Raw's ratings have been in decline for the past six months, falling to and staying around lower numbers than normal. John Cena was one of the difference makers that could help that situation, as a proven ratings draw during his ten year headline run. It wasn't as if he made a huge difference recently, but when WWE moved him from the mid-card to the main events earlier in 2015, things did improve. Traditionally, he's the guy WWE would book in opening and closing segments of the show. As mentioned in the previous point, he has immense popularity with a wide ranging audience, an audience that tunes in Monday nights to see Cena rise above heat and never give up. So losing him now, for nine months, is a major blow to WWE's bid to improve their flagship show's ratings. He was perhaps the only full-timer who was a proven television draw. After WrestleMania season is over, the Cena-less Raw ratings could make for some depressing reading.
