Reason Behind WWE RAW’s Shift to Two-Hour Format

For years, Monday Night RAW was known for its two-hour format, but in 2012, WWE extended the show to three hours. Now, after more than a decade, RAW is making the switch back to two hours—and the reason for the change has been revealed.

During the September 9 edition of Monday Night RAW, part of WWE Week on the USA Network, it was officially announced that starting October 7, RAW will return to a two-hour format, airing from 8/7c to 10/9c. This new schedule will continue each week until RAW’s final episode on the USA Network, which is set for December 30.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer, the decision to shorten RAW was made by the USA Network, not WWE. While the exact reasoning behind the call remains unclear, Meltzer speculated that the change might be aimed at improving ratings by eliminating the third hour, which has often led to a dip in viewership.

“The basic situation is that it was a USA Network call, not a WWE call. I’m not sure why. It will boost the ratings of the show because they won’t have the third hour that drags down the average, but I’m not sure exactly why USA made the call,” Meltzer explained.

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He also noted that WWE entered a three-month contract with USA, valued at $25 million, which is considered below market value. WWE had the option of moving the show to Peacock but ultimately chose to stay with USA for this short-term deal.

As WWE prepares for its highly anticipated move to Netflix on January 6, 2025, it remains to be seen how fans will respond to RAW’s two-hour format. Some might find it a refreshing change, while others could miss the three-hour format that has become the norm in recent years.

What do you think about WWE Raw returning to two hours? Do you think this will be a permanent change in the future? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!