Starting in September, WWE Raw will begin its broadcasts earlier than usual to accommodate scheduling changes in the United States. Traditionally airing at 8 pm ET, the show’s new start time will shift forward by about an hour. This change coincides with the NFL‘s Monday Night Football season and aims to avoid overlap.
New Taping Schedule Highlights Earlier Local Start Times
According to updated WWE.com listings, tapings for Raw will start earlier from September 15 onwards. For example, the September 15 episode from Springfield, Massachusetts, is now set to begin at 6:30 pm local time. Similarly, the September 22 show in Evansville, Indiana, will start taping at 5:30 pm local time. These earlier taping times reflect the need for fans to be seated before the televised broadcast begins.
Live Broadcast Expected to Launch at 7 pm ET
The start of tapings half an hour before airtime suggests WWE Raw will go live at 7 pm ET, which is a shift from its usual 8 pm ET slot. This change is anticipated to last for the foreseeable future beginning mid-September and is designed to position WWE Raw comfortably ahead of Monday Night Football’s kickoff.
Reasons Behind WWE’s New Start Time
Wrestling Observer journalist Dave Meltzer speculated that the earlier start time is likely intended to ensure WWE Raw airs well before Monday Night Football, which generally begins at 8:15 pm ET. Meltzer also mentioned the possibility that the adjustment may relate to WWE introducing a new one-hour show simultaneously, although WWE has not officially confirmed these reasons.
Impact and Future Considerations
The shift to an earlier kickoff for WWE Raw reflects the competition for live viewership on Monday nights as NFL games attract large audiences. By beginning earlier, WWE aims to retain its fanbase without losing viewers to football broadcasts. This move could also signal WWE’s broader strategy to adjust programming in response to changing sports and entertainment landscapes.
“The earlier start time is likely to ensure Raw goes on the air one hour before Monday Night Football, with NFL games typically getting underway at 8:15 pm ET.”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer
“It could be due to a new one-hour WWE show.”
—Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer
