WWE Monday Night Raw will begin one hour earlier than usual for three weeks this September, moving to a 7 p.m. ET start time on the 15th, 22nd, and 29th. This adjustment aims to test the show‘s performance against Monday Night Football programming. The WWE Raw September start time change reflects a strategic effort to reduce overlap with NFL broadcasts.
Reasoning Behind the Time Adjustment
The decision to move the show earlier was made in coordination between WWE and its broadcast partner Netflix. As reported by WrestleVotes, this switch is designed to see how Raw competes with football’s Monday night doubleheaders on ESPN, which begin at 7:15 p.m. ET on two of those dates.
“This decision was made some time ago as WWE and Netflix want to see how the show performs with an earlier start-up against Monday Night Football.” —WrestleVotes, Outlet
By starting Raw ahead of the football games, WWE aims to have its main event finish before the crucial final moments of NFL contests, limiting direct competition for viewers during peak viewing times. One insider described the change as a smart move for WWE.
Potential Impact and Future Considerations
This experiment allows WWE and Netflix to gather data on audience reaction and viewing figures when placing Raw in an earlier slot during the football season. Should the results prove favorable, WWE may adopt similar scheduling changes in coming years to better position its flagship show against the NFL’s strong Monday night presence.
