The Contradiction of a PG WWE

The WWE as much as they try and shy away from it is centered around professional wrestling, a scripted combative sport, no matter how you look at it.  That is why I dont understand how a PG WWE television product can make sense when the entire premise revolves around two individuals physically fighting over various issues.  While there is a broad array of problems with the WWE product I would like to discuss specifically the flaws in the current direction of the PG product and how it is the wrong way to go at least the way the WWE presents it.

To start off with I am 22 and have been watching wrestling since 1996.  I stopped watching for a 3 year period around 2001-2004 due to loss of interest and my interest was renewed when I discovered the IWC.  WWE shifted to a PG product a couple years ago in an attempt to build new younger fan base and attract bigger sponsors through an improved image.  The WWEs ratings and business however have still remained relatively stagnant if haven't declined slightly since this shift has been made. Many fans my age and older who still make up a very large portion of the audience feel ignored as the product has moved to a more goofy, family friendly show with less emphasis on any serious and engaging storylines.

My main issue stems from the fact that I dont feel the WWE can make up its mind on whether they want to fully commit to this new direction or still be the Attitude or Ruthless Aggression WWE of old.  What I mean is that while WWE has leprechaun midgets running around, no blood, minimized violence, and guys making korny preschool jokes about each other because they cant say bad words, they then try and advertise matches created during the preceding years (ex. HIAC, Elimination Chamber, Ladder/TLC, casket matches, etc.) that center completely around how violent, sadistic, and gruesome the match is supposed to be.  However due to the new restrictions with being PG the WWE is unable to even attempt to deliver on these promises anymore.  I dont understand how they are still going to try pushing these matches and feuds that emphasize gore when they really arent allowed to provide such.

Besides that point, I question whether trying to make the product more family friendly is counterproductive in the end.  As previously stated, no matter how you look at it, the whole premise of the show is that people are going to physically fight over an issue they have with each other where they typically will have to debilitate their opponent to the point they cant kick out of a 3 count or place them in a maneuver where they have to submit due to pain.  Just because the WWE wants to market itself in this new light doesnt mean parents will now approve of their children watching a show where it is encouraged to fight over your problems.  That is why I think its a waste of time to even bother to market a program encouraging beating each other up as being family friendly. 

If anything it might be hurting business as many of us when we started watching the product as kids likely were more inclined to watch because our parents didnt approve due to the edginess and violence.  Why wouldnt the same be true for kids today, that its cool to do what your parents do not want you to do.  We watched largely because it was violent and we wanted to see two guys beat the crap out of each other and what they might do next along with there being more engaging characters/storylines.  Now they talk about what theyre gonna do to each other and dont really do much of anything that makes you believe the next time will be any different.  I am not necessarily a fan of old school ecw extreme violence, but if were supposed to think two guys hate each other so much then I think there has to be some level of violence for fans to believe in what they are seeing.

Maybe I'm wrong in that the WWE had to change with the times and this current product is what fits in with the sort of politically correct overprotective/ sensitive culture we are embroiled in just as the attitude era fit in with the rebellious, push the edge culture of the 90s and early 00s.  I just think that if they want to make that shift then they should fully commit and truly gear their product in that manner as right now I feel they are just confused as to how want to market themselves.  As stated though I don't really see how the PG product can work in any manner as it contradicts itself being attached to a combative albeit fake competition.  Only reason I feel TNA has a chance to compete is because they are trying to market themselves towards an older audience that WWE is not.

Random Thoughts:

- Am I the only one who isnt really that interested in seeing an HBK/Undertaker rematch at Wrestlemania?  I mean their match at WM25 was as good as it gets, but I just feel like Id prefer to see someone different try and challenge the streak.  My preference would be Cena as hes the only one I believe has a chance of being put over.  If they finally wanted to turn him heel just imagine the heat Cena would get if he cheated to end Takers streak?  No one gains anything if HBK goes over.

- Wheres Jeff Hardy in TNA?  If he actually is signed to a contract TNA would be retarded to use him as a team with the waste that is shannon moore or in a feud with Homicide.  Of all the 'acquisitions' Jeff Hardy is by far the most useful as hes young and left the WWE a few months ago as one of if not the most popular superstar on the roster. Id throw him immediately into the heavyweight title picture in matches with AJ Styles, Kurt Angle and the other top guys.

-RVD thinks people watched years ago for jobber matches which is sort of ridiculous as is his presumed use anymore as he was never really marketable.  I do agree however that too many marquee matches are just handed out on free tv today that no matchup is fresh or special anymore.  I was amazed when Kingston/Orton started their hot feud that they simply gave away their first couple matchups on Raw for some reason instead of simply holding off till the PPV.

- Anyone else notice Jack Swagger looks to have been putting on some weight?  Maybe his demoted status has something to do with that as maybe hes just losing his passion.  Besides that Samoa Joe just looks disgustingly overweight now that its sort of just embarrassing.

- Who thought it was a good idea on the first Impact going head to head with Raw to have a top guy aka Bobby Lashley come out, diss the company, and say he wants to quit?  Really puts the company in a positive light although Hogan/Bischoff seem to be on a mission to discredit literally everything TNA has done up to this point in their history.

-Feel like the old HHH has been back of late as hes been made to look like everyones scared of him and hes always gotta save the day lately.  Besides that can he please stop burying every single person hes talking about by telling them that no one cares about them or anything they do.  Of all things to say about fellow superstars it would seem the most detrimental and least productive to keep telling the audience that no one cares at all about the person.

Well that's all I got right now.  This is my first article and I hope you enjoyed.  Id appreciate any responses and positive/negative feedback you might have.  Thanks for reading and take care.