Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2020/08/25/wwe-raw-tops-two-million-viewers-posts-best-numbers-since-april/
Coming out of WWE SummerSlam, Monday’s episode of Raw had its best performance since April as it topped two million viewers and drove up the demographic rating.
Going against the NBA playoffs and the first night of the Republican Convention, WWE Raw had its best ratings since the night after WrestleMania 36 in April. The show averaged 2,028,000 viewers and a much-improved 0.67 rating in the 18-49 demographic.
Viewership increased by 23 percent and the 18-49 rating was up 39.5 percent from last week’s averages.
The first hour attracted 2.14 million viewers before dropping 4 percent in the second hour to 2.045 million viewers with the third hour falling by 7 percent to 1.90 million viewers. All three hours hit their highest marks since the April 6th edition of Raw.
There are probably several factors to attribute the number to with SummerSlam occurring the night prior, the first episode of Raw with the ThunderDome, and the return of Roman Reigns. The Reigns return was the most newsworthy aspect to SummerSlam but it was made clear early that Reigns wasn’t showing up until Friday Night SmackDown.
The third hour was loaded to feature Rey Mysterio teaming with son Dominik for the first time in Rey’s first match since the injury angle, the first-time match between Randy Orton and Keith Lee, and a Lumberjack Match between Asuka and Sasha Banks for the Raw women’s title.
Raw went against two NBA playoff games with the Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat game doing 1,732,000 viewers on TNT. The first hour of Raw topped this game in the 18-49 demo. The L.A. Lakers vs. Portland game began at 9:14 pm Eastern and was the top show on cable Monday with 2,979,000 viewers and a 1.34 demo rating.
The first night of the Republican Convention attracted 15.85 million viewers spread across the network and cable outlets beginning at 10 pm Eastern. There was also significant cable news coverage preceding the convention speeches.
Raw increased in double digits across all its key demographics led by males 18-49 improving by 40 percent, women 18-49 up by 39 percent, and the key 18-49 demo increasing by 39.5 percent. It was a huge week across the board coming off a low number last week.
In the third hour, they also experienced double-digit decreases in all categories led my adults 18-34 down 22 percent, and females 12-34 dropping by 20 percent.
This was a strong week for WWE Raw and will be notable how well this holds up next week and an obvious novelty to the ThunderDome that has drawn strong numbers in its first two television presentations.
Here is a breakdown of the key demographics:
ADULTS 18-49
This week: 0.67 (+ 39.5 percent)
Hour 1-3: -14 percent
FEMALES 18-49
This week: 0.46 (+39 percent)
Hour 1-3: -12 percent
MALES 18-49
This week: 0.88 (+40 percent)
Hour 1-3: -13.5 percent
ADULTS 18-34
This week: 0.33 (+18 percent)
Hour 1-3: -22 percent
FEMALES 12-34
This week: 0.22 (+16 percent)
Hour 1-3: -20 percent
MALES 12-34
This week: 0.39 (+15 percent)
Hour 1-3: -16 percent
ADULTS 25-54
This week: 0.82 (+37 percent)
Hour 1-3: -16 percent
ADULTS 50+
This week: 0.92 (+15 percent)
Hour 1-3: -11.5 percent
