Following SummerSlam, WWE Raw posted its second-largest audience of the year, topping two million viewers and finishing #2 on cable.
The August 23rd edition of Raw from San Diego averaged 2,067,000 viewers along with 864,000 (0.64) in the 18-49 demographic on the USA Network, per Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.
It was Raw’s second-largest audience of 2021 trailing the Legends Night special on January 4th that generated 2,128,000 viewers featuring appearances by Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. This week’s show did top the night after WrestleMania 37, which averaged 2,026,000 viewers. In 18-49, this week’s show was the third-highest of the year behind the January 4th and April 12th editions.
They were second for the night behind the NFL pre-season game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints on ESPN that averaged 3,366,000 viewers and 0.99 in 18-49.
This week’s show increased by 8 percent in total viewers and 16 percent in the 18-49 demo.
The opening hour averaged 2,152,000 and 0.65 in the 18-49 demo, it dropped in hour two to 2,094,000 but 18-49 increased to 0.67 and then fell in hour three to 1,956,000 and 0.60. From the first to the third hour, the audience fell by 9 percent and 18-49 dropped by 7.5 percent.
In Canada, Raw did a big number with 289,200 viewers and 144,400 in the 25-54 demographic. We don’t have complete ratings for the entire year, but this would be among the highest of 2021. Raw was the second-highest sports broadcast of the night behind the Toronto Blue Jays vs, Chicago White Sox.
Prior to Monday’s episode, the five episodes of Raw since fans returned had averaged 237,700 in Canada.
Here is the breakdown of the key demos from Showbuzz Daily and the percentage difference from last week’s number:
ADULTS 18-49: 0.64 (+16.4 percent)
FEMALES 18-49: 0.44 (+10 percent)
MALES 18-49: 0.84 (+20 percent)
ADULTS 18-34: 0.41 (+24 percent)
MALES 12-34: 0.31 (+41 percent)
FEMALES 12-34: 0.42 (+10.5 percent)
ADULTS 25-54: 0.77 (+10 percent)
ADULTS 50+: 0.98 (+9 percent)
