WWE’s Monday Night Raw on January 29 marked the first episode following the Royal Rumble event, and it didn’t disappoint. With a commercial-free first hour and the highly anticipated appearance of CM Punk, the stage was set for a potentially record-breaking show. Rumors swirled earlier in the day about Punk’s injury potentially sidelining him for WrestleMania, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the proceedings. Additionally, the WWE had been making headlines due to allegations of Vince McMahon’s misconduct, but controversy has historically been a boon for ratings rather than a deterrent.
The numbers reflected the heightened anticipation surrounding the show. According to Wrestlenomics, the episode averaged an impressive 1,909,000 viewers per hour from 8-11 pm ET. Among the coveted 18-49 demographic, it garnered a .61 rating. While these figures fell slightly short of last year’s post-Royal Rumble episode, they still represented Raw’s largest audience since last summer’s Money in the Bank event and its best rating since November’s Survivor Series.
The question now is whether WWE can sustain this momentum as it embarks on the road to WrestleMania 40. With storylines unfolding and surprises likely in store, the coming weeks promise to be eventful for wrestling fans.
Looking back over the past year, Raw’s viewership has fluctuated but remained relatively strong overall. From highs of over 2 million viewers to lows around the 1.3 million mark, Raw has proven to be a consistent draw for WWE, especially among younger audiences.
As the wrestling world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the WWE saga, one thing is certain: the drama, excitement, and spectacle of Monday Night Raw will continue to captivate fans around the globe.
