8 Ways WWE RAW Can Beat NFL Monday Night Football

Football season is back, but WWE can still move the chains.

Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon
WWE.com

When WWE’s social media accounts announced that John Cena would face Braun Strowman this past Monday on Raw, fans buzzed about the company giving away a future WrestleMania main event on free TV with zero buildup. The decision reeked of desperation, because that’s exactly what it was: Raw needed a huge attraction to lure viewers away from the start of Monday Night Football (MNF).

Since Vince McMahon bought WCW in 2001, ending the Monday Night War, his company has dealt with even stiffer competition 16 weeks out of the year. As Raw’s ratings have spiralled in recent years as is, MNF raids even more eyeballs as casual viewers are more invested in games with actual stakes on the line. According to Forbes, Raw’s rating dropped to 2.68 against the season premiere of MNF last year, down from 3.1 the previous week. This year’s ratings haven’t been released yet, but Raw most likely lost, handily, to a double header of New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers.

However, there is hope for Kurt Angle’s show. Ratings for NFL games have fallen similar to WWE’s in recent years, indicating that casual viewers are hungry for compelling programming. Giving away pay-per-view quality matches is a short-term fix but a long-term problem (Goldberg vs. Hollywood Hogan on Nitro comes to mind). With its current roster and storylines, Raw has better options for winning the new Monday Night War.

8. Have Brock Lesnar Wrestle

Ronda Rousey, Stephanie McMahon
WWE.com

Brock Lesnar hasn’t wrestled on free TV in 13 years. Since defeating Hardcore Holly on a Smackdown before WrestleMania XX, the Beast has competed only in dark matches, house shows, WWE Network specials and pay-per-views. You have to pay to see Brock Lesnar, and that’s what makes him special.

But if his contract is running out and his time in McMahonland is coming to an end, why not use him as much as possible? If his contract stipulates that he can’t work televised matches, throw a few more bucks his way to change his mind. Lesnar’s first match on Raw in over a decade will surely make people tune in. It doesn’t even matter who his opponent is because the Beast is the attraction. Plus, there’s always the possibility of a bait-and-switch, like when Stone Cold first faced Mr. McMahon on Raw and Dude Love emerged to attack the Texas Rattlesnake.

Lesnar draws the eyeballs – it’s up to WWE officials to capitalize.

Contributor

Formerly the assistant editor of Wrestledelphia, John has joined the Muthaship at WhatCulture.