The intro did not even finish and they cut to ringside with The Bloodline – The Usos, Sami Zayn, and Solo Sikoa – busting up the ringside area and throwing people around. They said they are taking over Monday Night Raw because they run the show. Kevin Owens comes out and before he said anything, Sami told him not to say anything because they are in a bad mood tonight.
Sami tells Kevin it’s because of him they are in a bad mood. Kevin says I had something to say but I forgot and just want to come punch you in the face and before he could get to the ring, Adam Pearce said they do not run things around here and asked for security to escort them out of the building because he has left this go too long. Solo takes out the security and Pearce sent Owens in and after a few seconds the locker room empties and The Bloodline scatters.
Pearce stops them and tells them they are not getting off that easy, and he hopes they brought their ring gear because if they want to come to work, he is going to put them to work.
Byron interviews Bianca Belair about her title match with Alexa Bliss and says when the match is over the EST will still be champion.
Bianca Belair VS. Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship
As Alexa was going to climb the ropes, she saw a figure standing with an Uncle Howdy mask on and she froze in her steps, then the TitanTron blitzed a few times with the firefly logo and Alexa grabbed her head and then jumped and attacked the referee. She then continued to beat down Bianca, even busting open Bianca’s chin, and ending with a DDT on the ring steps.
As Alexa walks to the back, EMS personnel arrive to check on Bianca.
Winner by Disqualification and Still Raw Women’s Champion: Bianca Belair
Austin Theory interview by Cathy Kelly and he says he is very confident going into his championship match with Seth “Freakin” Rollins.
Next in the ring is Elias. Before Elias is able to play anything, Solo Sikoa interrupted him.
Elias VS. Solo Sikoa in a Music City Street Fight, Falls Count Anywhere
During the match, country music star Hardy gets in the ring and smashes a guitar over Solo’s back but had no effect on Solo. Solo then catches Elias with a Spike while Elias was coming off the top rope, then chokeslams Elias outside onto a piano which crushes the piano and Solo pins Elias on the remains of the piano.
Winner: Solo Sikoa
Sami Zayn & The Usos VS. The Street Profits & Kevin Owens
The match spills outside which prompts the arrival of Solo Sikoa. Owens goes immediately after Solo but gets a superkick from Jimmy for his efforts. Montez is rolled back in the ring and is hit with Sami’s Helluva Kick for the win.
Winners: Sami Zayn & The Usos
After the match, the fight continued until Sheamus and Drew McIntyre came out and cleared the Bloodline from the ring.
Chad Gable VS. Dexter Lumis
Gable sets Dexter up on the ring post but Dexter moves, and Otis hits the ring post. Back inside the ring Gable rolled Dexter up for a pin but Dexter reversed and was able to hold Gable down for the pin.
Winner: Dexter Lumis
Damage Control comes to the ring next. Bayley starts out by insulting the audience. As Bayley brags about beating Becky Lynch and says she beat everyone. Becky comes out and tells her to shut up. Becky then challenges her to a match tonight. Bayley then proposes a tag team match with Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky.
Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky VS. Becky Lynch & Michin
During the match, Michin comes to the ring and gets in Becky’s corner. Becky goes outside fighting with Bayley, and Dakota slams Michin and Sky hits the moonsault for the win.
Winners: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky
Seth “Freakin” Rollins is interviewed says as long as there is breath in his lungs, Monday Nights will always belong to Seth “Freakin” Rollins.
Austin Theory VS. Seth “Freakin” Rollins for the United States Championship
Seth injured his leg during the match, Austin grabbed the title and tried to leave but Rollins was able to stop him from leaving. Rollins superkicked Austin and frog splash only a two count. Referee gets knocked down. Rollins hits a pedigree another referee in. Austin with a low blow then a chop block to the bad leg, Austin then hits A-town down for the win.
Winner and Still United States Champion: Austin Theory
Monday Night Raw is back live tonight on USA Network for the first show of 2023 as the build for the Royal Rumble starts to take shape.
Two title matches will headline today’s broadcast with Austin Theory putting the United States title on the line against Seth Rollins while Bianca Belair defends the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss.
WWE put a best-of show last week, marking the first time in a long time that no original content was shown for Raw. The show obviously did a record low in viewership, drawing just an average of 1,074,000.
Raw will take place from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, where over 8,000 fans have already purchased tickets.
