Raw rating

[Guest oldschoolwrestling]

Despite the signing of Goldberg and the return of Kevin Nash, the rating for RAW continues to sink. The show did a 3.4 rating this week off hours of 3.3 and 3.6, down from a 3.5 last week.

 

Last week's RAW rating was expected to be strong due to the anticipated buzz around Goldberg, but once it came in low, many blamed the NCAA basketball title game for taking away some of RAW's viewers. This week, WWE does not have an excuse as to why the rating continued to fall.

 

RAW will be headlined next week by what is viewed as a major main event, Triple H vs. Booker T for the World Heavyweight Title. We will see if it will be enough to stop the ratings fall.

 

411wrestling

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

It won't stop any slide, because no one gives Booker a chance in hell of winning.

[Guest Johnson1620]

It won't stop any slide, because no one gives Booker a chance in hell of winning.

Well even if he does win it won't matter. The writers still have to put him in a good storyline.

 

Bottom line is that until the quality of writing improves the rating will continue to be shitty.

[Guest Coffey]

The Rock wasn't there live...you know that is the excuse that will come up.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

I continue to be amused by RAW supposedly being 'better' because of the 'bigger names' yet it constantly draws the same numbers as Smackdown.

 

Eight or so hours until the spoilers! Yay!

[Guest EternallyLazy]

I continue to be amused by RAW supposedly being 'better' because of the 'bigger names' yet it constantly draws the same numbers as Smackdown.

 

Eight or so hours until the spoilers! Yay!

and in reality, more people watch SD than RAW because network television ratings are configured differently than cable ratings

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

It's the Hurricane's fault. He should let the adults be in main events and get regulated to Heat. Then nothing will hold back the compelling storyline between Nash, HHH and HBK.

[Guest AndrewTS]

Should we rub it in Downhome's face yet? Or wait to see if the ratings change any leading up to Whiplash?

 

Oh--and FUCK GOLDBERG!

[Guest Downhome]

Should we rub it in Downhome's face yet? Or wait to see if the ratings change any leading up to Whiplash?

 

Oh--and FUCK GOLDBERG!

Rub what in my face? I was one of the first people to say that the ratings WOULD NOT go up any, and would more than likely start to decline a bit. The state of WWE is so bad off at the current time that no one is going to help the product just by "showing up", Rocky and Austin didn't do it, and I've said over and over that Goldberg will not do so if they could not. The ratings are going to be between 3-4 for a while, and that's all there is too it, regardless of what WWE puts out.

 

Nothing will change untill they produce both entertaining angles and moments that we do not expect at all (in a good way). Pro. Wrestling is weak at the moment, and it will not change untill we have good writing, no one will just be able to magicly show up and heal the wounds which have been dealt out over the past two years. Once the writing returns, things will then start getting better, but not untill then.

 

Nothing will change by having material such as a "Master Debate", racial angles, and allowing Goldust to just put a wig on Goldberg's head and have him coming out with no music. By the way...

 

...grow up, please.

[Guest AndrewTS]

If that means being a Goldberg fan...nnnnno.

 

If WWE could get some good writing into the shows and produce some compelling, interesting, surprising TV, and utilize their talent roster in the best way--THEY WOULD NOT WASTE THE MONEY ON GOLDBERG!

 

But in theory he could help, because 4-5 years ago he was a big draw in WCW. So he should be now. Right. I see that fans are just tuning in back in now in droves. Goldy's making a difference and paying off in dividends.

 

With a shitty Backlash on tap, I don't think he'll affect buyrates really, either.

[Guest Mole]

I think everyone said enough, when the storylines get better, the viewers will come back.

[Guest MaxPower27]

It's still the war...

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

What, you mean the Clique lovefest, with the lustful fawning and the group hugs, wasn't entertaining? I keep reading in other threads how it was such a great moment, one person even mentioning how it was the best thing WWE has done in a long time. But I guess it wasn't THAT segment that didn't appeal, it was something else. What was it then? Let's hear.

 

Anyway, the "ratings won't change no matter what" argument will not work with me, especially regarding Goldberg. Why? Because you cannot convince me that he was brought in for any reason other than to increase ratings. No, I don't care about overness, or freshness, or whatever. I doubt very much that VKM thought "We need some freshness here in WWE, so that's why I need to bring in Goldberg". And the "it won't change the ratings" argument is even MORE incentive for VKM to stop his 'bring _______ back' phase, which seems to be going on and on and on. I know I've had my fill of nostalgia.

 

Yikes, I even made a decision to stop posting about RAW if I wasn't going to support or watch it, but when it starts to take away what I like about SD (in this case, the upcoming Backlash card and the focus therein), I have to say something. June - no, the Thursday after Judgment Day cannot come fast enough, so the brands can separate even more and RAW can be worth even less in my mind.

