WWE Raw’s PG era may not be ending after all.
Earlier today, Andrew Zarian reported that Monday Night Raw would be moving to a TV-14 rating as of July 18th, ending the PG era of television that began in 2008.
However, Zarian has now deleted the initial tweet and said that while WWE is still considering a TV-14 rating, it won’t be happening on July 18th.
“This is a wild situation. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes WWE Raw won’t be going to TV-14 on July 18th but still in consideration for a later date. Will go live tomorrow morning to break this down.”
This is a wild situation. There’s a lot happening behind the scenes
WWE Raw won’t be going to TV-14 on July 18th but still in consideration for a later date.
Will go live tomorrow morning to break this down. https://t.co/F29mP8xCwy
— Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) July 14, 2022
In a follow up tweet, Zarian said that the USA Network memo about the television rating change was sent out prematurely and that the date had not been finalized.
“There was a memo within USA Network that went out this morning regarding WWE Raw changing to TV-14 on July 18th. Apparently that was sent out prematurely and the day was not finalized.”
There was a memo within USA Network that went out this morning regarding WWE Raw changing to TV-14 on July 18th.Apparently that was sent out prematurely and the day was not finalized.
— Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) July 14, 2022
An update from Fightful Select provided more information, noting that there was indeed conflicting information internally at USA Network about the rating change, and that WWE staff in contact with Fightful hadn’t yet heard about the change but were looking into the move.
The report continued, stating that a move to a TV-14 might not have a significant effect on the programming. Fightful points out that NXT often has racier content and is still rated TV-PG. When it comes to television ratings, cable programs aren’t required to meet a certain set of specifications to fit a certain rating, and could have branded themselves as TV-PG during the Attitude Era with no repercussions. However, the report points out that input from networks and sponsors are taken into account.
Fightful also notes that as of now, the July 18th episode of Monday Night Raw is set to be rated TV-PG. There’s been no word of a significant change to the direction of WWE programming.
Inside the Ropes will continue to report on this evolving story as more information becomes available.