Mercedes Varnado will be back on television tonight as Sasha Banks, not on Monday Night Raw, but rather on the USA Network series Barmageddon.
The episode, taped several months ago, features WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella as host, joined by Carson Daly and Blake Shelton in Shelton’s bar in Nashville playing bar games.
Facing Banks tonight will be Nikki’s twin sister and fellow Hall of Famer Brie Bella.
The show airs at 11PM ET immediately following the conclusion of Monday Night Raw.
Karen Jarrett, the wife of Jeff Jarrett and ex of Kurt Angle, wrote on Twitter that she’s “done living in fear of speaking the truth” and threatened to expose Kurt Angle’s threats.
“We can start here…my marriage to Kurt was over LONG before Jeff and I started seeing each other,” Karen wrote. “We were legally separated at the time Kurt signed with TNA living in different homes. We got back together and I tried to get over the affairs among other things that went on in our marriage. But obviously wasn’t able.”
Karen even name dropped Kelly Kelly, Dawn Marie, and Deann Siden as people who Kurt cheated with during their marriage, adding, “Funny and sad how all of that has been swept under the rug over all these years. Jeff didn’t steal me from anyone.”
She then wrote that maybe now Angle will “think twice” before making threats, insulting, and disrespecting her husband.
“I am done living in fear. I have 24 years of dirt I am ready to start unloading. I am done,” Karen wrote, adding that someone “dug himself a hole offline” and maybe it will all be shared.
Fantime, the platform where the artist formerly known as Mandy Rose sells her premium content, announced that the former NXT Women’s champion became a millionaire in December.
“Congratulations to @mandysacs for making 1 million $$$ in a month! Finished 2022 like a champ,” the Fantime social media post said.
Following her dismissal from WWE, she made half a million dollars in subscriptions after raising the price to $30 a month. Her manager said that by Christmas, she would be a self-made millionaire.
Both John Cena and Charlotte Flair came back to the ring on the last Smackdown of 2022 on Friday and the two used social media to comment about their return and thank fans for the warm welcome.
Cena, who last appeared on Raw in late June to celebrate his 20th year anniversary in WWE, wrestled his first match of 2022, teaming with Kevin Owens against Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn.
“Thank you @WWEUniverse for investing your time and energy with me. I never overlook how lucky I am to have 2 decades of moments filled with your voice and passion,” Cena said. “To everyone behind the scenes, in the ring, live and around the world @WWE #ThankYou.”
Cena received an epic intro thanks to the one and only Samantha Irvin, who had that special introduction for the 16-time world champion.
Meanwhile, just a few segments before, Charlotte Flair returned for the first time since Backlash in May. She quickly disposed of Ronda Rousey and won her 14th title, inching closer to her dad’s – and coincidentally, Cena’s – record.
“Whether you love to hate me, hate to love me… Thank you @wwe Universe. I appreciate the warm welcome back,” Flair wrote. “I missed you guys so much. I can’t wait to give you my blood, sweat & tears. New era. New victims. The People’s Queen! Happy New Year!”
In her time away from WWE, Flair recharged her batteries and also married AEW’s Andrade El Idolo.
This week’s Impact on AXS TV drew 89,000 viewers. No ratings were ever published for the December 22 episode so it cannot be compared to the previous week, although that is up 3,000 viewers from the December 15 broadcast. The show did a 0.01 rating in the 18-49 demo. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Mercedes Varnado, who is now seemingly a free agent and no longer tied under her WWE contract as of January 1, posted on Twitter another hint at moving on from WWE.
“When you take a risk doing what you love, that’s exciting,” the former Sasha Banks wrote.
She also added a photo with a quote which reads, “Don’t be afraid to start over again again. Remember that this time, you’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.”
Varnado also registered the name Mone’ Banks on December 27 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office through attorney Michael Dockins for merchandise and entertainment services. The filing was filed on behalf of her company Soulnado, Inc.
The former multi-time champion will be part of the Wrestle Kingdom 17 pay-per-view on January 4, her first time appearing for another wrestling company which is not WWE in 10 years.
WWE went on a firing spree when the pandemic hit, and many Superstars lost their job throughout the past couple of years. Some of them were total surprises, some of them not so much, but one thing was for sure: the Vince McMahon regime was ruthless when it came to cost-cutting.
