Post-WrestleMania WWE RAW Rating Takes MAJOR Hit

RAW isn't WAR; it's bait.

by Michael Sidgwick
Bray Wyatt Bird
WWE

In something of a cause for concern, the post-WrestleMania RAW rating dropped by a full 25% in contrast to last year's show.

But why?

What caused the drop from 3.9 to a shockingly low 2.9? This iteration of the show is much anticipated and infamous. Something of note, i.e. a reason to tune in live, invariably happens. There is an impetus to watch live, so as to not miss the slew of debuts, returns, and white-hot angles. We have been conditioned to expect this.

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It's a worrying number for WWE, but also for fans. WrestleMania 35 was a quite shocking exercise in hardcore fan service; as if inviting fate, only those hardcore fans watched the show. 2.9 is a modest rating for the more mundane episodes. Will management perceive this number as the result of an only temporary, feel-good rush? An indication that, while most everybody wanted to see Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins get their "Moment", the week-to-week reality of their main event run is another thing entirely?

Another element to consider here is chronic wrestling fatigue; WrestleMania was a punishingly long show. If any sentiment was more unanimous than the reception to Kofi's WWE Title win, it was that. Were fans simply too exhausted and jaded to watch the show live?

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Did Bray Wyatt's boxed buzzard puppet drive the drop in viewership?

And will yet another bullsh*t bait-and-switch create yet more apathy ahead of next week's Superstar Shake-Up?

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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 current Undisputed WWE 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!