Why WWE Is Really Making Major Changes To Raw

WWE is making major changes to upcoming editions of Monday Night Raw, and the reason for that has now been revealed.

When WWE debuted on Netflix in early 2025, fans anticipated that there would now be more flexibility for live shows. That has been the case to a point with varying run times for Raw, although WWE still stress they do have limits and can’t run for as long as they want on the streaming giant.

This flexibility is being extended to start times for Raw, with Netflix trying something different in the coming weeks for a very good reason.

NFL Means WWE Changing Raw Start Time

Fightful Select has now reported that Netflix is trying out different start times for Raw over the next few weeks, now that the NFL season has started.

However, the 7 PM ET start time won’t be around for long as the show will revert to its usual 8 PM ET for the October 6th, 20th, and 27th shows. The report noted that the earlier start time would likely have been used for these shows if it weren’t for their location.

Dallas is the venue for Raw on October 6th and Sacramento on the 20th. This means it would have been a lot to ask for fans going to the show, as those in Sacramento would have to be in the venue for 4 PM local time on a Monday afternoon. That is the same situation for the October 27th show, which is to be held in Anaheim, California.

The October 13th Raw following Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, has a planned start time of 8 AM ET, meaning fans in the US will have to get up very early to catch the action from the other side of the world live. Crown Jewel will see Cody Rhodes battle Seth Rollins and Stephanie Vaquer take on Tiffany Stratton for the Crown Jewel Championships.

Following those shows, WWE is still said to be evaluating start times for Raw in Boston and New York, which will take place in November.