CM Punk and Randy Orton were ratings draws for WWE Raw.
On average, the Survivor Series fallout episode of Raw drew an average audience of 1.884 million with 863,000 in the 18-49 age range. The total viewership is up 29% compared to the previous week and up 13% compared to 2022. The increase in key demographic viewership is more impressive as it was up 34% compared to the previous week and up 64% compared to 2022.
The show itself was bookended with the 2 big returns from Survivor Series. Orton appeared in the opening segment of the show, which also had the first hour commercial free. The Viper stated how good it felt to be back before being interrupted by Rhea Ripley. Orton recalled how all he had heard while he had been away was fans talking about Mami before retorting back to Ripley “Daddy’s back.” Following an interruption by Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh, Orton would face Mysterio later on in the night.
Beginning the build to the next Premium Live Event, the first name for the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble was announced.
CM Punk Returns To WWE After 9 Years Away
Many fans were eagerly awaiting the return promo from Punk, which was booked for the final segment of the show. Throughout the night it was promoted that Punk would be back in a WWE ring with a live microphone in his hand. The former World Champion cut a heartfelt promo to the Nashville crowd where he thanked everyone for not forgetting him and declared that The Best in the World is back home. The final shot of the show saw Punk speak directly into the camera off mic, stating the phrase “I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to make money.”