Raw ratings up for first show of the supposed NEW ERA

The first show of the so-called new era, with Shane and Stephanie McMahon running Raw led to a ratings increase to 3.43 million viewers, coming the day after Payback.

The number was up 10 percent from the seasonal record low of 3.12 million viewers set last week.

The good news is that while the first hour was up, as is often the case the day after the PPV, the viewership largely held with the second hour doing identical to the first, and the third hour drop being minimal as compared to most weeks, paced by a six-man tag match with Roman Reigns & The Usos vs. A.J. Styles & Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows.

This was done against strong competition, in particular the third hour holding steady against the Oklahoma City vs. San Antonio Thunder NBA game on TNT that did 5.20 million viewers.  Another NBA game, Atlanta vs. Cleveland, did 3.64 million viewers against Raw, while a Washington vs. Pittsburgh NHL game on NBC Sports Network did 1.65 million viewers.

With the exception of the two NBA games and Raw, nothing topped 3 million viewers on cable.

Dancing with the Stars featuring UFC fighter Paige VanZant was once again the most watched show on television with 11.81 million viewers.

The three hours of Raw were:

8 p.m. 3.46 million viewers
9 p.m. 3.46 million viewers
10 p.m. 3.38 million viewers