Oh, what a time to be a fan of the squared circle. Since the inception of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), wrestling fans have a lot of options to choose from when it comes to their weekly dose of pro wrestling entertainment.
It genuinely feels like we have gone back to the good ol’ days of WWE, WCW and ECW! Quite literally now that we might see a new edition of Tuesday (Monday) Night Wars between WWE NXT and AEW Dynamite.
Just like the 90s, all the pro wrestling companies are trying to one-up each other. While some of those “experiments” are spectacular, some are meh at best.
And as always, I decided to make a list. So here are my rankings for the top 10 weekly wrestling shows as of October 2023.
10AEW Rampage
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) |
| 2023 | 392,200 | 0.11 |
| 2022 | 459,760 | 0.14 |
Like WWE Main Event, AEW’s Rampage is a dark show that’s pre-taped and is a tool for wrestlers not on the main roster to practice in front of a live crowd.
It is a one-hour show that airs on Friday nights on TNT in the U.S., TSN.ca/TSN Direct in Canada, ITV4 in the UK, and DAZN in select European countries.
AEW Rampage features matches and segments from AEW’s main roster, as well as some special attractions and surprises. It is a fast-paced and action-packed show that delivers a decent quality of wrestling.
AEW’s dark show is best seen in front of a live audience that can appreciate the candor Rampage provides to the wrestlers.
Nonetheless, AEW Rampage has delivered notable moments, such as Jungle Boy’s victory in the trios title match and Eddie Kingston defending his NJPW Open Weight Championship against Rocky Romero.
9WWE Main Event
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) |
| 2023 | 1.605 million | 0.41 |
| 2022 | 1.735 million | 0.46 |
Speaking of dark shows, WWE isn’t doing any better either.
Main Event is a weekly show that features matches and segments from WWE’s lower and mid-card wrestlers. It is not a live show, but rather a taped one that airs on Hulu in the U.S. and on WWE Network in other countries.
Like Rampage, Main Event is best seen live. If I am correct it’s taped on the same day as WWE’s Raw. For people watching at home, there’s already weekly enough wrestling to catch up on so you can skip on Main Event without worries.
While initially featuring performers from both the Raw and SmackDown rosters, WWE Main Event has become exclusive to Raw after the cancellation of WWE Superstars. This non-branded format can sometimes make it feel disconnected from ongoing storylines on SmackDown.
8AEW Collision
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) |
| 2023 | 530,188 | 0.13 |
| 2022 | 459,760 | 0.11 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Darby Allin, MJF, Jade Cargill, Sammy Guevara, and Thunder Rosa
AEW Collision is a new weekly show that debuted in 2023 as part of AEW’s deal with TNT. It is a one-hour show that airs on Friday nights after Rampage.
The thing about Collision is that it was going strong until AEW’s All In 2023.
AEW Collision was centered solely around wrestling superstar CM Punk. However, his contract was terminated recently due to misconduct.
Whether Tony made a huge mistake or not, it’s yet to be seen. But hopefully Adam “Edge” Copeland’s involvement can save the show from getting canceled.
On top of that, AEW Collision regularly faces tough competition due to its Saturday night timeslot. It has gone up against major events like WWE SummerSlam, UFC cards, and boxing pay-per-views, which can impact its viewership.
7Ring of Honor
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) per episode |
| 2023 | 143,987 | 0.15 |
| 2022 | 175,689 | 0.16 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Jonathan Gresham, Jay Lethal, Bandido, RUSH, and The Briscoes.
Ring of Honor is one of the oldest and most respected independent wrestling promotions in the world. It is known for its emphasis on pure wrestling, technical skill, and athleticism.
Ring of Honor has a weekly show that airs on Honor Club, and a streaming service that also offers live events and pay-per-views.
If you are someone who wants to watch high quality wrestling matches and focus on skill, Ring of Honor might be a good pick.
The show has produced historic moments, including classic matches, title changes, and memorable feuds. If you have not seen the tag-team feud between Young Bucks and The Briscoes – you’re missing a lot.
However, ROH has faced (and still faces) quite a few problems. Ownership changes, inconsistent TV deals, and budget constraints have affected the company’s stability and ability to compete with larger promotions.
