WWE Raw experienced a dip in its audience for its second week with a live audience while the show was still able to top 1.8 million viewers.
The three-hour episode averaged 1,814,000 viewers with 635,000 (0.49) in the 18-49 demographic, per Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.
The PW Torch has an hourly breakdown with the show averaging 1,814,000 in the first hour, increasing to 1,871,000 in the second hour, and falling to 1,733,000 in the final hour that included the main event between Nikki A.S.H. and Charlotte Flair.
An important note raised by Dave Meltzer was that Raw aired at 5 p.m. on the West Coast instead of the usual start time of 8 p.m. and would have a negative impact on the number this week.
The viewership fell 5.7 percent and 18-49 demo dropped by 14.3 percent from last week. The final six episodes from the ThunderDome averaged 1,625,000 and 586,000 in 18-49. So, overall, this number held up well and had to contend with the Olympics, which last week’s episode did not.
While he appeared in front of the live crowd with a dark match after Raw, John Cena was not advertised nor did he appear on the program.
In Canada, the number dropped with 198,300 and 97,900 in the 25-54 demographic watching on Sportsnet 360. However, it was still the second-highest figure for Raw since May 17th. Last week’s episode averaged 276,000 and 134,300 in 25-54.
Next week’s episode of Raw should have a hot crowd at the Allstate Arena in Chicago with Bill Goldberg scheduled to appear, although WWE has yet to advertise his appearance.
