“RAW” Viewership Sees a Slight Increase After Undertaker Returns

WWE’s “RAW” viewership sees a slight increase after Undertaker returns on July 20. As previously reported, The Deadman opened the program with an address of the WWE Universe, where he proclaimed he was back to conquer the conquerer of his WrestleMania streak, Brock Lesnar.

During the July 20 edition of “Monday Night Raw,” The Authority made the “SummerSlam” main event The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar, which later would lead to an all-out brawl between The Phenom and The Beast, who’s fire took “security” and the WWE locker room to quench. WWE hopes the addition to The Undertaker to WWE “Battleground” and “SummerSlam” would add eyes to WWE television and subscriptions to the WWE Network.

While more eyes viewed “RAW” on July 20 than on July 13, WWE is still in a lull when it comes to TV viewership. The July 20 edition of the flagship WWE program drew 3.804 million viewers, which is a 7.7 percent increase from the 3.531 million viewers on July 13.

The first hour, which saw Undertaker addressing the WWE Universe, saw 3.840 million viewers. The second hour, featuring the brawl between Lesnar and ‘Taker, drew 4.030 million viewers. The third and final hour, which saw a six-man tag team main event, pitting Randy Orton, Cesaro, and John Cena against Kevin Owens, Sheamus, and Rusev, drew 3.542 million viewers.

After the buzz and chaos surrounding the July 20 edition of the show has crossed-over into popular culture, even being discussed on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, WWE hopes the viewership for WWE “RAW” continues to grow leading up to Undertaker vs. Lesnar at “SummerSlam” on Aug. 23.

Editor’s Note:

Welp. A spark has to ignite the flame. Let’s hope this was it. Booking/structure of a three hour show is what will breathe new life into the program, or ultimately kill it. I still think three hours is MUCH too long for weekly wrestling television. Go BACK to two hours, and leave us wanting more…instead of exhausting us.