Raw and Smackdown

[Izzy]

Smackdown started life with 5.1 ratings - but hasnt seen those.....well....since

Its always performed far worse than Raw - but why?

Once upon a time it was the beta show - but it featured a lot of The Rock and was never WCW Thunder...

...these days its clearly the better show, and for actual wrestling its better than TNA - but the ratings still arent there

What do people think are the reasons?

Once I'd have said WWE didnt promote it or rubbish channel - but the USA Network is a joke and WWE has worked hard to promote the show...

[Hammy]

Name value puts bums in seats.

WWE make the point RAW is THE brand, it has the biggest draws on in Triple H and John Cena, its live, it gets the attention, heck even on this board we talk about it more than the other brands.

Ratings here in the UK from the other week had, Smackdown 87,000 and Impact and RAW in the 35-40,000 range from what I remember, although obviously RAW being live then repeated splits the fans, still thats pretty damn good for Smackdown.

A lot though ultimately is the stigma of it being the #2 brand.  You take the roster, swtich them, and I RAW would probably still win in the ratings.

This is for the US fans to inform us, but I do believe I read RAW is available to more viewers because of the network it is on.  Also Friday nights is soon as the worst slot for television programs.