WWE’s flagship program, Raw, has made its debut on Netflix, featuring the return of several prominent figures in the wrestling world.
The highly awaited program featured appearances by superstars such as The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker throughout the three-hour event held in Los Angeles.
The world-renowned weekly pro-wrestling show has enjoyed a remarkable 31-year run on broadcast television globally.
Last year, executives at TKO, the entity created from the merger of WWE and UFC, revealed that Raw would be available exclusively on streaming platforms.
Reports indicate that the program attracts 17.5 million viewers weekly in the United States, while WWE is said to have amassed one billion followers across multiple social media channels.
Critics of the inaugural performance indicated that it “was far from perfect” yet acknowledged that there were “lots of special moments to cover.”
One observer highlighted the “amazing production values and improved visuals,” pointing out the “sameness of the promos” of prominent figures like Triple H, The Rock, and John Cena.
The in-ring action received commendation; however, there was a consensus that the decision to feature WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan was a significant misstep, as evidenced by the loud boos from the California audience during his appearance.
The event signified the beginning of John Cena’s “farewell tour,” as the renowned star revealed that 2025 will be his final year in competition.
John Cena is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished professional wrestlers in history, having secured the world champion title a remarkable 16 times since his debut with WWE in 2001.
Addressing a jubilant crowd, he expressed that he “could not think of a better place to start” his farewell, declaring his goal to “win the Royal Rumble” event scheduled for February.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson made a notable return, serving as a director for TKO, much to the delight of fans.
Dwayne Johnson, known for his portrayal of the villainous “The Final Boss,” took a different approach this time as he reflected on the “history” of the night. Surprisingly, he offered praise and embraced his former rival, Cody Rhodes.
He made a notable appearance at the end of the Tribal Combat Match, where Roman Reigns faced off against Solo Sikoa, embracing Reigns in a show of camaraderie after his victory.
In a surprising turn of events, The Undertaker briefly appeared after the Women’s World Championship match, featuring competitors Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley.
The event marked the climax of an extended narrative arc culminating in Ripley securing the championship title.
The event’s conclusion saw CM Punk and Seth Rollins delivering a highly acclaimed exchange during the last televised episode of Raw.
The match stood out as the pinnacle of the evening’s wrestling events, with the often polarising Punk emerging victorious.
In a significant move, Netflix has secured the rights to stream Raw and additional WWE programming, including archival footage, in a deal valued at over $5 billion (£4 billion).
International audiences can access all weekly programming through the service, including SmackDown, NXT, and live events.
The company announced its offerings would feature pay-per-view specials, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.
The agreement is set to impact fans initially in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Latin America, with plans for expansion to additional countries.
“A significant number of viewers engage with Netflix, where WWE is prominently featured,” remarks Brandon Thurston, editor of the wrestling site Wrestlenomics.
“This could potentially yield significant benefits for their business.”
As streaming continues gaining popularity and traditional television viewership declines, Brandon believes that WWE has a unique chance to reach a broader global audience and engage with a younger demographic.
There is a noticeable shift from traditional television to the leading streaming platform. This is expected to boost the 18-49 demographic audience further.
For 12 years, Raw maintained a three-hour runtime, but it is set to be reduced to two hours by the end of 2024.
WWE’s chief content officer, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, has stated that the streaming platform provides the organization with “flexibility” regarding scheduling.
Brandon believes this variability can influence the content style, allowing for adjustments in quantity from week to week.
“Unlike traditional television schedules, they have the freedom to choose when to watch,” he states.
Brandon acknowledges the numerous advantages of the deal; however, he points out that dependence on the streaming platform may pose a potential drawback.
Netflix may begin to see a decline in subscribers due to various factors.
“It is crucial to highlight the significant lead it holds over its competitors in the streaming market.”
