-- Led by a strong 4.8 for Batista's promo, this week's edition of
WWE RAW scored a 4.0 rating.

-- The Ultimate Fighter finale posted a strong 1.9 rating on
Saturday, with the show peaking at 3.3. Considering it didn't have
the precious RAW lead-in, the finale's strong rating is a testament
to the success of the series and will definitely leave Spike TV's
mouth watering in anticipation for the second season.

Although MMA fans have a lot to be proud of, sources who are trying
to dismiss WWE's role in boosting the series are unfortunately
incorrect. While the finale's rating proves the series connected
with fans, the fact that WWE RAW helped launch the series cannot be
ignored. It was the quality of "Ultimate Fighter" that scored the
1.9 finale rating, but it was the WWE RAW lead-in that gave the show
its initial audience.

One could make a strong comparison to the situation with the popular
FOX medical drama "House." Before it received the beloved American
Idol lead-in, the show would only draw in the 3-4 rating territory.
Once American Idol kicked in, the show began to receive 8s and 9s.
It was then that the quality of the series helped it move up to 10-
11 territory, with the strong implication that once the American
Idol lead-in is removed, the show will still perform well in the
ratings. But, just as House fans cannot refrain from offering
gratitude to American Idol, UFC still has WWE to thank for its
reality show's success.