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WWE Raw Ratings: Viewership Hits Record Low

Camper Van Beethoven said:
He wouldn't have absolute power in WWE.

I still think he'd be valuable in the structure of a WWE where McMahon has to approve things. This current system of 30 idiots writing shit isn't working.
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Yes, but there's your problem right there. Even if you had a team of smart guys up there with the likes of Jim Cornette, and Jim Ross, anytime you involve 20-30 people in the wrestling writing/booking process you are in the very definition of "too many cooks" (no pun intended).
 
Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew said:
You know what will have better rating than Raw? This.

k04Kg1D.gif
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Considering I am already captivated by this gif I'd have to agree.
 
I always thought the main problem with 30 writers was that Vince would shut everything they write down at the last minute and replace it with whatever dumb shit he thinks of




So as time goes on, the writers write strictly to get the ok from an out of touch senile 70 year old white man

It's a terrible system.
 
Lothar said:
It couldn't be any worse. Even if Russo is dumb, he's still smarter than the people currently writing.

Just the fact that he said he would have turned Reigns heel shows he'd be so much better at the job.

Good news.
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You don't think the writers have pushed for Reigns to turn heel? They use to push all the time for Cena and at one point Vince actually gave the okay only to pull the plug on it soon after because of a marketing deal with Walmart. Reigns is never truly turning heel unless Vince can be convinced it's worth it. They'll ignore the reaction he gets and all the negatives as long as he's Vince's guy to be the "face" of the company because Vince is under no pressure to change things up.


The time to push Reigns as a heel is pretty much over after WrestleMania when they had the golden opportunity to do it and didn't, they killed it dead. He's forever going to be an even lamer version of Super Cena.
 
Look, I just want to say this. Of course I do not have all answer to all of WWE's problem. I do NOT pretend otherwise. I'm just a single or one fan speaking his opinion.

But above all else, I wish the WWE would realize these 3 hour Raw shows are DEATH, and are by no means worth the short term gain of money for the extra hour when it mean slowly pushing more, and more fans away from the product. Clearly, when people think there is a "level out" point, the ratings/viewership keeps going lower, and lower.
 
Fast Forward said:
But above all else, I wish the WWE would realize these 3 hour Raw shows are DEATH, and are by no means worth the short term gain of money for the extra hour when it mean slowly pushing more, and more fans away from the product. Clearly, when people think there is a "level out" point, the ratings/viewership keeps going lower, and lower.
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They probably do, but now they're stuck between a rock and a hard place. They can't just cut to 2 hours because of the deal with the network, and the network's selling of ad time. WCW faced the same problem with Nitro, and their solution was to cut to 2 hours on the promise that the ratings would substantially increase. They didn't.

WWE would have to promise something similar, and I imagine they could find themselves in a pretty perilous situation unless there was an immediate, and sizeable, upswing in ratings.
 
Kusagari said:
This is the main reason people say they want him back. They're just desperate for a time when everyone, not just three or four wrestlers, mattered.
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In a lot of cases no gimmick is better than an awful gimmick.

Bad Russo gimmicks have ruined multiple wrestlers careers, see Beaver Clevage, which was Russo's solution for Mosh of the head bangers when thrash got injured.
 
Fast Forward said:
Yes, but there's your problem right there. Even if you had a team of smart guys up there with the likes of Jim Cornette, and Jim Ross, anytime you involve 20-30 people in the wrestling writing/booking process you are in the very definition of "too many cooks" (no pun intended).
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Sure. You need that 30 stripping away. But the thing is writers are just that. They're writing the stories they're told to write. They're not booking. The booking is just as big s problem and that's on McMahon and HHH.
 
s_mirage said:
They probably do, but now they're stuck between a rock and a hard place. They can't just cut to 2 hours because of the deal with the network, and the network's selling of ad time. WCW faced the same problem with Nitro, and their solution was to cut to 2 hours on the promise that the ratings would substantially increase. They didn't.

