5 Signs the WWE have fallen behind, and 5 signs they have not

#1 Have not fallen behind: Ratings don't tell the whole story

WWE Universal champion Brock Lesnar and his advocate, Paul "Don't call me Dangerously" Heyman.

Yes, the facts are the facts; the WWE Monday Night Raw ratings HAVE taken a hit in recent months.

However, ratings don't exist in a vacuum, and neither does the WWE. When you start to examine a lot of the factors that go into the ratings game, you'll find that WWE is still thriving in spite of losing some viewers.

For one, the most recent Raw on December 10 was competing head to head with Monday Night Football's much-anticipated matchup between the Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks. Raw often loses some ratings when a red-hot football game is on the other channel.

Also, it is the holiday season in North America, and a lot of potential Raw viewers are shopping for Christmas gifts, traveling, and visiting with family. It was also the final exam week for a lot of college students who might be hitting the books instead of tuning in to Raw. A slight dip in the viewership may be a cause for concern, but it's no cause for alarm or panic.