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WWE Raw drops to lowest TV rating in 18 years
- Thread starter RBH
- Start date
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ThePrequelsSuck
Banned
WWE has sucked since 2006 or so.
No, of course not.
Just like how people were insisting it wasnt Rollins' fault when this whole thing started.
RBH comes through in the clutch.
Bold prediction, Aiii. Time for an avatar bet!
At the current pace of things these ratings are going to get brutal come NFL time. But guys everything is fine because social media, DVR, etc! Vince and the current regime aren't a problem!
Rockandrollclown
lookwhatyou'vedone
Thats what happens when you put out a show where Owens only shows up for like 20 seconds.
illmatic22
Banned
Shit ratings for a shit product.
I'm willing to make that bet. They will do a 1.5 or lower by the end of the year.
Better get that WWE apologist NeoGAF Vince McMahon in here to take you up on it. Or maybe one of those guys who always post Roman Reigns gifs.
NeoGAF Vince McLandis needs to finish doing hard time for his most recent avatar bet though
Oooh yeeeah. Poor guy.
Careful, or they might pretend they're on twitter and throw hashtags at you.
It's gonna be hilarious when Raw hits TNA's best ever rating. Inconceivable a few years ago....
Plinko
Wildcard berths that can't beat teams without a winning record should have homefield advantage
Is it possible NXT's high level of quality is making RAW look much worse in comparison and turning people off?
I haven't watched wrestling regularly for a decade and just started again, and NXT is exponentially better to watch.
I haven't watched wrestling regularly for a decade and just started again, and NXT is exponentially better to watch.
For certain hardcore fans, perhaps. But the general audience doesn't watch NXT as it's only on the WWE network, which they don't own for the most part. The largest portion of WWE's fanbase only watches RAW, they don't even watch the PPVs save for WM (and even then, only a certain percentage of them).
It's just a tired, dated and overexposed product that's killing interest.
Bruce Springsteen
Member
Vince Russo was right, look at the card for payback, smark dream with all this internet favorites involved but they don't attract any casuals
What's that? A 1.5?
Vince Russo is a moron.
Vince Russo still thinks David Arquette being world champion was a smart move.
(NXT is also on Hulu, IIRC)
NXT, despite it not having the same audience as the main programs, does really shine a light on how dated and overexposed Raw looks in comparison. But you really don't need to look at alternate wrestling shows to see how stale WWE has become. Part of the problem is that the shows are too damn long. Raw could easily go down to 90 minutes and Smackdown could go down to 60 minutes. Another mostly unrelated problem is that the writers don't seem to know how to fill a show with content regardless of how much time they have.
I mentioned this previously in this thread, but the production values of Raw are one example of how "outdated" Raw comes off in terms of presentation, and it's honestly a relatively "easy fix" in relation to their other issues.
They've basically been using the same set for Raw for years now:
They use the same camera angles as they have previously.
They use the same style of replays during the match (split-screen stuff).
And even the theme song they use for Raw is relatively low-key compared to previous Raw themes in the past (subjective I know, but still).
All of it is something that's been in dire need of an overhaul for awhile now.
They've basically been using the same set for Raw for years now:
They use the same camera angles as they have previously.
They use the same style of replays during the match (split-screen stuff).
And even the theme song they use for Raw is relatively low-key compared to previous Raw themes in the past (subjective I know, but still).
All of it is something that's been in dire need of an overhaul for awhile now.
Rockandrollclown
lookwhatyou'vedone
This week was pretty bad. Raw after Mania was bad. So its been about 50-50. Just how the WWE likes it.
Jazzy Network
Member
Cena will save them.
Raw After Mania sucked until the last half hour. The most recent Raw was boring. The two Raws inbetween were pretty good. So they're batting .500 since WrestleMania.
EDIT - WrestleMania being really mediocre and having absolutely no impact on most of the storylines happening in the promotion did them no favors either
Marvel
could never
Holy shit, lol.
Violence Jack
Member
USA has to realize no one is staying up to watch this shit for 3 hours. When ratings dip below a 2.0, maybe they'll get the wake up call then. It's borderline unwatchable at this point.
