10 Reasons Why You’re Watching WWE Wrong

9. Taking RAW At Face Value

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WWE.com

RAW in its three hour format is a chore - it's one of few things the divided wrestling fandom can agree on - but complaining about it is p*ssing in the wind. Television is WWE's primary revenue stream. If anything, Vince McMahon would prefer to lengthen the duration than shorten it.

Besides which, there is no such thing as appointment television anymore. Nothing is stopping you from setting it record on your DVR or DVR equivalent, watching an hour late, and skipping through the segments that don't interest you. Abbreviated highlights are posted to YouTube and WWE.com almost instantly. Granted, the format itself means that those highlights are few and far between, but it's possible to watch RAW free of endless replays and inconsequential filler. It would be preferable to watch a much better and more streamlined show live - but WWE exists to make money, and they make more money through RAW's bloated length. That isn't about to change because the fans bound to watch regardless want it another way.

Three hours of RAW is a necessary evil - but you don't necessarily have to watch it in the streaming age.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!