WWE's Netflix debut shaping up to be a show for the ages

Article content

World Wrestling Entertainment’s move to Netflix, which becomes official with its Jan. 6 episode of Raw, is shaping up to be unforgettable.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise, I guess. This is, after all, the company that brings us two nights of WrestleMania (and soon SummerSlam) and has been breaking gate and attendance records nearly everywhere it goes of late. 

WWE has a done a lot of industry changing things in its storied history. From effectively creating the pay-per-view format to creating WrestleMania, to breaking into markets all over the world, including in Saudi Arabia — where its women routinely are included on its shows — to being one of the first entertainment companies to creating its own streaming network to drawing in celebrities the likes of Muhammad Ali and Mr. T to Mike Tyson and Donald Trump. 

But on Jan. 6, when it moves its live programming to the world’s largest (by far) streaming platform, this will be the biggest thing the company has ever done. By far. 

Consider:  

• Netflix is the most-subscribed video-on-demand streaming media service in the world with an estimated 282.7 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries as of 2024.  

• As of 2023, Netflix was the 23rd most-visited website in the world.  

• The streaming platform is available in every country and territory except for China, North Korea, Syria and Russia.  

That’s reach that not even the globally famous WWE has ever had, even when it boasted its own streaming service.  

The $500-million deal is a game-changer for wrestling fans and a gigantic blank slate for WWE when it comes to drawing in new fans. 

Not surprisingly, WWE absolutely is treating it as such, too. Beyond the non-stop advertising about the Netflix debut, the company is pulling out all the stops for the debut show itself. 

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

The legendary John Cena, who is returning to full-time wrestling for 2025, will make his first appearance of that run during the Netflix debut.

Along with Cena, it’s expected fans will be treated to appearances by several other legends, including The Rock. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker or even Hulk Hogan added to the lineup.  

Inside the ring, former Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight champion Roman Reigns will take on his cousin Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat match during the episode, effectively a no-disqualification match with no outside interference.

On Raw this week, it was announced the CM Punk will face Seth Rollins in another star-studded matchup on the Netflix debut. Rumours are flying that the new women’s Intercontinental champion will be crowned at the show as well. 

Without a doubt, fans can expect celebrity cameos for the debut as well. It already has been announced that American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer Travis Scott, who will be providing Raw’s new theme song for Netflix, will be on hand.

And with another couple of weeks of episodes to go ahead of the switch to Netflix, there is sure to be more can’t-miss content announced for the event.  

New Day’s turn brings real heat

There can’t be a better example of just how meticulous the WWE has gotten with its long storytelling than what’s happening right now with The New Day.  

The iconic stable, which was comprised of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, recently celebrated their 10th anniversary of the group’s formation. The New Day is the most decorated stable since D-Generation X and hold several WWE records for tag teams including the most reigns as SmackDown tag team champions (seven) and the longest-reigning Raw tag team champions at 483 days.

To mark the 10th anniversary, the company held a ceremony in the ring during a recent episode of Raw. During the segment, Big E, who was forced out of action in March 2022 when he suffered a serious neck injury, returned to celebrate with his longtime friends. He announced that while he has not been cleared to wrestle, he intended to return to manage his former friends, who had been arguing and appeared headed toward a breakup.  

Shockingly, Kingston and Woods rejected his gesture, instead chiding him for not returning from his career-threatening injury as others had in the past.

It was great TV. The fallout has been slow but methodical, with Woods and Kingston being rejected by fans and fellow talent alike.

Big E, meanwhile, has been missing in action, which has only increased the sympathy for him. 

Whatever this is building toward, be it everyone versus The New Day, or should Big E have been cleared to resume his career and it ends up in a storyline involving matches that builds to WrestleMania, it’s great stuff. 

Jan Murphy is a journalist and former editor for The Kingston Whig-Standard and a lifelong pro wrestling fan.