Disappointing news for fans of the WWE Attitude Era with the company no longer planning to put an end to the PG Era.
Last month, it was reported that the wrestling company was planning on upping its classification from TV-PG to TV-14.
Fans revelled in the possibility of edgier content to return, with nostalgic memories of smashing glass, good 'ol JR screaming "Stone Cold, Stone Cold!" whilst going a bit horse, the swigging of beer and a couple of middle fingers in the air.
However, the rumours of a return have been put to bed.
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Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports: “WWE will be remaining TV-PG for the foreseeable future on both FOX and the USA Network.”
Consider our middle fingers holstered.
There has been a whole heap of changes in the WWE since it was initially reported that the TV rating could be returning to times of old.
Since then, former chairman Vince McMahon announced his retirement from the company in perhaps the most shocking news the wrestling industry has seen in years.
In his place daughter, Stephanie McMahon and son-in-law, Triple H have stepped in to steer the ship.
Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer revealed on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio that while there certainly were plans to move toward edgier content, the new leadership team nixed the idea.
He said: “I mean it was planned. And I think it’s the new regime and that could be Stephanie instead of Vince. You know Vince maybe was considering it. Stephanie’s thing is you know we don’t need it. And they don’t.”
To be fair to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon they have done a great job in recent weeks in putting on an entertaining show after entertaining show on both Raw and Smackdown.
There certainly feels like there’s been a change in direction and for the better for WWE.
However, that won’t soften the blow for long-time wrestling fans who have fond memories of the likes of Stone Cold, The Rock, The Undertaker and Mankind causing chaos on the screens.
The Attitude Era of wrestling was the height of sports entertainment for many of us, as Vince McMahon and his company rallied in incredible fashion to win the Monday Night Wars against rivals WCW.
That era of television ended in 2002 but six years later any remnants of it ended as WWE changed from a TV-14 rating to a PG one, meaning less violence, blood and swearing.
The news that WWE won’t be returning to that TV-14 rating may be good news for their main competitors All Elite Wrestling who do hold that coveted TV-14 rating.
The promotion has quickly become the second most popular in America and has seen a number of WWE stars go over to them, whilst CM Punk returned from his seven-year hiatus from wrestling, and then pick up the company's world title.
Topics: WWE, RAW, WWE Smackdown, Vince McMahon, Triple H
Jayden Collins