WWE Raw’s first week without football competition was bolstered by the in-ring segment involving CM Punk and Cody Rhodes.
The January 22 episode from New Orleans averaged 1,686,000 viewers and 720,000 (0.55) in the 18-49 demographic, according to Wrestlenomics.
The audience increased by 19% with the 18-49 audience growing by 24% to their highest mark since January 1, which featured an unannounced appearance by The Rock on the Day 1 special.
The show averaged 1,705,000 viewers and 723,000 in the 18-49 demo for the first hour and grew to 1,723,000 and 767,000 in the second hour before dropping in the third hour to 1,630,000 and 671,000.
The star segment of the night involved Cody Rhodes and CM Punk going face-to-face at the end of hour two and bleeding into the final hour. The segment averaged 1,910,000 viewers and 811,000 in the demo. The next quarter fell 20% in viewers and 24% in the demo, per Wrestlenomics.
In Canada, the show pulled a very strong number with 329,900 viewers and 129,500 in the 25-54 demographic on Sportsnet 360, which were increases of 27% and 14% respectively from last week. The show finished third among sports behind two NHL games, although ranked second in the demo beating one of the NHL games and did a slightly larger audience than the Toronto Raptors vs. Memphis Grizzlies.
