Big Moments and Star Appearances
The debut of WWE Raw on Netflix marked the beginning of a new era for the wrestling giant. The show kicked off with Triple H, who welcomed fans to the new Netflix Era with an electrifying promo. However, the most notable moments came from the return of some iconic stars.
John Cena, who has been with WWE for over two decades, used the occasion to announce his farewell tour, confirming that 2025 will be his last year as an active wrestler. He received a rousing reception from the Los Angeles crowd and teased an appearance at the Royal Rumble in February, hinting at a final championship run. Cena reflected on his storied career and said there was no better place to start his goodbye tour than in Los Angeles.
The Rock also made a surprise return, albeit in a different role than usual. Known for his charismatic and sometimes villainous persona, The Rock was in a more reflective mood, acknowledging the “history” of the night and praising Cody Rhodes, one of WWE’s rising stars. Fans were treated to a rare moment when The Rock embraced Rhodes in a gesture of respect. Later, The Rock appeared at the conclusion of the Tribal Combat Match between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa, celebrating Reigns' victory in a dramatic showdown that was one of the night’s biggest highlights.
The Undertaker made a brief yet memorable return at the end of the WWE Women’s World Championship match between Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan. After Ripley retained her title, Undertaker made a special appearance to support Ripley, marking another key moment in her storyline.
The Matches: What Stood Out?
While the appearances of these legends drew the most attention, the in-ring action did not disappoint. The CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins match was widely regarded as the best bout of the night. The two veterans delivered an intense and emotionally charged contest, with Punk emerging victorious after a hard-fought back-and-forth. This match set the tone for Raw's first show on Netflix and left fans buzzing about the future of Punk in WWE.
Roman Reigns successfully defended his title in the Tribal Combat Match against Solo Sikoa, which featured a chaotic and hard-hitting sequence of events. The match had multiple interferences and shocking moments, including a surprise appearance by Kevin Owens, before Reigns ultimately emerged victorious. The presence of Paul Heyman and The Rock added drama to the conclusion of this match, with Reigns being knighted with the Sacred Ula Fala by The Rock himself.
Another memorable match saw Rhea Ripley defend her WWE Women’s World Championship against Liv Morgan. Despite an incredible performance from Morgan, Ripley secured the win after a thrilling back-and-forth. The match ended with Ripley delivering a Riptide to Dominik Mysterio, followed by an appearance from The Undertaker, which added to the grandeur of the moment.
The Streaming Shift: What It Means for WWE
WWE’s exclusive move to Netflix represents a significant shift for the company. The deal, reportedly worth over $5 billion, will allow WWE to air all of its weekly shows, including SmackDown, NXT, and Raw, along with major pay-per-view events like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble, on the streaming platform. The move to Netflix is seen as a way to reach a broader, younger audience, as more people turn to streaming platforms instead of traditional TV.
In addition to the increased global exposure, the switch to Netflix gives WWE more flexibility with its content, allowing them to adapt the timing and pacing of shows without being constrained by traditional TV slots. This could lead to more dynamic and varied programming in the future, allowing WWE to experiment with different formats and content lengths.
The deal initially impacts fans in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Latin America, with plans to expand to other regions over time. Experts believe this could bring WWE into more households worldwide, capitalizing on Netflix’s vast subscriber base.
A Mixed Reception: Some Hits, Some Misses
Despite the excitement surrounding WWE’s Netflix debut, the event wasn’t without its criticisms. Many fans were thrilled by the big-star appearances and the improved visuals, but some noted the promos felt formulaic, with many of the stars delivering similar messages. Hulk Hogan’s appearance was widely panned, as the WWE Hall of Famer was booed heavily by the Los Angeles crowd. His segment, which involved promoting his Real American Beer and donning a Netflix t-shirt, failed to land well with fans, overshadowing what was supposed to be a celebratory moment for the brand.
Overall, while the event had its flaws, the night was packed with special moments that will be remembered, including the powerful in-ring action and the emotional returns of some of WWE’s greatest legends.
What’s Next for WWE?
With WWE’s move to Netflix, the company is poised to usher in a new era of wrestling entertainment. The switch to streaming offers WWE unprecedented freedom to explore new content ideas, attract a younger audience, and reach fans in more regions than ever before. However, the reliance on Netflix for distribution also brings potential risks, particularly if Netflix faces any struggles with subscriber growth. Still, the potential benefits outweigh the risks, and WWE seems ready to capitalize on this new streaming era.
In conclusion, WWE’s debut on Netflix was a historic night filled with surprises, star power, and thrilling wrestling action. While there were some missteps, the future of WWE on Netflix looks bright as they continue to evolve and expand their global audience.