More On Poor WWE Monday Night Rating, Paul Heyman On Ratings Dip And Long Term Strategy
As noted, last Monday's averaged 3.333 million viewers. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the final rating for the show was a 2.3, which would make it the lowest rated show since 1997. The show in 1997 not only faced competition from Monday Night Football, but it was also up against WCW Monday Nitro, which garnered a 4.6 rating that night.
Scott Fishman of Channel Guide Mag spoke with Paul Heyman, who was discussing Lesnar's WWE appearances this month. During the interview, Fishman asked Heyman about WWE's declining ratings.
"I think if there is erosion in the ratings then we are in a cycle within the industry where fans are going and looking for or finding other interests," Heyman said. "This is not dissimilar to any other forms of entertainment. The key has always been to replace those who leave, to bring in more fans at any time you are losing fans. At this particular point in time there is a search to find the new fan. I am not one who looks at the ratings every Tuesday and says, 'Well, we haven't replaced everybody that is left. The ratings didn't double.' I'm not expecting that type of increase tomorrow or the next week or the week after that.
"Any business with longevity, and this is the one company in the business that has survived, deals with this. They survive because when there was an erosion of the audience and they had to replenish the audience, there isn't a panic. Panic is never the answer. Panic never brings up the ratings. A long-term solution is with a number of brand new stars, all in compelling situations with riveting storylines and new matchups. That is what will bring an upswing to the ratings ever so slowly to where the average rating goes up a little bit each month. Then a couple of years from now the erosion have taken place of the people that have left being fans and a new generation or group or crop of fans has come in. It's natural evolution of any form of entertainment."
Heyman also discussed the upcoming Taker – Lesnar Hell In A Cell match and the interest for it, where Lesnar goes after that, Lesnar appearing on Steve Austin's podcast and more. You can check out the full interview by clicking here.