Felix Upton on September 23, 2023
WWE announced a blockbuster deal with the USA Network to move SmackDown back to the channel. Now the longest running weekly episodic television show in history may have to find a new home, and another night to air the program.
WWE is making 40% increase on Friday Night SmackDown with their new USA Network deal. Only time will tell who wins the bid for RAW and NXT, but that might also come with fans having to reprogram their television viewing habits.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that there is “absolutely” talk of moving WWE RAW off Mondays. One of the big benefits of doing this is to avoid competition with Monday Night Football.
“There absolutely is talk of RAW moving off Monday, probably because they are getting destroyed by football this year.”
It was noted that WWE RAW might lose a lot of viewers if it gets moved off Mondays, because “it’s an institution.” Fans are programmed to start their week off with the red brand, and they may not follow it to another day. WWE may also split the pro wrestling audience by moving RAW to Wednesdays, which may be one of Tony Khan’s worst nightmares for AEW Dynamite. “That could hurt AEW badly, and that could be their goal,” Meltzer noted.
We will have to see what happens, but it is reportedly not likely that WWE RAW will stay on the USA Network. SmackDown is going to the USA Network in 2024, and they will remain there for five years. That big money deal may mean USA Network is going to let RAW and NXT go.
Keep checking back with Ringside News for more on this ongoing story. There is a lot to unpack, especially when it comes to television rights deals.
What’s your take on this situation? Would you stop watching WWE RAW if it moved off Mondays? Sound off in the comments to let us know what you think!
Transcription by Ringside News
September 23, 2023 9:58 am
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