Column: Parental Guidance, Disaster or Pure Genius?
All I’ve heard since this new WWE P.G. policy is that it totally and utterly sucks. It doesn’t just suck like a child drinking a slush puppy through a straw or an insect that sucks (A bug), it sucks big time like Jasmin St. Claire in Cock Smokers 10: The Anniversary Addition. My question to you is, really now? Really? Does it really suck that bad? Well, if you really think it’s that bad, I’m going to take a look at why in my personal opinion I think it could be a positive for the business in general.
As you’ve all probably gathered when I write an article you get a brief history lesson also, which makes me send incredibly old and grumpy in most cases, ’cause I do seem to complain an awful lot. So lets start off with why this initiative started, you had Linda McMahon get her position on the education board. You have the fact that children buy more merchandise than adults, well the adults buy it for the children, and during an economy downfall it helps to have children begging their parents for the latest Jeff Hardy t-shirt, Rey Mysterio mask and the latest HHH action figure (God, how many of them are there now?). So, you got a money making product and a good image for the WWE’s continuing effort to enter itself into popular media and celebrity status. All this started about a year ago now, but things did noticeably start to change a few years ago. Of course doing this does have the risk of alienating the fans who started watching during the Attitude Era, but frankly I don’t think WWE cares about these fans, frankly if all they watched it for was the violence and the adult comedy, they probably was never going to be long term viewers anyway. The ones who genuinely got into the wrestling will be hooked and won’t have stopped watching. After all is the whole point of World WRESTLING Entertainment to provide WRESTLING and entertainment, pure violence has it’s place in minor leagues to draw attention to themselves and garner a cult following… A.K.A. The old E.C.W.
Now after reading that, you’re probably wondering how the hell could I not like the adult humor or the violence? I did, heck I loved the original E.C.W. I also did like the Attitude Era and found some of it very entertaining. Some of it was also rather ridiculous who can ever forget Mae Young giving birth to a hand? Or the Katie Vick fiasco? Again though, WWE has never ever been about mass amounts of violence. After all how did WWE first get famous? Well, here’s the history lesson I promised you, I have covered this before so I wont go into great detail. It was the early 1980’s when ever other territory was doing matches that contained mass blood loss and gimmick matches, when Vince Jr took over he strayed away from this and took his newly acquired company in a whole new direction. He issued a no blood policy. Which lasted from around 1983 – 1996 (The famous WM 13 bout Bret Hart Vs Stone Cold). Okay, if you believe Bret Hart’s book that match wasn’t supposed to even have blood in it, Bret and Austin took it upon themselves to create blood, and it got the match over big time and was arguably the single match that put the idea of blood back into Vince Jr’s head. About 5 months later and you had the birth of Degeneration X, then a few months later WM 14 which really was the changing point for WWE, not forgetting of course the famous 1996 K.O.T.R. with Austin winning against Jake Roberts. The next 5-6 were the Attitude Era.
Before we cover the Attitude Era lets go back in time once again, the no bloody policy was also accompanied by very child friendly storylines, due to the nature of the times back in the 80’s. But, it had enough to keep adults enthralled too, as it was much more believable, who can honestly believe that someone can go out and bleed once a week, for 52 weeks a year and still be able to keep on doing that? At least when it was kids friendly it was much more believable, honest wrestling matches, with a splattering of blood every now and again to make it look that much more believable, like Hogan against Bundy in the cage match (If my memory serves me correctly). It added an extra intense feeling to it. Rather than just getting bored of it in the Attitude Era.
Going into the early 90’s you had some of the best wrestling ever, with the likes of Mr. Perfect, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Razor Ramon and a young Owen Hart. Who can ever forget them times of pure wrestling? Who can ever forget the shock of HBK throwing Jannetty through the barber shop window? That was absolutely shocking, because it didn’t happen often back in them days. Or arguably the greatest ladder match of all time, the second one between HBK and Ramon. Where they was told they could not use the ladder as a weapon, and if you watch the match you can see this, and the ladder match was awesome. Definitely my favorite one of all times.
