Other sports have shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, but wrestling continues to chug along with WWE, IMPACT, and AEW still running its weekly television events. Many thought the viewership numbers would go up with no sports competition running against the respective shows and everyone stuck inside with little else to do.
But that hasn't been the case. Viewership numbers for all programs are down across the board and furloughed WWE producer Shane Helms knows the reason why.
Taking to social media in response to former WWE writer Dave Schilling commenting on the declining viewership, Helms stated "wrestling without an audience sucks" and that even he's struggling to watch the shows right now.
Because it sucks without an audience. It just does. Nobody loves wrestling more than me but I struggle to watch it while it’s missing one of it’s most vital components, the fans! It’s like watching Standup without a crowd. No matter what, it just won’t be as funny. https://t.co/iUeW2rMJmG
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) May 5, 2020
Helms later came back and said he's still happy wrestling is continuing as even wrestling with no audience is better than no wrestling.
I agree with that. It’s definitely better than no wresting. https://t.co/w5OuEKMvrf
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) May 6, 2020
Helms did compliment AEW on what they've been doing.
They’ve done some things that I really like.
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) May 5, 2020
Raw has set new all-time low viewership records with each passing week, though the show continues to perform well against the competition in the 18-49 demographic.
You can find the full ratings report from Monday's episode by clicking here.
