WWE’s Major Shift in Programming: RAW’s Two-Hour Comeback Sparks Fan Debate
The WWE universe has usually been a hub of excitement, however Monday Night Raw’s modern day alternate has set the wrestling world ablaze. After years of lovers expressing their exhaustion over its extended runtime, WWE sooner or later made the circulate that many were annoying: Raw is going lower back to a two-hour layout. However, this shift won’t be everlasting, leaving lovers in suspense over its destiny.
This colossal choice, found out during the August 2024 version of Raw in Calgary, Alberta, marks a pivotal second in WWE history. Joe Tessitore, Raw’s commentator, showed that the 2-hour layout would start on October 7th, 2024. From that date until the very last broadcast of Raw on the united states Network on December 30th, the display will air from 8 p.M. To 10 p.M. ET, reverting to its as soon as-beloved format of two hours of non-prevent motion.
BREAKING: #WWERaw will be on @USANetwork from 8pm ET to 10pm ET starting on Monday, October 7th and through the rest of 2024 culminating with the @USANetwork finale on Monday, December 30!
— WWE (@WWE) September 10, 2024
Fans who have lengthy critiqued the third hour of Raw can ultimately breathe a sigh of remedy—as a minimum quickly. The 0.33 hour of programming, added back in 2012 with the birthday party of Raw’s 1,000th episode, had frequently been criticized for feeling too drawn out, with many feeling that it precipitated a lull in energy and momentum. The pass lower back to two hours rekindles the strength of Raw’s earlier years, offering viewers a tighter, greater concise experience.
However, as an awful lot as enthusiasts may additionally have a good time, it comes with a caveat: the change is short-lived. Dave Meltzer, famend for his insider know-how inside the world of expert wrestling, confirmed what a few had already speculated. This transition to a two-hour format is a choice made by using the USA Network, not WWE itself. WWE is ready to renew its 3-hour proclaims whilst Monday Night Raw movements to its new home, Netflix, beginning January 6, 2025. So, while the new format offers a reprieve, it seems that WWE fans will have to prepare for a return to longer shows in the new year.
Meltzer’s confirmation additionally sheds mild on WWE’s ongoing courting with the USA Network. Despite this predominant shift in programming, the network isn’t entirely slicing ties with WWE. SmackDown, WWE’s different flagship software, is set to transport from FOX to USA Network as part of WWE’s massive multi-billion-dollar broadcast shake-up, ensuring that wrestling lovers will still have a reference to the network transferring forward. Additionally, NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, could be finding a new home on the CW Network, persevering with its push to establish itself as a key participant in the wrestling international.
WWE’s address USA Network changed into set to expire on the end of September 2024, but the organization brokered an extension, making an allowance for this transient two-hour format shift until the Netflix deal kicks off in January 2025. The excitement of the looming transition has handiest brought gasoline to the fireplace for wrestling fanatics who’re already eagerly looking forward to how the circulate to Netflix will alternate the panorama of expert wrestling content material.
Raw, as a three-hour show, has had its critics over time, but it additionally became a staple for plenty fans, specially because the show’s momentous 1,000th episode in 2012. Before that, from 1997 to 2012, Raw aired for simply hours, and this shift back to a greater concise display ought to ignite nostalgia among long-time enthusiasts.
There are, however, worries. Will WWE’s transition lower back to three hours be too much for fanatics after they’ve grown conversant in a shorter runtime? Will this transient -hour layout show so a hit that fans rally in the back of it and call for it live completely? These questions loom huge as WWE steps into a brand new era of tv partnerships and capacity growth.
With WWE’s ongoing partnership modifications, many are questioning whether the flow to streaming large Netflix will revitalize Raw. Netflix’s international reach opens up new possibilities for how WWE content material can evolve, from viable interactive elements to extended content libraries that might include extra than simply the weekly suggests. Yet, the destiny stays unsure—each for lovers and WWE alike. What’s clear is this transient go back to two-hour programming has rekindled exhilaration among visitors, and the final episodes of Raw on USA Network promise to deliver.
The clock is ticking. As October seventh draws close to, the WWE universe may be watching with bated breath, geared up to see how this shift performs out in real time. With Netflix at the horizon and the circulate to a brand new layout in play, there’s no question that WWE’s fans are in for a rollercoaster trip of emotion and excitement over the following couple of months.