Then the Attitude Era came, and violence and blood flowed freely, I know everyone knew wrestling was fixed by this point, but this is the first time I really remember it being a big thing, and is it really surprising? It was the most unbelievable stuff ever. Yes, some of it was pure gold, Austin Vs Rock the feud the whole thing was awesome. Of course the T.L.C. and some of the Hell In The Cells were awesome matches too. Some of the story lines were genuinely breathtaking also. But, the problem is it all came together… If only the spaced it out over a period of time, they could of continued using it, but dong Hell In A Cell after Ladder match after First Blood match after Last Man Standing match is unbelievable and tarnished the suspension of belief which wrestling fans need.
Now, we’re back to square one, we’re back to the early 80’s with a no blood policy kid friendly storylines, and I have to say I am relieved. If they play their cards right it could do absolutely wonders for the business. Just look at Smackdown where Maria came out the closest after Dolph Ziggler, that’s not entirely child friendly, but it’s child friendly enough to be aired. If they allow blood at certain points in certain matches, it can bring back the universal belief that it could possibly be real. They can deliver a content much like the Ice Age movies, that has comedy for children and comedy for adults with subtle innuendos and actions. With matches more focused on telling a story and wrestling ability, like back in the early 90’s WWE may have just pulled back on the reigns and started to steer into the right direction with this P.G. Rating. I for one hope they continue in this direction, but only if they use it wisely and use all the tools they have in their hands at strategic moments.
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Categories: Columns and Editorials
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Thank you. I’m sick of people whining about this PG stuff, as if it’s ruined everything. If the “change” wasn’t hyped so much by all the news sites, no one would have noticed any difference.
good article i believe blood should be required with certain
matches though.For example the Elimination Chamber, before it was this hellish structure, now it’s just a big prop used to disguise a six-man match.
I agree with MOST of the points in this article.
While I IMMENSELY enjoyed ECW and the Attitude Era…I think if “creative” has to constantly rely on blood, gimmick matches, and tubes being rammed up Vince’s ass by Stone Cold to create compelling television, they might as well just pack it in.
The problem with today’s “product” has nothing to do with the lack of violated anuses. It lies in the FACT that angles are being created (for the most part) by people with no background in wrestling and are scripted down to the millisecond, leaving no room for spontaneity. Now that WWE has gone in a PG direction, the lack of “adult” storylines has left them utterly exposed.
Without transvestites, pregnant octogenarians, and Hot Lesbian Action, they are like The Sandman without his Singapore Cane: horribly sub-par and embarrassing to watch.
Oh yeah…
The “universal belief that it could possibly be real” is gone forever and NEVER coming back.
Trust me on that one.
Kayfabe permanently died the moment Vince uttered the words “Bret screwed Bret” on TV in front of millions of people. It had been on its deathbed since he had admitted to the athletic commissions that it was fixed, but the Bret Interview was the stake through the heart.
I too have watched wrestling since the 1980’s when Hulk Hogan was in the AWA up until the 2nd time the wwe started making everything more kid friendly. Now I have switched over to watching the Lucha Libre AAA wrestlers just so I can get some wrestling entertainment. What’s next wwe, more cartoons like we had in the 80’s?!? Perhaps they can name it john cena’s rap and wrestling. Or is this just a way to get Sting away from TNA? Sting is a man who stands by his values and the last time they tried to get him in Sting was not even interested due to their non-wholesomeness stories (Sting was very down on the story of HHH having sex with Kane’s dead girlfriend). Perhaps it’s another pathetic attempt to raid other wrestling talent and they are going for the Christian wrestlers. Whatever the reason I hope the wwe goes entertaining us instead of insulting us.
I read the whole article and I have to respectfully disagree with this article… let me explain why..
The 80’s have come and gone, and WWE is making a huge mistake by going back in time instead of moving forward. The 80’s were a different time, there was no ladder match, no hell in a cell, no TLC..etc. Now WWE has them, and as much as they want to strain away from those matches, they cant. Its not just adults, but also kids that want to see those matches… WWE trying to be like the 80’s isnt going to work for long. Im not saying we need to go back to the attitude era, but the whole sense of no blood in any matches unless accidental makes the product even more unrealistic. Imagine once, a kid hts someone who a sludgehammer, and the other kid starts to bleed, and the kid claims, “well they didnt bleed in WWE, so why did he bleed?” You see what I’m getting at? The blood doesnt just say, “violence, sex and horror”, it says if you do something like this this will be the result of it, and we all know that WWE is doing the “please dont try this at home” thing more then ever now that kids are doing it…
Another point you failed to mention was the fact that PPV buyrates have fallen drastically, as well as ratings the last few weeks or months. It took a commercial free Raw and a refund of everyones money to draw a 4.5 rating, but no way in hell can WWE do it now.. You know why? Becuase WWE doesnt have the adult backing they did. Kids dont stay up past 10PM on school nights or for PPVs to watch wrestling. ADULTS DO. Its a common fact
Now Iv’e heard the excuse many times including in this blog, that “if WWE is PG, then a better story can be told instead of just violence.” So what the hell has WWE done for this past year that has done a good storyline wise?
