WWE Raw segment ratings for June 10: McMahon family drama

There's a certain segment of the pro wrestling fanbase who couldn't care less about television ratings. And while I can understand why that might be the case, we know WWE often makes knee jerk decisions based solely on the numbers they get back from Nielson.

That alone makes them important.

So let's look at the numbers from this week's (June 10, 2013) episode of Monday Night Raw (estimates come by way of the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which you should have a subscription for):

• The show opened to a 3.1 rating for Triple H vs. Curtis Axel and Vince McMahon stopping the match twice before stealing the ring bell. That led into a backstage segment with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon that lost 299,000 viewers, though a Dean Ambrose vs. Kane match was also in that quarter. All the post-match stuff with The Shield and Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton backstage lost another 67,000 viewers.
• The Miz vs. Cody Rhodes with Wade Barrett on commentary, along with the announcement of Curtis Axel joining the triple threat match this Sunday night, gained 116,000 viewers, which is a shock to me.
• Chris Jericho promo leading to the return of Dolph Ziggler gained 316,000 viewers at the top of the second hour. That's a solid gain in that time slot. The ensuing Jericho vs. Big E. Langston match, however, lost 185,000 viewers.
• Antonio Cesaro vs. Sin Cara with Zeb Colter on commentary lost 19,000 viewers
• Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns lost 100,000 viewers before going right into Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins, which gained 223,000 viewers at the top of the third hour. Not a great gain for that slot but about what they would normally do. Post-match stuff lost 62,000 viewers.
• Kaitlyn's secret admirer being revealed and the awesome AJ Lee heel promo gained 74,000 viewers.
• Damien Sandow vs. R-Truth, put in the death time slot, lost 362,000 viewers.
• More McMahon family drama backstage and the main event segment with John Cena, Ryback, all the lumberjacks, and the pull apart brawl gained 521,000 viewers to a 3.33 overrun, solid numbers heading into the Payback event this weekend.

There isn't anything that jumps off the page here. The gain for Miz vs. Rhodes in the time slot they had was a bit surprising, but other than that, everything looks about normal.

For complete results and the live blog click here. For reactions to the show click here. And for a playlist of the entire night click here.