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In a significant change to its flagship programming, WWE has announced that its iconic Raw show will be shortened from three hours to two hours, starting on October 7, 2024. The move marks the first time in 12 years that the broadcast length has been reduced since Raw expanded to three hours with its thousandth episode in July 2012. This change will remain in effect until January 2025, when Raw transitions from the USA Network to Netflix. It remains unclear if the show’s duration will be adjusted again once it makes the move to the streaming platform. The decision comes after years of debate among the WWE community, with fans divided on whether the longer runtime was a benefit or a burden.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and WWE Superstars
The reaction to Raw’s reduced runtime has been mixed, with some fans welcoming the change and others concerned about potential downsides. Longtime WWE fan Jonathan Elgie expressed relief, noting that the three-hour format often felt overly lengthy. “Sometimes there is too much of a good thing,” Elgie told BBC Newsbeat, adding that the reduction was “necessary” due to the excessive filler content that had become commonplace. WWE Superstar Seth “Freakin” Rollins also previously criticized the three-hour format, describing it as “obnoxiously long” and suggesting that a two-hour show would allow for tighter, more impactful storytelling. However, Elgie also acknowledged the potential downside, as the shorter format might limit the opportunities for lesser-known talent to showcase their skills on the program.
Trial Period Before the Netflix Transition– WWE News
As WWE prepares for its move to Netflix, the reduction in Raw’s runtime may serve as a trial to gauge fan reception and the overall impact on the product. While reports suggest that Raw could revert to three hours once it lands on Netflix, the interim period will allow WWE to assess whether the two-hour format better suits the needs of its audience. Fans have pointed to SmackDown, which consistently airs as a two-hour show as a successful example of a tighter, more focused program. The change also signals WWE’s willingness to adapt its content to fit the preferences of its viewers, as it navigates the evolving landscape of television and streaming platforms.
A New Era for WWE on Netflix
The upcoming move to Netflix represents a major shift for WWE, as Raw leaves traditional television for the first time since its inception in the early 1990s. TKO, the parent company of WWE, has described the Netflix deal as “transformative” ,emphasizing the potential for WWE to reach an even broader global audience through the streaming giant. Mark Shapiro, the president of TKO, praised the deal for its ability to combine “the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach.” As WWE prepares for this new chapter, fans like Jonathan Elgie are hopeful that the move will bring about more significant changes, including a possible return to the edgier, less PG content that defined the brand in earlier years. Whether or not these hopes will be realized remains to be seen but the shorter Raw format marks the beginning of what could be a new era for WWE.