WWE presented a highly-anticipated show this week for the 30th anniversary of RAW. Fans paid attention to the promotion, as viewership was strong to see what the company had in store.
The 30th-anniversary show was projected to have high viewership because when WWE brings back famous figures from the past, such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Undertaker, and DX, the numbers usually increase among younger audiences.
Due to going commercial-free, the first hour of the show averaged 2.64 million viewers and had a 0.80 rating in the 18-49 demographic. It was one of the most significant first-to-third-hour drops in the show’s history, which may seem concerning, but it is expected, given the high numbers. A big drop in numbers shouldn’t be viewed negatively when the first hour of a three-hour show is commercial-free. Additionally, the third hour still had over two million viewers.
8 p.m. 2.64 million viewers
9 p.m. 2.37 million viewers
10 pm. 2.02 million viewers