3 takeaways from the first 2-hour WWE Raw of 2024

As a lifelong WWE fan who has witnessed countless episodes of Raw, I must say that the return to a two-hour format was a breath of fresh air. However, like any change, it came with its own set of challenges.

In contrast to previous years, the October 7th episode of Monday Night Raw returned to a two-hour format, a request long made by fans. However, there were apprehensions about what alterations would be made from its traditional three-hour run. With the show now behind us, here are three insights into how WWE Raw might evolve for the rest of 2024.

Concern Over The Women’s Division

On this week’s episode of WWE Raw, a ten-woman tag team bout was showcased. The team consisting of Katana Chance, Kayden Carter, Lyra Valkyria, Natalya, and Zelina Vega emerged victorious against Shayna Baszler, Sonya Deville, Zoey Stark, Alba Fyre, and Isla Dawn. Critics have drawn parallels to the WWE Diva era, where multiple women were placed in a single match for TV exposure purposes. Regrettably, this match didn’t contribute significantly to any ongoing storylines. It lasted slightly more than seven minutes.

Moving ahead, this won’t do as the norm. The problem lies in the fact that the entrances consumed the initial part of the contest. WWE spectators are unlikely to tolerate the significant reduction in women’s match duration presented in such a drastic manner.

Sudden Match Endings

As a die-hard WWE Raw fan, I’m excited to share that last night’s show featured four gripping matches! Two of them extended beyond the ten-minute mark, while the remaining two were thrillingly brief. The clash between Jey Uso and Xavier Woods was particularly intriguing, lasting 6 minutes and 35 seconds before an unexpected ending. Woods met his match when he was struck by a superkick followed swiftly by a massive splash.

Pacing and Commercial Issues

One common feedback about the recent two-hour episode of Raw is that the rhythm seemed off and there were numerous commercial breaks. Given WWE’s commitments to air advertisements, fans should anticipate the number of commercials to stay consistent. Despite having an hour less content, it doesn’t seem like WWE will significantly reduce ad time based on current observations.

As a gamer, I’ve noticed some folks talking about the tempo being a bit off in various parts of the game. In one instance, there was a segment with CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Jey Uso leading up to a match. Maybe we’ll see improvements in how WWE handles openings, and perhaps they’ll trim down lengthy promos or backstage scenes as the weeks progress.

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2024-10-08 20:15