WWE has made waves with its recent debut of Monday Night Raw on Netflix, igniting mixed reactions from fans following the show's launch at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. A star-studded affair unfolded, featuring celebrity appearances such as Macaulay and Kieran Culkin, The Rock, and John Cena, complementing the packed lineup of exciting wrestling matches.
The monumental $5 billion deal struck between WWE and Netflix allows fans to watch the flagship show live without any additional subscription costs. This ambitious agreement marks a significant shift for the wrestling giant, aiming to captivate both hardcore fans and casual viewers alike.
During the show's live broadcast, irony and controversy filled the air as The New Day, consisting of wrestlers Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, aimed to elicit boos from the audience. Their remarks branding Kendrick Lamar as “a trash rapper” backfired spectacularly, drawing loud jeers from spectators, particularly as they declared, “Drake won the beef.”
“Yeah, boo him. We think he sucks, too,” Kingston said, which prompted even more boos from the audience, who seemed unable to tolerate the criticism of the Compton rapper. Comments from fans on platforms like Reddit revelled in the theatricality: “Honestly didn’t buy their heel turn till this moment.” Another observe[d], “The sheer amount of people who don’t know these guys are saying these things IN Los Angeles for ‘heel heat’ is hilarious but sad at the same time.”
While the presence of stars like Travis Scott—who even lit up on stage—kept viewers entertained, the debut episode's heart was undoubtedly its wrestling bouts. High-profile matches included Roman Reigns versus Solo Sikoa and CM Punk against Seth Rollins, culminating with Liv Morgan fighting Rhea Ripley.
Chief Content Officer Triple H inaugurated this new chapter of WWE with the realization of their Netflix strategy, ushering fans to what he described as an “exciting new period.” The crowd erupted when The Rock, revered within the wrestling community, entered the ring. He acknowledged the vibrant atmosphere and presented the important Ula Fala necklace to Reigns after his victorious match over Sikoa, reaffirming their Samoan heritage.
Yet, not all responses were positive. Fans of WWE expressed their discontent over The Rock's departure from his recently established ‘Final Boss’ persona—likely developed during the lead-up to WrestleMania 40. Observers noted, “The Rock being a babyface corporate merchant right now! NO, WE NEED THE FINAL BOSS THE ROCK.”
This return to his charismatic persona didn’t resonate well with all, as fervent fans articulated their wishes for The Rock to regain his intimidating edge rather than accommodating casual audiences. For many, wrestling is as much about persona as it is about athleticism, and losing the grittiness of The Rock’s character felt like losing part of WWE's essence.
One fan lamented, “That was The Rock, but the streets NEED The Final Boss! WAKE TF UP.” Another echoed those feelings: "Cody hugging Rock like we ain't forget about the ass whoopings he got from the Final Boss.” With sentiments like this, it's clear the blending of corporate persona and wrestling intensity remains contentious.
Delving back to The Rock's business aspects, he was reported to have acquired 96,557 Class A shares of TKO stock, raising his total shares to 289,673, valued at roughly $41 million. This acquisition signals his continuing commitment to his wrestling career and business interests, seeking to find common ground between the two.
Overall, WWE's transition onto Netflix embodies both opportunity and challenge. While casual fans may have found the revamped format and celebrity influence exhilarating, die-hard supporters grapple with the risk of dilution of their cherished personas and wrestling experiences. With significant changes appearing on the horizon, WWE now faces the mammoth task of keeping its original fanbase engaged without alienation, all the whilst appealing to the sprawling community of new viewers.
Finally, the debut episode was more than just wrestling; it strongly reflected WWE's daring leap toward redefining entertainment on streaming platforms. Time will tell whether this transition benefits their vast audience or alienates their core, but for now, the buzz and excitement promise to propel WWE to new heights.