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WWE Raw Start Times Shift to Counter NFL Competition
Did You Know? The change in start times for WWE Raw is a strategic move to avoid direct competition with the NFL’s Monday Night Football, possibly maximizing viewership for both entities.
WWE has adjusted the advertised start times for three upcoming Monday Night Raw events in September. The changes move the shows up to an hour earlier than their traditional start times. While WWE has not publicly stated a reason for the change, it appears to be a strategic decision to avoid overlapping with the broadcast of Monday Night Football on ESPN [[3]].
The updated schedule is as follows:
| Date | Location | New Start time (Local) | New Start Time (Eastern) |
|---|---|---|---|
| september 15 | Springfield, MA | 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM |
| September 22 | Evansville, IN | 5:30 PM | 6:30 PM |
| September 29 | Raleigh, NC | 6:30 PM | 6:30 PM |
These adjustments mean that arena doors will likely open 30-60 minutes before the live broadcast begins, as is typical [[1]]. The earlier start times suggest that the main Raw broadcast could begin at 7:00 PM eastern, a full hour earlier than usual.
Pro Tip: Fans planning to attend these Raw events should confirm the updated start times with the venue directly to ensure accurate planning.
Will this change in scheduling impact Raw’s viewership numbers? How will this affect the viewing habits of wrestling fans who also enjoy Monday Night Football?
[[2]] provides additional information on WWE results and recaps.