6NJPW Strong
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) per episode |
| 2023 | 126,000 | 0.9 |
| 2022 | 74,000 | 0.02 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Jon Moxley, Tom Lawlor, Juice Robinson, Jeff Cobb, and KENTA.
NJPW Strong is a weekly show that showcases New Japan Pro Wrestling’s expansion into the U.S. market. It features matches and segments from NJPW’s American branch, as well as appearances from some of the Japanese stars.
The show has been gaining more attention and popularity in 2023, especially after the successful GCW To Live and DIE In Tokyo event that featured a collaboration between NJPW and GCW.
Like ROH, the show emphasizes strong in-ring action, technical wrestling, and hard-hitting matches. Fans who appreciate pure wrestling skill find Strong appealing.
That said, NJPW Strong is still not as widely accessible as NJPW’s main shows like Wrestle Kingdom or New Japan Cup. Its distribution is primarily through NJPW World, which may limit its viewership compared to TV broadcasts or major events.
5Impact Wrestling
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) per episode |
| 2023 | 128,260 | 0.15 |
| 2022 | 105,470 | 0.03 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Alex Shelley, Raven, Eddie Edwards, Christian Cage, Moose, Rich Swann, Rhino
Impact Wrestling is a wrestling promotion that has been through many ups and downs over the years, but it has managed to survive and thrive in 2023.
It has a weekly show that airs on DAZN in multiple countries, AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, and Impact Wrestling DAZN in the UK.
Impact’s working relationship with AEW has allowed for cross-promotional opportunities. AEW talent has appeared on Impact, and vice versa, creating fresh matchups and storylines that intrigue fans.
So, AEW fans can also check out this show. Impact Wrestling also features a diverse roster with a mix of established veterans and rising stars. This variety allows for different wrestling styles and character dynamics, appealing to a broad fan base.
On the other hand, the roster does not seem to be equally appealing to everyone. Some fans feel that Impact Wrestling has become stagnant, with a mostly dull roster lacking excitement. The company needs to inject more energy and creativity to keep viewers engaged. While Kenny Omega’s initial appearance on Impact boosted TV ratings, the impact (no pun intended) hasn’t been sustained consistently. The exposure from AEW talent hasn’t always translated into long-term viewership growth for Impact.
4WWE Raw
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) per episode |
| 2023 | 1,780,800 | 0.48 |
| 2022 | 1,736,270 | 0.46 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, John Cena, Steve Austin, Triple H
WWE Raw is a weekly show that airs on Monday nights on USA Network in the U.S., SN360 in Canada, and BT Sport 1 in the UK.
WWE Raw is supposed to be the best pro wrestling has to offer every week. However, much of the show’s glory days are over. The show still continues to have a massive loyal fanbase but there is far less “wrestling” nowadays.
Lately, Raw has been lacking in the department of storylines as well because it gets affected due to too many ads and replays. This is a huge turn-off for fans.
And don’t get me wrong, it has nothing to do with the roster. The issue lies in WWE’s booking, because Raw is still #1 if we’re looking at superstars. Raw has The Judgement Day, Gunther, Cody Rhodes, Main Event Jey Uso, Sami & KO and a host of mega stars.
3WWE SmackDown
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) per episode |
| 2023 | 2,305,740 | 0.61 |
| 2022 | 2,112,057 | 0.52 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, The Undertaker, AJ Styles, Edge, Eddie Guerrero, Batista
WWE SmackDown is a weekly show that airs on Friday nights on FOX in the U.S., SN360 in Canada, and BT Sport 1 in the UK. It features matches and segments from WWE’s blue brand, which is considered to be the more sports-oriented and competitive one.
Some of the most interesting storylines in the recent history of WWE SmackDown are the rivalry between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship, the return of Edge and his quest for one more title run, and the rise of Big E as the new face of SmackDown.
As one of the most pro-wrestling shows, Smackdown definitely has its advantages.
The unique aspect of Smackdown is that it has its own distinct style and appeal compared to Raw. It often features different storylines, character dynamics, and wrestling styles, making it a unique viewing experience for fans. Moreover, it doesn’t feel as stretched out as Raw’s three-hour format, which can sometimes lead to repetitive content.
