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Tom Clark: Is WWE Ending The PG Era?

WWE programming took some interesting turns on Monday, leading many to think we are seeing the end of the PG era? Tom Clark explores.

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WWE Vince McMahon Business

WWE programming took some interesting turns on Monday, leading many to think we are seeing the end of the PG era? Tom Clark explores.

WWE took an intriguing turn recently with the announcement that Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff will now serve as Executive Directors for Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live respectively. The positions were not storyline driven, as the two men will oversee the creative for both of WWE’s longest running programs.

The July 1 edition of Raw immediately reflected the change, as the entire tone of the flagship show was much different than it has been in quite some time. Fans noticed this right away and praised WWE for taking the red brand in a new direction. So is WWE ending the PG Era?

It definitely seems like the right move to make. After all, the bulk of complaints against the company over the past few years have been directly tied to the PG content that WWE features every week. The silly spots and goofy angles have been enough to drive the diehard fans mad and perhaps drove the casual fans away.

Just the idea of a pro wrestling program playing amongst the backdrop of a kid-friendly environment seems ridiculous. How can a combat sport, where the talents involved wage war in the name of revenge, hate, jealousy and pride, actually be considered anything other than rated-R? That was the nature of the wrestling business for many years before WWE went public. Why does it work now?

The answer is, it doesn’t work. Despite how many people defend WWE, the fact remains that the company has struggled under the weight of the PG mandate. Pro wrestling is a business built on a very simple concept: two people have a conflict and they decide to settle that conflict with physicality in a ring. It’s easy, it’s understandable yet it can be highly intense and extremely violent at the same time.

But WWE responded to the PG Era with programming that chose to soften at least some of the violence that occurs on TV. Yes, the matches can still be hard-fought and yes, they can still be punishing. But the removal of intentional blood greatly affected the overall mood of the matches and the same is true of social media. After all, it’s hard to believe that Superstars truly hate each other when they’re being friendly on Twitter and Instagram.

The company has made it clear that what fans see in the ring is nothing more than scripted action and that the stars involved are nothing more than actors playing their parts. Longtime fans that have yearned for a return to the era of believability in storylines have likely been disappointed at every turn. WWE isn’t real; it’s make believe and the company is only too happy to advertise that.

So if Raw’s edgier presentation continues, does that mean that ratings will return? More importantly, will the fans return? If cursing is allowed on the air, even in moderation, does that automatically mean that the storylines and the Superstars, are instantly more relatable? Or does all of this reek of desperation on WWE’s part?

Of course for that segment of the WWE audience that is indeed sick of the PG Era, anything different is good. Real people often don’t sound like the Superstars on TV. Real people get upset, shocked, frustrated and they respond to life in a very real way. They’re not scripted and everything they say is not rehearsed ahead of time. If that’s what WWE is going for, then it’s a completely understandable and welcome move.

But there’s a fine line between reality and nonsense. It’s a line that WWE has crossed so many times over the years and fans should not be surprised when the company does it now, even with the change in programming. Vince McMahon’s company is still a pro wrestling based entity and that means anything ridiculous or outlandish can happen at any time.

The real question is, has WWE taken too long to react? Had the company made this move two years ago, would fans now be witnessing record-breaking ratings for WWE? Or is a return to those days even possible, given the fact that pro wrestling is not the mainstream powerhouse it one was? 

The fact is that The Attitude Era is long since over. Fans may want to see it make a comeback and WWE could be attempting such a comeback now. But unless the right players are involved, then it will not work. However the most important piece is the storytelling, which can make or break any pro wrestling company. Captivating characters struggling with relatable problems is what made WWE the most important destination for fans at one time. Is that time now returning?

Shock and awe can be a good thing in the short term. Fans feel the buzz, everyone is excited and the positive response is immediate. But anyone paying attention to WWE at this time is fully aware that one entertaining program does not guarantee a successful future. The company must continue to deliver compelling television, both on Raw and SmackDown Live. It’s not an overnight process and fans know that.

But it seems that Vince McMahon at least recognizes that something needs to change in his company. SmackDown Live is moving to the FOX Network in October and the blue brand’s new home has made it known that a more serious, athletic program is exactly what it wants. Maybe the changes that fans are now seeing on TV will indeed lead to that sort of program. Whether or not a great number of those fans will stick around to see what happens next, or come back to join the excitement, remains to be seen.

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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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Opinion

Chris King: The Wyatt Sicks’ Wasted Potential By WWE

Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.

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Wyatt Sicks WWE

Chris King takes a look at the WWE and their wasted potential of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks faction.

