A Shift from Monday Nights to Counter Football’s Dominance?
WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, has been a staple for wrestling fans for decades. However, recent developments suggest that this might change. Following WWE’s significant deal with the USA Network to bring SmackDown back to its platform, there’s now speculation about Raw’s future both in terms of its broadcasting channel and its traditional Monday night slot.
The primary reason behind this potential shift is the competition Raw faces from Monday Night Football. Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Radio highlighted that WWE Raw’s viewership has been significantly impacted by football this year. While Raw on Mondays is an institution, and fans have been conditioned to start their week with it, a move to another day might result in a drop in viewership. However, if WWE decides to move Raw to Wednesdays, it could directly challenge AEW Dynamite, potentially affecting its viewership.
While SmackDown is confirmed to air on the USA Network from 2024 for a five-year tenure, the fate of Raw and NXT remains uncertain. The lucrative deal for SmackDown might lead the USA Network to release Raw and NXT.