WWE Enters a New Era: The Evolution Beyond PG
WWE is changing its rules by bidding farewell to PG, a move that would take them into new grounds never conquered with WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque in control. This period, which got kids and family-fee TV habits and kept to PGR teaming, is branded WWE’s way since it happens. However, young winds, new scenarios, and new horizons rise in front of us right now, promising a new and intriguing chapter to unfold. The period when these great players like John Cena appeared and were the perfect embodiment of the essentials like hard work, loyalty, and respect that WWE wanted to see the fans adopt. The PG era can be evidenced by everything from the unspeakable superstars of WrestleMania to the dramatic moments of RAW and SD live TV shows; it certainly left its mark on the wrestling landscape. The PG era, which began in July 2008, was a strategic move by WWE to attract a younger audience and court lucrative sponsors. However, as the landscape of professional wrestling evolved, so too did the demands of fans and the industry at large. Now, with the recent resurgence of more mature language and themes, epitomised by the return of legends like The Rock and the eloquent promos of stars like Cody Rhodes and Paul Heyman, the writing on the wall suggests that WWE is ready to break free from the constraints of its PG shackles. We are able to pinpoint the main factor that initiated this change back in January, when The Rock started using a new style of language and expression, while positive energy elevated the mood. This sudden shift from the usual products to more adult-targeted content made others take their cue and artificially produced a crowd of adults in WWE programming. However, it did not only have the aftereffects of the social conditions in the ring but also beyond. For this reason, the WWE board was mentally puzzled, and they gave serious consideration to the possible consequences of the shift. This would influence the vision of their sponsors and television partners. Flagship shows like RAW were rumoured to be making permanent series’ on platforms like Netflix, plus NXT just recently moved to a newer home, the CW network, and the stakes have never been higher. Now, the same harmony between art and profit is being challenged as WWE finds themselves in a new age. Maybe the single most significant event in this transition process was Paul Heyman’s Hall of Fame speech, a truly awesome craft of storytelling that created a splendid emotional connection with the audience, in addition to signalling a clear statement marking the end of ECW’s legacy. As Heyman poured out the traits he respected in Dory Funk Jr., WWE would ensure that a bygone era of hardcore wrestling was a thing of the past and that into the future, hardcore is embedded to be WWE’s next chapter. For diehard fans whose preferred era had PG-rated shows, this transition from taking a step back might also feel teary-eyed. They will look back on the presentations of characters that the real world could not provide and make in their minds a monument to the success of a professional wrestling family, making it adapt and survive. But even so, the company implies its future direction oriented on a new horizon is beyond doubt, and its fans impatiently wait to find out what comes next. With WWE going out of PG mode, it is definitely going to be the way for the company to move on with its journey of challenges and opportunities. The good ol’ days of childish storylines and slapstick behaviour may seem like a distant blur, but on the other hand, brand new and true terrain awaits us. Whether WWE can strike the right balance between edginess and accessibility remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: I cannot help but feel optimistic and confident that these changes will prove to be a new-found success for the entertainment empire.