[Guest MaxPower27]

Maybe it's because JR wasn't there, BAH GAWD!!!!11

[Guest RedJed]

When will they get nobody is drawing ratings anymore? Ugh

 

Whats even more absurd is that they are already doing a hype job for "Rock Concert 2" when the first one was a ratings flop in the first place. This show's ideas to get people to tune in is fucking lost in space. I think promoting things OTHER than actual matches for Raws during the week all over TV (such as this f'n Rock Concert crap) actually makes more people not even bother watching than gaining interest.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Rock and Austin did improve things. They drew ratings roughly 1.0 higher than what they were before (and where they are headed now). That was what these big names are supposed to do.

 

The fans left because as you have said, the product sucks, but Rock & Austin did their part. It's Vince's fault for not capitalizing on it.

 

In this case Goldberg & Nash are making no impact on the ratings at all. People either don't want to see them or the number of people that do want to see them is no bigger than the number of people who turn the show off when they come on. The latter is probably true in this case. Big returns are meant to draw ratings immediately. They are used as a catalyst for longer term ratings increase.

 

Not only does the product suck, but they also brought in the wrong guys. That's two major errors WWE is making right now.

[Guest AndrewTS]

Anyway, the "ratings won't change no matter what" argument will not work with me, especially regarding Goldberg. Why? Because you cannot convince me that he was brought in for any reason other than to increase ratings. No, I don't care about overness, or freshness, or whatever. I doubt very much that VKM thought "We need some freshness here in WWE, so that's why I need to bring in Goldberg". And the "it won't change the ratings" argument is even MORE incentive for VKM to stop his 'bring _______ back' phase, which seems to be going on and on and on. I know I've had my fill of nostalgia.

 

Those are just Downhome's optimistic feeling about why Goldberg coming in has increased his interest. And Hogan and HBK both tanked as champions because it showed how out of touch Vince really is.

 

I apologize if I sounded like an ass earlier, Downhome. The fact remains is that your Golden boy made no impact in the ratings whatsoever. Maybe the fact that he is virtually guaranteed not to wrestle until Backlash has something to do with it, too. *shrug*

 

Because, you know, him wrestling for the first time is a BIG event that MUST be saved for the PPVs that few fans are buying anyway.

[Guest AndrewTS]

Kahran: You mean that you think that WWE thought that Nash would make a difference in ratings?

 

Fuck, I didn't even think anyone thought that. I completely forgot about Nash, actually.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Kahran: You mean that you think that WWE thought that Nash would make a difference in ratings?

 

Fuck, I didn't even think anyone thought that. I completely forgot about Nash, actually.

I imagine Vince thought it would.

[Guest Downhome]

You aren't telling me anything I do not know. As I said, I never said Goldberg would be this magical quick fix and the ratings would just go to the moon. I even said that I fully expect the ratings to go down, that was to be expected after Wrestlemania and the RAW's before and afterwords were so low, it was only natural for the ratings to fall a bit. All I said was that Goldberg would be a type of breath of fresh air for the WWE product, and for many of the fans, I never once said that he would fix anything other than being the possible symbolic starting point of fixing everything. I also said that he would only be of use if WWE actually decided to book him the right way, instead of the way they have been doing things for the past two years, and so far, they have failed to do even that.

 

The fact does remain however, that Goldberg was the highest rated segment last week, and I would venture to guess it will be the same this week.

 

Austin and Rocky pulled ratings in for one week, and that was also be expected. It didn't last however, because of the product overall. There is no one to blame other than Vince McMahon and his writing staff. The wrestlers are not to blame, they are only being told what to do. It's all about the storylines and emotion that comes along with it, that has been the way it's always been, and it will always be. Once those in WWE realize this, then you will see a change, regardless of who is in the company.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Vince is the one that brought these guys in, and he's the one who is the main booker in the company. Of course it's his fault.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

I even said that I fully expect the ratings to go down, that was to be expected after Wrestlemania and the RAW's before and afterwords were so low, it was only natural for the ratings to fall a bit.

Well, you're wrong about that. Historically, the post-WM shows have seen big bumps in ratings. Not this year, though.

 

All I said was that Goldberg would be a type of breath of fresh air for the WWE product, and for many of the fans

 

Meaningless rhetoric. I'm sorry, I had to say it.

 

The fact does remain however, that Goldberg was the highest rated segment last week, and I would venture to guess it will be the same this week.

 

You guessed wrong. (Mind the popups, it's 1bob)

 

There is no one to blame other than Vince McMahon and his writing staff. The wrestlers are not to blame, they are only being told what to do.

 

Then, in the meantime, I have no patience for this parade of past stars, and aside from debates like these ones which are meant to pass the time (and truthfully, I enjoy), they do not exist.

[Guest Downhome]

I even said that I fully expect the ratings to go down, that was to be expected after Wrestlemania and the RAW's before and afterwords were so low, it was only natural for the ratings to fall a bit.