That gif needs a Brazzers logo, lol
This is why I think they just need an overhaul of their production crew. The established people in charge clearly have no desire to shake up anything at all and are content as fuck with letting the product go stale.
I mentioned this previously in this thread, but the production values of Raw are one example of how "outdated" Raw comes off in terms of presentation, and it's honestly a relatively "easy fix" in relation to their other issues.
They've basically been using the same set for Raw for years now:
They use the same camera angles as they have previously.
They use the same style of replays during the match (split-screen stuff).
And even the theme song they use for Raw is relatively low-key compared to previous Raw themes in the past (subjective I know, but still).
All of it is something that's been in dire need of an overhaul for awhile now.
This is why I think they just need an overhaul of their production crew. The established people in charge clearly have no desire to shake up anything at all and are content as fuck with letting the product go stale.
- New sets
- PPV exclusive sets (seriously, PPVs get more basic sets than the TV shows!)
- No more Jason Bourne shakey cam
- No more cutting to commercials mid-match
It doesn't matter. People are turning away from WWE based on the past years of shit. No amount of people saying how good Raw was are gonna make people like me tune back in. Been there, done that, moved on.
At best I will cherry pick the people I like and watch the five minute recap of their stuff on YouTube or skip to the segment on Hulu, but that is rare.
Yes, NXT in plenty of ways has a lot progression and innovation compared to RAW (especially in being experimental) while also taking things back to basics in a lot of other ways.
RAW is still trying to use that same format from the Attitude Era, except without that huge audience interest and without the major stars that era was based around. So it's just hollow. The 20 minute opening segments with the Authority aren't there because it's a hot storyline everyone tunes in for, they're there because "that's what we've had since 1999, a 20 minute opening with heel authority figures" and to fill time in the 3 hours.
Lucha Underground is also shining a light on how dated and lacking in cohesion WWE is. In the same episode of a RAW show, WWE seems to lurch from what they even portray WWE as. Sometimes it's a fake sporting event, sometimes it's supposed to be an "action soap opera", then they just drop kayfabe entirely for a segment. There is no consistency, whereas Lucha Underground knows what it is at all times.
And it's too fuckin long.
Kevin fucking Dunn. He needs to go so badly. The "sameness" of the RAW presentation is largely his doing.
WWE still leaning on the heel authority figure story-line 20 goddamn years after the Attitude Era is a pretty strong indicator of how they are growing stale. I don't think they actually know how to write any kind of major multi-week storyline that doesn't revolve around an evil authority figure. In recent years it's been PEOPLE POWER, a goddamn laptop, and a McMahon/HHH Authority regime that lived on 2 years after it should have logically ended (WM30). And now we finally get Shane as a face authority figure and WWE couldn't go more than a month without trotting Steph out there again.
I could see a 1.5 by the end of the year. I tuned in for the first time since Bryan's retirement to see if there would be a Chyna tribute.
I stuck around for a while longer before I couldn't do anymore. Right from the start the pace is fucked with the garbage 20 minute promos. The actual wrasslin is good, but the rest is just so boring. Barely any charisma, it feels like I'm watching robots. It's hard to boo or cheer someone when you don't give a rats ass about them.
I stuck around for a while longer before I couldn't do anymore. Right from the start the pace is fucked with the garbage 20 minute promos. The actual wrasslin is good, but the rest is just so boring. Barely any charisma, it feels like I'm watching robots. It's hard to boo or cheer someone when you don't give a rats ass about them.
Holy shit lmao
At 3 hours a week, WWE just picks the easiest storyline for them to randomly plug in segments every week and play replays ad nauseum. RAW feels like they are just killing time most weeks. That 3rd hour going away would be an immediate improvement.
If anything in the world would get me back into wrestling, it would be WWE attempting the Lucha Underground production style. I have only seen one episode (the pilot), and I'm not a fan of Lucha wrestling but those video packages/backstage segments were awesome.
I want to see WWE's movie department film John Cena arguing with Triple H in some gigantic 100th floor boardroom at Triple's H's evil Authority headquarters, and then have the episode end with Triple H throwing Cena through the glass window while Bray Wyatt appears for a moment in a background mirror.
