WWE Raw Rebounds In Ratings With Reunion
Network's gambit paid off.
As was reasonably expected, WWE's 'Raw Reunion' special saw the red brand record its best rating in over a year. The episode, which featured an utterly ludicrous squad of high-drawing legends - headed by Steve Austin, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan - ended the night with 3.09 million viewers [Source: Showbiz Daily], the highest number since the post WrestleMania Raw (2.92 million).
Indeed, the huge veterans' ball attracted the most eyes on the product since last year's post-'Mania edition.
Of course, this sudden spike does not indicate that WWE's current woes are at an end - even if the rebounded ratings will be sold to investors as such at tomorrow's Q2 earnings call. The one-off reunion was specifically mandated by USA Network with the express hope of seeing a boost in viewership, and as such has to be considered an anomaly.
A like-to-like comparison with its most recent equivalent, last year's Raw 25 anniversary, reveals that Monday's numbers were still far below expectation. The January 2018 special garnered a relatively huge 4.53 million viewers, highlighting the dramatic decline in interest in even these nostalgia drives.
Although this week's Raw managed to retain viewers better than usual, the show still saw a drop from hour two to hour three - even with the pull of Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan in the third hour, .
The real test for WWE is whether the reunion will tempt viewers to tune in next week. Based on the way modern stars were showcased this Monday, it doesn't seem likely.