WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, has officially transitioned to a two-hour format, a significant change that took effect on the October 7 episode. This is the first time in over a decade that the show has been reduced to two hours, and while the episode had its share of exciting moments, the move has reportedly stirred some frustration behind the scenes.
Backstage Concerns
According to a recent report from Fightful Select, the shift to a shorter runtime has caused some “growing pains” within the WWE team. While SmackDown has successfully operated as a two-hour program for 25 years, the transition for Raw hasn’t been as smooth. One specific point of frustration came from the booking of a 10-women tag team match, featuring stars like Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Lyra Valkyria, Natalya, and Zelina Vega. The match against The Unholy Union and the Pure Fusion Collective lasted just over seven minutes, which many felt was too short, especially given the talent involved.
The Impact of the Time Slot
The reduced time slot has raised concerns about how much screen time talent will get moving forward. The current format limits the length and depth of matches, often shortened to accommodate commercial breaks. Many feel that this change, while necessary for network scheduling, might hinder the development of storylines and wrestlers, particularly in the women’s division.
Uncertain Future
There’s still some uncertainty about how long this two-hour format will last. WWE has confirmed that Raw will remain two hours long for the next three months, leading up to the show’s major shift to Netflix in January 2025. Whether or not Raw will revert to a three-hour show once it debuts on the streaming platform remains undecided.
Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, recently hinted that there has been no final decision regarding Raw’s runtime after the move to Netflix. The shift to streaming could give WWE more flexibility, as they won’t be as constrained by traditional commercial breaks, potentially allowing for longer matches and more extended storylines.
Netflix Debut Expectations
WWE reportedly has big plans for Raw’s debut on Netflix, with rumors suggesting it will be presented with the kind of spectacle typically reserved for Premium Live Events. For now, fans will have to wait and see how the new two-hour format evolves as WWE navigates this transitional period.
While the two-hour format is in place until the January 6 shift to Netflix, only time will tell if the shorter runtime becomes a permanent fixture in WWE’s programming or if the show will return to its longer format.
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