It’s that time of the year again, folks; it’s unfortunate and downright awful that so many WWE superstars got released today. I’m not going to list all of them, but I am going to talk about one of my favorite factions, 

The Wyatt Sicks. Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Erik Rowan, and Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) were something special. After Bo’s brother Bray Wyatt’s tragic passing, WWE felt like there was a hole that needed to be filled. Wyatt was one of the most creative and brilliant characters, and Bo would be taking over his brother’s concept and bringing it to life. In 2024, at the end of an incredible documentary highlighting Wyatt’s career and struggles, Bo appeared on the screen portrayed as Uncle Howdy. The last time Uncle Howdy was seen on-screen was at the 2023 Royal Rumble, where Wyatt defeated LA Knight in a Pitch Black Match. Howdy jumped off a structure onto Knight. 

This post-credit scene sparked so much speculation and excitement that Wyatt’s brother would carry on his legacy and possibly debut the faction that was Wyatt’s concept. On the June 17th episode of Monday Night Raw, The Wyatt Sicks made their dramatic debut ,destroying the backstage area as well as “murdering” Chad Gable. It was such an iconic arrival for Howdy as he made his menacing walk from the back into the audience who were chanting “Holy Shit.” The Sicks and American Made (Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers) battled for months, with The Sicks being victorious. On the September 9th episode of Raw, The Sicks defeated them, with Howdy getting the win with Sister Abigail. 

The following year, The Sicks would move over to Friday Night SmackDown, and it seemed like WWE had a plan in place. They would win the tag team championships from The Street Profits and start to look dominant. Now, what should have happened next is Howdy should have won the United States title. The Sicks could have held all the gold over on the blue brand, but it never happened. The Sicks entered into a never-ending feud with The MFT’s (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga.) It started off exciting, and the WWE Universe was red-hot for their interactions. 

After months of repetitive matches and The MFT’s stealing their lantern, the feud grew tiresome and boring. Even Tama asked Solo why they are still holding onto the lantern, as it was destroying them as a whole. Finally on the SmackDown before Mania, Tama

gave the lantern back to Howdy against Solo’s wishes. Please explain to me why both factions fought almost every single week instead of just having one final blowoff match at WrestleMania. 

It should have been either a massive street fight or a falls count anywhere match on the grandest stage of them all. Instead, it turned into a meaningless week-after-week extravaganza that benefited no one. The MFTs won the rivalry, and The Sicks don’t even work for WWE anymore. This was the same criminalized creative process that Wyatt dealt with during his first run in the company. 

We’ll never know how much of a dangerous force The Wyatt Sicks could have been in the WWE. For all their careers’ sake, I hope they stay far away from the company for as long as possible. Every superstar that was cut deserves better!

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WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Nefarious Means

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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Opinion

Chris King: Bloodline Saga: Is This the Right Call For WWE?

Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns 

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WWE Jacob Fatu Roman Reigns Backlash

Chris King questions the WWE’s logic in setting up Jacob Fatu as the next challenger for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns is once again World Heavyweight Champion after his dominant win over CM Punk at WrestleMania 42. On the following night on Monday Night Raw, The OG Bloodline came back together as a well-oiled machine as The Usos stood side by side with Roman. With the WWE Universe asking who would be the first to challenge “The Tribal Chief,” Jacob Fatu shocked the world by answering the call. 

Fatu is running hot after his impressive win over Drew McIntyre and feels like he is ready to become the new world champion. This bloodline segment ended Raw, and it picked right back up on SmackDown with even Solo Sikoa and the MFTs involved. This is now two shows that have been centered around The Bloodline saga, and it’s made me question whether or not WWE should be retelling this story. 

The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, The Usos, and Solo Sikoa) ran WWE for over four years as Reigns’ henchmen, doing his dirty work to retain his title. Even though Roman has declared he doesn’t want Jey and Jimmy to serve him, it sure seems like WWE are spinning their wheels. Fatu could add a whole new chapter into the story, even if he’s not able to beat Roman at Backlash. “The Samoan Werewolf” could be forced to do the same thing as Jey did all those years ago and fall in line. 

 In my opinion, I feel like Fatu should be challenging for the Undisputed WWE Championship because that’s a title I feel like he should win. I understand standing up to your blood and trying to prove you’re the best, but I don’t think this is the right move. It feels like 2022 all over again, as The Bloodline is the central focus on both shows. If Fatu doesn’t win, what happens to all his momentum he’s been building over the last two years? 

Why did WWE make this the best choice for storyline purposes? Why couldn’t creative have come up with a different challenger for Roman? There are so many other superstars that could challenge The Tribal Chief, such as Rusev, Bron Breakker, Gunther, or even a returning Sheamus. 

I just can’t help but question WWE’s logic here, and it kind of reminds me of all the times The Shield reunited. Could WWE be pushing the same storyline too many times here? Could the WWE Universe get tired of this rinse and repeat cycle of The Bloodline Saga?

Are we about to see all the weekly episodes solely focused on The Bloodline again? Will it be cinema… Yes. Is there still money in The Bloodline… Yes. Was it the right call? That’s to be determined!

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 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Nefarious Means

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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