Raw Underground Could Work On The Network

 Raw Underground WWE's latest "no holds barred" unsanctioned MMA fight club esque project has been occuring on Monday Night Raw for the past month and a half. Last night's edition of Raw occured without any Raw Underground segments, reportedly due to the recent Coronavirus outbreak in the locker room. This week off could give WWE a chance to figure out how to present Underground better. Raw Underground currently has issues with it's presentation, and has it's fair share of critics but it could have a purpose.

In an previous blog I suggested in an effor to switch things up make the third hour of Raw strictly for Underground. It would force WWE to get to the point with major angles when they only have 2 hours instead of 3, and limit the overexposure their thin roster has already endured since the pandemic started.

In this blog I offer another suggestion, make Raw Underground a WWE network exclusive program. WWE network is great for their classic content and top notch documentaries, but in the crowded streaming environment we live in. More fresh in-ring content could greatly help them attract more subscribers to their paying tier.

Currently Raw Underground is sandwiched between other segments in the 10 o'clock hour on Raw. Never leaving enough time for audiences to find out it's true purpose or connect to the fighters not named Braun or Dolph. It doesnt give audiences any opportunity to connect with the competitors.

Even with their massive roster cut this past spring, WWE still has more talent than TV time to showcase them all. A one-hour program on the WWE network could give talent like Arturo Ruas who's skill set is perfect for Underground, and Dabba Kato who is being presented as a monster much needed time to become stars. Veterans like Titus O'Neil who has appeared in segments could find a renewed purpose. Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir could also become stars with their MMA backgrounds.

The program could be promoted on Raw with the lineup for the night, and quick interviews with the competitors for the night. Allow them to develop their personalities and give them something tangible to fight for, and it could work. Raw Underground is already pretaped so they could just continue with that format. 

I'm not sure how many people would switch over to the WWE network 11:00 at night, but it's worth a shot. It would give WWE a chance to think outside the box, provide more network exclusive content, and build new stars.