When McMahon left WWE in July and his son-in-law took over creative and talent, it was inevitable that some of his favorites would be making their return. A new regime in charge was ready to inject some life into the company which had been somewhat suffering under McMahon’s way of thinking.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque didn’t bring one or two of “his” people…he brought back a lot of them, many of which were part of his NXT project when he was in charge, an NXT project which was gutted, literally, by Vince and John Laurinaitis. Triple H’s team was slashed and his trusted colleagues were fired, but we all know how that ended.
The returns started quickly at SummerSlam and continued at a steady pace. In total, 18 WWE Superstars found their way back to the company.
Dakota Kai, Braun Strowman, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Mia Yim, Sarah Logan, Emma, Tegan Nox, Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Dexter Lumis, Top Dolla, Ashante Adonis, B-Fab, Johnny Gargano, Candice LaRae, Bronson Reed, and Bray Wyatt all returned to the company following the return of Triple H in power. Io Shirai, who was about to walk away, also signed a new deal and was moved to the main roster.
William Regal, who was fired by WWE in January and joined AEW in March, quit AEW in December and is starting again with WWE in January 2023. Regal is one of Triple H’s closest friends and advisors and AEW President Tony Khan facilitated his return by agreeing not to pick up Regal’s optional year so he can go back and also be with his son who wrestles for NXT.
Former NXT champion Shinsuke Nakamura wrestled The Great Muta today in the main event of the NOAH The New Year 2023 event at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo.
Nakamura entered the ring to a live rendition of his WWE theme song and wearing a big white robe. He got a few “Ooooh’s” from the crowd when he removed the robe to reveal a black and red suit underneath and the fans clapped as soon as the bell rang to start the match.
Despite getting red and black mist spat at him and on the receiving end of several chair shots throughout the match, Nakamura came out of the match victorious. Nakamura pulled a Muta trick himself, spitting green mist and then hitting the Kinshasa for the pinfall.
The match was part of the Great Muta retirement tour. AEW’s Sting will also be part of Muta’s retirement as the two will be teaming up together for NOAH’s The Great Muta Final Bye-Bye event on January 22 in Yokohama.
Dynamite’s television ratings for 2022 have to be considered a big success as the show grew compared to 2021, with this year’s average being 955,000 viewers, up from the 895,000 of last year. The 18-49 demo remained the same from 2021, a 0.34 average over 52 weeks.
2022 saw Dynamite crossing the million viewers 13 times overall, just two less from 2021. The show had a five-week streak of one million viewers plus in late Summer.
The most-watched episode of Dynamite in 2022 was the September 14 episode which drew 1,175,000 viewers and a 0.39 rating in the 18-49 demo. While that was the highest in viewership, the January 20 episode had a higher 18-49 demo of 0.44 but just barely over the one million mark in viewership. The February 9 episode was the second most-watched with 1,129,000 viewers and a 0.41 rating.
The October 18 episode was the least-watched Dynamite of the year with 752,000 viewers tuning in and a 0.26 rating in the 18-49 demo. The June 15 episode came close with 761,000 viewers and a 0.28 rating. The November 30 episode matched the lowest 18-49 with a 0.26 rating as well.
While Dynamite was off to a great start in the demos, the show grew older throughout the year as the over 50 audience increased and the 18-49 audience fell.
Below is a look at the 52-week ratings trend of Dynamite in 2022.
William Regal has officially wrapped up his commitments with AEW and is on his way to WWE starting from next week, accepting an office job and reuniting with his former boss Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
Regal, who joined AEW in March, requested that his option year would not be picked up by AEW so he could return and be with his son who is in NXT.
“Yesterday was my last official day with @AEW. I’d like to thank @TonyKhan, Megha and all the hard working crew,” Regal wrote on Twitter.
“Contrary to people who’ve never spoken to me or have their information from people who don’t know me or are trying to make themselves noticed, I had a lovely time working there and had a great time. Lots of talented wrestlers, and lovely people to work for. To my fellow BCC members, it was a special, albeit brief few months but it cemented our already strong friendship. To everyone there, thank you for welcoming me. Best wishes,” he continued.
I’ve been doing this since 1996 and can’t recall a crazier year in terms of news like the one we just had this year.
The number of stories that 2022 provided us were just insane, stories that I thought I’d never write about. 2022 was the gift that kept on giving wrestling-wise, although not necessarily always the nicest content to write about.
For me, there are five stories which dominated 2022. If this year didn’t have such many shenanigans, each story could have been the top one.
