But the ratings they get when Brock, Rock, Vince etc aren't announced to be there are the true ratings because it's then just down to the guys who are there every week. Whenever these big stars show up and the rating pops a little bit, it needs to be taken with a pinch of salt somewhat because those people who are tuning causing the rating to increase, most likely aren't your every day viewer and are only there for that special attraction.
Right exactly so it's unfair to compare the ratings from those occassions to now because the megastars are solely responsible for the slight increase. Moreso it's clear that the every day viewers aren't having their attention drawn my anything on the card, not simply Punk being on top.
The McMahon stuff recently drew ok. Sheamus draws like a yo-yo and lost HUGE viewers this week. Ryback hasn't drawn a dime until this week apparently with a huge increase but that's the hot property who isn't drawing either. Again, I don't put stock in ratings but other things tell the story. No-ones talking about the WHC, and now #1 contender, losing viewers in such a big way are they?
Also, ratings never remain consistently high when building new stars or even legacies. You stick with people, you stick with the ratings that have been steady for months (that one 15 year low being the standout that's made everyone start worrying about Punk as a draw) and you see where things go heading into the new year. Poor initial ratings for superstars/angles/gimmick changes are the reason Christian and Jack Swagger aren't main eventing right now because they have the carpet pulled out from under them.
This time in the last two years Raw was doing 3.1 or thereabouts with Cena and the Nexus angle in 2010 and 2 or so 3 hour special events last year. Given the fact that the 3 hours is taking it's toll on every fan I'd imagine I think numbers at the moment are good for what's going on and more of an indicator that they need to drop the 3rd hour.
