WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” to Shrink to Two Hours, Sparking Concerns About Wrestler Airtime

WWE’s flagship program “Monday Night Raw” is set to return to a two-hour format starting October 7 through December 30, marking a significant change from its three-hour runtime since 2012. This reduction is likely due to financial considerations as WWE’s current deal with USA Network approaches its end.

The change has sparked mixed reactions, with some expressing concern about reduced airtime for wrestlers. Tommy Dreamer, host of “Busted Open After Dark,” warns that fans might see fewer of their favorite WWE Superstars each week. He also raises questions about how the show will manage to feature all its top talent, including champions and popular wrestlers like CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest, within the shorter timeframe.

Despite his reservations, Dreamer acknowledges that this change is part of a transitional phase for WWE. The company is preparing to move to Netflix in January, which may offer more flexibility in terms of show duration compared to the current network mandates. While the shorter format presents challenges, it also sets the stage for WWE’s upcoming streaming era.

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