VINCE MCMAHON RETIRES FROM WWE AFTER HUSH-MONEY SCANDAL
Vince McMahon leaving WWE for good was hands down, and without any shadow of a doubt, the biggest news story of the year. Never in my wildest dreams I thought I’d see that. Vince was practically immune to everything, he was like made of Teflon and survived every imaginable story thrown at him…
…until he was taken out by a woman.
Not even the U.S. government manage to overthrow him from his position. But horny Vince couldn’t keep it in his pants and kept shelling out money to cover it up. That, in today’s times, is a big no no and ultimately suffered the same fate that many other high-level ranking officials working for other top brands went through.
The sheer significance of this story was like a magnitude 10 earthquake on the Richter scale. Maybe some fans cannot grasp how big this is or was but we’re talking about the most influential figure in this industry walking away after 40 years. There have been rumors that Vince wants back after he blamed his close advisors on “bad advice” but chances of that happening aren’t very good. You would think advertisers and TV networks would not be up for it and it would hit WWE big time when it comes to money.
Many dreaded the day when Vince was to leave, but as we have learned, Vince leaving was probably the best thing to have happened to WWE in a very long time.
CODY RHODES LEAVES AEW, RETURNS TO WWE
The second most eye-popping story of 2022 was certainly Cody Rhodes quitting AEW and going back to WWE. I thought, just like many, Rhodes was AEW “for life” considering he helped build the company to take on WWE.
Boy, were we wrong.
From the initial rumors that he was working without a deal, to the delays in signing a new one, to eventually the Valentine’s Day break-up and return at WrestleMania, Cody’s 2022 has been a roller coaster ride. His WrestleMania entrance still gives goosebumps and fans welcomed the prodigal son with open arms. One thing that WWE nailed for his return was that they kept his American Nightmare gimmick intact from his AEW days. Gear, music, everything. If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it, and AEW Cody was not broken at all.
An injury has been keeping him out for the past six months, but big things are coming for the American Nightmare in 2023. Will he become the first Rhodes to win the big one in WWE? I certainly hope so.
Just like the Vince story, this was a big significant story in the world of professional wrestling. Cody was the first one to jump ship from AEW to WWE after several went the other way. WWE landed the biggest fish for their first “steal” and with not everything so rosy in AEW, more will follow.
STEPHANIE MCMAHON AND TRIPLE H ASSUME POWER AT WWE
The regime change in WWE was another top story. We often wondered, with Vince gone, who would take his place? We didn’t have to wait long to find that out. His daughter, Stephanie McMahon was named Chairwoman and co-CEO while Nick Khan, one of the most powerful men in the company, grabbed the other co-CEO position.
And then came the inevitable. Six months after the old regime gutted his team in a power play, Paul “Triple H” Levesque ascended to the throne as Chief Content Officer, bringing back many people who were unjustly fired under Vince and John Laurinaitis, and taking over the creative role Vince had. Simply put, the buck stops with Triple H now.
There seems to be a better vibe at WWE and more harmony backstage ever since Vince McMahon left the company. Triple H is said to be more approachable and he’s been one of the “boys” before so he knows the drill. WWE television improved big time with new ideas, better commentary, and sold-out events. While the “honeymoon” is “over” for the new regime, things are certainly moving in the right direction.
Remember in 1996 when Vince McMahon punished Hunter Hearst Helmsley for his involvement in the Kliq curtain call and lost many hog pen matches along the way? Fast forward 26 years and who is laughing now?
ALL OUT BACKSTAGE BRAWL
CM Punk coming to AEW was definitely the biggest story of 2021. Absent from the business for seven long years, Punk showed everyone that he still had it. Punk for AEW was a stroke of genius business-wise. He moved merchandise, he moved tickets, and thanks to him, AEW started a trend of $1 million-plus gates at pay-per-views.
But the honeymoon didn’t last long. CM Punk is an explosive character, many of who even brand as toxic backstage. While he was on his best behavior in the first couple of months, old CM Punk came creeping back.
An altercation with Hangman Page was the beginning of the end and a post-show press conference after All Out sealed the deal. The backstage brawl with The Elite dominated the news for several weeks and saw Punk and his buddy Ace Steel locking horns with Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks. Things got ugly, very ugly which led to the suspension of everyone involved.
Punk was injured and got stripped off his AEW World title that he had just won. The Elite got stripped off their AEW World Trios titles they had just won. A two-month suspension followed for The Elite. Steel lost his job. Punk is pretty much on his way out.
AEW President Tony Khan has to share the blame on this one. He was sitting right next to Punk when he decided to throw everyone under the bus during the press conference. Khan sat there, looking like a deer in headlights, nodding, instead of taking the microphone away and shutting down the whole thing. It was embarrassing. Embarrassing for Khan, for AEW. Punk was on a warpath and the young, inexperienced Khan let him run riot.
STEVE AUSTIN RETURNS TO THE RING AFTER 19 YEARS
Rounding up the top five biggest stories of 2022 has to be the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin to the ring after an absence of 19 years.
On any other year, this would have been number one on the chart. But that’s how crazy 2022 was. Austin’s return to the ring doesn’t even make the top three.
There were rumors in the months leading up to WrestleMania that Steve Austin was training to return to the ring. He had not wrestled since WrestleMania 19 and his loss to The Rock as neck and knee problems spelled an end to his career. Those rumors intensified when Kevin Owens started thrashing the state of Texas at every opportunity he could. Surely, someone had to come to shut him up. While not advertising a match, WWE said that Steve Austin was going to be the guest on the Kevin Owens show on night one of WrestleMania 38.
When the segment was upgraded to the main event, everyone knew what was coming: Steve Austin. Dallas. WrestleMania. Main event. You don’t need a Harvard degree to come to that conclusion.
Getting one of the biggest pops ever, Austin marched out and then rode an ATV to the ring, exchanged some words with KO and then was “tricked” into accepting a match. With two resounding “Hell yeah” from the crowd, Austin and Kevin Owens brawled in the ring and in the stands and the Rattlesnake won with the Stunner in the middle of the ring. Return: complete!
These are just five of the many stories which 2022 offered us. We can’t forget the likes of Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out, the whole MJF drama at Double or Nothing, Triple H bringing over a dozen previously-fired Superstars back, William Regal joining and quitting AEW in the same year, and many more.
Here are, month by month, the stories that stole the headlines in 2022.
The wrestling world paid tribute to former TNA commentator Don West who sadly passed away at the age of 59 after battling brain cancer for over a year.
Impact issued a statement yesterday honoring West and that was followed by another statement from EVP Scott D’Amore which was published on the Impact website.
“Don was truly a one of a kind who brightened every room he walked into. He brought out the best in people and was an inspiration to all who crossed paths with him. He was one of the first people I met upon arriving at the TNA Asylum for the first time, and Don instantly made me feel welcome,” D’Amore wrote. “His warm heart and legendary sense of humor made every day at work something to look forward to. I am forever grateful for being able to share a friendship with Don and truly know my career and my life are better because of having him in them.”
During Smackdown before the Solo Sikoa vs Sheamus match got underway, Michael Cole sent his condolences to the West family, saying that the wrestling commentator passed away earlier in the day and he left an impact on the wrestling business.
“Godspeed, Mr West,” Cole said.
All Elite Wrestling and NWA also sent in their condolences, with AEW writing, “AEW joins the wrestling world in mourning the passing of Don West. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans,” while the NWA added, “The NWA is saddened to hear of the passing of legendary wrestling broadcaster Don West. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and the wrestling community.”
Former TNA President Dixie Carter wrote that she was broken-hearted to hear the news about West’s passing. “Heaven gained the greatest salesman. Prayers to his family,” Carter wrote on Twitter.
Jeff Jarrett, who also worked extensively with West during his TNA days, said that when he got the text that West passed away, he had a feeling of mixed emotions, happy and relieved for him that he’s no longer in pain but the finality of his death was dark and it hurts.
“We FaceTimed just a few days ago, and because of his situation it’s the only conversation that I’ve ever had with him that I got to do all the talking and I’m sure he hated that! We reminisced, laughed, and I got the final opportunity to tell him I loved him and that I will see him again one day,” Jarrett wrote.
AJ Styles will spend a couple of months out on the sidelines as he confirmed that he has broken his ankle.
The injury took place at the non-televised live event in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a couple of days ago during a mixed six-person tag match.
“Just want you guys to know that I’m ok. Broken ankle is what I’m dealing with,” Styles wrote on Twitter. “No surgery, this just takes some time to recover. This will be the longest I’ve ever been out of the ring. Thanks for the prayers and get well wishes.”
