Overall it was a 3.9 rating, which is the same rating they had the first week of the Bischoff shake-up. While up from the 3.4 drop the week before, it still shows that the show is treading water going into Mania. Now, the hour split is extremely interesting and one of the widest I've seen in a long time. Hour 1 had a 3.5 rating, while hour 2 rose to a 4.3, giving the show the aggregate 3.9. Some Possible theories:
1) People became disenchanted with the Dog Show after 1 Hour. 2) People turned off the TV's quickly when they saw Lawler by himself, and turned the show back on when they saw he had someone to work with. 3) The rating rose dramatically from when Bischoff was fired and continued to rise as people expected a new GM and possibly the return of Austin at the end of the show. If so, everything resetting itself at the end of the show could lead to a drop for next week. And, Austin is only going to be able to return once, so when he finally does return, they won't have 'Will Stone Cold Return' as a hook. 4) People think Jeff Hardy is a main eventer.
Breaking News: In a preemptive military strike, the French Government has announced it has surrendered 2/3 of France, and will move back to Vichy.
I think we will see a big drop in theratings next week. The whole show was built on who will be the new GM? It certainly was keeping my interest, but then they blew it by doing the least interesting option (reinstating Bischoff).
I have a feeling that everyone who tuned into the end immediately said "eh" and now will tune out next week.
5) Coach's commentary absolutely rocked the house.
And I agree on the drop, but in 2 weeks, not 1. They'll tune in next week to see Austin if they didn't get the PPV to see what (if anything) is different with him. Once that novelty is over, the show goes back to "normal" numbers the following week unless the do something with him to spark interest. If he just stunners everything in sight (like the stuff after the cameras stopped on Monday), it's the same, old thing.
5) Coach's commentary absolutely rocked the house.
And I agree on the drop, but in 2 weeks, not 1. They'll tune in next week to see Austin if they didn't get the PPV to see what (if anything) is different with him. Once that novelty is over, the show goes back to "normal" numbers the following week unless the do something with him to spark interest. If he just stunners everything in sight (like the stuff after the cameras stopped on Monday), it's the same, old thing.
Austin won't appear until the night after the PPV, so in two weeks they will get the bump. Considering they already announced a main event involving Steiner and Trip for next week's RAW, won't have a big surprise new GM, and no Austin, the overall rating for next week will probably be closer to the first hour rating for this week rather than the second hour.
Breaking News: In a preemptive military strike, the French Government has announced it has surrendered 2/3 of France, and will move back to Vichy.
Oops, I was thinking that No Way Out was this coming weekend. I'm still having trouble picturing any programs for Austin coming off of his return that won't be (a) something we've already seen or (b) going to help elevate any midcarders.
I suppose in theory if the belt comes off of HHH onto Austin, they'll have someone capable of putting on a better match to transition to their next champion. Considering the state of the heels on RAW, I would assume that would have to be Jericho.
Otherwise, HHH keeps the belt in route to Booker T getting a run and Austin blends into the background, pretty much shutting down any momentum he would bring.
Then again, both scenarios I can see involve two guys who've been heavily damaged in recent months getting the belt and I don't know how that will go over.
Captain Redneck Dick Murdoch vs. Flair Benoit/ Booker T, best of 7 series. Benoit/ Jericho ladder match (recent) Benoit/ Kurt Angle RAW cage match HHH/ Rock ladder match for the IC title