3 Hour Raw 10 years Later

Quick Note: This column was written before Vince Mcmahons bombshell announcement.

Ten years ago the WWE and USA network announced RAW would permanently be 3 hours starting with their 1,000th episode. On one hand you can't blame WWE since USA was throwing extra money their way. On the other hand they clearly did not learn anything from Nitros slow demise years before.

Ten years later it's apparent more than ever that the 3 hour RAW format just doesn't work. The most obvious reason brand spilt or not is they just don't have the roster depth to support a 3 hour weekly show. There's always the same rotating cast of characters wrestling one another.

Then there's the fluff to stretch the show out. Random backstage interviews, skits (some which I will admit are funny). The 24/7 gimmick which makes a mockery of the talented roster members they relegate to fighting over it. Which by the way the 24/7 concept just sucks. The unnecessary recaps.

Next creative creative creative. I don't blame creative much because at the end of the day they have to please and get approval from one man, or a small circle who think just like him. Over the years there likely were several very interesting angles pitched, that never saw the light of day because the ones in control saw no value. 

Then there is the fatigue..from fans. Burn out is a real thing, not just in the work place but life in general even if you love something to the core of your soul. On a average week WWE asks for a minimum of 7 hours of fans time between Raw, NXT, and Smackdown. Throw in a PPV week we're looking at 10 maybe 11 hours. If someone's a superfan who watches Main Event, NXT UKand NXT Level Up we're looking at 13 1/2 hours of wrestling a week just for WWE.

That is way too much to ask of fans especially on Monday Nights and PPVs when the show ends past 11 pm on the east coast. I'm in my mid-30s and at times I'm dragging to stay up and finish RAW. Throw in other life obligations and 3 hours of RAW doesn't always play into the cards.

Now at this point, I honestly don't see 3 hour RAWs ending anytime soon. Unless the WWE switches networks or to a streaming platform when their deal is up next year. However WWE and NBCUniversal have been in bed together for so long, unless someone swoops in paying huge money I don't see them parting ways.

I just hope when it's time to renegotiate both sides look back at the last 10 years and realize 2 hours is where it's at, with an occasional 3 hour RAW...we the fans can only hope.