WWE Raw rating takes a hit up against Cowboys-Lions game, Smackdown within reach of first ratings win (w/Keller’s Analysis)

Monday’s episode of Raw took a ratings hit the day after Christmas going up against a Dallas Cowboys vs. Detroit Lions game on ESPN, drawing a 1.94 rating. It fell below the ten-week rolling average leading into the week (2.04) and the fall average (2.00), and below the December average (2.00).

Raw’s hourly numbers were unremarkable, with a 2.974 million viewership in hour one, 2.878 in hour two, and a 2.715 in hour three. The drop-off from the first to the third hour was 259,000 below the eight-week average of 0.301, but right in between the previous two weeks’ drop-off.

Keller’s Analysis: Due to the holidays, Smackdown ratings from Tuesday night aren’t available yet. Last week, Smackdown drew a 1.88. With a loaded, heavily-hyped episode of Smackdown, including several plugs during Raw the night before, Smackdown is well within reach of surpassing Raw ratings for the first time.