WWE Faces Year-Over-Year Challenge as RAW Ratings Slip Amidst Monday Night Football Surge

Pro wrestling happens to be one of the most strenuous sports. Even though it is kayfabe story-wise, it still demands an immense level of athleticism and physical work. In return, the only thing the stars and the promotion want is for their product to be seen. Even though WWE is known to be good at raking views, it has been struggling for quite some time. According to the reports, the red brand of the company is in a losing war against America’s favorite sport, football.

WWE’s biggest competitor

According to the reports, this week’s Raw garnered 4% less viewership as compared to the previous week. Apart from that, the 18-49 demographic rating was at 0.66 this week. It is comparatively low by 6% as compared to last week. On the contrary, Monday Night Football has an average viewership of 17.68 million across various platforms. Due to the invasion of football on Monday nights, the Raw viewership has declined by 11% over the past years.

Part of the reason for this could be the difference in audience base. Football is broadcasted on the ABC Network whereas WWE Raw is broadcasted by the USA Network. Unlike ABC, USA Network does not have many simulcast options. Apart from that, ABC has a wider viewership on a general basis as compared to the USA Network.

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But the tides of change might be on the horizon for WWE’s Raw. If recent reports are to be considered true, Raw might see a change in viewership.

WWE is looking for a new home for Raw

According to recent reports, WWE just struck a deal with one of the biggest broadcasters in America, the CW network. Starting from October 2024, CW will be airing WW NXT for a total of five years. Compared to its previous broadcaster, CW has a wider audience base and this will mark the brand’s first time being broadcast on a major television network. Just like NXT, Raw and SmackDown are also set to change their broadcasting networks.

According to reports, SmackDown will be moving away from Fox and Raw aims to find a new home away from the USA Network. And if the reports are true, Raw might head to FX. This will be the first time the brand will air on another network after almost 19 years. The deal could be made official soon and the new home of Raw will start broadcasting the episodes of the red brand by October next year. Do you think things will change for Raw after they shift to another broadcasting network? 

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