SmackDown has consistently featured strong mid-card talent, allowing wrestlers like Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, and Shinsuke Nakamura to shine. This focus on the mid-card adds depth to the show. If you want to be a part of the hype and begin with a popular show, Smackdown is the best bet.
But there are some things to keep in mind as well. While SmackDown has its own appeal, there’s a risk of repetition when sharing stars and tag teams with Raw. Some storylines may feel similar or overlap between the two brands.
Another important point is that Inter-brand invasions, like the current storyline building to Survivor Series, require a high level of suspension of disbelief. Wrestlers who supposedly dislike each other suddenly team up, which can strain credibility for some viewers.
2AEW Dynamite
Viewership Ratings:
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) per episode |
| 2023 | 876,800 | 0.31 |
| 2022 | 963,160 | 0.33 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Kenny Omega, Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D., MJF, Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), Adam Cole
AEW Dynamite is a weekly show that airs on Wednesday nights on TBS in the U.S., TSN in Canada, ITV4 in the UK, and DAZN in select European countries. AEW Dynamite features matches and segments from AEW’s flagship brand, which is considered to be the more creative and innovative one.
Some memorable moments from AEW Dynamite in 2023 include the debut of Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole at All Out, the first-ever War Games match between The Elite and The Pinnacle at Full Gear, and the historic collaboration with NJPW at GCW To Live and DIE In Tokyo.
AEW Dynamite consistently delivers exciting and high-quality wrestling matches. Compared to WWE shows, AEW Dynamite features much better quality of wrestling overall.
It has also assembled a diverse roster with a mix of established stars, international talent, and rising stars. This variety allows for fresh matchups and different wrestling styles, keeping it engaging for viewers.
But while AEW Dynamite excels in many areas, there have many instances of inconsistent booking or rushed storylines. Some feuds may lack proper buildup or payoff, leaving fans wanting more.
The main con of AEW Dynamite is that it lacks severely in delivering good storylines. Things have been better since “Better Than You Bay Bay”, but the show still has a long way to go. It also sometimes leans heavily on a few top stars (such as Kenny Omega or Chris Jericho), which can overshadow other talent. Balancing the spotlight among the entire roster is crucial for long-term success.
Nevertheless, the good quality of wrestling makes AEW Dynamite a must-watch for true wrestling fans.
1WWE NXT
Viewership Ratings: Braun Breaker, Raquel Gonzalez, LA Knight, Io Shirai, and Walter
| Viewership | Average Viewer Count | Demographic (18-49) per episode |
| 2023 | 641,400 | 0.18 |
| 2022 | 624,560 | 0.14 |
Notable Featured Superstars: Carmelo Hayes, Bron Breakker, Ilja Dragunov, Wes Lee, Trick Williams, The Creed Brothers, Baron Corbin, Tiffany Stratton, Dragon Lee, Thea Hail
This show has honestly no right being this good. NXT is supposed to be a training ground for fresh talents coming out of the performance center.
It’s supposed to be a “waiting room” before they’re allowed on the main roster. It’s supposed to be less than a B-tier show. But dammit it’s unbelievably good.
WWE NXT is the best weekly pro wrestling show in 2023. Where WWE Raw lacks in in-ring wrestling and AEW Dynamite lacks in good storytelling – NXT led by Shawn Michaels focuses on both and produces a perfect wrestling product.
It may come as a shock to you since NXT is often ignored even among the WWE fans. But it is THAT GOOD.
If you don’t believe me, just watch the recent matches between Becky Lynch and Tiffany Stratton, the NXT Championship feud between Ilja Dragunov and Carmello Hayes, or the North American Championship feud between Dirty Dominick Mysterio, Trick Williams and Wes Lee.
And if you want more, I have four words for you: NXT Black and Gold.
About WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., doing business as WWE, is an American professional wrestling promotion. A global integrated media and entertainment company, WWE has also branched out into other fields, including film, American football, and various other business ventures.
WWE shows are sports entertainment, featuring story line-driven, scripted, and partially choreographed matches; though including moves that can put performers at risk of injury, even death, if not performed correctly. It was founded in 1953 as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation and is the largest wrestling promotion in the world. It is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut.
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