In a groundbreaking move for professional wrestling, WWE Raw premiered on Netflix on January 6, 2025, ushering in a new era for sports entertainment. The star-studded event, broadcast live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, marked the beginning of a 10-year partnership between WWE and the streaming giant.
Record-Breaking Attendance
The Rock, making a special appearance, announced that the Los Angeles show boasted the highest entry gate in WWE history, with an estimated 17,500 fans packing the arena. This record-setting attendance underscored the immense anticipation surrounding Raw’s streaming debut.
Star-Studded Lineup
The premiere episode pulled out all the stops, featuring appearances from wrestling legends and celebrities:
The Rock’s Promo
The Rock opened the show with a surprising promo that deviated from expectations. Instead of his anticipated heel persona, he delivered a more subdued appearance, surprisingly praising both Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. He embraced Rhodes at ringside and even shook hands with Reigns, handing over the ula fala. Notably, he was the first to drop an uncensored swear word just 15 minutes into the Netflix debut
John Cena’s Farewell Tour
John Cena kicked off his retirement tour with an emotional and strategic announcement. He declared his entry into the 2025 Royal Rumble, teasing a potential record-breaking 17th world championship. Cena acknowledged his recent struggles, joking about his chances, but ultimately declaring his intention to win the Rumble and potentially challenge for a world title at WrestleMania 41
Hulk Hogan’s Controversial Appearance
Hulk Hogan’s surprise appearance turned into an unexpected disaster. The 71-year-old WWE Hall of Famer was met with profane chants and widespread booing from the audience. Attempting to salvage the moment, Hogan tried to promote his “Real American Beer” alongside longtime manager Jimmy Hart, but was roundly rejected by the crowd.
Main Event Highlights
Tribal Combat
Roman Reigns emerged victorious in a 25-minute “Tribal Combat” match against Solo Sikoa, securing the ula fala and solidifying his family leadership. The match featured intense action and interference from The Bloodline members.
Championship Changes
In a thrilling turn of events, Rhea Ripley captured the Women’s World Championship from Liv Morgan in a brutal 15-minute match that saw interference from the rest of The Judgment Day.
First Netflix Raw Main Event
CM Punk claimed the honor of winning the inaugural Netflix Raw main event, defeating Dominik Mysterio in a hard-fought 20-minute contest that showcased both wrestlers’ technical skills.
Production Enhancements
Netflix’s influence was evident in the show’s production values:
- New augmented reality graphics enhanced wrestler entrances
- A 360-degree camera rig provided immersive replays
- Picture-in-picture interviews during matches added depth to ongoing storylines
Mixed Reception
While the event garnered significant attention, reactions from critics and fans were mixed:
Praise
- The opening match between Reigns and Sikoa received accolades for its storytelling and audience engagement
- John Cena’s Royal Rumble announcement promo was well-received by viewers
- The enhanced production values were widely appreciated
Criticism
- Some felt the show overemphasized the Netflix partnership at the expense of wrestling content
- The lack of major surprises or storyline developments left some fans wanting more
- A few technical glitches during the live stream caused frustration for some viewers
Looking Ahead
As WWE Raw settles into its new home on Netflix, fans can expect live broadcasts every Monday at 8 p.m. ET in the US, Canada, UK, and Latin America. The wrestling world will be watching closely to see how this streaming era unfolds and impacts the future of sports entertainment.WWE has hinted at exclusive Netflix content, including behind-the-scenes documentaries and original series featuring WWE Superstars, to be released in the coming months.
