EXCLUSIVE: Reason For Multiple Specialty Matches On TV Recently

Why WWE has been doing stip matches for free.

Recently we have seen a number of specialty matches on RAW and Smackdown. First, we saw a Hell In A Cell match on Smackdown with Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio. Then we saw a Hel In A Cell match on RAW between Bobby Lashley and Xavier Woods. This past Monday on RAW we saw a strap match with Jaxson Ryker and Elias. Now tonight we will see a Last Man Standing match between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.

We have been told the reason for these specialty matches taking place on TV and not waiting to do them on pay-per-view has to do with ratings. Both FOX and USA have come apparently come to WWE about doing things to help raise the ratings as they have been decreasing over the last few months. WWE feels if we have these specialty matches for free on TV that could help draw in more fans to the shows. It is unclear how long this could last for as we were told that if this does not help the ratings pretty quickly Vince will cut it saying it did not work.