WWE Raw ratings drop, viewership tied for third worst in show history

Going to the past when it comes to wrestling usually works the first time, but the shelf life of doing so is limited.

And thus after a few weeks of doing that, Raw fell last night to 1.74 million viewers, tying its third worst mark in the modern history of the show. The show did a 0.49 rating in 18-49, which tied for the second lowest in history, behind only the May 4 episode.

The audience was down 10 percent from last week and 18-49 was down eight percent from last week. The audience was down 24 percent from the same week last year.

Raw finished 25th overall in viewers and tied for fourth in 18-49. Raw was first in males 18-49 and first in males 12-34 and fifth in 18-34.

The show returned to the familiar pattern of declines throughout with a big third hour drop and a more normal level 15 percent first-to-third hour drop. The first-to-third hour tune out drops were 24 percent for women 18-49, 17 percent for men 18-49, 20 percent for teenage girls, teenage boys stayed even, and over 50 dropped 10 percent.

Raw finished fourth among non-news shows, behind three episodes of 90 Day Fiance and Below Deck Mediterranean.

Raw had seen ratings rise in recent weeks by relying on older wrestlers like Ric Flair, Big Show, Edge, and Christian to success, and going to less wrestling and more talking. But this week that same format saw the show revert back to the level that the show had been doing focusing on the newer talent.

The three hours were:

• 8 p.m. 1.86 million viewers
• 9 p.m. 1.75 million viewers
• 10 p.m. 1.59 million viewers