After what looked like it was going to be a period of resurgence for WWE's Red Brand in television viewership, the September 5 episode of RAW posted terrible viewership numbers.
According to Showbuzz Daily, the Labor Day episode of RAW, which also was the first show with Kevin Owens as WWE Universal Champion, drew 3.069 million viewers. This is down 10% from last week's 3.413 million viewers.
WWE's television numbers always drop during holiday days, and with the return of the college football season, it was no surprise that WWE's numbers would take a hit. The first hour drew 3.350 million viewers, the second hour drew 3.066 million viewers and the final hour drew a putrid 2.792 million viewers. Just to show the magnitude of the viewership drop, the final hour of the show was down 17% from the opening hour. The show opened with the coronation of Kevin Owens as the new Universal Champion as well as the announcement from GM Mick Foley that Owens will defend his title against Seth Rollins at Clash of the Champions.
RAW was #5 on cable for the night in viewership, behind Major Crimes, Rizzolli & Isles and college football coverage. RAW #3 in the 18-49 demographic, behind ESPN's coverage of college football, with the game between Florida State and Mississippi taking the number 1 spot with a 2.98 rating and 8.354 million viewers.
Despite the somewhat expected drop in viewership, it is still not a good sign for WWE to post such a low number. Last year, the Labor Day episode of RAW drew a far better 3.338 million viewers.
