One Big Thing
After a dip in viewership for “WWE SmackDown,” “WWE Raw” experienced a moderate viewership increase, attributed partially to a live promo segment featuring CM Punk and a return by Braun Strowman.
Key Takeaways
- “WWE Raw” saw a 0.55 P18-49 rating with 1,683,000 total viewers.
- This marks a 5% increase over the previous week, yet there’s an 11% drop from the post-WrestleMania 40 period.
- The 18-49 demographic remains steady year-over-year, with a 9% increase for the quarter.
- The segment between 9:45-10:00 p.m. ET, featuring CM Punk, was the show’s peak.
- Braun Strowman’s return became the most-viewed “Raw” clip on YouTube for the week.
Why It Matters
The viewership numbers for “WWE Raw” reflect a fluctuating interest in WWE programming. While there’s a consistent appeal to core demographics, the slight viewership increase and strong online engagement with key segments indicate WWE’s ability to maintain fan interest amid varying weekly performances. The anticipation surrounding star appearances such as CM Punk and Braun Strowman underscores the importance of high-profile wrestlers in drawing viewers.
Looking Ahead
WWE’s strategy seems to pivot on leveraging its star power to capture viewer interest, a move that pays off during key segments but highlights the need for broader creative strategies to sustain and grow its audience. As “WWE Raw” navigates post-WrestleMania seasonality, the focus will likely remain on creating compelling storylines and matchups to keep the momentum going.
Do you think the return of high-profile wrestlers like CM Punk and Braun Strowman is enough to consistently boost “WWE Raw” ratings, or does WWE need to rethink its overall creative direction? Leave a comment with your thoughts.
