One big thing: WWE’s first two-hour Raw in 12 years leaves ECW legend Tommy Dreamer scratching his head
Tommy Dreamer, ECW legend and wrestling veteran, expressed concerns about WWE’s return to a two-hour format for Raw on “Busted Open After Dark.”
• Dreamer felt the show was “weird” and that the missing hour could hurt storylines.
• He pointed out confusion in the interaction between Seth Rollins and Jey Uso.
• The shortened format might lead to less “real estate” for wrestlers on the show.
Why it matters
The shift to a two-hour format is a significant change for WWE’s flagship show, potentially impacting storytelling, character development, and overall fan satisfaction.
By the numbers
• Raw has been a three-hour show since 2012.
• This marks the first two-hour Raw in 12 years.
What they’re saying
Dreamer on the show’s structure: “I left this show scratching my pony-tailed head … I felt ‘Raw’ was weird tonight.”
On potential storyline issues: “When there’s a now one hour gone from your television show, a lot of people are going to lose real estate on ‘Monday Night Raw.’ And I felt that missing hour hurt a lot of stories.”
The big picture
While some fans have long desired a shorter Raw, the change comes with potential drawbacks:
• Less time for character development and storyline progression.
• Fewer opportunities for mid-card talents to shine.
• Possible oversaturation of storylines in a condensed timeframe.
What’s next
Raw might return to its three-hour format in January 2025 when the brand moves to Netflix, potentially addressing some of Dreamer’s concerns.
How do you feel about the new two-hour format for Raw? Do you agree with Tommy Dreamer’s assessment, or do you think the shorter show is an improvement? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on the future of WWE’s flagship show.
