Raw Rating: Key metrics and perspective on how episode with Stephanie announcement and Reigns-Lashley drew compared to past episodes and years

Last night’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw on USA Network drew a 1.92 rating, down from last week’s post-PPV edition which drew a 1.96 rating. It is still above the monthly average of 1.85 and above the ten-week rolling average of 1.85. The Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley high-stakes pre-announced main event along with the teaser all day on social media of a major announcement by Stephanie McMahon likely helped keep the rating above the 1.90 mark for the second week in a row.

The first hour drew 2.817 million viewers, the second hour 2.821 million, and the third hour 2.701 million. The first-to-third hour dropoff was 117,000, about one-third of the average so far in 2018 of 334,000.

One year ago Raw drew a 2.13 rating and two years ago Raw drew a 2.36 rating.

Although Raw is well below ratings in past years, its three hours finished in the no. 2, 3, and 4 spots among all cable shows on Monday night among 18-49 year olds, a key demo targeted by advertisers. It was the most viewed non-news/politics show among all viewers on Monday night. “Hannity” and “Tucker Carlson” on Fox News and “Rachel Maddow” on MSNBC drew more total average viewers, but not by much, although those shows skewed older and lower within the key adult demo.

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