WWE Hall of Famer Discusses the Shift of RAW to a Two-Hour Format

The news that WWE Raw will be switching to a two-hour format for the remainder of the year has wrestling fans giddy. This transition will take effect after the Bad Blood event and will occur prior to the red brand's early 2025 departure to Netflix . Raw has been televised for more than ten years, with a duration of three hours. From 2002 to 2005, when former WCW executive Eric Bischoff was hired and assumed the position of general manager, this expanded format was in use.



Recently, Bischoff discussed the significant change to the show on an episode of his podcast, " 83 Weeks." Bischoff expressed his agreement with the decision, noting that the three-hour length of Raw has been excessive. He anticipates that the new two-hour format will be "fun to watch," attributing this to the improved format and pacing which he believes will bring substantial changes. According to Bischoff, "That two hours is going to feel like seven minutes." He elaborated on this by reflecting on the many years viewers have had to endure the lengthy three-hour episodes of "Monday Night Raw," saying, "...you're going to watch 'Raw' and those first two hours are going to go by so fast, you're going to feel like, 'What the hell? Where's the rest of the show?'"

Bischoff considers this rapid pace to be a positive development. He argues that it will benefit everyone involved—talent, production, and the audience. He believes that the reduction in runtime will help storylines gain more momentum, which previously could become diluted over the course of a three-hour show. With a tighter schedule, he feels that WWE ’s creative team will have the opportunity to "gas up and tighten up" their narratives, leading to a more disciplined approach to storytelling. This, in turn, is expected to enhance the overall quality and engagement of the show.

Also read: WWE Hall of Famer Says that Hell in a Cell Might Disrupt Punk-McIntyre's Raw Feud


WWE Reveals New Broadcast Destination for WWE Raw Starting in 2025


This morning, WWE revealed that starting in January 2025, WWE Raw - their flagship weekly program - will transition to Netflix. This new, long-term partnership will see the show initially available on the streaming platform across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Latin America, with plans to expand to additional countries in the future. Alongside Raw, Netflix will also become the exclusive home for all weekly WWE shows and premium live events, including WrestleMania, for international audiences.

The deal between WWE and Netflix is reported to be valued at $5 billion over a decade, which means WWE, under the ownership of TKO Group Holdings, will receive $500 million annually from this new media rights agreement. This represents a significant increase from the current deal WWE has with USA Network, worth up to $260 million per year, which will end in October. With this new arrangement, Raw will make its departure from linear television for the first time since it began broadcasting in 1993.

Also read: "I Heard The Entire Show Just Got Ripped In Half": WWE Superstar Reflects On His Frustrations With Last-Minute Script Changes During Vince McMahon's Tenure