Orton/HHH= was ok for 2 months.. then bombed out badly
CM Punk Vs Hardy= only good for a heel turn, not a good storyline though
Mcmahon/Trump= Dont get me started
HBK/Taker= same old thing about Takers streak
If you can name any others.. please feel free to tell me. There have been no “great” storylines for the past year, and you cant count HBK/Flair because that was before WWE went PG. So yeah, there are no good storylines..
Last but not least another disadvantage you seemed to not have mentioned is the constant PPV name changes
One night stand= extreme rules
Cyber Sunday= bragging rights
T.G.A.B= The Bash
Survior Series= Hell in a cell
These were long PPV names which had been going for years and ever since mid-08′ WWE has been changing things around majorly. This tells me that WWE is out of good things to do, so they try and get people talking about PPV name changes, but in a negative way..
These are a few of the many disadvatages to being PG. I’m not saying that you cant have your opinion, Im just pointing out some things you seemed to have forgotton or not posted in this blog. Now the question ot title you put on as far as “Diaster or Genius”, until WWE convinces me at all that PG is betetr then how things were say 5-6 years after the attitude era I might add, I’m sticking with Diaster
good article. i personally am against the PG thing but i totally understand the points u make especially the bleedin 52 weeks a year i remember there wud be blood evry week from same guys an it wud get bit tedious
The Attitude era you spoke of came “after” Steve Austin came to WWF ( excuse me WWE ) which was a rip off of ECW starting to create some buzz. Once again Vince shut down another promotion because he had more TV main stream exposure. Attitude era was just Vince seizing an opportunity for sick, perverted buzz. Real “wrestling fans” know the difference. Billionaire Ted – remember Vinnie’s speeches about WCW. If another promotion ( and believe me the WWE’s spin cycle does watch )has something or someone that is over with the fans, he will raid. JUST WRESTLE will bring and keep the real die hard fans and their children. Just one persons opinion.
pg shit does suck.thank god im wit tna now.
i think it should get out of the p.g era
the additude era was great but thinking of the kids is first and the parents were its fun for the both age group
No PG rating in Australia. I don’t know what all the fuss is about. People getting kicked in the head, Senior citezens getting beaten to a pulp, Superstars in closests with divas and CM Punk openly talking about Jeff Hardys drug problems.
Good article, although it would be easier to read if you tightened up your grammar a bit.
While I’ve been vocal about this topic and am in opposition to the kids movement, I do feel you have some good points. Firstly, the financial reasons are obvious. Secondly, it isn’t realistic for a company to continue on the same road for the rest of its existence, which is why I agree with you that it could be a wise and refreshing move.
I, too, love kids movies, mostly because there are a lot of adult-geared jokes and innuendoes that children just don’t pick up, and I think if WWE plays their cards right, this could lead to increased parent audiences.
I think that not just the WWE, but most entertainment sources, realise when they’ve got a good thing, and go all the way with it to the point of monotony and boring storylines. For example, the American Pie franchise, Australian Big Brother, and, like you said, the big ticket matches in WWE, like Hell in a Cell and Last Man Standing matches. While these are great foundations to build great matches on, we’ve just seen way too many of them in the past few years.
Finally, you said that WWE is primarily about wrestling. I agree, and as long as they maintain a high quality of wrestling, I will continue to watch. Provided they can combine that with a parental-guided subject matter, I think they could pull it off.
I totally agree with codebreaker!
This isn’t the 80’s and John Cena is not HULK HOGAN!
Face it, wwe fans! WWE is going downhill, if they don’t change their business platform, or whatever it is that you call it!!
