2. Linda McMahon Runs For Senate Leading To PG WWE, July 22nd 2008
As 2008 approached off the back of the Guerrero and Benoit deaths, WWE was a very dark place. Vince no doubt did considerable soul searching. Would this be his legacy in the entertainment business? Steroids and wrestler deaths? The chairman looked around his roster and knew he had to make a bigger change, the fundamentals of the product had to be transformed. Around this same time, Linda McMahon was starting to reach out to power brokers and fundraisers with a proposed 201o senate campaign in mind. Vince was hugely keen on this for obvious reasons, and backed his wife to the tune of $97 million. The only obvious thing holding the capable Linda back was ironically the WWE. The controversial broadcast entertainment was hardly in fitting with the family friendly politician Linda wanted to come across as. She was WWE to the core but if she was to make Washington she would need to either reject WWE or change WWE. The McMahon's chose change. The deaths of Guerrero and Benoit combined with the ambitions of the senate campaign meant that Vince had no reservations about changing his product to PG. Blood and swearing were out and kid friendly gimmicks were in. The change has been noticeable. Many older fans have expressed frustration, longing for the days of the blood and guts Attitude Era. WWE however has found the change to be very successful. Preying on the children and family audience they have been able to exploit sales in merchandise and tv deals. Sponsors and advertisers are a lot easier to attract when the product is open to everybody, and WWE have significantly developed their corporate profile in the last few years. New lines of business have opened up and the company is closer to its aim of being a Disney style entertainment empire. Wrestlers are looking healthier than ever and we have had a deluge of brilliant matches since the PG change came in. Michaels vs Taker was PG. Punk vs Cena was PG. Is this new era really that bad?
