From a public relations standpoint, Monday’s edition of WWE RAW absolutely delivered, topping all cable series in total viewers and the adults 18-49 demographic.
With a 1.9 A18-49 rating and 4.8 million viewers, the show, most notably, dominated ESPN’s broadcast of the Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks game, which only mustered a 1.3 rating and 3.0 million viewers.
Also positive was the fact that the show managed growth from hour one to hour two, a once standard phenomenon that has managed to elude WWE in recent months. Hour two scored an impressive 2.0 adults 18-49 rating with just shy of 5 million viewers.
Of course, given the star-studded nature of hour two–segments involving Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Undertaker and The Rock–one cannot help but feel underwhelmed by the performance for that second hour, especially since it came during WrestleMania season. Even if the quarter hour breakdowns, as would be expected, are kind to the 10PM and overrun segments, it is still somewhat disheartening that such star power could not move the needle further.