Fleet_of_Foot
Member
I haven't watched anything wrestling since Wrestlemania. I quit the Network. I unsubbed from the subreddits. I just quit cold turkey and I don't even think about it anymore.
What's sad is that even NXT has been struggling to hold my interest lately. NXT Takeover Dallas was fucking amazing, but the shows leading up to it were pretty blah and the shows since it have been kind of pointless. It also doesn't help that NXT lost a few of its stars due to call ups.
My opinion hasn't changed.
The problem with WWE is not talent. The problem is that the production and presentation is completely dated, stale, and 10 degrees past formulaic. They should switch Cole and that guy from Smackdown as lead announcers. That Smackdown announcer is a fresh voice and he sounds legit. Like the guy could be calling UFC or professional boxing matches.
The problem with WWE is not talent. The problem is that the production and presentation is completely dated, stale, and 10 degrees past formulaic. They should switch Cole and that guy from Smackdown as lead announcers. That Smackdown announcer is a fresh voice and he sounds legit. Like the guy could be calling UFC or professional boxing matches.
Or just get Vince out of Cole and JBL's ears. Cole can actually be a legitimately entertaining announcer when he's allowed to be. He was great at that WWE Tokyo special on 4th of July.
The PG rating doesn't matter. You don't need blood and swear words to make a good wrestling show.
You just need good booking and characters people actually care about. If they have a character you care about in a good story, you'll tune in, it's that simple.
No one actually cares about Reigns. Some people "like" him, but they don't really care about him. There's no connection.
You just need good booking and characters people actually care about. If they have a character you care about in a good story, you'll tune in, it's that simple.
No one actually cares about Reigns. Some people "like" him, but they don't really care about him. There's no connection.
I'll echo the sentiments on NXT from someone who hasn't followed wrestling regularly in a long time. I subbed for Wrestlemania like many did and I was quite honestly blown away by that NXT show. There was an energy to it that I hadn't felt from a wrestling show since I was a kid.
From what I've seen of these recent Raws, they just aren't fun. Plain and simple. And you'd have to point a gun at my head to get me watch 3 hours of Michael Cole.
From what I've seen of these recent Raws, they just aren't fun. Plain and simple. And you'd have to point a gun at my head to get me watch 3 hours of Michael Cole.
For one thing RAW is too long. Watching it live must be painful.
Also, production is stale as hell. The entire show is boring looking.
And, finally, most episodes are filler where nothing happens. Less filler matches and more segments that advance or promote a feud is what it needs.
And, in the end, three hours is too much.
Also, production is stale as hell. The entire show is boring looking.
And, finally, most episodes are filler where nothing happens. Less filler matches and more segments that advance or promote a feud is what it needs.
And, in the end, three hours is too much.
I went to a Raw once, and they taped some other show before that, too. I want to say it was about five hours, once the Raw taping was done and they had the dark match after that, etc.
Sadly, I agree. NXT is falling into that trap where everything outside Takeovers is pointless/boring/filler. I still watch it every week, but only because it's an hour long. If the airtime was longer, I'd probably drop it.
Host Samurai
Member
PG is really the least of the issues. I think work rate wrestling is what they should be pushing more of. Make it feel important to win matches. The storylines are sooooo dull and boring
Tatsumaki Senpuukyaku!
Member
I mentioned this previously in this thread, but the production values of Raw are one example of how "outdated" Raw comes off in terms of presentation, and it's honestly a relatively "easy fix" in relation to their other issues.
They've basically been using the same set for Raw for years now:
They use the same camera angles as they have previously.
They use the same style of replays during the match (split-screen stuff).
And even the theme song they use for Raw is relatively low-key compared to previous Raw themes in the past (subjective I know, but still).
All of it is something that's been in dire need of an overhaul for awhile now.
They've been using the ramp/titantron setup for 19 years now, it's just fancier looking.
They need to shake things up even more. I remember how fresh it was when they changed to Raw is War and used that setup. It felt like something completely different when compared to the previous 4 years of Raw.
SpideySenses
Member
There's so many problems with WWE but I feel like bullet point or completely unscripted promos would have a domino effect to improve so many other aspects of the overall product. If there's an authenticity to how wrestlers talk, all the other bullshit would be exposed and have to be improved upon.
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