As a long-time WWE enthusiast with a decade of watching under my belt, I must admit that the recent announcement about the two-hour extension for Monday Night Raw has left me feeling like a kid who just got told they can only have one scoop of ice cream at the buffet – disappointed and yearning for more.
As a devoted fan, I can tell you that Monday Night Raw’s season opener was jam-packed with excitement this year, featuring blockbuster matches and groundbreaking announcements that left me on the edge of my seat. A piece of information dropped about its upcoming stint on the USA Network has me feeling a mix of anticipation and apprehension regarding what awaits when WWE finally transitions to Netflix in 2025.
The firm announced significant updates, which will kick off during the Monday Night Raw on October 7. As previously stated, the broadcast will air from 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, as usual, but it will end an hour earlier at 10:00 p.m. ET. Essentially, the Raw episodes are going to be extended to two hours. This development has left me wondering about its potential impact on future WWE events.
Taking An Hour Away From Raw Will Have A Massive Impact On The Show
As an ardent fan, I’ve penned down my thoughts about a dozen extraordinary talents in the WWE who, despite their prowess, seem to be overlooked. The current main roster is stronger than ever, which is fantastic, but it’s also led to a situation where Hall of Fame-worthy performers are sidelined on shows like SmackDown and Monday Night Raw simply because there aren’t enough spots to accommodate their talent.
In simpler terms, it seems that the Bloodline saga is dominating the SmackDown narrative to a considerable extent, consuming a substantial portion of the show’s airtime. While this storyline is significant and one of the most engaging in recent wrestling history, it leaves little room for other champions to appear in the ring on certain episodes.
On Monday Night Raw, it appears quite likely that the ongoing feud between Judgment Day will consume approximately an hour of airtime each episode. While this attention is well-earned, it does reduce the available time for rising stars to make their mark and for seasoned veterans to captivate audiences once more with their skills.
Unfortunately, it seems to be applicable only till 2024 at the moment. While it might be a choice the network has made that WWE must abide by until they switch platforms, I’m concerned this predicament could be more profound than just a decision.
I’m Worried This Time Change Is A Soft Launch Of The Permanent Time Change On Netflix
My biggest fear is that when Monday Night Raw comes to Netflix, it will remain a two-hour program. Granted, we still don’t know a ton about what the show will look like when it makes the switch to streaming, but I can already say I dislike the idea of getting an hour less of WWE wrestling a week.
Let’s not forget that we have to see John Cena face off against superstars during his retirement tour. While I’m pumped for all upcoming John Cena events in 2025, it ultimately means even less time for storytelling for other superstars already working week to week on television right now.
I’m eagerly looking forward to catching Monday Night Raw on Netflix when it airs, but the possibility that the show might be shorter than I’ve been used to for years gives me a bitter taste. With fewer matches at pay-per-views when we subscribe to Peacock Premium, this just seems like another instance where I should anticipate reduced content. I don’t enjoy this development, but I’m hoping that this is merely a transition happening to mark the end of the USA Network era for the show and that Raw will return to its three-hour format in 2025.
Every Monday, you can catch Monday Night Raw on USA Network, starting at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. I’m really looking forward to learning more about its upcoming changes, and I hope my existing worries will be addressed swiftly.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-09-10 05:07