The Raw Streak Is Over – Goldberg helps break 30-week third hour downturn

Bill Goldberg was brought back to WWE TV to give the Raw brand a ratings jolt after five consecutive weeks of sub-2.0 TV ratings.

Goldberg, who became a household name in the 1990s due to his undefeated streak, turned into a streak-buster for Raw’s hourly viewership trend.

For the first time in seven months, Raw’s third hour viewership increased from the second hour.

The streak was at 30 consecutive Monday nights where the third hour declined from the second hour. The previous time Raw’s third hour increased was on March 14 when WWE loaded up Raw with all of the part-time WrestleMania stars.

Raw’s third hour of 3.118 million viewers was fewer than the first hour of 3.167 million viewers. However, the final hour topped 3.106 million second hour viewers.

It was also the first time that all three hours drew more than 3.0 million viewers since August 29 for the episode featuring a new Universal champion (Kevin Owens) determined in a fatal four-way elimination match.

Raw’s overall 2.17 TV rating was also the highest since a 2.38 rating for the Universal Title episode in Houston.