to PG standards in broader WWE content, suggesting a relaxation of previous guidelines observed across social media and non-television platforms.
“The attempts to keep things PG in the big picture, which had been a big thing to the point of the memo being sent out about it several weeks back, such as in social media or in non-television shows, is now no longer the case.”
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Update on WWE Transitioning Away from PG Format