Well, you're wrong about that. Historically, the post-WM shows have seen big bumps in ratings. Not this year, though.

I am not wrong about anything, I wasn't talking about past Wrestlemania's and the such, I was speaking of only this year. After how bad the product has been, after seeing such a low buyrate, it WAS natural for the ratings to either stay the same or go down a bit. That's what I thought would happen anyway.

 

I forgot about the over run so I'm wrong on that, but I do bet that it was the highest rated segment of the actual two hour RAW.

[Guest RedJed]

From the numbers I've seen, Rock-Hardy and the Goldturd appearance after that last week was the highest segment of the show at a straight 4 rating. The overrun, according to the numbers in the Observer this week, was only a 3.88. So Goldberg and Rock officially drew for at least their stuff for two weeks, but this weeks was different in that Rock wasn't even there, so there was really no angle done between the two directly.

 

So yeah, Goldberg was in the highest segment last week, so was Rock. I think it will take a team effort of sorts for their segments to do well, in that both of them will have to be noted as being together as a part of the show or something, or else its not going to fly.

 

I think if they would come up with more creative ways to use these guys (and Rock Concert 2 is NOT the answer) in their program we might be surprised at the ratings for at least their segments, but right now their ideas arent working at all.

[Guest CanadianChick]

I don't get how WWE is using Goldberg. Why should a fan who never watched WCW care? I really think that he should of got more videos (i.e. Rey Mysterio) so fans would have an idea or get reminded of who he was. I think WWE just assumed that everybody would just welcome Goldberg with open arms, but how about those who don't have a clear idea of who Goldberg is?

[Rendclaw 0]

From the numbers I've seen, Rock-Hardy and the Goldturd appearance after that last week was the highest segment of the show at a straight 4 rating. The overrun, according to the numbers in the Observer this week, was only a 3.88. So Goldberg and Rock officially drew for at least their stuff for two weeks, but this weeks was different in that Rock wasn't even there, so there was really no angle done between the two directly.

 

So yeah, Goldberg was in the highest segment last week, so was Rock. I think it will take a team effort of sorts for their segments to do well, in that both of them will have to be noted as being together as a part of the show or something, or else its not going to fly.

 

I think if they would come up with more creative ways to use these guys (and Rock Concert 2 is NOT the answer) in their program we might be surprised at the ratings for at least their segments, but right now their ideas arent working at all.

He also should be USED more.

 

Put him up against mid-carders and let him run roughshod over them, to build up interest again. Vince's idea of saving "major talent" debuts (pauses for a moment to laugh at the idiocy of Nathan Jones falling into that little category ) until the next PPV is ludicrous. Goldberg coming out and spearing Rock was a passable start, but he should have wrestled the following week and every one until the PPV, so people could start getting behind him again.

 

Once again, Vince is the supreme cocktease.

[Guest Army Eye]

CC is right. They have done little to make Goldberg seem like somebody special. Just a vague video with a few split-second clips, and what else? The announcers saying OMG GOLDBERG IS COMING!? That might've been enough in they did this back during the inVasion. But definitely not now.

 

No mention of his winning streak? His world title reign? His beating Hogan at the Georgia Dome in one of the all-time highest rated TV matches? Show some better highlight packages of him.. whatever. Give the fans who didn't watch WCW SOME reason to think Goldberg is a big deal.

[Guest AndrewTS]

No mention of his winning streak? His world title reign? His beating Hogan at the Georgia Dome in one of the all-time highest rated TV matches? Show some better highlight packages of him.. whatever. Give the fans who didn't watch WCW SOME reason to think Goldberg is a big deal.

Whoopie. Let's talk about a dead organization. Let's regale fans with tales of his many pinfalls on Hugh Morrus. Let's say "OMG HE DREW HUGE RATINGZ ON NITRO!~"

 

Who gives a fuck!? That was 5 years ago. Live in the present, not the past. Have him start making an impact in WWE, not talking about how he did in WCW. Some better packages would help, but he's still got the stench of WCW reeking on him.

[Guest RedJed]

Didnt they just do a vid package on him on one of the recent Raws though? It was either that or Confidential. If it was Confidential, they need to carry a vignette like that over to Raw.......whenever it was, I remember it being very strong.

 

I still think that they should have had Goldberg come in as a total outsider, first and foremost. Literally have show up from the crowd that night Rock threw down his whole "I beat everyone" thing and then at least people wouldn't know what to expect from him. Now with the way it is, its just so predictable with him you know what they have planned for the night a mile away.

[Guest CanadianChick]

I'd rather them harp on his WCW record than what they're doing right now. That is what made him famous. That is why people care about him. Until he gains momentum in WWE, why not remind fans of his past successes? They'll probably care more about him that way.