WWE would have to promise something similar, and I imagine they could find themselves in a pretty perilous situation unless there was an immediate, and sizeable, upswing in ratings.
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They can, they don't really make that much money from adds it just USA needs raw to boost it's rating. Like the problem really is 3 hours raw it a part of it but the main problem is that WWE is a mediocre wreslting promotion that makes terrible tv shows.
 
maybe I'm crazy but is rehashing more members of the "good ol' boys club" like JR or COrnette or Russo or whoever really the answer? WWE needs a complete facelift.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
maybe I'm crazy but is rehashing more members of the "good ol' boys club" like JR or COrnette or Russo or whoever really the answer? WWE needs a complete facelift.
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This. Those guys all have the same issue as Vince; they're old, have been in the game too long, and likely aren't going to be plugged into what modern audiences want.

Now they can definitely help you put on a better wrestling show for the fans that are already there. But the sort of full stop revamp WWE needs in its production and presentation isn't going to come from those guys.
 
I haven't read this thread at all but all I can say is, as someone who has watched wrestling since I was 5, I havent turned on raw in months.

I've taken my time to RoH and NJPW. I don't think there is anything that can bring me back to the Roman Reigns super show until he is gone.
 
I think I'am done with RAW, could'nt care less about any of the storylines or seeing Roman Reigns dominate every week. I will still watch Smackdown for AJ and Nakamura.
 
Mahonay said:
It started with Roman, but their general "fuck what the audience wants and who cares about building logical storylines" has spread throughout their handling of everything now.

When I got back into watching you had Daniel Bryan, The Shield, The Wyatts, The Rhodes Brothers, and then I feel like their last truly engaging main event storyline ended with Taker vs Brock. It used to be just the lower and mid card stuff that was garbage tier TV, now it's everything. There is nothing left to care about. Which is SUPER impressive considering the overall roster they have.

NXT TakeOver is the only good thing WWE does anymore.
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This must be why Steph is pushing Alexia Bliss to the moon at the expanse of Bayley and Sasha.

At least one commenter on Uproxx is predicting that Bliss will end Asuka's win streak. As in, Asuka will move up to Raw undefeated and lose to Bliss in the most embarrassing way possible.

And considering WWE, I wouldn't put it above them to do that.
 
Heroman said:
They can, they don't really make that much money from adds it just USA needs raw to boost it's rating. Like the problem really is 3 hours raw it a part of it but the main problem is that WWE is a mediocre wreslting promotion that makes terrible tv shows.
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But why does USA need to boost its rating? It's because of the amount they can charge for ad slots, isn't it? The higher the rating, the more they can charge advertisers. The amount USA expected to make from ads would have been figured into the amount they paid WWE for broadcast rights, and the loss of ad slots from an hour cut reduces the amount USA makes. The only likely acceptable solution for them would be an increase in ratings substantial enough to allow USA to charge more per slot.
 
s_mirage said:
But why does USA need to boost its rating? It's because of the amount they can charge for ad slots, isn't it? The higher the rating, the more they can charge advertisers. The amount USA expected to make from ads would have been figured into the amount they paid WWE for broadcast rights, and the loss of ad slots from an hour cut reduces the amount USA makes. The only likely acceptable solution for them would be an increase in ratings substantial enough to allow USA to charge more per slot.
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The cost of adds to run during a wwe programing is really really low when compared to most sport like it around 10k. So it not really that.
 
Ninja Scooter said:
maybe I'm crazy but is rehashing more members of the "good ol' boys club" like JR or COrnette or Russo or whoever really the answer? WWE needs a complete facelift.
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Russo is just as out of touch as Vince is now. He's all about the "big" man and doesn't like guys like Kevin Owens and Sami Zayne. Russo is a product of the 90's.

As far as old guys go, I'd only trust Paul Hayman. Dude is surprisingly very much in touch and at times a few steps ahead.
 
twinturbo2 said:
This must be why Steph is pushing Alexia Bliss to the moon at the expanse of Bayley and Sasha.

At least one commenter on Uproxx is predicting that Bliss will end Asuka's win streak. As in, Asuka will move up to Raw undefeated and lose to Bliss in the most embarrassing way possible.

And considering WWE, I wouldn't put it above them to do that.
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Stephanie hasn't been in charge of creative for around three years. It's almost certainly Vince and probably Kevin Dunn behind it.
 
What's actually killing wrestling isn't Vince, even though he's not helping.

