WWE Receiving Pressure From Networks To Book RAW & SmackDown Evenly

WWE has a lot of things going on and they booked a huge Monday Night Raw this week that included Big E’s WWE Title win. Their ratings did not shape up how they planned, but there was reason for this decision. Ringside News exclusively reported that plans for Big E’s Money in the Bank cash-in were made at SmackDown in Madison Square Garden, because WWE wanted to put on a big show on Monday. Ringside News also exclusively reported that WWE booking a strong Raw had nothing to do with AEW.

During the Mat Men Pro Wrestling podcast, Andrew Zarian noted that he was told by people at WWE’s network partners that they want treated evenly. This means if SmackDown gets a big show then Raw is likely to receive one a short time later.

“From speaking a lot of my friends at the networks, they’re alluding that when you see something big happen on one, expect something big to happen on the other. Maybe not the following week, but they have to treat them weekly, that’s true.”

It was also noted that WWE can’t treat one brand’s show like a “B-Show.” The networks don’t want to hear that they are paying a ton of money for “WWE’s B-Show.”

WWE is booking in response to a lot of things from Monday Night Football to any number of other entertainment choices. They must also make sure that their network partners are happy, and that apparently played into the decision to book such a large show on Monday.

What’s your take on this story? Sound off in the comments!

Transcription by Ringside News