WWE Raw made waves with its much-anticipated Netflix debut on Monday night, showcasing not only thrilling matches but also surprise appearances from some of wrestling’s biggest stars. The event unfolded at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, where fans witnessed the beginning of WWE's monumental $5 billion streaming deal with Netflix, allowing subscribers to watch the flagship show live without any additional costs.
The spectacle featured high-octane bouts, including Roman Reigns facing Solo Sikoa, CM Punk battling Seth Rollins, and Liv Morgan going head-to-head with Rhea Ripley. The night kicked off with chief content officer Triple H heralding this new chapter, followed by The Rock's grand entrance, which turned some heads for the wrong reasons.
Despite the excitement, certain moments during the show didn’t sit well with die-hard fans. The New Day, renowned for their entertaining antics, stirred controversy when they mocked popular rapper Kendrick Lamar. During their segment, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston claimed they had spent six months trying to “elevate” Lamar, only to be met with jeers from the audience. Kingston humorously suggested, “Yeah, boo him. We think he sucks, too,” which drew even louder boos. This moment was shared widely online, with some fans amused by the situation, noting the irony of the comments being made in Los Angeles.
Reactions poured onto social media, with one fan commenting, “Dear god the sheer amount of people don’t know these guys are saying these things IN Los Angeles to get ‘heal heat’ is hilarious but sad at the same time.” The overarching sentiment, meanwhile, reflected admiration for both The New Day and Kendrick Lamar, showcasing the complex relationships wrestlers have with pop culture.
On the flip side, the reception of The Rock was decidedly mixed. While many were thrilled to see the iconic star, long-time fans expressed their desire for the villainous 'Final Boss' persona he exhibited prior to WrestleMania 40. Instead, The Rock took on a more corporate role throughout the evening, emphasizing loyalty and camaraderie as he presented Roman Reigns with the ceremonial Ula Fala, deepening the tribal narrative at play.
Fans took to social media, voicing their disappointment. One wrote, “Why is he just being The Rock again, where is my The Final Boss?” Another lamented, “The Rock being a babyface corporate merchant right now! NO, WE NEED THE FINAL BOSS THE ROCK!” This backlash highlighted the fine line WWE walks between appealing to long-time fans and casual viewers who are more familiar with The Rock's mainstream persona.
The show concluded with notable endings to the matches, including Reigns reclaiming his Tribal Chief title, and all eyes were on the big-name players to see how they would navigate the new era of WWE on Netflix.
The impactful debut set a thrilling tone for WWE’s future, which could feature enticing matchups like Josh Alexander locking horns with stars like Cody Rhodes or Kevin Owens, should he sign with the brand. Meanwhile, The Rock’s involvement, financial stakes, and the direction of his character promise to keep audiences abuzz for the remainder of the wrestling season.
With fans eagerly speculating on how the streaming debut will shake up WWE's storytelling and character arcs, WWE Raw's Netflix entry marks just the beginning of what promises to be compelling viewing for both die-hard supporters and newcomers alike. This balance holds the potential to keep audiences engaged, excited, and watching as WWE evolves within this new digital frontier.