What's actually killing wrestling is the same thing that is slowly killing comic books - the fanboys are now in control. Instead of a bunch of disinterested assholes only caring about how much money they could make, you've got a bunch of guys and gals who are good people, but are so starry eyed they're in the WWE they don't know how to stand up for themselves and have never had to learn how to actually draw fans into the building.

Does the writing suck? Yes!

But, you could get David Simon, Aaron Sorkin, and Shonda Rimes on a writing team and they still couldn't make me interested in anything two boring dudes like Seth Rollins or Finn Balor does.
 
There's zero allowance for spontaneity and everything is over branded, and over written, that's the problem.


Want to know why someone like Bliss gets the push she gets? Because she can most of the time make what they give her work... she talks circles around the other women, doesn't mean the other women suck on the mic (though Bayley very well just might) but Sasha and Becky would be freeer if they could be more off the cuff.
 
I mean, let's be blunt here. Alexa Bliss is getting a push because she's both Vince and Triple H's type - she's a blonde and a former fitness model type!
 
JesseEwiak said:
I mean, let's be blunt here. Alexa Bliss is getting a push because she's both Vince and Triple H's type - she's a blonde and a former fitness model type!
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Yeah it's not like she carries literally every segment she's in (even when she's given absolute garbage like This is your Life). Just the looks.
 
JesseEwiak said:
I mean, let's be blunt here. Alexa Bliss is getting a push because she's both Vince and Triple H's type - she's a blonde and a former fitness model type!
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I'm so sick of everyone reducing Alexa Bliss down to her looks, she bloody carries the division on the mic. Knock it off.

LiQuid! said:
Yeah it's not like she carries literally every segment she's in (even when she's given absolute garbage like This is your Life). Just the looks.
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Seriously

Cheers!
 
excelsiorlef said:
I'm so sick of everyone reducing Alexa Bliss down to her looks, she bloody carries the division in the mic. Knock it off.



Seriously

Cheers!
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I'm not saying she isn't talented. I'm saying that's not the reason why of all the NXT girls, she's getting the push. It's unfair to her, but it's also the truth, unfortunately.
 
Anth0ny said:
sad it stopped being real in 2001
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it stopped being real after owen broke stone cold's neck

owen was also known as the most dangerous man in the ring in real life and after that happened they said "if we dont make it fake owen is just going to win everything all the time so we have to make it fake now"
 
JesseEwiak said:
I'm not saying she isn't talented. I'm saying that's not the reason why of all the NXT girls, she's getting the push. It's unfair to her, but it's also the truth, unfortunately.
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Except its not... All the women are "attractive", Bliss is where she is because they can count on her to carry lengthy talking segments that make up a bulk of the "storytelling" they do.

No one else other than Charlotte (and she's faltered mic wise a lot on Smackdown frankly) can be counted on to do that.


Literally Bliss is the talking workhorse of the women's division and that's why she's where she is.

In WWE Mic > workrate
 
Not a surprise that their last two biggest "storylines" in Bryan/Punk catapulted from a combination/extension of some real-life drama+giving free reign to those characters to exude their own natural charisma/personality. Doesn't hurt that they were A level guys. And in Bryan's case, unfortunately he got hurt, but they ruined Punk by force-feeding him Triple H and burying what made him hot.

They do this an awful lot because as others have said, it's built around an audience of one, Vince. And it's not a coincidence that the things he doesn't usually have full oversight of, are the things that usually flourish within the company.

And the declining viewership is what happens when you actively don't listen to your audience AND treat them like idiots. It's not a surprise that eventually, even the most hardcore of viewership will start tuning out. This isn't even any longer about chasing casual fans, they're bleeding the sort of viewers that have usually watched Raw/SD out of habit, except they've broken that habit because the product right now stale/repetitive garbage.

And they should be worried because the indies/NJPW will start eroding into that business, because that's where those lapsed regulars are heading in droves. And the easier it becomes for even casual fans to access that stuff, the more they should worry.

It's not even a case of not having the horses, because they have a roster that can work their asses off, but in a world where everyone is the same and the consequences don't matter, why should anyone bother tuning in? And I know they run different models, but it's hard not comparing them to NJPW and how fucking lame they are in comparison. Compare everything they just did with thier BOSJ tourney, which was simple, straight-forward in-ring story-telling and all the mediocre shit that the WWE puts out and it's night and day.