A broken ankle usually takes up to eight weeks to recover which means that Styles is definitely out of the Royal Rumble and will takes several weeks more before he can step back in the ring.
Styles has been relatively lucky in his career avoiding major injuries throughout the years.
Just like Raw, NXT dipped slightly in the ratings this year, with an average viewership of 623,000 per episode, down from the 665,000 average it did last year. NXT went through yet another change this year, going from the colorful 2.0 branding to regular black and gold NXT, though retaining the new logo.
In the 18-49 demo, NXT’s audience also grew older as it went from last year’s average of 0.16 to a 0.14. NXT continues to be one of the oldest-skewing wrestling shows on television.
While in 2021 the show drew over 700,000 viewers 15 times, this year they did it only five times. Last year they also hit 800,000 viewers twice, something which they didn’t even come close to this year.
The October 11 episode was the most-watched of the year, with 737,000 viewers and a 0.15 rating. The following week’s episode reached a higher 18-49 demo number with a 0.18, matching the June 21 episode with the same number as the highest of 2022. The September 13 episode was the second most-watched with 728,000 viewers and another 0.15 rating.
The least-watched episode was the February 8 one with just 400,000 tuning in. That had the lowest 18-49 demo as well with just a 0.07. This particular episode aired on SyFy instead of the regular USA Network.
Below is a look at the 52-week ratings trend of NXT in 2022.
WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat revealed for the first time why he shot down the opportunity to be part of Ric Flair’s Last Match this past July.
Speaking to Bill Apter, Steamboat admitted that he talked to Conrad Thompson and drove to Nashville to meet him and originally verbally agreed to the match.
“We hadn’t signed or sealed the deal on the money part of it but what put the nail in the coffin is about a week after that I found out that Flair was wearing a pacemaker,” Steamboat said.
Steamboat noted that all these years he never knew that Flair was fitted with a peacemaker and after finding out, he immediately said no.
“I don’t want my legacy to be that I was in the ring if he happened to pass away or something went wrong,” Steamboat said.
Flair eventually teamed up with his son-in-law Andrade to take on Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. Steamboat also returned to the ring a few months later teaming up with FTR at a different event.
The first match for the Royal Rumble was made official last night on Smackdown as Bray Wyatt takes on LA Knight in a Pitch Black match.
While the concept of Pitch Black remains unknown so far, the match is being sponsored by Mountain Dew, who just came out with their new Pitch Black flavor.
Knight challenged Wyatt to the match before Uncle Howdy showed up and delivered a Sister Abigail to Wyatt, leaving Knight confused.
The Royal Rumble takes place on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Monday Night Raw dropped by a few thousand viewers on average in 2022 compared to the prior year, with 1,735,000 viewers per episode over 52 weeks. WWE produced 51 original Raws throughout the year as the last Raw was a recap show. Taking that final Raw out would have increased the viewership to 1,748,000. In the 18-49 demo, Raw averaged a 0.46 rating over 52 weeks, also slightly down from last year.
In 2021, Raw did an average of 1,756,000 viewers per episode over 52 weeks and a 0.50 rating in the 18-49 demo.
Raw crossed the 2 million viewer mark only five times in all of 2022, two episodes more than it did in 2021. The regime change in July also helped viewers tune back in following the departure of Vince McMahon and actually had three weeks with over 2 million viewers in a row, something that hasn’t been done since March 2020.
The most-watched Raw of 2022 was the August 1 episode which was the one following SummerSlam and did 2,230,000 viewers with a 0.61 rating in 18-49. The Raw after Mania was the second most-watched with 2,101,000 viewers and had the highest 18-49 demo number with a 0.63 rating. The most-watched single hour of Raw came on August 1 with the first hour doing 2,443,000 viewers.
The least-watched episode was the December 26 recap show which did just 1,074,000 viewers and a 0.27 rating. The least-watched original episode was on December 12 which did 1,472,000 viewers and a 0.37 rating. The least-watched single hour of Raw was the third hour of the December 26 recap show with just 852,000 viewers.
Below is a look at the 52-week ratings trend of Raw in 2022.
Bray Wyatt comes out first. Bray says he doesn’t think of himself as a good person and doesn’t regret much but he feels sorry for attacking the camera man last week. As he goes to apologize to the camera man, L.A. Knight interrupts him. Knight says he paid someone to come down last week in that Howdy outfit to take the heat off him and he used to be a force but now all he is is a loser. Knight says Royal Rumble is coming down the pipe and it is going to be his first one and he wants to make it a special one and says he is going to do that by breaking Bray like dishes.
