WWE Wrestling - Becoming a Family-Friendly PG Rated Show

World Wrestling Federation Gaining New Audience

Angie LeCroy
Last year, the World Wrestling Entertainment organization created a plan to downgrade it's programming from a TV-14 to a PG rating. Over the past year, they have taken steps to make the WWE a more family-friendly show. In an attempt to become more mainstream, the WWE is trying to gain a larger audience as well as entice new companies to advertise on their shows by appealing to a wider audience.

To help with the family-friendly status, the WWE has played up their characters that act as positive role models. WWE wrestlers Rey Mysterio and John Cena have much more air time than in the past. Children love the high flying Rey Mysterio so he is featured much more often. In order for John Cena to have a cleaner image, they have renamed his signature move from the "f-u" to the "attitude adjustment" which is more appropriate for a family audience.

You won't find blood on the new family-friendly WWE. No longer will you watch a match where wrestlers break open blood packs for affect. They have significantly decreased the number of inappropriate gestures used by wrestlers as well (though not completely). While watching a tag-team match with D-Generation X, their signature chop move and subsequent chant from the crowd of "suck it" did not go unnoticed.

The women wrestlers on WWE called Divas are wearing more clothing. No longer are these women hanging out of their clothes or wearing lingerie during matches. The standard Diva attire is now workout gear.

One of my favorite changes to the WWE is their use of guest hosts. Ben Roethlisberger, Freddie Prinze Jr., Snoop Dog, and Bob Barker have all hosted WWE Monday Night Raw this year. These are not traditional wrestling hosts and are definitely more appealing to a family audience.

While working on their PG rating, World Wrestling Entertainment has also increased the number of merchandise they have available for sale. WWE toys, clothes, hats, books and videos are popping up everywhere. There is even a WWE Kids magazine.

These changes appear to be working. Since the WWE has embraced their family-friendly platform, advertisers like Pepsi and the National Guard have joined the WWE lineup. More changes are in store for the World Wrestling Entertainment organization. They are hoping you will stay tuned for what comes next.

Published by Angie LeCroy

Angie LeCroy is a mom, a garage sale addict, and full-time student finishing that elusive degree. In her free time, she loves writing, reading, playing real estate and selling her yard sale treasures on eBay.   View profile

8 Comments

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  • ADSpencer 10/17/2009

    Interesting :D This is good to know.

  • Rebecca Caroll 10/15/2009

    I don't watch either, but sounds like they are making changes in the right direction!

  • Joshua Huffman 10/14/2009

    Gotta admit, I loved the Attitude era. I stopped watching after Angle left WWE. Every time I try to watch it seems like half the show is someone running their mouth and not fighting. I haven't checked their ratings in a while but last I checked they were like 3.4. In Attitude era they were like 6's and 7's.

  • Julie Darleen 10/14/2009

    Perhaps more positive and good changes but don't see us watching it much

  • Sabrina Ricci 10/14/2009

    I don't watch wrestling either, but these sound like some interesting changes

  • Tricia Sabol 10/14/2009

    I have to admit that I don't watch wrestling, but these sound like positive changes!

  • Catherine Spencer 10/14/2009

    My one grandson is addicted to WWE. I think they have a long way to go before they are truly family friendly. Every time I watch it I get angry about behavior of some of the wrestlers. Time will tell but there's lot more work to do before I feel it's healthy for children to be watching. JMO!!

  • Memmay Moore 10/14/2009

    :0))

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