The latest episode of WWE Monday Night Raw featured the sports entertainment juggernaut paying tribute to the victims of 9/11 while also trying to deliver the kind of action that brings smiles to faces. Jey Uso’s journey on the red brand continued to take shape as he teamed with Kevin Owens against The Judgment Day in the show’s opening bout. However, due to miscommunication, he wound up superkicking KO, costing them the match. In the main event, Nia Jax made her surprising return, first helping Rhea Ripley successfully defend her WWE Women’s World Championship before laying out Mami after the match.
Wrestlenomics reports that this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw was watched by an average of 1,353,000 viewers, with about 527,000 of those in the coveted P18 – 49 demographic. It was down 21% in overall viewership from the previous week and down 22% in the P18 – 49 demo. With the exception of last year’s December 26 “Best Off” installment of the long-running series, this was the least-watched episode of Raw ever. It is worth noting that Raw went head-to-head with the first week of the regular NFL season.
The episode started off with an overall audience of about 1,463,000 viewers, with about 531,000 of those in the P18 – 49 demo. It peaked during the fifth quarter-hour at 1,498,000 viewers, with 592,000 in the P18 – 49 demo. That quarter-hour featured Imperium attempting to celebrate Gunther surpassing The Honky Tonk Man’s record for the all-time longest WWE Intercontinental Championship reign. However, Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable interrupted the festivities, issuing a challenge to The Ring General for one more title shot. Things devolved from there, with Imperium going on the attack before Gable’s tag team partner, Otis, made the save.
The dismal Raw viewership came just hours before WWE officially merged with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings. No roster changes or releases have taken place following the move, but Haus of Wrestling has confirmed that WWE CFO and President Frank Riddick III will be leaving the company at the end of the month.