Tonight’s episode of WWE Raw will be live at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It’s the first Raw in Ottawa since July 8, 2024.
However, it’s not the typical edition of the show due to an early start time.
The August 24, 2026 episode will start at 6:00 p.m. EST, two hours earlier than the usual broadcast.
Fans can still watch Raw on Netflix in the United States and internationally.
Why is WWE Raw Earlier Than Usual?
According to Rick Ucchino of Sports Illustrated, the reason for an early start time for tonight’s WWE Raw is a double-taping schedule. The company will tape the August 28 episode of WWE SmackDown after Raw tonight.
It’s not the only double-taping of the week since WWE heads toward the Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio this Friday for the same reason. The August 31 edition of Raw will be taped first followed by the September 4 episode of SmackDown.
Ucchino added that WWE initially scheduled tonight’s Raw in Charlotte, North Carolina. They changed it to an episode of SmackDown on February 19, 2027.
There was also a previously scheduled SmackDown taping on September 4 in Cincinnati, Ohio, but it was canceled. But why did WWE change their schedule?
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that the company wanted to give their talent some time off after a busy summer. They get a whole week off before Labor Day weekend, which includes Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Fightful Select spoke to a source within the company who claimed it was to give the roster and staff a little time off after the Summer, before they head on the South American tour,” Sapp wrote.
After SNME, the roster heads to Latin America for a week-long tour that includes Raw, SmackDown and TripleMania 34 in Mexico City. They will also visit Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina and Chile.
WWE Raw – August 24 Match Card and Segments
Raw general manager Adam Pearce announced on social media that there will be at least three matches and two segments in tonight’s show.
Stephanie Vaquer will take on Roxanne Perez of Judgment Day in a 1-on-1 match following last week’s attack. Vaquer is wrestling in her first match since WrestleMania 42.
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are expected to interfere, with Becky Lynch possibly helping Vaquer.
The semifinals of the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament are also scheduled to happen. Penta will take on La Parka, while Dragon Lee faces Rey Fenix, with the winners advance to the final.
The winner of the tournament challenges Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Title on the September 14 episode of Raw in Mexico City. Penta has been rumored as the potential tournament winner.
As for segments, Bron Breakker and Oba Femi will make their match Sunday Night’s Main Event official via a contract signing mediated by Adam Pearce, and possibly Paul Heyman.
LA Knight and Solo Sikoa are expected to make their presence felt after what happened last week with The Bloodline. Knight and Sikoa were able to fend off The Usos and Roman Reigns, who tried to welcome back Solo to the family.
What Time is WWE Raw Tonight, Aug. 24? Reason for Early Start Revealed