WWE Raw Rating: Are CM Punk's Worked Shoots Effective?

Last week, we touched on the Raw rating a little bit, but we never dug too far into the numbers.

Fort those that do not know (or care?), last week drew it best number in 10 weeks or so, a 3.3 rating for the USA Network. Kudos to WWE for the increase, but it is still not at the level many wanted or had predicted a month or two back.

Truth be told, I never did expect a "new era" or anything like that to spark up the business, but I (along with others) have at least expected numbers to improve a little bit more.

Yes, the Money in the Bank buy-rate went up (final numbers will be out in awhile). Yes, CM Punk's new T-shirt is selling mad numbers right now. Yes, Punk is as hot as he has ever been! Good job to all involved.

That brings us back to the WWE Raw rating. For the little increase it showed last week, the overall number of viewers went down slightly...crazy system, huh?

I have mentioned it a million times already, but Monday Night Football for the NFL is right around the corner, and this is going to be taking chunks of the viewing audience away from Raw each week, no doubt about it folks.

WWE has to get some serious momentum going...I mean SERIOUS momentum. Whether it is a one off Rock appearance in a month. A major close to Summerslam this weekend? Rey and his title match next week? Del Rio cashing in one week?

Something really needs to prop these Raw numbers up in the next month because I am not sure just Punk and his promos are doing the trick. Everyone I know NOT using online wrestling sources has next to no clue as to what Punk, Cena and Triple H are talking about.

I imagine most of the younger (PG crowd) audience is even more confused. It may be amazing for the IWC crowd and everyone older, but kids and adults alike may just be scratching their heads one too many times during all of this and just turn the channel.

My prediction for the Raw rating, coming in within two to three hours? Since last week drew a 3.3, I am going to say it is a flat number, 3.3.

UPDATE: Raw scored a 3.1 rating, back down to its' level from a few months back.