According to news reports, USA Network wants to see a new direction from WWE in the wake of declining ratings for Monday Night Raw.
In recent weeks, the Monday Night Raw ratings have been declining, with the December 14 episode receiving the lowest ratings in show history. In response to this, it seems that WWE television partner, the USA Network wants to see WWE move in a more gritty Direction in an attempt to combat the ratings.
According to a new report from Alex McCarthy of talkSPORT, while WWE is said to have had a big internal reaction to the low rating, USA Network has also had their own reaction and request for a change in direction.
Reportedly, an internal source stated that USA Network is furious and wants more adult content from WWE. “Not sexy adult, but dark and violent adult.” Of course, WWE's Attitude Era is often romanticized and heralded as the greatest time in company history and what is a time in history when WWE had a very adult-oriented program.
Earlier this year, WWE did try to shake up the format with the introduction of raw Underground, meant to be an underground Fight Club” ripoff that would take place during the third hour of the longest-running weekly episodic television show in history, however, the project was quickly scrapped by the fall.
Additionally, the report notes that WWE is hoping the Royal Rumble event in January can act as a major reset for them on the Road to WrestleMania 37.
Fightful will continue to monitor the story and report any and all updates.
