Does Raw really need saving?
After the July 30 episode of Raw did a shockingly low 2.5 rating, it was eventually revealed that a technical glitch had skewered the number. This time, I’m not so sure that’s the case.
Monday’s Raw did a 2.8, which I’m certain is causing great consternation at WWE headquarters. It is especially surprising because it was the night after a pay-per-view in which a new WWE champion was certain to be crowned. If there are no glitches and that is indeed the real number, WWE has every right to be concerned, but – just like I said the last time this happened – there is no need to panic. Now, if the numbers stay at this level – or drop even further – over the next few weeks, then WWE really needs to rethink its current direction.
I am betting that the return of Shawn Michaels at the end of this past Monday’s show will get the ratings back up over 3 next week. If that doesn’t happen – or possibly even if it does – WWE might want to consider getting Chris Jericho back on Raw sooner than later. It’s ironic that the teases for Jericho’s return were the cryptic “Save Us” messages, and now he may be asked to literally save the show from its ratings woes. When Jericho first arrived in WWE in 1999, he said he was coming to save WWE, noting that ratings had been in decline, which of course was totally tongue-in-cheek because the show was regularly doing 6’s.
There are a number of possible explanations for Monday’s rating, including the fact that the New York Yankees were playing in an elimination game that night, and the undefeated Dallas Cowboys were getting a strong challenge from the Buffalo Bills in what turned out to be the most entertaining NFL game of the season to this point. The ratings decline could also be attributed to John Cena, WWE’s top star, being sidelined. Perhaps fans really don’t want to see Randy Orton as champion, either. And the illegitimate son story line that resulted in a push for Hornswoggle also could be turning off fans.
It’s too bad so many people missed Monday’s show, because I thought it was a strong episode. Michaels, Triple H and Orton are all compelling characters; Jeff Hardy and Mr. Kennedy are involved in an exciting feud; and the Santino Marella comedy bits have been fun. If WWE keeps producing shows like it did on Monday, I think the ratings will bounce back. The last thing WWE should do is another hotshot angle involving Vince McMahon, seeing as how that might have been a contributing factor to its current dilemma.
Comments
You know something? They keep putting back these "older superstars" to generate interest and raise ratings. However, that's only going to work for so long.
The direction they need to be addressing is how to get **NEW TALENT** built up and over with the crowd. The WWE really seems to be lacking in that department.
Posted by: Pat Blakely | October 11, 2007 12:41 AM
I really didn't pay attention to it because I have TV shows I watch now on Mondays, and there was playoff baseball and MNF as well. I occasionally tuned in, and didn't really care for what I saw. Apparently there was only 30 minutes of actual wrestling as well. That is a definite turnoff. I would love to see actual wrestling and not have to pay $40 every three weeks to see it. With HBK back I might care about it a bit more, and I certainly will tune in for Jericho, but other than that WWE has been losing my interest.
I think Raw really does need saving. You say not to panic, but the fact that it is this low is cause for concern. Even if there was other things on competing for an audience, the fact that it got this low indicates that if there is something else, then they will choose it over Raw, which isn't a good sign. I think they do need to go in a new direction, and I think it needs to start with the basics, and that is wrestling. At least Smackdown used to be good to watch for that, but now it just seems like there is little to no wrestling on shows, and the shows they charge $40 for is what we used to get on TV each week. Jericho coming back can only do so much, their problem is much deeper and the ratings are definitely cause for concern.
Posted by: Sean C. | October 11, 2007 12:54 AM
Eck - you couldn't be more right. But I think the WWE needs to tap into something that brings wrestling back into the mainstream. When Stone Cold, DX, et al were peeling back some of the 4th wall (kinda) and revealing more about the business and not relying strictly on bits was when the business thrived. When the nWo hit the scene and you had no idea what was real and scripted until you stepped back and realized it was all scripted - that's good TV.
Not sure if they can capture that lightning in a bottle again, but they need something to save them.
Posted by: JTK | October 11, 2007 2:38 PM
Are you sure YOU'RE not Vince's son???? Are you on the payroll?? WWE has been unwatchable for 2 years. There is not a single interesting wrestler in the organization combined with horrendous booking/writing and injuries and they should be happy to break a 1.0 I used to tape every week now I don't bother watching. I read PWInsider's take every Tue to hear how horrible the show was.
Posted by: eric | October 13, 2007 4:14 PM
I'll just say this. I was at the show that did that 2.8 rating. Yeah, the main show may have had a total of maybe a half hour of wrestling, but that's not all that WWE does. Last time I checked, WWE stands for World Wrestling ENTERTAINMENT. Simple as that.
The WWE is attempting to keep fans entertained, because they know that they aren't going to make money off the hardcore wrestling fans. They also have to entice kids (Hence why Cena, Mysterio and Hornswoggle are pushed), casual fans (Why they still bring in guys that are past their prime like HBK and Hacksaw Jim Duggan) and then have to worry about the hardcore fans.
Right now, the problem with WWE isn't what they are showing. It's still a popcorn television show that they produce weekly, just like it was back in the days of Tuesday Night Titans. The problem is that people have turned it off because they still have the bitter taste of the Benoit Tragedy in their mouth.
Posted by: JJ | October 15, 2007 2:20 PM
I think part of the problem is WWE is trying to entice too many demographics. They want to bring in female viewers (thus Cena, Orton, Jeffy Hardy, and Cody Rhodes are pushed), when few women like wrestling anyway. That's just a reality that's not going to change. They want to bring in kids (Cena again, Hornswoggle, CM Punk) when young kids should not be watching WWE. WWF in the 80s was fairly tame, but McMahon is far too twisted for kids to be watching.
They need to cater to actual wrestling fans, and keep the actual wrestlers at the top. Triple H is fantastic, but he can't do it by himself. They need Jericho. They need Rock back. They should have offered Angle his own town to keep him. Yes they need young talent, but not talent who are only in the business because of their fathers (Orton and Rhodes) or b/c they are 'cute' (Cena, Batista). We need entertainers.
Posted by: Jason | October 17, 2007 11:53 PM
yes we need the return of ken shamrock to wwe, save wwe ken shamrock!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: nick | October 25, 2007 5:15 PM
WWE is fun to watch, but yes some junk is no fun like the lack of wrestling but ECW has alot of good action that should go on for a while
Posted by: nick | October 25, 2007 5:16 PM