By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Monday’s WWE Raw television show averaged 1.732 million viewers for USA Network, according to Showbuzzdaily.com. Viewership was down slightly from the 1.737 million average from last week. Raw delivered a 0.41 rating in the 18-49 demographic, down from last week’s 0.45 rating.
Powell’s POV: The first hour of Monday’s Raw averaged 1.846 million viewers. Hour two drew 1.821 million viewers. The final hour of the show averaged 1.530 million viewers. The three hours of Raw finished fourth, second, and fifth respectively in the 18-49 demographic in Monday’s cable ratings. An NHL Playoff game topped the cable ratings, while an NBA Playoff Game dominated the broadcast TV ratings. The May 24, 2021 edition of Raw delivered 1.621 million viewers and a 0.45 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
That third hour is already an anchor on the rating, why would they try to sell people on seeing more Asuka during it?
It’s been said many times but Raw and wrestling shows in general are better served being between ninety minutes and two hours. Once in a while a three hour supershow is fine if creative has extra planning to use the time constructively but I don’t blame any viewer for turning the channel after two hours on a week to week basis.