WWE has announced that its flagship program, Monday Night Raw, will undergo significant changes starting in October 2024. The show will shift from its current three-hour format to a two-hour runtime, which will remain in place until the end of the year. Even more notably, starting in January 2025, Raw will move from cable television to Netflix—a monumental shift, marking the first time in its 31-year history that the show will no longer air on traditional TV.
This decision has stirred mixed reactions within the wrestling community, with fans and industry insiders alike weighing in on the potential impact of these changes. One prominent voice sharing thoughts on this transition is AEW star Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE. The “CEO” and reigning AEW TBS Champions expressed her opinions through her Mone Mag newsletter.
Having been a key figure in WWE during her time there, Mone has firsthand experience with Raw‘s three-hour format, having headlined numerous episodes. She discussed both the benefits and potential drawbacks of the show’s upcoming changes.
Opportunities vs. Concerns with a Shorter Runtime:
Mone pointed out that while the three-hour format was often criticized for dragging at times, it provided valuable opportunities for underrepresented talent—especially women—to get more screen time. With the show reverting to a two-hour window, she expressed concern that some performers might find it harder to secure consistent airtime, which could, in turn, limit their visibility and career growth.
However, Mone also sees a potential upside. She acknowledged that the move to Netflix could open new doors for creative storytelling. She speculated that the streaming platform might allow WWE to explore fresh ways to showcase talent, possibly compensating for the loss of an hour of weekly programming. In her view, the success of this transition will largely depend on how well WWE utilizes this new format to highlight its diverse roster.
Ultimately, Mone remains optimistic that WWE’s ability to create more opportunities for its talent will be crucial, not just for the performers but also for the overall health of the industry.
Mone’s AEW Status
In the meantime, Mone continues to shine in AEW. She is currently in her fourth month as the AEW TBS Champion, having most recently defended her title against Hikaru Shida at All Out 2024. Her career has continued to evolve since leaving WWE, but it’s clear that she still has a vested interest in the future of the company that helped make her a star.
As Raw prepares for a new chapter, the wrestling world will be watching closely, with veterans like Mone offering insights into how these changes could shape the future of WWE and the broader wrestling landscape.