At the end of it, Wrestling is art, and the WWE is often-times a trashy, mediocre lowest common representation of that art. It's like the Applebees of Wrasslin/Sports Entertainment. And nobody wants that warmed over garbage.
 
Fast Forward said:
Look, I just want to say this. Of course I do not have all answer to all of WWE's problem. I do NOT pretend otherwise. I'm just a single or one fan speaking his opinion.

But above all else, I wish the WWE would realize these 3 hour Raw shows are DEATH, and are by no means worth the short term gain of money for the extra hour when it mean slowly pushing more, and more fans away from the product. Clearly, when people think there is a "level out" point, the ratings/viewership keeps going lower, and lower.
Click to expand...

It's sad that you don't get USA is not going to allow them to go to two hours. Even if Vince wanted to, the current rights are for a three hour show. That's not changing anytime soon.

So feel free to complain, but please stop acting like it can easily go back to two hours. That's not how it works.

Also "they don't listen to their viewers."

The next Raw show is built around Lesnar came Joe. And I'm sure I read lots of Gaffers complaining about Brock mainly facing part timers or established stars and wanting him to face other guys.
 
I keep going back to wondering less about WWE only turning away the current audience, but doing that while presenting nothing that would draw in a potential new audience.

What is there right now that you could point at on any of their programming and think that it would be of interest to someone who's never watched wrestling before?
 
Rimfya said:
I keep going back to wondering less about WWE only turning away the current audience, but doing that while presenting nothing that would draw in a potential new audience.

What is there right now that you could point at on any of their programming and think that it would be of interest to someone who's never watched wrestling before?
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Dunne vs Bates.

One of the best matches I've ever seen. You show anyone that, they'll give WWE a try,
 
Rimfya said:
I thought it was great too. But it was no outrageous spectacle.
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Agree to differ. I started that match half interested, by the middle was flipping out at near falls, by the end I was speechless.

I mean I know us wrestling fans are cynical as fuck, but it's mind blowing to me we're complaining about ratings when WWE literally is providing some of the best content in ages across the network. Haven't been this invested in years to be honest.

I mean shit, we have an over and long running IC title feud between two upper mid carders. Haven't had that in years.
 
DeathyBoy said:
Agree to differ. I started that match half interested, by the middle was flipping out at near falls, by the end I was speechless.

I mean I know us wrestling fans are cynical as fuck, but it's mind blowing to me we're complaining about ratings when WWE literally is providing some of the best content in ages across the network. Haven't been this invested in years to be honest.

I mean shit, we have an over and long running IC title feud between two upper mid carders. Haven't had that in years.
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You'd be better off just paying for Demand Progress or NJPW and watching wrestling that's actually consistently well booked.
 
twinturbo2 said:
This must be why Steph is pushing Alexia Bliss to the moon at the expanse of Bayley and Sasha.

At least one commenter on Uproxx is predicting that Bliss will end Asuka's win streak. As in, Asuka will move up to Raw undefeated and lose to Bliss in the most embarrassing way possible.

And considering WWE, I wouldn't put it above them to do that.
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Lmao Steph pushing Alexa? Steph isn't in creative she has no role. It's all Vince and kind of Hunter. Why do you think Steph has anything to do with it?

Plus, Alexa is getting her push because she's fucking great.

twinturbo2 said:
I could have sworn that Lita had a say in the women's matches.
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Lmao first you think Steph is behind it. Then you believe Uproxx and now this. Yikes.
 
Brinbe said:
At the end of it, Wrestling is art, and the WWE is often-times a trashy, mediocre lowest common representation of that art. It's like the Applebees of Wrasslin/Sports Entertainment. And nobody wants that warmed over garbage.
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Probably the most truthful estimation of WWE ever put to paper.
 
Alexa is getting pushed because she's a hot young blonde girl and that's McMahon's favourite type to push. And probably force himself on.

It's certainly not because of her consistently bad PPV matches that are destroying any credibility that belt once had.
 
Camper Van Beethoven said:
Alexa is getting pushed because she’s a hot young blonde girl and that’s McMahon’s favourite type to push. And probably force himself on.

It’s certainly not because of her consistently bad PPV matches that are destroying any credibility that belt once had.
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It's wrestling. Belts haven't had "credibility" since about 1983.
 
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