An Edgier WWE Isn't the Remedy For Its Problems

WWE is seemingly bringing an end to the PG era.

According to Andrew Zarian of Wrestling Observer, a memo within USA Network suggested Raw would move to a TV-14 rating, but said memo was sent early and no date has been finalized.

Fans have begged for a return to the Attitude Era ways of old. That renewed interested could be huge for ratings, especially at a time when the company has struggled to build new top stars, is dealing with injuries and has both men's top titles tied up on one guy.

But...this is 2022, and things just aren't that simple. NXT 2.0 found this out the hard way by trying to throw more sexualized, mature content at viewers, and it largely flopped. Raw suddenly having more curse words, sex and blood won't move the needle much in a 2022 that sees even teenagers desensitized to those types of things.

That's not to say a more mature product can't be fun, but it comes at the risk of losing younger fans. And if the goal is for the edgier content to just provide even more viral moments on social media, that could keep WWE as the goofy product non-fans see clips of but never actually take the time to check out.

WWE is much better off fixing most of its problems by doing what it has been doing since Money in the Bank. The event saw Theory win the men's briefcase and Liv Morgan not only win the women's briefcase but cash in and win the title from Ronda Rousey.

This could be the first attempt WWE has made at long-term storytelling since Roman Reigns' title run, which ironically has now run too long, especially with Reigns working a reduced schedule.

The proof is right there, too. Look at WrestleMania 38. Names all over the mid-card and even celebrities put on unforgettable moments. The main event of the two-night affair? Another head-nodder between Reigns and Brock Lesnar.

Loyal fans of the company might groan at the comparison, but this is an area where All Elite Wrestling is far superior. They took the "Hangman" Adam Page story and ran it for two-plus years, cementing one of the best tales ever told in modern pro wrestling as he battled ups and downs, friendships, serious topics like depression and ultimately won the title as a homegrown talent.

This is worth bringing up not just because the companies are competitors, either. WWE is in the infancy stage of something just like this with both Theory and Morgan. In a few years, we could be comparing it to the Page storyline and as a turning point in the trajectory of the entire company.

Keep in mind this also applies to Bianca Belair, Matt Riddle and the Street Profits, to name a few. The real shift in approach is by investing in home-grown Superstars, not a TV-14 rating. If Theory's storyline fades away when Cody Rhodes comes back and Morgan gets squashed by a returning Charlotte Flair, fans will be burned once more.

A TV-14 rating could make quality, long-term stories more interesting and engaging for longtime viewers, but the company hasn't shown a consistent commitment to those kinds of stories for over a decade. If a different rating is all this change in approach signals, it's probably not going to bring back and retain lapsed fans who happen to check WWE out once or twice, nor will it likely do different for new fans.

We know WWE Superstars can do amazing things when given the chance, regardless of television rating—it's the who, how and why getting those chances that continues to matter more than anything else.