Okay, where to start? Thank you for the positive feedback. As far as my grammar goes, no it’s not always the best, but I don’t proof readmy articles, I just write them then send. Half the time I forget how I started the article so I am not sure how to end it by the time I get to the end. If I can be bothered though, in future I will proof read them or slap a Spell Check over them before sending.
Codebreaker, you’re right it’s not 1985, John Cena isn’t Hulk Hogan as much as I hate to say this he has more in ring talent then Hogan, but Cena just isn’t loved by adults as Hulk was. As far as it becoming believeable.. People don’t have to believe it’s all real, I’m sure many children do untill a certain age, though. If blood and high risk stunts are less frequent though it gets you thinking (As an adult viewer) wow did he just mess up and really hit him with that? If it’s done to a point of expertise, or even better if it’s actually done the hard way (Anyone remember what the hardway is?)
PPV buyrates are down EVERYWHERE.. Incase you haven’t noticed we are having a slight recession/depression at the moment, is it any surprise buyrates in PPV’s are down? The change of the PPV names the only one I can agree with is the Survivor Series that shouldn’t be changed. The Bash come on how long did you think WWE would keep anything the same as WCW had it? The others you mentioned have been around 5 years? At the most. So your arguement there is lost.
I was also skeptical of the P.G. Rating, if you didn’t see it I did an article explaining why I thought Wrestlemania 25 could be the final nail in the coffin of a dead wrestling scene, but since the draft (Which had become dull in itself), the matches on Smackdown especially have been above par. ECW has had a good workrate and a lot of good matches too. Okay Raw isn’t brilliant but it could be if they push the right people on it.
I realise not everything I have commented back on was said by Codebreaker, so I apologise for not using individual names, his just stood out, I wonder why? Lol.
As they said though we are all entitled to opinions and I can see their arguement, I just feel it is weak, and the reason I neglected to mention the things he pointed out is because there was no need as change has to happen to grow, and if you ain’t growing you’re stagnant.
Also I’m very dissapointed no one liked my Jasmin St. Claire reference that was my favourite part of the article.
I did actually like your Jasmin St. Claire joke!
And I also agree that SmackDown’s matches have been very entertaining over the past few months. Normally I fast-forward through the matches on the weekly shows and tune in more to the storylines so I know what’s happening each week. However, I did particularly enjoy the 12th of June episode of SD, where CM Punk faced Chris Jericho in a stellar match, and Jeff Hardy wrestled Edge.
I just can’t help but think that the whole kids intiative is not just for financial reasons but that is because Vince is tired of fans who questions his product. The WWE would rather appeal to younger fans who simply eat up what they are given rather than questioning it.
If the WWE had decent writers then, for me at least anyway, there would be no complaints about the PG era because the product would still be good. As it is apart from a few stand out matches and stars the WWE is stale at best.
James, whether thats true or not. There are always gonna be people like us that question WWE’s decisions. There are always gonna be fans like us that come up with better ideas then WWE creative instead of just going along with everything. Vince can’t do anything about that..
The nail has been squarely hit on the head with James Wright’s second paragraph.
As a parent of three young boys, I WISH they’d show some blood occassionally for the same reason stated in the article. When my older son pedigreed my younger one on the concrete, he couldn’t understand why it busted his head open because “HHH does it on the steel ramp all the time!”
Some innuendo geared toward adults would be a good thing, but I do know I would have to make all WWE off limits to my boys if it ever went back to stuff like Edge and Lita’s sex shows. That’s just too much for kids.
They should show blood occassionally, I could understand WWE try to tone down Blood. But come on you to have blood in Hell in Cell,Elimination Chamber matches. Sometimes in Main Event Matches there should be some blood too even Triple.H said it
You’re right, and I think by the fact if Triple H said it, that there will be blood occasionally as there was last time there was a no blood policy.
This doesn’t really go with wrestling, but show on USA Network called Burn Notice went TV-PG for the season that is running now. I can tell some differences from the TV-14.. I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s not just WWE who is trying a different outlook on TV, it’s shows as well.
it’s an utter shame wwe went ‘ safe ‘ or PG.. i watched RAW just the other week and there was a contract signing and jerry the King announced there’s a no physical policy, I’m sorry what? wwe has gone down the drain totally why did it evan go PG anyways? i loved the it without PG. for me wrestling was at its best right through wwF until wwe 2003/4 then it went all wrong!