WWE Raw Ratings BreakDown: What Segments Gained/Lost Viewers?

WWE Raw was a good show this week. It was not a hugely successful night in pushing Survivor Series this Sunday night, but I liked a lot about the show.

However, the ratings information just released is very informative. It shows just how viewers are reacting to certain performers in 2011. Here is the breakdown, with my thoughts after each number.

Q1: 3.1 rating - Jim Ross takes the Michael Cole Challenge

That is a pretty good start for a three-hour show. Usually, they begin in the mid 2's, so a solid number to start the show is good news. Also to note is yet another great number for the commentators. Contrary to popular belief, Michael Cole and Jim Ross in the ring draw great ratings for WWE.

Q2: 3.1 rating - C.M. Punk out to confront Cole, John Laurinaitis talks with Punk, Mick Foley arrives, Cody Rhodes and Hunico vs. Sin Cara and Kofi Kingston

Not much changed from the opening. I think Foley arriving may have kept some viewers around to see a "filler" tag team match begin.

Q3: 2.7 rating - Tag match continuation, Rock shown backstage, Zack Ryder and Santino Marella play WWE '12, two commercial breaks

There was not surprising to see a drop here. The Rock was sandwiched into between two segments that mean zero dollar signs. Zack Ryder and Santino? Sorry, but those two did not help, as well as the two commercial breaks.

Q4: 2.8 rating - Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler promo, Laurinaitis replaces Ross with Cole on commentary, Mason Ryan vs. Dolph Ziggler, Foley and Ryder backstage, Foley promo begins, two commercial breaks

WWE saw a nice little increase here. I am not sure what to make of this one. I will just credit it to late viewers tuning in for the usual time slot ready to begin.

Q5: 3.7 rating - Foley introduces John Cena for the "This is Your Life" segment with Bull Buchanan

As you can see, a major bump occurs during the start time of the regular two-hour time slot. Having Mick Foley in his first WWE in-ring appearance likely helped as well. Great number for WWE!

Q6: 3.3 rating - Foley introduces John Cena Sr., The Rock out to attack Foley, Sheamus vs. Jack Swagger, two commercial breaks

The segment lost viewers, as it went on. That is not surprising. I liked the intentional "bad" comedy, which went over a lot of people's heads. It was scripted to be a terrible segment that Rock had to come out and "save." Not sure many people understand the premise here! Two commercial breaks again are a killer to ratings.

Q7: 3.3 rating - Sheamus vs. Swagger continuation, Ryder with The Bella Twins, Kelly Kelly vs. Natalya

They stayed steady for this segment. Again, I am not sure what to credit here. Maybe the Sheamus push is starting to catch on people wanted to see his match with Jack Swagger continue?

Q8: 3.2 rating - Laurinaitis on the phone with Brodus Clay, Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez speak with Laurinaitis, Awesome Truth backstage, two commercial breaks

Backstage segments and two more commercials breaks means viewers changing channels. Not much to say here, just a short drop though...

Q9: 3.6 rating - Alberto Del Rio and Mark Henry vs. Big Show and C.M. Punk

Big increase for the top of the third hour! Viewers usually peak at the top of each hour, so this was not a surprise. Having four top talents in a match certainly helped out.

Q10: 3.1 rating - Kevin Nash and Santino Marella segment, Team Barrett entrance, two commercial breaks

Huge drop off for Raw here! I am not going to fault Kevin Nash or Santino here. WWE gave no teaser before the commercial break, so viewers were going "blind" here not knowing any upcoming segment. Plus, this quarter hour usually drops off from the top of the hour increase. No big deal here...

Q11: 3.0 rating - Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett with Team Orton and Team Barrett brawl, two commercial breaks

Another small drop occurred during this match. I am not surprised. Why should we care about Orton vs. Barrett? The "feud" is not even a real feud, and we just saw this battle on Smackdown! I understand viewers not being invested in this segment.

Q12: 3.6 rating - The Rock segment with The Miz and R-Truth

Obviously, The Rock is going to bump ratings back up. The closing moments of the final show before Survivor Series with the main event performers talking? Yes, major draw for viewers at home!

Overrun: 4.0 rating - John Cena joins The Rock, R-Truth, and The Miz for the closing minutes

WWE closes with a a monster 4.0 rating! Congrats to WWE for that, but there a few factors here. One is viewers tuning in late for the beginning of the next show on the USA Network. The second is The Rock returning for a promo.

The third is fans know to tune in for the main event segment. If fans watch nothing else of WWE, they watch the closing moments of WWE Raw. We have been trained to know the end of the show is where all the best moment usually occur.

As you can see, the main event performers for WWE are drawing good numbers. The problem is keeping fans around to watch mid card, comedy, and the "filler" segments.. That is where WWE needs to improve. Getting fans to watch the show is one thing. Getting fans to STAY watching the entire show is another...

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