In a story the wrestling world has been waiting to hear about for some time, it appears as if WWE programming will be changing. WWE went TV-PG back in 2007. It seemed to happen out of nowhere. One minute WWE is producing TV-14 content, then the next they are in PG. WWE has gotten a bit edgier as the times have passed, but not as much. WWE went PG mainly because of the money side.
WWE’s ratings are really no different now than they were in 2007, but they have made more money since going PG. Stock hit an all-time high in PG and
WrestleMania sales were their highest during this time. Plus, WWE has been able to partner up with various organizations such as Mattel to make millions in extra money. Really, WWE programming changing up was best for WWE’s bottom line.
The problem is that while it was working, the ratings are now dipping. There is more competition on TV now, and not just in the wrestling world. WWE still competes with football every fall, but they are also competing with other major TV shows on Monday and Thursday nights now. Many feel that WWE needs a change, and it appears as if there has been some discussion in WWE about this.
It was stated through various outlets that Dave Meltzer, of the Wrestling Observer, reported that WWE is considering a move back to TV-14 in the future. Speculation is that it could be as early as late this year into next year. Apparently, WWE Executive Triple H wanted to go back to TV-14 for some time but WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has been fighting the idea of it.
Many think that WWE will be going into another Attitude Era with a change to TV-14. This is not the case at all. A lot will be different from this and even the Ruthless Aggression Era, mainly because of the medical things we know today.
Still, edgier programming has a massive amount of possibilities.
The problem with the story is this: while the timeline for it to take place is within a year or so, many think that it has only been discussed and not a guarantee. While many in WWE want edgier programming, that does not mean Vince is going to budge when the time comes to make the change. Triple H may push for it, but if Vince wants to stop it from happening, it won’t go down despite how many people might want it to.
Another issue with the story is that
Reddit got the rumor going more than most, saying that Meltzer reported the story. Dave then came out today saying that he didn’t report it.
Vince McMahon obviously sees money in PG, and that is a guarantee currently. Going TV-14 does not mean WWE will automatically succeed. The thing is, what could it hurt? WWE is already losing money, so changing up programming would potentially help them save and gain more. If not, at least it was an attempt. We will have to see what WWE does. At the end of the day, WWE may be thinking of moving to TV-14, or they may not. We know there have been discussions. The thing is, WWE is pointing to it with some things, but does that mean they’ll pull the trigger? Time will tell.
Now that the WWE Network is going and they need to improve it’s numbers, as well as improve WWE TV ratings, Vince realizes the draw of the TV-14 rating. It allows WWE Creative to do a lot more, which in turn allows for edgier content with talent that can more than deliver in that world.
Does this mean we will see bloody matches and the Hardcore Title coming back? Most likely not. WWE will still be heavily against doing anything unnecessary that might hurt talent. Does this mean WWE Divas will get half naked again? Potentially, but WWE may not do this extremely. The idea is to make programming edgier, but that does not mean women have to get undressed each week.
WWE has been seeing a lot more WWE Diva “
wardrobe malfunctions” than in recent years, however. There is even talk of them being planned out.
Total Divas has shown edgier content as well, and WWE has even allowed the girls to do slightly edgy material off and on. So, it is not crazy to think that this is WWE’s small way of getting people ready for a move.
WWE can simply add things such as drugs and alcohol into weekly programming, as well as certain words as well.
WWE NXT has already shown during live broadcasts that they are willing to say a lot of stuff in the ring you can clearly hear. Sami Zayn was caught at WWE NXT: R Evolution shouting the F-Bomb — often. While WWE will not have permission to do this on TV, similar things could happen.
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