Bray asks the little idiot who does he think he’s talking to. Bray says it is time to remind him and the rest of the world just how cruel he can be and accepts the match.
Uncle Howdy makes his appearance. Uncle Howdy comes to the ring with Bray and Knight already there. Uncle Howdy then takes out Bray. Knight gets out of the ring and asks what’s going on. None of this makes sense. Howdy then goes to the back.
Sami Zayn is show walking in the back and knocks on the Bloodline’s dressing room door and Heyman answers and tells Sami how proud the Tribal Chief was with him standing in the ring in front of everyone and declaring his loyalty to the Bloodline, then backtracked and said it was interesting to see as he stood there with the Bloodline and everyone is chanting “Sami, Sami.” Heyman’s phone then rings and he tells Sami no more stalling techniques, time to go in and then had a weird look on his face after Sami walked in the door.
Sheamus VS. Solo Sikoa
Prior to the match, Michael Cole sent his condolences to the family of Don West, the former TNA personality who sadly passed away.
As Sheamus has Solo in a clover leaf, Jey distracts the referee and Jimmy pulls Solo to the rope. Ridge and Butch start fighting with the Usos. Sheamus off the top rope takes out everyone but they were able to ram Sheamus in the steel post and rolled him into Solo who gave him the Samoan Spike for the win.
Winner: Solo Sikoa
After the match, they continued to beat down Sheamus and put a chair around his neck but before Solo could run and kick him, Drew McIntyre came out and the Brawling Brutes and McIntyre sent the Bloodline off to the back.
Ronda Rousey VS. Raquel Rodriguez for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
As Raquel went for a pin, Shayna Baszler who was out there with Ronda put Ronda’s foot on the rope. Then Raquel put Rousey up on the rope and climbed up and as she climbed up, Ronda hooked her in an arm bar and they fell to the mat. Raquel had to immediately tap with her already injured arm in the hold.
Winner and Still Smackdown Women’s Champion: Ronda Rousey
After the match, Charlotte Flair makes her return to confront Rousey. Rousey asked her if she was challenging her for the Rumble and Charlotte says no, no, no I am challenging you for tonight. Shayna tries to talk Ronda out of it and Rousey hands the belt to the ref who rang the bell.
Ronda Rousey VS. Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women’s Championship
Charlotte quickly kicked Ronda in the face but only a two count. Charlotte kicks Baszler then spears Ronda but Ronda rolled though to put her in the arm bar but Charlotte reversed the arm bar for the pin and new champion.
Winner and New Smackdown Women’s Champion: Charlotte Flair
After the match Charlotte jumps in the crowd and celebrates with the fans.
They show Dominik Mysterio getting arrested when he and Rhea went to Rey Mysterio’s house on Christmas. Dominik says don’t let them take me, I won’t make it in jail.
In the back, The New Day is with Ricochet, Madcap Moss, Maximum Male Models, Top Dollar and Ashante with everyone joking about Top Dollar’s botch of jumping over the top rope last week. Top Dollar ends up pushing Ricochet.
Imperium is in the ring. Kaiser and Vinci put over Gunther as the best Intercontinental Champion, then show a video package of past title defenses but before Gunther could say anything, Braun Strowman comes to the ring. Strowman says one thing about your video, I clearly wasn’t in it. There might not be a man on Smackdown that can beat you but what about a monster. Imperium turned to walk away but Strowman stops them and says I am not asking you boy. Imperium then attacks Strowman, but Strowman gets but best of them until Strowman goes for the Strowman Express and Gunther moves and shoves Strowman into the barricade then attacks him with a chair then into the steps.
Gunther then puts Strowman in an arm lock in the ring and Imperium kept pulling officials out of the ring, but Ricochet comes with a chair and hits Vinci on his way to the ring and Gunther bails out before Ricochet could hit him.
Kevin Owens & John Cena VS. Roman Reigns & Sami Zayn
After being taken out outside by Roman and Sami, Cena was able to climb back onto the apron and Owens was able to tag Cena and he slams Sami and Roman comes in and he slams Roman as well and tags Owens who do a double you can’t see me fist. Roman falls out of the ring and Owens hits a stunner on Sami to get the win.
